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Explore Irvine’s Best Outdoor Spots for Seasonal Family Photos

Issue # 0521

Author

Joshua Tjia
20 Nov

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🚂🎅🏻🎄 Celebrate the Season Together at Santa’s Village in Irvine

🍽️🦃🥘 Help Provide Nutritious Meals for Local Older Adults This Holiday Season

🧸🎁 Join the Holiday Toy Drive for the Irvine 2/11 Marines

🩰 Kick Off the Holidays with Premier Ballet School's Christmas Performance, Nov. 29

❄️🎾🎨 Explore Irvine’s Winter Camps: Creative, Active, and Educational Programs for All Ages

🩸 Woodbridge Village Association to Host Community Blood Drive on Dec. 19

🌳📸 Explore Irvine’s Best Outdoor Spots for Seasonal Family Photos

🖼️ UC Irvine Finalizes Acquisition of OCMA, Forming New Unified Art Museum

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🚰🧼 Keep Your Holiday Sink Happy—Avoid Fats, Oils & Grease Clogs

⚽️🏀 Babineau and Saran Named Co-Anteaters of the Week for Historic Basketball and Soccer Performances

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀 IVC Men’s Basketball Improves to 4–1 With Back-to-Back Road Victories

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏀 Irvine and Woodbridge Boy's basketball Earn Tournament Wins

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓📦 Irvine Police Seek Suspect in Spectrum Package Theft

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

🌟🏪🎉Irvine’s Best Kept Secrets: Is Your Business One of Them?

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What's the difference between corn and potatoes?

One has ears, the other has eyes!

We hope this joke brings some laughter to your day! 😁

Celebrate the Season Together at Santa’s Village in Irvine

Step into the holiday magic at Santa’s Village at Irvine Regional Park, where sparkling lights, cheerful music, and festive activities welcome families all season long. Admission is free, and no reservations are needed to explore the village. Guests can enjoy crafts, games, treats, and beautiful photo spots that bring the season to life.

Details & Events

  • Location: Irvine Regional Park (behind the train station)

  • Open Nov 28–Dec 30 (closed Dec 24–25)

  • Free entry; no reservations needed

  • Festive Activities: ice fishing, cookie decorating, crafts, carnival games, moon bounce, mini digger

  • Beautiful holiday lights + free themed photo scenes

  • Activity Tickets: $8 each

  • Parking: $3 weekdays, $5 weekends, $7 holidays; free after 6 PM

  • Christmas Train & Train of Lights require advance reservations

Help Provide Nutritious Meals for Local Older Adults This Holiday Season

Irvine Adult Day Health Services is seeking community support throughout November for its Second Annual “Food for Thought” Fundraiser. Residents are encouraged to donate nonperishable food items or make monetary contributions to help fund the center’s Nutrition Program, which provides healthy meals for older adults and adults with disabilities. Donations can be made online or dropped off at the IADHS Center, with all support directly benefiting vulnerable community members this holiday season.

Join the Holiday Toy Drive for the Irvine 2/11 Marines

The Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee is welcoming community support to bring holiday cheer to Marines and their families this season.

  • Donation Window: November 1–December 13

  • What They’re Collecting: New, unwrapped toys, books, warm clothing, gift sets, stocking stuffers, and gift cards

  • Drop-Off Locations: Irvine Civic Center, Irvine Police Department, Great Park Visitors Center, multiple community centers, and local libraries

  • Drive-Thru Drop-Off: December 7 and December 13 from 9 a.m.–Noon at the Irvine Civic Center

Kick Off the Holidays with Premier Ballet School's Christmas Performance, Nov. 29

The Premier Ballet School of Orange County invites the community to its 2025 Holiday Show, A Classic Christmas Ballet, on Saturday, November 29, with performances at 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Held at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, the event offers two showtimes for families to enjoy this festive ballet tradition, with doors opening one hour before each performance.

Explore Irvine’s Winter Camps: Creative, Active, and Educational Programs for All Ages

Irvine’s winter camp registration is now open, offering fun options for kids and teens including cooking and culinary camps, arts and crafts, dance and drama, sports, education, and social-recreation programs.

Families can register anytime at yourirvine.org

Woodbridge Village Association to Host Community Blood Drive on Dec. 19

Woodbridge Village Association is hosting a community blood drive on Friday, December 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Community Center (31 Creek Road). Residents can schedule a life-saving donation by signing up at RedCrossBlood.org using their ZIP code or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Explore Irvine’s Best Outdoor Spots for Seasonal Family Photos

Irvine offers beautiful parks and open spaces that make perfect backdrops for fun holiday photos. From scenic trails to family-friendly garden spots, you can capture festive portraits while enjoying the outdoors.

  • Turtle Rock Trail – Ocean and mountain views at golden hour.

  • Farm + Food Lab – Colorful gardens, chickens, and kid-friendly backdrops.

  • Peters Canyon – Creekside bridges, willows, and lake views.

  • Barbara’s Lake – Natural lake with wildlife and red toyon berries.

  • Limestone Canyon – Dripping Springs and The Sinks’ dramatic rock formations.

  • Red Rock Wilderness – Striking red cliffs and panoramic overlooks.

  • More Options – Quail Loop, San Joaquin Marsh, Pacific Ridge, Bommer Canyon.

  • Easy Park Spots – Jeffrey Open Space Trail, Mason Park, Upper Bee & Bosque.

UC Irvine Finalizes Acquisition of OCMA, Forming New Unified Art Museum

UC Irvine has officially acquired the Orange County Museum of Art, forming the UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art, uniting more than 9,000 artworks, expanding public access, and strengthening ties between academic research and visual arts.

  • The university now oversees OCMA’s 53,000-sq-ft Costa Mesa facility and will showcase major collections including the Gerald Buck Collection and the Irvine Museum Collection.

  • Both the Costa Mesa and Irvine sites will continue programming through 2026, with OCMA staff joining UCI and a national search underway for a new executive director.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. December 3, 7 - 8:30 PM: Instrumental Winter Concert - Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, NHS Theater

  2. December 4, 7 - 8:30 PM: Instrumental Winter Concert - Guitar, Symphonic Strings, Concert Orchestra, NHS Theater

  3. December 9, 7 - 8:30 PM: Vocal Music Winter Concert, NHS Theater

  4. December 12 , 7 - 8:30 PM: Winter Gala Concert – Jazz Ensemble I, Wind Symphony, Philharmonic, and Vocal Music, NHS Theater

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://timbmusic.org/events/

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

  1. December 11 - 12, 6:30 - 8:30 PM: Winter Concerts, WHS Performing Arts Center

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.whs-music.org/

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. December 5, 7 PM: Winter Celebration Concert, WHS Performing Arts Center

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://woodbridgechoirs.weebly.com/calendar.html

Upcoming Irvine High Choral’s Music Calendar

  1. December 16, 7 PM: Jazz the Halls, TBD

  2. December 18, 7 PM: Holiday Concert, IHS PAC

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.ihschoralmusic.org/calendar.html 

Upcoming Portola High School Music’s Calendar

No events scheduled for the rest of this month.

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.phsmusicbooster.org/buy-ticket

Keep Your Holiday Sink Happy—Avoid Fats, Oils & Grease Clogs

Irvine Ranch Water District is reminding residents to keep fats, oils, and grease out of the kitchen drain to prevent holiday clogs. Proper disposal helps protect your plumbing and the sewer system while keeping your kitchen running smoothly.

Tips to Prevent Clogs

  • Cool & contain: Pour used cooking oil, grease, and leftover sauces into a container, let them cool, and dispose of them following your city’s guidelines.

  • Wipe before washing: Use a paper towel to wipe greasy pots and pans before placing them in the sink.

  • Compost your scraps: Put all food scraps — including coffee grounds, eggshells, and potato peelings — in your organics recycling bin or compost.

Babineau and Saran Named Co-Anteaters of the Week for Historic Basketball and Soccer Performances

  • Travis Babineau: Led UCI men’s soccer to a Big West Championship win with a goal and assist, securing the program’s eighth NCAA Tournament berth.

  • Derin Saran: Made history with UCI men’s basketball’s first-ever triple-double and powered record-breaking team performances in two victories.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Women’s Volleyball

  • Fri, Nov 21 – vs UC Santa Barbara, 6:00 PM

Men’s Water Polo

  • Fri, Nov 21– vs Big West Championship, TBA

IVC Men’s Basketball Improves to 4–1 With Back-to-Back Road Victories

Irvine Valley College men’s basketball earned two road wins, defeating MiraCosta 67–55 and LA City 69–66 to improve to 4–1 overall. Matt Mowers, Garrett Trayer, Ahmad Alhammouri, and Tyler Harris led the scoring across both games.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Men's Basketball

  • Fri, Nov 21 - vs Cuyamaca, 5:00 PM

Irvine and Woodbridge Boy's basketball Earn Tournament Wins

  • Irvine High:
    Irvine won 60–36 against Santiago, with Thiago Ida scoring 12 points and 11 players contributing. The Vaqueros play San Juan Hills next on Friday.

  • Woodbridge:
    Woodbridge beat Villa Park 65–56. Jaiden Sabino had a huge game with 36 points and seven threes, while Garrett DiCostanzo and Jahan Aldoo also helped the Warriors secure the win.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With November Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

No events scheduled for the rest of this month.

Irvine Police Seek Suspect in Spectrum Package Theft

Irvine Police are seeking the public’s help to identify a man who followed an Amazon driver into a secured apartment mailroom in the Spectrum area and left with packages that did not belong to him. Anyone who recognizes the suspect is asked to contact Officer Paulsen at [email protected].

Irvine’s Best Kept Secrets: Is Your Business One of Them?

We know our community is brimming with businesses that have fascinating stories and big hearts. If you’re a local business owner making waves, crafting unique experiences, or simply putting a smile on our faces, we want to chat with you! “Irvine Insider” is eager to shine a light on the unsung heroes of our city. Let’s collaborate and let the community know what makes your business special.

Click the link below and fill out the Local Business Spotlight Application Form to be featured and let’s celebrate the spirit of Irvine together!

Irvine Insider is sent to a local audience of Irvine residence Monday through Friday with 50% - 60% open rate. Our newsletter is a great way to reach Irvine residents.

  • Kaiser Permanente Irvine Farmers Market

  • Saturday Farmers Market at Mariners Church Irvine

    • When: Saturday, 8 AM - 12 PM

    • Where: 5428 Bonita Canyon Dr, Irvine, CA 92603

  • Great Park Certified Farmers Market

  • Manassero Farmers

    • When: Daily, 9 AM - 4:30 PM

    • Where: 33 Irvine Valley, Irvine, CA 92604

  • Tanaka Farms

    • When: Daily, 9 AM - 5 PM

    • Where: 5380 3/4 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612

    • More Info:Tanaka Farms

November 20 - November 22 Shelley Conducts Carmen and Daphnis and Chloe 8 PM

November 22 Lao Tizer Band

November 23 PSYCB: Songs of the Earth 1 PM

November 25 PSYO: Light in Darkness 7 PM

November 28 - December 30 Santa's Village

December 4 - 6 Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake 8 PM

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