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Holidayz at the Park Brings Dazzling Light Displays to Great Park, Dec. 6 - Jan. 4

Issue # 0530

Author

Joshua Tjia
05 Dec

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁Fun Fact Friday

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🎄🌴🎄 Holidayz at the Park Brings Dazzling Light Displays to Great Park, Dec. 6 - Jan. 4

🥦🍏📦 Irvine Offers Free Food Boxes This December — Plus Volunteer Opportunities

✈️📚 Explore Marine Corps Aviation History at the New Flying Leatherneck Research Library in 2027

🎺🎷 Canadian Brass Brings Holiday Cheer to Segerstrom Concert Hall on December 10

❄️🎶 Woodbridge High Presents “Sounds of the Season” Holiday Concert

🎄🎅🏻 Step Into Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops Irvine This Holiday Season

💧🚰 How Drinking Water Supports Blood Sugar Control for People With Diabetes

🌿🦌 Discover Mule Deer at a Fun Preschool Program on December 17

🎁🎨 Holiday Crafts for All Ages This Saturday at University Park Library

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🍿🎬 Enjoy $7.99 Holiday Classics All Season Long at Regal Irvine Spectrum

🏀 UCI Men's Basketball Secures 73–60 Win in Big West Debut

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈 Crean Lutheran Celebrates Four Football Players Signing to College Programs

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🏎️💨 Driver Taken Into Custody for Reckless Driving on Portola Parkway

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Did you know…?

It’s quiet after it snows because fresh snow absorbs sound waves, acting like a soft, muffling blanket on the ground. All the tiny air pockets between snow crystals trap sound, so noises don’t travel as far. However, when the snow melts and refreezes, it turns into a harder, icy layer that reflects sound waves instead of absorbing them, allowing sound to travel much farther and more clearly.

We hope this fun fact brings a smile to your day! 😁

Holidayz at the Park Brings Dazzling Light Displays to Great Park, Dec. 6 - Jan. 4

Holidayz at the Park returns to the Great Park Palm Court Arts Complex from December 6–January 4, transforming the area into a sparkling winter scene filled with festive photo backdrops, creative light displays, and Santa’s sleigh for family pictures. Visitors can enjoy a magical stroll through the illuminated pathways daily from dusk to 9 p.m., making it a perfect spot to capture holiday memories.

Irvine Offers Free Food Boxes This December — Plus Volunteer Opportunities

The City of Irvine, in partnership with Community Action Partnership of Orange County, is providing free 30-pound grocery food boxes—with staples like produce, beans, canned goods, dairy, rice, and pasta—for residents of all ages. Boxes can be picked up on December 11 and 18 from 9 a.m. to noon at Heritage Park Community Center.

The City is also seeking volunteers to help support these monthly food-box events, which serve hundreds of families. Learn more at cityofirvine.org/foodbox.

Explore Marine Corps Aviation History at the New Flying Leatherneck Research Library in 2027

A new research library and archive will open alongside the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum in 2027, preserving the rich history of Marine Corps aviation.

  • The collection will include aircraft manuals, aviation history books, rare artifacts, a growing photo archive from MCAS El Toro, digitized wartime diaries, and the El Toro Oral History Project.

  • After the museum’s launch, visitors will be able to access these original documents and stories by appointment.

Canadian Brass Brings Holiday Cheer to Segerstrom Concert Hall on December 10

Canadian Brass returns to the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall on December 10, bringing their signature mix of dazzling musicianship, warm holiday spirit, and playful humor. With over 50 years of delighting audiences around the world, the brass quintet will fill the season with classic holiday favorites and joyful energy—perfect for families, friends, and anyone looking to make a festive concert part of their holiday tradition.

Woodbridge High Presents “Sounds of the Season” Holiday Concert

Sounds of the Season brings two nights of festive music to Woodbridge High School, with orchestras performing on December 11 and bands on December 12 at 5:30 PM. Come enjoy the holiday spirit and support these talented student musicians!

Tickets are available at woodbridgeghs.booktix.com.

Step Into Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops Irvine This Holiday Season

Santa’s Wonderland is happening now through December 24 at Bass Pro Shops in Irvine, offering families a fun and festive place to celebrate the holidays. Enjoy free photos, crafts, games, and special activities perfect for kids and parents.

  • Free 4×6 photo with Santa + a free shareable video

  • Holiday games, toy stations, and crafts for all ages

  • Letters to Santa with email replies for kids

  • Weekday giveaways:

    • Nov 24–Dec 5: Colorable Frames

    • Dec 8–24: Shrink Art

  • Christmas Tales every Tuesday at 5 PM

How Drinking Water Supports Blood Sugar Control for People With Diabetes

Staying hydrated plays an important role in helping the body manage blood sugar, especially for individuals with diabetes. While water does not instantly lower glucose levels, proper hydration supports kidney function, insulin efficiency, and overall balance—making it a simple yet essential part of daily diabetes care.

  • Water helps the kidneys filter and remove excess glucose from the bloodstream.

  • Dehydration can raise blood sugar by reducing urine output and disrupting electrolyte balance.

  • Individuals with diabetes may need more than the standard 8 cups of water depending on activity, climate, and health needs.

  • Proper hydration supports better blood circulation and more efficient glucose absorption.

  • Staying hydrated enhances the effectiveness of diabetes medications.

  • Signs of dehydration include dark urine, dry mouth, headaches, dizziness, and increased thirst.

  • Helpful hydration habits include drinking small amounts of water regularly, eating water-rich foods, avoiding sugary drinks, and keeping a water bottle on hand.

  • Drinking water before meals can help prevent overeating and support more stable blood sugar levels.

Discover Mule Deer at a Fun Preschool Program on December 17

Join OC Parks for Critter Investigation: Merry Mule Deer on Wednesday, December 17 from 10–11 a.m. at Upper Newport Bay, a preschool-friendly program for ages 2–5 that includes story time, a gentle outdoor walk, and a themed craft.

Holiday Crafts for All Ages This Saturday at University Park Library

Join the Irvine Public Library for Family Craft Time on Saturday, December 6, from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at University Park Library, where families can enjoy winter-themed materials to create festive make-and-take crafts together. It’s a cheerful, all-ages holiday activity designed to spark creativity and shared memories.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

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

  2. 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

  1. December 12, 7 - 9 PM: PHS Choir Concert – SPIRIT OF THE SEASON

  2. December 13, 3 PM: PHS Choir Concert – SPIRIT OF THE SEASON Matinee

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

Enjoy $7.99 Holiday Classics All Season Long at Regal Irvine Spectrum

Regal at the Irvine Spectrum is celebrating the season with Holiday Classics now through December 31, featuring a different festive movie every day for $7.99. Enjoy favorites like A Christmas Story, Elf, and The Grinch. Check the full lineup and grab tickets online to join the holiday fun.

UCI Men's Basketball Secures 73–60 Win in Big West Debut

UC Irvine beat UC Riverside 73–60 in their Big West opener, led by senior Kyle Evans with 19 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks. The Anteaters hit a season-high 10 threes, with strong help from Jurian Dixon and the bench. UCI’s defense held UCR to just 30% shooting, earning their ninth straight conference-opening win.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men’s Basketball

  • Sat, Dec 6 – vs CSUN, 7:00 PM

Women’s Basketball

  • Sat, Dec 13 – vs California Baptist, 2:00 PM

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Women’s Basketball

  • Tue, Dec 9 - vs LA Mission, 5:00 PM

Men's Basketball

  • Sat, Dec 13 - vs San Diego Miramar, 5:00 PM

  • Tue, Dec 30 - vs LA Valley, 5:00 PM

Crean Lutheran Celebrates Four Football Players Signing to College Programs

Four Crean Lutheran football standouts signed their college letters of intent after helping lead the Saints to an undefeated regular season and Epsilon League title.

Athletes:

  • Javari Nash – San Diego State University

  • James Carrington – University of Oklahoma

  • Ryder Barnes – Cal Poly (SLO)

  • Dillon Booth – University of Hawaii Manoa

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With December Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

December 2025

Friday, December 5

  • Basketball, Boys - 7:00 PM vs Saddleback

Driver Taken Into Custody for Reckless Driving on Portola Parkway

Irvine Police arrested a 42-year-old Irvine man on Sunday after he was caught driving over 85 mph in a 50 mph zone on Portola Parkway, weaving through traffic and cutting off another driver following community complaints about street racing. The driver was taken into custody for reckless driving, and his Porsche was impounded for 30 days as the department reinforces its commitment to keeping Irvine’s roads safe.

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 28 - December 30 Santa's Village

November 28 - December 28 Hikari: Festival of Lights

December 4 - 6 Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake 8 PM

December 6 Annual Trout Fishing Derby 6 AM - 1 PM

December 6 Skate with Santa 10 - 11:30 AM

December 6 Illuminate Irvine 3 - 8 PM

December 9 Holiday Organ Spectacular 7:30 PM

December 11 Free Grocery Food Box 9 AM - 12 PM

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