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Hot Cocoa, Holiday Tunes & Crafts: Winter Fest Brings Holiday Magic to Woodbridge

Issue # 0531

Author

Joshua Tjia
08 Dec

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🚒🧯 Fire Reported on Aston St.: Quickly Controlled, No Injuries

🏙️🌟 City of Irvine Earns 2025 Top Workplace Award for Fifth Consecutive Year

✨🕯️ Concordia University Irvine Hosts Annual Candlelight Worship Service, Dec. 9

🎁🧸 Spread Joy: Donate a Stuffed Animal and Bring Hope to Crime Survivors

🎄☕️🥜 Hot Cocoa, Holiday Tunes & Crafts: Winter Fest Brings Holiday Magic to Woodbridge

🤒🍊🥬 Eat Smart, Heal Faster: Top Cold & Flu Foods

🌳🥾 Hit the Trails: Hiking 101 for New Adventurers, Dec. 10

❄️🎨 Holiday Crafts for Everyone at Irvine Public Library

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🎄🌴🎄 Palm Lights & Music Show Runs Nightly at Irvine Spectrum

🏀 UCI Women’s Basketball Wins Big Over CSUN

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈 Beckman Football Advances to First CIF State Final After 46–40 Win

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓🏬 Irvine Police Arrest Three Suspects After Shoplifting and Drug Discovery at Target

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Did you hear about the rude snowman?

He didn’t carrot all.

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

Fire Reported on Aston St.: Quickly Controlled, No Injuries

Yesterday morning, an early fire at a commercial building in Irvine was quickly contained after dispatchers received reports just after 8 AM. Firefighters from Station 28 found smoke coming from a large business on Aston St., upgraded it to a working structure fire, and knocked it down in just 11 minutes with no injuries. Fire investigators are still determining the cause, with support from Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue and Irvine Police.

City of Irvine Earns 2025 Top Workplace Award for Fifth Consecutive Year

The City of Irvine has been named a 2025 Top Workplace in Orange County for the fifth year in a row, standing out as the only municipality among 145 organizations recognized by the OC Register. The honor is based on employee feedback and highlights Irvine’s strong, respectful, and collaborative workplace culture. City leaders credit the achievement to the dedication of employees who serve the community.

Concordia University Irvine Hosts Annual Candlelight Worship Service, Dec. 9

Concordia University Irvine invites the community to its Candlelight service on December 9 at 6:30 p.m. in Good Shepherd Chapel, a time of worship and reflection centered on Christ’s light. Families can enjoy a nativity goodie bag for children, plus cookies, hot cocoa, and hot apple cider after the service.

Spread Joy: Donate a Stuffed Animal and Bring Hope to Crime Survivors

NuBella Med Spa is hosting a holiday stuffed animal drive to support Crime Survivors, collecting new stuffed animals to bring comfort and hope to those affected by crime. Community members are encouraged to stop by, donate a stuffed animal, and help brighten the holidays for survivors.

Hot Cocoa, Holiday Tunes & Crafts: Winter Fest Brings Holiday Magic to Woodbridge

Winter Fest returns to Woodbridge Village Center on December 12 at 5 - 7 PM, bringing live holiday music, winter crafts, family-friendly activities, a roasted nut cart, a hot chocolate bar, and festive photo spots. It’s a cozy, community-focused celebration where families can enjoy seasonal treats and creative fun.

Eat Smart, Heal Faster: Top Cold & Flu Foods

Choosing the right foods can make a big difference when you're fighting a cold or the flu. Warm, soothing meals and immune-supporting ingredients can ease symptoms, boost recovery, and help you feel better faster, while processed and sugary foods may slow healing.

Foods to Eat

  • Warm Broths & Soups (like chicken soup)

  • Vitamin C-Rich Foods (oranges, berries, leafy greens)

  • Healing Spices (turmeric, garlic)

  • Probiotic-Rich Foods (yogurt, fermented foods)

  • Avoid processed and sweetened foods, which may slow recovery

Hit the Trails: Hiking 101 for New Adventurers, Dec. 10

Hiking 101 at Bommer Canyon Preserve on December 10 from 9 – 11:30 a.m. offers beginners a guided introduction to hiking basics, including gear tips, safety, trail etiquette, and a short 3-mile hike with light elevation. This Level-2 hike is designed to help new hikers gain confidence while exploring Irvine’s Open Space Preserve.

Holiday Crafts for Everyone at Irvine Public Library

Irvine Public Library is celebrating the season with a series of free, hands-on holiday craft events for kids, teens, and families, offering creative sessions throughout December at Heritage Park and University Park Libraries. No registration is needed—just drop in and enjoy the festive fun!

Create-It-Yourself: Handcraft Holiday

  • Dec 10, 6–7:30 p.m. – Heritage Park Library

  • Dec 12, 2–3:30 p.m. – University Park Library

Step-By-Step: Holiday Circuit House

  • Dec 15, 6–7:30 p.m. – Heritage Park Library

Teen Kindness With a Cause: Winter

  • Dec 9, 5–6 p.m. – Heritage Park Library

Learn more here

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

No further events scheduled for this month.

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

Palm Lights & Music Show Runs Nightly at Irvine Spectrum

Palm Lights, Musical Delights brings a festive light-and-music show to the Irvine Spectrum Center near Dave & Buster’s through January 4, 2026. Starting at 5:15 PM, the palm trees light up every 30 minutes with bright colors synced to holiday songs—perfect for a quick, family-friendly dose of holiday magic.

UCI Women’s Basketball Wins Big Over CSUN

UC Irvine women’s basketball defeated CSUN 72–46 behind a career-high 31 points from Hunter Hernandez. UCI extended its win streak to seven and moved to 2–0 in Big West play.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

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

Beckman Football Advances to First CIF State Final After 46–40 Win

Beckman football pulled off a 46–40 comeback over Hillcrest to win the CIF 4-A Southern Regional title. Makhi Czaykowski and QB Noah Nam led the offense in a back-and-forth battle. The victory sends the Patriots to their first CIF state football final.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With December Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

December 2025

Tuesday, December 9

  • Basketball, Boys - 7:00 PM vs Aliso Niguel

Wednesday, December 10

  • Water Polo, Girls - 4:00 PM vs Crean Lutheran

  • Wrestling, Girls - 5:00 PM vs Woodbridge

  • Soccer, Girls - 5:00 PM vs Fountain Valley

  • Wrestling, Boys - 5:00 PM vs Woodbridge

Thursday, December 11

  • Basketball, Girls - 5:30 PM vs Dana Hills

Irvine Police Arrest Three Suspects After Shoplifting and Drug Discovery at Target

Irvine Police officers apprehended three individuals at the Irvine Spectrum Target after Loss Prevention spotted a woman shoplifting. Officers detained the group at their vehicle and found stolen merchandise along with illegal drugs, leading to arrests for theft and drug-related offenses.

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 9 Holiday Organ Spectacular 7:30 PM

December 11 Free Grocery Food Box 9 AM - 12 PM

December 21 Tis the Season!

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