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Irvine Lights Up! Upcoming Holiday Events to Enjoy This Season

Issue # 0525

Author

Joshua Tjia
26 Nov

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

🦃🍂 Happy Thanksgiving

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🎄🎊🎄 Irvine Lights Up! Upcoming Holiday Events to Enjoy This Season

🏗️🚜  Harvard Avenue Safety Project Moves Forward with Major Improvements Planned

🎧🎶 Dance the Night Away at Spectrum’s Silent Disco on Nov. 29

🚧 Nighttime Lane Closures on Sand Canyon Avenue Extended to Dec. 1–4

🙏🏻 Build Joy Daily: IUSD Invites Families to Try Simple Gratitude Habits

🦃🥧 Help Serve Pies at the IVC Turkey Trot

😷 Top Ways to Boost Your Immune System and Stay Healthy

🚵 Learn New Terrain Skills at Irvine’s Mountain Bike Clinic, Nov. 30

🌾🎨 New UCI Health–Irvine Campus Comes Alive with Local Art Celebrating Nature and Community

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐕🦴 Keep Your Pup Healthy: Holiday Foods to Avoid Sharing

🏐 UCI Women’s Volleyball Seniors Jensen and Duffey Earn All-Big West Honors

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀Strong Second Half Helps IVC Men’s Basketball Earn Win over College of the Desert

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏀 University Boys Basketball Dominates South Gate 70–30 to Close Tournament

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚔🚨 IPD Arrests Suspects Tied to $200K Retail Theft Spree Across OC and LA

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Thank you so much for being part of our Irvine Insider community and supporting local news and events here in Irvine. We are grateful for each and every one of you and wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday filled with rest, good food, and time with loved ones.


We will be taking a short break for the holiday for the rest of the week and look forward to seeing you again next week with fresh stories and news!

Sincerely,

Irvine Insider Staff

Why was the cook late to Thanksgiving dinner?

He lost track of Thyme.

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

Irvine Lights Up! Upcoming Holiday Events to Enjoy This Season

Irvine is packed with festive and family-friendly events this season, from sparkling light displays and holiday concerts to community hikes and local performances. Here are some of the upcoming events:

Harvard Avenue Safety Project Moves Forward with Major Improvements Planned

The City of Irvine, in partnership with the City of Tustin, is moving forward with the Harvard Safety Improvements Project to enhance safety and mobility along Harvard Avenue between Irvine Center Drive and Walnut Avenue. The project will upgrade sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, and crossings to better support drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Upcoming phases include developing design alternatives, completing environmental review, finalizing engineering plans, and beginning construction, which is currently expected to start in spring 2028. More opportunities for community input will be shared as the project progresses.

Dance the Night Away at Spectrum’s Silent Disco on Nov. 29

Irvine Spectrum Center’s free Silent Night Disco is back near Old Navy, with the next event happening on Saturday, November 29 from 6–9 p.m. Guests can choose their DJ channel and dance to their favorite hits.

Nighttime Lane Closures on Sand Canyon Avenue Extended to Dec. 1–4

Pipeline work on Sand Canyon Avenue has been extended, so the northbound lanes at Marine Way will close nightly from 9:30 p.m.–5 a.m., Dec. 1–4. Drivers should expect slower traffic.

Questions can be emailed to [email protected].

Build Joy Daily: IUSD Invites Families to Try Simple Gratitude Habits

IUSD is celebrating National Gratitude Month by encouraging families to build simple daily habits that promote gratitude and dignity. Through the 21-Day Happiness Challenge, students and families can choose one positive routine each day to help boost well-being.

  • Three Gratitudes: Write down three things you’re thankful for.

  • Journaling: Reflect on one positive experience.

  • Fun Fifteen: Move or exercise for 15 minutes.

  • Mindfulness: Take two minutes to breathe and refocus.

  • Acts of Kindness: Send a thank-you note or do something kind for someone.

Help Serve Pies at the IVC Turkey Trot

Irvine Valley College’s IVCCKI group is inviting students to help serve pies at the annual Turkey Trot. Volunteers will hand out pies to more than 2,000 runners on Thursday, Nov. 27, from 6:30–10 a.m. It’s a fun, feel-good way to kick off Thanksgiving morning!

Top Ways to Boost Your Immune System and Stay Healthy

Staying healthy doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few simple daily habits, anyone can give their immune system a little extra support and feel better throughout the year.

Everyday Habits

  • Gentle movement like walking or biking keeps the body energized.

  • A good night’s sleep (7–9 hours) helps the body recharge and stay strong.

  • Calming moments — deep breaths, stretching, or mindfulness — help ease stress.

  • Drinking plenty of water keeps everything running smoothly.

Feel-Good Foods

  • Bright, colorful fruits and veggies give immune cells the nutrients they need.

  • Lean proteins like chicken, fish, and beans help build antibodies.

  • Nuts and seeds add helpful vitamins like zinc and vitamin E.

  • Fermented foods such as yogurt and kimchi support a healthy gut.

Helpful Vitamins

  • Vitamin C from oranges, berries, or peppers keeps defenses strong.

  • Vitamin D from sunlight or fortified foods supports overall immunity.

  • Zinc from seeds, beans, and whole grains helps the body repair itself.

  • Vitamins A & E from carrots, greens, and nuts offer extra protection.

Simple Daily Protection

  • Washing hands often is still one of the easiest ways to stay healthy.

  • Limiting alcohol and avoiding smoking helps the body stay resilient.

  • Staying connected with friends and loved ones boosts both mood and immunity.

Learn New Terrain Skills at Irvine’s Mountain Bike Clinic, Nov. 30

Join a fun, hands-on Mountain Bike Terrain Skills Clinic on Sunday, Nov. 30. Beginners and improving riders will learn key fundamentals and practice riding over features like log piles, rock step-ups, and A-frames in the Irvine Open Space. Riders must be 16+, bring proper gear, and register ahead. Join in the fun and enjoy learning new trail skills!

New UCI Health–Irvine Campus Comes Alive with Local Art Celebrating Nature and Community

UCI Health and Aesthetics, Inc. have added more than 1,400 pieces of calming, nature-inspired, and community-themed artwork to the new UCI Health–Irvine medical campus. The art—created by over 200 local artists—was chosen to help patients, families, and staff feel more relaxed, supported, and connected. Each building highlights Orange County’s landscapes, local landmarks, and the healing power of human connection, creating a welcoming and uplifting environment throughout the campus.

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 Pup Healthy: Holiday Foods to Avoid Sharing

The holidays make it tempting to slip your dog a bite of your Thanksgiving meal, but many seasoned or fatty dishes can upset their stomach or even cause serious health issues.

What to Avoid Sharing With Your Dog

  • Foods with heavy seasoning, spices, or gravy

  • Turkey skin, fat, or any bones

  • Onions and garlic (toxic to dogs)

  • Corn on the cob

  • Unbaked yeast dough

  • Any rich, fatty, or sugary holiday dishes

Safe Treats (in Small Amounts!)

  • Plain, cooked turkey (no skin, fat, or bones)

  • Plain sweet potatoes

  • Unseasoned green beans

  • Plain pumpkin (not pumpkin pie)

  • Corn off the cob, without butter

UCI Women’s Volleyball Seniors Jensen and Duffey Earn All-Big West Honors

UCI seniors Campbell Jensen and Kendra Duffey earned All-Big West honors, with Jensen named to the second team and Duffey receiving honorable mention. Jensen leads the Big West in digs and is fourth among active Division I players with 1,889 career digs, while Duffey leads UCI in kills and points this season.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Women’s Basketball

  • Fri, Nov 28 – vs Wichita State, 2:00 PM

  • Sat, Nov 29 – vs Colgate, 4:30 PM

Strong Second Half Helps IVC Men’s Basketball Earn Win over College of the Desert

Irvine Valley men’s basketball improved to 6–2 with a 78–63 win over College of the Desert. Sophomore Matt Mowers led with 25 points, while freshmen Ahmad Alhammouri and Santos Cordero added key contributions. The Lasers now head to the Monterey Bay Classic, opening against Sierra on Dec. 4.

🏐⚽🏀 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

University Boys Basketball Dominates South Gate 70–30 to Close Tournament

University High School wrapped up the Rumble on the Hill Tournament with a dominant 70–30 win over South Gate. Sophomore Connor Cao led the Trojans with a career-high 23 points, while junior Abdallah Shami added his third straight double-double.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With November Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

December 2025

Tuesday, December 2

  • Soccer, Girls - 5:00 PM vs Laguna Hills

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

Wednesday, December 3

  • Water Polo, Girls - 4:00 PM vs Canyon/Anahiem

  • Wrestling, Girls - 5:00 PM vs Laguna Beach

  • Wrestling, boys - 5:00 PM vs Laguna Beach

IPD Arrests Suspects Tied to $200K Retail Theft Spree Across OC and LA

Irvine Police arrested two suspects linked to more than $200,000 in retail theft across Los Angeles and Orange County. The investigation began after a $3,000 clothing theft at Marshalls in October, with IPD’s Crime Analysis and Crime Impact Units identifying and taking the suspects into custody in Los Angeles. Detectives recovered additional stolen goods at their residence, and both individuals now face burglary, conspiracy, and organized retail theft charges, with one also charged for violating parole.

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

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