Light the World 2023
Our Light the World calendar for 2023 includes prompts to help you fill your holidays with love and find ways to serve others. We’ve also put together a local interfaith calendar which lists fun community events, local service opportunities, and festivities with local churches. Spend a few minutes with your family looking over the calendar and picking a few things you can do this month. Post your experiences on social media with the hashtag #LightTheWorld.
Click on images to download printable copies.
2023 Interfaith Light The World Calendar
Light the world with goodness and joy this December through service opportunities, holiday activities, and faith celebrations with local churches and organizations. This calendar includes events in Aliso Viejo, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, and surrounding areas. Find more ways to serve locally at JustServe.org. Have an event to share? Email us at lagunaniguelstake@gmail.com and we’ll add it to the list!
November 30: Aliso Viejo Tree Lighting Celebration 5-8 pm. Magical snow fall, train rides, ornament making, and
a visit from St. Nick. Town Center Fountain, Aliso Viejo. www.avcity.orgNovember 15 - December 18: Coat Drive Collecting new kids and teen coats to be distributed to the Boys and Girls Club and Save Our Youth. Drop off at Laguna Beach City Hall or Laguna Niguel City Hall.
November 17 - December 12: Holiday Toy Drive with Spark of Love Help OC fire authority by bringing unwrapped toys to fire stations across Orange County through December 12. Visit ocfa.org/toydrive for local fire station addresses.
December 1-3: The Creche: A Christmas Festival 6-9 pm. A Christ centered art and music festival. 17500 Bushard St., Fountain Valley. www.thecrecheoc.com
December 1-31: Holiday Lights at Dana Point Harbor Sunset-9pm nightly, all December. Dana Point Harbor, 34571 Golden Lantern Street, Dana Point. More info and a map. The Giving Machine will be at the habor Dec. 20-29th. www.danapointharbor.com
December 1: Laguna Beach Hospitality Night 5-10pm. Ring in the holidays with this festive party all along Forest Avenue. Visit Laguna Presbyterian for tamales, cookies and cider. Tree lighting at 6:10pm at the Peppertree parking lot. www.lagunabeachchamber.org
December 2: Laguna Niguel Christmas Tree Lighting 5-8 pm. Performances, crafts, food trucks, cookie decorating, and photos with Santa. Laguna Niguel City Hall. www.cityoflagunaniguel.org
December 2: Christmas Breakfast for Friends 8:00 AM. Breakfast and donations for the homeless. Meet at Heisler Park (corner of Cliff Drive and Myrtle). Contact 714-231-1230 for questions.
December 2: Santa’s Jolly Trolley 1:30-5:30pm. Various stops throughout Dana Point, ending at La Plaza Park for tree lighting. www.danapoint.org
December 2: Laguna Hills Tree Lighting 6-8 pm. Herald in the holidays with live performances by the South Orange County Holiday Brass and the Spirit Bells, a hand bell choir from Concordia University; refreshments, and the lighting of the tree. Laguna Hills Community Center. www.lagunahillschamber.com
December 2-3: Drive-Thru Nativity at Mount of Olives 6-10pm. See live actors and animals plus hear music and narration from your car. Drive-thru or Walk-thru. Mount of Olives Church, 24772 Chrisanta Drive, Mission Viejo. www.moochurch.org
December 3: South Shores Christmas Boutique and Craft Faire 10 am-3 pm. South Shores Church, 32712 Crown Valley
Pkwy, Dana Point. www.southshores.orgDecember 4-10: Stocking Drive for Orangewood Foundation Drop filled stockings for kids 5-18 in foster care here in Orange County. Reynolds home 28326 Via Alfonse, Laguna Niguel by December 10th. Questions: 917-446-8162
December 6: Revival Night Speaker Series 7 pm. A night of praise and worship. St. Timothy Catholic Church, 29102 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel.
December 8-10: Follow the Star Living Nativity 6-8pm Friday, 5:30-7:30 Saturday & Sunday. Beautiful live nativity. Show repeats every half hour. Dress warm! Hot chocolate provided. Visit inside to see a collection of creches from all around the world. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 29441 Altisima Rd, Rancho Santa Margarita.
December 8: Saddleback Chorale 7 pm. A festive holiday music performance. Free. St. Catherine of Siena Church, Laguna Beach.
December 8-10: Christmas Chalk Walk A Free Community Event! Friday, Dec. 8: In-Person Night 5-8pm. Walk around, enjoy musical performances, a living nativity, hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls. Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 9-10: Drive-Thru Nights 5-8pm. Enjoy the artwork, lights, and music from the comfort of your car. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 22851 Aliso Creek, Aliso Viejo. www.christmaschalkwalk.com
December 8-10: Journey to Bethlehem 5-8pm. This walk-through journey transports you to Bethlehem. Crossline Church, 23331 Moulton Pkwy, Laguna Hills. $5 person donation. crosslinechurch.com
December 8-10th: Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights Join in the fun at the 48th Annual Boat Parade. Starting at 6:30pm. danapointharbor.com
December 9: Holly Jolly Holiday Parade 10 am-noon. Join the City of Laguna Niguel for the “Holly Jolly Holiday Parade.” See Santa, vintage cars, marching bands and more! Nueva Vista to Crown Valley Park.
December 10: Chanukah Celebration and Menorah Lighting 4-6 pm. Come with friends and family as we honor and commemorate each day of the festival of light. Presented by Chabad of Laguna Niguel and the City of Laguna Niguel. Live entertainment, activities, crafts, and your favorite Chanukah treats. Laguna Niguel City Hall.
December 15: South Shores Drive-Thru Nativity 5:30-7 pm. All are welcome. South Shores Church, 32712 Crown Valley
Pkwy, Dana Point. www.southshores.orgDecember 15: Carols and Community 7 pm. Come enjoy your favorite Christmas carols and some delicious treats. United Methodist Church, Laguna Beach.
December 16: Holiday Musical Dance Extravaganza 7-9pm. Holiday music and dance performances. Free admission and refreshments. Laguna Hills Community Center.
December 1-25: Snowy Nights at San Clemente Outlets Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night at 5pm, 6pm, and 7pm. 101 W Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. www.outletsatsanclemente.com
December 17: Santa Paddle at Dana Point Harbor 9 am. Dress like an elf, reindeer, snowman, or Santa in this family fun paddle. Bring your own SUP or rent one. Starting at Baby Beach. www.standuptotrash.com
December 17: Advent of the Messiah 5pm. Laguna Beach Presbyterian Church. Choir concert: bell choir, children’s choir and other musical guests. 415 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach.
December 18: Taize Prayer Service 7pm. A meditative candle-lit service centered around music, prayer and silence. St. Timothy Catholic Church.
December 19: Giving Machine Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 6:30pm. Come celebrate the arrival of the Giving Machine to the Dana Point Harbor. Special guests will be there to celebrate with us! The Giving Machine will be open December 20-29th, 10am-9pm daily. Instagram: @thegivingmachineoc
December 21: Interreligious Memorial Service 7 pm. A memorial service for the homeless who died on the streets of OC in 2023. St. Timothy Catholic Church, 29102 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel.
December 21: Neighborhood Congregational Church Longest Night 4:30pm. A soothing service for those who are facing hard times. Donations collected for Laguna Food Pantry. 340 St. Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach.
December 24: Christmas Eve Services
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: 9am, 10:30am, 12pm. Visitors welcome. 22851 Aliso Creek Rd., Aliso Viejo. lnstake.orgSaint Edwards: 4, 6, 8, 10, and 10:30 pm. 33926 Calle La Primavera, Dana Point. stedward.com/home
Laguna Beach Presbyterian: 4, 6, and 8 pm. 415 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach. lagunapreschurch.org
Mission Lutheran: 5, 7, 9 pm. 24360 Yosemite Road, Laguna Niguel. missionlutheran.org
South Shores: 2:30, 4:30, 11 pm. 32712 Crown Valley Pkwy, Dana Point. southshores.org
St. Timothy: 4, 6, 8, 10 pm. 29102 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel. st-timsrc.org
Crossline Church: 1, 3, and 5 pm. 23331 Moulton Pkwy, Laguna Hills. crosslinechurch.comDecember 24: Christmas Eve Services
St. Timothy: 7, 9, and 11 am. 29102 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel. st-timsrc.org