Photo courtesy of Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort.

Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina will transform the Back Bay into a glowing waterfront holiday destination with the return of its 36th annual Lighting of the Bay plus the Fire & Lights Festival, beginning Friday, November 27, 2026, and continuing through January 3, 2027.

A beloved Newport Beach holiday tradition for more than three decades, Lighting of the Bay will illuminate the waterfront nightly at dusk with more than 50 floating holiday light displays reflecting across the calm waters of the Back Bay. Families come annually to watch the bay come alive.  Thursdays through Sundays, the Fire & Lights Festival adds even more holiday magic with dazzling fire performances, visits with Santa, festive inflatables, waterfront fire pits, seasonal treats, and more.

“Lighting of the Bay is a holiday tradition that brings our community together year after year,” said Phil Ravenna, general manager of Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina. “The Fire & Lights Festival gives families even more to enjoy, from fire performances and visits with Santa to gathering around the waterfront fire pits beneath the lights. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to make new holiday memories along the bay.”

Opening Night Celebration – Friday, November 27, 2026

The holiday season officially gets underway at Newport Dunes on Friday, November 27, with a festive opening-night celebration along the waterfront. Guests can enjoy visits with Santa, a spectacular fire dancer performance, a holiday movie, festive food and concessions, and more.

At approximately 6 p.m., Santa will flip the switch and the Back Bay will come alive as more than 50 floating holiday displays light up the water for the first time this season.

Additional opening-night activities and entertainment will be announced closer to the event. Admission is free, with a flat $15 parking fee for opening night.

Fire & Lights Festival Highlights

The Fire & Lights Festival takes place Thursdays through Sundays from 4–9 p.m., filling the waterfront with holiday entertainment, fire and activities throughout the season.

• Fire Dancing: Wildfire Arts Collective lights up the waterfront with complimentary fire performances Fridays and Saturdays at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
• Photos with Santa: Families can visit Santa Saturdays through Christmas from 5–8 p.m. Visits are complimentary.
• Igloo Bar: Warm up with hot chocolate or apple cider, enjoy canned cocktails for the grown-ups, and snack on seasonal treats.
• Fire Pits & S’mores: Cozy up around a waterfront fire pit beneath the holiday lights. S’mores supplies are available for purchase.
• Holiday Inflatables: Kids can climb, slide, and play on seasonal attractions including the Gingerbread Slide, Toboggan Tunnel, and towering Giant Snowzilla. Additional fees apply, and socks are required.

Event Details & Admission

The Fire & Lights Festival is open Thursdays through Sundays from 4–9 p.m. and will be closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve. Festival admission, fire dancing performances, and visits with Santa are complimentary. Parking, food and beverages, and inflatable attractions are available for an additional charge.

Enjoy Lighting of the Bay nightly at dusk throughout the season, including evenings when the Fire & Lights Festival is not operating. Festival activities are weather-dependent.  

Pick out a Christmas Tree at Santa’s Garden

Make a full holiday outing of the evening with a stop at Santa’s Garden, featuring Oregon-grown Christmas trees, fresh wreaths and garlands.

Santa’s Garden is open Monday–Thursday from 9 a.m.–9 p.m., Friday–Saturday from 9 a.m.–10 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m.–9:30 p.m.

Turn the Evening Into a Holiday Getaway

Guests can extend the festivities with an overnight stay at Newport Dunes in an RV site or quaint cottage, waking up the next morning along the scenic Newport Beach Back Bay. Travelers without an RV can arrange for an RV rental company to deliver and set up an RV for their stay.

Newport Dunes also offers waterfront venues for company holiday parties, happy hours, family celebrations, and private seasonal events. 

Parking & Location

Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina is located at 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, California 92660. Opening-night parking is a flat $15. Standard posted rates: first 30 minutes free; up to two hours $15; two–four hours $20; four–eight hours $25; eight–24 hours $30. 

For the latest holiday event information, visit Newport Dunes’ 2026 festival listing. To learn more about the resort or book a stay, visit NewportDunes.com or call (949) 729-3863.