Winter Fest OC is coming back to the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa, running Nov. 27, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027, with a brand-new seven-zone holiday light trail and a slate of expanded attractions including a 20,000-square-foot Bounce Land and a nine-lane ice tubing slide. The event marks the festival's 12th year at the fairgrounds, and organizers say this edition is the most expansive yet.
According to a press release distributed via PR Newswire, the new holiday light trail will guide visitors through themed areas such as the Peppermint Tunnel, Singing Forest and Aurora Snowfall Walk before leading them into the Light Field, Grand Cove and Evergreen Tunnel. Winter Fest OC's own event site describes the experience as a seven-zone walk-through journey with displays synchronized to holiday music, according to Winter Fest OC. Importantly, access to the light trail will be included with general admission during normal operating hours, so there's no separate ticket needed just to stroll the display.
Mark Entner, CEO of PSQ Productions, the company behind the festival, framed the expansion around the feeling organizers are chasing this winter. Per the press release, Entner said the holiday season is about creating special moments and that Winter Fest OC will bring that magic to life again. PSQ Productions produces the event and reported the trail's themed-area lineup in the same announcement.
Bounce Land and Ice Attractions Headline the Add-Ons
The festival's biggest new physical addition is Bounce Land, a 20,000-square-foot zone packed with bouncing areas, climbing structures, obstacle courses and slides. The new Bounce Land Pass also folds in access to Polar Putt Putt, a nine-hole miniature golf course, per the same press release.
Winter and ice fans aren't being left out either. Winter Fest OC will again run an outdoor ice skating rink, with unlimited skating available as a separate add-on or with select admission passes; availability depends on session capacity and rink space. The headline ice attraction is the Snowflake Summit, a nine-lane ice tubing slide; the event's own experiences page describes the hill as 150 feet long with unlimited rides for guests at least 42 inches tall, as detailed by Winter Fest OC.
VIP Perks, Santa Visits and Nightly Tree Lighting
For guests wanting a more upscale evening, the festival will offer private fireside igloos that can hold up to 10 people, according to Patch. A VIP Lounge will also be available, but it's reserved exclusively for Platinum Pass holders, the press release states.
Beyond the new add-ons, Winter Fest OC is keeping several of its signature holiday traditions. Guests can meet Santa through Dec. 24, with visits running from opening to close, and the festival will host a nightly tree-lighting celebration at 5:45 p.m., per the event's experiences page. The lineup also includes snow play, carnival rides and games, and live entertainment throughout the run, as previously reported by MyNewsLA.
Ticketing Details Worth Knowing Before You Go
All Winter Fest OC passes this year are Flex passes, meaning guests can buy in advance and pick their actual visit date later, the organizers' announcement notes. Early-bird pricing is available through Nov. 10, 2026, giving procrastinators a deadline to beat before costs go up.
Guests should also plan ahead on payment and refunds. The event is entirely cashless, accepting only debit and credit cards, according to Winter Fest OC's FAQ page. The festival also enforces a strict no-refund policy, with the FAQ stating plainly that all sales are final. Visitors may want to confirm the current parking rate before arrival.
