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  • Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade

    Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade

  • Hal Landon, Jr. as Scrooge in 2009's "A Christmas Carol"...

    Hal Landon, Jr. as Scrooge in 2009's "A Christmas Carol" at South Coast Repertory

  • 2010 Fashion Island Christmas tree

    2010 Fashion Island Christmas tree

  • Hal Landon, Jr. as Scrooge in 1980's "A Christmas Carol"...

    Hal Landon, Jr. as Scrooge in 1980's "A Christmas Carol" at South Coast Repertory

  • "A Christmas Carol" in 1983 at South Coast Repertory

    "A Christmas Carol" in 1983 at South Coast Repertory

  • "A Christmas Carol" in 1985 at South Coast Repertory

    "A Christmas Carol" in 1985 at South Coast Repertory

  • A previous year's South Coast Plaza Christmas tree

    A previous year's South Coast Plaza Christmas tree

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Terence Loose

Traditions are what give us meaning in life. They are a time to celebrate friends, family and something greater than making our sales goals for the month. The best ones stick around and eventually earn the moniker of “time-honored.” They define the holidays by heating our hearts and stoking our adrenaline and somehow making the coldest time of year the warmest. And Orange County has enough to get us fired up. Here are a few of the county’s favorites:

Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
If the requirements of a holiday tradition were that it had to remain the same year after year, then the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade would not qualify. Not by a long shot, because its history is more colorful than the parade itself.

Now in its 102nd year, with more than 100 boats officially entered (and another gazillion lit up and unofficially following, the parade started out with only a faint twinkle of the blitzkrieg of light it is today. It also started as a Fourth of July parade. In 1907, an Italian gondolier named John Scarpa adorned his craft with Japanese lanterns and toured the bay with guests from Pasadena. A year later, Scarpa convinced eight other canoe owners to decorate their boats with Japanese lanterns and follow him. The parade was born.

By 1915, close to 40 vessels were joining the line and judging, and prizes were included. That year also saw a first (and last). A derelict boat was set on fire so a fake rescue of passengers could be played out and two underwater mines were exploded. Try that in 2010.
World War I snuffed out the good times, however, with Newport Harbor going dark with economic collapse. It wasn’t until after the war, in 1919, that the lights came back. It was then the Newport Harbor legend Joseph Beek, famous for developing Beacon Bay and starting the Balboa Ferry, started the parade again. This time, it was mainly composed of children who built lighted floats in Beek’s garage; the floats were then towed around the harbor.

The tradition continued in summer to 1949, when it was decided by local leaders that the parade was attracting too many tourists and causing crowds and traffic, so it ended again.

Almost.

In 1946, city employees had outfitted a barge with Christmas lights and a tree and towed it around the harbor, with onboard carolers singing to onshore residents. With the summer, lighted boat parade a thing of the past, the Beek family offered one of their ferries for the Christmas celebration. Soon, other boats fell in behind the ferry and the Christmas Boat Parade (called the Tournament of Lights then), which has been called “one of the top 10 holiday happenings in the nation” by The New York Times, was established for good.

The 2010 Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade takes place the nights of December 15 through December 19. Pacific Coast Highway traffic is the worst of the year and bayfront viewing spots are tougher to come by than an Orange County Democrat, so plan ahead. Better yet, reserve a table at a waterfront restaurant (if any tables are left). For more information, including a parade route, visit christmasboatparade.com or call 949.729.4400.

More Boats and Bulbs
At a third of the age of the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, the Dana Point Boat Parade of Lights, now 36, is giving it a run for its Christmas spirit. Last year, with a theme of Santa’s Surfin’ Safari, the Dana Point parade saw 95 entries, with everything from giant Santas to red-capped penguins, and more lights than Vegas. Perhaps that’s the reason behind this year’s theme, which is Jingle Bell Rock. The parade can be witnessed from anywhere in the harbor, and though traffic is not as bad as Newport, it’s still smart to arrive very early. There are also boat rides with Santa available through Dana Wharf Sportfishing. The parade takes place Fridays and Saturdays, December 10 and 11, and December 17 and 18. For information, visit danapointharbor.com.

Orange County’s third harbor, Huntington Harbour, also exudes holiday spirit with its Cruise of Lights. A slight twist on the parade idea, this event features narrated 45-minute boat rides through the harbor so participants can check out the ornately decorated waterfront homes. Running from December 17 through December 23, it’s a bargain at $15 a person (children are $9). Proceeds benefit the Philharmonic Society of Orange County. Visit cruiseoflights.org or call 714.840.7542.

A Christmas Carol at South Coast Repertory
The history of A Christmas Carol truly begins, of course, in the 19th century when in 1843 Charles Dickens penned it as a novella. It was an instant success and quickly became a perennial favorite, becoming his most famous work. Similarly, it has become one of Orange County’s favorite holiday traditions.

South Coast Repertory began the production in 1980 and hasn’t missed a year since. Neither have more than a few of the actors. Most notably, Hal Landon, Jr., who has played Ebenezer Scrooge for three decades, since the play began, and John-David Keller, who has always served as director (and played Mr. Fezziwig). Fellow SCR founding artists Richard Doyle and Art Koustik are also returning actors.

Not everything has remained the same over the years, though. Scrooge’s office and bedroom have changed numerous times, though only slightly since director Keller believes that while audiences want slight differences, regular attendees – of which there are many – come each year with certain expectations.

A big change, however, took place in 2005, when all the major set pieces were split in half and fitted onto wheeled platforms. This allowed for dynamic and fast set changes, each piece being pulled into the wings. The upper parts of the sets were fitted with wires so they could be yanked into the fly space. The changes now take mere seconds.

And if you go, here are a few things to watch for: Landon’s famous somersault off his bed, which ends with his hat on his head, is made easier thanks to his bed being tilted forward. And when you see the “flying mug,” you can thank a stagehand who has to lie on his back in a tiny coffin-esque space under Scrooge’s bed. Now that’s Christmas spirit.

This year, A Christmas Carol begins with preview performances November 27 and officially opens December 5, running through December 26. Tickets are $25 to $60. Visit scr.org or call 714.708.5555.

Mission Inn Hotel & Spa’s Festival of Lights
If you want as much history as light bulbs, a visit to the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa’s Festival of Lights is a must. Started in 1993 as a celebration of the hotel’s $55 million renovation and reopening after seven years of darkness, the festival, which runs this year from November 26 to January 2, was, like South Coast Plaza’s Tree Lighting, continued as a “gift to the city.” It’s become a very well-received gift, too, with 10s of thousands attending each year. Ignoring any concerns over obscene electric bills, the Mission Inn is adorned with more than 3.5 million lights, with angels, elves and other surprises tucked everywhere. And this year, Santa has brought his reindeer for the first time.

But even before the Festival of Lights, since its odd beginnings at the hands of an eccentric man with a bird and a dream, the Mission Inn has intoxicated guests, particularly during grand occasions. (It’s the site of Richard and Pat Nixon’s wedding and Nancy and Ronald Reagan’s honeymoon.) In 1876, Frank Miller began the Mission Inn with a two-story adobe guesthouse. But he had grand plans and over the next 30 years hired a half dozen of California’s best architects to expand again and again, until it grew to an entire block and represented a blending of various architectural elements, flying buttresses, domes, a bell tower, clock towers, interior courtyards and patios, a five-story open-air rotunda, and a circular wrought-iron staircase.

Miller was just as intriguing as his building, too. A man of strong belief – at least in his hotel – he would dress up like a monk and ride the local trains to coax guests to the Mission Inn for a stay. When he wasn’t in monk’s robes, he strolled the halls of the hotel with his pet parrot. Perhaps more down to earth but just as enthusiastic about Mission Inn, Duane and Kelly Roberts rescued the hotel from possible destruction a few years ago and spent $15 million renovating it. Today the inn is more spectacular than ever, now boasting a luxurious spa as well. And religious or not, a visit to the St. Francis of Assisi Chapel, what many consider to be the inn’s crown jewel, is a must, as well. For information on the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa’s Festival of Lights, visit missioninn.com.

South Coast Plaza’s Holiday Tree
Twenty-nine years ago, the Segerstrom family began the tradition of their annual tree-lighting ceremony as a thank you to the community that had given them so much (a free day of shopping just missed the cut… kidding). As a family organization, they wanted to foster those special family times around the holidays. That first tree was around 40-feet tall but over the years it grew (not literally), mirroring the trees in the park. This year, the tree is 96-feet tall (the tallest in Orange County, though they say they want to be the best, not the tallest), was delivered from 650 miles away at Mt. Shasta, needed a 200-ton crane to raise it into place, and required three weeks to decorate with 15,000 lights. Now that’s a nice gift. Entertainment has always been a part of the ceremony, as well. For the first 26 years, the All American Boy’s Chorus performed. But as of a few years ago, the Orange County High School of the Arts has taken the stage, thanks to the Segerstroms being big supporters of the Santa Ana-based high school.

And if you weren’t among the more than 5,000 attendees during its November 18 lighting ceremony (a good time to splurge for the valet), fret not, it will be there until January. And if you’re wondering why there are no ornaments, the story is that someone saw the glow of lights in children’s eyes and thought it was special. Hard to argue with that.

The tree is located adjacent to The Westin South Coast Plaza hotel at 686 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa. For more information, visit southcoastplaza.com.

Fashion Island Tree and Santa
If you grew up in Newport Beach, chances are at least one of your holiday photos was taken in front of Fashion Island’s Christmas tree, which, along with Santa’s Village, has become a tradition. And while last year’s construction limited the tree to 40 feet, this year the tree is back in the Fashion Island’s newly remodeled courtyard. And it’s big. A white fir standing 90-feet tall, 24-feet wide and weighing in at 12,000 pounds, to be exact, requiring a team of six men and a crane to raise it. It features 10,000 lights and 12,000 ornaments, a record for Fashion Island trees. Like South Coast Plaza’s tree, if you missed the November 19 and 20 lighting ceremony, no problem; the tree will be standing until after the holidays. Santa, however, will only be in his village on the Atrium Lawn until December 24.

Fashion Island also has a Menorah Lighting Ceremony to celebrate Hanukkah. The ceremony takes place at 3 p.m. on December 5 in Atrium Court’s lower level.

For information on shopping center hours and pictures with Santa, visit shopfashionisland.com or call 949.721.2000. For information on the Menorah Lighting Ceremony, call the Chabad Jewish Center at 949.721.9800.

Irvine Spectrum Center’s Holiday On Ice
When people pick your holiday tradition to get engaged, you know you’re doing something right. And so it is with Irvine Spectrum Center’s Holiday On Ice outdoor ice rink – the only outdoor ice rink in Orange County. Now in its eight year, the rink began in 2003 with a 40-foot pad. Now, it’s 47 feet. And if trends continue, they may have to go bigger – in 2003, 10,000 skaters hit the ice (no, not all at once); now, 25,000 skaters show up. This has also led the Spectrum to lengthen the dates of the rink, which is now open from early November through February. Admission is $12 and skate rentals are $4.50 (helmets are free) and season passes are available.

Oh yeah, and not just one but two (successful) marriage proposals have gone down on the ice. For more information, visit skatespectrum.com or call 949.748.8280.

Disneyland
Since Walt Disney himself led the first Christmas parade down Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland, Christmas has been the happiest time of year at the happiest place on earth. Over the years, the celebration has grown exponentially, with new traditions and attractions virtually every year.

A Winter Wonderland: Months in the making each year, Disneyland is transformed from one end to the other for the holidays, with a 60-foot Christmas tree with thousands of lights at the end of Main Street, a snow-covered Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, which itself features 50,000 lights, and a holiday-themed It’s a Small World, ride where you will finally get a new song.

The Christmas Fantasy Parade: There’s nothing more intoxicating than the Disneyland Parade, which marches down Main Street from Small World to Town Square. It’s such a spectacle that it’s broadcast on TV, a tradition that started with a 90-minute special in 1983, when it was hosted by Joan Lundan of “The Today Show” and Mike Douglas, the singing voice of Prince Charming in Cinderella. Since then, the parade has been attended by athletes such as Bruce Jenner and Nancy Kerrigan, musical talents from Stevie Wonder to Miley Cyrus and included greetings from President Ronald Reagan and other world leaders.

The Haunted Mansion: Since 2001, the Haunted Mansion has taken on the theme of director Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, with Jack playing Santa – the scary kind.

Food: Disneyland has also had a tradition of bringing out new treats for the holidays. In 1968, for instance, giant handmade candy canes were introduced – they haven’t gone away since. In the seventies, the Plaza Inn’s Yule Log made in pumpkin and chocolate chestnut flavors were rolled out. This year, Disneyland is spicing it up a notch with their holiday tamale stuffed with masa and spices. For information and schedules, visit disneyland.com.