Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina announces the return of its beloved holiday traditions with the 35th Annual Lighting of the Bay and the Fire & Lights Festival. The Fire & Lights Festival runs Thursday through Sunday evenings from November 28, 2025, to January 4, 2026 (4–9 p.m.). The Lighting of the Bay illuminates the water nightly at dusk throughout the season with more than 50 floating trees and festive displays.
“The Lighting of the Bay has been a magical tradition for 35 years,” said Phil Ravenna, General Manager of Newport Dunes. “With Fire & Lights, we’re bringing even more wonder to our waterfront with family-friendly fun, festive sips, and unforgettable memories.”
Photo courtesy of Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina.
Opening Night Celebration – Friday, November 28
Kick off the season on Friday, Nov. 28. Enjoy the first official bay lighting at dusk, Fire Dancing performances, photos with Santa, giant inflatables, holiday movie, cozy fire pits with s’mores and the Igloo Bar pouring seasonal beverages. Santa appears opening night and then returns every Saturday through Christmas for photos (5–8 p.m.).
Fire & Lights Festival Highlights (Thurs–Sun, 4–9 p.m.)
- Fire Dancing: Guests can enjoy mesmerizing fire performances by The Wild Fire Arts Entertainment every Friday and Saturday evening at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. These shows are free and open to all visitors.
- Photos with Santa: Families can capture festive memories with Santa Claus every Saturday through Christmas from 5 to 8 p.m. This activity is complimentary for all attendees.
- Igloo Bar: The Igloo Bar offers a cozy holiday retreat with seasonal sips and snacks, including hot chocolate, apple cider, hot toddies, and soup du jour, perfect for warming up by the bay.
- Fire Pits & S’mores: Visitors are invited to relax by the waterfront fire pits while roasting marshmallows and making s’mores under the sparkling holiday lights.
- Giant Inflatables: The festival features exciting new attractions, including the Toboggan Tunnel, Giant Snowzilla slide, and Gingerbread Slide. Unlimited wristbands will be available and include access to all three attractions. Single-ride tickets will also be offered. Minimum height, weight, and sock requirements apply.
Photo courtesy of Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina.
Event Details & Admission
Entry to the Fire & Lights Festival is free, with fees applying to parking, inflatables, and concessions. Festival hours are 4–9 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. The Lighting of the Bay shines nightly at dusk from November 28, 2025, through January 4, 2026.
Holiday Tree Lot – Santa’s Garden
Make it a full holiday outing and take home a tree from Santa’s Garden, offering fresh, hand-picked Noble, Nordman, Grand, and Douglas trees, plus Noble wreaths and garlands from northern Oregon. It is a full-service tree lot offering custom snow flocking, tree trimming and loading, as well as home ad business delivery. The Holiday Tree Lot is open daily from November 24 through December 21, with typical hours of Sunday–Thursday 9 a.m.–9 p.m., Friday–Saturday 9 a.m.–10 p.m.
Resort Amenities
Resort guests can soak up the enchanting floating lights from their RV campsites or stay in Newport Dunes’ charming Beach Cottages. Newport Dunes also partners with RV rental companies to deliver luxury RVs directly to campsites for a convenient stay. For holiday parties and private events, the Back Bay Bistro provides a stunning waterfront backdrop. For more information about the Back Bay Bistro and to book a private event, visit NewportDunes.com or call (949) 729-3800.
Parking & Location
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina is located at 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, California 92660. On-site parking is available at the following rates: 0 to 30 minutes: FREE; 30 minutes to 2 hours: $15; 2 to 4 hours: $20; 4 to 8 hours: $25; 8 to 24 hours: $30.
To stay updated on event information for the Fire & Lights Festival, visit NewportDunes.com/fire-and-lights-festival. For more information on Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina and to book a stay visit NewportDunes.com or call 949-729-3863.
Credit: Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort Marina
Speak Your Mind