From Scenic Olive Groves to Swanky Lounges, Here’s Where to Host Your Next Holiday Event
Looking for the perfect venue to host a holiday party that goes beyond your home? Whether you’re envisioning a cozy fireside gathering, a festive coastal celebration or a sophisticated soirée with friends, Orange County has a variety of venues to choose from. This list of unique holiday party spaces will help you set the scene with ease and style. So gather your friends, coworkers or the whole extended family! These Orange County event venues offer an unforgettable backdrop, guaranteeing that your holiday festivities will leave every guest feeling merry and bright.
Five Crowns
Five Crowns in Corona del Mar captures the essence of a traditional English inn, making it one of Orange County’s most beloved destinations for holiday gatherings. With its cozy ambiance, fireplaces and tastefully decorated dining rooms, Five Crowns embodies the warmth and hospitality that is perfect for the holiday season. The historic restaurant offers a variety of unique spaces, including the greenhouse with its natural light, the Crown/Nelson room with its inviting fireplace and the outdoor garden and patio, which sparkle with seasonal decor and offer an ideal setting for cocktails under the stars.
For a more relaxed holiday celebration, SideDoor, the gastropub within Five Crowns, provides a laid-back but festive atmosphere. With plush seating, communal tables and a warm, pub-like ambiance, SideDoor is perfect for gatherings of up to 80 guests who want a more casual holiday vibe.
Location: Corona del Mar
reveal at VEA Newport Beach
Located on the ground floor of VEA Newport Beach, reveal is an elegant lounge that brings a cosmopolitan flair to the Orange County scene. With retro-inspired decor and festive touches, this hideaway offers a stylish setting for seasonal gatherings, complete with holiday music and chic holiday decor.
Guests can enjoy a refined cocktail menu featuring classics like Old Fashioneds and Negronis alongside creative holiday drinks paired with elevated bar bites such as American caviar and gourmet grilled cheese. Available for private events Sunday through Wednesday, reveal accommodates up to 50 guests, making it perfect for intimate holiday celebrations.
Local Insight: Don’t miss VEA’s Holiday Hideout pop-up (open Nov. 15)—an immersive winter wonderland experience with themed cocktails and decor!
Location: Newport Beach
Graceland Speakeasy
For those seeking a holiday venue by the coast, Graceland Speakeasy offers a hidden gem atmosphere within the HQ Gastropub in Huntington Beach. This venue combines the elegance of a classic speakeasy with the warmth of the holiday season. With velvet lounge seating and unique 70s-inspired decor, Graceland offers a distinct throwback vibe enhanced by views of the Huntington Beach Pier. Gather with up to 50 guests for a quintessential California Christmas evening in Surf City, USA.
Location: Huntington Beach
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Perched on a cliff with breathtaking ocean views, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel offers oceanfront luxury for all types of holiday celebrations. With elegant indoor and outdoor venues, including the Pacific Promenade Lawn for holiday cocktail parties and the grand Ritz-Carlton Ballroom for festive indoor events, this resort is a top choice for upscale event venues in Orange County.
The culinary team crafts custom holiday menus, from plated dinners to seasonal buffets, complemented by the hotel’s signature service. Guests can extend the festivities with nearby coastal excursions and spa treatments, making it an ideal destination for a weekend holiday retreat.
Benchmark Restaurant’s Private Dining Room
The flavorful spread of local fare is just one piece of the puzzle at this Santa Ana restaurant. Benchmark Restaurant’s private dining room goes beyond just the dinner table, thoughtfully transforming the entire dining space to reflect guests’ holiday party dreams. Cozy farmhouse details set the scene in this intimate room, tailor-made for hosting festive gatherings. A large door opens to let in the natural light, while industrial lighting and hanging plants add a homey touch. The Benchmark team is more than happy to custom-create a holiday-inspired menu, but don’t hesitate to draw inspo from their house menu.
Location: Santa Ana
Tavern House Kitchen + Bar
Accommodating up to 50 guests and overlooking Newport Harbor, Tavern House is perfect for a holiday celebration with a view. This Newport Beach venue offers a stress-free planning experience, whether you’re hosting a corporate holiday party or a family gathering. With multiple seating options, a large stone fireplace and operable windows and skylights, guests will love the elegant, coastal atmosphere. From tray-passed hors d’oeuvres to custom holiday menus created by Chef David Wilhelm, all catering options offer the highest-quality, all-natural and organic ingredients. Full restaurant buyouts are available, which is ideal for creating a private and merry event.
Location: Newport Beach
Skyloft
The sky’s the limit for a holiday party with stunning sea views! Located in the scenic town of Laguna Beach, Skyloft offers weekly live music and an innovative menu of craft cocktails, small bites and festive desserts. This venue is ideal for an elegant holiday celebration, no matter the size of your party. The restaurant’s private rooms can host up to 20 people. Meanwhile, the rooftop is perfect for around 100 guests, boasting ocean views that add to the seasonal magic. Additionally, an entire buyout for up to 300 people is also available for a memorable holiday bash!
Local Insight: Looking to toast the season with just a few friends? Visit Skyloft’s holiday hideaway speakeasy and stay tuned for details on the holiday paint night event and an ugly sweater party in December!
Location: Laguna Beach
Blank Space
Since its August 2023 debut, Blank Space has become the ultimate venue for memorable holiday events in Orange County. With two elegantly designed rooms and a spacious 1,400-square-foot warehouse, this venue offers a versatile backdrop ideal for holiday parties, intimate gatherings, pop-ups, workshops and content shoots. Clients benefit from access to top vendors and planning services, ensuring a seamless event experience from start to finish. The venue also boasts amenities like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth surround sound, a mini kitchenette and wheelchair accessibility, making it as functional as it is beautiful. Conveniently located in Irvine, Blank Space is ready to bring your holiday vision to life!
Location: Irvine
Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano
In the heart of San Juan Capistrano, right next to the historic mission, the Inn at the Mission combines the richness of California history with a beautiful Spanish-inspired aesthetic. The property offers a range of event spaces that accommodate both large and intimate gatherings. For a formal indoor affair, the Los Olivos Ballroom boasts 3,000 square feet of sophisticated space, while the Catalan Room adds a cozy ambiance with its wood accents and arched doorways. Outdoors, the Olive Grove and the Landmark Courtyard provide picturesque settings with seasonal decor for a magical holiday feel. With customizable catering services available, the Inn can create a menu filled with holiday flavors, bringing together traditional and contemporary fare.
Location: San Juan Capistrano
Roger’s Gardens
This lush nursery in Corona del Mar brings natural holiday beauty to the table with its on-site restaurant, Farmhouse. A gazebo hovers above this serene space, setting a festive scene for candlelit holiday gatherings. Full dining service is provided by Farmhouse, featuring a menu of fresh, farm-to-table cuisine that celebrates the season. Your group is sure to love the rustic feel of this indoor-outdoor restaurant, complete with wood tables, suspended chandeliers, surrounding greenery and blankets on the back of each chair. Be sure to also browse the Christmas boutique for seasonal decor and gifts!
Location: Corona del Mar
Mozambique
Perched above Pacific Coast Hwy in Laguna Beach, Mozambique provides a vibrant and lively atmosphere for your next event. This South African-inspired restaurant and entertainment venue immerses guests with live music and comforting dishes like peri peri wings, Durban curry and crispy samoosas. Plan a holiday gathering in one of the restaurant’s seven event spaces. These include the new Parrot Room, which is perfect for seasonal festivities! With multiple dining areas, extensive menus and sweeping ocean views, Mozambique makes hosting a holiday celebration easy and unforgettable.
Location: Laguna Beach
Anaheim White House
The classy and lavishly decorated Anaheim White House combines romantic themes and tasteful artwork, setting a stunning stage for a seasonal celebration. The Chef’s Table is the ultimate wine cellar experience, perfect for intimate holiday dinners, while The West Wing Ballroom is ideal for larger jolly gatherings. You can even rent out the entire restaurant for an exclusive holiday event!
Location: Anaheim
