Marketing - • November 16, 2023

Celebrate the 2023 Holidays in Orange, CA!

The holidays are back! From now through the new year, the world lights up as family and friends come together in celebration. And Orange, CA, is no exception. Even in Southern California, where you’ll never see a single snowflake fall from the sky, there’s plenty to do and see to get into the holiday spirit.



Here at Grove House, we love our city and want you to enjoy your time here as much as possible. That’s why we’ve put together this list of activities, shows and performances, shopping destinations, and opportunities to serve that will help you make the most of the holidays in Orange, CA! Take a look and get ready for a festive season you’ll never forget!

Activities

Turkey Trots: Turkey trots have become a staple of Thanksgiving celebrations and are the perfect way to work up your appetite for the feast to come. In Orange County, we’re fortunate to have multiple options to choose from:


  • Turkey Trot OC: Now in its 10th year, this 5K in Tustin is hosted by Orange County Rescue Mission. This year, its goal is to raise enough money to provide 50,000 meals for the less fortunate throughout Orange County. 
  • Orange County Turkey Trot: This Orange County tradition offers three options, making it perfect for the whole family. You have your choice of a one-mile dash, a 5K, and a Kids Gobble Wobble. This is also a great option for the more festive at heart, as the event will include a costume contest, with gift cards going to the most impressive outfits.
  • Dana Point Turkey Trot: For the more ambitious runners out there, Dana Point offers a 5K, a 10K, and even a 15K. Of course, they don’t forget about the kids, and the Gobble Wobble is still open so the younger ones can tag along.



Tree Lighting Ceremony: Every year, the city of Orange commences the Christmas season with a dazzling tree lighting ceremony, complete with a candlelight choir procession. This year’s ceremony will take place on December 3 and run from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m. Come join with the rest of the Orange community as we celebrate together.


Irvine Park Railroad: There’s more to Irvine Park Railroad than the iconic Christmas Train. Throughout December, you’ll find Santa’s Village in full swing and bristling with fun activities for young and old alike, including carnival games, ice fishing, cookie decorating, bounce castles, arts and crafts, and, of course, photos with Santa. The North Pole has never felt closer to Southern California!


Shows and Performances

Christmas Concert with Father Peter Hanna: St. John Maron Maronite Catholic Church is hosting Father Peter Hanna for his first trip to the US, and he’s bringing the spirit of the season with beautiful hymns and carols. This is just one stop on his trip through the state, so be sure to stop by on December 2 before he moves on!


59th Annual Holiday Wassail Concert: For nearly 60 years, Chapman University has invited the community to join it in a night of holiday season favorites performed by its very own choirs and the Chapman Orchestra. There are two chances (December 8 and 9) to come and see what has kept Orange residents coming back for more year after year.



Nochebuena: One of the best things about the holiday season is seeing how other cultures celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. Nochebuena is one such opportunity and a local favorite. This musical performance celebrates traditions and customs from across Mexico, featuring songs and dances of the indigenous cultures and Spanish heritage alike. This event sells out every year, so act fast!

Opportunities to Share

Grandma’s House of Hope: This Orange County charity helps those in our community experiencing homelessness to escape the cycle of poverty and “graduate to permanent housing as stronger, more confident, and autonomous individuals.” And they need plenty of help during the holiday season to achieve that mission. There are plenty of ways to get involved, including making a donation or volunteering. Reach out today to find the opportunity that’s right for your time and talents.


Holiday Toy Drive: The Orange County Fire Authority is teaming up with KWAVE to participate in the Spark of Love Toy Drive. Last year, the drive collected 39,312 toys and $50,000 in monetary donations. If you want to help surpass last year’s achievement, you can drop off donations at any of the 78 fire stations in Orange County.


OneOC: California has more than 161,000 homeless residents, but it can be easy to overlook and forget about them. This year, you can embrace the season of giving by remembering these people and working with OneOC in its Days of Sharing events, scheduled throughout November and December. Find the right opportunity to make someone else’s holidays shine.

Safe Celebration

We’ve covered a lot for you to do in and around Orange, CA, this holiday season. But the most important place when it comes to celebrating the holidays is your own home. That’s why it’s so crucial that you do all you can to celebrate safely.


This can start with small precautions. For example, every year, around 7,400 fires are started by household candles. You can keep your own home safe by placing candles in safe locations, never leaving them unattended, and always extinguishing them before going to bed.


Another simple step is taking care of your Christmas tree. Live or artificial, make sure your tree is placed securely. If you do choose a live tree, keep it well watered to avoid it drying out, and make sure to turn off the lights whenever you step out of the house or turn in for the night.

There’s so much to do and see as the year draws to a close. With all these activities, shows and performances, shopping destinations, and opportunities to serve, you have all you need to celebrate the 2023 holidays in Orange, CA, and make lasting memories. From all of us at Grove House, happy holidays!

Improve Your VIP Experience: Flexible Ways to Pay Rent and Build Credit at Grove House

April 15, 2026
At  Grove House Apartments  , we are committed to providing our VIPs with the best tools to manage their apartment homes effortlessly. We want to highlight the various ways you can handle your monthly rent, including some exciting benefits that help you build your financial future just by living with us. 1. The AppFolio Resident Portal App The easiest way to manage your living experience is through the AppFolio app. It is a one-stop shop for your most frequent needs: Convenient Payments: Set up one-time or automatic payments using a bank account (e-check), credit card, or debit card. Split Payments with Flex: We have integrated Flex directly into your AppFolio app. This service allows you to split your rent into two payments throughout the month. Flex pays your rent to us in full and on time, while you pay them back on a schedule that fits your cash flow. Full Transparency: View your current balance, previous statements, and full payment history anytime. 2. Build Your Credit for Free with Pinata Your consistent rent payments should work for you. We are proud to offer Free Positive Rent Payment Reporting to major credit bureaus through our partner, Pinata. How it works: You will receive an email invitation from Pinata to sign up for this service. Once you are enrolled, your on-time payments are reported to the credit bureaus. The Benefit: This helps you build your credit score over time without any extra cost. It is our way of rewarding your reliability and helping you reach your long-term financial goals. (Please note: we do not utilize any resident reward or marketplace features through Pinata; this service is strictly for your credit reporting benefit.) 3. More Ways the App Helps You Beyond payments, the AppFolio app remains your primary tool for staying connected with our Orange community. You can: Submit Maintenance Requests: Easily upload photos and descriptions of any needed repairs. Manage Renter's Insurance: Access your policy or update your provider details. Stay Informed: Contact the office via text or phone, update your contact preferences, and access your lease documents. At  Grove House Apartments  , we treat every resident like a VIP. Whether you are looking for more flexibility with Flex or looking to boost your credit score through Pinata, we are here to support your lifestyle.