Newport Dunes Unveils Fire & Ice Festival featuring Waterfront Ice Rink and LIghting of the Bay
Media Contact: Sanaz Fakhimi, The ACE Agency
(949) 392-3961, Sanaz@theaceagency.com
Newport Beach, CA – Oct. 16, 2023 – Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort is thrilled to announce its Inaugural Fire & Ice Festival, featuring one of Orange County’s largest waterfront ice rinks, spanning 4,000 square feet. The festival kicks off a season of holiday fun at Newport Dunes with an opening night celebration on November 24, 2023, alongside the 33rd Annual Lighting of the Bay, and runs daily through January 1, 2024.
“This year, we celebrate the return of our beloved Lighting of the Bay with a magical holiday experience like never before,” says Phil Ravenna, General Manager of Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort. “We are excited to bring a waterfront ice rink to Newport Beach. Skaters can enjoy the lights of the bay as well as our Fire & Ice Festival. We welcome the community to usher in the holidays with loved ones and create new holiday memories in our idyllic bayfront setting in the heart of Newport Beach.”
During the Fire & Ice Festival’s opening night celebration on Friday, November 24, enjoy live musical performances, fire dancers, stocking and ornament decorating, a holiday photo booth and more. Santa will take center stage at 4 p.m. during the 33rd Annual Lighting of the Bay ceremony as he flips the magic switch to illuminate the bay with more than fifty floating holiday decorations and Christmas trees, marking the official start to the holiday season. Sip hot cocoa and cider while watching an outdoor screening of a holiday movie to wrap up the evening. The ice rink opens at 12 p.m. Festive food and beverages will be available for purchase, with food trucks and a full bar opening at 2 p.m. The Lighting of the Bay continues each evening at dusk through New Year’s Day.
The Fire & Ice Festival, continuing daily through January 1, 2024, promises to be an extraordinary addition to the Lighting of the Bay tradition. Enjoy dazzling fire dancers on Friday and Saturday evenings. Cozy up in the Igloo Cocktail Bar, serving both hot toddies and cool drinks, while taking in the festive atmosphere Wednesday – Sunday. Along the shore, fire pits will be ablaze, offering a magical setting for roasting s’mores with convenient kits available. Explore the Holiday Inflatable Garden, perfect for capturing the festive moment with loved ones, enjoy outdoor screenings of holiday movies on the beach.
The waterfront ice rink, one of the largest in Orange County at an impressive 82 x 50 feet, will be open daily from November 24, 2023, to January 1, 2024, offering a picturesque outdoor skating experience. Skaters will enjoy stunning water and marina views, and during the evening as the bay is illuminated, the rink transforms into a winter wonderland with a backdrop of twinkling lights. Don’t miss themed skate nights on the ice rink, adding even more excitement to this holiday celebration. The ice rink is suitable for ages 3 and above, and skating aids will be available for $10 to ensure a seamless experience for all skill levels. Skating prices are $25 during peak hours and $20 during off-peak hours, per person, for a delightful 90-minute session which includes a skate rental. Advance booking will be available online at NewportDunes.com starting November 1, 2023.
Stop by the Newport Dunes Tree Lot, open daily November 24 through December 21 from 10 a.m.-9 p.m., to pick fresh hand-picked pines from Salem, Oregon while taking in the festive holiday scene.
Sip on seasonal beverages and watch the glowing lights in the Newport Dunes lagoon. On Saturday and Sundays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., cocktails and food will be available from Moe B’s Munchies beachfront grill for family picnics.
RV campers return year after year to soak up the enchanting floating lights on the bay just steps from their RV campsite. Bring an RV or stay in Newport Dunes’ charming, single-family Beach Cottages for a cozy, home-away-from-home experience. For those who do not own an RV, Newport Dunes works with RV rental companies that will deliver a luxury RV to your campsite, all set up and ready to enjoy. For holiday parties and private events, the Back Bay Bistro at Newport Dunes offers the perfect waterfront backdrop for a festive event, just steps from the Lighting of the Bay display. For more information on the Back Bay Bistro and to book a private event visit NewportDunes.com or call 949-729-3800.
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort is located at 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, California 92660. The Lighting of the Bay is free for the public to enjoy; skating and s’mores kits are additional. On-site parking is available at the following rates: 0 to 30 minutes: FREE, 30 minutes to 2 hours: $10, 2 to 5 hours: $15, 5 to 8 hours: $20, 8 to 24 hours: $25.
To stay updated on event information for the inaugural Fire & Ice Festival visit NewportDunes.com/event/holiday-ice-rink/. For more information on Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort and to book a stay visit NewportDunes.com or call 949-729-3863.
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Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina is an iconic, family-friendly recreation destination celebrating 60+ years of cherished memories in Orange County. Newport Dunes is home to the area’s premier waterfront RV resort, featuring full-hookup RV accommodations, charming cottages and a 442-slip marina. Amenities include a boat launch ramp, bike and watercraft rentals, pool complex, pirate-themed playground, a waveless public beach with swimming lagoon and an inflatable water park (summer season). The resort offers breathtaking venues, elegant catering for corporate events and weddings and hosts exciting live entertainment.
Contact Information:
Web: newportdunes.com
Phone: 949-729-3863
Address: 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, California 92660
Facebook: facebook.com/NewportDunes
Instagram & TikTok: @NewportDunes
