TOGETHER WITH

Hello Back Bay Besties, happy December!

Thank you for your patience as we gave our writers the last week off. There wasn’t much going on anyways. To those of you unfortunate enough to be born into a Turkey Trot/Polar Bear Swim family tradition, you have our deepest condolences. We set our sights on the final month of the year that is sure to offer big lights, events, and just enough of that coastal holiday cheer we all know and love.

To our new readers—welcome! The Back Bay Buzz delivers just the right amount of news and events for locals in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. No crime, no politics, no spam—just the good stuff. We scan newspapers, blogs, social media, business journals, and Google alerts so you don’t have to.

In today’s Buzz:

• Winterfest

• Laguna, Newport Water Collab

• Holiday tree lighting

• Holiday pints

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

Sponsored by Awakened Lifestyle Expo

Step into the new year aligned and empowered! Awakened Lifestyle Expo is a one-day celebration of mind, body, and spirit on Sunday, December 7, 2025, in Costa Mesa, CA. Shop 40+ vendors showcasing conscious gifts, crystals, jewelry, aura photography, intuitive readings, and more, and enjoy 10 daytime workshops including a sound bath, yoga, somatic dance, psychic mediumship, and multidimensional healing as well as the evening session with Sah D'Simone (as seen on Gaia). GET TICKETS at www.AwakenedLifestyleExpo.com and use DISCOUNT CODE "backbaybuzz" for 20% off.

Winter Fest Opens at Fairgrounds

Costa Mesa’s holiday playground is back: lights, fresh snow, ice skating, tubing, rides, live music, character meet-and-greets, the works. Runs select dates Nov 28–Jan 4 at the OC Fair & Event Center; opening night music: Westward Sons. Parking is $12 and tickets are cheaper online—GA from ~$34.99 with upgraded Snow/Platinum passes for extras like unlimited skating and rides. Pro tip: check the schedule—Thu/Fri 5–10pm, Sat 4–11pm, Sun 4–10pm; expanded hours kick in closer to New Year’s.

Newport, Laguna Partner on Water Reliability Initiative

Laguna Beach and Newport Beach are teaming up on a new groundwater well in Fountain Valley (on Bushard St.) to cut reliance on imported water. The Laguna Beach County Water District bought the one-acre site in 2024 for $2.75M; Newport will invest $20M and Laguna $10M toward the $30M project. Construction is set to start summer 2026 in three phases, with water flowing by 2028. The well will feed into Newport’s existing pipes, supply about two-thirds of Laguna’s needs, and help Newport ditch imported water altogether. We get a robust water supply, Fountain Valley gets infrastructure upgrades and an emergency connection, it’s a win-win. As our grand pap used to say “If you want cheap golf, go to Fountain Valley.”

The Origins of Newport’s Oldest Bars

THIS WEEK:

• Tree Lighting - Via Lido Plaza
  Thursday Dec 4th
  5-7pm
  Info

• Little Lido Storytime at Lido Village Books

  Thursday, 04 December

  10:00 am - 10:45 am
  Info

• Grab a Beer - Helmsman Alehouse
  Their halls are DECKED
  Info

UPCOMING:

• Holiday Market - Costa Mesa Ceramics
  Saturday Dec 6th
  11am-4pm
  Info

• Santa Arrives by Duffy - Lido Village
  Sat Dec 6th
  11am
  Info

• Artisan Marketplace - Environmental Nature Center (Newport)
  eco-friendly, handmade, one-of-a-kind creations
  Sun Dec 7
  11am-4pm
  Info

• Awakened Lifestyle Expo - Norma Hertzog Community Center
  Sun Dec 7th
  9:30am-9pm
  Info

• All CHOC Guilds Holiday Tree Luncheon - The Westin South Coast Plaza
  Sun Dec 7th
  10am
  Info

• Christmas Party and Toy Drive - Wild Goose Tavern
  Bring a toy or canned good for $2 Happy Dad Seltzers
  Thursday Dec 11th
  Info

• Newport Beach Boat Parade Guide
  Click Here for the Guide
  Register your boat here

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH OC?

Check out our great partner newsletter:

🌊 Water temp = 64º
Suit Rec: Spring suit

THIS WEEK:

• Fire & Lights Festival - Newport Dunes
  Thursdays-Sundays Nov 28th-Jan 4th 2026
  Info
  

• Free Hot Chocolate and Snowfall at Malibu Farm in Lido Village

  Monday, 01 December

  5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
  Info

• Snowfall, Music, and Lights at Fashion Island Newport Beach

  Monday, 01 December

  5:30 pm - 8:00 pm

• Kids Consignment Sale in Irvine

  Wednesday, 03 December

  11:00 am - 7:00 pm
  Info

• Family Christmas Sing Along at Crossings Church Costa Mesa

  Wednesday, 03 December

  6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
  Info

• Tree Lighting - Via Lido Plaza
  Thursday Dec 4th
  5-7pm
  Info

• Art Space at Newport Beach Central Library

  Thursday, 04 December

  4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
  Info

• Breakfast with Santa ($15) - Newport Coast Community Center

  Friday, 05 December

  9:30 am - 11:00 am
  Info

  
  

FAMILY PLAN AHEAD:

• Dream Glow Fest at Wild Rivers Waterpark ($25-$36)

  Nov 14th - Dec 31st

  4:30 pm - 9:00 pm
  Info

• Santa Arrives by Duffy - Lido Village
  Sat Dec 6th
  11am
  Info
  

• Snoopy House - Costa Mesa City Hall
  Fri Dec 12-19th
  5:30-8:30pm
  Info

• Holiday Hootenanny - Salty Bear Brewing
  With Little Folk Club Sing-a-long
  Sat Dec 13th
  4-6pm
  Info

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor had so much time off he forgot how to do his job.

PS: Feel free to let me know any feedback or inside scoops you have for the newsletter. Just reply to this email, I read every one. Thanks!