Mission San Juan Capistrano Offers Limited Reservations for Annual Capistrano Lights and Local Holiday Shopping
Mission San Juan Capistrano’s third annual Capistrano Lights tree lighting will be offered in a safe and social-distanced setting on select evenings from December 3, 2020 through January 3, 2021. The Mission Store also remains open under the latest COVID restrictions with a variety of artisan merchandise and holiday gifts supporting Mission San Juan’s programs and preservation.
Capistrano Lights is a magical experience as the grounds of historic Mission San Juan Capistrano are transformed with expansive lights, community-designed Christmas trees throughout the grounds, music and the nightly 30-foot tree lighting and nativity scene (circa 1806) in the Ruins of The Great Stone Church.
“Now, more than ever, we must find special ways to experience the season of peace, gratitude and family, and do so safely and with great meaning. While the tradition of gathering must be re-envisioned, we believe we have designed programs that allows for safe and meaningful experiences for all,” said Mission San Juan Capistrano Executive Director Mechelle Lawrence Adams.
Tickets for Capistrano Lights are $3 for Mission members and $5 for the general public and must be purchased in advance at www.CapistranoLights.com. Medical or cloth face masks are required and social distancing will be enforced. Guests must be onsite by 5:00 p.m. as the grounds close at 6:00 p.m.
During Capistrano Lights, The Mission Store will remain open until 7:00 p.m. while regular hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Thursdays through Sundays from 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Operating under strict COVID-safe restrictions, The Mission Store provides a unique shopping experience with meaningful gifts that support the self-sustaining Mission landmark and local economy.
The store has authentic nativity scenes, ornaments, holiday food items and gifts for children. Religious and spiritual items including Bibles, devotional items, journals, artisan rosaries, prayer cards along with traditional and contemporary religious and swallow-themed handmade jewelry that support local and international artisans and causes.
Mission San Juan Capistrano teamed up with community partner AR Workshop to offer a limited-edition ornament kit for children that is now available onsite at the Mission.
Online purchases at The Mission Store can be made at missionsjc.com/store-tickets. For more information about Mission San Juan Capistrano, call 949.234-1300 or visit www.missionsjc.com.
About Mission San Juan Capistrano
Known as the “Jewel of the Missions,” Mission San Juan Capistrano is a historic landmark and museum that features permanent exhibits with original artifacts as well as traveling and temporary exhibits. Orange County’s only Mission, the site is home to Serra Chapel, The Great Stone Church and the original padres’ quarters of the South Wing and promotes faith, education, preservation and cultural event programming.
Founded on November 1, 1776, by Saint Junipero Serra as the seventh of 21 California missions established by Spain, Mission San Juan Capistrano is owned by the Diocese of Orange and receives no church or state funding. The Mission Preservation Foundation, comprised of business and community leaders, is its fundraising entity committed to ensuring education, preservation and its long-term historic and religious significance.
Photo Credits: Mission San Juan Capistrano
