SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA.– Mission San Juan Capistrano will kick off the holiday season by hosting its annual “Christmas at the Mission” on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 5:30-8 p.m. A magical night under the stars will allow revelers to visit the nativity scene, meet St. Nicholas, and enjoy the beauty of the Mission’s gardens, all lit up for Christmas.
Events include choir and mariachi performances, photos with St. Nicholas, and Santa’s Workshop craft activities. Tamales, pizza, sweets, coffee, hot cocoa and cider will be offered for sale. Bring your camera and a canned food donation for Serra’s Pantry.
Groups scheduled to perform include:
Bakersfield High School Carolers and Chamber Singers
Capistrano Community Mariachi Program
Capistrano Valley Christian School Dickens Carolers
Capistrano Valley High School Chamber Orchestra
JSerra Catholic High School Choral Music Program
JSerra Catholic High School Instrumental Music Program
Mission Basilica School
Ocean Hills Community Church Children’s Program
Saddleback Valley Christian School
South County Sound Men’s A Cappella Chorus
Southern California Children’s Chorus
Tickets may be purchased on the night of the event upon entrance, or in advance during regular Mission hours (8:30 a.m-5 p.m.) at the Gate House (located on the corner of Ortega Highway and Camino Capistrano), or by phone at (949) 234-1300.
Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 4-11 and free for the following groups – kids 3 and under, Mission members and Parish members with member I.D. Cards, Mission volunteers with ID badges, and all military ID holders.
About Mission San Juan Capistrano:
Known as the “Jewel of the Missions,” Mission San Juan Capistrano is a historic landmark and museum that boasts of quality permanent exhibits featuring original artifacts as well as traveling and temporary exhibits on a wide variety of topics.
The site itself serves as a living outdoor museum with original buildings constructed by Native Americans in the 18th century including the Serra Chapel, Great Stone Church, and the original padres’ quarters of the South Wing.
The Mission was founded on November 1, 1776 by Padre Junipero Serra as the seventh in the chain of the twenty-one California missions established by Spain, and is Orange County’s only mission. Every year, over 50,000 students visit the Mission and engage in an inspirational learning experience via the Mission Matters programming, as part of their State required California history studies.
Mission San Juan Capistrano is owned by the Diocese of Orange and is supported by the Mission Preservation Foundation, which is comprised of business and community leaders committed to ensuring the long term preservation and viability of Orange County’s only Mission. The Mission receives no funding from either the Church or the State of California and charges admission funds as a means of providing public access.
Mission San Juan Capistrano is located at 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. Open Daily 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Good Friday afternoon. Admission is $9 adults; $8 seniors (60 years or over); $6 children (ages 4 to 11); and children ages 3 and under are admitted free. Free audio guide with senior and adult admission. For more information, call (949) 234-1300 or visit www.missionsjc.com.
Joe Haakenson
