Mission San Juan Capistrano will kick off the holiday season by hosting its annual “Christmas at the Mission” this Saturday, Dec. 7 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.
Christmas at the Mission is held in conjunction with the City of San Juan Capistrano’s annual Tree Lighting ceremony and community-wide holiday celebration.
Events and activities include live music performances throughout the Mission, ringing of the historic bells, Santa’s Workshop with cookie and ornament decorating for kids, photos with St. Nicholas, Native American Basket Weavers, tours of Serra Chapel led by volunteer Mission docents, the Mission Treasures exhibit, the Mission Clubhouse, and food vendors serving tamales, pizza, hot cocoa, sweets and more.
Some of the performance groups include the Dickens Carolers, Chamber Singers, Orchestra Musicians, Ballet Folklorico, Mariachis and more.
There will be a special Mission Store Trunk Show in the Historic Sala Building featuring handcrafted Mission religious jewelry and rosaries. Guests can visit the Sala to meet the artist, Arasely Chelsea Rios, purchase rosaries and other specialty gifts and enjoy special sampling opportunities.
An added bonus this year is access to the Mission Store, which will be available to Christmas at the Mission attendees exclusively from 5:30-8 p.m. The Mission store will be open from 8-9 p.m. to the general public.
Full schedule of events:
Serra Statue (At the Bell Wall)
5:30-5:50 p.m. Capistrano Community Mariachi Program
5:55-6 p.m. Ringing of the Historic Bells
6-6:20 p.m. Ballet Folklorico de San Juan Capistrano
6:25-6:45 p.m. Saddleback Valley Christian School/Laguna Beach Music Guild
6:50-7:10 p.m. Capistrano Valley Christian School Dickens Carolers
7:15-7:35 p.m. Native American Tushmal Singers
7:40-8 p.m. JSerra Catholic High School Chorus
Central Courtyard (In Front of Courtyard Fountain)
6-6:20 p.m. Mission Basilica School
6:25-6:45 p.m. South County Sound Men’s A Capella Chorus
6:50-7:10 p.m. Capistrano Community Mariachi Program
7:15-7:35 p.m. Bakersfield High School Chamber Singers
7:40-8 p.m. Capistrano Valley High School Chamber Orchestra
Sacred Garden Patio (Near East Gate Entrance on El Camino Real)
6-6:25 p.m. Bakersfield High School Carolers
6:30-7:15 p.m. Capistrano Valley High School Chamber Ensemble (Group 1)
7:15-7:45 p.m. Capistrano Valley High School Chamber Ensemble (Group 2)
West Gate (Near Entrance on Camino Capistrano)
6-6:30 p.m. Capistrano Valley Christian School Dickens Carolers
6:30-6:50 p.m. Bakersfield High School Carolers
Underwriting support has been generously provided by Ross Medical Associates, a sustaining sponsor for Christmas at the Mission.
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.
Tickets may be purchased the night of the event upon entrance, or for quicker entry on the night of the event and to avoid lines of those purchasing tickets, you may purchase tickets in advance in person at the Gate House from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. seven days a week, or by calling (949) 234-1300.
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.
