Illuminate Irvine kicks off the city’s holiday celebrations

Families arrive at the elaborately lit Palm Court at the Irvine Great Park, with available crafts, games and performances, during the Illuminate Irvine holiday celebration on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

UCI’s Vermillion Vocalists perform on stage during Illuminate Irvine at the Irvine Great Park on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Members of the SoCa Arts Starlettes perform on stage during Illuminate Irvine at the Irvine Great Park on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Julian Khouri, 5, and his sister Christina Khouri, 4, of Glendale put their letters to Santa in a mailbox in a building at the Irvine Great Park Palm Court Arts Complex during the city’s Illuminate Irvine holiday celebration on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Madeline Zulauf, 5, of Irvine sits with Mrs. Clause in her booth at the Irvine Great Park Palm Court during Illuminate Irvine on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Julian Khouri, 5, of Glendale puts his letter to Santa in a mailbox in a building at the Irvine Great Park Palm Court Arts Complex during the city’s Illuminate Irvine holiday celebration on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Park-goers wait to ride the carousel at the Irvine Great Park during Illuminate Irvine on Saturday evening, Dec. 7, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Meagan Almeida, 6, of Irvine, puts her letter to Santa in a mailbox in a building at the Irvine Great Park Palm Court Arts Complex during the city’s Illuminate Irvine holiday celebration on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Hundreds of families fill the elaborately lit Palm Court at the Irvine Great Park, with available crafts, games and performances, during the Illuminate Irvine holiday celebration on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

UCI’s Vermillion Vocalists perform on stage, backdropped by a giant Christmas tree and the Great Park balloon, during Illuminate Irvine at the Irvine Great Park on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Hundreds of families fill the elaborately lit Palm Court at the Irvine Great Park, with available crafts, games and performances, during the Illuminate Irvine holiday celebration on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Rika Christanto of Irvine helps her twin daughters Reina, 4, left, and Ratana, 4, create a “magic reindeer food” craft at a booth in the Irvine Great Park Palm Court during the Illuminate Irvine holiday celebration on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Hundreds of families fill the elaborately lit Palm Court at the Irvine Great Park, with available crafts, games and performances, during the Illuminate Irvine holiday celebration on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Cyndi Robles of Irvine takes a photo of her daughter, Leah Robles, 4, with a group of furry characters, members of “Furvine,” at the Irvine Great Park during Illuminate Irvine on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Andrew Yang of Irvine helps Audrey Yang, 3, create a holiday hat craft at a booth in the Irvine Great Park Palm Court during the Illuminate Irvine holiday celebration on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Members of UCI’s VocaLotus a capella group perform on stage, backdropped by a giant Christmas tree and the Great Park balloon, during Illuminate Irvine at the Irvine Great Park on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Christina Khouri, 4, of Glendale puts her letter to Santa in a mailbox in a building at the Irvine Great Park Palm Court Arts Complex during the city’s Illuminate Irvine holiday celebration on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Molly Duran, from FOCUS Dance Center, performs on stage at the Irvine Great Park during the Illuminate Irvine holiday celebration on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Irvine residents Chrissy Chu, Eric Chu and Emma Chu, 3, sit with Mrs. Clause in her booth at the Irvine Great Park Palm Court during Illuminate Irvine on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)