Christmas carnivals in Costa Mesa.
A Christmas carnival is the holiday season staged as a carnival: striped booths in red-and-white and green-and-white, lights strung overhead, candy-cane signage on every game, a balloon arch at the gate, and Santa and Mrs. Claus waiting at a photo station. Nothing else needs to be on the program, because the carnival fills the evening. The guide below covers christmas carnivals in Costa Mesa, from candidate sites to the price of each size of event.
A Costa Mesa host can look at Fairview Park, TeWinkle Park, the Jack R. Hammett Sports Complex or the OC Fair & Event Center, each of which can host an event once the host confirms space and dates with the venue or the city. School requests go to Newport-Mesa Unified School District, which sets its own calendar around winter break.
The Carnival Fun Experts brings the booths, the games, the food stands and the Santa station. The site, the date and the sign-off are the host's to secure.
A holiday midway, Costa Mesa edition.
Guests walk beneath an arch of candy canes, peppermint balloons and gingerbread figures and into a lane of striped booths. Each game wears candy-cane signage: ring toss, bottle ring, dime pitch and milk can toss, with a prize table close by. A park such as TeWinkle Park can host a loop of booths once the city confirms the area, and a paved lot suits a straight lane with Santa at one end.
Santa and Mrs. Claus sit at a photo-op station off to the side so the line does not block the games. A walk-in snow globe inflatable gives families a prop to stand inside for pictures, and nothing falls within it. Props and trim can carry a snow-flocked coat that stays as it is. Food comes from seven stands: churros, pretzels, popcorn, cotton candy, nachos, snow cones and caramel apples. Anything else on the table, from a hot meal to a warm drink, is arranged by the host or the venue.
What's typically included.
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Holiday booths.
Striped booths in two colorways, hung with candy-cane signs and warm lights.
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Prize games.
Candy-cane-skinned booth games, with prizes bought for the headcount.
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Balloon arch.
An arch of candy canes, peppermint and gingerbread figures marking the gate.
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Concession stands.
Seven stands staffed by The Carnival Fun Experts, serving the seven items listed above.
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Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Their photo-op station, and the snow globe inflatable as a second backdrop.
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Crew.
A The Carnival Fun Experts team builds the carnival, staffs it for the booked hours and strikes it that night.
Typical timeline for Christmas carnivals in Costa Mesa.
- 1
Early autumn
Choose a date and a site, then give The Carnival Fun Experts a headcount estimate so the quote lands in the right band.
- 2
Mid-November
The booths, the concession mix and the Santa station are fixed, and the host submits the park, venue or district request.
- 3
Week of
A walk-through with The Carnival Fun Experts marks outlets, entrances and the Santa corner, and the insurance certificate goes out.
- 4
Carnival night
The crew builds in the afternoon, the lights come on at dusk, and the lot or lawn is cleared when guests go home.
Specifics for Costa Mesa.
- Parks and fields: Fairview Park, TeWinkle Park and the Jack R. Hammett Sports Complex can each host an event, and the City of Costa Mesa is the contact for dates and space.
- OC Fair & Event Center: The OC Fair & Event Center can host an event, with its own booking process the host follows and its own rules for outside vendors.
- Newport-Mesa Unified: School carnivals clear through the site office and the district, and The Carnival Fun Experts supplies the insurance certificate they ask for.
- Pricing: A church event can begin near $2,000. HOA and neighborhood carnivals cost $4,000 to $10,000, a company party costs $10,000 to $25,000, and a large multi-department event costs $25,000 to $40,000 or more.
- Floor price: No custom event is quoted below about $1,500.
- Power: When outlets cannot cover the carnival, The Carnival Fun Experts runs a generator for its own equipment alone.
Costa Mesa, CA.
ZIPs: 92626 · 92627 · 92628
The Carnival Fun Experts delivers Christmas carnivals throughout Costa Mesa and the surrounding Orange County area. Pin shows the city center; we cover every ZIP listed above.
Common questions.
Can we hold a Christmas carnival at Fairview Park?
The park can host an event. The host asks the City of Costa Mesa which dates and areas are open, and The Carnival Fun Experts supplies the paperwork a permit asks for.
Does the OC Fair & Event Center allow outside carnivals?
It can host an event, and its booking staff decide the terms. The host confirms those directly before choosing a date.
How early does it get dark?
Early in December, which is why the string lights are part of the layout and not an afterthought.
Can a school run one before the break?
Yes, with the site office's approval. The Carnival Fun Experts provides the certificate of insurance on request.
Who brings the Christmas tree?
The host does, if there is a tree lighting. The Carnival Fun Experts lays the booths and Santa station out around it.
What belongs to the host?
Tables and chairs, any tent beyond the booths, heating, drinks, permits and other vendors.
About this guide.
Compiled by The Carnival Fun Experts, the Orange County and Riverside operation of My Little Carnival, a carnival event production company that has been delivering holiday events, school carnivals, and corporate parties across Southern California. This guide covers Christmas carnivals in Costa Mesa.
Helpful local references: City of Costa Mesa Parks & Community Services · OC Fair & Event Center
Christmas Carnivals in nearby cities.
Costa Mesa Christmas carnival in mind?
Send The Carnival Fun Experts the date, the site and a rough guest count, and the quote will come back in the right cost band.
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