Season’s Greetings,
Holiday festivities will soon be on full display at Fashion Island, and I cannot wait. With our beautiful tree, Santa’s cottage, music and snow falling every night, there’s no place I’d rather be to shop, dine and share the joys of the season. This is where our community gathers to celebrate, to share wish lists with Santa, to linger over dinner with friends and to shop for those perfect gifts, all while making memories that last a lifetime.
I enjoy celebrating traditions during the holidays, especially hosting friends, family and visitors
at Irvine Company properties. I have worked in hospitality all my life, after all. After enjoying
the past several years at The Resort at Pelican Hill as managing director, I am thrilled for my first holiday season at Fashion Island. I invite everyone in the community to come and enjoy the many things we have planned.
Inside, you’ll find 12 holiday experiences to enjoy at Fashion Island and throughout our properties. I hope to celebrate with you throughout the holiday season.
Gerard Widder
Vice President & General Manager of Fashion Island
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12 Days of Giveaways
DEC. 1–12
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12 Holiday Happenings
TIPS FOR EXPERIENCING OUR PROPERTIES AND COMMUNITY EVENTS THIS SEASON
01
Share your wish list
Santa Claus is in residence at Fashion Island from Nov. 22 to Dec. 24, meeting children and posing for photos at his Coastal Cottage. The charming home, surrounded by evergreen trees and topped with a weather vane in the shape of a reindeer, is located on the Atrium Lawn. When Irvine Company opened Fashion Island in September 1967, the retail center became a destination for holiday celebrations in Newport Beach. Today, visits with Fashion Island’s Santa are a timehonored tradition for generations of local families.
02
Come see the tree
Only one night of tree lighting? Not at Fashion Island. From Nov. 22 through Dec. 29, gather around for Nights of Coastal Lights and watch Fashion Island’s 90-foot tree come to life each magical evening. The tree is adorned with 6,000 ornaments and 9,000 lights and stands tall in the Neiman Marcus/Bloomingdale’s Courtyard. There’s snowfall that children love, music and a choreographed light display. Enjoy the lighting of the tree every half-hour from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
03
Celebrate with carolers
Discover a host of adventures happening daily (and nightly) throughout the season. Enjoy live singing with a beachy twist with Carolers on the Coast. Liza Rios and her company, Caroling Connection Entertainment, will spread cheer at Corona del Mar Plaza on Dec. 14 and at Crystal Cove Shopping Center on Dec. 15.
Visitors can expect classic and contemporary holiday tunes plus beach-themed attire. “We genuinely love the holidays,” Rios says. “Their meaning, their traditions and everything they represent, however people define them.”
04
Ice skate under the open sky
Skate under the stars and holiday lights by making a short trip to Irvine Spectrum Center, where Orange County’s favorite outdoor ice rink is open. The rink — located next to the 78-foot-tall tree decorated with 23,000 ornaments and more than 40,000 twinkling lights — is under the Giant Wheel, itself a beacon of 50,000 lights.
If you don’t have your own ice skates, you can rent a pair at the rink. Special events include evenings with a live DJ. Tickets are available for purchase at the ice rink.
A legacy of lights
The 116th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is Southern California’s most dazzling holiday lights display on the water, as 100 decorated boats sail the Newport Harbor route each night from Dec. 18 to 22. If you are sailing in the parade, look for Fashion Island’s Gerard Widder on the water. He serves as a parade marshal for the Commodores Club. To enjoy the parade, Dine and Walk restaurants at Irvine Company properties include Sapori Ristorante and Bayside Restaurant at Bayside Shopping Center, and Sol Mexican Cocina on Coast Highway.
“The Christmas Boat Parade is part of the fabric of the community. It truly is a Newport Beach Christmas card to the world!”
Steve Rosansky
President and CEO, Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce
The theme of the 2024 boat parade is “Christmas Across the Decades.” When the boat parade officially debuted in 1907, the city was 1 year old, but Irvine Company had already been around for 43 years. Over the decades, the boat parade has grown into one of the most beloved events in the community.
This year’s parade features A Restaurant
co-owner McG as marshal.
05
Dress for holiday success
Newport Beach is the center for all things luxury. Shown here at Neiman Marcus, an iconic fashion destination, our models are dressed for a festive holiday evening. Amanda Rosborg is wearing a gorgeous gown available at Michael Nusskern, a longtime fashion favorite located in Harbor View Shopping Center. Her jewelry is from Hyde Park Jewelers. John Watkins’ attire is courtesy of GARYS, the source for impeccable menswear since 1978, while Hyde Park Jewelers provided his timepiece. Other luxurious shopping destinations at Fashion Island include Lugano Diamonds, CHANEL Fragrance and Beauty Boutique, DITA Eyewear, Fashionphile, Louis Vuitton and many more.
ON AMANDA: GOWN BY LAPOINTE, $1,950; BOOTS BY BARBARA BUI, $780, FROM MICHAEL NUSSKERN, HARBOR VIEW SHOPPING CENTER. EARRINGS, $13,600, AND BRACELET, $31,000, BOTH BY MESSIKA FROM HYDE PARK JEWELERS, FASHION ISLAND. ON JOHN: TUXEDO JACKET BY CANALI, $1,595; TROUSERS BY MUNRO, $395; SHIRT BY ETON, $265; FROM GARYS, FASHION ISLAND. IWC PILOT’S WATCH, $8,000, HYDE PARK JEWELERS, FASHION ISLAND.
PHOTOGRAPHER: BRETT HILLYARD, HILLYCOLLECTIVE.COM / HAIR AND MAKEUP: BETHANY JOHNSON, BETHANYJOHNSONSTUDIO.COM ART DIRECTOR/STYLIST: MARIA BARNES / LOCATION: NEIMAN MARCUS, FASHION ISLAND.
06
Splurge for someone special
Find inspiration for gifts from luxury boutiques and get more stylish suggestions from Sara Santos, your personal shopper, who can be reached at FashionIsland.com.
LIMITED EDITION LOGO LOOP HANDBAG
ST. JOHN / $1,595
TUDOR BLACK BAY 58 18K
HYDE PARK JEWELERS / $32,100
CALLA LILY DIAMOND RING LUGANO DIAMONDS / UPON REQUEST 
BRUNELLO CUCINELLI BACKPACK
NEIMAN MARCUS / $4,300
DIAMOND & SILVER CUFF FETNEH BLAKE
CONCEPT AT CRYSTAL COVE / $3,000
AMINA MUADDI BEGUM PUMPS
NEIMAN MARCUS / $1,310
GRANDMASTER SUNGLASSES DITA / $975
07
Share in the holiday spirit
Donate an unwrapped toy or gift at the Fashion Island Toy Drive, in support of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). Donations may be dropped off at the Concierge Suite in Atrium Court through Dec. 17. CASA delivers hope to children who have experienced neglect and are in the Orange County foster care system.
Choose a child’s wish from a Starfish Wish Tree at The Friends of CASA Holiday Luncheon on Dec. 13.
08
Make your kids smile
The delight of giving gifts and seeing joy on loved ones’ faces is a heartwarming part of the holiday season. It is especially gratifying when the gifts are given to children. The toy stores and family-friendly boutiques at Fashion Island and our other shopping centers are here to help you make the holidays merry and bright for the kids in your life.
Toys and gifts can be found at specialty boutiques, including Along Came a Spider (Corona del Mar Plaza), Anthill ShopNPlay (Westcliff Plaza), Engine Ear Toys (Newport Coast Shopping Center), Janie and Jack (Fashion Island) and Odin Parker (Fashion Island), as well as major brands such as Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Barnes & Noble, Macy’s, Apple and more.
Here are just a few ideas to inspire your giving.
AIRPODS MAX
APPLE STORE / $549
CROSLEY VOYAGER RECORD PLAYER
URBAN OUTFITTERS / $99
BEANIE
FREE PEOPLE / $28
BARI LYNN CONFETTI CLUTCH
NEIMAN MARCUS / $90
Atila Lotfi and his wife, Blakeslee, are the owners of Odin Parker, a Fashion Island boutique specializing in handcrafted children’s toys that is a must-shop for gifting. We asked Atila about the family’s holiday traditions, gift suggestions and more.
How did your family start Odin Parker?
My wife and I opened the store seven years ago when she was pregnant with our son. We were looking for handmade, high-quality wooden toys, but all the good options that we found were from Europe, and the shipping cost was high. So we decided to create a business out of it and buy from little mom-andpop shops overseas. We now carry a wide variety of items, from decor to toys for ages newborn to 7.
What are your top gift suggestions for the season?
Our wooden music boxes look beautiful on the shelf. We have dolls and stuffed animals and a lot of handmade vehicles. We also have ornaments and collectible handmade nutcrackers from Germany. Honestly, for people who are not even looking to purchase anything, it’s still a very fun experience to come into the store. It gives people a nostalgic feeling. It takes them back to their own childhood.
Your boutique recently moved to a new space in Fashion Island, right?
Yes, we initially had the opportunity to open a small store at Fashion Island last November, and the feedback was so great. The community was so welcoming. A few months ago, we got to move into a bigger location, next to Starbucks.
What are the most popular items at the boutique?
Our most popular brand is called Maileg, from Denmark. It focuses on dollhouses and miniature furniture. They have these cute little mice characters. Twice a year, we host events focused around Maileg where we have face painting, balloon artists and gifts with purchase.
WOODERFUL LIFE WOODEN
MUSIC BOXES
ODIN PARKER / $90
09
Shop classic gifts
Choosing a perfect book because you know their favorite author or artist. Adding to a collection of beautiful objects. Giving the gift of music, a much-loved movie or games that you might enjoy together. All demonstrate a sense of thoughtfulness and care that is cherished.
CHALET CLOCK ADVENT CALENDAR ARHAUS / $1,695 
CANDLE COLLECTION
VOLUSPA / $165
CHRISTMAS WITH
FRANK SINATRA ALBUM
BARNES & NOBLE / $24
CHRISTMAS BAKING BOOK
ANTHROPOLOGIE / $25
LITTLE BOOKS
OF FASHION
BARNES & NOBLE
TIC-TAC-TOE GAME
ANTHROPOLOGIE / $220
10
Host a festive gathering
What makes a restaurant ideal for a holiday meal? For starters, timeless ambience that makes any occasion feel special and exceptional dishes you’ll still be talking about the next holiday season. More specifically: themed libations; seasonal dishes that please the eye and palate; and decked halls, as it were, that gladden hearts. Cucina Enoteca at Fashion Island, above, offers a festive Feast of the Seven Fishes option. For others, read on.
A Crystal Cove
CRYSTAL COVE SHOPPING CENTER
A Crystal Cove combines coastal sophistication with more than a hint of old Hollywood glamour: burgundy or blue-velvet booths, warm-wood floors, spectacular gold-ceiling bar and two fireplaces. There are, in fact, Hollywood connections: A founding partner is producer-director Joseph McG Nichol (“Charlie’s Angels”), raised in Newport Beach, and fans of A include actor Jason Momoa (“Game of Thrones,” “Dune”). The restaurant plans a holiday cocktail using Momoa’s Meili vodka called Meili Kalikimaka. For a meal not soon forgotten, follow it with shareable crispy whole branzino or, offered only at the holidays, a 30- to 50-ounce tomahawk rib-eye serving three to four.
Choose a child’s wish from a Starfish Wish Tree at The Friends of CASA Holiday Luncheon on Dec. 13.
Fleming’s Steakhouse
FASHION ISLAND
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar always feels like a special-occasion destination — high-end and personable, classic and contemporary. Holidays bring tasteful decorations and, according to General Manager Jonathan Pierce, lots of parties. Many unfold in private rooms, including the Irvine Room, seating 14, and the Wine Cellar, where up to 45 guests dine amid 360-degree wine-themed projections. For the holidays, Pierce promises a Season of Opulence prix fixe dinner, including oysters Rockefeller, apple-cinnamon-pecan salad, filet mignon and North American lobster tail, and bananas Foster bread pudding. There’s a twocourse lunch, too. New a la carte: caviar service and the Japanese A5 Wagyu Experience.
Modo Mio Rustic Italian Kitchen
CRYSTAL COVE SHOPPING CENTER
The name of Phil and Linda Crowley’s restaurant translates to “my way.” Holidays transform the whitetablecloth spot. “Linda is the heart of this restaurant,” says manager Amber Ippolito. “No time is that more apparent than the holidays.” Crowley’s Christmas decor includes her nutcracker collection and a lifesized reindeer made from grapevines. “People bring their children and their children’s children,” Crowley says. “We are so blessed — they feel we’re their home!” Modo Mio’s 20th holiday season features osso buco — veal shanks braised with vegetables and wine — and nightly fish specials. Always on the menu: cioppino with clams, mussels, shrimp, calamari, salmon and seasonal white fish, a seafood feast in a bowl.
By Benjamin Epstein
Holiday traditions at Villas Fashion Island
The holiday season at Villas Fashion Island apartment community is a special time for resident Brittany Spektor and her family. “I love how there are lights along the main promenade, a big Christmas tree by the pool and events like cider and cookies on weekends in December,” she says. “It makes the holidays exactly what I imagined: full of community, warmth and festive spirit.”
Are there holiday events your family looks forward to?
My wife and I opened the store seven years ago when she was pregnant with our son. We were looking for handmade, high-quality wooden toys, but all the good options that we found were from Europe, and the shipping cost was high. So we decided to create a business out of it and buy from little mom-andpop shops overseas. We now carry a wide variety of items, from decor to toys for ages newborn to 7.
What local restaurants do you like?
We really enjoy Cucina Enoteca year round. R&D Kitchen and Joeys are also great choices with a fun atmosphere. Plus, the Nordstrom restaurant, Bazille, is right next to the kids’ department that gives out balloons, which our son, Jayden, loves. It’s those little touches that make the holidays feel festive and special, and we love making a day of it.
What does Villas Fashion Island mean to your family?
We’ve made some of our closest friends here, people who have become like family. We celebrate holidays together, and we keep adding new friends as people move in. It’s just nice to know that there’s always something going on that brings everyone together, especially during the holidays. The atmosphere here makes it feel like a real community, and that’s something I never realized I was missing until we moved here.
11
Come home for the holidays to
The Resort at Pelican Hill
Pelican Hill invites you to indulge yourself this holiday season. From a Thanksgiving feast served around an elegant table to cozy fireside cups of cocoa, this season is a chance to relax with family and friends, creating memories without hassle.
“The holidays at Pelican Hill are all about making memories.”
Kevin Kelly
General Manager
On Thanksgiving Day, enjoy an Italian-inspired fall feast served in the Great Room. Ideal for families or large groups, guests will enjoy a curated selection of traditional dishes and dining favorites. The carving table will feature a truffle-butter roasted turkey breast and Parmesan-crusted Snake River Farms tomahawk steak. A kids’ buffet and dessert room ensure everyone in your party tastes this culinary adventure.
For an elevated celebration, experience the tasteful sophistication of Pelican Grill. “Every year, we combine the traditions and flavors of the season with unique little touches to ensure there is a sense of discovery and delight,” says General Manager Kevin Kelly. “This year, we have incorporated caviar into our holiday menus in a fresh new way with a caviar trolley, and we are introducing a new hot chocolate experience that will tempt adults and children alike.”
For the first time, Pelican Hill also offers its Holiday Mercado. Local artisans, incorporating Italian sensibilities, bring an array of holiday treasures perfect for everyone. Discover original creations from Luna Reece Ceramics, Sanlejur Jewelry, Cliko Pressed Floral Design, Nat + Nik Soap Design and more. Sample sweet and savory bites from Gelatissimo, Sugared And Iced and Picnic Grazing Co. (11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 7).
Festive events for
guests and visitors
WREATH-MAKING CLASS
DEC. 7 / 3 TO 4:30 P.M.
Daily Blooms Farm provides beautiful wreaths and florals. Guests will create an 18-inch wreath, perfect to gift or display. Enjoy light bites and bubbles.
GINGERBREAD CLASS
DEC. 8 / 3 TO 4 P.M.
Local baker Sugared And Iced guides visitors through the decoration process. Each house is intended for up to two participants and features a deluxe candy kit for decorating. Guests will enjoy cookies, candies and bubbles.
HOLIDAY HIGH TEA & SONGS OF THE SEASON
DEC. 12–15
Experience world-class musical performances by some of the brightest artists in American opera as they sing classic carols of the season. High tea paired with Champagne will be served in the Great Room.