A family takes a selfie in the “Under the Sea,” lantern and light display at the Dream Glow Festival at Wild Rivers Waterpark in Irvine on Friday, January 2, 2026. The Dream Glow Festival has been extended through January 10. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A family walks through the “Under the Sea,” lantern and light display at the Dream Glow Festival at Wild Rivers Waterpark in Irvine on Friday, January 2, 2026. The Dream Glow Festival has been extended through January 10. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The fire-breathing dragon lantern at the entrance to “The Realm of Dragons,” a lantern and light display at the Dream Glow Festival at Wild Rivers Waterpark in Irvine on Friday, January 2, 2026. The Dream Glow Festival has been extended through January 10. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kristy Chen, left, and Eunice Chow take a selfie in the “Under the Sea” lantern and light display at the Dream Glow Festival at Wild Rivers Waterpark in Irvine on Friday, January 2, 2026. The Dream Glow Festival has been extended through January 10. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A child runs past a giant dragon lantern in the “The Realm of Dragons,” at the Dream Glow Festival at Wild Rivers Waterpark in Irvine on Friday, January 2, 2026. The Dream Glow Festival has been extended through January 10. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People view one of the many dragon figures at the Dream Glow Festival at Wild Rivers Waterpark in Irvine on Friday, January 2, 2026. The Dream Glow Festival has been extended through January 10. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A family takes photos at the entrance to “The Realm of Dragons,” a lantern and light display at the Dream Glow Festival at Wild Rivers Waterpark in Irvine on Friday, January 2, 2026. The Dream Glow Festival has been extended through January 10. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A man looks into the mouth of a giant dragon head at the Dream Glow Festival at Wild Rivers Waterpark in Irvine on Friday, January 2, 2026. The Dream Glow Festival has been extended through January 10. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A father takes a photo of one of the many dragon figures at the Dream Glow Festival at Wild Rivers Waterpark in Irvine on Friday, January 2, 2026. The Dream Glow Festival has been extended through January 10. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People tour the lantern and light display at the Dream Glow Festival at Wild Rivers Waterpark
in Irvine on Friday, January 2, 2026. The Dream Glow Festival has been extended through January 10. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
1 of 10
A family takes a selfie in the “Under the Sea,” lantern and light display at the Dream Glow Festival at Wild Rivers Waterpark in Irvine on Friday, January 2, 2026. The Dream Glow Festival has been extended through January 10. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The water’s off for the season, but the lights have been on at Wild Rivers in Irvine.
The summertime hangout has been full of people this winter visiting the Dream Glow Festival, a pop-up immersion event at the waterpark that closes out its run this weekend.
More than 1,000 hand-crafted holiday light and lantern displays have been installed throughout the Irvine park, organizers said. Along with a Christmas Wonderland, designers also created a Realm of the Dragon and an Under the Sea attraction.
The nighttime festival is still open Friday and Saturday; find out more information and purchase tickets at dreamglowfestival.com.
Here are four fantastic after-dark destinations you’ve likely never heard of. YNK 18000 Von Karman Ave, Irvine, CA 92612 YNK, tucked behind Floe Lounge at the Irvine Marriott Airport,… Continue Reading Insiders guide to...
Like a modern pilgrimage on wheels, cyclists from across the city converged on Irvine Boulevard for the third annual CicloIrvine. The 1.3-mile stretch between Culver Drive and Parkwood was… Continue Reading CicloIrvine highlights pedal...
A fabulous, sports-field-filled 42-acre green oasis smack in the heart of Irvine, Col. Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park offers hikers and bikers quick access to several regional trails,… Continue Reading Col. Bill Barber...
When Irvine Barclay Theatre opened its doors in 1990, choreographer Molly Lynch brought Ballet Pacifica to its stage. Lynch served as artistic director of Orange County’s only professional ballet… Continue Reading UC Irvine choreographer...
