city of mission viejo

Get into the spirit of the holiday season by entering your beautifully decorated home in the annual Home Lighting Contest hosted by the Mission Viejo Activities Committee.

Prizes are awarded to the top five homes that win in categories like “How Did They Do That?”; “Tell Me A Story”; and “Holiday Traditions.”  Along with forever bragging rights, winners will receive a sign of recognition for their front yard and special gift.

If you want to help brighten the holidays for the families of our adopted Marines, drop off unwrapped toys at the following City facilities by December 24.

Santa Claus is coming to town on Sunday, December 1. Grab your kids, friends and neighbors and head to the Mission Viejo Civic Center Plaza for this time-honored celebration that begins at 3 pm.

The fun includes entertainment, live reindeer and game and activity booths where children can make crafts and have a blast. Santa will arrive atop a fire engine around 6 pm and help usher in the holidays by turning on the spectacular lights in Mission Viejo.  

For more information, visit www.mvactivities.com.

With the first rain of the season expected this week, the City of Mission Viejo is reminding residents that sandbags are available to protect properties from flooding and emergency erosion.

Sandbags are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bags are pre-filled and are limited to 10 bags per resident. Residents can pick-up sand bags throughout the City at the following locations:

Alicia Park, 23650 Via Linda

Animal Services Center, 28095 Hillcrest

Mission Viejo Civic Center, 200 Civic Center

Make the holidays brighter for some families of our City’s adopted Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division through the annual Adopt-A-Marine program.

Don’t miss Mission Viejo High School Drama’s production of "The Unloved" November 7-9 at the high school theatre located at 25025 Chrisanta Drive.

A modern adaptation of the romance of Tristen and Iseult, the production, which starts at 7 pm each night, features a cast and crew of 36 students including a live band.

The production is directed by Mrs. Kathy Cannarozzi Harris with musical direction by Mr. Jake Zelinger.

Tickets are $13 and are available online at mvhsdrama.com.

It often takes a village to give someone a new lease on life. This is the story of how Mission Viejo Police Services, Mercy House, City staff, a local church and others band together to help a United States veteran find a home.  This is the story of 85-year-old Vern – who bravely served our country for nearly two decades – 1960 to 1987 – and had been living in his 1970 VW van for the last 10 years.  Vern served in the Navy, National Guard and Army Reserve. He enlisted in the Army, earned the rank of Sergeant First Class and fought in the Vietnam War.

Have you heard of the Caring Fairies? These magical beings will return to the Oso Creek Trail on November 3, turning a 1-mile swath into a whimsical place of hidden fairy houses and other delights amid the tree trunks. Their return coincides with the Artisan Faire from 10 am to 4 pm at the Potocki Center for the Arts, 27301 La Paz Road.

From music and art to knitting and the principals of design, the Potocki Center for the Arts hosts classes designed to tap your creative side. Here’s the lineup for September: 

Beginning Ukulele

The City of Mission Viejo and American Soldier Network will host a simple flag-holding and candlelight gathering to honor the people who lost their lives and the heroes who responded to the catastrophic events of 9/11.