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Transform the holidays into a playful Halloween night at Once Upon A Nightmare Before Christmas in Newport Beach. Small groups, character meets, and hands-on crafts make this a perfect family outing.
Transform the holidays into a playful Halloween night at Once Upon A Nightmare Before Christmas in Newport Beach. Small groups, character meets, and hands-on crafts make this a perfect family outing.
Book with Once Upon a Christmas
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
99 ratings
Operated by Once Upon a Christmas · Newport Beach, California
At the heart of Newport Beach’s festive district, Once Upon A Nightmare Before Christmas flips a Christmas shop into a gentle Halloween parade of characters and surprises. For four October evenings, the famous Once Upon a Christmas storefront at 118 Agate Ave becomes a walk-through theater where Jack Skellington, Sally, and Zero lead intimate, six-person tours through secret rooms, wardrobe portals, and a toy room full of interactive craft-making. Each tour lasts about 20 minutes, begins promptly at the reserved time, and admits a maximum of six guests, so patience and punctuality are part of the charm. Families can meet Zero in a reclaimed reindeer stable, travel through a magical wardrobe into the toy room, make a Halloween craft with Sally, and finish with a one-on-one visit and photo with the Pumpkin King. This is a wholesome, spooky-not-scary experience designed for children, families, and anyone who prefers wonder to frights. There is no gore, no haunted-house elements, and even little guests under one may accompany an adult. Children ages ten and older may attend without an adult, but every guest needs a ticket. Tickets are limited, $29.99 per guest (platform fees extra), and there is a Christmas pre-booking add-on for $25. Tours run inside the shop at 118 Agate Ave, but meeting point instructions request arrival at 114 Agate Ave (NOT Once Upon An Island — two doors down at Once Upon A Christmas). What makes this event special for Newport Beach is the way a long-running holiday retailer becomes a theatrical playground for imagination—an uncommon flip that blends retail, craft, and live character storytelling in a compact, pedestrian downtown block. It’s a stand-out destination for families visiting the coast who want a brief, high-quality seasonal experience that leaves time for dinner and an ocean sunset. Practical notes: arrive 10–15 minutes early, bring small cameras for the private photo booth, and expect a walk-through flow rather than a roving performance. Tickets are non-refundable and tours cannot be rescheduled, so book carefully. Newport Beach offers nearby parking garages and walkable dining, making the experience an easy add-on to a family afternoon. For local insight, staff recommend quieter time slots earlier in the evening to keep lines short. The event’s low-capacity format preserves intimacy, and the small-group approach amplifies the performances’ detail: hand-made props, sound cues, and a craft session that kids take home. This is not a full theme park show; it’s a compact theatrical moment best for families, intergenerational groups, and fans of classic character storytelling. Reserve through the booking link early—with just six spots per showing, these limited nights book fast; perfect as a short, family-friendly October outing for coastal visitors.
Meet at 114 Agate Ave, Newport Beach CA (NOT Once Upon An Island - 2 doors down at Once Upon A Christmas); follow arrival instructions on your booking confirmation.
Each tour runs about 20 minutes from the scheduled start time.
Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled; book carefully and arrive on time.
Children under 10 must be accompanied by a ticketed adult; children ages 10 and older may attend without an adult; children under 1 may accompany an adult without a ticket.
No—this is a spooky-not-scary family experience with no gore or traditional haunted-house elements.
Yes—there is a private photo booth opportunity with Jack the Pumpkin King included in the tour.
Once Upon a Christmas is a Newport Beach, California company that brings live, in-person holiday entertainment directly to homes and events. The business offers two signature experiences: **Book an Elf on the Shelf to Come to You** and **Book Santa to Come to You.** Both visits are designed for holiday parties, family gatherings, and seasonal events in the Newport Beach area. The Elf on the Shelf visit features storytelling from the North Pole, interactive activities, festive music, toy-building fun, and a mini snowball fight to create memorable moments for children and families. The Santa visit includes personalized interactions with the REAL Santa Claus, enchanting stories, a toy-making lesson, snow globe crafting, and group sing-alongs to engage guests of all ages. Once Upon a Christmas focuses on creating customizable experiences tailored to event size, age range, and desired activities. Clients can choose activity options to match their celebration and the company coordinates visit details and timing. Services are marketed for private home visits and holiday parties throughout Newport Beach and nearby communities. Booking information, availability, and specific activity selections are provided at the time of reservation. The company emphasizes clear descriptions of each experience so hosts know what to expect. For families planning seasonal celebrations, Once Upon a Christmas offers direct, themed visits that prioritize festive interaction, hands-on activities, and holiday storytelling. Each experience draws directly from the provided trip summaries, making it simple for hosts to understand available activities and select the visit that fits their holiday plans and timing.
Book with Once Upon a Christmas