Looking for November family weekend outings? Plan a movie afternoon, a book-fair visit or an evening under the lights for November 13 to 15, 2026. These five family-friendly outings cover Orange County and Los Angeles County, with two confirmed free choices and official links to check before you leave.
Choose the county that works for your family: Orange County or Los Angeles County. Admission price not confirmed means the official page did not provide a usable admission price. It does not mean free.
Friday, November 13, 2026. Activities start at 3:30 PM and the movie starts at 5 PM at Friendship Park, 5290 Cameron Dr., Buena Park. Admission is free. Food-truck purchases cost extra. Bring a blanket or lawn chair for this outdoor movie. Official Buena Park movie details.
Saturday, November 14, 10 AM to 5 PM. Head to Old Town Tustin for booksellers, author talks and children’s activities. Admission price not confirmed. Official OC Book Fair details.
The official 2026 harbor guide says holiday lights begin Thursday, November 12 at Dana Point Harbor. Make this your waterfront-light option for the weekend. Exact nightly hours and admission price not confirmed. Check the current guide and parking information before heading out. Official Dana Point Harbor holiday guide.
Yes. Buena Park lists free admission at Friendship Park, 5290 Cameron Dr., on Friday, November 13, 2026. Activities begin at 3:30 PM and the movie starts at 5 PM. Food-truck purchases are separate.
The fair is Saturday, November 14, from 10 AM to 5 PM in Old Town Tustin. Admission price not confirmed. The organizer lists story time and interactive activities for kids.
The official 2026 harbor page says Happy Harbor Days lights begin November 12. Exact nightly hours and admission price not confirmed. Check the harbor guide before traveling.
Saturday, November 14, 2026, 2 PM to 9:45 PM. Visit Griffith Observatory, 2800 East Observatory Road, Los Angeles, for the free Public Star Party and a chance to explore the sky through volunteer telescopes. Telescope lines may close before 9:45 PM so viewing can finish on time. The free event does not include parking or planetarium shows. Check viewing conditions before going. Official Public Star Party details and official visitor information.
The organizer lists the illuminated outdoor trail from November 13 to January 3, 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM, at South Coast Botanic Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. This is in Los Angeles County. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Admission price not confirmed. Check timed-ticket availability and parking charges before choosing your visit. Official light-trail details and ticket link.
The free Public Star Party is Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 2 PM to 9:45 PM at Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles. Parking and planetarium shows are separate from the free event.
It is at South Coast Botanic Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles County.
The organizer lists November 13 to January 3, with hours from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. It is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Admission price not confirmed; check available timed tickets before going.
A nearby movie, a book fair or a harbor walk can help you get to know a neighborhood beyond its streets. Pick one outing that fits your family’s time and budget, then leave room to enjoy it. Check the local forecast, plan for sun and warm daytime conditions, and bring water for outdoor stops.
Next week’s theme is Thanksgiving-week outings in both counties. We’ll check the official dates and hours before sharing that list. Holiday schedules and prices can change, so check the linked organizer pages before traveling.
Find our latest guides and ongoing outing ideas in Family Fun in Orange County and Family Fun in Los Angeles County.
If you’d like to talk about your next move in Southern California real estate, I’d be happy to help.
Tree lighting ceremonies in Orange County and LA County in 2026 run from Saturday, November 7 through Monday, December 7. This guide lists 26 lightings with announced 2026 dates. The busiest stretches are November 20 to 22 and December 2 to 7.
Some are city events listed at no cost. Some are hotel evenings, and a few are ticketed. Check each one before you head out.
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County. She hopes this calendar helps you pick a night and enjoy the season close to home.
Dates, times and prices in this guide come from event organizers and local event listings as of November 3, 2026. They can change, so confirm with each organizer before you go. This list is not an endorsement of any event, and Christine is not affiliated with the events listed.
Nine lightings come before Thanksgiving week, starting with Citadel Outlets on November 7. Newport Beach alone has two in this stretch.
| Date | Event | City | Time | What to expect | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Nov 7 | Citadel Outlets 25th annual tree lighting concert | Commerce (LA County) | Concert 5 p.m. | 100 Citadel Drive | No cost. Performers not announced, confirm |
| Mon, Nov 16 | 25th annual Christmas at The Grove | Los Angeles | Not announced | 189 The Grove Drive | No cost, space limited. Confirm time |
| Wed, Nov 18 | Chapman Winterfest and Doy’s Tree Lighting | Orange | Activities 5 p.m., program 5:30 p.m. | Chapman University, Attallah Piazza. Holiday music | No cost |
| Thu, Nov 19 | VEA Newport Beach annual tree lighting | Newport Beach | 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. | Santa, holiday music, hot cocoa | Hotel event |
| Thu, Nov 19 | Rodeo Drive holiday lighting celebration | Beverly Hills | To be announced | Rodeo Drive | No cost. Confirm time |
| Fri, Nov 20 | Fashion Island tree lighting | Newport Beach | 5 to 7:30 p.m. | 90-foot tree, Santa, a Sugarplums performance, snowfall effects | Shopping center |
| Sat, Nov 21 | Plaza Navideña tree lighting | Santa Ana | 5 to 8 p.m., lighting about 5:30 p.m. | Plaza Calle Cuatro. Santa, entertainment, treats | No cost. Confirm lighting time |
| Sun, Nov 22 | Anaheim 39th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting | Anaheim | Guests 6 to 6:30 p.m., lighting 7 p.m. | Anaheim White House Restaurant. Santa, Rudolph, Frosty, toy drive | Ticketed formal dinner |
| Sun, Nov 22 | Tree lighting at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel | Dana Point | 4 to 7 p.m. | Music, holiday marketplace, treats | Ticketed. Benefits Surfers Healing |
Thanksgiving week has four: a Tuesday evening in Huntington Beach, two openings the Friday after Thanksgiving, and a Sunday lighting in Mission Viejo.
| Date | Event | City | Time | What to expect | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Nov 24 | Magic on Main Street | Huntington Beach | 4 to 7 p.m. | Main St and Pacific Coast Hwy. Entertainment, community activities | City street event |
| Fri, Nov 27 | Winter Fest OC opening night and tree lighting | Costa Mesa | 4 to 9:30 p.m. | OC Fair & Event Center | Opening night |
| Fri, Nov 27 | Pendry Newport Beach holiday tree lighting | Newport Beach | 6:30 to 9 p.m. | 30-foot tree, Santa photos, OCSA performances | Complimentary |
| Sun, Nov 29 | Santa’s Arrival and Lighting Celebration | Mission Viejo | 3 to 5:30 p.m., lighting 6 p.m. | City Hall. Santa, family activities | City event |
The first week of December is the fullest of the season, with a lighting every night from December 2 to December 7. Buena Park, La Palma, Brea, Tustin, Irvine, Garden Grove and Anaheim light up, along with Altadena, Long Beach and Downey in LA County.
| Date | Event | City | Time | What to expect | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed, Dec 2 | La Palma Tree Lighting and Santa’s Village | La Palma | Village 4:30 p.m., lighting 5:30 p.m. | La Palma Central Park. Santa and Mrs. Claus, school performances, crafts | City event |
| Wed, Dec 2 | Paséa Hotel & Spa tree lighting | Huntington Beach | 6 to 8 p.m. | 30-foot tree, Santa photos, OCSA carolers, hot chocolate | No cost |
| Thu, Dec 3 | All Is Bright Celebration | Aliso Viejo | 5 to 8 p.m. | Aliso Viejo Town Center. Train rides, face painting, ornament making | No cost |
| Thu, Dec 3 | Brea Tree Lighting Ceremony | Brea | 6:30 to 9 p.m. | Brea Civic & Cultural Center | No cost, parking at no cost |
| Fri, Dec 4 | Buena Park Christmas Tree Lighting | Buena Park | Lighting 6 p.m. | City Hall Plaza. Santa Train, toy drive | City event |
| Fri, Dec 4 | Tustin Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Stroll | Tustin | 6 to 8:30 p.m., market from 5 p.m. | Old Town Tustin | City event |
| Sat, Dec 5 | Crystal Cove 30th annual tree lighting and holiday market | Newport Coast | Program 3 to 5:30 p.m. | Tree lighting and holiday market | Afternoon program |
| Sat, Dec 5 | Illuminate Irvine | Irvine | 3 to 8 p.m. | Great Park Palm Court Arts Complex | Afternoon into evening |
| Sat, Dec 5 | Winter in the Grove | Garden Grove | 3 to 7 p.m. | Village Green Park | Confirm lighting time |
| Sat, Dec 5 | Christmas Tree Lane lighting ceremony | Altadena (LA County) | 6 p.m. | Santa Rosa Ave and Mariposa St. A slow drive under lit cedars | No cost |
| Sun, Dec 6 | Nutcracker Holiday Village and tree lighting | Anaheim | Santa photos 3 to 5 p.m., lighting 6 p.m. | Downtown Anaheim | City event |
| Mon, Dec 7 | Visit Long Beach Christmas Tree Lighting | Long Beach (LA County) | 5 to 8 p.m. | Terrace Theater Plaza | Tickets at no cost required |
| Mon, Dec 7 | Downey Civic Center tree lighting | Downey (LA County) | 6 to 8:30 p.m., lighting 6:30 p.m. | Downey Civic Center | Confirm tickets with the city |
Long Beach and Downey need a ticket check. Pasadena, Santa Monica and San Pedro have not announced 2026 dates yet.
Pick by the kind of night you want. Each type feels different.
Confirm the details and give yourself extra time.
It can. Walking a downtown or civic plaza on a holiday night is one way to get a feel for a city you might want to live in someday. If you are thinking about a move, Christine is happy to talk it through, with no pressure and no timeline.
If a move is on your mind, start with a conversation and a clear plan.
Message Christine when you are ready, and she will help you map the next step.
When are the Christmas tree lightings in Orange County and LA County in 2026?
Tree lighting ceremonies in Orange County and LA County in 2026 run from Saturday, November 7 through Monday, December 7. The busiest stretches are November 20 to 22 and December 2 to 7.
Are tree lighting ceremonies in Orange County at no cost?
Many are. Chapman University, Plaza Navideña, Paséa Hotel & Spa, Aliso Viejo Town Center and Brea are listed at no cost, and Pendry Newport Beach is complimentary. The Anaheim White House and Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel lightings are ticketed.
Do I need tickets for the Long Beach tree lighting?
Yes. Tickets at no cost are required, released in weekly batches starting November 9 at visitlongbeach.com. One listing says they may be sold out, so confirm availability.
How do I confirm the details before I go?
Check each organizer’s website or city page the week of the event. Dates, times and prices in this guide come from organizers and local event listings as of November 3, 2026, and can change.
Where can I find more November events in Orange County?
See Christine’s 100+ Things to Do in Orange County in November 2026. For holiday races, see the turkey trots guide.
Who can help me if I am thinking about a move in Orange County or LA County?
Christine Almarines of CA Real Estate Group, licensed since 2004, helps homeowners and buyers in Orange County and LA County plan their next move. Book a consultation or get your complimentary market evaluation.
Source: Event dates, times, venues and listed prices come from the event organizers’ websites and local event listings (Enjoy Orange County, The Guide OC, Venture OC, race registration pages and Los Angeles-area event guides), reviewed November 3, 2026. Details can change. Confirm with each organizer before you go.
If you’d like to talk about your next move in Southern California real estate, I’d be happy to help.
The holiday table used to be loud. Now the kids come home for a few days, the extra leaf goes into the table for one big dinner, and then the house gets quiet again. Many homeowners love that quiet. Others start to notice the empty bedrooms, the stairs, and the yard that takes every Saturday.
If you have been wondering whether to downsize your family home, you are not alone. It is one of the biggest decisions a homeowner makes, and it deserves time, care, and a clear plan. Here is how to think it through.
If you see yourself in a few of these, our post on signs you should move has a simple home check-in to start with.
While everyone is home, ask: “If we moved, what would you want to keep from this house?”
It sounds simple, but it opens the right conversation. Your children may ask for the dining table, the holiday ornaments, or the growth chart on the pantry door. You will learn which things matter and which ones nobody will miss. And your family hears your plans from you, at the table, instead of by surprise later.
Downsizing is easier when the people you love are part of it.
Smaller does not have to mean less. Across Orange County and LA County, downsizers often look at:
The best choice depends on what you want your days to look like, not just the size of the house.
If you have owned your home for many years, it may be worth more than you think. Before you make any decision, gather the facts.
A home full of memories takes a little more time to prepare. Go easy on yourself.
Downsizing is emotional, and that is normal. You are not just selling a house. You are closing a chapter. Some homeowners need a season to get comfortable with the idea, and that is fine. A good plan lets you move on your timeline, not someone else’s. Our free Sure Seller course walks through each step so you know what to expect.
Downsizing can touch many parts of your life. Start with your agent, who can show what your home could sell for and help you find the right next place. A tax professional can tell you how a sale may affect you, and a financial advisor can help with the bigger picture. If the home is part of a trust or an estate, an attorney can tell you what applies.
A quieter table is not a sad thing. It can be the start of a simpler, freer chapter. Ask the question, listen to your family, and get the facts before you decide. If you are thinking about downsizing in Orange County or LA County, we are happy to sit down with you, with no pressure.
Common signs include empty rooms, upkeep that feels like too much, stairs that are harder to manage, and wanting a simpler life or to live closer to family.
Find out what your home could sell for, think about where you want to live next, and talk it over with your family. Your agent can help you build a plan.
Start small, one space at a time. Let family claim keepsakes first, then sort the rest into keep, donate, and let go.
For some people, yes, because it can mean less outside upkeep. Ask your agent about the HOA rules and fees for any community you consider.
Your agent can show what your home could sell for. A tax professional and a financial advisor can tell you what applies to your situation.
If you’re thinking about selling and want to know how your home should be positioned in today’s market, I’d be happy to help.
The first cool evenings of the season are here, and for many of us that means lighting the fireplace for the first time in months. Before you do, take a few minutes to check it over.
In Southern California, a lot of fireplaces sit unused for most of the year. Soot, nests, and small problems can build up quietly. This checklist will help you enjoy a cozy fire with fewer surprises.
Start with a flashlight and a good look.
A buildup of soot or creosote can catch fire, so if you see a thick, dark, crusty layer, do not light a fire until a professional has cleaned it.
If you ever smell gas, do not light anything or flip switches. Leave the home and call your gas company or emergency services from outside.
Make sure you have a sturdy screen or glass doors that fit well. Keep the hearth clear, and move furniture, rugs, curtains, and decorations away from the fireplace. Holiday garland, stockings, and paper decorations look lovely, but they should stay well clear of the fire.
Keep a fire extinguisher where you can reach it, and make sure everyone in the house knows where it is. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms at the same time.
Our mild fall weather gives us a perfect window to get this done. You are not rushing, and professionals are usually easier to schedule before the holiday hosting season. Checking now means your fireplace is ready the first evening it turns chilly, and it is one less thing to worry about when family comes over. If you are checking your heating too, see our guide to preparing your furnace for winter.
Call a licensed chimney sweep or technician if you see heavy soot or creosote, cracks in the firebox or flue, a damaged chimney cap, a damper that will not open, or if your gas fireplace will not light or smells off. An annual inspection is a good habit, especially if you use your fireplace often.
Prices vary by home and by problem, so ask for a written estimate.
A few minutes with a flashlight can help keep your fireplace safe and ready. Check the firebox, test the damper, inspect the gas unit or firewood, and keep everything flammable clear. For more seasonal reminders, see our home maintenance tips.
Inspect the firebox and chimney with a flashlight, open the damper, check for soot or blockages, make sure the screen and hearth are clear, and have a professional clean or inspect it if you see heavy buildup or damage.
An annual inspection by a qualified chimney professional is a common recommendation, especially if you use your fireplace often.
Do not light anything or flip switches. Leave the home and call your gas company or emergency services from outside.
Burn only dry, seasoned firewood. Never burn trash, wrapping paper, or treated wood, and check for local burn restrictions before lighting a fire.
If you’re thinking about selling and want to know how your home should be positioned in today’s market, I’d be happy to help.
The turkey trots in Orange County and LA County in 2026 run from Saturday, November 14 through Sunday, November 29. This guide lists 16 races: 5 on the weekends before Thanksgiving, 8 on Thanksgiving morning (6 in Orange County and 2 in Los Angeles County), and 3 on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday after.
Most races start between 7 and 8:30 a.m. Many offer a 5K, a 10K and a short kids’ race, and some add a 15K or a half marathon. Listed prices rise as race day gets closer.
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County. This guide sorts the races by date so you can pick the one that fits your holiday week, then confirm the details with the organizer.
Dates, times, venues and listed prices in this guide come from event organizers and local event listings as of November 3, 2026, and can change, so confirm with each organizer before you go. This list is not an endorsement of any event, and Christine is not affiliated with any of the events listed.
They run from Long Beach and Griffith Park down to Dana Point and Rancho Mission Viejo, in three date windows. Pick your window first, then your race.
| Date window | Races listed | Cities |
|---|---|---|
| Weekends before Thanksgiving (Nov 14, 21 and 22) | 5 | Fountain Valley, Long Beach, Seal Beach, Anaheim, Los Angeles (Griffith Park) |
| Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov 26) | 8 | Dana Point, Irvine, Tustin, Huntington Beach, Rancho Mission Viejo, Anaheim, Downtown Los Angeles, Van Nuys |
| Weekend after Thanksgiving (Nov 27 to 29) | 3 | Long Beach, Anaheim, Irvine |
No Thanksgiving race was confirmed for Cerritos, Lakewood or Whittier in the listings reviewed for this guide, so none are listed here. If one is announced later, the city’s website is the place to check.
Five races run on the weekends of November 14 and November 21 to 22. They work well if Thanksgiving morning is already spoken for.
| Date | Event | City | Time | Venue and what to expect | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Nov 14 | Stuffing Shuffle | Fountain Valley | Half marathon 8 a.m., 5K and 10K 8:30 a.m. | Mile Square Park, Lot D | Listed 5K $29.50, 10K $34.50, half $45 through Nov 12, higher after |
| Sat, Nov 14 | Huffin for the Stuffin | Long Beach | 8 a.m. | 5400 E Ocean Blvd, Belmont Shore area. 5K, 10K, half marathon and a kids dash | Listing prices on one site run from about $16.90 to $63.53. Confirm details with the organizer |
| Sat, Nov 21 | Seal Beach Turkey Trot | Seal Beach | 5K and 10K 7 a.m., kids’ 1K 8:45 a.m. | Main Street at Central Avenue. Kids’ 1K for ages 10 and under, plus a Gym Challenge | Listed 5K $40, 10K $45, kids’ 1K $15 |
| Sun, Nov 22 | Anaheim Turkey Trot 5K/10K and Fun Run (Caren Ware Events) | Anaheim | Rolling 5K/10K start 7:55 to 8:10 a.m., 1-mile fun run 8:11 a.m. | Santa Ana River Trail north of Katella Ave and S. Douglas Rd | Listed 5K $46.70, 10K $57.20, fun run $33 |
| Sun, Nov 22 | LA Classic Turkey Trot | Los Angeles | Not confirmed | Griffith Park, start and finish at Shane’s Inspiration. 15K, 5 miles and 5K (the 5K is open to runners and walkers) | Confirm the start time with the organizer |
Six Orange County races run on Thursday, November 26, from Anaheim to Dana Point. Four of them raise money for a named cause.
| Date | Event | City | Time | Venue and what to expect | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 26 | Dana Point Turkey Trot | Dana Point | 10K 7 a.m., 5K 8:30 and 9:30 a.m., 5K Family Walk/Run 10 a.m., Gobble Wobble 10:30 a.m. | Dana Point Harbor. The 49th year. Kids’ Gobble Wobble is 1 mile for ages 2 to 12 | Benefits Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley and the RH Dana Elementary School Booster Club. Listed 5K $48, 10K $54, combo $63 |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Irvine/Orange County Turkey Trot | Irvine | 1 Mile Turkey Dash and Combo 7:30 a.m., 5K 8 a.m., kids’ races from about 9:10 a.m. | Irvine Valley College, 5500 Irvine Center Dr | Listed 5K $42.80, 1 Mile $33 |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Turkey Trot OC 5K | Tustin | Refreshments 6:30 a.m., 5K 8 a.m. | Orange County Rescue Mission, 1 Hope Dr | Benefits the Orange County Rescue Mission. Listed $45.80 through Nov 22, higher race morning |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Huntington Beach Turkey Wobble | Huntington Beach | 5K/10K waves every 20 minutes from 7 to 9 a.m., kids’ fun run 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. | Entrance at Pacific Coast Hwy and Beach Blvd | Supports clean-water wells in developing countries. Listed ages 13 and under $20, ages 14 and up $50 online through Nov 22, $55 race day |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Turkey Trot on the Ranch | Rancho Mission Viejo | 10K 8 a.m., 5K 8:30 a.m., Little Gobbler’s 1K 10 a.m. | Starts at The Pavilion, finishes at Sendero Field | Benefits The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo. Listed 10K $48.70, 5K $43.40 |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Plymouth Rock n Run | Anaheim | 10K 7 a.m., 5K 8 a.m., kids’ races from 9 a.m. | Yorba Regional Park. Includes a 100-yard Tot Trot | Listed from $43.40 and rising in stages as race day approaches |
Two LA County races are on this list for Thanksgiving Day: Turkey Trot LA downtown and the Lake Balboa Turkey Trot in Van Nuys.
| Date | Event | City | Time | Venue and what to expect | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 26 | Turkey Trot LA | Downtown Los Angeles | Race Roster lists 5K starts at 8 and 8:15 a.m., 10K 9 a.m. | Festivities at Grand Park. 5K, 10K, a one-mile dog jog and a kids’ quarter-mile “Widdle Wobble” | Listed 5K $45, 10K $50, combo $65. One listing shows an earlier 6 a.m. start and sources differ on the start area, so confirm start times and location |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Lake Balboa Turkey Trot | Van Nuys | 8 a.m. | Woodley Park. 5K, 10K, 15K and half marathon | Confirm prices with the organizer |
Yes. Three races run Friday through Sunday, November 27 to 29, and each offers a 5K, 10K, 15K and half marathon at 7:30 a.m.
| Date | Event | City | Time | Venue and what to expect | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Nov 27 | Turkey Trot Friday | Long Beach | 7:30 a.m., check-in 6:45 to 7:30 a.m. | 5400 E Ocean Blvd, Belmont Shore beach path. 5K, 10K, 15K, half marathon | Confirm prices with the organizer |
| Sat, Nov 28 | Turkey Trot Saturday (A Better World Running) | Anaheim | 7:30 a.m. | Yorba Regional Park. 5K, 10K, 15K, half marathon | Race day listed $35 (5K), $40 (10K), $45 (15K), $50 (half) |
| Sun, Nov 29 | Turkey Trot Sunday (A Better World Running) | Irvine | 7:30 a.m. | Bill Barber Memorial Park. 5K, 10K, 15K, half marathon | Race day listed $35 (5K), $40 (10K), $45 (15K), $50 (half) |
Start with who is coming and how far they want to go. Then pick the date.
Confirm the details with the organizer the week of the race. Listings change, and the organizer has the final word.
In a small way, yes. A harbor walk, a park trail or a beach path on a holiday morning shows you a side of a city you may not see on a weekday drive. If a race has you thinking about where you might want to live next, Christine is happy to talk it through with you.
If a move is on your mind for the new year, the first step is a conversation.
Enjoy your race, and message Christine when you are ready to talk about your next move.
Where are the turkey trots in Orange County and LA County in 2026?
The turkey trots in Orange County and LA County in 2026 run from November 14 through November 29 in cities including Fountain Valley, Seal Beach, Anaheim, Dana Point, Irvine, Tustin, Huntington Beach, Long Beach and Los Angeles. Most are on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 26.
Is there a turkey trot in Cerritos, Lakewood or Whittier?
No Thanksgiving race was confirmed for Cerritos, Lakewood or Whittier in the listings reviewed for this guide. If one is announced later, check the city’s website.
Which turkey trots have races for kids?
Most races on this list include one, including Dana Point, Seal Beach, Irvine, Huntington Beach and Turkey Trot LA. Age limits differ, so check the organizer’s page.
Are the dates, times and prices in this guide confirmed?
They come from event organizers and local event listings as of November 3, 2026, and can change. Prices are listed prices that rise closer to race day. Confirm every detail with each organizer before you go.
Where can I find more November events in Orange County?
Christine’s November events page lists more ideas for the month: 100+ Things to Do in Orange County in November 2026.
Who can help me if I am thinking about a move in Orange County or LA County?
Christine Almarines of CA Real Estate Group, licensed since 2004, helps homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County and helps buyers plan their next move. Book a consultation or get your complimentary market evaluation.
Source: Event dates, times, venues and listed prices come from the event organizers’ websites and local event listings (Enjoy Orange County, The Guide OC, Venture OC, race registration pages and Los Angeles-area event guides), reviewed November 3, 2026. Details can change. Confirm with each organizer before you go.
If you’d like to talk about your next move in Southern California real estate, I’d be happy to help.
By Christine Almarines | Updated November 2026
Looking for holiday events in Orange County this season? Here’s a current guide to boat parades, light displays, holiday markets, theater and family activities for 2026 — with confirmed dates where organizers have published them, and an honest note where they haven’t yet.
The big ones this year: the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade runs December 16–20, Winter Fest OC opens November 27, and Knott’s Merry Farm starts November 20 right here in Buena Park. The Buena Park city tree lighting is Friday, December 4, and it’s free.
Some December organizers won’t publish dates until October or November. Events in that situation are listed below and clearly marked, rather than left out.
If you’d rather not drive an hour, start here. These are all roughly twenty minutes or less.
| Event | City | 2026 dates | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knott’s Merry Farm | Buena Park | Nov 20 – Jan 3 | Park admission |
| Buena Park Tree Lighting | Buena Park | Fri, Dec 4, 6pm | Free |
| Cerritos CPA holiday concerts | Cerritos | Dec 16–20 | Ticketed |
| Fullerton Winter Market | Fullerton | December, TBA | Free |
| The Muck Holiday Festival | Fullerton | Sun, Dec 13 | Free |
The park-wide holiday overlay: Snoopy’s ice show, snowfall on Ghost Town, and the Christmas Crafts Village. November 20, 2026 through January 3, 2027, included with park admission. Knott’s events
At Buena Park City Hall, Friday, December 4 at 6pm, with rides and food from 5pm. Free. This is the easiest holiday outing on the list if you live nearby. buenapark.com
Home for the Holidays on December 16, Dave Koz Christmas December 18–19, and the LA Symphony on December 20. Check the venue calendar for individual show times. ccpa.cerritos.gov
The 118th annual parade — around 100 decorated boats on a 14-mile harbor route, with opening-night fireworks on December 16 and nightly drone shows. December 16–20, 2026. Free to watch from shore; Marina Park is the largest free viewing area. christmasboatparade.com
If you’d rather be on the water than watching from it, both Davey’s Locker and Newport Landing run 75-minute narrated cruises nightly through December, roughly $20–40. Book early for parade week.
Snow play, ice tubing, skating and 30+ rides at the OC Fair & Event Center. November 27, 2026 through January 3, 2027 on select dates. Early-bird tickets are already on sale. winterfestoc.com
The 35th annual edition: 180+ artists, artificial snow, carolers and Santa. November 20 through December 20, 2026, Fridays through Sundays, 10am–7pm. Ticketed. sawdustartfestival.org
The long-running production, November 28 through December 27, 2026. There’s a sensory-friendly performance on December 1 and an ASL-interpreted performance on December 5, which is worth knowing if you need either. scr.org
This year’s Lythgoe family panto is Aladdin & Yasmin’s Winter Wish, running December 4–27, 2026. If you’ve been before, note the show changes annually — it isn’t the Cinderella production from past seasons. lagunaplayhouse.com
Mission San Juan Capistrano lights up with a tree lighting, Dickens carolers, a nativity and a new projection show. December 18–30, 2026 on select days. Tickets are online only and went on sale in August. missionsjc.com
The 64th annual 50-minute narrated boat tour through the decorated harbour, benefiting Philharmonic Society music education. December 12–13, 2026. Reservations required. cruiseoflights.org
The Christmas Train and Train of Lights run November 27 through December 23, 2026, roughly $22–37, with tickets that went on sale November 2. Santa’s Village is free. Reliably one of the best picks for younger kids. irvineparkrailroad.com
A large family-owned craft show at the OC Fair & Event Center. November 6–8, 2026 — note that’s considerably earlier than everything else here, so put it on the calendar now if you shop the craft fairs. ocfair.com
These run every year and are very likely to return, but had no 2026 dates posted as of mid-September. Some now list dates, noted below; the rest still hadn’t posted as of November 2, so bookmark the links and check back.
This is the part most roundups get wrong, because they copy last year’s list forward. Several holiday events in Orange County are genuinely different in 2026:
Plenty of this season costs nothing:
Looking further afield? The California fall colors map is worth a look before the leaves go, and there’s more to do around Orange County year-round.
December 16–20, 2026, with opening-night fireworks on December 16 and nightly drone shows. It’s free to watch from shore, and Marina Park is the largest free viewing area.
Knott’s Merry Farm in Buena Park (November 20–January 3), the free Buena Park city tree lighting on December 4, holiday concerts at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts in mid-December, and the free Fullerton Winter Market and Muckenthaler holiday festival, both about twenty minutes away.
Yes. Watching the Newport Beach boat parade from shore, the Buena Park tree lighting, the Fullerton Winter Market, The Muck Holiday Festival, and Santa’s Village at Irvine Park Railroad are all free.
It no longer runs as a standalone event. Created as a drive-thru display during COVID, it has been folded back into Winter Fest OC at the OC Fair & Event Center, and its former website now redirects there.
Irvine Park Railroad’s Christmas Train, Winter Fest OC, Knott’s Merry Farm, the Laguna Playhouse panto, and Noon Year’s Eve at Pretend City in Irvine, which holds midday countdowns for children who won’t stay up until midnight.
November 27, 2026, running through January 3, 2027 on select dates at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. Early-bird tickets are on sale.
If you spot an event that should be on this list — or one that’s moved again — let me know and I’ll add it.
And if a move is on your mind for the new year, whether you’re upsizing before the next round of family holidays or finally downsizing, I’m always glad to talk it through.
If you’d like to talk about your next move in Southern California real estate, I’d be happy to help.
You can buy your next house while selling your Buena Park home without betting on one order or the other. The third option is a calendar built on purpose, with both closings and move day lined up before you shop. Contingent offers, bridge loans and rent-back agreements are meant to reduce the chance of two payments or temporary housing. None removes that risk, and each has a tradeoff. The plan comes before the house.
On the selling side, Buena Park single-family homes averaged 25 days active in the MLS in Q3 2026 before an accepted offer (CRMLS, pulled October 3, 2026). Escrow and move day come after that.
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County. She helps Buena Park families map closing day, move day and the keys before anyone books a moving truck.
The numbers cover single-family detached homes in Buena Park from CRMLS, January 2025 through September 2026. The advice about timing a move reflects Christine’s experience, is not a finding from the data, and is not legal, lending, or tax advice. A lender answers loan questions, and an attorney or broker answers contract questions.
You link the dates on purpose. A move-up has three dates that matter: the day your home closes, the day the next home closes, and the day the furniture moves.
Set in writing, those three dates give your week a shape. Left to chance, the two contracts decide it for you.
Because the dates of the two closings do not line up. If your sale closes first, you have handed over one set of keys before you have the next.
A loan approval, an appraisal or the other seller’s own move can shift one date while the other stays put. If the purchase closes first instead, you own two homes and may carry two payments. The hotel and the double payment are the same problem from opposite sides.
The order is where the gap hides. Here is a plain sell-first sequence with nothing linking the two sides.
*Illustration only, not data.*
Between step 3 and step 5, your family needs somewhere to live. Each tool below changes this order. Contract questions go to Christine’s broker or an attorney, loan questions to a lender, and tax questions to a tax professional.
A rent-back lets you stay in the home you sold for a set period after closing, as agreed in writing with your buyer. Your move-out date shifts to after the sale closes.
*Illustration only, not data:* accept an offer that includes a rent-back, close the sale while you stay put, close the purchase, then move once and hand over the keys by the agreed date.
It helps families who want a firm sale price before committing to the next house. The tradeoff: you live in a home you no longer own, and the length, any rent and any deposit are negotiated, not standard. Some buyers need to move in right away and cannot agree to one. Ask: will buyers for a home like mine accept a rent-back?
A contingent offer is an offer on the next home that depends on your current home selling. You shop and sell in the same window instead of one after the other.
*Illustration only, not data:* get your home priced and ready, write a contingent offer on the next house, accept an offer on yours, then close both as close together as the contracts allow and move once.
It helps families who do not want to own two homes at once. The tradeoff: a seller may prefer an offer without that condition, so it can be less competitive. Terms and time frames, including what happens if your home has not sold in time, are written into the contract. In Christine’s experience, that conversation goes better when your own home is already priced and ready.
A bridge loan, or other bridge financing, is short-term financing meant to cover the gap when you buy before your current home sells. It flips the order so the purchase comes first.
*Illustration only, not data:* talk with a lender, close on the next house, move once, then list and sell the Buena Park home empty.
It helps families who want one move and a vacant listing. The tradeoff: you own both homes until the sale closes. Whether you qualify, the cost, the term and the rules come from a lender. Christine does not give lending advice. She works with lenders and her broker partner on the financing side so the loan and the calendar match. Bridge financing is not available to everyone, or a good fit for everyone who qualifies.
There is usually more than one. Which fits depends on which side is running ahead and what the other people in each contract will agree to.
| What is happening | One option | What it depends on |
|---|---|---|
| Your sale will close before your purchase | Ask your buyer for a rent-back | Your buyer agreeing, in writing |
| Sale closes first, no rent-back | A short-term rental or family stay, furniture in storage | Your family’s flexibility and budget |
| Your purchase is ready before your sale | Bridge financing | A lender’s approval and rules |
| Either side is running ahead | Ask to adjust a closing date | Both parties agreeing in writing |
| A contingent time frame is running out | Review what the contract says happens next | The written terms, with a broker or attorney |
The listing stretch was fairly short in Q3 2026. Buena Park single-family homes averaged 25 days active in the MLS, compared with 33 across Orange County and 39 across the broader CRMLS region.
Single-family detached homes in Buena Park, from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), pulled October 3, 2026.
| What it measures | Q3 2025 | Q3 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average days active in the MLS | 24 | 25 | About the same |
| Percent of original price received | 98.1% | 98.5% | Slightly higher |
| New listings | 84 | 77 | Down 8% |
| Closed sales | 80 | 67 | Down 16% |
| Average sale price | $1,002,350 | $1,045,412 | Up 4.3% |
How to read it:
These figures cover the Buena Park sale only. If your next house is in Fullerton, Cypress, La Palma, Anaheim or Cerritos, that city runs on its own pace.
Because once you have found the house, you are planning on someone else’s clock. In Christine’s view, the mistake is working out the timing after you have already found the house you want.
At that point the other seller sets the pace and every choice is made under pressure. Built first, the calendar names your tool, your backup and the dates you can live with. A calendar built early cuts the risk, and some risk always remains.
If you are outgrowing your Buena Park home, message Christine before you start touring, so the plan gets built before the house search.
How do I buy my next house while selling my Buena Park home?
To buy your next house while selling your Buena Park home, start with a calendar that links both closings and move day, then choose a tool such as a contingent offer, a rent-back or bridge financing. A plan lowers the risk of a gap or two payments without removing it.
Do I have to sell my house before I buy the next one?
No. You can sell first, buy first, or link the two with one of these tools. Each order has a tradeoff.
What is a rent-back agreement?
A written agreement that lets you stay in the home you sold for a set period after closing. It only works if your buyer agrees.
Does a contingent offer change when I move?
It can let your sale and purchase run side by side so you aim to move once. Some sellers prefer offers without that condition.
Will I carry two mortgages if I buy before I sell?
You may own both homes for a time, which is the gap bridge financing is meant to cover. Whether you qualify and what it costs are questions for a lender.
Who can help me sell my home and buy the next one in Buena Park?
Christine Almarines of CA Real Estate Group, licensed since 2004, helps Buena Park homeowners plan both closings and move day before they shop. Book a consultation or get your complimentary market evaluation.
Source: All market data is from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. InfoSparks © 2026 ShowingTime Plus, LLC. Single-family detached, Buena Park, monthly data January 2025 through September 2026, as of October 3, 2026. Quarterly and year-to-date figures calculated from monthly data.
If you’re thinking about selling and want to know how your home should be positioned in today’s market, I’d be happy to help.
You can buy your next house while selling your Cerritos home, and you do not have to choose only between selling first or buying first. There is a third option: a plan that uses a contingent offer, a bridge loan, or a rent-back agreement to reduce the chance of paying for two homes or living in temporary housing. Each one has a tradeoff, and the plan comes before the house.
On the sell side, Cerritos single-family homes that sold in Q3 2026 spent an average of 17 days active in the MLS before an accepted offer, down from 25 a year earlier (CRMLS, pulled October 3, 2026).
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County. This one is for the Cerritos homeowner who keeps running the numbers on two payments and wants a plan before shopping.
The numbers cover single-family detached homes in Cerritos from CRMLS, January 2025 through September 2026. Los Angeles County homes are listed on more than one MLS, so these figures cover only Cerritos homes in CRMLS. The advice about timing a move reflects Christine’s experience, is not a finding from the data, and is not legal, lending, or tax advice: a lender answers loan questions, an attorney or broker answers contract questions, and a tax professional answers tax questions.
You are protecting yourself from a specific money problem, and naming it tells you which tool to reach for. Most move-up worries fall into four buckets.
| The worry | The tool that targets it | The tradeoff of that tool |
|---|---|---|
| Paying two mortgages at the same time | A contingent offer on the next home | A seller may prefer an offer without that condition, so yours can look less competitive |
| A seller who will not accept a sale contingency | Bridge financing from a lender | Cost, qualification, and rules come from the lender, it is not available to everyone, and you may own two homes for a time |
| Nowhere to live after your Cerritos home closes | A rent-back agreement with your buyer | Your buyer has to agree to it in writing, and the time is limited to what the contract says |
| A gap while you search for the next home | Starting the search before you list, plus a rent-back if your buyer agrees | If the search runs longer than the time you have, you may still need temporary housing |
A plan lowers the risk without removing it.
A contingent offer protects you from owning two homes, because your purchase depends on your current home selling. If your Cerritos home does not sell within the terms written into the contract, the purchase is not meant to go forward.
The cost is competitiveness. A seller may prefer a buyer who does not need to sell first. The time frames and conditions are written into the contract, and contract questions go to Christine’s broker or an attorney.
In Christine’s experience, a contingent offer lands better when your own home is already prepared and close to listing.
A bridge loan, or other bridge financing, is short-term money meant to cover the gap when you buy before your current home sells. A lender decides whether it makes sense for you, not your agent.
It can help when the seller of the home you want will not wait on a sale contingency. It also means you may carry both homes for a period. Whether you qualify, the cost, the term, and the rules all come from a lender. Christine does not give lending advice. She works with lenders and her broker partner on the financing side.
Bridge financing is not available or a good fit for everyone.
A rent-back agreement lets you stay in your Cerritos home for a set period after the sale closes, as agreed in writing with your buyer. It gives you time to move into the next home without a stop in between.
It only works if your buyer agrees, and the length and terms are written into the contract. You are living in a home you no longer own, so details like the key handoff and a late move matter. Those are contract questions for a broker or an attorney.
Ask these questions before you tour a single home. The answers set the limits of your plan, and they are a lender’s to give, not an agent’s.
Bring the answers to your planning meeting with Christine. Tax questions about selling go to a tax professional.
Cerritos homes sold faster in Q3 2026 than a year earlier, and sellers received close to their original price on average. This is data about selling in Cerritos only, not about the market where your next home is.
Single-family detached homes in Cerritos, from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), pulled October 3, 2026.
| Measure | Q3 2025 | Q3 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average days active in MLS | 25 | 17 | 8 fewer days |
| Percent of original price received | 100.6% | 99.7% | Down 0.9 points |
| Average sale price | $1,211,063 | $1,221,457 | Up 0.9% |
| New listings | 54 | 76 | Up 41% |
| Closed sales | 50 | 59 | Up 18% |
How to read it:
Many Cerritos families moving up also look at Artesia, Norwalk, Lakewood, Bellflower, La Mirada, and Buena Park, which this table does not cover.
Because once you have found the house, you negotiate on someone else’s clock. That is Christine’s view, and it comes from experience, not from data.
When a homeowner falls for a home first, the tool, the risk, and the terms all get decided under pressure. Christine has helped families plan this kind of move, and in her experience the calmer moves start with three things already settled: the home’s real number, the lender’s answers, and the tool that fits the biggest worry.
The first step is a planning conversation, not a house tour.
Message Christine so the plan gets built before the house search starts.
How do I buy my next house while selling my Cerritos home?
Build the plan before you shop: know your home’s number, get your lender’s answers, and pick the tool for your biggest worry. A contingent offer, bridge financing, or a rent-back can reduce the chance of two payments, but each has a tradeoff.
Do I have to sell my house before I buy the next one?
No. You can sell first, buy first, or plan both together. Buying first may mean carrying two homes for a time, so talk to a lender before you decide.
What is a rent-back agreement?
It is an agreement that lets you stay in the home you sold for a set period after closing. Your buyer has to agree, and the terms are written into the contract.
Can I avoid paying two mortgages at once?
A plan can reduce the chance, but it cannot promise it. A contingent offer is the tool most aimed at this worry, and it can make your offer less competitive.
Is a bridge loan right for me?
Only a lender can answer that. Whether you qualify, the cost, the term, and the rules all come from the lender, and bridge financing is not a fit for everyone.
Who can help me sell my home and buy the next one in Cerritos?
Christine Almarines of CA Real Estate Group, licensed since 2004, helps Cerritos homeowners build a move-up plan before they shop. Book a consultation or get your complimentary market evaluation.
Source: All market data is from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. InfoSparks © 2026 ShowingTime Plus, LLC. Single-family detached, Cerritos, monthly data January 2025 through September 2026, as of October 3, 2026. Quarterly and year-to-date figures calculated from monthly data.
If you’re thinking about selling and want to know how your home should be positioned in today’s market, I’d be happy to help.
To buy your next house while selling your home in Orange County and LA County, you have a third option beyond selling first or buying first. A contingent offer, bridge financing, or a rent-back agreement can each reduce the chance of two payments or a temporary place to live. Each has a tradeoff, and none takes the risk to zero. The plan comes before the house.
In Q3 2026, Orange County single-family homes averaged 33 days active in MLS before an accepted offer, and LA County homes in CRMLS averaged 35 (CRMLS, pulled October 3, 2026). Escrow and the move come after that.
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County. She builds the plan for both sides of the move with homeowners before anyone tours a house.
The numbers in this article cover single-family detached homes in Orange County and Los Angeles County from CRMLS, January 2025 through September 2026. LA County homes are listed on more than one MLS, so the LA County figures cover only LA County homes in CRMLS. The advice about timing a move reflects Christine’s experience, is not a finding from the data, and is not legal, lending, or tax advice: a lender answers loan questions, and an attorney or broker answers contract questions.
Because the house sets a deadline you did not choose. In Christine’s experience, the homeowner who finds the house first makes the biggest decisions of the move in a hurry.
Illustration only, not data. You fall for a home over the weekend and the listing agent wants offers soon. Now you are deciding how to write the offer, whether to add a condition about your sale, and how to pay for it, all at once. Your lender conversation happens late, after the clock has started.
That is why Christine sees this as the move-up mistake to avoid: a good house found before the plan was ready. Plan first, and you already know what you can offer and carry.
Start with your goals and your money, then your home’s value, then the tool, and only then the search. Each step answers a question the next one depends on.
Contract questions go to Christine’s broker or an attorney, loan questions to a lender, and tax questions to a tax professional.
Each tool protects you from a different problem, and each asks something in return.
| Tool | What it protects | What it can cost or risk | Who decides if it is available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contingent offer | Keeps you from owning two homes if yours does not sell | A seller may choose an offer without that condition, so yours can be less competitive | The seller of the home you want, plus the terms written into the contract |
| Bridge financing | Lets you buy before your current home sells | Cost, term, and rules vary, and you may carry more than one payment for a time | A lender, based on your finances |
| Rent-back agreement | Gives you time in your sold home to move into the next one | You are living in a home you no longer own, on terms your buyer agreed to | Your buyer, as agreed in writing in the contract |
Ask who has to say yes, what it costs, and what happens if a date slips. Christine has helped families plan this kind of move, and these questions tend to matter most.
Contingent offer. An offer on your next home that depends on your current home selling. It helps the homeowner who will not own two homes. Ask: how long does the condition last, and how will the seller compare it to other offers?
Bridge financing. Short-term financing meant to cover the gap when you buy before you sell. It is not available or a good fit for everyone. Christine does not give lending advice. She works with lenders and her broker partner on the financing side, and a lender answers questions about qualifying, cost, and terms. Ask the lender: do I qualify, what does it cost, and what if my home takes longer to sell?
Rent-back agreement. After your home sells, the buyer agrees in writing to let you stay for a set period after closing. It helps the homeowner who needs time to move into the next home. Ask: what will this buyer allow, and what is my plan if the next closing moves?
You are working two local markets at once. What is normal where you sell may not be normal where you buy.
Christine helps homeowners sell in Buena Park and Cerritos, plus Anaheim, Bellflower, Cypress, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Long Beach, Lakewood, and Placentia. Many move-up families buy in another city or across the county line. In Christine’s experience, how fast offers move and how a contingent offer or rent-back request lands can differ there. Learning a new area can also slow the search.
So build the plan with that second market in mind. Know who is helping you on that side, and set your timeline for the slower of the two.
They describe the market you are selling into, not the one you are buying in. Both counties saw higher average prices than a year earlier and fewer new listings.
Single-family detached homes in Orange County and Los Angeles County, from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), pulled October 3, 2026.
| Measure | Orange County Q3 2025 | Orange County Q3 2026 | LA County Q3 2025 (CRMLS homes only) | LA County Q3 2026 (CRMLS homes only) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average sale price | $1,880,358 | $2,090,835 (up 11.2%) | $1,436,531 | $1,551,572 (up 8.0%) |
| Average days active in MLS | 34 | 33 | 35 | 35 |
| Percent of original price received | 97.3% | 97.9% | 98.2% | 98.8% |
| New listings | 4,170 | 3,972 (down 4.7%) | 13,337 | 12,638 (down 5.2%) |
| Closed sales | 3,271 | 3,174 (down 3.0%) | 8,229 | 8,258 (about flat) |
| Days active by month, July / August / September 2026 | 32 / 32 / 35 | 33 / 35 / 37 |
An average describes many homes, not any one home’s price or timeline.
How to read it:
The best time to plan the move is before you find the house.
If you are outgrowing your home, message Christine so the plan gets built before the house search starts.
How do I buy my next house while selling my home in Orange County and LA County?
To buy your next house while selling your home in Orange County and LA County, build the plan first: talk to a lender, get a value for your home, and choose a tool such as a contingent offer, bridge financing, or a rent-back. Then shop. The plan lowers the risk. It does not remove it.
Do I have to sell my house before I buy the next one?
No. Some homeowners sell first, some buy first, and some use one of these tools to connect the two. Which fits depends on your finances and what the other parties agree to.
What is a contingent offer, and does it weaken my offer?
It is an offer on your next home that depends on your current home selling. It protects you from owning two homes, but a seller may prefer an offer without that condition.
What is a rent-back agreement?
It is a written agreement that lets you stay in your sold home for a set period after closing. It depends on what your buyer agrees to and is written into the contract.
Can a bridge loan keep me from carrying two mortgages?
It may reduce the strain of overlapping payments, but it does not remove the risk. A lender decides whether you qualify and explains the cost and terms.
Who can help me sell my home and buy the next one in Orange County and LA County?
Christine Almarines of CA Real Estate Group, licensed since 2004, helps move-up homeowners plan both sides of the move before they shop. Book a consultation or get your complimentary market evaluation.
Source: All market data is from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. InfoSparks © 2026 ShowingTime Plus, LLC. Single-family detached, Orange County and Los Angeles County, monthly data January 2025 through September 2026, as of October 3, 2026. Quarterly and year-to-date figures calculated from monthly data.
If you’re thinking about selling and want to know how your home should be positioned in today’s market, I’d be happy to help.
The Buena Park housing market right now is steady, not a crash and not a frenzy (a read on recent sales, not a prediction), and in Christine’s experience the price you start at decides more than anything else. Buena Park single-family homes sold for an average of $1,045,412 in Q3 2026, up 4.3% from a year earlier (CRMLS, pulled October 3, 2026).
Fewer homes came on the market than a year ago, and homes still went under contract in about the same time. That is last year’s direction, not a forecast. What Christine watches most closely is whether a seller’s price is built on recent nearby sales or on a number they hope to get.
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County. Buena Park is her home market.
The numbers in this article cover single-family detached homes in Buena Park from CRMLS, January 2025 through September 2026. What Christine sees on the ground and her views on pricing and preparation reflect her experience, are not a finding from the data, and are not a prediction.
Buena Park is a steady market with higher prices than last year and slightly fewer new listings. Homes that sold in Q3 2026 spent an average of 25 days active in the MLS before accepting an offer, close to the 24 days a year earlier.
For comparison, the Orange County average was 33 days and the broader CRMLS region was 39. Buena Park moved a little faster than both.
In Christine’s experience, homes priced from recent comparable sales and shown well are still selling at a good pace. Homes priced from a hoped-for number tend to sit longer and are more likely to see a price cut. The data does not record why any one home sat, so treat that as what she sees on the ground, not a statistic.
Prices were up, sales and new listings were down, and the pace held. Here is the full picture.
Single-family detached homes in Buena Park, from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), pulled October 3, 2026.
| Measure | Q3 2026 | A year earlier | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average sale price (Q3) | $1,045,412 | $1,002,350 | Up 4.3% |
| Average sale price (January to September) | $1,040,850 (190 sales) | $993,172 (205 sales) | Up 4.8% |
| Closed sales (Q3) | 67 | 80 | Down 16% |
| New listings (Q3) | 77 | 84 | Down 8% |
| Average days active in MLS | 25 | 24 | About the same |
| Percent of original price received | 98.5% | 98.1% | Up slightly |
How to read it:
For the full breakdown, see the Buena Park Q3 2026 single-family report.
August was the slowest month of the quarter, then September picked back up. One slower month is normal variation, not a sign the market broke.
Single-family detached homes in Buena Park, from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), pulled October 3, 2026.
| Month (2026) | Average days active | Percent of original price |
|---|---|---|
| July | 20 | 98.9% |
| August | 35 | 97.2% |
| September | 21 | 99.2% |
How to read it:
It means your list price starts from homes near you that actually sold recently, adjusted for the real differences between those homes and yours. Comparable sales, or comps, are the closest thing a seller has to evidence of what buyers are paying today.
A good comparison looks at homes that are close by, similar in size and lot, similar in age and condition, and sold within the last few months, adjusted for real differences like an updated kitchen or a busier street.
Pricing from hope works differently. It starts with the number a seller wants or needs, then looks for reasons it could work. Every seller can drift into this. It usually comes from a real place: a neighbor’s sale, an online estimate, what you paid plus your upgrades, or what you need for your next home.
Ask yourself a few plain questions before you settle on a number. If the answers point to specific recent sales, you are pricing from comps. If they point to a feeling or a single number you heard, it may be worth a second look.
In Christine’s experience, sellers who can answer the first three clearly feel calmer once the home is live, because they know what their price rests on. For more on why two similar homes can have very different results, read Why some Buena Park homes sell fast and others sit.
A price cut is one way a seller can respond when the market’s feedback does not match the list price. It is a decision you make with your agent, not a verdict on your home.
The percent of original price received includes price cuts and negotiation together. Buena Park sellers received 98.5% of their original list price on average in Q3 2026, up from 98.1% a year earlier.
In Christine’s experience, a home priced from recent comparable sales gives the seller more room to choose how to respond to feedback. Negotiation after an offer is normal too, as covered in Is it a red flag when a buyer asks for credits and inspections?
Citywide averages are a starting point. Your street is what matters for your decision.
Christine will pull the numbers for your street this week.
Message her and tell her your street. She serves Buena Park and nearby Fullerton, Cypress, La Palma, Anaheim, and Cerritos.
What is the Buena Park housing market doing right now?
The Buena Park housing market right now shows higher prices and fewer new listings than a year ago. Single-family homes averaged $1,045,412 in Q3 2026, up 4.3%, with 25 average days active (CRMLS single-family detached data, pulled October 3, 2026).
Are there more homes for sale in Buena Park than last year?
No. Fewer homes came on the market in Q3 2026 than a year earlier, 77 new listings against 84. In Christine’s experience, buyers still have more choice than they did a few years ago, when many homes drew multiple offers, so preparation and pricing matter.
How long does it take to sell a home in Buena Park?
Homes that sold in Q3 2026 averaged 25 days active in the MLS before an accepted offer, but months ranged from 20 to 35 days.
Do Buena Park sellers get their asking price?
On average, Buena Park sellers received 98.5% of their original list price in Q3 2026. That figure includes price cuts and negotiation together.
How do I get the numbers for my own street?
Christine pulls recent comparable sales for your street and walks you through what they show. You can also request the complimentary market evaluation. It is a starting point for your decision, not a promised value.
Who can help me sell my home in Buena Park?
Christine Almarines of CA Real Estate Group, a Buena Park agent licensed since 2004, helps homeowners price from recent comparable sales and prepare their homes to sell. Book a consultation or get your complimentary market evaluation.
Source: All market data is from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. InfoSparks © 2026 ShowingTime Plus, LLC. Single-family detached, Buena Park, monthly data January 2025 through September 2026, as of October 3, 2026. Quarterly and year-to-date figures calculated from monthly data.
If you’re thinking about selling and want to know how your home should be positioned in today’s market, I’d be happy to help.
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