Going to the Mission in Lights, Tuesday December 23, 2025 at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, CA.

Mission San Juan Capistrano:  Mission in Lights, December 23, 2025.  

For those of you who are not familiar with Mission San Juan Capistrano, the Mission was founded on November 1, 1776, as the seventh of the 21 missions that were established by the Spanish in California.  By the way, the California Missions are a chain of 21 religious outposts established by the Spanish Franciscans between 1769 and 1823, stretching along El Camino Real from San Diego to Sonoma, to evangelize Native Americans and colonize Alta California.  The California Missions became significant cultural landmarks, and have had a lasting cultural impact on California.  The California Missions were built about 30 miles apart, so that if one was traveling on horseback, one could reach the next mission within a day’s ride.  The Mission system covers about 650 miles, from the south of California to the north. 

 Just for fun, I’ve included a list of all the missions below:

1. Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá, San Diego

2. Old Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, Oceanside

3. Mission San Juan Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano

4. San Gabriel Arcángel, San Gabriel Valley

5. Mission San Fernando Rey de España, Mission Hills, San Fernando Valley

6. Old Mission San Buenaventura, Ventura

7. Old Mission Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara.  This is a gorgeous Mission, well worth the visit. 

8. Old Mission Santa Inés, Solvang.  We visited this mission with the kids probably 20 years ago, and it was a great visit.  We even went to Sunday mass, held by a Padre dressed in the brown habit worn by the Franciscan friars, and who’s singing voice was absolutely spell-binding.    

9. Misión La Purísima Concepción De María Santísima, Lompoc

10. Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, San Luis Obispo

11. Mission San Miguel, San Miguel

12. Mission San Antonio de Padua, Jolon, Fort Hunter Liggett

13. Nuestro Señora de la Soledad, Soledad

14. Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo, Carmel

15. Old Mission San Juan Bautista, San Juan Bautista

16. La Exaltacion de la Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz

17. Mission Santa Clara de Asís, Santa Clara

18. Mission San José de Guadalupe, Fremont

19. Mission San Francisco de Asís, San Francisco

20. Mission San Rafael Arcángel, San Rafael

21. Mission San Francisco de Solano, Sonoma

Living in San Clemente, we are only some 10 minutes away from Mission San Juan Capistrano, and we have had the pleasure of vising the mission a number of times.  As taken from the Mission’s website:

“Mission San Juan Capistrano, historic landmark and museum, is the Birthplace of Orange County. It was founded more than two hundred years ago as the 7th of 21 missions statewide and features a chapel still standing where Saint Serra once celebrated Mass. Today, it is a monument to California’s multi-cultural history, embracing its Native American, Spanish, Mexican and European heritage. Originally built as a self sufficient community by Spanish Padres and Native Americans, the Mission was a center for agriculture, industry, education and religion.  Famous for the Annual Return of the Swallows, Mission San Juan Capistrano is the “Jewel of the California Missions” and welcomes over 300,000 visitors each year.”

In December of 1812, an earthquake destroyed the Great Stone Church at the mission, killing some 45 parishioners and injuring many others.  It’s collapsed walls can still be seen, as a reminder of the futility of man’s efforts and the fragility of life.        

Four our Christmas gift in 2023, we got a one-year seasons ticket to the Mission San Juan Capistrano, and the Mission is a great place to just stroll around, or sit in the shade and do some people watching, especially on a weekend afternoon. 

Now, if you want to get into the Christmas spirit, there is no better place than the Mission at San Juan Capistrano, CA, especially during their Misson Lights celebration, which takes place every December.  Forget the malls, and let’s get reminded what Christmas is all about!  As it says on the website:  “Capistrano Lights: Mission in Lights returns this December with tree lighting, Dickens-era carolers, full-scale nativity, light features including a lighted halo grove, scented citrus grove and more…  The tradition also brings back Community Christmas Trees, Family Wreaths, and a harpist in the Serra Chapel.”    

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gI5f8x4_Pk

So, on December 23, 2025, we decided to go and spend an evening at the Mission, enjoying the lights and the company of our family.  It had been raining since the beginning of the Christmas week, but on the evening of the 23, we got a little break in the rain, so we were able to enjoy the evening to its fullest.  With all the lights, the Mission is a truly magical place, and I took a bunch of pictures to commemorate the occasion: 

The main manger scene at the old stone church ruins.  

The manger.  

The Mission in Lights.  

The main Mission courtyard.  

The Mission courtyard.

The courtyard fountain all lit up. 

The chapel, where a harpist was performing.  

The tunnel of lights.  

The tunnel of lights in purple.  

Kathy and I in the tunnel of lights.  

The bells at the ruins of the old Stone Church.  

The lighted path; hopefully it leads to happiness, serenity, peace and redemption.  











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