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Winter Lights: A Journey Home

Holiday Musical Spectacular

The auroras are back in OC with the return of Winter Lights: A Journey Home —a holiday musical showing on select dates between November 23 and December 23. Created by Discovery Cube, in partnership with the Tony Award-winning production team, Apples & Oranges Studios, this holiday musical—a special part of the Holidays at the Cube celebration—invites audiences to come and get inspired in a winter wonderland filled with spectacle, original songs and the holiday spirit!

Winter Lights: A Journey Home magically weaves together an enchanting story of family through the eyes of a tenacious young girl who wants to make the world a better place. The show brings to life unique characters, including a science fairy and a lovable robot crafted from a toaster. Set against the backdrop of the Aurora Borealis, the show blends hope, resilience, and the magic of discovery. With Pamela Winslow Kashani, a Tony Award-winning Broadway veteran, bringing her musical talent, each song explodes with joy and emotion, resonating with audiences of all ages.

Winter Lights blends a heartwarming story, with captivating music, and a theater filled with snow to make a perfect addition to any family’s holiday traditions. Book your tickets today and celebrate the holidays, science, and the spirit of the season!

See below to read more about Winter Lights Holiday Musical and Festival.

***An Orange County Exclusive. This family-friendly production of Winter Lights contains strobe lighting effects, sudden loud noises, theatrical fog/haze, and artificial snow.

November 23rd – December 23

Winter Lights Holiday Musical & Festival

November 23rd – December 23

Winter Lights Holiday Musical & Festival

Hours:
Everyday November 23rd through November 27th starting at 10:00 am
Everyday November 29th through December 1st starting at 10:00 am
Everyday December 14th through December 15th starting at 10:00 am
Everyday December 21st through December 23rd starting at 10:00 am

Location: 2500 N Main Street Santa Ana, CA 92705

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Musical Showtimes:

Mon-Thu | 1:30pm, 3:00pm, 4:30pm

Fri-Sun | 10:30am, 2:00pm

Festival Hours:

10:00am – 5:00pm

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🎟️ General Admission or Membership Required: You’ll need a Discovery Cube General Admission ticket or a valid membership to attend Winter Lights.

❄️ Each Winter Lights ticket gives you access to:

⛄The Winter Lights Festival Area during regular hours

🎬 1 show at your chosen time

For a limited time get Winter Lights tickets for as low as $8. Discount applied at checkout. Offer valid 11/27 to 12/2.

Prices vary by date and are subject to change.

This is a ticketed event

Buy General Admission Tickets Buy Member Tickets

Holiday Musical Reviews

It was extremely cute! Definitely fell in love with the characters. Really great to inspire young minds with a bit of holiday magic❄️!

– SprinkledbyMagic

We had a blast visiting Discovery Cube for the first time, and especially getting to experience the Winter Lights Holiday Show & Festival, which is wonderful for kids who are interested in science and their families.

– Laughing Place

The Winter Lights Show is a cute and fun musical that happens in the Discovery Cube theater. It invites audiences to come and get inspired in a winter wonderland filled with real actors, original songs and the holiday spirit!

– PopsicleBlog

If you love live performances, It’s a great time to visit Discovery Center Orange County. Winter Lights has three different showtimes to choose from, and it was tailor-made to be family-friendly!

– The Califoreigners

Winter Lights Festival

The Winter Lights Festival brings the fantastic world of Winter Lights: A Journey Home to life by transforming Discovery Cube OC into a dazzling winter wonderland, captivating visitors with a mesmerizing display of lights, decorations, and science! The Cube comes alive with interactive light displays that showcase the physics of illumination and the science behind the mesmerizing colors. Winter Lights not only celebrates the beauty of the season but also educates visitors on the science that makes it all possible.

Festival Activities

✨Large holiday tunnel walkthrough

🌟Brite Lites interactive

❄️Snowfall interactive

⚪Snowball toss

☃️Singing snowmen

🧊Large ice castle play structure

💡 Holiday lights snow globe workshop

Sensory Friendly Show

Special Sensory Friendly Winter Lights show happening December 15. Sensory friendly shows are modified to help guests with sensory sensitivities. The show will have reduced volume, modified special effects, and modified lighting levels. On December 15 we will host our monthly Sensory Friendly Morning at The Cube from 8:00 am -10:00 am. (General Admission/Membership required for entry)

Meet the Cast

Pamel Winslow Kashani
(Concept, Music, Lyrics, QED)

Pamel Winslow Kashani
(Concept, Music, Lyrics, QED)

PAMELA WINSLOW KASHANI (concept, music, lyrics, QED) is thrilled to bring her original musical, Winter Lights, to Discovery Cube. As an actor Pamela created iconic roles such as Ensign McKnight on Star Trek: The Next Generation and the original Rapunzel in Into the Woods on Broadway.

Whitney Vigil
(QED)

Whitney Vigil
(QED)

WHITNEY VIGIL (QED) has been on stage since she was six years old, but a little more recently was seen as Kate in Jaxx’s award winning production of The Wild Party. When she isn’t on stage singing her heart out she is busy teaching children the joy of musical theatre all over Southern California. She is thrilled to be a part of the Winter lights magic this season!

Casey Ryan
Jean Luc, Al

Casey Ryan
Jean Luc, Al

CASEY RYAN (Jean Luc / Al) is grateful for this opportunity! He graduated from AMDA in 2021 with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Recent credits include: The Lincolns of Springfield and Footloose. When not on stage, Casey can be found hiking, traveling, or playing music.

Lucia Arguedas
(Alex)

Lucia Arguedas
(Alex)

LUCIA ARGUEDAS (Alex) is thrilled to be making her professional debut with Apples and Oranges Studios and The Discovery Cube! Favorite recent roles include Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Jr., Lizzy in Matilda, Jr. and Sebastian in The Little Mermaid, Jr. Thanks to Broadway Artists Alliance, DDO and Bercy Talent.

Matt Denoto
(Jean Luc, Al)

Matt Denoto
(Jean Luc, Al)

MATT DENOTO (Jean Luc / Al) just returned from New York, where he spent the summer performing in Legally Blonde: The Musical at the Engeman Theater. Other roles include the D’Ysquith family in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (Conejo Players), Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors (Landmark Theatre), Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (High Street Arts Center), and many more!

Bellami Soleil Smith
(Alex)

Bellami Soleil Smith
(Alex)

BELLAMI SOLEIL SMITH (Alex) is 11 years old. She is thrilled to be performing in Winter Lights. Regional Credit: Brigitta | The Sound of Music (Musical Theatre West). Additional Credits include Alice | Alice in Wonderland (Rose Center Theater), Jane Banks | Mary Poppins (Rose Center Theater), Chip |Beauty and the Beast (Rose Center Theater), Marta, and many more!

Elizabeth Last
(Alex)

Elizabeth Last
(Alex)

ELIZABETH LAST (Alex) is excited to spend the holiday season here at the Cube! Favorite theater roles include Waitress (Lulu; Broadway National Tour), Sunday in the Park with George (Louise; CCAE) The Secret Garden (Mary Lennox; Chance) The Sound of Music (Brigitta; Highlands), The Ghost & Mrs. Muir (Anna Muir; Glendale Centre Theatre), 3 years playing Little Fan in A Christmas Carol, and many more!

Jules Presley
(Alex)

Jules Presley
(Alex)

JULES PRESLEY (Alex), born in Burbank CA, is a triple-threat Mexican-American actor who made his Professional Theatre debut at age 10 in The Hit Broadway Musical “On Your Feet” as young Emilio Estefan and Nayib. Jules starred in his 1st TV role at the age of 3, and his credits reflect on Netflix, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, Apple Studios, Amazon Studios and recently debuted in the newly animated TV hit series “YO Gabba Gabba Land!” as Leo!

Catherine Dosier
(Lumina, QED, Jean Luc cover)

Catherine Dosier
(Lumina, QED, Jean Luc cover)

CATHERINE DOSIER (Lumina, QED/Jean Luc Cover) is a first year University of California Irvine student, studying Drama at the Claire Trevor School of the Arts. She is a 2024 Jimmy Awards Finalist and the 2024 Best Actress winner of the Spirit of the Macy Awards. Some of her recent credits include Singin’ in the Rain (Lina Lamont), A Chorus Line (Cassie), The Secret Garden (Lily), and many more!

Meet the Crew

Crew

Christopher Scott Murillo – Scenic Designer

Mitchell Hanlon – Musical Director

Alexis Cisneros – Wardrobe Supervisor

Kaitlyn Fuller Stagehand – Backup ASM

Cierra Star Sound Board Op – Mixer

Derek Hecker – Build/Load-in/Strike

Creative Team / Production

Tim Kashani – Book, Director, Choreographer

Pamela Winslow Kashani – Music, Lyrics, Performer

Christopher Sepulveda – Producer

Mitch Hanlon – Music Director

Aaron Lipp – Associate Producer/Asst. Director

Management

Mason Bergenholtz – Production Stage Manager

Bri Westad – Production Stage Manager

Jordyn Tagle – Assistant Stage Manager, Backup SM

Designers

Nita Mendoza – Lighting Designer

Christopher Murillo – Scenic Designer

Garrett Gagnon – Sound Designer

Carson Julian – Costume Designer

Frequently Asked Questions

Answer:

Winter Lights Member exclusive presale begins on Wednesday, October 30.

Answer:

Winter Lights is running on select dates and times. The festival is open from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm while the show is on select showtimes. Select the musical showtime at checkout.

Winter Lights dates

  • November 23 to November 27
  • November 29 to December 1
  • December 14 to December 15
  • December 21 to December 23

Holiday Musical Showtimes

  • 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 3:00 pm

Answer:

Yes. Winter Lights is an additional charge on top of General Admission or Membership Admission. The ticket allows (1) guest into a preselected timed show and all-day access into the Festival.

Answer:

We offer one time exchanges as a courtesy.

Answer:

No, tickets purchased on-site can only be exchanged on-site pending availability.

Answer:

Guest Services team will offer Will Call hold for guests who would like.

Answer:

There are no returns for Winter Lights. Lost tickets cannot be replaced as well.

Answer:

If the ticket option a guest wants is not online please have them come on-site and we will accommodate.

Answer:

Guests who have free admission can take advantage of the member add on festival package on-site.

Our Mission is to INSPIRE and EDUCATE young minds through engaging science-based programs and exhibits therefore creating a meaningful IMPACT on the communities we serve.

Explore more:

Locations & hours:

Orange County

2500 N Main Street
Santa Ana, CA 92705

Every day from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday, February 9th from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm
Closed Saturday, September 28th

Los Angeles

11800 Foothill Blvd
Sylmar, CA 91342

Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Monday April 14, 2025 from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

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