A Holiday in Oz Turns Hotel del Coronado Into a Dazzling World of Winter Magic

A Legendary Resort Steps Into a New Dimension of Wonder

Every holiday season, Hotel del Coronado transforms into a coastal dreamscape, drawing travelers who crave a blend of heritage, elegance, and enchantment. Yet this year, The Del unveils something even more extraordinary. Through a renewed creative partnership with EPIC Entertainment Group, the iconic beachfront resort invites guests to journey into A Holiday in Oz, a breathtaking reimagining of L. Frank Baum’s timeless world.

What unfolds across the grounds is not merely decoration. It is a full-scale, immersive narrative crafted by the visionary minds behind some of the nation’s most celebrated experiential productions. For guests who expect more than festive lights, this installation becomes a story they can walk through, feel, and remember long after the season fades.

A Golden Path Welcomes Guests Into an Enchanted World

Upon arrival, visitors are greeted with a visual overture that sets the tone for their journey. Touches of gold glimmer across the historic property as pathways evoke the iconic Yellow Brick Road. Emerald greens shimmer from unexpected corners, harmonizing with ruby accents that glow softly as dusk settles over the Pacific.

Charity Hill, Managing Partner at EPIC Entertainment Group, describes the project as an artistic celebration of adventure, friendship, and the idea of home. These themes, she says, echo the emotional heart of the holidays, creating an experience that feels both nostalgic and elevated. For guests at The Del, it becomes an invitation to step out of everyday life and into a world painted with imagination.

The Yellow Brick Road Tree Trail Becomes a Star Attraction

One of the most enchanting elements of A Holiday in Oz is the Yellow Brick Road Tree Trail, a winding path lined with four twelve-foot character trees that reinterpret Baum’s beloved icons with breathtaking artistry.

The Dorothy Tree glows with sapphire hues, silver ribbon, and the quiet sparkle of ruby slipper accents. The Scarecrow Tree blends golden wheat with deep navy tones, creating a rustic yet refined aesthetic. The Cowardly Lion Tree roars with regal confidence, draped in opulent golds and copper textures. The Tin Woodman Tree gleams in brilliant metallic silver, adorned with heart motifs and delicate gear-inspired details.

Each tree becomes a self-contained vignette, drawing visitors deeper into the story. For families, it ignites a sense of childhood wonder. For adult travelers and design lovers, it offers an exquisite study in creativity, texture, and color.

The Lobby Tree Elevates Holiday Grandeur to Spectacular Heights

Stepping into the grand lobby of Hotel del Coronado reveals a centerpiece that embodies the emotional heart of the installation. Rising twenty-two feet into the air, the Road to Oz Lobby Tree is a sculptural triumph dressed in emerald, ruby, and silver. A stream of graduated yellow ornaments spirals upward like a glowing pathway, leading the eye toward the heavens.

Elsewhere throughout the resort, thematic trees extend the storyline with dazzling attention to detail. The Wicked Witch Tree is cloaked in black, emerald, and olive tones that whisper of mystery and drama. In graceful contrast, the Glinda Tree radiates with soft blush and champagne hues, sparkling like captured starlight. Together, these artistic installations transform the property into a living gallery of holiday dreamscapes.

A Nighttime Lightshow That Transforms History Into Spectacle

When evening falls, the experience deepens as the iconic Norfolk Island Pines on the Founders Lawn come alive with the Wonder of Oz Lightshow Spectacular. These historic trees, once celebrated as the world’s first electrically illuminated outdoor Christmas trees in 1904, now shimmer with more than seventy-five thousand lights choreographed to Oz inspired renditions of holiday classics.

The effect is mesmerizing. Guests gather beneath the towering pines as music swells and the lights ripple like waves of color across the branches. It is a rare blend of history and innovation, tradition and reinvention, that showcases EPIC Entertainment Group at its creative best.

A Creative Partnership Built on Imagination and Craftsmanship

For nearly a decade, Hotel del Coronado and EPIC Entertainment Group have pushed the boundaries of seasonal experience design. Steve Sheldon, Managing Partner at EPIC, reflects on the collaboration as an ongoing challenge to elevate emotion, not just aesthetics. A Holiday in Oz, he explains, is the culmination of storytelling, technical mastery, and the pursuit of moments that linger with guests long after their stay.

That intention is felt throughout every installation. Nothing is static. Everything is designed to evoke awe, nostalgia, and connection. For guests with an eye for artful living, it is an experience that rewards slow wandering and invites discovery.

Legendary Holidays at The Del Continue to Inspire Visitors

The immersive world of A Holiday in Oz is part of The Del’s celebrated seasonal programming known as Legendary Holidays at The Del. Beyond the vibrant installations, guests can enjoy festive dining experiences, photographs with Santa, live entertainment, and the beloved tradition of skating by the sea with the sound of ocean waves as a backdrop.

The Oz themed installation runs from November twenty one through January four, offering an ideal opportunity for weekend escapes, family traditions, and luxurious coastal holidays. Visitors are encouraged to stroll the property at different times of day to appreciate the artistry under changing light.

EPIC Entertainment Group Leads the Future of Experiential Design

Founded in 2016 by Steve Sheldon and Charity Hill, EPIC Entertainment Group has become a driving force in experiential storytelling. Their portfolio spans destination resorts, theme parks, festivals, and large-scale brand activations, all distinguished by an unmatched combination of creativity and precision. Their work at Hotel del Coronado continues to set a national benchmark for immersive holiday experiences.

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