Find the best Orange County things to do for the weekend of June 29 – July 2
Edited by Laura Okey
EVENTS
ShipKicker Country Music Festival
July 1. See country music favorites including Daniel Bonte & The Bona Fide, Honey County, Jake Parr and headliner Lee Brice at the 3rd Annual ShipKicker Country Music Festival. You’ll recognize Brice’s breakout track “More Than a Memory” (the first single in the history of the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart to debut at No. 1) and his fan-favorite hit “I Drive Your Truck.” The ShipKicker Saloon will keep the entertainment rolling between sets with a full bar, dance floor and additional performances. Enjoy food vendors, a beer garden, cocktails, mechanical bull rides, line dancing lessons, yard games and more. See website for full lineup. Parking lot party, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; $10. Festival 1-11 p.m. Tickets start at $49. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 877.342.0738. queenmary.com
The Beach Summer Concert Series
July 1-2. Experience live beachfront performances from some of today’s top trending artists while taking in the beauty of Upper Newport Bay. Enjoy beach games, a vendor village, full bars and several food trucks. This Saturday see performances from Marshmello, Lema, Niiko & Swae, DJ Lezlee and Jonny Slice B2B SkDJ. The lineup on Sunday includes Robin Schulz, TJR, SNBRN and WeAreTreo featuring John Gregory, Arsen and Defy. 21+. 2-8 p.m. General admission $20-$40; VIP $55-$80. Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, 714.624.0515. thebeachoc.com
4th of July Parade & Pier Festival
July 2-4. Enjoy three days of live entertainment, exhibitors, food vendors and family activities at this year’s festival themed “United We Stand.” Enjoy breakfast at Lake Park, cheer on participants in the Surf City 5K run, and visit pier plaza for entertainment and much more. End the day with a spectacular fireworks show over the ocean. See website for full schedule of events and locations. Fireworks on Fourth of July only 9 p.m. Free. Bleacher and VIP seating available $10-$20. Breakfast $5. Huntington Beach Pier, Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street, 325 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, 714.536.5486. hb4thofjuly.org
4th of July Festival in The Backyard
July 4. Bring the whole family for a celebration in The Backyard at Hotel Irvine this 4th of July. The Backyard will offer everything from delicious eats and a variety of libations to music, contests, games with prizes, a kids’ corner and a petting zoo. Indulge in a down-home picnic with items like beef and cheddar sliders, roasted corn, hot smoked brisket, barbecue ribs, strawberry shortcake and more. Quench your thirst with juices, brews, smoothies, craft cocktails, choice wines and sodas. Other fun activities include a pie-eating contest, an hourly raffle, lawn games such as foosball and ping-pong championships, and a three-piece band will perform on the patio. Purchase VIP tickets at an additional cost to include complimentary libations (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), valet parking and a personalized tasting glass at check in. All tickets include entrance, food, self-parking and a giveaway gift. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Adults $40-$65; children ages 5-12 $15. 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine, 888.230.4452. hotelirvine.com
Aqua Lounge Red, White & Blue Party
July 1. Let freedom ring and let the cocktails flow. This extra-long Fourth of July weekend, celebrate with a red, white and blue party at Aqua Lounge. Sip on patriotic cocktails and spark some fireworks on the dance floor with the beats of DJ Tirade all night long. Patriotic attire encouraged. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. $20 cover charge includes one complimentary drink. Island Hotel Newport Beach, Aqua Lounge, 690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.759.0808. aqualoungenb.com
OC Night Market
June 30-July 2. Experience the original and largest Asian-themed night market in the country. The OC Night Market features hundreds of food, merchandise, crafts, arts, games, music and entertainment attractions in one jam-packed weekend of festivities that appeals to all ages. Hundreds of new and returning chefs will present delectable dishes. F-Sa 4 p.m.-midnight; Su 4 p.m.-11 p.m. $5 admission, $8 parking; kids under 6, free. OC Fair and Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. Direct all inquiries to Info@626nightmarket.com. ocnightmarket.com
Lemon Grove Market
July 1. Shop local and handmade goods at Lemon Grove Market now open at the Woodbury Town Center. Browse goods from 40 specialty makers, bakers, farmers and more. The outdoor curated market will feature everything from local, organic eats to home accessories, jewelry and fresh cut flowers. The event also offers a kid’s lounge and DIY workshops in July. See website for details. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Woodbury Town Center, 6200 Irvine Blvd., Irvine. thelemongrovemarket.com
Orange County Soccer Club
July 1. See the second tier of professional soccer in the USA, the Orange County Soccer Club, take on the Portland Timbers 2 this Saturday. In addition to heated competition, the fan zone offers inflatable bounce houses and inflatable soccer shootout games, interactive family games and many of the same food concessions found at the OC Fair and Event Center. Linger in the beer gardens and wine tents with local craft varieties before or during the game. 5 p.m. $15. Field Four Stadium, Orange County Great Park, Irvine, 949.647.4625. orangecountysoccer.com
Movies on the Beach
July 1. Start your weekend festivities with a family movie night at the beach! Bring your own blankets, chairs and jackets and cuddle up for featured flick Captain America: Civil War on the big screen. Arrive early and stop by the all new Bay Café on the beach for a new seasonal menu of summer bites and refreshments. Movie starts at dusk. Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, 949.729.3863. newportdunes.com
OC Parks Presents Annual 2017 Concert Series
June 29. Catch this week’s performance of the summer concert series featuring swing music from Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Dallas & Doll. Enjoy food trucks, a beer and wine garden and local live music in celebration of the summer season. Bring your own blankets and beach chairs for seating. 6-8 p.m. Free. Craig Regional Park, 3300 State College Blvd., Fullerton, 714.973.3180. ocparks.com
Movie Nights in The Backyard
June 30. Ditch the indoor movie theater and enjoy blockbuster favorites on a 16-foot movie screen in Hotel Irvine’s backyard. Bring blankets and beach chairs and stake out the best spot on the lawn for featured flick La La Land. Bring your appetite for chef’s backyard BBQ with hot-off-the-grill burgers, artisan sandwiches, fresh farmers market salads and staple movie snacks like ice cream, nachos, popcorn and candies. Wine and cocktails are available for purchase from a fully stocked outdoor bar. Doors open at 7 p.m. Movie begins at dusk. General admission $5. Hotel Irvine, 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine, 888.230.4452. hotelirvine.com
FOOD + DRINK
House of Blues Drag Brunch
July 1. House of Blues Anaheim presents its World Fabulous Drag Brunch, now taking place on the first Saturday of each month. The event stars Willam—actress, author, YouTube star and former RuPaul’s Drag Racer—in a hilarious new show featuring wild entertainment, mimosas and an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet of Southern-inspired favorites. Featured items include jambalaya, jalapeno-cheese cornbread, collard greens, a prime rib carving station, homemade pastries and more. 11 a.m. $44/pp. 400 West Disney Way, Suite 337, Anaheim, 714.778.2583. universe.com
Old Vine Cafe 10-Year Anniversary
Through July. Old Vine Cafe, a European-inspired concept with seasonally driven menus, a thoughtfully curated wine list and an elegantly casual atmosphere, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with a chef’s tasting menu. Chef Mark McDonald has expertly created a 4-course tasting menu, with wine pairings.. Guests will start with a seafood salad, insalata di frutti di mare, with cuttlefish, calamari, shrimp, shaved fennel, tomato, fennel coulis, and meyer lemon, followed by a house-baked corn bread and pulled duck leg dish, pork rib orecchiette and finally a pistachio orange cream torta. Call for reservations. $95. 2937 Bristol St., Suite A-102, Costa Mesa, 714.545.1411. oldvinecafe.com
Cucina Enoteca Beast Feast
June 29. Head to Cucina Enoteca for a unique Beast Feast dining and drinking experience. The crustacean-themed dinner is focused on avoiding food waste and utilizing smartly-sourced produce. Menu highlights include lobster raviolo with bisque, dried lobster roe and English pea and Santa Barbara spot prawn scampi with coral butter, calabrian chili and Parker House roll fettunta. For dessert, enjoy peach vodka Italian ice with condensed milk. See website for full menu. 6:30 p.m. $84. 951 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.706.1416. urbankitchengroup.com
Mosaic Bar & Grille
Beginning June 30. Montage Laguna Beach’s Mosaic Bar and Grille—a relaxed, all-day outdoor eatery serving California-style fare—introduces nightly live entertainment through Labor Day weekend. Enjoy the ambiance and music along with Chef Miguel Ruiz’s inventive menu. Menu highlights include appetizers such as duck taquitos with tomatillo sauce and chimichurri slaw and yellowtail tiradito with avocado purée and Fresno chilis. Entrée selections include pan roasted halibut with veracruz sauce and flame grilled skirt steak with roasted summer vegetables. Nightly 5-9 p.m. Montage Laguna Beach, 30801 Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 866.271.6953. montagehotels.com
Wine Nights at EATS Kitchen
June 29. EATS Kitchen & Bar is showcasing wines from Argentinian wineries paired with a five-course dinner. Menu highlights include vieira parrilla with goat cheese, spring onion and lemon oil paired with Santa Julia Brut Rose and asado molleja with salchichas, queso cremoso and choron tomato sauce paired with Renacer Punto Finale Reserva Malbec 2013. Reservations required. See website for full menu. 7 p.m. $60. EATS Kitchen + Bar, Hotel Irvine, 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine, 949.225.6780. eatskitchen.com
ARTS + CULTURE
Sawdust Art Festival
Opens June 30. See works by 200 Laguna Beach artists—glass, painting, jewelry, ceramics, clothing and textiles, sculpture, scrimshaw, photography—plus demos, kids activities, outdoor cafes and live music in a eucalyptus grove. Daily 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (closes 6 p.m. on July 4). $4-$9. Sawdust Art Festival, 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.494.3030. sawdustfestival.org
Laguna Art-A-Fair
Opens June 30. Juried art festival displays works by 125 artists in all mediums, including painting, drawings, photography, digital art, mixed media, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, glass and wood. Live entertainment on weekends. Su–Th 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; F-Sa 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (closes 6 p.m. on July 4 and Aug 28). $6-$8. 777 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.494.4514. art-a-fair.com
Ann Wilson of Heart
July 2. Ann Wilson has extended her acclaimed Ann Wilson of Heart tour with a second leg of dates, which includes a stop at The Grove of Anaheim. Hear the iconic vocalist perform Heart songs, amazing covers and new songs written by the artist herself. Doors 7 p.m.; showtime 8 p.m. Tickets start at $45. The Grove of Anaheim, 2200 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.712.2700. citynationalgroveofanaheim.com
STYLE + BEAUTY
Summer Designer Showcase
July 1-2. Experience an exciting trunk show featuring high-end swimwear brand L*Space by Monica Wise. The collection includes chic swimwear as well as beach-chic dresses, cover-ups, rompers, sandals, bags and hats. The event will take place at Montage’s Swim Shop. 4-6 p.m. Free. Montage Laguna Beach, 30801 Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 866.271.6953. montagehotels.com
Ann Wilson of Heart photo by Jess Griffin.
