This month, Orange County brings you the World Famous Drag Brunch, Style Week OC, Janet Jackson and more. See our list of 20+ top Orange County things to do in September.
Edited by Whitney Lauren Han.
Armors at House of Blues Anaheim
Sept. 1. Starting off the September lineup at the new House of Blues Anaheim is local Orange County alternative band, Armors. Their newest single “Name” is out now. Joining this three-member group on their first stop are artists morgxn and Birthday. 7 p.m. $10. The Parish at House of Blues, 400 West Disney Way, Suite 337, Anaheim, 714.778.2583. houseofblues.com
World Fabulous Drag Brunch
Sept. 2. Actress, author, YouTuber and former RuPaul’s Drag Racer, Willam will dazzle and entertain you with music, moves and comedy. Enjoy a delicious all-you-can-eat buffet of Southern-inspired brunch favorites. Before doors, head to the atrium for drink specials, a complimentary photo op and Drag Brunch cornhole. After the show, stick around for a meet-and-greet with Willam and the queens and pick up some merch from your favorite drag queens. Parking is available in the GardenWalk parking structure off Katella Avenue or Disney Way. Bring parking ticket for validation. 18+. 11 a.m. $45. House of Blues Anaheirn, 400 West Disney Way, Suite 337, Anaheim, 714.778.2583. houseofblues.com
2017 Honda Civic Tour featuring OneRepublic
Sept. 2. Multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated quintet OneRepublic are coming to Honda Center as part of the 2017 Honda Civic Tour. While creating their fourth and most recent studio album, Oh My My, the band took hold of the sights and sounds of each city they visited to create music unlike anything they’ve made before. 7 p.m. Tickets start at $35. Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.704.2400. hondacenter.com
Labor Day Beer & Bubbly Brunch Cruise
Sept. 4. Enjoy beer and bubbly and set off on a morning cruise for your Labor Day. The Wild Goose boasts three decks of gorgeous woodwork, priceless paintings, intricate carvings making the Wild Goose a one-of-a-kind experience. In addition to salty breezes and abundant sunshine, Hornblower’s Beer and Bubbly Brunch Cruise includes live music, free-flowing champagne and a delicious brunch buffet. Boarding 11:30 a.m.; Cruising noon-2 p.m. Brunch for adults: $68.95 per person (tax, service charge and landing fee are additional), 2431 W Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach. hornblower.com
New Blues Festival
Sept. 2-3. Celebrate Labor Day weekend with the fourth year of New Blues Festival. The festival will feature more than 30 bands on two stages, including performances by 2017 Grammy nominee Janiva Magness, the award-winning Ana Popovic, the legendary Guitar Shorty, plus Chris Cain, Zac Harmon, The King Brothers and many more. Come hungry so you can enjoy food trucks, beer and wine Vendor Village; blankets encouraged. Use ‘LBBS’ to save 20% on your ticket purchase. Single Day $40, Weekend Pass $70, $8 for parking. Sa-Su 10 a.m.-8 p.m. El Dorado Regional Park, 7550 E Spring Street, Long Beach. newbluesfestival.com
The Bungalow Huntington Beach
Sept. 2-4. Sip on The Bungalow’s new specialty cocktail this Labor Day weekend. Inspired by the film The Endless Summer, they will be rolling out The Endless Summer Cocktail: Deleon Tequila Blanco, strawberry puree, muddled kiwi, lemon juice and a splash of soda water. Sa-Su noon-2 a.m. M noon-10 p.m. The Bungalow Huntington Beach, 21058 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, 714.374.0399. thebungalow.com
Florida Georgia Line: Smooth Tour
Sept. 7. Country music duo Florida Georgia Line and the best-selling rapper, Nelly, are stopping in Anaheim as part of their cross-genre tour, called the Smooth Tour, present by Old Camp Whiskey. They’ll be joined by rising country artist Chris Lane for this hip-hop and country fusion concert. 7 p.m. Tickets start at $35. Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.704.2400. hondacenter.com
A Taste of Baja Food and Wine Experience
Sept. 8. Indulge in Raya’s Pan-Latin coastal cuisine and wine tastings from 15 boutique wineries from the Baja region of Mexico. Executive Chef Brian Sundeen will present a selection of tapas-style tasting dishes and representatives from each of the wineries will share their stories and experiences while discussing tasting notes for their wine selection. 6-9 p.m. $95. The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, 1 Ritz Carlton Dr., Dana Point, 949-240-2000. ritzcarlton.com
Jake Shimabukuro
Sept. 8. Widely recognized as “the Jimi Hendrix of the ukulele,” Jake Shimabukuro has become a one-man army advancing the ukulele cause, turning the four-string axe into a flexible musical vehicle, capable of generating everything from crunching, effects-laden rock to sensuously swinging jazz. He coaxes an impossibly big sound out of this little instrument, playing an intoxicating mix of pop tunes, American Songbook standards and lilting originals. 8 p.m. Check link for ticket information. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, 949.854.4646. thebarclay.org
Ohana Dana Point
Sept. 8-10. Grab your sunscreen and head out to the Ohana music festival on Doheny State Beach featuring musical acts such as Social Distortion, Pixies, Eddie Vedder and Jack Johnson. Craft beer, wine, and signature cocktails, as well as artisan food options from local restaurants and food trucks will be available all day long. Ohana will donate a portion of proceeds to the San Onofre Parks Foundation and the Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association. F 2:30-10 p.m.; Sa noon-9:45 p.m.; Su noon-9:30 p.m. See website for ticket information. Doheny State Beach, 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. theohanafest.com
Day N Night Fest
Sept. 8-10. The biggest hip-hop festival of the summer will take place at Angel Stadium featuring artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Chance The Rapper and Travis Scott to headline the three-day event. Also on the bill are fellow rappers YG, Lil Uzi Vert, Post Malone, 21 Savage, Kodak Black and many more. Expect a variety of celebrities, guest performances and the biggest most baddest sets of the year. See website for ticket information. Angel Stadium, 2000 Gene Autry Way, Anaheim. daynnightfest.com
Tall Ships Festival
Sept. 8-10. The Tall Ships Festival at Dana Point Harbor includes three days of events and entertainment for festival-goers of every age, prices vary per event. Festivities and the Tall Ships parade kicks off on Friday, September 8 and Tall Ships tours, pirate adventures, mermaid encounters and several other activities await guests on Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10. 6-9 p.m. $15-$40. Ocena Institute, 24200Dana Point Harbor, Dana Point; park at Dana Hills High School, 3333 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.2274. ocean-institute.org
8th Annual Wine Soirée Spectacular
Sept. 9. Spend your evening with a wide variety of wines, delicious food, live music, an amazing silent auction and the Start Your Own Cellar raffle where you can win 50 bottles of wine. Only 100 raffle tickets will be sold. Funds raised by this event will allow the Southern California Hospice Foundation to continue to offer invaluable assistance to children and adults with needs that lie outside of the hospice benefit, such as helping with food, transportation, utility bills and granting final wishes. 6-9:30 p.m. Tickets start at $150. The Marconi Automotive Museum, 1302 Industrial Dr., Tustin. socalhospicefoundation.org
Oktoberfest
Sept. 10-Oct.9. To mark their 40th anniversary, Oktoberfest Huntington Beach promises to make their year the best celebration yet. There will be authentic German Food, imported German Beers, German-based bands and other festivities, competitions, games and more. See website for schedule and pricing. Old World German Restaurant, 7561 Center Ave., Huntington Beach, 714.895.8020. oldworld.ws
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Sept. 12-17. Five-time Tony Award-winning play based on Mark Haddon’s internationally best-selling novel. This is the story of Christopher John Francis Boone, a teenage math genius with Asperger’s syndrome, for whom the untimely death of his neighbor’s dog begins an inventive and beautifully staged journey that takes the audience into Christopher’s world, in a deeply-felt performance that translates his unique perspective of the world and the wonders of life. See website for ticket information. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. www.scfta.org
Savor Santa Ana
Sept. 14. With your route map in hand, you are invited to walk DTSA’s tree-lined brick sidewalks. Walking event features tastings at 40 downtown restaurants, live Mexican entertainment and free trolley. 8 p.m. $10. Huntington State Beach, Lifeguard Tower 14, Huntington Beach. savorsantaana.com
Style Week OC
Sept. 15-17. Orange County’s original fashion week returns with A-list style sessions, high-fashion festivities and celebrity guests. Get front and center at a fabulous series of panel discussions from influencers as well as top fashion, beauty and home bloggers. Plus, enjoy in-store shopping parties to showcase fall’s hottest trends and event vignettes to inspire. On Saturday, September 16, it’s all about panelists from E! News’ Catt Sadler and Bravo TV’s “The Real Housewives of Orange County” co-star and Nobleman magazine creator Lydia McLaughlin. Meanwhile, primp with TV personality, presenter, model and beauty fan, Audrina Patridge and celebrity makeup artist Joey Maloof, as well as some of the web’s best beauty vloggers. The events are free and open to the public. Fashion Island, 401 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. styleweekoc.com
Romance of the Mission Benefit Gala
Sept. 15. The Mission Preservation Foundation presents this gala dinner hosted by Ritz-Carlton and concert by Grammy and Tony Award winner Heather Headley to benefit historic Mission San Juan Capistrano. Reception 6 p.m. Concert 7 p.m., with candlelight dinner to follow. $350. 26801 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1323. missionsjc.com
Knott’s Scary Farm
Sept. 21-Oct. 31. Watch as Snoopy’s favorite theme park turns sinister on select nights during the Halloween season. This year, the 44th, includes new live shows, mazes and 1,000 monsters lurking throughout the park. Scary Farm opens 7 p.m. Admission to every event night: $90. See website for Scary Farm event nights. Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, 714.220.5200, knotts.com
Janet Jackson State of the World Tour
Sept. 23. Global music icon, multiple Grammy Award winner and multi-platinum selling artist Janet Jackson will embark on a four-month North American tour this fall. The tour is a continuation of her Unbreakable tour and will include fan favorites from her chart-topping ‘Unbreakable’ album, an array of her socially conscious music and soon-to-be released tracks with a state of the art live production. 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35. Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.704.2400. hondacenter.com.
Surf City Surf Dog
Sept. 24. Catch a few waves with your furry friend at one of Southern California’s most pristine beaches. This event brings together the community, surfers, dog lovers, families and pets for a day of fun and fundraising. While canine competitors try to catch the top five waves in 12 minutes, food trucks will be open to attendees on land. 7:30 a.m. check in, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. event. Huntington Dog Beach, 100 Golden West St., Huntington Beach, 714.841.8644. surfdogevents.com
Orange County International Auto Show
Sept. 28-Oct. 1. Drive on over to the Anaheim Convention Center to see 600+ vehicles on display. This iconic event will debut 2018 production-models—you can test drive more than 100 of them—plus an array of concept, custom and exotic cars. Check website for show hours. $12, under 13 free. Anaheim Convention Center, 800 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.765.8950. autoshowoc.com
Newport Beach Wine and Food Festival
Sept. 29-Oct. 1. Known as the most exclusive, intimate and world-class epicurean lifestyle event in Southern California, you’ll enjoy restaurant samplings, mixology classes, chef cooking demos and tastes from 250 renowned cult and boutique wineries. One day $150, weekend pass $250. Newport Beach Civic Center, 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach, 888.511.3378. newport.com
