From holiday happenings to cheese and wine tastings, check out the top Orange County weekend events for December 14-17.
Edited by Whitney Lauren Han.
EVENTS
Cocktail City OC
Dec. 15. Cocktail City OC is bringing it’s monthly famous nightclub and open mixology bars to TIME Nightclub. Come early for complimentary hand crafted cocktails. Complimentary admission to the after party featuring international headlining DJ group WeAreTreo. 21+. 9-10 p.m. Free, RSVP on website. TIME Nightclub, 1875 Newport Blvd. #B245, Costa Mesa. cocktailcityoc.com
Cruise of Lights
Dec. 15-18, 21-23. Watch thousands of lights and animated displays on brightly decorated homes, docks, decks and boats at the Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Cruise of Lights. Narrated boat tours will also be offered through the waterways. See website for hours and ticket prices. 16889 Algonquin St., Huntington Beach, 714.840.7542. cruiseoflights.org
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
Dec. 15-21. Ring in the holidays with a classic screening of It’s a Wonderful Life at the Lido Theatre. On December 16, moviegoers can visit with Santa while enjoying carolers and complimentary hot cocoa an hour prior to the movie starting. Sa-Su matinees at 1 p.m. Nightly movie at 7 p.m. $9 ages 2-11/seniors ages 61+, $11.50 adults. Via Lido Plaza, 3459 Via Lido Way, Newport Beach, 949.673.8350. regencymovies.com
Christmas at the OC Zoo
Dec. 16. Celebrate the holiday season with the animals of the OC Zoo. Watch animals of all sizes open treat-filled gifts hidden inside Christmas trees and gift boxes. Children can delight in visits with Santa Claus and story time with Mrs. Claus, plus partake in activities like seasonally inspired crafts, games and a festive photo station. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $2 GA; free ages 2 and under; $5 parking. OC Zoo (inside Irvine Regional Park), 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, 714.973.6847. ocparks.com
National Day of the Horse
Dec. 16. Celebrate The National Day of the Horse at the Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center with family-fun activities. Expect pizza, face painting, pony rides, vendor booths, horseshoe decorating, horse and rider demos, pony kissing booth, an on-site animal rescue and more. No dogs allowed. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Huntington Central Park Equestrian, 18381 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach, 714.848.6565. hcpec.com
Trombone Christmas on the Walk
Dec. 16. Anaheim GardenWalk hosts the 8th Annual Trombone Christmas on the Walk, a live one-hour concert featuring more than 200 professional, hobbyist and student trombone players. The concert will promote and encourage the fellowship and musicianship of slide trombone players. 1-2 p.m. Free. Anaheim GardenWalk–North Court, 400 W. Disney Way, Anaheim, 714.635.7410. anaheimgardenwalk.com
Winter Wonderland at Union Market Tustin
Dec. 16. Celebrate the holiday season with free photos with Santa, live entertainment, food tastings, ornament-crafting for kids and more. Take a step outside into The Promenade to experience magical “snowfall” falling from the sky. 5-8 p.m. The District at Tustin Legacy, 2437 Park Ave., Tustin, 714.259.9090. thedistricttl.com
Lido Marina Village Boat Parade Viewing
Through Dec. 16. Come watch the 109th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade at Lido Marina Village’s waterfront Main Deck. Lido Marina Village will provide delicious hot cocoa and cider, plus a live DJ to groove to while viewing the parade. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. 3434 Via Lido, Newport Beach. lidomarinavillage.com
Children’s Crafts at Pacific City
Dec. 17. It’s fun, family-time and you are invited to celebrate the holidays at Pacific City with your little ones. Head to the second level near the movie screen for an afternoon of designing holiday crafts while you sip deliciousness from Portola Coffee Lab’s Hot Cocoa Bar. Kids will also receive a complimentary twisted balloon animal and glitter tattoos. 1-3 p.m. Free, RSVP on website. Pacific City, 21010 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, 714.930.2345. gopacificcity.com
Third Annual Menorah Lighting
Dec. 17. Families are invited to celebrate Chanukah with the Chabad Jewish Center of San Clemente during the Third Annual Menorah Lighting. This family-friendly event will include the lighting of a menorah, entertainment for children, balloons, traditional activities, hot latkes, doughnuts and gelt. 4-5 p.m. Free. Outlets at San Clemente, Oak Tree Court, 101 West Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente, 949.535.2323. outletsatsanclemente.com
The Queen Mary’s All-New CHILL
Through Jan. 7. Embark on an international holiday expedition this winter as the world-famous Queen Mary introduces an all-new CHILL. Featuring the first-ever Ice Adventure Park in the U.S., the 38,000-square foot ice park offers an ice skating track, ice bumper cars, ice tricycles, a zip line, ice shuffleboard, a two story, 100-foot-long ice tubing slide and many more festive winter activities. See website for hours. $29.99 adults, $19.99 for kids ages 4-11. The Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 877.342.0738. queenmary.com
FOOD + DRINK
New Lunch Menu at Las Brisas
Ongoing. Grab your friends and come try Chef de Cuisine Matthew Robinson’s special lunch menu featuring the finest in Southern California cuisine. New menu items include Cauliflower Dos Caminos, blue Corn Tostada, Asada Dip, Shrimp Linguine Veracruz, Lobster & Celery Root Bisque (pictured), Short Rib Enchiladas and more. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Las Brisas, 361 Cliff Dr., Laguna Beach, 949.497.5435. lasbrisaslagunabeach.com
The Balvenie Whisky Dinner
Dec. 14. Balvenie ambassador David Laird will guide guests through a flight of The Balvenie’s single malt scotch whiskies, paired with a four-course menu from Loft’s chef Michael Campbell. Balvenie 12 single malt, Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask, Balvenie 17 DoubleWood and Balvenie 21 Portwood will be featured. 6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. dinner. $125+/pp. Reservations are required, call 949.715.6420. The Loft in Montage Laguna Beach, 30801 Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach. montagehotels.com
Brunch with Santa
Dec. 16. Back Bay Bistro welcomes guests to celebrate the holidays with family, friends, great food and Mr. Claus himself. Special features include fresh seafood, bottomless mimosas and more. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. $28 adults, $13 children ages 10 and under. 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, 949.729.1144. newportdunes.com
Cheese and Wine Tasting at The Loft
Dec. 16. Discover the finest wine and cheese from around the world with resident fromager Thomas Espino as your guide. Example pairings include Sancerre with creamy goat cheese and a taste of Stilton with rich port. 3-5 p.m. $45/pp. Reservations are required, call 949.715.6420. Montage Laguna Beach, 30801 Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach. montagehotels.com
Family Gingerbread Decorating
Dec. 16. Gather the entire family and show off your creative side during Montage’s gingerbread house decorating class with their executive pastry team. Attendees will leave with their gingerbread house, a Montage apron and cookie recipe to relive the magic in their kitchen at home. There will be light bites, hot chocolate, cider and additional beverages provided. 1-3 p.m. $45 adults, $35 children. Reservations are required, call 949.715.6420. Montage Laguna Beach, 30801 Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach. montagehotels.com
ARTS + CULTURE
Steve Byrne
Dec. 14-17. Have a laugh at the Irvine Improv with international comedian Steve Byrne. With his high-energy physical style of comedy, Byrne has evolved throughout the years into a versatile entertainer that delivers on a day-to-day basis. See website for schedule. $20. Irvine Improv, 527 Spectrum Center Dr., Irvine, 949.854.5455. irvine.improv.com
‘The Broadway Princess Party’
Dec. 16. The princesses are throwing a ball at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and everyone is invited. Star of Broadway’s Cinderella, two time Tony Award nominee, Laura Osnes will bring her leading lady friends—Broadway’s ‘Belle’ in Beauty and the Beast, Susan Egan and Broadway’s ‘Princess Jasmine’ in Aladdin, Courtney Reed—along with music director Benjamin Rauhala for a dazzling evening of musical magic. They will sing the most beloved ‘Princess’ songs of stage and screen and reminisce about their favorite fairytales and most cherished characters. Th-Sa 7:30 p.m. $89+. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
‘A Southern California Christmas’
Dec. 17. With more than 150 performers from across Orange County, including musicians, singers and dancers, A Southern California Christmas will showcase classic holiday carols and tunes. The show features triumphal tones of brass fanfare, the full-throated sounds of a chorus, sugarplum dreams woven by dancers’ feet and the heartwarming songs of children. 4 p.m. $22-$55. Musco Center for the Arts at Chapman University, 415 North Glassell, Orange, 844.626.8726. muscocenter.org
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ photo provided by Jane Gillespie PR. Christmas at the OC Zoo photo provided by the ACE Agency. Winter Wonderland at Union Market Tustin photo provided by Cornerstone Communications. Children’s Crafts at Pacific City photo provided by Kitchen Table Marketing + PR. The Queen Mary’s All-New CHILL photo provided by the ACE Agency. New Lunch Menu at Las Brisas photo provided by 1on1 Public Relations. ‘The Broadway Princess Party’ photo provided by Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
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