Events
Stars, Stripes & Summer Community Event
July 17-18. Celebrate summer with two days of family-friendly fun at Via Lido Plaza, featuring live music, face painting, games, refreshments, merchant specials and a community passport challenge with prizes including free pizza for a year from Zpizza, a stay at Lido House, Angels tickets and more. Saturday’s festivities also include a complimentary screening of The Sandlot at The Lido Theater and a chance to meet local muralist Ellen Gladis, whose new The Sabot Regatta mural will serve as the backdrop for family photos throughout the weekend. No purchase is necessary to participate in the passport giveaway. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Via Lido Plaza, 3424 Via Lido, Newport Beach. newportbeach.com
The Orange County Fair Begins
Starts July 17. Every summer, the Orange County Fair transforms Costa Mesa into one of Southern California’s biggest celebrations of food, agriculture, music, and community. Equal parts nostalgic and over-the-top, it’s where carnival rides tower over livestock barns, local artisans share space with deep-fried culinary experiments, and live concerts carry on well after sunset. The OC Fair captures the carefree spirit of summer. Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.–midnight. OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. More Information
Soccer Fest 2026 At Old World
July 18-19. German beer, food, and the energy of fans from around the globe – With the final stage set for the third place match between France and England on Saturday, and the final between Spain and Argentina on Sunday, the tournament that has captured the attention of the world culminates at Old World. Seating and standing areas are first-come, first-served. Admission tickets are required for entry. For guaranteed seating, Reserved Tables are available for purchase. 7561 Center Ave., Huntington Beach. More Information
Voluspa Grand Opening Weekend
July 17. Celebrate the opening of Voluspa’s newest boutique at Irvine Spectrum Center during a weekend of special festivities honoring the Orange County-born luxury home fragrance brand. Guests can explore the full collection of candles, diffusers and room sprays, discover more than 50 signature scents, and experience the brand’s immersive new retail space just minutes from its Irvine headquarters, where every candle is still hand-poured. Friday–Sunday, during shopping center hours. 747 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine. voluspa.com
Food + Drink
Gatsby Summer at The Blind Rabbit
Now Available. Step back into the Roaring Twenties at The Blind Rabbit, where a monthlong Great Gatsby-inspired soirée transforms Anaheim’s acclaimed speakeasy into a glittering world of jazz-age glamour. Expect vintage décor, rich brass accents, shimmering gold details and an imaginative cocktail menu that pairs Prohibition-era classics with inventive new creations. Dress to impress—it’s the bee’s knees. Open daily. Saturday and Sunday Afternoon 12-4 p.m. Nightly Service, 5-11 p.m. 440 South Anaheim Blvd. Suite 104, Anaheim. More Information
VACATION BY PIONEER
Launches July 17. Nothing says summer more than a summertime backyard bbq – so take that idea and let one of the best cocktails bars in Orange County execute it. Welcome, to VACATION BY PIONEER. A 1970s backyard barbecue. Fridays & Saturdays, 4 p.m. to sundown, and they’re dragging the bar out back: astroturf underfoot, lawn games, burgers on the grill, and classic cocktails made the way the book says. 2698 Newport Blvd, Costa Mesa. More Information
Sealegs Turns Ten
July 18. Beachfront favorite SeaLegs at the Beach is celebrating its 10th anniversary this weekend with a party featuring live bands, entertainment, and its signature toes-in-the-sand atmosphere at Bolsa Chica State Beach. Guests can expect a packed lineup of music, beachside fun, and anniversary festivities all day long, marking a decade on the Huntington Beach shoreline, and summer vibes unmatched anywhere else. Saturday at 10 a.m. 17851 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach. More Information
Happy Hour at Semi Tropic Wines
Now Serving. Hot summer days turn into warm summer sights – Beat the heat with a cold glass of wine as Semi Tropic – a neighborhood natural wine bar – introduces Happy Hour. With nightly events that change weekly, from jazz nights, to flash tattoos, bike rides and more – all paired up with food from their in-house team, Mastica – Semi Tropic Wines is the spot to spend your summer nights.Every night from 8 p.m. to close. 816 W. 19th Street, Costa Mesa. More Information
Arts + Culture
Bad Art Night
July 18. Connect, create and explore at Bad Art Night. Meet new people while enjoying a playful, hands-on art-making experience inspired by the museum’s collection. Leave perfection behind as you experiment, embrace mistakes, and make something uniquely your own. Designed with singles in mind – but welcoming to everyone – this relaxed, social workshop is all about creativity, conversation, and having fun. Saturday, 5-7 p.m. 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach. More Information
Quilts, Cotton, and Indigo from Japan
July 18. Join Teresa Duryea Wong Go back in time, to a fascinating point in Japan’s history when cotton & indigo – two epic plants – forever changed Japan’s textile world. Meet the masters who are preserving the old traditions of natural indigo dyeing and meet the quilters who have dedicated their quiltmaking to working with antique cotton. Go inside today’s esteemed textile printing mills and hear the secrets of how Japan produces the finest quilting cotton in the world. Saturday at 1:30 p.m. 2002 North Main Street, Santa Ana. More Information
Photo credits: All other images are courtesy of the businesses and venues.
