RESTAURANTS
Summit House
Dec. 24. Chef Timothy Plumb has prepared an outstanding Christmas Eve menu for guests of the Summit House. Enjoy Christmas duckling, roast prime ribs of beef, braised Colorado lamb shank or wild king salmon by the crackling fireside of this cozy English inn known for its mouthwatering steaks. 2000 E. Bastanchury Rd., Fullerton, 714.671.4111. www.summithouse.com
The Cannery
Dec. 24. Enjoy Christmas Eve dinner with a stunning view of the Newport Beach Marina at the Cannery. This year’s Christmas Eve Feast includes an abounding seafood platter, big eye tuna tartar, roasted butternut squash ravioli, pan-seared Chilean sea bass and sous-vide prime short ribs. 3010 Lafayette Ave., Newport Beach, 949.566.0060. www.cannerynewport.com
Sapphire
Dec. 24-25. Laguna Beach’s Sapphire Restaurant invites guests to enjoy a scrumptious holiday meal in the festive atmosphere of its main dining room or warm patio. Sapphire Restaurant will offer a three-course prix fixe Christmas Eve dinner that includes New Orleans shellfish bisque, a creative spin on the classic “surf and turf” entrée and desserts such as spiced eggnog crème brulee and warm apricot and butter bread pudding. Have Sapphire cook your Chrsitmas dinner for you! Pre-order your entire menu a-la-carte to take home and enjoy or choose a few items to complement your own culinary creations. 1200 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.715.9888. www.sapphirellc.com
Scott’s Restaurant & Bar
Dec. 24. For over 22 years, Scott’s Restaurant and Bar has hosted a delicious Christmas Eve dinner. Be a part of the tradition this year and enjoy duck confit with mushroom risotto, New Zealand rack of lamb with honey nut squash and more from their popular winter menu. 3300 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714.979.2400. www.scottsrestaurantandbar.com
Pinot Provence
Dec. 25. Pinot Provence will offer Sunday brunch as well as a holiday prix fixe on Christmas Day. Gather your nearest and dearest and indulge in an unforgettable meal of classic French fare. Menu highlights include Cinderella pumpkin bisque, crispy pork belly, house made papardelle with melted leeks and wile baby arugula and roasted filet mignon with pommes macaire, creamed spinach and oxtail marmalade. The gourmet dining experience ends with an assortment of classic bûche de Noël desserts. The Westin South Coast Plaza, 686 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa, 714.428.0814. www.pinotprovence.com
MUSIC + DANCE
Toy Story on Ice
Dec. 20-25. In their most daring adventure to date, Woody, Buzz Lightyear and fellow toys hatch a plan to escape from Lotso, the unforgiving ruler of Sunnyside Daycare, and the boisterous tots who bring the level of play to a whole new intensity. Disney on Ice presents Disney Pixar’s Toy Story 3 as you’ve never seen it before. Kids will love seeing their favorite toys sing and dance across the ice this Christmas. The Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.704.2500. www.hondacenter.com
Festival Ballet Theatre: The Nutcracker
Through Dec. 24. Young Clara’s entire world changes when the nutcracker her uncle gifted her comes to life. Together they battle the Mouse King and embark on a magical journey together. Peter Tchaikovsky’s timeless music combined with Festival Ballet Theatre’s stunning choreography will make for one unforgettable evening. Adults $40, $37 seniors, $35 children. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Dr., Irvine, 949.854.4646. thebarclay.org
Frankie Ballard
Dec. 22. Artist-on-the-rise, Frankie Ballard, performs his bluesy rock at Anaheim’s newest venue, The Saloon, part of The Ranch Restaurant & Saloon. Ballard’s talent as a songwriter, vocalist and instrumentalist have positioned him as one of county music’s most promising new personalities. The Ranch Restaurant & Saloon is a brand new 20,000 square foot restaurant, wine cellar and saloon featuring live country music. The Ranch Restaurant, slated to open in early January, will feature true American regional cuisine using the finest ingredients possible to capture the freshest flavors of the farm. 1025 E. Ball Rd., Anaheim, 714.817.4200. www.theranch.com
ART
London Calling
Through Jan. 12. The Orange County Center for Contemporary Art transports visitors across the pond with its newest exhibition, “London Calling.” Works by some of Britain’s emerging young artists including Rosie Emerson, Tahnee Lonsdale and Agnetha Sjorgren will be showcased. Artists are represented by the London Gallery, Debut Contemporary. 117 N. Sycamore, Santa Ana, 714.667.1517. www.occca.org
Best Kept Secret
Through Jan. 22. In the 1960s and ‘70s, creativity and artistic experimentation flourished at the University of California at Irvine. Laguna Art Museum explores the university’s influence on the development of contemporary art through its new exhibit Best Kept Secret. The exhibition displays the works of nearly 40 faculty and student artists and features first-hand interviews with the artists and other resources related to this time period. 307 Cliff Dr., Laguna Beach, 949.494.8971. www.lagunaartmuseum.org
THEATER
‘Tis the Season
Through Dec. 31. ‘Tis the Season is the heartwarming tale of a reunion between grandchildren and their recently deceased grandfather, Henry. The children learn the true meaning of the holidays as Henry takes them on a whirlwind adventure to distant worlds of Currier and Ives, a night club called the North Pole, a gravesite of a Holocaust survivor Henry saved during World War II and a living nativity scene. Encore Dinner Theatre, 690 El Camino Real, Tustin, 855.545.5400. www.encoredinnertheatre.com
A Christmas Carol
Through Dec. 24. Ebeneezer Scrooge learns the true meaning of Christmas and family as he journeys through time with the Ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. Be reminded of what the holiday season is all about with this timeless Dickens classic. Tickets from $43. 655 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, 714.708.5555. scr.org
This Wonderful Life
Through Dec. 24. Frank Capra’s classic Christmas tale of hope, humor and heart rises to a whole new level in this delightful one-man show at the Laguna Playhouse. The talented James Leaming portrays George Bailey, Clarence the Angel, Mary, Old Man Potter and twenty more of Bedford Falls’ finest citizens. Tickets from $35. 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.497.2787. lagunaplayhouse.com
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas
Though Jan. 1. Irving Berlin’s classic White Christmas tells the story of two army buddies turned showbiz sensations who move their production their former general’s Vermont inn. Watch with delight as the duo find their perfect mates, fill the once-empty inn and usher in a white Christmas! Tickets start at $20. South Coast Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
Anne of Green Gables
Through Dec. 27. When orphaned Anne Shirley arrives in the town of Avonlea, she brings all of her troublesome adventures with her. This heartwarming musical adaptation follows Anne as she changes not only her life, but also the lives around her. Chance Theater Theater, 5552 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim Hills, 714.777.3033. chancetheater.com
ENTERTAINMENT
Science of Gingerbread
Through Jan. 1. Explore the science behind everyone’s favorite cookie houses. Participate in hands-on kitchen activities, view award-winning Gingerbread Competition entries and visit with Santa! Tickets from $12.95. 2500 N Main Street, Santa Ana, 714.542.2823. discoverycube.org
Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination
Through April 15. Santa Ana’s Discovery Science Center explores the scientific possibilities behind some of Star Wars’ most visionary ideas such as humanoid robots, landspeeders and X-wing Starfighters. 2500 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, 714.542.2823. discoverycube.org
HOLIDAY
Ice Skating at the Strand
Through Jan. 1. Smell the salty sea breeze as you ice skate just steps away from the Pacific! The grand opening of the beachside rink features the Cirque du Soleil truck, pet photos with Santa and free hot chocolate. 155, 5th St., Huntington Beach, 714.465.4528. www.thestrandon5th.com