Events
Holiday Movie Nights at the Surf Theater
Dec. 10. Grab your beach chairs and blankets every Thursday in December for a holiday movie night on the big screen at the Surf Theater (located on Level 2 near H&M). This week’s featured film is the Christmas family comedy Elf with a special socially distanced meet-and-greet with Buddy the Elf at 5 p.m. before the movie starts! There is no entrance fee. 5-8 p.m. 121 5th St., Huntington Beach, 714.930.2345. gopacificcity.com
“Night of Lights OC” Holiday Drive-Thru
Opens Dec. 10. Cruise through a magical and immersive winter wonderland experience at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa—all from the comfort of your car. When you purchase tickets to this one-mile drive-thru featuring over one million lights, there are holiday treats available for pre-order, include hot cocoa, cinnamon sugar donuts, Mom’s Bake Shoppe cookie buckets and brownies, tamales, holiday family 4-pack meals, and more. Pre-order food online by 10 a.m. on the date of admission. Entrance opens at 5 p.m. with time sessions available until 9:30 p.m. $49.99-$69.99. 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, nightoflightsoc.com
Blinking Owl Distillery Holiday Pop-Up Market
Dec. 12, 19. Shop small and support local businesses during this “Holiday To Go-Go” pop-up market. Find handcrafted treats and goods from local SoCal artisans such as Uprising OC, Dough & Arrow, Daughter’s Granola, 61 Hundred Bread, Small Batch Doughnuts, Heirloom Potager, Tan’s Dumplings, Taylor J Designs, Little Big Chains and more. Note: Masks must be worn at all times; maximum of two shoppers per group as crowd levels will be controlled to maintain safe distances; no food or beverages may be consumed while on the premises; and all food and beverages purchased are to-go only. Noon-4 p.m. 802 E. Washington Ave., Santa Ana. More Info
Food + Drink
Casa Romantica’s Cookie Decorating Kit
Dec. 11. Take the prep work out of holiday cookie-making and let the Casa do the work with festive decorating kits! This at-home baking activity is perfect for the kiddos and the whole family. All materials are included in each kit. Order before Dec. 11 for pick up on Friday from 10 a.m. to noon. $12 per kit. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139. casaromantica.org
The Glasspar Seafood Market Returns
Reopens Dec. 12. To mark the Dana Point restaurant’s one-year anniversary on Saturday, Glasspar welcomes locals back to its seafood market. Guests can buy the freshest seafood at better-than-supermarket prices including Alaskan king crab legs, local swordfish, ahi tuna, oysters and more. In addition to fresh-caught seafood, the restaurant will also sell bottles of wine from its cellar at 30% off and pre-batched holiday cocktails to-go for at-home enjoyment. Call to make special seafood orders. W-Sa noon-4 p.m. 24961 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.240.6243. glasspar.com
Wild Taco’s New Fiesta Kits
Now Available. In queso you didn’t know, the cult-favorite taco joint ramped up its to-go menus with new family-friendly takeout options. To help bring a fiesta home to you for the holidays, Wild Taco’s fiesta packs are complete with a choice of carne (pollo asado, carne asada or carnitas) or the fresh catch-of-the-day (+$10); sides of rice and beans, flour or corn tortillas; and an assortment of toppings and salsas. Tu-Sa 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Su-M 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Kit prices: $25 (serves two), $50 (serves four). 188 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.549.4282; 407 31st St., Newport Beach, 949.673.9453. thewildtaco.com
Family-Style Entrees at Curry Up Now
Now Available. Need dinner ideas that’ll serve the whole family? The fast casual Indian eatery Curry Up Now introduces its new family-style entrees. Guests can pick from their favorites such as tikka masala, ghee makhni butter, saag spinach and more to create their own innovative Indian spread—there’s 19 new offerings! See website to order online for pick up or delivery. Su-Th 11 a.m.-9 p.m., F-Sa 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Irvine Spectrum Center, 922 Spectrum Drive, Irvine, 949.932.0153. curryupnow.com
Arts + Culture
Merry Christmas Darling: Heidi Kettenring Sings Karen Carpenter
Begins Dec. 11. Laguna Playhouse presents the virtual concert featuring Chicago’s favorite leading lady Heidi Kettenring (Wicked, Broadway in Chicago) and her band performing timeless treasures and holiday hits of Karen Carpenter. This video on-demand performance is available for purchase through 10 a.m on Dec. 25 and available for viewing beginning Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. through Dec. 28 at 11 p.m. Ticketholders will receive a video link via email 24 hours prior to the viewing period start. $35. lagunaplayhouse.com
Watercolor Holiday Card-Making Class
Dec. 11. Looking to put a more personal (and creative) touch to your holiday cards? Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens Create is hosting a virtual class this Friday where guests can learn how to create four custom card designs using watercolor paint at home! Participants will learn watercolor techniques from award-winning artist and activist Kelly Gallaher. All templates and materials are included. Pick-up from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $25. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139. casaromantica.org
Holiday Shopping at Flying Miz Daisy Outdoor Market
Dec. 12. In search of gift ideas to give to loved ones? The premier outdoor vintage market invites shoppers to discover unique, one-of-a-kind items at the O.C. Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa! Peruse through more than 150 participating vendors offering vintage, antique, re-purposed and hand-crafted artisan goods. Enter through Gate 3 and find the market in Lot D of the fairgrounds. Note: Face masks are required. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free admission, $7 parking (no cash). 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. flyingmizdaisy.com
Photo credits: “Elf” graphic courtesy Pacific City. Blinking Owl Distillery courtesy FWD PR. Curry Up Now courtesy Ajenda PR. Glasspar and Wild Taco by Outshine PR. All other images are courtesy of the venues.
