Events
Liz Callaway: Home for the Holidays
Through Dec. 19. Be enchanted this weekend with a magical holiday concert from the voice of Anastasia, from the comfort of your home. Watch Tony nominee and Emmy winner Liz Callaway in this pre-recorded program perform a mix of holiday favorites and beloved Broadway showtunes, and offer a preview of music from her upcoming holiday album, Comfort and Joy – An Acoustic Christmas. The stream also includes a special behind-the-scenes interview with the artist and a post-show Q&A. $20 per household. scfta.org
#ShopSmall Holiday Market at SteelCraft Long Beach
Dec. 19. Need last-minute gift ideas? Take a drive to SteelCraft in Long Beach to support small businesses and get your holiday shopping done at the #ShopSmall Holiday Market. Discover unique, hand-crafted gifts that your loved ones will adore, ranging from body products and soaps to handmade jewelry and macramé art. Note: Due to COVID-19 guidelines, this is open for takeout/delivery only. Noon-4 p.m. 3768 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach, 562.304.1454. steelcraftlb.com
Sparks of Love Toy Drive
Dec. 19. Spread some love and holiday cheer with much-needed donations to Orange County Fire Authority and KWAVE’s annual toy drive. Due to the pandemic and devastating wildfires, the need for toys this year is even greater than before—so if you have the means, head to the drive-thru toy donation event this Saturday at Crossline Church in Laguna Hills. Can’t make it? Donations also can be dropped off on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the KWAVE warehouse (3232 W. MacArthur Blvd., Santa Ana) during the weeks leading up to Christmas. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Crossline Church, 23331 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills. ocfa.org/toydrive
A Tori Kelly Christmas at Drive-In OC
Upcoming | Dec. 21-22. Grammy-award winner Tori Kelly brings her Christmas show to the City National Grove of Anaheim’s Drive-In OC. Just two months after releasing her quarantine project Solitude, the singer followed that EP with her very first Christmas album, unveiling the aptly-titled A Tori Kelly Christmas as October drew to a close and the much-needed holiday season began in earnest. One ticket per vehicle, a maximum of five passengers per vehicle. 7 p.m. $185+. 2200 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.712.2700. driveinoc.com
Food + Drink
The Harbor Grill’s Family Taco Kits
Now Available. Plan out dinner ahead of time with the Harbor Grill’s take-out taco and Cadillac margarita kit. Located at Dana Point Harbor, the restaurant offers this kit to be pre-ordered over the phone or on its website, and includes four Cadillac margaritas, fresh sea bass ceviche with avocado; grilled Caribbean spiced mahi mahi; grilled Mexican prawns with cilantro and garlic; red salsa, green salsa and tortilla chips; and chipotle tartar, shredded lettuce, and homemade guacamole. M-Sa 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Su 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. $100 (feeds 4-5). 34499 Golden Lantern St., Dana Point, 949.240.1416. harborgrill.com
Water Grill’s Cook-at-Home Kits
Now Available. Been craving seafood lately? You’re in luck because Costa Mesa’s Water Grill is—for the first time—offering a takeout-only menu that includes some of its greatest hits. Menu items you can take home include shrimp scampi; wild Icelandic Atlantic cod fish and chips; smoked hamachi oysters; charcoal-grilled Mary’s organic chicken; and more. There’s also to-go cocktails available in both small and large formats (small makes 3, large makes 6). Open daily 11 a.m.-10 p.m. South Coast Plaza, 3300 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 949.208.7060. watergrill.com
Salt & Straw’s Holiday Classics
Through Dec. 31. ‘Tis the season for new festive (and tasty) flavors at Salt & Straw in Downtown Disney. Through the month of December, Salt & Straw head ice cream maker Tyler Malek serves up holiday cheer with five flavors in addition to the classic line-up. Inspired by the contents of a cookie plate, offerings include Gingerbread Cookie Dough, Almond Brittle with Salted Ganache, Cocoa & Peppermint Patties, The Great Cookie Swap and Dwanta’s Teremana Spiked Eggnog. Open daily 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 1550 Disneyland Drive, Suite E-103A, Anaheim, 714.855.4321. saltandstraw.com
Toast Kitchen + Bakery’s Family Meal
Through Dec. 31. Need a break from cooking? Costa Mesa’s favorite modern diner, Toast Kitchen + Bakery, introduces an all-new family meal specially curated by executive chef John Park. This Korean-inspired family meal can feed a family of four ($59) and consists of dishes such as curry shrimp, bulgogi (Korean-style beef), black garlic noodles, yakitori vegetable skewers and more. Tu-F 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Sa-Su 8 a.m.-3 p.m. 1767 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa, 949.873.5057. toastkitchenbakery.com
Arts + Culture
Nochebuena: Christmas Eve in Mexico
Dec. 17. Celebrate the holidays at home with this vibrant evening of music and dance featuring two of L.A.’s most acclaimed performance ensembles: Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles and Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar. Before the performance, join artistic director Kareli Montaya and music director Jimmy K. Cuéllar for a live Q&A about the performance and holiday traditions. Q&A at 6:30 p.m., performance at 7 p.m. Free with RSVP. muscocenter.org
Darden Drive-In Christmas Concert
Dec. 18. Get in the holiday spirit with some festive tunes from the O.C.-based sister band Darden at Muckenthaler Cultural Center. At this drive-in concert, listen to the Darden sisters perform harmonious renditions of classic Christmas tunes amongst the stars, featuring Joe Tatar and special guests. Doors open at 6pm; Concert starts 7 p.m. $30 per car. 1201 W. Malvern Ave, Fullerton, 714.738.6595. themuck.org
It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
Begins Dec. 19. Watch Laguna Playhouse’s version of the beloved American holiday classic come to life as a live 1940s radio broadcast from the comfort of your home. Available for streaming through Jan. 1, this video-on-demand performance is presented as if it was a live radio broadcast in front of a live studio audience. Like the movie, the story follows everyman George Bailey as he must learn that “no man is a failure who has friends” (and a little divine intervention) when he must face off against local robber baron (and all-around curmudgeon) Henry F. Potter. $20. lagunaplayhouse.com
Photo credits: All other images are courtesy of the venues.
