Orange County

Weekend roundup

December 24-27

Events

Artisan Holiday Pop-Up at OC Baking Company

Dec. 24. Come by the OC Baking Company to get a little slice of heaven and other tasty offerings for your holiday dinner or for the rest of the week. At this artisan pop-up, OC Baking Company will be offering plenty of loaves, rolls, pull-a-parts, challah, baguettes, keto bread and the coveted olive walnut. Additional participating vendors include Miss Mini Donuts, Adya and more. Bring your own bags, cash and masks; masks are required upon entry and inside the pop-up. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 1960 N. Glassell St., Orange, 714.998.2253. More Info

Drive-In Movies at Irvine Spectrum Center

Dec. 26-27. While it might be darker and chillier out, drive-in movies are still going strong at the Irvine Spectrum Center! Grab tickets (before they’re gone!) to watch Jumanji: The Next Level (Dec. 26) and Zootopia (Dec. 27). Note: Moviegoers are required to wear a mask and practice social distancing at all times when outside the vehicle. Saturday: venue opens at 5 p.m. with showtime around 7:30 p.m.; Sunday: venue opens at 4 p.m. with showtime around 6 p.m. $40-$60 per car. irvinespectrumcenter.com

Dana Point Harbor Lights

Through Jan. 3. Dana Point Harbor Partners is spreading seasonal cheer with the annual holiday light display set to illuminate the harbor. Each night, the magnificent light display will illuminate the evening sky for guests of all ages to enjoy. Themed light exhibits throughout the harbor include Candy Cane Lane and the popular “Merry Kiss Me” arch. New this year, Dana Point Harbor Partners added light displays to the island to encourage visitors to explore all areas of the harbor and avoid large crowds. 34555 Golden Lantern St., Dana Point, 949.496.6137. danapointharbor.com

Ice Rink at Paséa Hotel & Spa

Through Jan. 3. Grab your mittens and coat, and head over to the the Huntington Beach hotel’s ocean front ice rink! In order to maintain social distancing guidelines required, skaters under the age of 12 may have one non-skating parent or guardian accompany them into the venue; best to purchase a ticket for a parent, adult or teen to accompany small children. See website for schedule. $25. 21080 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, 855.622.2472. meritagecollection.com

Food + Drink

Holiday Pies from Pop Pie Co.

Through Dec. 24. Pop Pie Co. is baking the world a better place with a delicious selection of holiday pies to take home. Guests can enjoy flavors such as salted maple chess, honey bourbon pecan, apple cranberry with ginger crumble (vegan) and salted caramel apple crumble. Pie fans that pre-order can pick up their pie on Christmas Eve between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. 270 E. 17th St., Suite 17, Costa Mesa, 949.524.3015. poppieco.com

Dave’s Hot Chicken in Fountain Valley

Now Open. SoCal’s favorite hot chicken spot welcomes fans to its newest restaurant in Fountain Valley. The fast-casual concept specializes in hot chicken tenders and sliders, offered at seven various spice levels ranging from No Heat to Reaper (which requires a signed waiver for those who dare), and sides of housemade kale slaw, creamy mac n’ cheese and crispy french fries. Open daily 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 10832 Warner Ave., Fountain Valley, 657.383.7536. daveshotchicken.com

Fable & Spirit’s Express Takeaway Service

Now Available. In response to the latest restrictions put on restaurants throughout the region, Fable & Spirit adds another level of excitement to its culinary arsenal with the introduction of Fable Express. This fast-casual takeaway service features a charcoal-fired yakitori grill, and you can watch executive chef David Shofner and his kitchen crew delight all of the senses with a culinary performance on the restaurant patio Wednesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., when the Fable Express menu is offered for takeaway. 3441 Via Lido, Newport Beach, 949.409.9913. fableandspirit.com

Miirch Social in Fullerton

Now Open. Did you hear? There’s a new Indian concept bringing a unique form of casual dining to Downtown Fullerton! Miirch Social’s menu features cuisine utilizing natural ingredients, fresh fruits, vegetables and meats to replicate traditional recipes directly from India. Delight in Indian staples, comfort food, and standout dishes such as chicken, lamb, or paneer kathi rolls; masala fries; and truffle oil chicken tikka—a signature Indian-spiced chicken prepared with a creamy marinade that is roasted in the tandoor oven. Su-Th 11 am -9 p.m., F-Sa 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 138 W. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, 714.519.3501. miirchsocial.com

Stella Jean’s Festive Flavors

Now Available. “Baby, it’s cold outside” … but never too cold for Stella Jean’s ice cream! Stock your freezer with these limited holiday flavors including “Eggnog + Rum Fudge” made with eggnog custard ice cream, rum, nutmeg, house-made rum fudge; “Vegan Eggnog and Mexican Ginger Wedding Cookies” made with coconut milk, oat milk, soy milk, rum, nutmeg, ginger, pecans and walnuts; “Spiked Fruit Cake” made with rum ice cream and fresh baked fruit cake; and “Vegan Peppermint Dark Chocolate Candy Cane Bark” (pictured). 270 E. 17th St., Suite 16, Costa Mesa, 949.791.8133. stellajeans.com

Arts + Culture

Merry Christmas Darling: Heidi Kettenring Sings Karen Carpenter 

Through Dec. 28. 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 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

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol Audio Performance

Through Dec. 31. Get in the holiday spirit with a special audio performance of the Charles Dickens classic from the comfort of your home. Presented by South Coast Repertory, A Christmas Carol follows the cold-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge who has an epiphany after being visited by ghosts on Christmas Eve. For optimal enjoyment, South Coast Repertory recommends ​listening with headphones or high-quality speakers. Free. scr.org

Roger’s Gardens Christmas Boutique

Through Dec. 31. Celebrate the most magical time of the year at Roger’s Gardens. Discover unique seasonal decor to bring the magic of the season into your home. From vintage-inspired trinkets to holiday table settings, the boutique has everything you’ll need to turn your home into an enchanting winter wonderland. See holiday hours here. 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona Del Mar, 949.640.5800. rogersgardens.com

Photo credits: Fable & Spirit Express courtesy Moxxe PR. Miirch Social courtesy Ajenda PR. All other images are courtesy of the venues.

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