Events
Afternoon Hockey in Anaheim
Dec. 28. Come cheer on your Anaheim Ducks as they take on the Philadelphia Flyers in an afternoon bout this Saturday. The puck drops at 1 p.m. as the team returns from their holiday break with a big home game as Philadelphia looks to bounce back from their recent loss to Pittsburgh.Tickets can be found here. Honda Center, 2695 E Katella Ave, Anaheim. More Information
Science of Gingerbread
Ongoing. Southern California’s LARGEST gingerbread competition with over 200 entries is happening at Discovery Cube Orange County. From the apprentice builder to the professional and everything in between, this display is like no other. In the spirit of building, making and competition, this program features learning experiences designed with the engineer in mind. 2500 N Main Street, Santa Ana. More Information
Menorah Lighting Ceremony
Dec. 29. Celebrate Hanukkah at Fashion Island with singing and festive traditions. This event, in partnership with Chabad Jewish Center, Newport Beach, will be held in the Atrium Garden Courtyard on Sunday, December 29 from 3pm – 5pm. This event is free to attend and open to all – please note though this event is weather permitting. 401 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. More Information
Food + Drink
Chrysalis Begins Again
Tickets Now Available. Without sight. Without form. Without expectation. We move forward. This is the motto behind one of Orange County’s most ambitious dining experiences. Enter, Chrysalis – the ticketed, limited seating private dining experience within the recently opened DARKROOM. The ever-changing menu is delicious and provocative, and tickets are extremely limited, but not to be missed. 3751 South Harbor Boulevard, STE C, Santa Ana. More Information
Warehouse 72’s Special NYE Prix-Fixe Menu
Dec. 31. Hyatt Regency Irvine’s Warehouse 72 is celebrating New Year’s Eve with a four-course prix-fixe menu for $99 per person, available alongside the regular menu, with the bar open until midnight. Menu highlights include starters like charred octopus and prosciutto and fig tartine, entrées such as lobster and champagne risotto or Australian lamb chops, and desserts like peppermint bark cheesecake. Guests staying until midnight can enjoy a complimentary champagne toast at the bar. Tuesday, from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine. Reserve Now
Better Buzz zips into New Location
Dec. 27. A new café in Fullerton brings the small-batch coffee expertise of San Diego’s Better Buzz to its fourth Orange County location. The grand opening will feature Fullerton-exclusive drinks, ube cold brew and ube matcha, plus giveaways like reusable cups with drink purchases and hats for the first 200 guests this Thursday at 5 a.m. Also, they will have rewards specials will be available for new loyalty members. 1329 S. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton. betterbuzzcoffee.com
Opsi Opens a Costa Mesa Location
Now Open. Southern Italy meets coastal California at Ospi Costa Mesa. From Top Chef alumnus Jackson Kalb, Ospi redefines traditional Nonna’s cooking with Michelin technique and a few twists. Indulge in our painstakingly house-made pasta from biodynamically farmed Italian and local wheat, paper-thin pizza romana tonda, and more. Hours vary. 234 East 17th Street Suite 100, Costa Mesa. ospi.com
Discover Your New Dining Destination
Now Open. Your new pizza obsession is ready to welcome you with open arms as Pizzeria Irene is now open. Come experience these pizzas wondrous wood-fired pizzas from the mind of Rick Guzman. Wednesday-Saturday 5-9 p.m., and Sunday 4-8 p.m. Walk-ins only. Old Towne Orange, 123 N Olive St., Orange. 714.602.7861. More Information
Drift Distillery Opens
Now Open. Owners, Ryan and Lesli Winter are excited to introduce the community to local, top quality small batch spirits that are all hand made right in San Clemente. One of the most unique aspects of Drift is this grain-to-bottle-operation is getting their wheat from their parents’ family farm outside the town of Bison, Kansas. Come experience Drift Distillery for yourself. 115 S El Camino Real, San Clemente. driftdistillery.com
Arts + Culture
Great Scott, Back to the Future opens tonight!
Dec. 26 – Jan. 5. Orange County is buzzing with 1.21 gigawatts of pure excitement as Back to the Future arrives at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. With Marty McFly, Doc Brown, and some of the most spectacular special effects you’ll ever see, Back to the Future brings all the magic from the screen to the stage! Dec 26 – Jan 5 only! 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 714.556.8784. scfta.org
Final Nights of Capistrano Lights
Dec. 29. Celebrate the holidays at Orange County’s only Mission. Capistrano Lights: Mission in Lights runs through Sunday with tree lighting, Dickens-era carolers, full-scale nativity, light features including a lighted halo grove, scented citrus grove and more – all are included with any Capistrano Lights ticket which also includes same day admission to the Mission. 26801 Old Mission Rd., San Juan Capistrano. More Information
The Best of the Beatles
Begins Dec. 29. Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Orange County. Get your tickets now to discover the music of The Beatles at The Richard Nixon Library & Museum under the gentle glow of candlelight. Get tickets now for this immersive and enchanting experience. The Richard Nixon Library and Museum, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd, Yorba Linda. More Information
Photo credits: Orchestra surrounded by candle’s courtesy of Candlelight. All other images are courtesy of the businesses and venues.
