Events
O.C. Lantern Festival 2026
March 7. The Lantern Festival, which can be traced back 2,000 years, takes place 15 days after the Lunar New Year—on the first full moon night in the lunar calendar—and marks the return of spring, representing the reunion of family. You’ll have the opportunity to decorate your very own lantern, enjoy live performances, take in live music, try your hand at solving a riddle, take in cultural demonstrations and more. Saturday at 11 a.m. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. More Informatrion
55th Annual Dana Point Festival of Whales
March 6-8. Dana Point Harbor and the Festival of Whales Foundation kick off the 55th Annual Dana Point Festival of Whales, inviting locals and visitors to celebrate the remarkable gray whale migration in the heart of the Dolphin & Whale Watching Capital of the World. The lively, family‑friendly weekend returns with beloved community traditions, including the Magical Migration Parade, the Carnival and the Concert on the Water. A full schedule of events and information can be found at festivalofwhales.com
El Presidente Ball
March 7. Journey back to late-1800s California as the Fiesta Association brings the spirit of the Old West to life with a western-style dinner dance. Guests can enjoy hearty fare, old-fashioned fun, and live country-western music while dancing under the stars, weather permitting, in a celebration that captures how “the West was fun. Saturday, 6-10 p.m. 31891 Camino Capistrano. San Juan Capistrano.
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Food + Drink
Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival 2026
Begins March 6. From tasty new dishes to returning favorites, Golden State-inspired flavors will be available at festival marketplaces and select dining locations throughout Disney California Adventure Park. Guests can save on multiple festival menu items with a scannable Sip & Savor Pass. For those wanting to elevate their foodie adventure, special beverage education seminars at Sonoma Terrace offer the chance to learn the secrets behind popular libations from industry experts. More Information
Orange County Restaurant Week Begins
March 8. Who doesn’t love delicious food & great deals? Orange County Restaurant Week – the largest celebration of the Orange County dining scene all year long – begins its 2026 celebration this week. Enjoy countless special menus offered at discounted prices only during this celebration of all things OC restaurants. A full list of participating restaurants can be found at ocrestaurantweek.com
Mutual Aid Fundraiser
March 8. Bandito Taqueria is hosting their annual fundraising event this weekend, so while you enjoy. killer from them, enjoy music by Tropicaza, while also supporting local vendors and artists. Funds raised will be split between two community defense hubs that have been actively supporting the day labor community. Want to help but can’t make it? Consider dropping by and donating any items from slide two of their instagram wish list which can be seen here. Sunday, noon-5 p.m. 300 W. 5th Street, Santa Ana. More Information
Shuck’s Last Service
March 8. From their loyal regulars to the countless celebrations, late nights, and oyster platters shared at the bar, Shuck has been more than a restaurant. It has been a community. Their final day of service will be this weekend-a decision that was not made lightly. They would love to see you one more time before they close. Raise a glass, enjoy your favorite dishes, and help them celebrate the memories the community has made together. Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. 3313 Hyland Avenue, #A1, Costa Mesa. More Information
Arts + Culture
SIX is a solid 10!
Starts March 10. From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st century girl power! Don’t miss the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over at Segerstrom Center for the Arts! One week only, March 10 – 15. 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
Mostly Kosher: The Purim Glam Rock Spectacular
March 8. The acclaimed Los Angeles-based klezmer-rock band known for its bold fusion of Jewish folk, jazz, Latin, rock and soul, will entertain the audience with a carnival-themed performance that reimagines the Purim story. The Purim Glam Rock Spectacle will feature dazzling costumes, carnival artistry, immersive lobby-to-stage design, and the band’s signature high-energy sound in a spectacular, genre-defying production. 3 p.m. 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine. More Information
First Thursdays Artwalk
March 5. Laguna Dance once again collaborates with Laguna Art Museum for Art Walk. This month, the museum proud to feature three of our 2026 Young & Emerging Artist Scholarship recipients, highlighting the next generation of Southern California dance talent. These budding artists will perform alongside the vibrant works presented in the California Cool Art Auction exhibition in the Steele Gallery. Thursday, 6:30 p.m. 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach. More Information
Chintz, Cinema, and the Fabric of Dreams with Robin Sukhadia and Sadubas
March 7. Enter a lush visual world where textiles shape not only garments but dreams. From colonial chintz to contemporary couture, this lecture-performance explores how fabric animates the stories, identities, and aesthetics of Bollywood cinema. Featuring a live multimedia set by Sadubas, this is a celebration of the printed, the patterned, and the powerfully cinematic. Saturday, 1:30-2:45 p.m. 2002 N. Main Street, Santa Ana. Tickets and More Information
Photo credits: All other images are courtesy of the businesses and venues.
