Virtual Tree Lighting Celebration

Nov. 19. Brighten your night with the Segerstrom Family’s beloved annual tree lighting—virtually this year!—featuring a magnificent white fir tree decorated with 100,000 brilliant lights. During the program, American Ballet Theatre’s principal dancer Misty Copeland hosts the 15-minute show that includes greetings from Santa, a welcome from Segerstrom Center for the Arts president Casey Reitz and seasonal entertainment from the renowned Orange County School of the Arts. The tree will be on display through the end of the year at Town Center Park. Watch the show on South Coast Plaza’s website and IGTV. 7 p.m. southcoastplaza.com

Ice Rink at Paséa Hotel & Spa

Opens Nov. 21. 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. meritagecollection.com

*Update Nov. 19 at 1:38 p.m. – With O.C.’s shift back to the purple tier, this event has been postponed to Spring 2021.

Surfing Santa and Stand Up Paddle Board Contest

Nov. 21-22. Surf’s up this holiday season with the return of this annual contest, presented by The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. Watch locals and visitors battle it out in the waves to benefit Surfers Healing—an internationally-recognized non-profit that provides surfing to children with autism—dressed up as Santa and other holiday-inspired characters competing in surfing and SUP categories. The contest will be socially distanced and safety guidelines will be shared in advance. $60 per contestant, per category. Salt Creek Beach (located below The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel), 33333 Pacific Coast Hwy., Dana Point. surfingsantacontest.org

Virtual Visits with Santa

Begins Nov. 21. Delight your children and family with a personal virtual visit from Santa Claus! No crowds, no lines—just a safe, convenient and fun way for Santa to hear your holiday wishes! To connect with Santa via a video call, pick a day and an hour that’s convenient for you, receive VIP access to the North Pole via phone or tablet, and share your holiday wishes directly with Santa. Each visit is personalized especially for your family. See website for more info and reservations. $25. fashionisland.com

Virtual Dana Point Turkey Trot

Begins Nov. 22. Run this year’s annual Turkey Trot race at your own pace! Whether you’re near or far, participants can run or walk a 5K, 10K, 15K or Kids’ Gobble Wobble anytime, anywhere this Thanksgiving week. Registration includes a 2020 medal and race shirt, a virtual goody bag packed with special offers, coupons and discounts, and access to the race event app should participants want to time their race and compare results. There will be a drive-thru packet pick-up in the Dana Point Harbor parking lot on Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $25 registration fee. turkeytrot.com

Violent Wind Charity Dinner

Nov. 19. Joshua Lozano of Uprising OC and tattoo artist Franco Vescovi present Violent Wind, a charity dinner with coursed culinary demonstrations by O.C.-based chefs. The event, at Vacation Bar in Santa Ana, benefits the 9th annual turkey drive of the Chicano Mentoring Assn. and Bishop Rotary, which sponsors 250 local families with Thanksgiving meal kits. Six chefs include Allan Aguinaga of Hendrix in Laguna Niguel, Ralph Montes of new Polanco Mexican Steakhouse in Manhattan Beach and Jessica Tiffany of Las Brisas in Laguna Beach. 204 W. 4th St, Santa Ana, 714.296.7065. More Info

Virtual Thanksgiving Turkey Class with Electric City Butcher

Nov. 19. Sharpen your cooking (and carving) skills with a virtual Thanksgiving turkey class hosted by chef Michael Puglisi, Electric City Butcher’s founding butcher. Watch chef Michael prepare a sustainable and successful holiday feast and learn how to brine, truss, stuff, roast, and carve the perfect Thanksgiving turkey. Register for the class for free when you purchase a turkey kit that includes brine ingredients, compound butter, stuffing sausage, trussing twine, a roasting pan and a jar of ECB’s famous chicken liver mousse. 7-9 p.m. $15. electriccitybutcher.com

New Seasonal Menu at Glasspar

Now Available. Dana Point’s modern American seafood hall welcomes diners to get a taste of the new seasonal menu, highlighting locally caught seafood and prime cuts of humanely raised meats. Dishes include seared ahi tuna, a seared Nordic salmon and day boat scallops with parsnip puree, plus s a 48-hour grilled short rib and a 20-ounce prime ribeye with bone marrow gratin. In addition to its new menu, Glasspar also reintroduces its popular Industry Night (every Monday) where fellow hospitality professionals receive 30% off food, $10 specialty cocktails, and 50% off beer, wine and champagne by the glass. 24961 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.240.6243. glasspar.com

Tap Dancing Diaspora

Nov. 19. Musco Center for the Arts invites tap dancing fans to its next virtual program in the Ever the Dancer series! Guests during this real-time conversation include professional dancers, choreographers and educators—Brandee Lara, Ron Dennis and Chloé Arnold (pictured). They’ll discuss their personal lives, careers, and transitions as part of the tap dance community, plus the state of the movement arts from these insiders informed by their extensive performance careers and creative pursuits. 7 p.m. muscocenter.org

Broadway Chance Style

Nov. 20. Join Chance Theater for an intimate virtual event where Broadway and Chance artists will share behind-the-scenes stories, answer all your questions, and provide you with exclusive live performances. The 90-minute show features Chance Theater resident artist and musical director Robyn Manion (pictured), who has rocked out with her band in Lizzie, The Musical and conducted Ragtime, and four other special guests. 6 p.m. $45 single viewer, $60 per household, $25 members/member households. chancetheater.com

Herb Garden Kids Class

Nov. 21. Give your kids a break from virtual learning and introduce them to the exciting world of herbs at Sherman Library & Gardens! Discover the flavors and smells of popular herbs and learn easy ways to use them at home. You’ll also create a mini herb container to add to your own garden at home. Class size is limited to ensure social distancing; masks required. 9-11 a.m. $30 non-member, $25 members. 2647 E. Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar, 949.673.2261. thesherman.org