Events
Lighting of the Bay at Newport Dunes
Begins Nov. 26. Light up your evenings at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort’s annual Lighting of the Bay, beginning at dusk on Friday and continuing through New Year’s Day. Bring blankets to bundle up or keep warm around a beach bonfire (public fire pits available on a first-come basis) while roasting marshmallows for s’mores—available for purchase from Newport Dunes’ onsite market. On Friday and Saturday nights, enjoy cocktails and food from Moe B’s Munchies beachfront grill for family picnics. Note: Masks required when physical distancing is not possible (see website for more info). 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, 949.729.3863. newportdunes.com
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American Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker
Upcoming | Dec. 10-19. Southern California’s favorite holiday tradition returns with American Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker. This magical treat for the whole family features an impressive cast of over 100 performers, incredible sets and costumes, and Pacific Symphony performing Tchaikovsky’s timeless score! See website for showtimes and casting details. 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
Sawdust Festival’s Winter Fantasy
Through Dec. 19. Grab your tickets for the 31st annual Winter Fantasy experience—on weekends only—at the Sawdust Festival. Stroll through this magical outdoor art village, which features 150 artists and artisans, three stages of live music and entertainment, holiday-themed festival classes and ceramics, art demonstrations, daily visits with Santa, carolers, a petting zoo, puppeteers, falling snow, holiday photo-ops and more. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. $10 adults, $7 seniors age 65+, $5 children ages 6-12, free for ages 5 and under. 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.494.3030. sawdustartfestival.org
Thanksgiving
Dine at Selanne Steak Tavern
Nov. 25. The award-winning Laguna Beach steakhouse continues its holiday tradition with a Thanksgiving menu is composed of three courses with sides served family-style. For the first course, choose a starter such as kabocha squash soup (pictured), baby kale and apple salad, beet “ravioli” or Caesar salad. Entree choices include slow-roasted Mary’s Farm Heritage turkey, American prime ribeye roast and Kurobuta leg of ham. The sweet ending of this memorable meal is either a warm apple streusel bar or creamy pumpkin tart. Noon-8 p.m. $135 adults, $40 children ages 4-12. 1464 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.715.9881. selannesteaktavern.com
Old Brea Chop House’s Turkey Dinner for Two
Nov. 25. Eat, drink and be thankful at Old Brea Chop House! Make reservations to enjoy the steakhouse’s special dine-in turkey dinner for two that features traditional Thanksgiving dishes alongside steakhouse classics to please all palates. Offerings include creamed spinach with black winter truffle; sausage and wild mushroom stuffing; roasted red garnet yams; cream corn with lobster and scallion; Yukon mashed potatoes; blood orange and cranberry relish; and giblet gravy. Prefer steak over turkey? Enjoy a 32-ounce prime dry-aged Holstein ribeye for two (pictured) paired with duck fat Kennebec fries. See website for reservations. 180 S. Brea Blvd., Brea, 714.592.3122. oldbreachophouse.com
Food + Drink
Bearded Tang’s Canned Coffee Stout
Now Available. Orange County’s independently-owned craft brewery Bearded Tang Brewing has just released a limited run of its award-winning coffee stout, Vlad the Barista (9.5% ABV), in 4-pack cans. The beer is an Imperial Stout base with a large body made with coffee from the locally-renowned Portola Coffee Roasters. This is the first time the brewery has done a canned release of this coffee stout, which just recently received a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival from the Brewers Association. $22 for 4-pack and can be picked up at the brewery (also available on tap). M-Th 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; F-Sa 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Su 10 a.m.-10 p.m. 12885 Beach Blvd., Suite 23, Stanton. More Info
New Seasonal Menu Items at Farmhouse
Now Available. Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens presents new seasonal menu items courtesy of owner and executive chef Rich Mead. Indulge in entrees such as grilled dijon-soy-rubbed pork tenderloin; pomegranate-glazed salmon salad; panko, dijon, herb-crusted Icelandic cod (pictured); and more. Veggie sides to accompany include roast spaghetti squash & three-cheese gratin; and blistered Brussels sprouts & Cipollini onions. Pair your meal with The Booster, the third iteration of the restaurant’s popular pandemic-inspired cocktails. Open daily 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona del Mar, 949.640.1415. farmhouse.rogersgardens.com
Arts + Culture
Premier Ballet School’s Holiday Show: Schelkunchik
Nov. 27-28. Mark your calendar for this special two-day, family-friendly performance at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. In celebration of the holidays, student dancers training at the Premier Ballet School of Orange County, under artistic director Nazgul Ryskulova Shinn, will be performing Schelkunchik, aka The Nutcracker ballet. (Pictured is Eva Shinn as Big Masha/Sugar Plum for Saturday’s show). 6 p.m. $25-$35. 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, 949.854.4646. thebarclay.org
“Where Did All the Animals Go?” Virtual Workshop
Nov. 28. Watch artist and founder of Drawing for the Planet Jane Lee McCracken lead a virtual drawing workshop for all ages, virtually hosted by the Laguna Art Museum. During the workshop, participants will learn how to draw animals we share this beautiful planet with. Supplies needed at home include ballpoint pens, paper, scrap paper and a printed image (participants will receive an email of reference images ahead of the program). A Zoom link will be emailed to all ticket holders 24 hours prior to the program. 11 a.m. $10 non-members, $5 members. lagunaartmuseum.org
Photo credits: Selanne Steak Tavern courtesy Marguarite Clark Public Relations. Bearded Tang courtesy FWD PR. All other images are courtesy of the businesses and venues.
