Find the best Orange County things to do for the weekend of April 13-16
Edited by Laura Okey
EVENTS
Beachfront Cinema
April 15. Spring is upon us and beachfront movie nights are back! This weekend, see Finding Dory on one of the largest inflatable outdoor movie screens in California. Featuring theater-quality projection and sound, you will get the ultimate viewing experience on the sand. Arrive early for pre-movie festivities (live entertainment, games and contests) set before the gorgeous Huntington Beach sunset. Snacks and refreshments are available for purchase from food booths and the beach bar. Pre-movie activities begin at 5 p.m. Showtime approximately 8 p.m. (dusk). $15/pp. VIP package $49 (includes jumbo 2-person bean bag). Huntington State Beach, Newland and Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach. beachfrontcinema.com
Springtime Celebration at Lido Marina Village
April 15. Celebrate spring at Lido Marina Village with a fun-filled afternoon of activities. Take photos with the kids and spring-inspired props at the fountain, make your own bunny tail bag at a craft station, enjoy live music and savor tasty bites and sips (available for purchase) from Juice Served Here, Paloma’s Paletas and more. At 2 p.m., follow a special bunny treats map to find participating merchants offering surprises in store. 1-3 p.m. Free. 3434 Via Lido, Newport Beach. lidomarinavillage.com
Anaheim Farmers Market Spring Celebration
April 13. Join the Anaheim Farmers Market and Craft Fair as they celebrate spring. Bring the kids for complimentary spring-themed craft activities and photos with the Easter Bunny. The first 150 children will receive a mini Easter basket filled with treats. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Easter Bunny 2-4 p.m. Free. Lemon Street and Center Street Promenade, Downtown Anaheim, 714.956.3586. downtownanaheim.com
Easter Brunch by the Beach
April 16. Celebrate Easter Sunday with a decadent brunch prepared by Paséa Hotel & Spa’s executive chef Kevin Meyer. Sip bottomless mimosas (a build-your-own mimosa bar will feature a variety of organic juices) while enjoying ocean views and live entertainment. There will be lawn games for children, including an Easter egg hunt and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Brunch 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Egg hunts 11 a.m., 1 p.m. Adults $85, children $30. 21080 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, meritagecollection.com/paseahotel
Easter Sunday Champagne Brunch
April 16. Hop on board the Queen Mary for its legendary Easter Sunday champagne brunch. Beyond a fabulous (and flowing) brunch, expect a bunny and friends petting zoo, Easter egg hunt, face painting station, balloon twisting artists and more. The Easter Bunny himself will stop by for a special family photo (additional cost). Activities 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Call for reservations for brunch. Adults $69.95; children ages 4-11 $24.95. Parking $8-$15. Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 562.499.1606. queenmary.com
Easter at Monarch Beach Resort
April 16. Enjoy the coastal breeze while you hunt for Easter eggs on the Grand Lawn at Monarch Beach Resort. But first, indulge on a classic Easter brunch at AVEO Table + Bar. Alongside an array of delectable brunch favorites, opt for a bottomless premium beverage service featuring mimosas, Perrier Jouet Champagne and a Bloody Mary bar. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Adults $78; children ages 6-12 $39. Monarch Beach Resort, One Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, 949.234.3900. http://www.monarchbeachresort.com/
Find more Orange County Easter events here >>>
Sandcastles on Main
April 15. Watch the beach take over the street as five tons of sand are dumped on the second block of Main Street in downtown Huntington Beach. The HB Downtown Business Improvement District and Marc Africano of Dig It! Sand Castles will set up 20 stations for the ultimate sandcastle building event. Teams begin sculpting at noon, with judging beginning at 2:30 p.m. Winners are announced by 3:30 p.m. Noon-4 p.m. Free. 2nd Block of Main St., Huntington Beach, 714.536.8300. surfcityusa.com
Kowabunga Van Clan of Huntington Beach Car Show
April 15. Make your way to the Huntington Beach Pier Plaza for a showcase of some of the finest Classic Volkswagen Vans in the area. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Huntington Beach Pier Plaza, Huntington Beach, 714.745.7165. surfcityusa.com
The Big Cheese Grilled Cheese Festival
April 12. Provisions Market and OC Baking Company are joining forces to honor National Grilled Cheese Month with a grilled cheese festival and competition. Sample a variety of grilled cheese sandwiches and vote for your favorite. Local chefs competing include Amar Santana (Vaca, Broadway by Amar Santana), Niki Starr (Mesa) and Max Schultz (Sessions West Coast Deli). Taste them all and vote for the best! 6-8 p.m. $60. Provisions Market, 143 N. Glassell Street, Orange. universe.com/events
Brush + Chalk Lettering Workshop
April 15. Learn basic brush calligraphy techniques as well as chalk art lettering from Kate Coogan of P+H Chalk. Beyond a new and refined skillset, you will go home with a sample alphabet, brush calligraphy practice sheets, a chalkboard, a Tombow Fudenosuke brush pen and a Chalk Ink marker. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $100. 305 E. 4th St., Santa Ana. mlovewell.com
FOOD + DRINK
Nobu
Experience sushi as you never have before at the acclaimed Japanese restaurant Nobu. Founded by Nobu Matsuhisa and Robert De Niro, the waterfront Newport Beach location at Lido Marina Village is now open. Signature items include miso black cod and yellowtail jalapeno, world-renowned sushi and a rotating menu of craft cocktails. The two-story space includes an impressive special event space, elegant bar and lounge and outdoor covered patio seating. 3450 Via Oporto, Suite 101, Newport Beach, 949.429.4440. noburestaurants.com
Habana Launches Brunch
Indulge on a Cuban-inspired brunch menu at Habana. Choose from unique items like plantain pancakes and breakfast empanadas. The brunch menu boasts of unique spices and sauces on every plate to complement traditional Cuban proteins such as roasted pork and more. See full menu online. Su 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Habana, 2930 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714.556.0176. habanacostamesa.com
Red O Easter Brunch
April 16. Make this Easter brunch a fiesta at Red O with a buffet of made-to-order omelettes, chilaquiles, carving station, paella, ceviche, lobster mac and cheese, a dessert bar and more. Enjoy endless mimosas, tequila sunrises, sangria and Bloody Marys for an additional $20 per person. 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Adults $49; children ages 7-12 $15. Red O, Fashion Island, 143 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.718.0300. redorestaurant.com
Easter at Old Vine Café
April 16. Indulge on brunch specials at Old Vine Cafe this Easter. Exclusively available on Easter, menu items include rabbit mole (braised rabbit, two eggs, pasilla and cashew mole and fresh-baked corn bread) and caramel apple French toast (freshly baked and garnished with a caramel and chocolate swirl). 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 2937 Bristol St., Suite A-102, Costa Mesa, 714.545.1411. oldvinecafe.com
ARTS + CULTURE
Vanessa Carlton
April 15. See singer-songwriter Vanessa Carlton perform songs from her new live mini-album, Earlier Things Live. The track list includes songs that predate her last studio album Liberman, but that comprised the live set during her Liberman world tour in 2015 and 2016. 8 p.m. $20. Photo by Jesse DeFlorio. 33157 Camino Capistrano, 949.496.8930. thecoachhouse.com
Tech N9ne
April 16. Tech N9ne—American rapper whose music has been featured in film, television and video games—will rock the stage at House of Blues Anaheim with his signature chopper-style rapping. Other artists at this event include Brotha Lynch Hung, Krizz Kaliko, Stevie Stone, Ces Cru and Mackenzie Nicole. 7 p.m. $35. 400 West Disney Way, Suite 337, Anaheim, 714.778.2583. houseofblues.com
