Orange County

Weekend roundup

Orange County Weekend Events Roundup December 13-16

Find your seasonal food inspiration at The Butchery Holiday Tasting this Saturday.

From winter wonderlands to holiday performances, check out the top Orange County weekend events for Dec. 13-16.

Edited by Laura Okey.

EVENTS

Snoopy House Holiday Display
Opens Dec. 14. See all of your favorite Peanuts characters while enjoying live music, free train rides for kids and photos with Santa at this 50-year-old Costa Mesa tradition. 5:30-9 p.m. Costa Mesa City Hall, 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.754.5000. costamesaca.gov

 

 

 

Christmas-at-the-OC-ZooChristmas at the OC Zoo
Dec. 15. The animals of the OC Zoo get into the holiday spirit as they open treat-filled gift boxes hidden inside Christmas trees. Enjoy visits with Santa Claus and story time with Mrs. Claus as well as family-friendly crafts, games and a festive photo station. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $2 GA; free ages 2 and under; $5 parking. OC Zoo, Irvine Regional Park, 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, 714.973.6847. ocparks.com

 

 

Build-A-RobotBuild a Robot and Race
Dec. 15. Budding scientists can build a robot out of a Coke can and learn how to make it moonwalk and dance, followed by a fun robot race. 10 a.m.-noon. $20. Future Kids OC Science Lab, 27020 Alicia Parkway, Unit A, Laguna Niguel, 917.502.9825. futurekidsoc.org

 

 

 

Winter Wonderland at Union Market
Dec. 15. Find the magic of the season with “snowfall,” photos with Santa and the Snow Queen, complimentary bites and tastes from local eateries, kids’ holiday crafts and activities and live entertainment. 6-8 p.m. Free. Union Market at The District, 2493 Park Ave., Tustin, 949.375.0749. unionmarkettustin.com

 

 

 

Sawdust-Art-Festival-photo-provided-by-DB&M-MediaSawdust Festival’s Winter Fantasy
Dec. 15–16. The Sawdust Art Festival grounds are transformed into a winter wonderland for its last weekend this holiday season. Experience distinctive artworks by 175 artists, live holiday entertainment, outdoor cafés, art classes and demonstrations. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. $4-$8. 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.494.3030. sawdustartfestival.org

 

 

Family-Gingerbread-DecoratingGingerbread House and Holiday Cookie Decorating
Dec. 16. Gather with family and friends to decorate a festive, large-scale gingerbread house. Learn tips and tricks from Chef Haage and the resort’s pastry team for creating your own gingerbread masterpiece of the season. 2-4 p.m. $175. The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, 1 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Dana Point, 949.240.2000. ritzcarlton.com

 

 

Knott's-Merry-FarmKnott’s Merry Farm
Ongoing. Joy is in season at Knott’s Merry Farm. Take in the sights, sounds and scents of the holidays along with thrilling attractions, live entertainment, a Christmas Crafts Village and holiday decorations. See website for hours and ticket prices. 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, 714.220.5200. knotts.com

 

 

 

FOOD + DRINK

The ButcheryThe Butchery Holiday Tasting 
Dec. 15. Chefs Pascal Olhats and Linda Johnsen demonstrate how to make a selection of grilled holiday appetizers and entrees using ingredients from the Butchery. You can also sample sweet holiday treats from My Delight Cupcakery and KFI 640’s Neil Saavedra will be on hand. 1-5 p.m. The Butchery at Crystal Cove, 8058 E. Coast Hwy., Newport Coast, 949.715.3383. butcherymeats.com

 

 

MontageChampagne Holiday Brunch
Dec. 15. Enjoy brunch and Veuve Clicquot Champagne on the Montage lawn while taking in gorgeous views of the Pacific. Live musical entertainment sets the mood. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $150+. Montage Laguna Beach, 30801 Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.715.6420. montagehotels.com

 

 

 

ARTS + CULTURE

Christmas with Jackie Evancho
Dec. 14–15. Celebrate the season with traditional seasonal favorites performed by teen vocal star Jackie Evancho and the Pacific Symphony at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Evancho will also perform new hits from her holiday album Someday at Christmas. 8 p.m. $46+. Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org

 

 

“It’s a Wonderful Life” 
Dec. 14–17. The holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life returns to the Lido Theatre for a limited run. Santa Claus makes a cameo on Saturday. 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Santa Claus appearance, Sa 6 p.m. See website for ticket prices. 3459 Via Lido Way, Newport Beach, 949.673.8350. regencymovies.com

 

 

 

A Southern California Christmas
Dec. 16. The second annual event features more than 150 musicians, singers and dancers from across Southern California who deliver a holiday spectacular packed with Christmas carols. 4-6 p.m. See website for ticket prices. Musco Center for the Arts, 1 University Dr., Orange, 844.626.8726. chapman.edu

 

 

 

Selections from the Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters
Ongoing.
 This new exhibit features pieces from the Festival of Arts Permanent Art Collection as well as historic ads, costumes and behind-the-scenes photographs from the Pageant of the Masters archives. M-F 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed every other Friday, see website for dates). Laguna Beach City Hall, 505 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach, 949.497.3311. foapom.com

 

 

The Snoopy House Holiday Display photo courtesy Costa Mesa City Hall/Facebook. Christmas at the OC Zoo photo courtesy The ACE Agency. Build-A-Robot photo courtesy Future Kids OC. Knott’s Merry Farm photo courtesy Knott’s Berry Farm. Sawdust Festival photo courtesy Sawdust Art Festival. The Butchery photo by Cindy Yamanaka. Montage photo courtesy Montage Laguna Beach. Jackie Evancho photo courtesy Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Lido Theater photo courtesy Jane Gillespie. A Southern California Christmas photo courtesy Chapman University. Festival of Arts photo courtesy Victori Solutions. 

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