From the VANS U.S. Open of Surfing to a concert featuring multiplatinum-selling artists Mariah Carey and Lionel Richie, check out the top Orange County weekend events for July 27-30.

Edited by Laura Okey

EVENTS

VANS U.S. Open of Surfing
July 29-Aug. 6. Bring your sunscreen and spend the week in Huntington Beach for the world’s largest pro surfing competition. In addition to seeing some of the world’s most respected surf, skate and BMX professionals, events include a beach-lifestyle festival, autograph signings and community movie nights. Main street and Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach. vansusopenofsurfing.com

 

 

 

Midsummer Scream
July 29-30. Press pause on your countdown to Halloween as The Queen Mary—known for SoCal’s most terrifying and authentic haunt, Dark Harbor—unveils Midsummer Scream. First, join the producers and directors of Dark Harbor for a featured presentation and discussion of all the new and exciting tricks being “brewed” up for 2017. Be one of the first to learn all the spine-chilling details of the authentically haunted attraction and the newest gruesome resident who will haunt the halls of Dark Harbor nightly. Following Saturday’s presentation, come mingle with Dark Harbor’s cast of ominous spirits at Sinister Circus, a new haunted summer costume ball aboard the Queen Mary. See website for schedule and pricing. Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. creepylaproductions.ticketspice.com

 

 

OC Meets Napa and Mexico
July 29. Celebrate Latino influence in Orange County with a festival of food, wine, live entertainment, activities and more. Latino chefs and Latino vintners from Napa and Baja will come together and offer up some of their best bites and sips. Over 60 top Orange County restaurants will participate. VIP reception 6-7 p.m., GA 7-10 p.m. $100-$125. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, 323.622.2405. altamed.com

 

 

 

UFC 214
July 29. Before UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier and former titleholder Jon Jones resume their rivalry in the main event of UFC 214, a host of contenders, veterans and rising stars will take to the Octagon. See the full list of fighters online. 3:15 p.m. Tickets start at $179. Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.704.2500. Hondacenter.com

 

 

 

All Australian Beach Body (AABB)
July 29. Work out with 2011 U.S. Open of Surfing champion Sally Fitzgibbons, founder of All Australian Beach Body. In a fun-filled fitness day, you’ll receive a one-month subscription to the AABB app, a goodie bag filled with healthy and organic treats, an AABB yoga mat and water bottle, a chance to meet Fitzgibbons after the event, and more! See website for schedule of events. GA $20; VIP (includes giveaways and meet-and-greet) $100. In front of Shorebreak Hotel, 5th and Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach. allaustralianbeachbody.com

 

 

Rumble on the Water 2
July 29. The Queen Mary brings back its all-new fight night series this weekend, Rumble on the Water. The one-of-a-kind mixed martial arts event features professional boxers, stellar fights and talented up-and-coming fighters for a completely new, action packed event. Attendees will have the opportunity to watch the fights up close and enjoy great food, drinks and a VIP cigar lounge. Doors open 6 p.m. Main event 7 p.m. Tickets start at $60. Parking $20. The Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 800.437.2934. queenmary.com

 

 

Orange County Fair
Through Aug. 13. Indulge in a little bit of deep-fried everything at the Orange County Fair. Bring the whole family and enjoy action sports (rodeo, BMX, pig racing), tribute bands in the Hangar, carnival with rides, La Grande Wheel, livestock competitions, agricultural displays, petting zoo, wine tasting and of course—fried food galore. Concerts at the Pacific Amphitheatre include artists such as The Band Perry, Rebelution and more. Don’t miss our complete guide to the OC Fair which encompasses everything you need to know. M-Tu closed, W-F noon-midnight, Sa.-Su. 11 a.m.-midnight. Adults $7-$12; children under 5 free; $10 (cash only) for parking. 88 fair drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.1500. ocfair.com

 

 

SeaLegs at the Beach: Summer of Music
July 28-30. Revel in a weekend of live music at SeaLegs at the Beach—the one-acre beach club will feature artists Uncle Kracker (Saturday), Great White and Slaughter (Sunday) and Jack FM presents Richard Blades 80s Bash to kick off the weekend on Friday. The live music will continue through the summer with pop-up concerts and a wide range of entertainers. Indulge on an array of scratch-made menu items including poke nachos and chopped summer salad, along with an assortment of wines and brews. Tickets range from $10-$40 depending on the artist. SeaLegs at the Beach, Bolsa Chica State Beach, Huntington Beach. sealegslive.com

 

 

SweepsCon 2017
July 28-30. Have a passion for sweepstakes? Take your hobby to the next level at SweepsCon, where vying for prizes is the name of the game. Enjoy contests, coupons, giveaways, tips from the experts on how to be a better “sweeper” and more. See website for registration details and schedule. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Anaheim, 100 The City Drive, Anaheim, 714.634.4500. sweepscon.com

 

 

Farmhouse Cooking Seminar: Barbecue Sides
July 30. Join executive chef/owner Rich Mead for a monthly seminar where he shares his greatest cooking techniques. Be inspired by the fresh, seasonal ingredient combinations he uses to create the field-to-fork dishes of Farmhouse. This Sunday’s focus is barbecue sides. 10-11 a.m. Free. Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens, 2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd., Corona del Mar, 949.640.5800. farmhouserg.com

 

 

 

Hyatt Regency Newport Beach Summer Concert Series
July 28. The annual Hyatt Regency Newport Beach summer concert series is back for four months of world-class music. This weekend, see one of the world’s top violinists, Damien Escobar, with Mike Phillips. Indulge in an elegant buffet dinner at SHOR American Seafood Grill, Hyatt Regency’s signature restaurant, for $58 before the concert or at local restaurant Bayside. New this year, Bayside will offer a complimentary shuttle to concert goers. Tickets are available for individual shows or season passes. Doors 6 p.m.; showtime 7:30 p.m. $55-$95. Parking is $20 if purchased in advance and $25 if purchased on site; valet parking is $30 if purchased in advance and $35 if purchased on site. Back Bay Ampitheatre inside Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, 1107 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach, 949.360.7800. hyattconcerts.com

 

 

OC Parks Presents Annual 2017 Concert Series
July 27. Catch this week’s performance of the summer concert series featuring indie singer-songwriter Matt Costa and David Rosales. Enjoy food trucks, a beer and wine garden and local live music in celebration of the summer season. Bring your own blankets and beach chairs for seating. 6-8 p.m. Free. Irvine Regional Park, 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, 714.973.6835. ocparks.com

 

 

 

FOOD + DRINK

Ruby’s Stack Attack Challenge + Burger Day
July 26. It’s Burger Day at Ruby’s Diner and they’re celebrating in a big way—The Stack Attack Challenge (ongoing). The Ruby’s Stack Attack Challenge invites burger lovers to devour a 3.5 pound burger towering with six all-beef eight-ounce patties and loaded with Ruby’s Diner signature toppings (RubySauce, onion rings, bacon, tater tots, jalapenos and more). Available beginning July 26, challengers will have 35 minutes to finish the burger, french fries and a handmade shake. The prize for successful challengers is a $35 gift certificate, an exclusive t-shirt and social media recognition. Additionally, all Ruby’s Diner locations will offer a new 35th Anniversary Burger—a 1/4 pound version of the classic RubyBurger—with french fries for just $2.99 (July 26 only). $1 of each sale will benefit The Ruby Dooby Foundation. Pre-registration required for Stack Attack challenge. See website for participating locations. 1 Balboa Pier, Balboa, 949.675.7829. rubys.com

 

 

Five Crowns Presents The Balvenie Distillery Dinner
July 27. Enjoy a special five-course dinner showcasing The Balvenie Distillery’s award-winning single malt whiskies. A master ambassador of The Balvenie Distillery will host the evening and guide you through his favorite pours. Menu highlights include scallop crudo with flowering coriander, pickled chilies and green garlic vinaigrette paired with The Balvenie Carribean Cask 14 (aged 14 years); lamb sirloin with roasted baby squash, madras curry and crispy root vegetables paired with The Balvenie Doublewood 17 (aged 17 years), and more. 7-10 p.m. $150/pp, tax and gratuity included. Five Crowns, 3801 E. Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar, 949.760.0331. eventbrite.com

 

 

Midsummer Backyard Barbecue at Chapter One
July 27. Indulge in a midsummer barbecue complete with beer pairings from Latitude 33 Brewing. Chef Jason Montelibano from Chapter One is preparing a delectable five-course feast. Menu highlights include bacon-wrapped asparagus, Jamaican jerk chicken, meatballs and cheese and more. Call for details. Reservations encouraged. 7:30 p.m. $55. Chapter One, 227 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, 714.352.2225. chapteronetml.com

 

 

ARTS + CULTURE

Lionel Richie and Mariah Carey
July 30. Multiplatinum-selling artists and multiple Grammy Award winners Lionel Richie and Mariah Carey are touring together for the first time. Some of Richie’s mega hits include “Endless Love,” “All Night Long,” and “We Are the World.” Carey, the best-selling female artist of all time with 220 million records sold, has written all but one of her 18 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles. Among them are “Fantasy,” “Always Be My Baby,” “Hero,” and “We Belong Together.” 7 p.m. Tickets start at $39. Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.778.2583. hondacenter.com

 

 

Giselle
July 28-30. Teatre alla Scala Ballet Company is coming to Segerstrom Center for the Arts with an exclusive performance of the ballet classic Giselle. One of the finest examples of romantic ballet, Giselle is the tale of love, betrayal and redemption between the peasant girl Giselle and Prince Albrecht. See website for showtimes. Tickets start at $29. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org

 

 

 

Festival of Arts
Ongoing. See a breathtaking showcase for artists and art lovers. The Festival of Arts includes a wide variety of media such as paintings, photography, printmaking, sculpture, jewelry, handcrafted wood, ceramics, glass and more—all from 140 of South Orange County’s finest artists. Enjoy nightly live music, jazz concerts, guided art tours, demonstrations and art workshops. $5-$12/pp. 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.494.1145. foapom.com

 

 

Sawdust Art Festival
Ongoing. See works by 200 Laguna Beach artists—glass, painting, jewelry, ceramics, clothing and textiles, sculpture, scrimshaw, photography—plus demos, kids activities, outdoor cafes and live music in eucalyptus grove. Daily 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (closes 6 p.m. on July 4). $4-$9. Sawdust Art Festival, 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.494.3030. sawdustfestival.org

 

 

 

Pageant of the Masters
Ongoing. Arguably one of the most unique productions in the entire world, you will be amazed by 90 minutes of tableaux vivants (“living pictures”). In the incredibly faithful re-creations of classical and contemporary works of art, real people pose to look exactly like their counterparts in the original pieces. This summer’s production is themed The Grand Tour. A live narrator guides you through the story of each living picture accompanied by a full orchestra. 8:30 p.m. Tickets start at $20. 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.494.1145. pageanttickets.com

 

 

Laguna Art-A-Fair
Ongoing. Juried art festival displays works by 125 artists in all mediums, including painting, drawings, photography, digital art, mixed media, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, glass and wood. Live entertainment on weekends. Su–Th 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; F-Sa 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (closes 6 p.m. on July 4 and Aug 28). $6-$8. 777 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.494.4514. art-a-fair.com