From outdoor festivals to musical performances, check out the top Orange County weekend events for November 1-4.
Edited by Whitney Lauren Han.
EVENTS
Dark Harbor
Through Nov. 2. Named one of the top 10 most haunted places on Earth by TIME magazine, Southern California’s most terrifyingly authentic haunt has risen from the deep, dripping with history of the infamously haunted ship. Dark Harbor’s resident spirits include Ringmaster, Captain, Samuel the Savage, Graceful Gale, Half-Hatch Henry, Iron Master, Scary Mary, Voodoo Priestess and Chef. See website for times. $20+. The Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 562.499.1739. queenmary.com
Big Adventure Fest
Nov. 3-4. Get ready for this two-day music, comedy and gaming festival at the OC Fair & Event Center. Featured performers include Empire of the Sun, Modest Mouse, Cold War Kids, Patton Oswalt and Jim Jefferies. Leading and celebrated figures from comics, film and TV will be in attendance to engage with fans, showcase art, discuss their craft in exclusive panels, sign autographs and more. Noon-10 p.m. See website for ticket prices. 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa. bigadventurefest.com
Tropicália Fest
Nov. 3-4. Grab your tickets to this two-day music and taco festival that will take place at the Queen Mary Park. Headlining the fest will be British singer Morrissey and rapper Cardi B. Other confirmed acts include Kali Uchis, Mac Demarco, Chicano Batman, Mazzy Star and more. Doors 11 a.m., show at noon. See website for ticket prices. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 855.414.6141. tropicaliafest.com
Newport Dunes Triathlon
Nov. 4. Get your blood pumping at these inaugural Olympic and sprint distance races in Newport Dunes. Before the annual event, come the night before for the “Tri-cation” camping experience with RV or tent camping options just steps from the race course. Available on site are food trucks, s’mores and an outdoor family movie the evening prior to the event. 7 a.m. $50-$150 triathlon, $20 tri-cation. Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, 1131 Back Bay Dr., Newport Beach, 949.729.3863. newportdunes.californiatriathlon.org
FOOD + DRINK
The Blind Pig Kitchen + Bar New Fall Menu Items
Now Available. Executive Chef Karl Pfleider has added new items to the menu to celebrate the seasonal fall produce. New items include the goat cheese tortelli, pan seared Ling cod and the grilled octopus (pictured). Pair the new dishes with one of Bar Manager Ryan Autry’s craft cocktails, like the Third Time’s A Charm, made with Genever, campari, cacao, bitter vermouth, blood orange, lemon and brown ale. See website for hours. 31431 Santa Margarita Pkwy., Rancho Santa Margarita, 949.888.0072. theblindpigoc.com
Brunch at Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse
Now Available. Newly-opened Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse is now serving brunch featuring signature dishes include the egg white frittata, crab cake Benedict and the beef tenderloin. Davio’s brunch will also offer pastas, fish and steak entrees, a selection of pizzas and panini, and more. To complete the experience, guests can build their own bloody mary from the roving cart during brunch service. Su 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Irvine Towers, 18420 Von Karman Ave., Irvine, 949.477.4810. davios.com
Chateaubriand at Mastro’s
Now Available. Savor the “special holiday steak feature” at Mastro’s this holiday season. This steak is a large center-cut roast of the finest beef tenderloin that Mastro’s has to offer. Best served at medium rare to medium, the tender and juicy steak is sliced and served tableside by your server with bearnaise sauce and peppercorn sauce on the side. $115. Mastro’s Steakhouse, 633 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa, 714.546.7405; Mastro’s Ocean Club, 8112 E. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, 949.376.6990. mastrosrestaurants.com
Cinnaholic at The District
Opens Nov. 2. As seen on ABC’s hit show Shark Tank, the award-winning gourmet, vegan cinnamon roll company Cinnaholic is now in Tustin. Their rolls are freshly baked with over 30 different frosting flavors and a variety of different toppings to choose from. Make sure to snag a roll with all the fixins’ for just $1 at the grand opening (Nov. 2). Limit one roll per customer. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The District at Tustin Legacy, 2423 Park Ave., Tustin, 714.709.8655. cinnaholic.com
Far Niente Winery Dinner
Nov. 3. Experience Studio’s Chef Ben Martinek’s decadent five-course dinner featuring wine pairings from Far Niente Winery. The evening begins with hors d’oeuvres including Kona kampachi tartare and lobster fritters paired with Chardonnay. Main courses such as cured Baja striped bass, seared La Belle Farms duck breast, grilled dry aged strip steak and Thai long pepper-spiced venison loin. End the night with Rogue River Blue Cheese and charred blackberries served with Dolce, Napa Valley 2007. 6 p.m. $250. Montage Laguna Beach, 30801 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.715.6420. montagehotels.com
Aquavit Week
Nov. 4-10. Bottoms up for the 7th annual aquavit week in North America and Europe! Several restaurants and bars in SoCal will be offering a featured aquavit (Scandinavian clear spirit) cocktail for the occasion. At Blinking Owl Distillery, you can enjoy their aquavit several ways: neat, chilled or on the rocks, not to mention in a variety of Aquavit cocktails such as the Tiki, Do You Love Me? or try the Long Owland Iced Tea. Other participating bars and restaurants include A&O Kitchen, ARC, The Blind Rabbit, El Mercado, Playground and more. aquavitweek.com
Sip ‘n’ Shuck at The Deck on Laguna Beach
Nov. 4. Come hungry to the 6th annual Sip ‘n’ Shuck tasting and fundraising experience. Indulge in a variety of hand-shucked oysters, Champagne and sparkling wines, all while enjoying panoramic ocean views at the oceanfront restaurants. Beverages will be provided courtesy of Casamigos Tequila, Laguna Beach Beer Company, Nolet’s, Veuve Clicquot, Bianchi Winery, Tito’s Vodka and more. 21+. VIP entry 1 p.m., GA 2-6 p.m. $125 pre-sale, $150 VIP. Pacific Edge Hotel, 627 Sleepy Hollow Lane, Laguna Beach, 949.494.6700. sipnshuck.com
ARTS + CULTURE
Lea Michele and Darren Criss
Nov. 2. Actors and vocalists Lea Michele and Darren Criss come to Segerstrom Center as they continue their wildly successful LM/DC Tour on the West Coast. 7:30 p.m. $39+. Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
OCMAExpand-Santa Ana Open House
Nov. 3. Explore the Orange County Museum of Art’s new OCMAExpand-Santa Ana in a former retail space until the museum’s new home is completed at nearby Segerstrom Center for the Arts in 2021. Exhibiting artists Rodrigo Valenzuela, Mariángeles Soto-Díaz, Valentina Jager, Alan Nakagawa and Kathryn Garcia will engage with visitors through talks and performances. Th 11 a.m.-8 p.m., F-Su 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free admission and parking. South Coast Plaza Village, 1661 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana, 714.780.2130. ocmaexpand.org
Dia de Los Muertos Celebration
Nov. 4. Continuing their interactive Family Festival Series, Bowers Museum invites the community to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Join the celebration and enjoy pan dulce with Mexican hot chocolate, face painting, special art projects and performances by Rhythmo Mariachi Kids, Folklorico Raices de Mexico, Trio Tres Souls, and Xipe Totec Danza Azteca. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free admission with $15 purchase of Knights in Armor ticket. 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 714.480.1520. bowers.org
Quartetto di Cremona
Nov. 4. International chamber ensemble Quartetto di Cremona takes center stage in the Salmon Recital Hall at the Musco Center for the Arts. The quartet is an ambassador for the international “Friends of Stradivari” project and plays the Stradivarius “Paganini Quartet” with instruments on loan from the Nippon Music Foundation, which includes the same violin played by famed virtuoso violinist Henri Temianka. 4 p.m. See website for ticket prices. Chapman University, 415 N. Glassell, Orange, 844.626.8726. muscocenter.org
The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor and Newport Dunes Triathlon photos courtesy of The ACE Agency. Big Adventure Fest photo courtesy Big Adventure Fest. Tropicália Fest photo by Tyler Hagen. The Blind Pig Kitchen + Bar New Fall Menu Items and Brunch at Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse photos courtesy Ajenda PR. Chateaubriand at Mastro’s photo courtesy Murphy O’Brien Public Relations. Far Niente Winery Dinner photo courtesy Marguarite Clark Public Relations. Cinnaholic at The District and Aquavit Week photos courtesy FWD PR. Sip ‘n’ Shuck at The Deck on Laguna Beach photo courtesy Sip ‘n’ Shuck. Lea Michele and Darren Criss photo courtesy Segerstrom Center for the Arts. OCMAExpand-Santa Ana Open House photo by Bliss Photography. Dia de Los Muertos Celebration photo courtesy Bowers Museum. Quartetto di Cermona photo courtesy The ACE Agency.
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