From Thanksgiving feasts and Turkey Trots to Moonlight Madness and more, check out the top Orange County weekend events for November 22-25.
Edited by Laura Okey.
EVENTS
Moonlight Madness at Outlets at San Clemente
Nov. 22. Cap off your Thanksgiving night with the annual Moonlight Madness event at Outlets at San Clemente. Let loose as you witness Center Court transform into a holiday dance floor, complete with a live DJ spinning tunes. Set amidst 80,000 twinkling lights that adorn an 80-foot tall festive tree, enjoy exclusive giveaways, sweet treats, entertainment and more as you roam the picturesque, outdoor shopping mall. Special holiday discounts will be offered all weekend long. 7 p.m.-midnight. Free. 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente, 949.535.2323. outletsatsanclemente.com
Dana Point Turkey Trot
Nov. 22. Before you gobble up your Thanksgiving dinner, kick-start your morning with the 41st annual Turkey Trot. Registered participants can walk, jog or run a 5K or 10K through picturesque Dana Point Harbor and Doheny State Beach. Kids ages 5-12 can also join the fun during the Kids’ Gobble Wobble race. Enjoy special Thanksgiving menu items and prices at select restaurants in the harbor. See website for details. 6-11 a.m. $42+ for 5K race, $47 for 10K race, $22+ Kids’ Gobble Wobble. Golden Lantern and Dana Point Harbor Dr., Dana Point, 949.496.1555. turkeytrot.com
“Queen Mary Christmas: Where Holidays Set Sail”
Starts Nov. 23. Seize the holiday spirit aboard Queen Mary as it transforms into an epic adventure-filled wonderland. All season long, enjoy live entertainment, festive-libations, vintage-dressed carolers, sweet treats, light shows, ice-skating, eclectic shopping and more. Don’t miss a special meet-and-greet with Santa in the Shipyard. See website for schedule and ticket prices. Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 800.437.2934. queenmary.com
Lighting of the Bay
Nov. 23. Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort kicks off the holiday season with its 28th annual celebration. Families will enjoy live chorale performances, an outdoor screening of Elf, cookie decorating, holiday crafts and train rides. Santa will arrive on center stage by stand-up paddleboard and flip the magic switch to illuminate the bay with more than 50 electric Christmas trees and holiday decorations. 3-8 p.m. Free. Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, 1131 Back Bay Dr., Newport Beach, 800.765.7661. newportdunes.com
“Cool Yule” Tree Lighting Celebration
Nov. 23. Get into the Christmas spirit with a giant, 30-foot Christmas tree lighting up the night sky, set amidst the views of the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy special festivities and holiday goodies, like singing Santa, carolers, hot cocoa, cookies, craft artisans and more. Special guest and three-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Kerri Walsh Jennings, will welcome guests as the Master of Ceremonies. RSVP requested. 3-5 p.m. Free. Pasea Hotel & Spa, 21080 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, 844.814.2483. meritagecollection.com
Burn The Bird
Nov. 23. Burn your Thanksgiving calories at Life Time Athletic Laguna Niguel for a specialty 90-minute workout designed specifically with the post-holiday feast guilt in mind. The “Burn The Bird” workout will begin with EDG Sculpt, cardio and resistance training, followed by Barbell Strength for weight training and Gluteus MAXout for strength-building targeting legs and glutes. 9:30-11 a.m. Free; advance registration required. 25600 Rancho Niguel Rd., Laguna Niguel, 949.238.2719. lifetimefitness.com
8th Annual Coats for Kids
Nov. 23. Get into the spirit of giving by donating clothes at the annual Coats for Kids this holiday season. Grub on some complimentary hot dogs and refreshments while enjoying live acoustic music, a photo opportunity with Santa, Christmas crafts for kids and more. Noon-4 p.m. Free. Five Points Plaza, 18597 Main St., 858.255.4914. 5pointsplaza.com
FOOD + DRINK
Thanksgiving at Vue Restaurant
Nov. 22. Holiday specials include prime rib of beef, pan-seared local bass and the slow-roasted turkey dinner. Vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options are available. See website for full menu. Reservations required. 1-8 p.m. Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa, 25135 Park Lantern, Dana Point, 949.487.7516. lagunacliffs.com
Thanksgiving at Five Crowns
Nov. 22. Celebrate Thanksgiving like royalty at this charming replica of one of England’s oldest country inns. The festive menu boasts the classic oven-roasted free-range turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, buttered green beans and cranberry compote; or prime rib of beef served with au jus, Yorkshire pudding, organic whipped cream horseradish and choice of side. Guests can also choose the “Best of Both” for a portion of prime rib and a side of turkey with all the seasonal accompaniments. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. 3801 E. Coast Hwy., Corona Del Mar, 949.760.0331. lawrysonline.com
Splashes’ Three-Course Thanksgiving Dinner
Nov. 22. Just steps from the water, Splashes will offer a three-course Thanksgiving menu with optional wine pairings for family and friends. Menu highlights include Dungeness crab roulade, caramelized kabocha squash salad, roast Diestel Farms turkey and pumpkin tart. Lunch: noon-4 p.m., $85. Dinner: 4-8 p.m., $110. Surf & Sand Resort, 1555 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 888.281.3502. surfandsandresort.com
Thanksgiving Feast at The Backyard
Nov. 22. Savor a cornucopia of food selections including brunch favorites, bottomless mimosas with an array of toppings and garnishes, plus a dessert station to top it all off. There will also be live music, kids’ craft station featuring face painting and balloon art, photo booth, giant lawn games and more. Seatings: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. $75 adults, $35 children 5-12. Hotel Irvine, 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine, 949.225.6780. hotelirvine.com
Thanksgiving Bountiful Brunch
Nov. 22. Dine on a Thanksgiving brunch that includes free-range turkey, carved-to-order prime rib and more. There will be a seafood station, biscuit bar, Thanksgiving desserts including assorted individual pies, and Champagne to wash it all down. Live music and children’s crafts make this a day for the whole family. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $80 adults, $20 ages 5-12, free for ages 4 and under. Fashion Island Hotel, 690 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, 949.760.4913. fashionislandhotel.com
Back Bay Bistro’s Gourmet Thanksgiving Buffet
Nov. 22. Dine on a festive gourmet buffet featuring slow roasted turkey, holiday sides and more. Reservations recommended. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. $52 adults, $25 children 10 and under. 1131 Back Bay Dr., Newport Beach, 949.729.1144. newportdunes.com
Holiday Fireside Sessions at Oak Grill
Starts Nov. 23. Warm up with friends and loved ones during the holidays at Oak Grill. Live acoustic holiday music will be performed by popular local guitarists every Friday and Saturday night through Dec. 29. While staying cozy, sip on featured seasonal cocktails and snack on complimentary homemade holiday popcorn. 6-9 p.m. Fashion Island Hotel, 690 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, 949.760.4920. oakgrillnb.com
ARTS + CULTURE
“Waitress”
Through Nov. 25. Inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s beloved film, Waitress tells the story of expert pie maker and waitress Jenna as she dreams of a way out of her small town and loveless marriage. This new hit features original music and lyrics by six-time Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles and direction by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus. See website for show times and ticket prices. Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
Moonlight Madness photo courtesy of Outlets at San Clemente. “Queen Mary Christmas” photo courtesy of The ACE Agency. Cool Yule Tree Lighting Celebration photo courtesy of Pasea Hotel & Spa. Coats for Kids photo courtesy Five Points Plaza. Five Crowns photo courtesy of The ACE Agency. Splashes photo courtesy of Splashes Laguna Beach. Thanksgiving Feast in the Backyard photo courtesy Hotel Irvine. Fashion Island Thanksgiving photo and Oak Grill photo courtesy Marguarite Clark PR. Back Bay Bistro photo by Patty Mitchell. “Waitress” photo by Joan Marcus.
[et_bloom_inline optin_id=optin_12]
