From outdoor ice skating to Thanksgiving feasts, check out the top Orange County weekend events for November 23-26.
Edited by Whitney Lauren Han.
EVENTS
Moonlight Madness
Nov. 23. Post-feast, Outlets at San Clemente serves up an extra helping of doorbuster deals at the biggest sale of the year. Enjoy live entertainment and win prizes including a $250 Tommy Hilfiger gift card, four-pack of Anaheim Ducks tickets and a team-signed hockey stick, spa day getaway at Miraval Life in Balance Spa at Monarch Beach Resort, 12-pack of designer brand perfumes, store gift cards and more. 7 p.m.-midnight. 101 West Avenida Vista Hermosa, Suite 190, San Clemente, 949.535.2323. outletsatsanclemente.com
7th Annual Coats for Kids
Nov. 24. Get into the spirit of giving by donating clothes at the annual Coats for Kids this holiday season. The event will have burgers and hotdogs, acoustic music, photo opportunity with Santa, Christmas crafts for kids and more. Noon-4 p.m. Free. 5 Points Plaza Parking Lot, 18593 Main St., 858.255.4914. 5pointsplaza.com
The District Freeze Ice Rink
Nov. 24-Jan. 15. Glide through the holidays at Orange County’s largest outdoor ice skating rink is slated to open on Black Friday. M-Th 1-8:30 p.m., F 1-10:30 p.m., Sa 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Su 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. $19, $16 ages 1-3 and if you bring your own skates. The District at Tustin Legacy, 2437 Park Ave., Tustin, 949.554.5800. thedistricttl.com
Lighting of the Bay
Nov. 24. Kick off the holiday season with the annual Lighting of the Bay celebration. Enjoy live chorale performances, an outdoor screening of Arthur Christmas, 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. Parking $10. Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, 800.765.7661. newportdunes.com
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort Christmas Tree Lot
Nov. 24-Dec. 21. Sip complimentary coffee and hot chocolate while browsing hundreds of trees including Noble, Nordmann, Grand and Douglas varieties, as well as holiday wreaths and Cedar garlands. Santa will be visiting the tree lot on November 25 and 26. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Free. 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, 949.279.4507. newportdunes.com
Sanrio Village at Tanaka Farms
Nov. 24-Dec. 17. Sanrio and Tanaka Farms are bringing a new hiitop “Sanrio Village” this holiday season with wagon tours, photo opportunities, crafts, holiday activities and more. During the wagon tour, guides will lead guests through a seasonal exploration of the 30-acre farm and its rich history, including pit stops to see and taste the winter vegetables growing on the farm up close. Pre-registration is required, see website for tour schedule. $18/pp, free for kids 2 and under. Tanaka Farms, 5380 3/4 University Drive, Irvine. tanakafarms.com
The Wayfarer & MDA presents: The Antidote Tour
Nov. 25. Come for an electric evening at The Wayfarer to witness the Antidote Tour. Musical performances include Daedelus, Mono/Poly and Free the Robots. 21+. 9 p.m. $12-$15. The Wayfarer, 843 W. 19th Street, Costa Mesa, 949.764.0039. wayfarercm.com
‘The Polar Express’ Pajama Party
Nov. 25. Put your pajamas on and bring a blanket to be a part of this magical Christmas journey. Ticket includes admission to Muzeo Express: Holiday Model Trains and viewing of The Polar Express, meet and greet with the conductor, a Christmas craft to take home, hot chocolate and treats. 4:30-7 p.m. $15 children, $10 adults. Muzeo Main Gallery, 241 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, 714.956.8936. muzeo.org
THANKSGIVING
The Backyard
 at Hotel Irvine
Nov. 23. For those who can’t take the heat and want to get out of the kitchen, The Backyard is the place to go for their Thanksgiving feast. A cornucopia of food stations will be offered including roasted turkey and maple-glazed Berkshire ham, cooked-to-order Steelhead salmon, build-your-own Bloody Marys and dessert stations including pumpkin pies, German chocolate cake and warm sticky toffee pudding. Enjoy live music, a kids’ craft station and a photo booth. 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3 p.m. $80 adults, $20 children ages 5-12 (pricing includes tax and gratuity). The Backyard, 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine, 949.225.6780. hotelirvine.com
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Nov. 23. Fleming’s offers a special prix-fixe Thanksgiving Day menu inspired by traditional favorites. This three-course dinner starts with biscuits and pumpkin butter and honey, a salad or creamy lobster bisque, juicy herb-roasted turkey breast, house-made sage and brioche bread stuffing, fresh cranberry sauce, bacon, onion and almond green beans and Yukon gold mashed potatoes. End on a sweet note with a choice of pumpkin cheesecake or carrot cake. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. $50 per adult, $20 children ages 12 and under. Please call 949.720.9633 for reservations. Fashion Island, 455 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. flemingssteakhouse.com
THE RANCH Restaurant & Saloon
Nov. 23. Satisfy your cravings at THE RANCH with their four-course Thanksgiving dinner. For the first course, guests will pick one of the following items: Hand-crafted Drake Family Farms Goat Cheese Raviolis. Georges Bank Sea Scallops, Hawaiian Ahi Tuna or Slow Roasted Beller’s Pork Belly. See website for list of items in all four courses. 2-7 p.m. $80/pp. Call 714.817.4200 for reservations. THE RANCH Restaurant & Saloon, 1025 E. Ball Road, Anaheim. theranch.com
ARTS + CULTURE
Patchwork Show: Modern Makers Festival
Nov. 26. Shop handmade and independent goods from 150+ local makers, crafters, designers and food artisans alongside DIY craft workshops, food trucks and indie music. Vendors are selected through a jury process and feature clothing for men, women and kids, handbags, accessories, jewelry, art, ceramics, garden finds, home goods and more. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. East 4th Street and Spurgeon St., Santa Ana. dearhandmadelife.com
‘A Whistling White House Wonderland’
Through Jan. 7. After a three year hiatus, trains will fill the Nixon Library once again this holiday season, as the centerpiece of weeks-long family-friendly exhibits and events. There will be evening candlelight tours of the Nixon Presidential Museum and the Whistling White House Wonderland exhibit, as well as a visit from Santa and the unveiling of a whimsical White House gingerbread house. M-Sa 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Su 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $26 adults; $22 seniors 62+; $20 ages 5-11; free for kids 4 and under. The Nixon Library, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, 714.993.5075. nixonfoundation.org
Sanrio Village at Tanaka Farms photo by Sanrio. The Wayfarer & MDA presents: The Antidote Tour photo provided by MDA Events.
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