From pup-friendly activities to Lunar New Year celebrations, check out the top Orange County weekend events for February 15-18.
Edited by Whitney Lauren Han.
EVENTS
UVSA Tet Festival
Feb. 16-18. Celebrate the Lunar New Year at the 37th annual UVSA Tet Festival. With more than 150 exhibitors, delicious ethnic foods, cultural displays, live entertainment, and carnival rides and attractions, there’s fun and excitement for the whole family. 714.388.6711. ocfair.com
The Outlets at Orange President’s Day Event
Feb. 16-19. Bargain hunters and savvy shoppers can score major savings on winter staples and spring’s hottest upcoming trends this weekend. This blow-out sale brings even bigger discounts on top of the shopping center’s everyday savings of up to 70 percent from more than 120+ brand-name retailers including Bloomingdale’s, The Outlet Store, Nordstrom Rack, Neiman Marcus Last Call and more. F-Sa 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Su 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; M 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Free. The Outlets at Orange, 20 City Blvd. W., Orange, 714.769.4001. theoutletsatorange.com
25th Anniversary of ScotsFestival & International Highland Games
Feb. 17-18. Celebrate the annual games with professional and amateur competitions in darts, piping, drumming, massed bands, Highland dancing and Highland athletics. Daily festivities include Border Collie sheep-herding, firing demonstrations, performances by the Royal Scots Greys Calvary, L.A. and O.C. Royal Scottish Country Dance Society and many historic reenactments. Whisky and scotch tasting sessions with aged malt experts are available for adult festival goers ($18) and well-known chef McBride will demo authentic Celtic Cuisine in the Culinary Corner. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. $25 GA, $12 ages 4-11. The Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 877.342.0738. queenmary.com
Edible Hanging Baskets Designs
Feb. 17. Learn how you can transform a hanging basket into an edible garden, right on your own balcony. Join horticulturists Suzanne Hetrick and Kim Sterling to learn ways to introduce newly designed hanging baskets and how to keep them thriving throughout the year. 9-10 a.m. Roger’s Gardens, 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona del Mar, 949.640.5800. rogersgardens.com
Lunar New Year Celebration 2018 at Fashion Island
Feb. 17. Bring the family for a day filled with entertainment, activities and exclusive shopping and dining. Highlights include Chinese dragon dancers, Korean fan dancers, Asian calligraphy artist, greeters distributing fortune cookies, lucky envelopes, themed stilt walkers, music entertainment and more. 1-3 p.m. Bloomingdale’s/Neiman Marcus courtyard, 401 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, 949.721.2000. shopfashionisland.com
6th Annual Paws FUR Pink Run
Feb. 18. Start your morning with your four-legged family members at the annual Paws FUR Pink Run. Additional activities include a FURever Yours Expo with yoga in the park and a PAWsitively Pink costume contest. Each participant will receive a custom Paws FUR Pink branded participation t-shirt, wine glass, doggy frisbee and sunglasses. See website to register. 7-10:30 a.m. $15-$48. Irvine Regional Park, 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange. pawsfurpink.com
FOOD + DRINK
SAJJ Mediterranean
Now Open. Known for the best falafels in the Bay Area by Zagat San Francisco, SAJJ Mediterranean’s newest location serves traditional Middle Eastern cuisine made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and flavorful spices. Open daily 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 22245 El Paseo, Suite A, Rancho Santa Margarita, 949.709.7779. sajjstreeteats.com
Mimosas & Mutts Doggy Brunch
Feb. 17. Spoil your pup at Panxa Cocina to enjoy a dog-friendly menu of Southwestern staples like rice and beans while you sip on a free juice flight to accompany bottles of champagne. Favorites from the New Mexican-inspired human brunch menu include blue corn piñon pancakes, chilaquilas roja, smothered breakfast burrito and stacked enchiladas as well as classic and new-fangled brunch libations. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dog menu items $5-$10, human menu items $10-$22. Panxa Cocina, 3937 E. Broadway, Long Beach, 562.433.7999. panxacocina.com
Mardi Gras Menu at House of Blues Anaheim
Through Feb. 28. Capture the essence of Mardi Gras with New Orleans-inspired fare and cocktails at House of Blues Anaheim Restaurant & Bar. Savor discounted specialty dishes such as House of Blues signature Voodoo Shrimp alongside a signature cocktail like the Bourbon Street Mule. Also enjoy the Creole Bouillabaisse featuring mussels, clams, salmon, shrimp, crawfish, fennel and fried okra served in a garlic tomato sauce. All items from this menu will include a special $2 discount through the end of February. 400 West Disney Way, Suite 337, Anaheim, 714.520.2334. houseofblues.com
ARTS + CULTURE
Christopher Cross
Feb. 16-17. Singer-songwriter Christopher Cross joins Pacific Symphony for an evening of yacht rock featuring smooth sounds from the ‘70s and ‘80s. With five Grammys and an Oscar under his belt, Cross is sure to perform his hits such as “Ride Like the Wind”, “Sailing” and “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do).” F-Sa 8 p.m. $35+. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
Lord of the Strings at LCA Wine at SOCO and The OC Mix
Feb. 18. Leader of internationally acclaimed Carl Verheyen Band and lead guitarist Carl Verheyen is set to perform live this Sunday. Well-known as a session guitarist, Verheyen also works as an adjunct instructor of studio jazz guitar for the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California Doors open 2 p.m., show 3 p.m. $30. SOCO and The OC Mix, 3303 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa, lordofthestringsconcerts.com
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