From tasty food and drink festivals to Easter celebrations, check out the top Orange County weekend events for March 29-April 1.
Edited by Whitney Lauren Han.
EVENTS
Queensway 5K
Mar. 29. Lace up your sneakers and walk, run or jog through the Queen Mary’s Events Park and Long Beach harbor at the inaugural Queensway 5K. Finish line celebrations include music, celebratory medals, a speech by Commodore Everette, a beer garden, vendors and more. Racers can refuel with food trucks and food booths including food tastings from the Queen Mary restaurants. Event 3-8 p.m., race starts 5:15 p.m. $35. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 562.499.1739. queenmary.com
Springtime at Lido
Mar. 31. Celebrate the blooming season on the Main Deck at Lido Marina Village with crafts for children, a balloon artist and face painter, live music, sweet surprises in the Secret Alley and beautiful fresh flowers for sale. Kids will make fun bunny tail bags and then follow Bunny Treat maps to receive candy from participating merchants. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Lido Marina Village, 3434 Via Oporto, Newport Beach. lidomarinavillage.com
Taste of the Arts Talent Fundraiser & Classic Car + Biker Show
Mar. 31. Get a taste of the arts at this festival geared to raising awareness for expansion of programs in preventing addiction, bullying and suicide. Highlights include a 40-foot barbecue feast, live music, shopping and more. Expect music performances by Babby Leigh, The Unknown, Olivia Doms & The Resistors, Ava Domini and Burnout Reef. Headlining bands include Stereo Love, Yard of Blondes and Ten Mile Tongue. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. OC Market Place, 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa, 949.388.0114. communityoutreachalliance.com
EASTER
Downtown Anaheim Certified Farmers’ Market and Craft Fair
Mar. 29. Celebrate the new season and holiday with family-friendly activities at this farmers’ market and craft fair. Kids can enjoy balloon animals, face painting, vegan egg hunt and photos with the Easter bunny. The first 150 children will receive a mini Easter basket with treats. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., photos with the Easter Bunny 2-4 p.m. Lemon Street and Center Street Promenade, Downtown Anaheim, 714.956.3586. downtownanaheim.com
Newport Dunes Waterfront Beach Resort
Mar. 31-Apr. 1. Returning to the scenic waterfront resort is Newport Dunes’ annual Easter egg hunt on Saturday. Hundreds of children will gather on the shores to search for more than six thousand eggs containing goodies ranging from candy and toys to golden eggs with cash prizes. The Easter bunny himself will lead the hunt and be available for family photos. Easter Sunday at Newport Dunes begins with the Sunrise Easter Service delivered by Mariners Church pastor Tim Lukei at Pavilion E at 7 a.m. Saturday egg hunt 9-11 a.m., Sunday service 7-8 a.m. Free. Egg Hunt: 1131 Back Bay Dr., Newport Beach; Sunday Service: Enter at 101 Bayside Dr., Newport Beach. newportdunes.com
Outlets at San Clemente’s Third Annual Easter Celebration
Mar. 31. Spend your Easter weekend by the sea at Outlets at San Clemente’s annual celebration with your family and pets. Event highlights include live animal shows featuring bunnies, porcupines, alligators and a kinkajou, plus face painting, balloon artists and crafts. Enjoy photo opportunities and a meet-and-greet with the Easter bunny. Guests are encouraged to arrive photo-ready and bring their own cameras for free pictures. Noon-3 p.m. Free. Outlets at San Clemente, Oak Tree Court, 101 West Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente, 949.535.2323. outletsatsanclemente.com
FOOD + DRINK
From Mumbai to Mexico City Dinner
Mar. 29. ADYA chef/partner Shachi Mehra welcomes Puesto chef Katy Smith for a five-course dinner that showcases each chef’s individual style, as well as two courses that combine the signature dishes of both restaurants. In addition, Puesto pastry chef Jessica Scott will create a one-of-a-kind dessert inspired by both India and Mexico. To reserve your spot, email info@adyaoc.com. 6 p.m. $60. ADYA at Anaheim Packing District, 440 S. Anaheim Blvd. #201, Anaheim, 714.533.2392. adyaoc.com
Knott’s Boysenberry Festival
Through Apr. 8. Head over to America’s first theme park for the annual boysenberry fest. Indulge in over 75 one-of-a-kind boysenberry-inspired dishes and drinks like the new boysenberry boba. Don’t forget to try appetizing bites of ribs, grilled chicken, alligator and more smothered in Knott’s very own farm-made boysenberry barbecue sauce. See website for prices and park hours throughout festival. Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, 714.220.5200. knotts.com
Disney’s California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
Through Apr. 12. Indulge on booze and bites at one of the happiest places on earth—Disney’s California Adventure. The event will feature up to 13 festival booths with everything from California produce to coastal dishes and stand-alone beer and wine outposts. Beyond the food and drink, enjoy cooking demonstrations from California chefs as well as Food Network celebrity chefs (celebrity demos at additional cost), wine education and tasting seminars and beer and spirit seminars. See website for more details. Festival is additional cost to park admission. Disneyland, 1313 S. Disneyland Dr., Anaheim, 714.781.4565. disneyland.com
Nékter Juice Bar’s Spring Smoothies
Through May 16. Sip on two new energizing and skin-boosting smoothies featuring plant-based collagen and turmeric—two of nature’s most powerful superfoods. The Dragon Berry Bliss and Turmeric Sunrise smoothies are part of Nékter’s new seasonal menu, which includes the return of fan favorite Charcoal Vanilla Skoop and Nékter’s annual Spring 1-Day Cleanse sale. Available at participating locations. nekterjuicebar.com
ARTS + CULTURE
‘Shrew!’
Through Apr. 21. In Shakespeare’s battle of the sexes, The Taming of the Shrew, Petruchio wins. But, what if a 16th-century woman had written it? In Amy Freed’s clever and wickedly funny spin on the classic, Kate triumphs, too. Recommended for those high school and above. See website for showtimes and prices. South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, 714.708.5555. scr.org
Farmers’ market photo by Erik Scheel.
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