Ariana Grande, gingerbread workshops, A Charlie Brown Christmas and more…. Here are the top Orange County weekend events for December 12-15.
Edited by Whitney Lauren Han.
EVENTS
Ariana Grande at the Honda Center
Dec. 13. Multi-platinum, record-breaking superstar Ariana Grande adds Honda Center to her Sweetener World Tour. Produced by Live Nation, the renowned tour adds 19 dates including new stops in New York, Anaheim, Dallas and more this fall. 8 p.m. $80+. 2695 E. Katella, Anaheim, 714.704.2400. hondacenter.com
Candlelight Walk at Heritage Hill
Dec. 13-15. Join strolling Victorian carolers and musicians as you wander through luminous pathways at Heritage Hill Historical Park. Visit with Santa in the Arbor, enjoy crafts with Mrs. Claus and listen to winter tales via OC Libraries storytelling. Light refreshments are available for purchase. 5:30-8:30 p.m. $5 GA, free for children under 3; cash only. Heritage Hill Historical Park, 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, 949.923.2230. ocparks.com
Anaheim Night Market
Dec. 14. Get in the spirit at the holiday edition of the Anaheim Night Market. Highlights include indie craft vendors, live entertainment, a screening of Elf at 8 p.m. and homemade goods just in time for holiday gift giving. Explore the Anaheim Packing District for more than 30 options of good eats and drinks. 5-9 p.m. Farmers Park, 400 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, 714.533.7225. anaheimpackingdistrict.com
Holidays Around the World
Dec. 14-15. The Julianne and George Argyros Plaza transforms into a winter wonderland! Enjoy live performances showcasing traditions from around the world including Mexican ballet folklorico, Indian Bollywood dance, German holiday folk dances, Chinese lion dance and more. The festive family fun doesn’t stop there—take a free ride on the Holiday Express train, create your own seasonal craft, and experience “snowfall” on the plaza. 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2121. scfta.org
Children’s Gingerbread House Workshop
Dec. 15. The Resort at Pelican Hill’s pastry chef highlights a favorite holiday tradition in a culinary class where children ages 5 and older create a masterpiece to take home. 10 a.m.-noon. $95, parent supervision is required throughout the class for children ages 10 and younger. 22701 Pelican Hill Road S., Newport Coast, 888.507.6427. pelicanhill.com
Gingerbread Workshop at Davio’s
Dec. 15. Davio’s Irvine throws a house party—a gingerbread house party, that is—for children of all ages. Join pastry chef Lena Huynh as she leads a demonstration and workshop, teaching guests how to build personalized gingerbread houses fit for the North Pole.
FOOD + DRINK
Churriño
Now Open. Treat yourself to mini Brazilian churros at new Churriño Gourmet Dessert Long Beach. Customize your treat with three churro flavors (Strawberry Jam, Caramel Leche and Chocotella) and 12 toppings and drizzles including gold flakes, Oreo crumbles, Fruity Pebbles and almond butter. Additional offerings include Churriño’s ICE vanilla and XTRA Cocoa soft-serve gelato and coffee. 345 The Promenade N., Long Beach. churrino.com
Lunch at Bayside Restaurant
Now Available. Stylish Newport Beach spot offers lunch service on the weekdays for the month of December, excluding Dec. 24-25 and 31. Enjoy new creations as well as your lunchtime favorites. M-F 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 900 Bayside Drive, Newport Beach, 949.721.1222. baysiderestaurant.com
Las Brisas Holiday Pop-Up
Dec. 12. The Laguna Beach landmark restaurant and Scott Baird—renowned bartender/owner of famed San Francisco cocktail bar Trick Dog—invite guests to a holiday pop-up featuring Ancho Reyes in Las Brisas’ bar and lounge. Cocktails include Hot Buttered Toddy, Navidad Aperitif, Clarified Ancho Coquito and Las Brisas Poinsettia. Additional highlights include Ancho Reyes merchandise, liqueur-sample giveaways and live music from 6-9 p.m. 3-10 p.m. 361 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach, 949.497.5434. lasbrisaslagunabeach.com
Moulin’s Holiday Market
Through Dec. 31. Proprietor and French ex-pat Laurent Vrignaud recreates a piece of his hometown neighborhood Montmartre, Paris, by transforming Moulin’s Newport Beach patisserie into a Parisian holiday market. Offerings include pastries, epicurean items sourced directly from France, French chocolates from artisan chocolatiers, limited-production Alain Milliat jams, fruit juices, tableware and handmade knives. 1000 N. Bristol St., Newport Beach, 949.474.0920. moulin.com
Recipe Champions Pop-Up
Through Jan. 31. Come to the Recipe Champions pop-up for a taste of of its never-before-seen food mashups at 4th Street Market. Expect delicious, creative menu items that you never thought could, would or maybe even should exist. Recipe Champions dishes are available for a limited time only, with new menu items revealed over time. 201 E 4th St., Santa Ana. recipechampions.com
ARTS + CULTURE
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Opens Dec. 12. Created by Charles M. Schulz and based on the television special by Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson, this stage adaptation by Eric Schaeffer is presented by special arrangement with Arthur Whitelaw and Ruby Persson, and directed by resident artist James McHale. See website for showtimes. $21-$35. Bette Aitken theater arts Center, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, 888.455.4212. chancetheater.com
American Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker
Dec. 13-22. One of the great joys of the holiday season, American Ballet Theatre returns with its critically acclaimed production of The Nutcracker. Travel with curious Clara and her handsome prince as they journey through a kingdom filled with colorful characters and pure holiday magic. See website for showtimes. $29+. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
Photos: Ariana Grande, Kevin Mazur/Getty Images. Candlelight Walk courtesy OC Parks. Anaheim Night Market courtesy Anaheim Packing District. Holidays Around the World, Stan Sholik. The Resort at Pelican Hill courtesy The Resort at Pelican Hill. Davio’s Gingerbread House courtesy Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse. Churriño courtesy the ACE Agency. Bayside courtesy Shout PR. Rye De Reyes courtesy Ancho Reyes Liqueur. Moulin courtesy Moulin. Recipe Champions courtesy 100inc Agency. A Charlie Brown Christmas courtesy Chance Theater. American Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker, Gene Schiavone.
