20th Annual Gentleman’s Smoker & Lobster Clambake at Balboa Bay Resort
Aug. 1. Take part in this time-honored tradition as Balboa Bay Club hosts their annual elegant beach party. Enjoy tray passed oyster shooters, beef tenderloin and shrimp kabobs and more amongst a plethora of Orange County’s movers and shakers. Next, indulge in a five-course dinner of Executive Chef Vincent’s delectable creations. Each course will be paired with wines and spirits while live music plays from the stage. Benefits Newport Beach and Costa Mesa school districts. 6-10 p.m. $300. 1221 Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, 949.630.4201. balboabayresort.com
Big Bite Bacon Fest at Queen Mary
Aug. 2. Try unlimited samples of more than 40 bacon and pork infused dishes, from bacon-wrapped shrimp to ribs to hog pockets at this celebration of the world’s most beloved protein. Taste dozens of California’s favorite craft brews including Pyramid Breweries, Lagunitas Brewing Company and Green Flash Brewing Company to wash down all of the bacon and pork goodness. $35-$65, includes self-guided access to the majestic Queen Mary. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 877.342.0738. queenmary.com
The Festival Runway Fashion Show
Aug. 2. Experience an imaginative fashion show as Festival of Arts’ artists compete to create the most inspired couture using reclaimed, reused, or recycled materials. Steven “Cojo” Cojocaru hosts. 1-4 p.m. Festival of Arts, 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.497.6582. foapom.com
Disney’s Fantasia with Pacific Symphony
Aug. 9. Relive childhood memories or introduce new ones as Pacific Symphony brings fresh, new life to the Disney classic animated film, Fantasia, blending music and moving pictures under the stars. The show features stunning footage from the original 1940 version as well as from the new Fantasia 2000 shown on the big screen above the stage as the orchestra performs classical masterpieces in sync with the animation. 8 p.m. $25-$105. Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, 8808 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, 714.876.2383. pacificsymphony.org
Lobsterfest
Aug. 10. Join the annual beach party with Maine lobster, kids’ activities, live music from cover band Instant Replay, opportunity drawings and more. Buffet includes freshly flown in lobster, tri-tip, corn on the cob, salads and dessert. 3-8 pm. $55-$75; $150 for reserved seating. Newport Dunes Resort, 101 N. Bayside Drive, Newport Beach, lobsterfestatnewportbeach.com
Costa Mesa Restaurant Week
Aug. 15-22. Enjoy special prix fixe menus or discounts at Costa Mesa’s top restaurants including Silver Trumpet, Scott’s Restaurant & Bar, Antonello, Pinot Provence, Mastro’s, Vie de France, The Golden Truffle, Taco Maria, Pie-Not, Darya, Tavern + Bowl, Taco Asylum and more. See website for details. travelcostamesa.com
Farm to Feast at St. Regis Monarch Beach
Aug. 17. Enjoy an evening of ocean views as you support local farmers and artisan products while enjoying chef prepared dishes by the resort’s award-winning culinary team. Walk the grounds of the lush Botanical Gardens while savoring hand-selected cheeses, fresh oysters and sustainable seafood, charcuterie, olive oils, fresh baked bread and more from the finest vendors in Orange County. Indulge in hand-crafted St. Regis Bloody Marys by the resort’s Lobby Lounge mixologists as well as local wines, live music and art by Laguna Beach artists. 4-8 p.m. $55, with $10 of each ticket donated to the Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano. One Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, 949.234.3200. stregismb.com
Trefethen Wine Dinner at 21 Oceanfront
Aug. 21. Join the restaurant for a special four-course dinner created by Executive Chef Miroslav Rusev including scallops with gorgonzola gnocchi truffle oil; orange glazed halibut with little gem salad; medallions of beef with caramelized risotto and haricot verts and amarena cherry walnut brownie with passion fruit gelato. Each course will be paired with wines by Trefethen. 6:30 p.m. $95. 2100 W. Oceanfront, Newport Beach, 949.673.2100. 21oceanfront.com
Brews, Blues ‘n BBQ
Aug. 23. Enjoy Blues sensation Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers as they rock the garden and taste a wide variety of beers from some of California’s best breweries such as Bootlegger’s Brewery, Anaheim Brewery, Shock Top and more while feasting on delicious barbeque. 5:30 p.m. $45; includes admission, souvenir tasting glass and ten 4oz. tastings. Additional beer and wine tastings as well as food available for purchase. 21+. Fullerton Arboretum, 1900 Associated Rd., Fullerton, 657.278.4010. fullertonarboretum.org
Pig Out 3.0
Aug. 24. Feast on all things pig including a 250-pound Templeton Rye Duroc Pig, which has been fed a special diet utilizing the spent grain by-product from the Templeton Rye whiskey. See a pig deconstruction demonstration, a pig farmer Q and A and a knife skills demonstration while tasting dishes from some of the county’s best restaurants such as Broadway by Amar Santana, A Restaurant, Arc Restaurant, Little Sparrow Café, Fireside Tavern and more. Mixologists from Napa Rose, 320 Main, The Playground and more will be serving special libations. A portion of the event’s proceeds benefit Inspire Artistic Minds which provides scholarships and educational experiences to advance the areas of taste, sight, and sound. $75. 2-7 p.m. California Scenario (Noguchi Gardens), 611 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa, 100eats.com
Scott’s Restaurant & Bar Silver Anniversary Party
Aug. 25. Celebrate the restaurant’s 25th anniversary with a silver carpet soiree featuring delectable food, handcrafted cocktails, live entertainment, opportunity drawings and more. 6-9 p.m. 3300 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714.979.2400. scottsrestaurantandbar.com
Shoreline Jam Festival
Aug. 30-31. Rock out with Pepper and The Dirty Heads as they headline this two-day festival on the waterfront. Enjoy yard-games, beer, cocktails and food to keep you going all day and night. Other performances include The Aggrolites, Collie Buddz, The Grouch & Eligh, The Simpkin Project, Brewfish and Jet West. Tickets start at $45. $15 parking. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 877.342.0742. queenmary.com