Musink Tattoo Convention & Music Festival
March 4-6. Travis Barker brings 300 of the world’s finest tattoo artists together for a tattoo convention, car show and music festival. Some of this year’s performers include Snoop Dogg, Deftones, Circa Survive and more. F 3-10 p.m.; Sa-Su noon-10 p.m.; Su noon-9 p.m. $45-$120, VIP $299. Children ages seven and younger free. OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. musink.org
Festival of Whales
March 5-6, 12-13. Celebrate the migration of the California gray whale with a parade, street fairs, concerts, crafts, marine-mammal cruises, sand sculpting and more. Free. See website for full list of events. Dana Point Harbor, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.1045. festivalofwhales.com
OC Restaurant Week
March 6-12. Dine on specially priced prix-fixe menus at 140 Orange County restaurants, ranging from casual and family friendly to upscale fine dining. New to this year’s event is an $80 “luxe” menu offering wine or cocktail pairings. Options for $10-$20 for lunch and $20-$50 for dinner are endless at restaurants like Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails, Fig & Olive, Matador Cantina, The Winery, Red O, Selanne Steak Tavern, Slapfish, Skyloft, Sushi Roku and more. See website for list of restaurants and menus. ocrestaurantweek.com
Cigars & Scotch
March 10. Sip, smoke and savor at this month’s Perfectly Paired series presented by Red Bar & Lounge. In a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere, enjoy a pairing that has become a worldwide institution—cigars and scotch. Hotel Irvine, Red Bar & Lounge, 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine, 888.230.4452. redbarandlounge.com
March Madness
March 10-12, 24, 26. March Madness is in full effect with the Big West Basketball Tournament and the 2016 NCAA Tournament West Regional taking place at the Honda Center. Cheer on your favorite teams as they compete for the 2016 title. March 10 12 p.m., March 11 6:30 p.m., March 12 8:30 p.m., March 24 & 26 TBD. Big West Basketball Tournament $69, West Regional $200-$300. Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.778.2583. hondacenter.com
Kristin Chenoweth at Segerstrom Center
March 12. See Tony and Emmy Award-winning musical actress Kristin Chenoweth perform a new collection of songs from stage, film and her first live album, Coming Home. Kristin is best known for her roles in The West Wing, Glee and Pushing Daisies and was Glinda in the original history-making Broadway production of “Wicked.” The VIP Meet & Greet package includes an exclusive meet and greet, a personal autograph, premium seating and much more. 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $39. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
Swallows Day Parade & Mercado Street Fair
March 12. See the parade that commemorates the storied annual bird visit from Argentina. The Mercado Street Fair in Historic Town Center Park off El Camino Real and Ortega Hwy., features more than 100 vendors with live music, activities for children and a variety of food and drink. A free shuttle will be available for transportation between events. Swallows Day Parade 11 a.m. Street Fair 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.1976. swallowsparade.com
Springtime Saturdays at Pacific City
March 12, 19. Welcome spring at Pacific City with Easter Bunny photo opps at Smocking Birds, a petting zoo (March 12) or an Animal Variety Show (March 19), face-painting and mommy makeovers (courtesy of Sephora and M.A.C.), succulent workshops and more. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Easter Bunny photos available for purchase. Pacific City, 21010 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach. gopacificcity.com
Yoga on a Yacht
March 13. Enjoy a luxurious yoga session—on a yacht. Complete with three stories, full size bathrooms, ocean views and sunshine, the class will take place on the deck of the yacht and seating is first come, first serve. Arriving 30 minutes prior to class time is strongly encouraged. 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m. $38. 2901 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach, eventbrite.com
Disney’s OC Chefs Table
March 13. The event, formerly known as Table For 10, features 30 of Orange County’s top chefs collaborating on a five-course meal prepared table-side—each table decorated to reflect the personality and brand of each restaurant represented. Visit website to purchase table or seats. 5 p.m. Disney Grand Californian Resort & Spa, 1600 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, 949-544-0385. ifhomeless.org
OC Fashion Week
March 13-16. Get ready for Orange County’s most glamorous and stylish week of the year. Presented by Maserati of Newport Beach, OC Fashion Week will feature runway fashions and events that showcase local talent, models, hair, beauty and fashion designers. The all-new venue is set against a beautiful skyline and sweeping ocean views. General admission March 13-15 $85; March 16 $25. See website for full schedule and various locations. ocfashionweek.com
St. Patrick’s Day at Rooftop Lounge
March 17. Sip green cocktails alongside ocean views this St. Patty’s Day. Enjoy themed cocktails like The Kitty O’Shea made with vodka, peach tree schnapps, lemon juice, agave nectar and mint; and The Shamrock Island made with coconut rum, midori, pineapple juice and garnished with fresh pineapple. 1289 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 855.990.0282. rooftoplagunabeach.com
O’Matador
March 17. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Matador Cantina’s corned beef tacos, quesadillas and tortas plus green beer specials served in pint glasses and milk jugs. Don’t forget Matador Cantina’s award-winning craft margaritas. $7-$10 food specials. 111 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton, 714.871.8226. thematador.com
Kismet: Aqua Lounge
March 18. Get into the St. Patty’s Day spirit with Aqua Lounge. Guests should come decked out in green and enjoy a night of music and celebration—complete with a complimentary Kismet cocktail. 9 p.m. $25 entry includes complimentary beverage. Island Hotel Newport Beach, Aqua Lounge, 690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.759.0808. aqualoungenb.com
Firkfest Cask Beer Festival
March 19. Taste unlimited 2-4 oz. cask pours from more than 30 Southern California craft breweries including Barley Forge Brewing, Bottle Logic Brewing, The Good Beer Company, The Bruery, Noble Ale Works and more. Enjoy food truck fare from various local food trucks as well as delicious eats from local Anaheim Packing House. 12-4 p.m. $55-$65, designated driver $15. Anaheim Farmers Park, 400 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, 714.798.3019.  firkfest.com
Knott’s Boysenberry Festival
March 19-April 3. Celebrate the historic berry that started it all—the boysenberry! Knott’s Boysenberry Festival will feature countless, one-of-a-kind boysenberry-inspired dishes, drinks and more, plus live entertainment for the entire family. Delicious treats include items such as fried cheese curds paired with a spicy boysenberry dipping sauce and ribs smothered in Knott’s farm-made Berry Market Boysenberry BBQ Sauce. See online for ticket pricing and park hours throughout festival. Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, 714.220.5200. knotts.com
Spring Fling at SOCO
March 20. Put a spring in your step with SOCO and The OC Mix’s Fifth Annual Spring Fling. Bring the family for fun activities like a petting zoo, egg hunt, photo booth, Easter Bunny, face painting, kids crafting, and more. The egg hunts start at 10:30am at Granola Babies, 11:30am at SOCO Studios and 12:30pm outside Peinture at The OC Mix. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. 3313 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa, 657.232.0920. southcoastcollection.com
Lewis Cellars Five-Course California Wine Dinner
March 24. Enjoy a carefully paired five-course dinner with selections from Napa-based Lewis Cellars, a small family-owned winery. Courses include: diver scallop aguachile served with Lewis Cellars 2014 Sauvignon Blanc; beurre monte Maine lobster and Lewis Cellars 2014 Chardonnay; coffee-dusted duck breast with Lewis Cellars 2013 Alec’s Blend; roasted Colorado lamb chop with Lewis Cellars 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon; and blueberry panna cotta with Lewis Cellars Ethan’s Syrah. 6:30 p.m. $150. Island Hotel, Oak Grill, 690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.759.0808. oakgrillnb.com
Kaleidoscope 6th Annual Easter Garden Party
March 26. Join Kaleidoscope for a fun-filled day of Easter festivities. Bring your baskets and your cameras for an Easter egg hunt followed by a photo opp with the Easter bunny. Kids can enjoy activities such as cookie decorating (with purchase) from Donna B’s Bakery, kid’s spring-themed face painting and an Easter petting zoo with bunnies, baby goats, chicks and ducklings. Noon-2:30 p.m. Free. Kaleidoscope, 27741 Crown Valley Parkway, Mission Viejo. gokaleidoscope.com
Easter Picnic in The Backyard
March 27. Join Hotel Irvine for an Easter extravaganza in the backyard. Enjoy made-to-order crêpes, build-your-own eggs Benedict, an oyster bar and taco station, plus a bloody mary and mimosa bar. Festivities include an Easter egg hunt, a photo booth, magician trickery, a special Easter Bunny appearance and more. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $59 Adults, $15 children ages five through 12. Hotel Irvine, 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine, 888.230.4452. hotelirvine.com
Hornblower Easter Sunday Brunch
March 27. Hop on board a Hornblower yacht for an Easter brunch cruise with the entire family. A lavish brunch will feature traditional favorites, live entertainment and a special visit from the Easter Bunny himself. Includes dessert and champagne. Boarding 30 minutes prior. 10 a.m.-12 p.m., 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., 2:30-4:30 p.m. $68.95 adults, $41.37 children ages four through 12. 2431 W. Coast Hwy., Suite #101, Newport Beach, 949.631.2469. hornblower.com
SOCO Uncorked
March 31. Sip, taste and shop at a festival that brings together all the tenants at South Coast Collection (SOCO) and The OC Mix. Bites include award-winning restaurants like Taco Maria, Pueblo, ARC, and more. To create the dishes, they use tenant offerings like Surfas for their cookware, and Savory Spice Shop for all their rubs and spices. LCA Wine (helmed by Nancy Milby and Master Sommelier Peter Neptune) works with the restaurants individually to pair a wine varietal based on the dish they serve. Over 20 SOCO culinary destinations will be featured along with 35 wineries. VIP events 5 p.m., tasting event 6 p.m. $75-$120. 3313 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa, 657.232.0920. southcoastcollection.com
Red Hot Taco Tuesdays
Tuesdays in March. Red Bar and Lounge is cooking up next-level Taco Tuesday goodness, with made-to-order $2 tacos featuring shawarma-style shredded meat, $5 margaritas and four types of homemade hot sauce. Hotel Irvine, Red Bar & Lounge, 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine, 888.230.4452. redbarandlounge.com