Start the new year right with these 15+ top Orange County things to do in January.
Edited by Whitney Lauren Han.
Queen Mary Christmas
Through Jan. 1. Enjoy the holiday spirit aboard the historic Queen Mary as it transforms into an epic adventure-filled wonderland. Highlights include live entertainment, festive libations, strolling performers, sweet treats, light shows, gingerbread and stocking decorating, ice-skating, and shopping. There’s also a meet-and-greet with Ol’ Saint Nick in the Captain’s Quarters. See website for schedule and ticket prices. $20 on-site parking. Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 800.437.2934. queenmary.com
Monster Energy AMA Supercross
Jan. 4, 18. The world’s premier off-road motorcycle championship series returns to Anaheim to kick off the 2020 season. Arrive early for the pre-race FanFest for an opportunity to get an autograph and see the riders, the teams and their bikes. See website for full event schedule. Doors open noon. $25+. Angel Stadium, 2000 E. Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, 800.352.0212. supercrosslive.com
Capistrano Lights
Through Jan. 6. Mission San Juan Capistrano’s annual holiday event, Capistrano Lights, is an all-ages family event where guests can experience the festive spirit of the season. The event includes nightly musical tree lighting and decorative light displays. $10 adults, $9 seniors 60+, $7 children ages 4-11. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1300. missionsjc.com
Blue Man Group
Jan. 7-12. Featuring pulsing, original music, custom-made instruments, surprise audience interaction and hilarious absurdity, join the Blue Man Group in a joyful experience that unites audiences of all ages. See website for showtimes. $26+. 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
Art of Garfunkel
Jan. 11. Grab your tickets to see singer Art Garfunkel, who has been described as a “beautiful countertenor” by The New York Times. Garfunkel has made an indelible mark on the music world, both as a solo artist and as one of the unrivaled duo, Simon & Garfunkel. 8 p.m. $39+. 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
Garden-to-Table with David Rizzo
Jan. 11. Come meet and learn from well-known horticulturist David Rizzo as he takes lead in an interactive discussion about what, where and when to plant, prune, feed and harvest. Bring your questions as well as your own tips and tricks, as audience participation is encouraged. 9-10 a.m. Free. 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona del Mar, 949.640.5800. rogersgardens.com
Newport Beach’s Restaurant Week
Jan. 13-26. Showcasing Newport Beach as O.C.’s premier dining destination, participating restaurants will offer special, two- or three-course, prix-fixe menus with lunches available starting at $10 and dinners starting at $20. See website for participating restaurants. dinenb.com
LIT Cafe Book Drive
Through Jan. 15. The restaurant invites locals and visitors to stop by the restaurant to dine for breakfast or lunch and asks that new or used book donations for kids and teens ages five through 18 are brought along. To provide some extra incentive, anyone who brings in a book donation will receive a goodie bag of Ms. T’s sea salt semi-sweet chocolate chip cookies. 1071 N. Tustin Ave., Suite #100, Anaheim, 657.208.3485. litcafeoc.com
Pacific Symphony and Violinist Clara-Jumi Kang
Jan. 16-18. Ring in 2020 with Pacific Symphony for a night of music written and inspired by Beethoven. With guest conductor Christian Arming manning the podium, the evening kicks off with a show-stopping performance of Beethoven’s iconic Violin Concerto by internationally acclaimed violinist Clara-Jumi Kang. Afterward, Dvořák’s beloved Symphony No. 8 brings the program to an exhilarating end in a tour de force of musical fervor. Doors open at 6:45 p.m., preview talk with Alan Chapman at 7 p.m., concert 8 p.m. $25+. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.755.5799. scfta.org
Dimensions of Form: Tamayo and Mixografia
Through Jan. 19. Fifty prints by modern master Rufino Tamayo, on loan from the Mixografia gallery in Los Angeles, depict silhouetted figures, celestial bodies and the seprent-god Quetzalcoatl. On view through January 19. Tu-Su 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $13-$15 adults, $10-$12 students and seniors 62+, free for ages 12 and under. Bowers Museum, bowers.org
Cakebread Winemaker Dinner
Jan. 23. AVEO Table + Bar offers its first winemaker dinner of 2020 with Cakebread Cellar Vineyards. Winery co-owner and chief winemaker Bruce Cakebread will be present to connect with guests and unveil a new red blend. Chef Donald Lockhart prepared a five-course dinner paired with exclusive bottles from Cakebread Cellars including the all-new Mullen Road Blend from Columbia Valley. 6 p.m. $160; seating is extremely limited and reservations are required. To reserve, email Mado at mmarancioglu@monarchbeachresort.com. 1 Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, 800.722.1543. monarchbeachresort.com
Lillias White
Jan. 23-25. Tony and Emmy Award-winner Lillias White returns to Segerstrom Center’s Cabaret Series with this autobiographical show filled with musical highlights from her life and career. With her powerhouse voice and exuberant stage presence, White has won accolades for her show-stopping performances on the Broadway stage, on television and in films. The New York Times proclaims “Lillias White is a singer who makes the most challenging vocal feats look almost easy.” 7:30 p.m. $89+. Samueli Theater, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
Chinese New Year: Shanghai Nights
Jan. 25. Celebrate Chinese New Year aboard the majestic Queen Mary. Chinese New Year: Shanghai Nights celebrates the Year of the Rat with traditional Chinese culture, cuisine and entertainment. Located in the Grand Salon is the limited seating buffet dinner and show. Performances by Wushu Shaolin Entertainment includes Chinese martial arts, dragon and lion dances, ribbon dances and Face Changer. First seating: 4-6 p.m., second seating: 8-10 p.m. $103-$260. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 800.437.2934. queenmary.com
Cooking Class at Adya
Jan. 25. Watch chef-owner Shachi Mehra lead an interactive cooking class with step-by-step instruction of healthy dishes using 2020 produce trends with Melissa’s Produce. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. $55. Anaheim Packing House, 440 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, 714.533.2392. adyaoc.com
Museums Free-For-All
Jan. 25. SoCal Museums announces the 15th annual Museums Free-for-All where more than 40 museums—presenting art, cultural heritage, natural history and science—open their doors and invite visitors to attend free of charge. Participating Orange County museums are Muckenthaler Cultural Center and OCMA (Orange County Museum of Art). This offer is for general museum admission only and does not apply to specially ticketed exhibitions. Regular parking fees apply at each museum. Consult individual museum websites for hours, directions, and other visitor information. Free admission. socalmuseums.org
Spanish Wine Dinner
Jan. 31. The culinary team at Eats Kitchen & Bar is cooking up a Spanish wine dinner. Starter offerings are tapas to be shared family-style at the table, including Jamones y Embutidos, Olives en Escabeche, Escalivada, Papas Arrugadas y Mojo Rojo and Catalan-style bread with tomato, to be accompanied by Albariño. Next follows Gazpacho Andalusian accompanied by Manzanilla sherry or sparkling rose. The following course is a wood-grilled baby squid to be enjoyed with tempranillo, merlot or grenache blend from Navarra. Then comes the showpiece whole roasted suckling pig served with Bomba rice and other accompaniments, along with Tempranillo from Rioja. Dessert is Spanish churros with warm chocolate sauce and cava sparkling wine. Call to make reservations. Reception 6:30 p.m., dinner 7 p.m. $85. Hotel Irvine, 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine, 949.225.6780. hotelirvine.com
Arthur Beaumont: Art of the Sea
Continuing. Explore Bowers Museum’s newest exhibition, which features watercolors by Arthur Beaumont that capture the grandeur of the sea and vessels that sail on it. This exhibit includes works in the Irvine Museum Collection and is curated by James Irvine Swinden. On view through February 2. Tu-Su 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $13-$15 adults, $10-$12 students and seniors 62+, free for ages 12 and under. 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 714.567.3600. bowers.org
Photos: The Queen Mary courtesy the Queen Mary. Blue Man Group, Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade, 2019. AVEO Table + Bar courtesy Outshine PR.
