This month, Orange County brings you family-friendly events, hands-on workshops, musical performances and more. See our list of 20+ top Orange County things to do in January.
Life Time Athletic Laguna Niguel’s Commitment Day 5K
Jan. 1. Life Time Athletic Laguna Niguel will kick off 2018 and New Year’s resolutions with a Commitment Day 5K. The day dedicated to commitment is designed to inspire participants to start the year with a pledge toward a year of better health. Following the run, guests can enjoy a social hour with light refreshments at the park. 8 a.m. $35 adults, free for ages 12 and under. Laguna Niguel Regional Park, 28241 La Paz Road, 949.238.2719. commitmentday.com
Brides World Expo
Jan. 6. Shop, compare and connect with 150 Orange County wedding vendors at the biggest and best OC bridal show of the year. Vendor offerings include florists, wedding venues, photo booths, photographers, disc jockeys, bridal gowns, tuxedos, entertainers, bridal beauty, custom invitations, vintage decor and romantic honeymoons. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $6 presale online; $12 GA; free ages 12 and under; $8 parking. OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa. brideworld.com
Grow Your Own with David Rizzo
Jan. 6. Well-known horticulturist David Rizzo will discuss everything edible, including vegetables, herbs, fruits, berries and more. This month’s focus will be on planting appropriate cool-season vegetables and herbs, dormant disease control and pruning of deciduous fruit trees, care of citrus trees and pruning of berries and grapes. 9-10 a.m. Roger’s Gardens, 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona del Mar, 949.640.5800. rogersgardens.com
Wayne’s 85th Birthday Bash Extravaganza
Jan. 6. Jazz4Us founder, Wayne Biessman, will celebrate his 85th birthday with a full evening of non-stop jazz that kicks off the 2018 concert season with a bang. Festivities begin with welcome remarks by Biessman, then take off with an exciting lineup of well-known artists and musicians—all hosted by master of ceremonies and bassist Richard Simon. 6-10:40 p.m. Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, 1601 Bayside Dr., Corona del Mar, 949.322.6342. jazz4us.info
Monster Energy AMA Supercross
Jan. 6, 20, 21. Witness the return of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship for off-road motorcycle racing. While the professional riders practice in the afternoon on January 6 and 20, guests can attend the pit party before riders race in the evening. Amateur riders will compete on January 21 for Amateur Racing Day. Jan. 6 and 20: gates open at noon; pit party noon-6 p.m.; 7 p.m. race starts. Jan. 21: 8 a.m. $20+. Angel Stadium of Anaheim, 2000 E. Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, 714.940.2000. angel.stadiumanaheim.com
Knott’s Merry Farm
Through Jan. 7. Joy is in season at Knott’s Merry Farm where you and your family can make holiday memories. Enjoy the glorious sights, sounds and scents of the holiday season along with classic shows, seasonal treats and much more. See website for hours and prices. 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, 714.220.5200. knotts.com
The Queen Mary’s All-New CHILL
Through Jan. 7. Embark on an international holiday expedition this winter as the world-famous Queen Mary introduces an all-new CHILL. Featuring the first-ever Ice Adventure Park in the U.S., the 38,000-square foot ice park offers an ice skating track, ice bumper cars, ice tricycles, a zip line, ice shuffleboard, a two story, 100-foot-long ice tubing slide and many more festive winter activities. See website for hours. $29.99 adults, $19.99 for kids ages 4-11. The Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 877.342.0738. queenmary.com
Winter Fest OC
Through Jan. 7. More than 20 wintry activities are back by popular demand, including outdoor ice skating, ice tubing down Snowflake Summit, a snow play area with real snow, Festival of Lights two-million-light stroll-through display, a nightly tree lighting ceremony with parade, snow flurries, fireworks, flying Santa and much more. See website for schedule and prices. OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa, 657.333.2520. winterfestoc.com
Casa Classic: Michi Wiancko, violinist
Jan. 11. Since her debut concerto performances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the New York Philharmonic, violinist Michi Wiancko has thrilled and delighted audiences with her performances alongside a wide variety of both classical and contemporary recording artists. Wiancko will present a wide variety of music for solo violin, as well as original compositions for violin, loop machine and vocals. 7 p.m. $25 GA, $20 members. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139. casaromantica.org
Spanish Cooking Class 101
Jan. 13. This winter, learn how to throw a Spanish-themed party, complete with tapas and paella. On the menu: gambas ajillo, serrano ham con pan and tomate, brandade in pequillo sauce, patatas bravas and chicken paella with shellfish. 11 a.m. $150+. Studio at Montage Laguna Beach, 30801 Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.715.6420. montagehotels.com
Successful Roses for Spring
Jan. 13. Take time to smell the roses and make them shine in your garden just in time for spring. Rose experts Kim Sterling and Lynn Hillman will demonstrate how, where and when to prune your roses and how to manage the canes, maximize the blooms and reduce disease. The session will begin with reviewing some basic tips in the amphitheater and then move to the Rose Garden with a hands-on experience. 9-10 a.m. Roger’s Gardens, 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona del Mar, 949.640.5800. rogersgardens.com
Newport Beach Restaurant Week
Jan. 15-28. With 2018 in full swing, the epicurean adventure returns with a “Beyond the Menu: A Culinary Journey” theme to showcase Newport Beach as OC’s premier dining destination. Participating restaurants will offer special, two-or three-course, prix-fixe menus with lunches available for just $10, $15, $20 or $25, and dinners for $20, $30, $40 or $50. 21+. Fashion Island’s Lincoln Experience Center, 39 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach. dinenb.com
Hand-Crafted Orchid Arrangement Workshop
Jan. 17. Hand-crafting a statement arrangement is one way to bring beauty into your home. With the guidance of Garden Room team leaders Chris Patterson and Shelly Burton, you will have the opportunity to make a stunning orchid arrangement that will wow any home. 5 p.m. $100 per person/arrangement including plants and a container. Roger’s Gardens, 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona del Mar, 949.640.5800. rogersgardens.com
One Hand, One Heart: One Hundred Years of Bernstein
Jan. 19-21. From conducting to teaching and composing, Leonard Bernstein’s music—including the scores for his groundbreaking Broadway musicals West Side Story, On the Town and Candide—continues to be celebrated a century after his birth. This sparkling musical tribute features a roster of talented singers, including two-time Tony Award nominee Mary Testa, Broadway stars Jessica Vosk and David Burnham and rising stars Alex Getlin and Joshua Israel. Visit website for showtimes and ticket prices. Samueli Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
‘Jersey Boys’
Jan. 19-21. The Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning Best Musical about Rock and Roll Hall of Famers—The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi—portrays the true story of how four blue-collar kids became one of the greatest successes in pop music history. Jersey Boys features their hit songs “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Rag Doll,” “Oh What a Night” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” See website for showtimes and ticket prices. $41+. Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
Healthy New Year Cooking Class at ADYA
Jan. 20. Learn how to cook smart with chef Shachi and explore 2018 cooking trends with Melissa’s Produce. This event includes culinary demos, easy-to-follow take-home recipes, culinary secrets from chef Shachi and lunch served with wine/beer or chai. 11 a.m. $35. Call 714.533.2392 to RSVP. Anaheim Packing House, 440 S. Anaheim Blvd., Suite #201, Anaheim. adyaoc.com
8th Annual Pet Days at OC Market Place
Jan. 20-21. Come with the family to support local rescues at the 8th Annual Pet Days. For two days, you can visit with animals available for adoption and learn about exotic animals. Vendors on-site will cover a range of topics including animal welfare, spay and neuter, microchip, pet sitting and specialty animal food products. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free with a qualifying donation (paper towels, towels, bleach, cat litter, potty pads, pet food or gift cards). OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa. ocmarketplace.com
Circa Contemporary Circus: ‘Il Ritorno’
Jan. 23. Watch acrobats from the Australian company Circa Contemporary Circus perform to music played and sung by a live chamber ensemble from Monteverdi’s opera Il Ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria. At the core of this show is the hunger to return home—saturated with loss and war, powered by longing and haunted by the past. 8 p.m. $25-$58. Musco Center for the Arts, Chapman University, One University Dr., Orange, 844.626.8726. muscocenter.org
Classic Succulent Book Planter Workshop
Jan. 24. Get “rooted in the classics” with team lead for Original Designs, Onita Castillo. Choose from a variety of hardcover novels to create your very own one-of-a-kind classic Succulent Book Planter, perfect for the hip-artist within and a great conversation starter. 5-6 p.m. $75 per person/book. Roger’s Gardens, 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona del Mar, 949.640.5800. rogersgardens.com
Crossroads of the West Gun Show
Jan. 27-28. Two-day gun and western Americana show with guns, accessories, tactical gear, ammunition, safes, personal protection products and more. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $18 GA; free ages 12 and under; $8 parking. OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa, 714.708.1500. amigoguitarshows.com
Photo credits: Jersey Boys by Joan Marcus. Circa Contemporary Circus: ‘Il Ritorno’ by Chris Herzfeld.
