Calendar of Events: Orange County
Discover some of the best things to do and see in Orange County this fall.
Seasonal Offerings at The St. Regis Monarch Beach
Tea and Tinis
Saturdays, 1 – 3 p.m.
Motif Restaurant
Indulge in a lavish tea buffet featuring an array of international teas, delicious delicacies and signature martinis. (949-234-3272)
Sunday Champagne Brunch
Sundays, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Motif Restaurant
Enjoy Sunday Champagne brunch with elegant oceanfront dining, timeless international dishes and unprecedented service by St. Regis staff. (949-234-3272)
Beaujolais Nouveau
Nov. 15
Celebrate the fall wine harvest with the unveiling of this year’s Beaujolais Nouveau. Sip on wine paired with an impressive French feast, artfully influenced and chosen by Executive Chef Frederic Castan of The St. Regis Monarch Beach.
12th Annual Tree Lighting and Sand Sculpture Dedication
NOV. 25, 4:30 P.M.; LOBBY
Join us and our celebrity guest host, Tori Spelling, as we open our doors to the public and welcome the holiday season with our 12th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Sand Sculpture Dedication. Celebrate the holidays with warm cider, hot chocolate, holiday desserts, pictures with Santa, performances by the Dana Hills High School Choir and raffle prizes.
Theater and Performances
“Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps”
Sept. 25 – Oct. 21; Laguna Playhouse
Get into the Halloween spirit with Hitchcock’s comedy-thriller. This performance adds a twist to a classic love story: The story centers on an action-packed manhunt, which ensues after the object of a man’s affection is murdered. (606 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach; 949-497-2787; lagunaplayhouse.com)
“Swan Lake”
Oct. 2 – 7; Segerstrom Center
The Mariinsky Ballet and Orchestra performs the classic Tchaikovsky masterpiece “Swan Lake” in this exclusive West Coast engagement. The legendary Mariinsky Ballet is sure to enchant the audience with this performance. (600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; 714-556-2787; scfta.org)
Jake Shimabukuro
Oct. 13; Irvine Barclay Theatre
Jake Shimabukuro has mastered the art of ukulele playing and performing jazz, rock, classical and traditional Hawaiian music. The ukulele virtuoso brings his unique sounds to the mainland in this exclusive Orange County performance. (4242 Campus Dr., Irvine; 949-854-4646; thebarclay.org)
“STOMP”
Oct. 9 – 14; Segerstrom Center
Watch as eight performers create rhythms and beats from everything but real instruments (brooms, garbage cans), building explosive percussive sensations for the whole family. (600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; 714-556-2787; scfta.org)
“Mike Birbiglia’s My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend” Comedy Show
Nov. 3; Irvine Barclay Theatre
“My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend” explores romantic blunders and mistakes in love. Mike Birbiglia shares a painfully honest story about a lifetime of hysterical miscues in a one-man comedy show at the Barclay Theatre. (4242 Campus Dr., Irvine; 949-854-4646; thebarclay.org)
“Memphis” – the Musical
Nov. 6 – 18; Segerstrom Center
The winner of four 2010 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, this irresistible musical incorporates stunning choreography with rock ‘n’ roll music, telling the tale of love and fame during the 1950s radio era. (600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; 714-556-2787; scfta.org)
Exhibits
“California: The Golden Years”
Ongoing; Bowers Museum
This ongoing exhibition features a wide array of artwork and images of prominent figures in California history from the 1850s to the 1930s, from Impressionist paintings to iconic portraits. (2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana; 714-567-3600; bowers.org)
“Pairings: The Collection at 50”
Through Dec. 30; OCMA
This series contains artworks that are juxtaposed with another work of art; contrasts include 1960s art paired with contemporary pieces and painters paired with video artists. (850 San Clemente Dr., Newport Beach; 949-759-1122; ocma.net)
Events and Activities
Giant Blue Whale Migration
Through Sept. 30; Newport Landing
Experience the magical sighting of a variety of whales, such as the blue whale, off the coast of Newport Beach this fall. Once considered to be rare in Southern California, giant blue whales have been showing up recently across coastal Orange County. (309 Palm St. Suite A, Newport Beach; 949-675-0551; newportwhales.com)
Fashion Island Tree Lighting Ceremony
Nov. 16; Fashion Island
Kick off the holiday season at Fashion Island with the annual tree lighting ceremony. A 90-foot tree is adorned with 20,000 lights and ornaments as guests enjoy an exclusive performance from Disneyland’s Mickey Mouse and friends. (401 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach; 949-721-2000; shopfashionisland.com)
Annual Halloween Haunt
OCT. 31, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.; Dana Point Harbor Campfire Center
Celebrate Halloween festivities in a fun and safe way with state park staff and volunteers at the Dana Point Campfire Center. The event boasts a spooky area, nighttime educational booths and activities, arts and crafts and snacks. Dress in costume to get into the spirit. Guests are also welcome to bring a non-perishable food item for donation to a local food bank. (Dana Point Harbor Campfire Center 949-496-3617; dohenystatebeach.org)
