The Best of Orange County- Summer Season Events
Summer is right around the corner! There are many amazing events being held in Orange County from whale watching to nighttime concerts, so be prepared to laugh and smile endlessly. Be sure to grab your bathing suits, hats, and sunscreen and enjoy the beach, music, cars and the warmth of summer.
Ongoing until December 21, 2014
ExplorOcean offers families a fun, interactive, hands-on experience to connect to the 7 essential principles of ocean literacy through Science Saturdays at ExplorOcean and Science Sundays at the Back Bay. Quick and engaging activities bring parents and children together as they make predictions, ask questions, problem-solve and think like scientists. Science Saturdays and Sundays are FREE and offered to children of all ages. Join the fun at noon and prepare to see your world in a whole new way! Program is ongoing, weather permitting.
Art-A-Fair: June 27th until August 31st, 2014
View fine art by 125 renowned artists and master craftspeople from around the world, across the United States and gifted local artists as well. Treat yourself to a day in Laguna Beach and visit the artists as they create. Soak up the sun and fun of the Southern California coast while enjoying shaded, comfortable grounds and full service restaurant/bar.
Sawdust Art Festival: June 27- August 31, 2014
Voted “Best Festival” by OC Weekly, and “one of the country’s top five festivals” by American Style Magazine, the Sawdust features artwork created only in Laguna Beach. Located in a beautiful eucalyptus grove, visitors experience the creativity of more than 200 local artisans. Sawdust exhibitors create and sell unique pieces from a wide variety of media. Visitors are drawn to the large glass-blowing enclosure where glass masters perform their skill at the furnace.
Pageant of the Masters: July 9- August 30, 2014
Presented in July and August since the early 1930’s, these colorful events have won worldwide recognition. The Festival is a juried exhibit of fine, strictly original works by 160 gifted artists, while the Pageant is a spectacular stage production of living art re-creations.
Capistrano Shakespeare Festival: July 11- July 20,20104
Performing different works of Shakespeare this July. Performances will be held inside the theater or next door in Town Center Park state. Don’t miss this sensation of Three Madcap Men in Tights as they perform all 37 of Shakespeare’s works in 97 minutes, portraying men, women and animals! This is for those who love, hate or don’t even care about Shakespeare. Great fun!
The Orange County Fair: July 11- August 10, 2014
The annual Orange County Fair is the premier family attraction in Southern California offering a wide variety of exhibits, foods, entertainment, rides and hands-on activities. There is something for everybody at the Fair, including the summer headline concert series, working farm and petting zoos, thrill rides, contests, and games.
Annual Midsummer Night in the Garden: July 19, 2014
Guests will enjoy an evening “under the stars” with a relaxing cocktail hour, a live auction in the garden, and a gourmet dinner by David Slay of Park Ave. The evening begins at 5:30 with a champagne reception then our guests’ progress to Orchard Lawn for dinner prepared by the award winning David Slay of Park Ave. Restaurant, rated as one of the five best restaurants in Orange County in the annual Zagat survey. A live auction and dancing to the sounds of Doc Anello and the Swing Machine will complete this magical evening benefiting the Fullerton Arboretum.
Astronomy Nighty: Saturday, July 26th, 2014
Enjoy an evening outdoors, as you gaze into the heavens, learn the constellations, and peer through the telescopes of our volunteer astronomers. Reserve astronomers are all volunteers who enthusiastically share their telescopes and expert sky knowledge with you. (BRING: Warm clothing, Red cellophane flashlight, binoculars, and optional beach chair.
Bird Walk To Horno Basin: Saturday, July 26th, 2014
Would you like to learn to identify some of our local feathered friends? Enjoy a summer morning with docent, and bird expert Anita Hayworth, while quietly combing part of the Sienna Botanica and Horno Basin for our resident and migrant birds. Due to the proximity of the water, this is a great spot to view a variety of birds. There will be lots to see and learn along the trail and overlooking the basin. Please wear nature-colored or dark colored clothing to keep from startling away the birds – and don’t forget your binoculars!
Lecture: The Wonderful Life of a Dying Tree: Wednesday, July 30th, 2014
Standing dead and dying trees called “snags” are important for wildlife in both natural and landscaped settings. They are vital to the survival of many wildlife species, they increase habitat value, and encourage protection of the natural world. Gillian Martin will be sharing her knowledge on The Cavity Conservation Initiative, which aims to restore and conserve sustainable habitats for all organisms that are ecologically dependent on tree cavities. You will learn about the many animals that use dead and dying trees such as woodpeckers, owls and other bird species, squirrels, bats, insects, raccoons, and lizards, just to name a few. Gillian will share with you how dead trees can live on as excellent natural habitats for all types of organisms!
Beach Concert: Thursday, July 31, 2014
It’s the Annual Beach Concert Series, “Bringing the Bands to the Sand!” Come with your friends and family, or just by yourself and enjoy live music on the beach with the sunset as your back drop. For more information, contact the Recreation Division at (949) 361- 8264.
Summer goes by fast, so make sure to enjoy the whirlwind of events this season! Remember to check out to sign up for the fun tours and adventures they have planned for the whole family.
