Best Of OC - Week Of December 14
The holidays are upon us. Ready or not, the stage is set for holiday fun and entertainment in Orange County. Plenty of family-friendly events are being offered throughout the region, including must-see holiday traditions like "The Nutcracker" and the 107th annual Newport Beach Holiday Boat Parade, as well as newcomers to the OC scene, like Winter Fest, a brand-new themed event that promises to bring a wintry feel to temperate Orange County. Get you and yours in the holiday spirit by exploring these great Orange County events.
American Tea Room Opening
549 Newport Center Dr.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 432-6006
www.americantearoom.com
American Tea Room, the premier retailer of exceptional teas and gifts in Beverly Hills since 2003, introduced its "American tea experience" to Southern California's Newport Beach community with the opening of Fashion Island location. With more than 200 curated, rare teas, served by the glass like fine wines, American Tea Room is much more than a retail store, but more accurately a sensory experience. Specialty teas include a complexly-aged 1992 Vintage Pu'Er Tea, and a holiday-inspired, spice-laden Pink Christmas Organic Herbal Tea, among others. Teas prepared on site are brewed using state-of-the-art BKON craft brewers that use reverse atmospheric infusion technology to brew the perfect cup of tea in less than 60 seconds.
"An Appalachian Christmas"
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
600 Town Center Dr.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 556-2787
www.scfta.org
Genre-bridging musical sensation Mark O'Connor brings his celebrated "Appalachian Christmas" Tour to Segerstrom Center for the Arts today in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Hailed by critics from the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and LA Times as a top 10 album of the holiday season, O'Connor's album has become a perennial classic Christmas recording. Tickets for the live, concert event start at just $29.
"The Nutcracker"
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
600 Town Center Dr.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 556-2787
www.scfta.org
Don't miss the West Coast Premiere of American Ballet Theater's spectacular production of "The Nutcracker," on stage this holiday season at Segerstrom Center for the Arts through December 20th. In addition to the on-stage dance and storytelling to the famous Tchaikovsky score, with choreography by ABT artist in residentce Alexei Ratmansky, audiences are encouraged to arrive early for pre-show entertainment and opportunities including winter holiday-themed photo shoots, behind-the-scenes videos of the preparation involved in "The Nutcracker" production, and more.
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
Various viewing locations
Newport Beach, CA
www.christmasboatparade.com
The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade five-night holiday tradition, now in its 107th year, is an OC Christmas tradition that your family won't want to miss. This longest- running, lighted holiday boat parade in the nation features approximately 100 festive boats all decorated to the 2015 theme: "Seas the Holidays." Don't miss the festivities at the brand-new Marina Park, home to views of the parade, and family-friendly activities. Tonight's Grand Marshalls are Christen Press and Amy Rodriguez, U.S. Women's National Soccer players.
Winter Fest
OC Fair & Event Center
88 Fair Dr.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
www.WinterFestOC.com
Winter Fest, the all-new holiday spectacular at the OC Fair & Event Center, opens tonight and runs through January 3, 2016. The family-friendly event features unlimited ice tubing, ice skating, reindeer feedings, and much more, bringing a wintry celebration to temperate Orange County. Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be at the event through Christmas Eve, as well as crafts, food, interactive model train displays, a Candy Cane Carnival (boasting more than 30 rides and games), nightly snowfall, live entertainment, and seasonal treats, eats, and cocktails. Tickets ($10) can be purchased in advance.
Breakfast with Santa
Leatherby's Café Rouge
615 Town Center Dr.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 429-7640
www.patinagroup.com
Celebrate the holidays at this decadent, family-friendly affair within Orange County's cultural epicenter, the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Menu highlights for Leatherby's Café Rouge Breakfast with Santa include Soft Egg Raviolo with butternut squash, ricotta, guanciale, sage, brown butter, and parmesan; Brioche French Toast with mango, pineapple, coconut, macadamia nuts, vanilla ice cream, candied bacon, and maple syrup; and a Candy Bar dessert with brownie, Oreo, peanut butter bar, milk sorbet, salted caramel ganache, and Nutella Chantilly. Cost is $45 for adults and $25 for children 12 years and under, and time with St. Nick is, of course, included.
Celebrate National Sangria Day
Various locations
Celebrate National Sangria Day, a day honoring the best in fruity, tangy beverages mixed with champagnes, red, and white wines across Orange County. The drink, which was first tasted in the United States at the 1964 World's Fair in New York, has become one of the most popular beverages for celebratory events worldwide. Explore this handy guide to the OC's Best Sangria to help you raise your favorite glass.
