Best Spring Festivals In OC
Ring in spring with entertainment, community activities, art, diversity, films and food. From more traditional community festivals to a refined film fest and a weekend full of live blues, you can celebrate with the entire family or plan a day with just adults.
Strawberry Festival
Euclid St. & Main St.
Garden Grove, CA 92840
(714) 638-0981
www.strawberryfestival.org
Date: May 22-25
Initiated in 1958 in an effort to bring the Garden Grove, CA community together, The Strawberry Festival has been a go to event each year. The area was known for abundant strawberry fields, so "The Strawberry Festival" name stuck. In addition to there being a "Tiny Tots King & Queen Contest," "Berry Berry Beautiful Baby Contest," "Miss Garden Grove and Friends" pageant, "Red Head Roundup Contest," "VIP Breakfast," "5K Run," "Strawberry Cake Cutting Ceremony," parade, celebrity appearances, karaoke and live music, the festival will have a substantial number of rides for kiddos, families and thrill seekers alike.
Doheny Blues Festival
Doheny State Beach
25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive
Dana Point, CA 92629
(949) 360-7800
www.dohenybluesfestival.com
Date: May 16 & 17
Enjoy the warmer spring temperatures at this outdoor festival with blues, drinks and international gourmet food. With more than 20 performers such as Boz Scaggs, Bonnie Raitt, Beth Hart, Paul Rodgers, The Mavericks and Lurrie Bell on hand, other features include a "wine lounge," microbrews served and more than 50 different food vendors to choose from and much more. To work off some of the festival's indulgences, you can take advantage of the environmentally-conscious "Bike Valet" and pedal to and from the event. Various ticket packages can be purchased for adults and children here.
Citrus Fair
321 E. La Habra Blvd.
La Habra, CA 90631
(562) 697-1704
www.citrusfair.com
Date: May 1 - 3
This classic take on a spring festival will be held May 1 through May 3 and can be a fun new experience for kiddos and may initiate some nostalgia among adults. With rides, art, crafts, live music and street food, the entire family can be entertained. There's also educational activities for children on topics including agriculture, history and literature. To get discounted presale tickets, click here.
Newport Beach Film Festival
2000 Quail St.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 253-2880
www.newportbeachfilmfest.com
Date: May 23 - May 30
Showcasing studio and independent films from all over the world, the Newport Beach Film Festival will host various movie screenings May 23 through May 30 for your viewing pleasure. Several film series will be offered such as "Features," "Documentaries," "Action Sports," "Shorts," "Art, Architecture + Design," "Environmental," "Music," "Family," "Youth," "Music Video" and "Collegiate." Each day, the screenings will be illustrated at different theaters in the area. Check out the full list of venues on the website. Tickets for the screenings can be purchased at each location.
Soka International Festival
Soka University
1 University Drive
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
(949) 480-4000
www.soka.edu
Date: May 2
Celebrating diversity and creativity with an array of international cuisines, games, art, a bounce house, a super slide, and live entertainment, this year's Soka International Festival is free for all who want to attend. Those attending will get a chance to see 900 musicians and dancers who will be showing off their talents on different stages. In addition, find more than 250 exhibitors who will be displaying crafts, and more. Be sure to bring $10 in cash for parking because credit cards will not excepted.
