Events in Orange County
Orange County Fair
Celebrating its 128 anniversary at the OC Fair and Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. The ninth biggest fair in the country returns to its traditional starters of competitive exhibits, carnival rides, food, shopping and concerts at the Pacific Amphitheatre next to the fairgrounds.
The first Orange County Fairs were originally livestock exhibitions and horse races. At the turn of the century, a variety of products was added, and the Fair became an annual event. The OC Fair has developed from a small, five-day celebration of a 23-day festival that is one of Orange County’s most keenly awaited annual events.
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
It is an annual music and arts festival placed at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California.
The event features music artists from many genres of music, including rock, indie, hip-hop, and electronic dance music, as well as art installations. Across the field, several stages continuously host live music.
Coachella also offers more delicious food than you could eat in a single weekend, with over 100 vendors serving everything you can think. Each year, the Coachella Festival commissions some original, large-scale, site-specific art installations to be showcased throughout the festival and campgrounds.
Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade and Festival
The tradition started on July 4, 1904, when Huntington Beach commemorated the arrival of the first electric passenger train connecting the area with Long Beach and Los Angeles. The Board of Trade, a forerunner of the Chamber of Commerce, sponsored this first event, gathering 50,000 people to town to join in the day’s celebration.
The parade and festival have more than a century of history, Carrying on the long-established tradition, last year’s 32-minute fireworks show included 1,300 rounds, 500 of them during the finale in the last 40 seconds. About 300,000 spectators came out for the holiday spectacle.
Pageant of the Masters
The Pageant of the Masters is a 90-minute theatrical performance where famous works of art are brought to life onstage. On each night of the Festival of Arts summer schedule, visitors are amazed and fascinated by one hour and a half of tableaux vivants (living pictures), incredibly reliable recreations of both classical and contemporary artworks, including real people posing to look just like their counterparts in the masterpieces.
An outdoor theater, professional orchestra, original score, live narration, intricate sets, advanced lighting, expert staff and hundreds of dedicated volunteers have won appreciation for the Pageant of the Masters as the best presentation of its kind.
The Festival of Arts Fine Art Show presents works for sale by 140 Orange County artists. The art exhibit also covers art workshops, tours, live music, special events and more.
Winter Fest
Whether an adrenaline enthusiast that is looking for the ultimate carnival rides or a nature nut with a soft spot for reindeer, every visitor will find it all at Winter Fest.
With the purchase of admission, ticket holders will receive unlimited access to the 130-foot, six-lane ice slide known as Snowflake Summit. As a suggestion, grab an Ice Tube FastPass and skip those pesky lines.
The winter experience is returning for its fourth consecutive year, at Orange County Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa. It includes a 2 million light walk-through show, outdoor ice skating arena, snow play area for the kids, evening Christmas tree lighting ceremony, carnival rides, New Year’s Eve ceremony and more.
Orange County Christmas Lights
Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
Completely free to the public. The boat parade will bright up the harbor every night for five consecutive nights. The show starts at Bay Island at 6:00 p.m. and will last approximately three and a half hours. Over 250 ships participate in the show along with hundreds of waterfront estates. Providing the scenery for the parade is the Ring of Lights waterfront home and business decorating competition. Free for viewers, entry fee for participating boats. Over million and a half people view the parade each year. General admission tickets can be booked over the phone.
Other neighborhoods displaying Christmas lights in Orange County:
Eagle Hills
Mission Viejo
Rancho Santa Margarita
Lake Forest
Laguna Niguel
Ladera Ranch
Huntington Beach
Fountain Valley
Costa Mesa
Buena Park
Brea
