Travel Costa Mesa Blog
Holiday Events This November and December in Orange County
What if the holidays were exciting again? With theme parks, live theatre and more, the holidays are back in Orange County! Want to stay in the center of it all? Costa Mesa’s location makes an ideal home base for all the exciting holiday events happening in Orange County this year. Check out our holiday hotel deals for great packages and prices!
South Coast Plaza Tree Lighting
November 18
The annual South Coast Plaza Tree Lighting begins with a performance by the Orange County School for the Performing Arts with special guest Matthew Morrison. The celebration includes snow and an appearance by Santa! Then, watch as the 90-foot tree sparkles with nearly 100,000 lights. The event is free.
Winter Fest Presents Night of Lights OC at OC Fair & Event Center
November 26 – January 2
Winter Fest returns as Night of Lights OC, a drive-thru winter wonderland experience. The interactive drive-thru features over one million lights, tree lighting, holiday characters and an appearance by Santa. It’s a fun event for the whole family (pets are not permitted). You can even pre-order holiday treats to enjoy in your car through the drive. Night of Lights OC does include fog, haze and strobe light effects.
The Nutcracker at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
December 10 – 19
American Ballet Theatre’s exciting production of The Nutcracker returns to Orange County! Follow Clara and the Nutcracker Prince along a journey with toy soldiers, mischievous mice, snowflakes and a dazzling Christmas tree. Pacific Symphony performs Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score. A holiday treat for the whole family!
Holidays at the Disneyland Resort
November 12 – January 9
Holidays at the Disneyland Resort return this year! See both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure decorated for the holiday season. Both parks have a variety of holiday events and decorations. Enjoy the Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure Park, a celebration of multicultural music, food and traditions. Try tasty bites and spirits from diverse cultures and celebrations too. Rides getting a holiday makeover such as Mater’s Jingle Jamboree and Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl. Watch the tree lighting on Buena Vista Street and visit Santa at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. At Disneyland Park, see the Wintertime Enchantment of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, the “it’s a small world” Holiday Lighting and the Haunted Mansion Holiday. “Believe…In Holiday Magic” fireworks display lights up the sky on select nights!
Winter Fantasy at Sawdust Art Festival
November 20 – December 19
Visit the famous Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach for Winter Fantasy. The holiday art festival features a wonderland of lights, decorations and falling snow! Shop handcrafted items from 150 makers and artists, take festival holiday classes with hands-on demonstrations and visit with Santa. There are also three stages of live entertainment from carolers, puppeteers, community performances and music. Winter Fantasy is open on Saturdays and Sundays, plus Black Friday, from 10 am to 7pm.
Capistrano Lights at Mission San Juan Capistrano
December 4 – December 30
Visit Mission San Juan Capistrano on select days in December for Capistrano Lights, an evening of holiday festivities. The evening includes a tree lighting of the Mission’s 30-foot tree, Dickensian carolers, surprise performers and photo opportunities under the 10-foot wreath and with Santa. The Serra Chapel will also be open after hours, along with the Mission Store and vendors with sweet treats and kids crafts. Tickets include daytime admission to Mission San Juan Capistrano, with multi-language audio tour, and holiday programming from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Please visit individual venue websites for COVID-19 safety requirements.
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Broadway Shows and Concerts Coming to Costa Mesa
Indoor performances return to Orange County this fall with the Segerstrom Center for the Arts 2021-2022 season! Broadway shows and popular series – Cabaret, Jazz, and Chamber Music – are back with headliners and exciting productions. Whether you’re visiting Costa Mesa for a quick getaway or an extended stay, you’ll find a performance in the City of the Arts®. While you’re planning your visit, check out our hotel deals page.
All major Orange County arts organizations, including Segerstrom Center for the Arts, require ticket holders to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and wear a mask while inside the venues.
Arts Orange County
Fall Concerts
Laura Benanti – September 23
Broadway fans will be excited that Laura Benanti, Tony Award® winner for her role in Gypsy, makes her Cabaret series debut. Her other Broadway credits include My Fair Lady and Into the Woods. Benanti has also been featured in television shows such as Younger and the reboot of Gossip Girl.
Cecile McLorin Salvant & Sullivan Fortner – September 26
Dazzling jazz vocalist Cecile McLorin Salvant returns to Segerstrom Center of the Arts with celebrated jazz pianist Sullivan Fortner in Jazz series delight. The duo won a Grammy award for their collaboration, The Window, in 2020.
Kristin Chenoweth – October 2
The one-and-only Kirstin Chenoweth returns to the Center to showcase her new album, For the Girls, a tribute to some of her favorite female singers. Songs include hits from Dolly Parton, Dinah Washington, Barbra Streisand, Leslie Gore, Linda Ronstadt and more.
BalletX – October 16
Renowned company BalletX makes their Segerstrom Center for the Arts debut this fall. The innovative and diverse company celebrates their 15th anniversary this year. They’ve been named “among America’s best” by The New York Times.
Megan Hilty – October 21
Actress and singer Megan Hilty returns to the Cabaret series this October. Hilty starred as Ivy Lynn on NBC’s Smash, as well as in Wicked, 9 to 5 and Noises Off on Broadway. Her powerhouse vocals are sure to make for an entertaining evening.
Duets – October 22
Jazz lovers won’t want to miss a memorable evening of piano duets with three Grammy award-winning jazz greats. Dianne Reeves brings her immense repertoire and vocals, joining influential Afro-Cuban jazz pianist-composer-arranger Chucho Valdés and legendary saxophonist Joe Lovano.
Jesus Christ Superstar – November 9
Jesus Christ Superstar marks the return of Broadway to Orange County. Called an “an adrenaline-pumping production” by The New York Times, this production reinvents the iconic Billboard award-winning score. Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice.
Postmodern Jukebox – November 18
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox puts a classical twist on modern hits. The ensemble of singers and musicians brings their thrilling live show to Costa Mesa as part of The Grand Reopening Tour. (Fans of the Bridgerton score will definitely want to check this concert out!)
Parsons Dance Company – November 20
Internationally acclaimed Parsons Dance Company makes their Segerstrom Center for the Arts debut this November. Their athletic style, exuberant performances and innovative choreography make Parsons Dance one of the leading modern/contemporary dance companies.
Upcoming Broadway Shows
My Fair Lady
The Broadway series kicks off in January with My Fair Lady January 11-23. The new production from director Bartlett Sher features classic songs such as “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” and “The Rain in Spain” from Lerner and Loewe. Join Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins in this retelling of Pygmalion.
Wicked
Broadway blockbuster Wicked returns to February 9 – March 6. Travel to the land of Oz for the story of what happens before Dorothy drops in. Wicked has won more than 100 international awards. Music by Stephen Schwartz includes “Popular,” “For Good” and “Defying Gravity.”
Segerstrom Center for the Arts series tickets, including Broadway shows, Cabaret, Jazz and more, can be found here. For a full listing of events in Costa Mesa, visit our calendar.
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Posted in Events, Music & Art, Play
Fun and Free Things to Do at (and around) the OC Fair
Planning to go to the OC Fair this year? It may be a bit different with limited capacity and advance tickets required, but your favorite rides, games, food and entertainment are there to enjoy. You will also find a number of fun and free things to do at the fair and nearby! With so much to do, why not make it a weekend getaway with one of our “SoCal So Cool” summer hotel deals?
Centennial Farm
Stop by Centennial Farm, a three-acre working farm with livestock, as well as fruit and vegetable gardens. During the fair, there are a number of free things to check out including dairy goats, milking demonstration, OC beekeepers and, of course, the new piglets. (Take a peek at the piglets on the pig cam.)
California Fresh Exhibit
The California Fresh Exhibit, located in the OC Promenade, celebrates the diversity of California’s agriculture. You can learn about different crops, grab some recipe cards, play the AR game County Bounty Treasure Hunt or watch a cooking demonstration. Visiting with kids? The exhibit has coloring sheets to dress the California bear for a trip to the OC Fair!
Heroes Hall
Heroes Hall is a museum and education center that honors the legacy of Orange County veterans and others who have served the country. The current exhibit is Private Charles J. Miller WWII Paintings from the South Pacific. You can decorate postcards to veterans and active duty troops which will be distributed by Operation Community Cares.
Entertainment
The OC Fair has a number of free events each day. Live entertainment varies, so be sure to check out the calender of events and OC Fair map. Whether you like magic shows, want to see the pig races or music (even dueling pianos), you’ll find something fun to see. Visual arts displays include everything from dragons to woodworking.
Costa Mesa Parks
Spending a couple of days in Costa Mesa? Make a trip to one of Costa Mesa’s parks. Popular parks include Fairview Park and TeWinkle Park. Sports enthusiasts will enjoy Costa Mesa Skate Park or Talbert Regional Park, which has a BMX area. If you’re traveling with small children, we also recommend Lions Park, with a newly renovated playground.
Orange County Beaches
Costa Mesa is only a few minutes from popular Orange County beaches, Newport Beach and Huntington Beach. Enjoy beautiful Southern California weather while you surf, swim or relax on the beach.
Find more to do with our itineraries for solo, couple, family and pet-friendly travel.
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It’s “Time for Fun” as the OC Fair returns in person to SoCal
The OC Fair is back in person and California is fully reopen! The fair opens July 16 through August 15 with plenty of food, live entertainment and carnival rides. Get the most out of your experience with our guide to the OC Fair. For safety precautions, the OC Fair is limiting the number of visitors each day. Advanced ticket purchase is required. Whether you’re a Californian or traveling from another state, Orange County is ready to welcome you back. Be sure to visit our SoCal So Cool summer hotel deals too!
Fair Food
There’s exciting new food this year from Pink’s Hot Dogs, Chicken Charlie’s, Pepe’s Mariscos Fresh Mexican Seafood, Mom’s Bakeshoppe and more. You can also view the full list of food vendors here. We recommend visiting the fair on Thursdays for the $3 Taste of Fair Food where you can sample a variety of items for $3 each!
Carnival Rides & Games
Ride the ferris wheel, win a prize and more. There are new rides, such as Windsurf and Liberty Wheel, and lots of returning favorites. Try your hand at carnival games like balloon pop, water races or beer pong. You can view the rides, games and number of tickets needed here and purchase tickets here.
Live Entertainment
There’s a variety of live entertainment at Pacific Amphitheatre and The Hangar this summer. You can see popular tribute bands, such as The Fab Four and Dead Man’s Party, as well as comedians and artists, like Dwight Yoakam and Colbie Caillat. Bring the kids to Toy Story in Concert with Pacific Symphony for a live performance of the soundtrack while watching the classic Pixar film.
Fun Events
Before you go, take a look at the OC Fair events calendar for the full lineup of events during your visit. Check out our events calendar for events throughout Costa Mesa, including at Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
Stay Local
Beat the heat, and the traffic, by staying at one of Costa Mesa’s nearby hotels. Best Western Plus is within walking distance to the OC Fair, plus they offer a complimentary breakfast. Costa Mesa is centrally located between Los Angeles and San Diego. It’s also only minutes from the beach!
With so much to do in SoCal this summer, now is the perfect time to visit!
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Posted in Events, Food, Hotels, Music & Art
Your Mother’s Day Dining & Entertainment Guide in Costa Mesa
As lives return to something closer to normal, it’s time to celebrate Mom (safely, of course) on Mother’s Day with great gift ideas, special brunches and other great offers. Here’s how to make the most of your Mother’s Day in Costa Mesa!
Pampering Mom couldn’t be sweeter and more treasured this year, with the loosening of COVID-19 restrictions in Costa Mesa. Choose South Coast Plaza for a great day of shopping and perfect ideas for a Mother’s Day bite. Here are some offers from South Coast Plaza restaurants for the big day:
Tiffany & Co. Blue Box Cafe
Breakfast at Tiffany For Two
If only Audrey Hepburn could join you! The world-famous jewelry retailer offers their special cafe experience in only two spots in the U.S., including at South Coast Plaza. The bento box packaged menu includes chia seed yogurt pudding with farmer’s market fruit, croissants with organic strawberries and lavender mascarpone, Tiffany avocado toast, smoked salmon and buckwheat mille feuille, and Bellocq No. 727 The Tiffany Blend: a floral infusion of Chinese and Ceylon black tea with notes of lychee, rose buds, lavender and vanilla.
Tea For Two
A delightfully elegant tea service for you and Mom begins with assorted scones and Devonshire cream, cherry ginger marmalade and wildflower honey. Next tea sandwiches with a variety of fillings—smoked salmon, lemon cucumber, chicken salad, truffle and mushroom butter, goat cheese, fig and honey–as well as a petit lobster roll. End with a generous selection of petit fours and confections such as chocolate hazelnut Rocher, opera cake, citrus-olive oil cake and Key lime cheesecake. Included is a tin of Bellocq No. 727 Tiffany Blend Tea.Breakfast for 2, $120, excluding tax. Tea for 2, $150, excluding tax. For more details and to preorder 48 hours in advance, or for information, please call (714) 540-5330 and press 7.
Knife Pleat
Knife Pleat offers Mother’s Day tea on Sunday, May 9th! Guests will begin the classic tea service with scones, clotted cream and house-made marmalades. Finger sandwiches on assorted breads include Persian cucumber, egg salad, beet-cured salmon and chicken salad. End on a sweet note with cream puffs, seasonal fruit tart, macaron and the signature chocolate Louis XV. Select from six teas such as jasmine, Earl Grey, rooibos raspberry vanilla, assam and sencha. À la carte champagne and caviar service will be available.
11am-2:30pm (last seating) $75 per person, $36 children, exclusive of tax/gratuity. Reservations advised.
Terrace by Mix Mix
One of Costa Mesa’s hottest chefs, Ross Pangilinan, is serving a three-course brunch for Mother’s Day at his beautiful terrace restaurant in the Macy’s Home Store wing.
Guests will have a choice of four starters: seared yellowfin tuna, house Caesar, “snack” plate of bacon-wrapped date, mushroom tempura and signature albacore tostada or a trio of toast: avocado, goat cheese and chicken liver mousse.
Main course selections are house-made bucatini, diver scallops & pork belly Benedict, prosciutto pizza, or for a $10 surcharge, beef ribeye with sides. A lemon semifreddo or chocolate potato cake are offered for dessert. Kids’ menu has three choices: French toast, cheese pizza, or pork adobo with fried rice.
11am-3pm. $50 per person, $12.50 kids, excluding tax/gratuity. Reservations advised.
Water Grill
Enjoy an unparalleled offering of fresh seafood such as wild Alaskan halibut, iced shellfish platters, sushi and seasonal soft-shell crab. For Mother’s Day only, there will be specials for the day, a new spring cocktail and dessert featuring Harry’s Berries over lemon sable cake.
11am-10pm, Reservations advised.
The Capital Grille
The Capital Grille will open early serving the full dinner menu of contemporary classics as well as three brunch features: lobster frittata, bone-in NY strip steak and eggs and 8 oz. filet mignon from 11am-2pm.
Another option is Mother’s Day at home. A three-course dinner features whole roasted tenderloin of beef with butter poached lobster tails as the main course with accompaniments to share. Guests will start with a butter leaf lettuce salad and French rolls and finish with flourless chocolate espresso cake and chocolate covered strawberries. The pre-ordered dinner will be ready to warm and enjoy at home.
11am-9pm. Reservations needed for dine-in à la carte menu. Mother’s Day at Home starts at $165, excluding tax. Available for pick up May 8, 12-5pm; May 9, 10am-12pm.
Seasons 52
Seasons 52 offers dine-in and outdoor seating for Mother’s Day with its popular, fresh à la carte menu that includes brunch selections. A takeout Green Box is the perfect option for those who prefer to dine at home. It offers three entrée selections and is available in two sizes.
Brunch, served 10am-2pm, includes à la carte specials for Mother’s Day. Avocado toast, strawberry spinach salad, asparagus soup and lobster bisque are starters for the day. Brunch entrées include crab and cheddar quiche, French toast, apricot-glazed ham and wood-grilled shrimp and grits.
Green Box three-course menu starts with either field green or Caesar salad. Wood-grilled beef tenderloin, whole side of cedar plank-roasted salmon and apricot-glazed spiral ham are selections for the group entrée, served with roasted French green beans and a choice of sweet potato mash with maple-pecan streusel or marble potatoes. Finish with Mini-Indulgences: chocolate-dipped strawberry, coconut cream pie or raspberry chocolate chip cannoli. Food is chilled and ready to be reheated when convenient; pre-order required.
10am-2pm, brunch; à la carte menu until 9pm, Reservations needed for dine-in. Mother’s Day Green Box for 2 or 4-6; prices range from $55-$165 depending on size and entrée selection, excluding tax. Available for pickup May 7-8.
Outside of South Coast Plaza, there are even more great brunch celebrations to choose from. Here’s more:
Silver Trumpet
Choose the spacious outdoor lakeside patio to enjoy Mom this Sunday. Silver Trumpet Restaurant at the Avenue of the Arts Hotel presents a very special Mother’s Day brunch! Choose from many items such as Smoked Trout Tartine to Steak & Eggs or Blueberry Pancakes – there’s also a build-your-own omelet bar. See the menu for all offerings in this special brunch. Please reserve your spot by calling the restaurant at (714) 442-8593.
Le Chateau Garden Bistro
The beautiful Le Chateau inside the Ayres Hotel is offering a brunch in their outdoor courtyard that will make Mom feel as if she’s been transported to the French countryside. With an omelet station and an à la carte menu as well, let Mom choose from eggs benedict, Belgian waffles, herb-crusted prime rib or Le Chateau’s famous Monte Cristo sandwich. Plus, bottomless mimosas for just $15! Available Sunday from 10am to 3pm. See the full menu here and call (714) 549-0300 for reservations.
Cafe Sevilla
Celebrate Mother’s Day at Cafe Sevilla this Sunday, May 9th. You can spoil mom 3 different ways on her special day as outlined below:
Champagne Brunch and Live Music
Treat mom to our delicious brunch menu while listening to live Spanish guitar and vocals from 10am-3pm. All moms will receive a complimentary glass of champagne during brunch. The menu includes favorites such as our Spanish Eggs Benedict (Poached farm fresh eggs, Spanish jamón Serrano crisp and saffron hollandaise on Kalamata olive loaf); Short Rib Hash (Hash of 16 hour braised Rioja short ribs, papas bravas, bell peppers and onions topped with two fried eggs); or the Breakfast Meat Paella (Pork tenderloin, grilled sausages, chicken and flat iron steak served over authentic saffron bomba rice and topped with two fried eggs). Bottomless mimosas are also available (with a 1.5 time limit). Dinner menu is also available during brunch.
Dinner and Live Music
The Mother’s Day celebrations continue into the evening with dinner and live Latin music by Tian Musica from 6pm-8pm.
Special Mother’s Day Flamenco Show at Cafe Sevilla!
Looking for something extra special for mom this Mother’s Day? Treat her to Cafe Sevilla’s Flamenco Dinner Show, offering a sensory indulgence of sight, sound, and taste, leaving her with a piece of truly Spanish culture. Marvel at the passion, beauty, and athleticism of this traditional art form as you enjoy a welcome glass of cava sangria paired with a 3-course dinner featuring our Shaved Jamón Serrano Ensalada Sevillana followed by our award-winning Paella Valenciana and Lemon Tart with Linguee Cherries for dessert. The Flamenco Dinner Show is $89.50 per person* and tickets must be purchased in advance. Doors open at 5pm and the show starts promptly at 5:30pm. *price does not include tax/gratuity.
To provide an enjoyable and safe dining experience, Cafe Sevilla has a spacious patio for outdoor dining as well as limited capacity indoor dining.
Fill Bakeshop
Stay home with mom and make some sweet treats! Fill Bakeshop is teaming up with Manoa Bake Co. to offer two bags of Mochi Baking Mix and two mochi doughnut Molds for $24.99. This adorable offering will come inside their half-dozen box and makes the perfect Mother’s Day gift. Preorder now!
Where will you be taking Mom for Mother’s Day, or will you be staying in? Let us know in the comments. Either way, have a Happy Mother’s Day!
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