Winter Fest OC
Featuring a walk-through light show, an outdoor ice skating rink, a 130-foot ice slide, a snow play area for kids of all ages with real snow blown in daily, a nightly Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, carnival rides, seasonal eateries, visits with Santa in his private cabin, and a New Year’s Eve celebration. Through Jan. 1 at OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. Admission is $10-$15. interfestoc.com
Winter Camp
Each day, campers (divided into small groups by age) will rotate among camp teachers and participate in exciting, age-appropriate activities. Full Day Camp: 9 a.m.-3p.m. Fee: $265 ($238.50 for members); Half Day Camp: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fee: $180 ($162 for members). Jan. 2-5 at Environmental Nature Center, 1601 E. 16th St., Newport Beach. encenter.org
Special events
FESTIVAL OF KWANZAA CELEBRATION: Each day a candle is lit on the kinara with a celebration of a new principle through a variety of activities. Visitors can also make gifts for family and friends and work at the family stand. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 26-Jan. 1 at Pretend City Children’s Museum, 29 Hubble, Irvine. Admission is free-$12.50. pretendcity.org
ANNUAL NOON-YEAR’S CONFETTI COUNTDOWN: Ring in the new year at different times throughout the day as the sun travels across the different time zones. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 31 at Pretend City Children’s Museum, 29 Hubble, Irvine. Admission is free-$12.50. pretendcity.org
SURF CITY SPLASH: Ring in the new year Surf City style by dashing into the Pacific Ocean and starting 2017 with a splash. Registration and pancake breakfast takes place from 9 to 11 a.m. at 405 Pacific Coast Highway (Zack’s at Pier Plaza), and the costume contest is at 11 a.m. At noon, all Surf City splashers dash through the Sponsors’ Banner for a dip in the Pacific. $20. hbsurfcitysplash.com
OC CHILL: Irvine Spectrum Center’s ever-popular seasonal ice rink is open daily in the Giant Wheel Court through Jan. 16 at 670 Spectrum Center Drive. Admission is $16-$20. skatespectrum.com
ARROWHEAD NECKLACE: Craft your own keepsake while learning about the lifestyle of Mission Native Americans. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays at Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Highway. $10; $5 for members (admission is free-$9). missionsjc.com
‘HANSEL & GRETEL’: This kid-friendly production features spoken narration as well as the most charming and catchy tunes from the original opera, sung by opera singers, including students from Chapman University, who are joined by the All-American Boys Chorus. 10 and 11:30 a.m. Jan. 14 at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tickets start at $12. scfta.org
‘MATILDA THE MUSICAL’: Based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl and the winner of 50 international awards, including four Tony Awards, it is the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny. Jan. 17-29 (except Jan. 23) at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tickets start at $29. scfta.org
‘MOBY DICK’: Herman Melville’s colossal novel is transformed into a masterwork for the stage. Driven by a self-destructive madman, larger-than-life characters search for the white whale in this robust and theatrically stunning production by Chicago’s renowned Lookingglass Theatre Company. Jan. 20-Feb. 19 at South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. scr.org
‘FIN DE FIESTA’: Extraordinary talent from the U.S. and Spain has been assembled for an evening celebrating flamenco’s most treasured traditions of improvisation and spontaneity. 8 p.m. Jan. 21 at Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive. thebarclay.org
SNOW DAY: Tons of frosty snow will be delivered to the park to enable youngsters to sled, make snow people, and have old-fashioned snowball fights. Children are advised to wear warm clothes and gloves. 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Jan. 28 at Brea Dam Park, 1700 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton. Admission is $15-$18. cityoffullerton.com
WINTER WONDERFEST: Snow has come to Orange County with themed attractions and science at Discovery Cube. Learn the science behind sledding down ice ramps and how snow angels are formed, then put your knowledge to action with real sledding and snow angel making. Activities include snow tubing, sledding, snow learning stations and snow play areas. Through Jan. 8 at Discovery Cube Orange County, 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana. discoverycube.org
Exhibits
‘AS SHE LIKED IT: THE SHAKESPEAREAN ROLES OF MADAME MODJESKA’: In 1876, Madame Helena Modjeska, already a famous Polish stage actress, sailed across the Atlantic in search of the American Dream. Settling not far from where the Bowers Museum is located, she eventually returned to the stage, preferring to showcase her incredible talent in Shakespeare’s most demanding roles. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday at Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana. Admission is free-$15. bowers.org
‘MASTERPIECES OF CALIFORNIA ART’: The exhibition is a remarkable display of some of the most celebrated works painted in California between 1890 and 1940. This noteworthy exhibition combines works from the collection of the Irvine Museum as well as paintings from several important private lenders. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday through Jan. 19 at the Irvine Museum, 18881 Von Karman Ave., Suite 100. Donations accepted. irvinemuseum.org
‘TIME OF GIANTS: ICE AGE ANIMALS’: Giant sloths, woolly mammoths and saber-toothed cats! These gigantic creatures seem to be the stuff of legend, but they were just doing what they could to survive. Take a trip back in time over 10,000 years to the Age of Mammals and explore this interactive exhibit. Through March 5 at the Children’s Museum at La Habra, 301 S. Euclid St. Admission is free-$8. lhcm.org
Theme park news
Disneyland
The holiday season continues through Jan. 8 at the Disneyland Resort. This year, memories will be brimming with Disney music and stories from the new holiday-themed “World of Color-Season of Light,” while the new “Festival of Holidays” will inspire guests to discover holiday celebrations from many cultures. Both of those will take place at Disney California Adventure. disneylandnews.com
Knott’s Berry Farm
“Merry” Farm: Relish the Christmas season with thrilling attractions, festive new entertainment, a Christmas crafts fair, delectable holiday food, cheerful carolers performing seasonal classics and snow falling nightly on the lively streets of Calico. Through Jan. 8
Fire and Law Tribute Days: Active, full-time fire and law enforcement personnel, including EMTs, may receive free admission for themselves and one guest. Jan. 9-31. knotts.com
Out-of-town enjoyment
Mountain High
The winter resort is located roughly 70 miles from central Orange County. The resort consists of three separate mountains: West Resort, East Resort and North Resort. Mountain High offers a wide variety of lifts and trails, a world-class terrain park, a winter sports school and the region’s largest tubing area. 24510 CA-2, Wrightwood. mthigh.com
Carlsbad Marathon
& Half
The three-day event kicks off with Health & Lifestyle Expo on Jan. 13. The Kids Marathon Mile at Legoland takes place Jan. 14, while the expo returns for a second day. The marathon and half marathon take place on Jan. 15, starting at the Shoppes at Carlsbad, 2525 El Camino Real. carlsbadmarathon.com
‘Rent: The 20th Anniversary Tour’
The Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning masterpiece returns to the stage in a touring production. “Rent” follows a year in the lives
of seven artists struggling
to follow their dreams without selling out. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Jan. 24-29 at Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd.
hollywoodpantages.com
Sports
JAN. 1: The Ducks host the Philadelphia Flyers at 5 p.m.; the Lakers host the Toronto Raptors
at 6:30 p.m.
JAN. 3: The Lakers host the Memphis Grizzlies at 7:30 p.m.
JAN. 4: The Ducks host the Detroit Redwings at 7:30 p.m.
JAN. 6: The Ducks host the Arizona Coyotes at 7 p.m.
JAN. 8: The Lakers host the Orlando Magic at 6:30 p.m.;the Lakers host the Miami Heat at 7:30 p.m.
JAN. 8: The Ducks host the Minnesota Wild at 5 p.m.
JAN. 10: The Lakers host the Portland Trailblazers at 7:30 p.m.; the Ducks host the Dallas Stars at 7 p.m.
JAN. 15: The Ducks host the
St. Louis Blues at 6 p.m.;the Lakers host the Detroit Pistons
at 6:30 p.m.
JAN. 17: The Ducks host the Tampa Bay Lightning at 7 p.m.
JAN. 19: The Ducks host the Colorado Avalanche at 7 p.m.
JAN. 20: The Lakers host the Indiana Pacers at 7:30 p.m.
JAN. 25: The Ducks host the Edmonton Oilers at 7 p.m.
JAN. 31: The Ducks host the Colorado Avalanche at 7 p.m.;
the Lakers host the Denver Nuggets at 7:30 p.m.
