Special events
EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA: Hop on over with family and friends to enjoy this fun and exciting event. Children can meet and have their photo taken with the Easter Bunny and participate in several activities including an egg hunt, train rides, a moon bounce and hay rides. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, March 25-April 15 at Irvine Park Railroad, 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange. irvineparkrailroad.com
WONDERCON ANAHEIM: Programs featuring comics, pop culture, workshops, and signings. March 31-April 2 at Anaheim Convention Center, 800 W. Katella Ave. Three-day badges are $32-$65. One-day passes are $9-$30. comic-con.org/wca
‘THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST’: By Oscar Wilde. Two young gentlemen living in 1890s England have taken to bending the truth in order to put some excitement into their lives. Jack Worthing has invented a brother, Earnest, whom he uses as an excuse to leave his dull country life behind to visit the ravishing Gwendolen. Algy Montcrieff decides to take the name Earnest when visiting Worthing’s young and beautiful ward, Cecily, at a country manor. Things start to go awry when they end up together in the country, and their deceptions are discovered, threatening to spoil their romantic pursuits. 7:30 p.m. March 2-4, 2 p.m. March 4-5 at Lyceum Theater, Vanguard University, 55 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. Tickets are $13-$15. vanguard.edu
THE BEACH BOYS: In the pantheon of pop, few groups have enjoyed the success of the Beach Boys. Their close vocal harmonies and “Good Vibrations” conjure timeless memories of surf, sun and endless summers. Known for such irresistible chart-topping hits as “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “I Get Around,” “Kokomo,” “Help Me, Rhonda” and “California Girls,” these Rock and Roll Hall of Famers have performed more concerts than any major rock band in history. 8 p.m. March 3-4 at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tickets start at $35. scfta.org
DANA POINT FESTIVAL OF WHALES: Features whale watching, classic car show, educational lectures, parade, paddling and sailing opportunities, Boating Extravaganza, sand sculpting, concerts on land and water, environmental activities and a street fair. March 4-5 and 11-12 at Dana Point Harbor. festivalofwhales.com
TUSTIN HANGAR HALF MARATHON & 5K: The Half Marathon will start at 7 a.m., with the 5K beginning at 7:30 a.m. These March 12 races are designed to raise the maximum amount of funds for nonprofits and charities while showcasing the city. Both races will start at the District at Tustin Legacy, 2437 Park Ave. Runners in both races will proceed through one of the two Tustin blimp hangars, among the largest wooden structures ever built and rarely opened to the public. renegaderaceseries.com
‘A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM’: Light, fast-paced, witty, irreverent and one of the funniest musicals ever written, Stephen Sondheim’s hilarious yet masterful romp through ancient Rome is a must-see performance. Preview night at 8 p.m. March 14; regular performances at 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays, March 25-April 9 at Curtis Theatre, 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea. Tickets are $25-$30.
cityofbrea.net
HUNTINGTON BEACH CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL: Features Japanese dance, music, food, cultural exhibits, arts, crafts, martial arts and games. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. March 19 at Huntington Beach Central Park Bandstand, behind the Central Library, 7111 Talbert Ave. Admission is free. hbcbfest.com
‘PETER RABBIT TALES’: An imaginative theatrical adaptation of Beatrix Potter’s beloved stories of Peter Rabbit and his friends. Hop on a whimsical adventure with Peter, his cousin Benjamin, his sister Flopsy and Mr. Todd. Using life-size puppets, fantastic costumes, masks, magic, dance and music. 2 p.m. March 19 at Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive. Tickets are $21. thebarclay.org
‘DAMNED: JOHN WILKES BOOTH – BLOODY PATRIOT’: A thrilling one-man show that delves into the life, career and deadly deed of the hero-come villain. 7:30-9 p.m. March 23 at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton. themuck.org
SWALLOWS DAY PARADE, THE FIESTA DE LAS GOLONDRINAS: Head to San Juan Capistrano on March 25 and enjoy the 59th annual event at 11 a.m. The Mercado Street Fair is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. swallowsparade.com
Exhibits
‘KIDS ON STAGE’: Dress up in costume, then debut on stage in the super fun Theater Gallery. Lighting, sound effects, costumes, scripts and a microphone help to make you a star. Ongoing at the Children’s Museum at La Habra, 301 S. Euclid St. Admission is free-$8. lhcm.org
‘VERY ERIC CARLE’: Play-and-learn exhibit featuring activities inspired by five of Eric Carle’s classic books: “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” “The Very Quiet Cricket,” “The Very Lonely Firefly,” “The Very Clumsy Click Beetle” and “The Very Busy Spider.” In this exhibit, you can become the Very Hungry Caterpillar as you follow his path, weave a web with the Very Busy Spider, find your light with the Very Lonely Firefly and enjoy other activities. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through May 14 at Discovery Cube Orange County, 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana. Admission is free-$17.95. discoverycube.org
GALLERY TOUR: WATERCOLOR DEMONSTRATION: The National Watercolor Society opens the gallery season with an exhibition of its members devoted to figurative portraits. The invitational show features a diverse range of works by more than 40 member artists working in some form of water-based media. 7:30-9 p.m. March 2 at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton. Free. themuck.org
Sports
MARCH 3: The Ducks host the Toronto Maple Leafs at 7 p.m.
MARCH 5: The Lakers host the New Orleans Pelicans at 6:30 p.m.
MARCH 17: The Lakers host the Milwaukee Bucks at 7:30 p.m.
MARCH 26: The Ducks host the New York Rangers at 6 p.m.
Out-of-town enjoyment
The San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering: Ten-day educational experience including interactive demonstrations, hands-on activities and dynamic speakers to engage families in science, technology, engineering and math. The week kicks off with its largest event, EXPO Day (10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 4) at Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd. Admission is free. Hundreds of community businesses and organizations will participate, and 60 programs and events will follow during the week throughout San Diego County. More than 75,000 kids, parents, teachers, industry leaders and community members are expected to attend. lovestemsd.org
Bald eagle counting: Volunteer to help the U.S. Forest Service count the bald eagles wintering in the San Bernardino National Forest. Volunteers meet at the Big Bear Discovery Center, 40971 N. Shore Drive/Highway 38, Fawnskin, from 8 to 8:30 a.m. March 11. Dress warmly and bring binoculars. The count goes from 9 to 10 a.m. Following, join Forest Service wildlife biologist Robin Eliason for an exciting presentation about bald eagles Free. mountainsfoundation.org
St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Festival: Featuring marching bands and floats, entertainment, craft booths, rides, an art contest and a kid zone. Festival, 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. March 11 at Balboa Park, Sixth Avenue and Laurel Street, San Diego. stpatsparade.org
Theme Park News
Disneyland: The park is encouraging guests to visit during March (through May 25) using its latest 3-Day Ticket offer for Southern California residents at $149. From March 10 through April 16, the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival returns to Disney California Adventure. disneyland.disney.go.com
Knott’s Berry Farm: Knott’s Berry Farm and Susan G. Komen Orange County are partnering again to raise money for breast cancer awareness, services and research by offering special Pink Tickets and exclusive pink merchandise during Knott’s Berry Farm for the Cure. Through March 5, guests can purchase a Pink Ticket, online only at knotts.com. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Susan G. Komen Orange County. Join the conversation using #KnottsPink. knotts.com
