What to do and where to go this month
Special Events
Orange International Street Fair: Enjoy a day of live music performances, arts and crafts booths and food from countries across the globe. Festivities take place during Labor Day weekend in Old Towne Orange. 10 a.m-10 p.m. Sept. 1-3. orangestreetfair.org
Newport Beach concerts: Visit the Newport Beach Civic Center to listen to a live performance by Night Shift, a high-energy pop ensemble. Visitors are encouraged to bring beach chairs and blankets for an evening of fun. Picnics are welcome. 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 3. newportbeachca.gov
Folklorico: Enjoy a music and cultural dance variety show paying tribute to regional Azteca and Jalisco dances of Mexico, directed by Jim Whirlow. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. at the Huntington Beach Public Library. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sept. 6. hbpl.com
‘The Muppets Take the Bowl’: The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and conductor Thomas Wilkins present a musical featuring the iconic Muppets. Join Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, The Great Gonzo and the rest of the Muppet gang in their live performance at the Hollywood Bowl. There will be fireworks and special guests. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8-10. hollywoodbowl.com
Tall Ships Festival: The Ocean Institute in Dana Point will present its 33rd Tall Ships Festival featuring several interactive labs, activities, maritime displays and exhibits.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 9. ocean-institute.org
Oktoberfest: Visit Old World Village in Huntington Beach to enjoy the opening day of Oktoberfest. This festival features food, music and fun from the German-American culture. Guests can enjoy Kinderfest, where there are kid-friendly activities including wiener dog races, carnival games, face painting and a bounce house. While the kids are having fun adults can enjoy a great selection of German beers and sausages. Festival begins Sept. 10. Various times throughout September. oldworld.ws
Day of Remembrance: Pretend City Children’s Museum in Irvine remembers Sept. 11 and honors the lives that were lost. Kids can participate in activities to show their patriotism and learn more about 9/11 in a kid-friendly way. Noon-1 p.m. Sept. 11. pretendcity.org
Lego Club: Kids can show their creative side at the Huntington Beach Public Library. Stop by the Tabby Theatre to build Lego creations. 3:30-5 p.m. Sept. 13. hbpl.com
Carnival: Celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day with live music, folkloric dancers, food and carnival rides at the Anaheim Marketplace. 5-10 p.m. Sept. 14-17. anaheim.net
Beethoven’s Fifth: The Pacific Symphony kicks off the season with a performance of Beethoven’s Fifth at the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. 8 p.m. Sept. 14-16. pacificsymphony.org
Greek Festival: The Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church will host the annual San Juan Capistrano Greek Festival. This weekend event evokes the sights, sounds and tastes of Greece. Enjoy traditional Greek dishes, folk dance performances, shopping at the Greek bazaar and activities for kids. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 16-17. sjcgreekfest.org
‘Willie and All the Girls’: Enjoy a tribute to Willie Nelson and his lady friends of classic country music at the Huntington Beach Public Library. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sept. 20. hpbl.com
Fall Festival fun: Pretend City Children’s Museum in Irvine is celebrating the autumn season with a Fall Festival. Kids can enjoy arts, crafts and games focusing on fall, leaves, pumpkins and gourds. Other activities include Smart Art, Simple Science and Nature tales. Sept. 22. pretendcity.org
Global Village Festival: Stop by the Global Village Festival in Irvine to explore different cuisines, gifts, crafts, displays and demonstrations from all over the world. A variety of sample-sized servings of food will be available for purchase. Festival admission and parking are free. 10 a.m-6 p.m. Sept. 23. legacy.cityofirvine.org
Train show: The Toy Train Operating Society will be selling model trains of all scales along with toys and railroad memorabilia at the Brookhurst Community Center in Anaheim. Children under 12 are free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 24. ttos.org
Summer concert series: Enjoy a dinner buffet and live music from the Barenaked 80’s band at O’Neill’s Bar and Grill in Mission Viejo. The band will perform a number of classic ’80s songs from all genres including metal, new wave, pop and TV show theme songs. 7-10 p.m. Sept. 28. arroyotrabuco.com
Breitling Huntington Beach Airshow: The Navy Blue Angels and the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will headline this year’s airshow. View flight demonstrations over the Pacific Ocean during the day and stay for an evening bonfire. Guests are encouraged to pack a picnic, bring blankets, beach chairs and umbrellas. Food vendors will be on site. Noon-4 p.m. Sept. 29-Oct. 1. surfcityusa.com
Yom Kippur: Celebrate Yom Kippur with Pretend City Children’s Museum. Activities include Smart Art, where children learn about the story of Jonah and the whale, Sensational Story Time on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and Loud Proud, a sing-along about apology and forgiveness. 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sept. 30. pretendcity.org
Orange County International Auto Show: Visit the Anaheim Convention Center to view a variety of vehicles, from trucks and vans to exotic cars. Children under 12 are free. Various times throughout the weekend. Sept. 28-Oct. 1. autoshowoc.com
Exhibits
‘Above and Beyond’ flight exhibition: The Discovery Cube in Santa Ana presents “Above and Beyond,” an interactive exhibition that explores the innovation of aerospace travel.Through
Sept. 10. oc.discoverycube.org
‘Doc McStuffins: The Exhibit’: The Discovery Cube in Santa Ana lets doctors-in-training visit the McStuffins Toy Hospital E.R., Pet Vet and Nursery to learn the duties of a doctor. Through Sept.10. discoverycube.org
‘Future Park: Art +Technology’: Bowers Museum in Santa Ana introduces an international traveling exhibit, “Future Park: Art + Technology.” Opening Sept.16. bowers.org
‘Hometown Teams’: Visit the Heritage Museum of Orange County to view its sports exhibit “Hometown Teams.” The display explores the trials and triumphs of American sports over the past century. This exhibit will be available various times through Sept. 30. $6-$9. heritagemuseumoc.org
Theme park news
Disneyland: Join the festivities as Frontierland hosts a tribute to Dia de los Muertos. Stop by for Calaveras-style face painting or visit Rancho del Zocale Restaurante to enjoy a menu filled with traditional Mexican treats. Through September. disneyland.disney.go.com
Knott’s Berry Farm: Experience the Old West in “Ghost Town Alive” at Knott’s Berry Farm. Travel back in time to the boomtown of Calico and meet the lively townsfolk. Help lock up bandits, try your luck at cards with the sneaky sheriff, draw wanted posters, meet the prosecutor and his trusty burro, and more. Through Sept. 4. knotts.com
Out-of-town enjoyment
San Pedro Festival of the Arts: Enjoy a day of dance, music, visual arts and crafts booths at the San Pedro Festival of the Arts, held at the Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles. This festival brings art to people of all ages and showcases the beauty of San Pedro. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 17. triartsp.com
San Diego Cabrillo Festival: The Cabrillo Festival is a fun event for the entire family. Celebrate the Native American, Mexican, Portuguese and Spanish cultures with traditional demonstrations, educational activities, children’s activities and folkloric performances. The festival also features food booths with traditional Mexican, Portuguese and Spanish food. Free admission. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 30. cabrillofestival.org
Free in the OC
Sunday: Visit the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana to enjoy a celebration of different masks from cultures all over the world at the International Mask Festival. Activities include dance performances, children’s activities and cultural demonstrations. 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sept. 3. bowers.org
Monday: Remember America’s fallen heroes at the annual Patriots Day Ceremony, hosted by the American Legion Huntington Beach Post 133. The event will take place at Pier Plaza in Huntington Beach and will commemorate the lives of those lost on Sept. 11. 6 p.m. Sept. 11. huntingtonbeachevents.com
Children of all ages who are on the autism spectrum and their families are invited to play and interact. 5-7:30 p.m. on the last Monday of the month at Pretend City Children’s Museum in Irvine. Registration required. pretendcity.org
Tuesday: Surf City Nights on Main Street in Huntington Beach is Orange County’s largest weekly street and farmers market every Tuesday. This farmers market has more than 90 vendor booths selling organic foods and handmade crafts. Several performers will provide live entertainment, and kids activities such as bounce houses and pony rides will be available. 5-9 p.m. surfcitynights.com
The Irvine Museum has free admission (but donations accepted) 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. irvinemuseum.org
Wednesday: The Car and Cruise show is all about the hot rod, custom and classic car lifestyle. View a variety of limited pre-1972 hot rods, custom, muscle, classic and vintage cars as they cruise down Main Street in Huntington Beach. Other activities include live music, awards, raffles and a trophy ceremony. 6-8 p.m. Sept. 6. hbhotrodnews.com
Thursday: Families can enjoy a free children’s concert in Aliso Viejo’s Grand Park with a performance by the Hullabaloo Band. The band performs songs that will make the kids laugh, think, sing, dance, clap and stomp their feet. Before the show, parents can push their kids in a stroller and participate in a one-hour full-body cardio/resistance training workout from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Children can participate in fun activities including complimentary face painting from 10:15 to 11:45 a.m. Parking is free and provided at the location. Concert begins at 11 a.m. Sept.14. avca.net
Friday: Get up-close and personal with the ocean’s ultimate predator at the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Shark Lagoon Nights in Long Beach. Visitors have the opportunity to touch bamboo sharks, view stingrays and observe sand tigers in the Shark Lagoon. Coffee, hot cocoa, beer and snacks are available for purchase. 6-9 p.m. Sept. 8. aquariumofpacific.org
Saturday: Stop by Huntington Beach Central Park to enjoy the 10th annual Pacific Islander Festival, which celebrates the cultures of the Pacific Islands. Watch cultural performances, sample homemade food and learn about the traditions of Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti, Aotearoa, Polynesia, Guam, Northern Marianas, Belau, Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Fiji. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 16-17. surfcityusa.com
