Orange County Weekend Events Roundup December 28-31
Edited by Whitney Lauren Han
EVENTS
Snoop Dogg
Dec. 28. Acclaimed entertainer, performer and rapper Snoop Dogg is set to hit the stage at the House of Blues Anaheim, equipped with an array of songs from his award-winning catalog. Doors open 8 p.m. $50+. House of Blues Anaheim, 400 W. Disney Way Suite 337, Anaheim, 714.778.2583. houseofblues.com
Skate Under the Stars
Through Jan. 7. Irvine Spectrum Center is bringing winter to Southern California with their ice rink. Like every year, the ice rink will be in the Giant Wheel Court for guests to bring their family and friends. Come to Themed Thursdays for entertainment, DJ tunes and prizes. See website for skate schedule and pricing. 670 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine, 949.748.8280. shopirvinespectrumcenter.com
The District Freeze Ice Rink
Through Jan. 15. Glide through the holidays at Orange County’s largest outdoor ice skating rink. M-Th 1-8:30 p.m., F 1-10:30 p.m., Sa 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Su 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. $19, $16 ages 1-3 and if you bring your own skates. The District at Tustin Legacy, 2437 Park Ave., Tustin, 949.554.5800. thedistricttl.com
NEW YEAR’S EVE
Boots on the Beach
Dec. 31. Bring family and friends for an evening of celebration featuring live music, food trucks, full bars, craft beer and whiskey tasting, a cigar bar, plus country western merchandise available for purchase. Enjoy dinner before the concert at Newport Dunes’ waterfront restaurant, Back Bay Bistro. The VIP dinner package offers seatings at 6 p.m. and includes a special four-course dinner along with VIP concert seating. 6:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. $20 GA; $60 VIP seating; $125 VIP dinner and concert seating; Free ages 7 and under. Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, 1131 Back Bay Dr., Newport Beach, 800.765.7661. newportdunes.com
DoubleTree by Hilton “Dancing Through the Eras”
Dec. 31. Don your favorite dance decade and celebrate the new year at the DoubleTree by Hilton. Enjoy popular mixer games, music played by Thee Champagne Band and DJ Robert Charles, prizes and more. For those dining before dancing, dinner will feature grilled herb chicken, seasonal vegetables, noodles, garden salad and tiramisu plus iced tea or lemonade. 21+. Doors open at 6 p.m. for dinner. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. $39 dance; $65 dinner and dance; $75 at door. 100 The City Dr., Orange, 714.622.4977. Tickets
Fireworks Aboard The Queen Mary
Dec. 31. Toast to 2018 aboard the majestic Queen Mary and ring in the new year with a night of captivating live entertainment, delicious food and spectacular drinks culminating with one of SoCal’s top fireworks display. Las Vegas style showgirls will kick-off the evening’s celebrations and a variety of live music will play throughout the night including top 40 hits from DJ Carisma on the Verandah Deck Gazebo and EDM favorites from DJ Cutt in the Queens Salon. 21+. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. $119. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 877.342.0742. queenmary.com
Midnight Masquerade at Aqua Lounge
Dec. 31. Put on a mask and head to Aqua Lounge for the Midnight Masquerade Party where the most disguised partiers will light up the dance floor into the wee hours of 2023 with popular SoCal DJ Tirade. The night will feature surprise party favors and premium drinks—including Perrier-Jouët and Grey Goose Vodka. 9 p.m. $100. 690 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, 949.760.4920. aqualoungenb.com
FOOD + DRINK
Miguel’s Jr. Seasonal Tamales
Through Dec. 31. Miguel’s Jr. is rolling out its famous holiday tamales, the perfect gift to unwrap before Christmas. Handmade using 100 percent stone ground corn, the tamales are available in two varieties—California Chile or Chile Rojo Pork. Order them while you can, because they are only available while supplies last. All Miguel Jr. locations. miguelsjr.com
Gudetama and Curry House
Through Jan. 20. Sanrio and Curry House are bringing everyone’s favorite lazy egg character, Gudetama, with a Gudetama-inspired menu that pulls from Curry House’s diverse and delicious food offerings. The menu is available as a special multi-course meal featuring keema curry with rice, salad, cup of corn soup, custard pudding for dessert and a drink. The tasting menu (available for $29) also includes a limited edition Gudetama x Curry House beanie. Su-Th 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. F-Sa 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Walnut Village Center, 14407 Culver Dr., Irvine, 949.654.1449. sanrio.com
STYLE + BEAUTY
OC Facial Care Center
Through Dec. 31. In need of some pampering this holiday season? OC Facial Care Center is offering their award-winning two for one super facial and massage package until the end of the year. See website to book online. $159. 26421 Crown Valley Parkway Suite 100, Mission Viejo, 949.750.5970. ocfacialcarecenter.com
ARTS + CULTURE
Salute to Vienna
Dec. 29. Inspired by Vienna’s beloved new year’s concert, this charming celebration blends acclaimed European singers and dancers with the exceptional Strauss Symphony of America for a rich cultural experience that will leave your toes tapping. 8 p.m. $49+. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
Rob Schneider
Dec. 29-31. Emmy-nominated actor Rob Schneider, known for his trademark blend of character and comedic acting, stops in Orange County for an evening of fun to support his upcoming comedy series Real Rob. F 7:30 p.m.; Sa 7 p.m.; Su 9:30 p.m. See website for prices. 527 Spectrum Center Dr., Irvine, 949.854.5455. irvine.improv.com
Rita Rudner: ‘Laugh, Drink and Leave’
Dec. 31. Grab your friends and enjoy a few laughs at this comedy show featuring Rita Rudner. As one of America’s top comedians, Rudner is also a New York Times bestselling author, as well as an award-winning television personality, screenwriter, playwright, Broadway dancer and actress. Rudner will be joined by special guests Molly Bergman and Sidney Bowen. 7 p.m. $99-$125. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.497.2787. lagunaplayhouse.com
Straight No Chaser
Dec. 31. If the phrase male a cappella group conjures up an image of students in blue blazers, ties and khakis singing traditional college songs on ivied campuses … think again. Straight No Chaser (SNC) are neither strait-laced nor straight-faced, but neither are they vaudeville-style kitsch. 3 p.m. $49.50+. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
‘Aladdin and His Winter Wish’
Through Dec. 31. An updated version of the classic Arabian Nights tale, in the style of a traditional British family Panto, Aladdin and His Winter Wish is a singing, swinging and soaring adventure that features family-friendly magic, with a comedic twist, dancing, contemporary music and more. See website for showtimes. $20+. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.497.2787. lagunaplayhouse.com
‘A Whistling White House Wonderland’
Through Jan. 7. After a three year hiatus, trains will fill the Nixon Library once again this holiday season, as the centerpiece of weeks-long family-friendly exhibits and events. There will be evening candlelight tours of the Nixon Presidential Museum and the Whistling White House Wonderland exhibit. M-Sa 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Su 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $26 adults; $22 seniors 62+; $20 ages 5-11; free for kids 4 and under. The Nixon Library, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, 714.993.5075. nixonfoundation.org
Salute to Vienna photo by Chris Lee.