The party never stops in Southern California with dozens of events in Orange County coming up in November 2017. Food festivals, unique conventions, and local celebrations abound this holiday season. Hit up a craft fair for some holiday gift shopping, participate in a fun run for charity, and enjoy yourself!
TASTE OF SAN CLEMENTE
Friday, November 3rd
6PM-10PM
scchamber.com
Held at the historic and beautiful Casino San Clemente, the Taste will include wine tasting from area vineyards, sampling of microbrews, food, and a silent auction with over 40 baskets and gifts. Entertainment will include a live cover band and dress code is cocktail attire; tickets start at $95 per person
SANTA ANA NOCHE DE ALTARES
Saturday, November 4th
1PM-10PM
nochedealtares.org
Noche de Altares, or Night of Altars, is a cultural experience that brings Mexican tradition and identity to the forefront. This year will be the event’s 15th annual, so join in for the “Quinceañera!” Everyone is invited to build an altar for their lost family members and friends, giving way to an evening all about forging relationships with your community on 4th and Birch in Santa Ana. Lively music, local food, original art and children’s activities will balance out the mournful scene.
STYLECON OC
Saturday, November 4th
9AM-5PM
stylecon.com
A fashion and beauty convention, StyleCon will be held at the OC Fairgrounds celebrating “The Beauty of Empowerment”. Meet your favorite social media stars including hundreds of content creators from Instagram and YouTube personalities to bloggers and more. With keynote speakers, blogger panels, and style presentations, there’s so much to learn and enjoy! And of course some free samples.
FIRE AND ASH WINE DINNER
Saturday, November 4th
6:30PM
ocfair.com/events
The Centennial Farm at OC Fairgrounds will host The Red Barn: Fire-and-Ash Wine Dinner, a unique dining experience featuring talented chefs, special guests and, best of all, a scrumptious multi-course farm-to-fork wine dinner. General admission tickets are $125 and the evening begins with a wine reception and appetizers. Learn more and check out the menu online.
ANNUAL PUMPKIN LAUNCH
Saturday, November 4th
10AM-2PM
calendar.fullerton.edu
Bring your lawn chairs and witness history at this free event as teams compete to see who can launch a pumpkin at targets using giant trebuchets and other devices. Plus, kids can participate in hands-on activities throughout the day, making this the perfect family friendly event. With food trucks and flying pumpkins, it’s guaranteed to be a good time.
DINO DASH
Sunday, November 5th
6:15AM-10:30PM
tpsf.net
The Dino Dash is a fundraiser to support local public schools. There is an event for everyone – the timed 10K and County of Orange & Supervisor Todd Spitzer 5K, the 2K Fun Run and the non-timed Seven Gables 5K, 15K and 50K Bike Tour. Before and after the races there will be an expo to enjoy with food, games and more. Come out and show your support for the Tustin School District at The Market Place.
ANNUAL SIP’N’SHUCK
Sunday, November 5th
2PM-6PM
sipnshuck.com
A champagne and oyster event, Sip & Shuck is in it’s 5th year and is one of the most popular events in Laguna Beach. The event focuses on sourcing an incredible array of fresh oysters, entertainers, and pouring terrific champagnes, wines and spirits. General admission begins at $95 pre-sale for oysters and small bites, as well as access to champagne, wine, cocktail and beer sampling. Held at The Deck and Driftwood Kitchen on the water.
ORANGE COAST WHISKEY FEST
Thursday, November 9h
6PM-8:30PM
orangecoast.com
Orange Coast will be hosting Whiskey Fest where whiskey lovers alike can enjoy drink tastings, savory bites, sweet treats and more. General admission is $100 and the event will access to over 30 different whiskey brands, a keepsake glass, good eats, onsite entertainment like cigar rollers, and a 1-year subscription to Orange Coast Magazine.
SUPER HEROES HALF MARATHON WEEKEND
Thursday, November 9th – Sunday, November 12th
rundisney.com
Avengers Assemble! Join the Avengers team for the Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend at Disneyland. It’s a power-packed weekend of fantastic fun and amazing excitement with mighty runs, incredible surprises, and the chance to take home your own Super Heroes Finisher Medal. Join the fun during the Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend including the Infinity Gauntlet Challenge, Disney Kids Races, a health and fitness expo, half marathon, 10K and 5K.
SUGAR PLUM ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL
Thursday, November 9th – Saturday, November 11th
Thursday-Friday 9AM-8PM; Saturday 8AM-5PM
sugarplumfestivals.com
Looking for some uniquely crafted gifts this holiday season? Shop early at the Sugar Plum craft festival at the OC Fairgrounds. Shoppers can find quality handcrafted merchandise made from more than 120 vendors plus antiques and collectibles. Goods include everything from home décor to tamales and candies. This is your chance to snag one of a kind holiday presents!
DRIFTWOOD FESTIVAL
Saturday, November 11th – Sunday, November 12th
1PM-9PM
driftwoodfest.com
Driftwood Festival is held at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, featuring an afternoon of country music, craft beer and top notch BBQ by the beach. 1-4PM will be the beer festival portion of the day with unlimited complimentary tastings. After 4PM, all ages are welcome to enjoy the local food trucks and performers. The line-up for this year’s festival includes Chase Rice, Kip Moore, Frankie Ballard, Dan + Shay, A Thousand Horses, Maddie & Tae, and more.
MY LITTLE PONY CONVENTION
Friday, November 17th – Sunday, November 19th
10AM-6PM
equestriala.com
My Little Pony magic will be coming to Anaheim for a convention like no other. Enjoy panels, music, gaming, arts and crafts and lots of ways to meet the folks who bring you the Equestria Girls and Friendship is Magic TV show, MLP books, MLP comics and even the My Little Pony Movie! If you’re a fan of My Little Pony, you don’t want to miss this massive vendor hall with oddles of products you’re sure to love. 1 “Parent-in-tow” gets in free with the purchase of any Kid’s weekend badges (and register early as all prices go up at the door).
SAWDUST WINTER FANTASY – ART AND CRAFT FESTIVAL
Saturday, November 18th – Sunday, December 17th
Open Weekends 10AM-7PM
sawdustartfestival.org
The summer Sawdust grounds will be transformed into a winter wonderland showcasing 15 artists with original creations. Art media includes jewelry, clothing, fused and blown glass, ceramics, woodwork, forged metals, painting, photography, sculpture, clothing and textiles. Don’t miss this adorable Christmas village by the sea, a SoCal classic!
SURFING SANTA COMPETITION
Saturday, November 18th – Sunday, November 19th
surfingsantacontest.org
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel presents its annual Surfing Santa Competition. This seasonal event supports Surfers Healing, the original surf camp for children with autism. The charity surf event will feature stand up paddle boarding as well as surfing at Salt Creek Beach. Prizes will be awarded for everything from Big Air and Fastest SUP Race, to best costume. Go online to sign up or check out the schedule of events.
DOWNTOWN ANAHEIM ART CRAWL EXPERIENCE
Saturday, November 18th
6PM-10PM
downtownanaheim.com
The “Art Crawl Experience”, or ACE, was created by artists and community leaders with the intent of bringing arts and culture downtown by showcasing art in public places, street artisans, pop-up galleries, and the brick-and-mortar galleries. Check out this indie craft fair for yourself and enjoy the gourmet food trucks and local entertainers for the night.
PURPLESTRIDE 5K ORANGE COUNTY
Saturday, November 18th
10AM
support.pancan.org
The event begins with Opening Ceremonies at 10AM and the 5k/1 Mile walk begins at 10:30AM. PurpleStride walks are among the largest sources of funding for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. When you Wage Hope at PurpleStride, you join a vibrant community of survivors, impacted families, loved ones, researchers and advocates committed to rewriting the future of this deadly disease. The PurpleStride OC event will take place at William Mason Regional Park in Irvine.
DANA POINT TURKEY TROT
Thursday, November 23rd
6AM – 12PM
turkeytrot.com
Run the race before you stuff your face. Located in the beautiful Dana Point Harbor, the Dana Point Turkey Trot is celebrating its 40th year! Bring your family and friends to wobble before you gobble with races for everyone and a costume contest. The flat, scenic race features a 10k, 5k and Kids Gobble Wobble. Join in on Thanksgiving Day and give yourself an excuse for an extra piece of pie.
PLYMOUTH ROCK ‘N’ RUN
Thursday, November 23rd
6AM-10AM
plymouthrocknrun.com
North Orange County’s turkey trot is the Plymouth Rock ‘n’ Run held at Yorba Regional Park on Thanksgiving morning. There will be a 5K run and walk, 10K, Kid’s 1K fun run and a Tot Trot. Discounts will be giving for the biggest, fastest and highest fundraising teams, plus metals for age group metals for each run. This year’s event will be raising money for Reeve-Irvine Research Center (RIRC) at UC Irvine, America’s largest and most progressive spinal-cord injury research facility.
LA HABRA TAMALE FESTIVAL
Sunday, November 26th
11AM-6PM
lahabracity.com
Churro eating contests, as well as best tamale, best dessert tamale, best salsa and hottest salsa contests will all be part of this delicious community event. As in past years, dance performances by local studios, tamale and other food vendors, craft and other vendors will be coming out to enhance the fun. The event also includes the City’s Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony. There’s still time to sign up for the tamale and salsa contest or just show up for the festival with an empty stomach for sampling! Admission is free.
PATCHWORK SHOW SANTA ANA
Sunday, November 26th
11AM-5PM
dearhandmadelife.com
Patchwork Show is Dear Handmade Life’s bi-annual makers festival showcasing local emerging artists, crafters and designers alongside artisan food, DIY craft workshops, gourmet food trucks and indie music. You just might spy some of your favorite Etsy shops there! All Patchwork shows are free to attend and family friendly. Vendor goods feature clothing for men, women & kids, handbags, accessories, jewelry, art, ceramics, garden finds, home goods, plush, crochet & knit items, pet gear, kits & patterns, bath & body goodies and more!
ALISO VIEJO BRIGHT HOLIDAY CELEBRATION & TREE LIGHTING
Thursday, November 30th
5:30PM-8PM
facebook.com
This will be the first ever Aliso Tree Lighting event in the Town Center plaza. Bring the entire family for some holiday cheer, photo opportunities, crafts and more! Jolly ole St. Nick will make a special appearance before we light our 22-foot Christmas tree, perched above the fountain. So save the date and stay tuned for more details.
Did I miss your favorite upcoming Orange County event for November 2017? Comment on this post with your favorite fall event including the what, when and where so I can meet you there.
