Events in Orange County for 2021 look different than most years. We’re here to help you find fun and safe things to do, outdoor events, virtual events, and more. Check back often as our list will be updated as events are announced.
Centennial Farm
OC Fair
88 Fair Drive – Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Make A Reservation
Centennial Farm is open for public visits Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Bring the kids to explore the grounds, the gardens, and the delightful farm friends. This is a favorite for toddlers and elementary aged kids, but honestly, even the older kids can’t get enough of the baby pigs, goats, and other resident animals. Can’t make it to the farm in person? Check out the Pig Cam for live piglet action of the most adorable kind.
Donut Life Museum
Westminster Mall
2036A Westminster Mall – Westminster, CA 92683
Details and tickets
Thursdays: 2PM-6PM
Fridays: 12PM-6PM
Saturdays: 11:30AM-6PM
Sundays: 11:30AM-6PM
Experience donuts in a “hole” new way. The all-ages interactive experience is fun for making memories and capturing unique photos with your family. Tickets start at $20.00 plus fees for Adults and $15.00 plus fees for Kids ages 4-12. Kids 3 and under are free. Get your tickets now for this sweet experience.
The Black Index
UCI – Virtual Gallery Only
Exhibit dates: Jan 14, 2021 to Mar 20, 2021
Details and Schedule of Virtual Events
A new exhibition called The Black Index will debut at UCI this month. This exhibition will feature a free virtual reality tour and a series of free online talks and performances from artists, authors and scholars across the nation. The Black Index features six artists whose works center the resilience and beauty of Black people instead of focusing on the barrage of photographs of Black people who have been murdered, incarcerated and disappeared that often appears in popular media and the news. It creates a space for community-building and grieving for what is lost.
Buena Vista Street & Downtown Disney
1580 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, CA 92802
Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Downtown Disney and Buena Vista Street are open to the public with social distance restrictions in place. Visitors can enjoy the world of Disney, shop at select retail shops, and pick up food to-go from open restaurants. All food and drink must be taken to-go. On-site dining is not currently permitted. Visitors must wear a mask at all times and temperature checks will be conducted upon entry for guests over the age of 2. Parking is available in the Simba Lot only for $10.
Drive-In Comedy
We know you need a good laugh right now. Get tickets to The Improv at Irvine Spectrum for live drive-in comedy from talent like Bob Saget, Maz Jobrani, Drew Lynch, and Steve Byrne. Shows are located on top of the Regal Parking Deck. Show dates and times vary.
DIY – At – Home
Many of the local maker studios and other do-it-yourself shops are now offering DIY Take Home Kits so you can pickup curbside and get creative at home, either on your own, with your family, or even plan a Zoom with friends. Here are a few of the best DIY-At-Home kits around Orange County:
Duff’s Cake Mix – 827 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine – Pick up DIY cake decorating kits. Cake, fondant, buttercream, decorations and instructions included in the cost of the kit.
Blaze Pizza – Make pizza night more fun with DIY pizza making kits from Blaze Pizza. Kits can be purchased as one, two or four individual sized pizzas complete with dough, sauce, cheese, dusting flour, and up to seven toppings.
AR Workshop – Huntington Beach & San Juan Capistrano – Pick up DIY kits including wood crafts, canvas projects, custom signs, holiday themed crafts, and more.
Home Depot – Locations throughout OC – Register for the monthly kids workshop and pick up your kit in-store at the Customer Service desk.
Hidden Talents – This Huntington Harbour ceramics studio offers kits delivered straight to your door. Kits can also be purchased and taken to-go.
How it works:
- Text/Call in your order to 714-330-1817
- Once confirmed, pay for your order with Venmo: @Debra-Wainer
- Products will be delivered to your door (within 5 miles)
- Complete your project at home and call for pick up when ready
- Ceramics will be glazed and fired and ready within a week!
What’s Included?
- $30 per item
- One ceramic item (see photos here)
- 8 paint colors (specific colors at request)
- Brushes on loan
- Delivery
Gardenwalk Coffee Cars & Culture
Every Saturday
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Free
Event details
Come to Anaheim GardenWalk where this new car show brings OC, LA, San Bernardino, Riverside, and San Diego County pop-up car shows together under a 400,000 square foot, 4,000 stall facility just steps from Disneyland. Upcoming competitions will include Classic Customs, Chopped Champions, Heroic Hot Rods (designated to veteran owners), Screamers (engine & exhaust decibel sound challenge), Truck Terrors (lifted trucks), Jaw dropping Exotics, and The VW (classic VWs and the touring stories they tell).
Ghost Walks with Haunted OC
Tours start at $24 per person
Tours are limited to 20 people for social distancing
Explore Orange County’s supernatural side with Haunted Orange County. Tours are 90 minutes to two and a half hours depending on location. Choose from five OC locations:
- Old Town Orange
- San Juan Capistrano
- Downtown Santa Ana
- Black Star Canyon
- Fairhaven Cemetery
- The Kellogg House
Drive-In Movie Nights
Starlite Movies
Enjoy the drive-in movie experience on the big screen from the comfort of your car with Starlite Movies. Pop-up drive in’s have been hosted at several locations around Orange County and are currently playing in Irvine at the Irvine Spectrum Center.
The Frida Cinema
Drive in movie nights are also happening at Mess Hall Market in Tustin. Screenings here often include cult classics like this month’s Repo Man, Scarface, and Taxi Driver.
See our Drive-In Events page for a current list of movies playing.
Knott’s Taste of Boysenberry Festival
Knott’s Berry Farm
8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park
March 5 – May 2, 2021 – Select Dates
Monday – Saturday 12PM – 9PM & Sundays 12PM – 8PM
Adult Tasting Cards $45
Junior Tasting Cards $20
The Taste of Knott’s is back, this time to celebrate the theme parks beloved boysenberry. Guests can choose from over 65 delicious boysenberry inspired food items including mac and cheese bites over tater tots with boysenberry siracha ketchup, pastrami on a pretzel bun with boysenberry mustard, pork bao buns with boysenberry kimchi and nam pla, a fun bun with boysenberry glaze, and much more.
Live Music on the Ocean Deck
Pacific City
21010 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Come enjoy live music outside on the Ocean Deck at Pacific City. All shows are 1:00 – 3:00 PM
- February 13 – Matt Hurray
- February 14 – Hardey & Welch
- February 20 – David Rosales
- February 21 – Tom Norman
- February 27 – Gina Roode
- February 28 – Chad Rubin
- March 6 – Natalie Clark
- March 7 – Tanner Howe
- March 13 – Riley Rose
- March 14 – Jake Hitt
- March 20 – Dylan Galvin
- March 27 – Natalie Clark
- March 28 – Matt Hurray
Live Music at Old World
Old World Huntington Beach
7561 Center Ave. #49, Huntington Beach
Enjoy casual dining at Old World’s spacious 10,000 sq. ft. outdoor patio or in the Biergarten Hall plus .
- February 13 – Funk Station 7-10 PM
- February 14 – The Pollen Collective 2-5 PM
- February 20 – Cruise Control 7-10 PM
- February 21 – Hot Rod Trio 2-5 PM
- February 27 – Matchbox Twenty Too 7-10 PM
- February 28 – 3 Mile Radius 2-5 PM
Open Market OC
Laguna Hills Mall: 24100 Laguna Hills Mall, Laguna Hills, Ca 92653
Main Place Mall: 2820 N Main St, Santa Ana, Ca 92705
Hours: Mon-Sat 10 – 6; Sun 11-5
Open Market OC is a unique shopping experience that features more than 200 local and small businesses that specialize in fashion, art, beauty, vintage, handmade items, and artisan foods. Keep an eye on the calendar – workshops and events will be added as they are allowed.
Pinot’s Palette Paint Events
Locations and offerings vary
Details and Class Registration
Get creative and enjoy an evening painting your next masterpiece. Pinot’s Palette has five Orange County Locations: Aliso Viejo, Brea, Huntington Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, and Tustin. Due to in-person event modifications, Pinot’s Palette is now offering a variety of outdoor and virtual paint events. Some virtual events include a paint kit, others do not, so be sure to check the class details. For virtual classes that DO include a paint kit, designated times for pick-up will be indicated in the class details. Also note that each location has different options — for example, Tustin offers over 60 video tutorials and registration includes a paint kit for $35.
Ride the Train
Visit Irvine Regional Park for the day and enjoy a ride on the popular Irvine Park Railroad. What else can you do there? Pony rides are open Tuesday through Sunday, or rent a bike or paddleboat from Wheel Fun Rentals. Hiking trails are open to explore, and if you’d rather hit the trails on horseback, horse rentals are available by appointment for $55 per person. Pack a picnic and enjoy a day at the park.
In addition to Irvine Regional, Orange County has many amazing regional parks, each with something unique to offer. Find one to explore here.
SeaLegs At The Beach
Bolsa Chica State Beach – 17851 PCH, Huntington Beach CA 92649
This outdoor venue on the sand in Huntington Beach offers various events including live music and dancing complete with beach chairs, picnic tables, delicious food, and drinks to order. Reggae Sundays, Boots On The Beach, comedy events, and game day celebrations are just a few of the events hosted by SeaLegs. Check the SeaLegs calendar to see what’s happening this week!
Sweet Treats
Times are absolutely strange. For many, times are tough. What better way to find a little joy in the midst of the chaos than with a sweet treat. Orange County has many unique and creative dessert spots, from Polar Playground’s handspun cotton candy characters to The Loop’s fully loaded churros. Some locations are tucked in corners of strip malls, others have store fronts in one of the local food halls. Wherever you decide to seek out your next dessert, we definitely recommend making this a Friday Night ritual to close out the week.
Shopping! Support Local Businesses
Most retail businesses are currently open with modified capacity requirements for social distancing. Support your local business owner by shopping local. Orange County’s downtown areas are ripe with small businesses, restaurants, and boutiques that need your business, so take a stroll and shop to show your love.
Solve A Mystery
Book a private room for your group at one of these escape rooms for an experience you won’t soon forget.
Crossroads Escape Room in Anaheim has been voted the #1 escape room in Southern California and #3 in the nation. Sign up for a unique private game experience for you and your crew here at Crossroads. Choose from a variety of games including The Hex Room, The Psych Ward, and The Fun House.
The Escape Game at Irvine Spectrum Center offers 60-minute escape room experiences. Choose from Gold Rush, Special Ops: Mysterious Market, Prison Break, The Heist, and Playground. To follow social distancing recommendations, all games will be private and sanitized prior to the entry of each new group. All team members will wear face coverings and practice 6-foot social distancing measures. Can’t wait to play? Book a remote game to play virtually!
Tanaka Farms
5380 3/4 University Drive, Irvine, CA 92612
Monday-Friday: 9:30am – 4pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10am – 4pm
Reservations & Details
Sign up for a U-Pick wagon ride to cruise around the farm and pick fresh produce to take home. Wagon rides include stops to collect three different types of fruit or veggies, and guests can take a walk to the Barnyard Educational Exhibit to visit with the farm’s animal residents. Tanaka Farms also offers curbside pickup and a drive-thru produce stand.
Weekly Farmers Markets
Orange County features many weekly farmers markets. The OC Fairgrounds hosts one every Thursday from 9 to 1, Irvine Regional Park hosts theirs every Tuesday from 9 to 1, and the Orange County Great Park hosts one every Sunday from 10 to 2. For 2021, there is a brand new farmer’s market in Fountain Valley at Mile Square Park located at Freedom Hall near Euclid and Edinger. Find a Farmer’s Market to explore and stock up on fresh, organic produce.
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Heidi Deal is the author of the Newcomers Handbook to Living In Los Angeles & Orange County and a children’s book author specializing in history and human rights.
