Annual Events & Festivals - Annual Events
If there was ever a place to celebrate, regardless of the occasion, it’s Orange County. From old-fashioned fairs and culinary gatherings to surf competitions and feting whales, there is an event, party, gathering, or soiree to pencil in on the calendar. Most of the events are not newsworthy, at least not on the national front, but they are certainly of importance and highly anticipated by those who live in The OC.
There are ethnic celebrations, annual tours of art studios, parades that take place on land and on water, and marathons that attract runners from around the globe. These listings include events that happen each and every year. Some are held on a single day, but most, like the Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach, continue for several days or even weeks. While Orange County has enough gatherings to fill an entire calendar and then some, we’ve included some worthy events in neighboring counties that can easily be reached within a day.
This list is meant to serve as a resource but, as with anything, dates and times can change. And events, even if they’ve been ongoing for years, can even be cancelled due to lack of funds or interest. Both the Orange County Register (www.ocregister.com) and Los Angeles Times (www.latimes.com) have weekly entertainment guides that publish on Friday and are also available online. You can also check with the different convention and visitors bureaus (see the Daytrips chapter for information) to confirm that an event is taking place. OC Weekly (www.ocweekly.com) and LA Weekly (www.laweekly.com), both tabloid-size, cutting-edge publications distributed weekly for free in newstands, are also good sources for local happenings.
Events are listed by month in alphabetical order. Call to confirm dates and admission prices.
1. The Annual Tournament Of Roses Parade
City: Orange County, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: Held on New Year’s Day, unless January 1 happens to land on a Sunday in which case the parade takes place on January 2, the Rose Parade features the pageantry and tradition of floral floats, high-stepping equestrians, and marching bands from across the United States. You can either purchase tickets for bleacher seats or watch for free curbside along Colorado Boulevard.
2. Whale Watching Excursions
City: Orange County, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (800) 590-9994
Description: Thar she blows—at least from now through April, hundreds of migrating California gray whales make their way from the chilly Arctic seas to the warm waters of Baja, Mexico. Daily excursions leave from Dana Wharf in Dana Point and passengers take to the high seas in search of these magnificent creatures.
3. Chinese New Year Parade
City: Orange County, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (213) 617-0396
Description: Hosted by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles, this annual parade has been going strong for more than a century. Typically taking place the third weekend of February, spectators are treated to a tapestry of floats, marching bands, dignitaries, entertainers, and cultural groups. The Chinese New Year Lunar Festival coincides with the parade.
4. Surf City Usa Half-Marathon
City: Orange County, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: This is the perfect launching pad for March’s LA Marathon. Held on Super Bowl Sunday, but with plenty of time to catch the game, this Huntington Beach happening includes live surf bands, a beer garden, Super Bowl parties, and a course that runs along the coast. A beachside expo and barbecue takes place on Friday and Saturday before the race.
5. Festival Of Whales
City: Orange County, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (949) 472-7888
Description: As the mighty gray whale makes its way from the cold Arctic climate to the warm waters of Mexico, Dana Point celebrates the magnificent beast’s migration with a street festival plus food, entertainment, arts and crafts, and more than 100 vendors. Things get underway the first weekend in March.
6. La Marathon
City: Orange County, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: Thousands of runners take to the streets of Los Angeles for this stadium to sea, 26-mile marathon that takes two-legged competitors past city landmarks, interesting neighborhoods, and on to the finish line. A pre-race expo is held the Friday and Saturday prior to the race and there is a party at the finish line for racers.
7. Return Of The Swallows
City: Orange County, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (949) 248-2048
Description: The romance and folklore of this breathtaking mission present themselves every March with the return of the swallows. Legend has it that the birds originally sought sanctuary at the mission from an innkeeper who destroyed their nests elsewhere. They supposedly return each year at the same time so their young can nest safely within the confines of the mission walls. The annual Swallows Festival celebrates their homecoming with live music, community presentations, live performances, the ringing of the mission’s historic bells, food, fun, and dance.
8. Sierra Madre Wisteria Festival
City: Orange County, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (626) 355-5111
Description: In 1894 the Brugmans of Sierra Madre purchased a wisteria from nearby Wilson Nursery for 75 cents. The vine has been flourishing ever since with 1.5 million lavender blossoms weighing 250 tons. It spans more than one acre in size with 500-foot branches and 40 blossoms per square foot. Guinness Book of World Records recognized it as the largest blooming plant in the world, and it was named one of the seven horticultural wonders of the world along with the gardens at Buckingham Palace and the gardens at Taj Mahal. Every March the town heralds its iconic vine with an art and garden fair heralds includes 150 juried artisans, live music in six locations, and food booths.
9. Los Angeles Times Festival Of Books
City: Orange County, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (213) 237-5000
Address: 405 Hilgard Ave.
Description: This two-day outdoor event takes place on the UCLA campus in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles and is absolutely free. Begun in 1996 with a goal to unite authors and publishers with book lovers, the event has grown to be one of the most prestigious literary gatherings in the country. Authors from all genres, be it celebrity chefs who have penned a best selling cookbook or a well-known author hitting the publicity trail, are on hand for readings, book signing, lectures, and more. In past years the likes of Julie Andrews, Maria Shriver, and many others have made appearances. An entire section is strictly for children who enjoy reading or being read to, and roaming characters, live entertainment, and book signings abound for little ones as well.
10. Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Festival
City: Orange County, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (805) 688-0881
Description: Held in early April on the grounds of one of the celebrated wineries of Santa Barbara County, this long weekend lingers with activities that include special winery events and a Vintner’s Visa, which allows you access to the plethora of tasting rooms. The festival itself will appeal to the most discriminating gourmand with a selection of fine wines, sumptuous food, live music, strolling entertainment, demonstrations, and a silent auction full of prize opportunities.
11. Toyota Grand Prix Of Long Beach
City: Orange County, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (562) 981-2600
Description: Located just over the county line in downtown Long Beach, the Toyota Grand Prix is an exciting three-day event held mid-April and featuring revved up NASCAR action. One day is dedicated to the qualifying races, another is earmarked for celebrities to go fender-to-fender to the finish line, and the final day is the actual race itself. What makes this race so unique, at least when it first began in 1977, is that the race actually takes place on city streets and not some designated course designed for NASCAR racing. The race includes an expo and several food outlets with bleacher seating. You can purchase tickets for the entire three days or cherry pick and attend only one day of racing.
12. Garden Grove Strawberry Festival
City: Orange County, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (714) 638-0981
Description: Heralding the plump and juicy strawberry is this annual and much anticipated festival held Memorial Day Weekend. This four-day event, which kicks off Friday and concludes on Monday, features a parade and countless carnival rides as part of the celebration honoring the city’s strawberry-growing history. There’s entertainment, C-list celebrities, and lots of food and fun.
13. Laguna Beach Charm House Tour
City: Orange County, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (949) 472-7503
Description: Once a year Village Laguna, a non-profit group dedicated to preserving the charm and enchantment of Laguna Beach, selects five or so buildings of significance, from cottage-style and contemporary to oceanfront abodes, whose residents or caretakers open up their doors to the public. Those who appreciate history and architecture will certainly enjoy an afternoon of sleuthing through these vintage treasures.
14. Mariachi Festival
City: Orange County, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (949) 234-1321
Description: It’s the battle of the mariachi bands as bedecked musicians battle it out for cash prizes. The event takes place on the mission grounds in the courtyard with a full day of live musical entertainment, bilingual puppet shows, workshops hosted by Ballet Folklorica, and, of course, authentic Mexican cuisine. The mariachi band that takes first place opens up the evening’s Music Under the Stars concert.
15. French Festival
City: Orange County, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: In honor of Bastille Day, a celebration of the French Revolution, it’s vive la France as Francophiles gather at Oak Park for a bit of joie de vivre. This is one of the west coast’s largest French fêtes and features dozens of chefs creating French food, from crepes to begneits, plus there’s beer a la France, champagne (of course!), and live entertainment on a trio of stages including cabaret, jazz, and the strains of Edith Piaf. Wandering mimes, jugglers, accordion players, and booths featuring French products are all part of this free event. Bon vivant!