Friday’s Calendar
FRIDAY
Soiree Tickets on Sale
Tickets are available for the upcoming third annual Holiday Soiree & Benefit being hosted by Newport-Mesa Unified school board Trustee Katrina Foley, in partnership with Mesa Restaurant, the Costa Mesa police and fire departments and the Costa Mesa High School Cheerleaders. The event’s organizers are seeking canned food and coat donations. Donated cans will go to the Second Harvest Food Bank and coats will go to the Boys & Girls Club and the OC Interfaith Shelter. People who cannot attend the event can drop off coats in the lobby of the police department, at 99 Fair Drive, or the Cheer Room at CMHS, 2650 Fairview Road. Cans of food can be left at Fire Station No. 4 on Placentia Avenue, across from Estancia High School. Tickets to the benefit event, which is from 7 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 8 at Mesa Restaurant inside The Camp at 725 Baker St., Costa Mesa, cost $25. For more information, go to https://www.katrinafoley.com.
Bay Lighting
Santa Claus will herald the Lighting of the Bay at 6 p.m. at Newport Dunes, 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (949) 729-3863 or go to https://www.newportdunes.com.
Guest Speaker
Dr. Larisa Gruer will talk about ayurvedic medicine practices at 8 p.m. during Shabbat services at Temple Isaiah, 2401 Irvine Ave., Newport Beach. For more information, call (949) 548-6900 or go to https://www.templeisaiahoc.com.
Midnite Whiskey
Midnite Whiskey, a blues and rock band, performs a free show from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the Celtic Bar at Muldoon’s Irish Pub, 202 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach.
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
Piecemakers Festival
The Piecemakers Country Store, at 1720 Adams Ave. in Costa Mesa, will put on its Christmas Festival, which is from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. For more information, visit https://www.piecemakers.com or call (714) 641-3112.
FRIDAY
TILL DEC. 11
Welsh Christmas
Vanguard University’s theater arts department presents “A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” adapted from a story by Dylan Thomas, in the Lyceum Theatre. For showtimes and ticket information, call (714) 668-6145 or go to theatre.vanguard.edu. Vanguard University is at 55 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa.
FRIDAY
TILL JAN. 7
Canoe under Holiday Lights
Enjoy outrigger canoeing for all ages and skill levels around Balboa islands under the glow of holiday lights decking out the watercraft and homes competing in the 103rd annual Boat Parade. Participants go out crowd-free on a non-boat parade day. Cost is $35 per person. Corporate and private holiday party paddles are available upon request. Meet at Newport Aquatic Center, 1 Whitecliffs Drive, Newport Beach. For more information, call (949-646-7725) or visit https://www.newportaquatic
center.com.
SATURDAY
Holiday Fun at SOCO
The South Coast Collection will be the place for a variety of family friendly holiday activities, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Activities include music, carolers, cookie decorating, a toy drive and the opportunity to meet top-ranked climber Sasha DiGiulian at the Gear Co-Op shop. SOCO Collection is at 3303-3323 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa.
Half-Priced Tickets to OCMA
In celebration of the “Pacific Standard Time” regional art collaboration among Southern California museums, the Orange County Museum of Art will offer half-priced admission. The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets to OCMA normally cost $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Saturday’s program will include some special activities, such as a curatorial tour of the “State of Mind” exhibition at noon and a curatorial tour of the “Two Schools of Cool” exhibition at 3 p.m. OCMA is at 850 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach. Go to https://www.ocma.net for more information.
Back Bay Bistro Brunch
Santa Claus will be available for photo opportunities during Saturday brunch at the Newport Dunes’ Back Bay Bistro, 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach. Brunch will go from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. To make a reservation, call (949) 729-1144.
Pet Photo Shoot
The Newport Beach Plaza Retirement Community presents the second annual Santa Claus and Pet Photo Shoot benefiting Stella’s Hope, an all breed K-9 rescue. The event is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Vendors with doggy attire, jewelry, bandannas will be present. Admission is a suggested $20 donation. To make a reservation or for more information, call (949) 645-6833.
Tree Lighting
The Balboa Village Business Improvement District will host its Holiday Tree lighting ceremony. The program is from 2 to 6 p.m. at Balboa Village, at Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street on the Balboa Peninsula. The event is free and open to the public.
Hollywood Blonde
Hollywood Blonde, a band that plays 1980s classics and current pop, will perform a free concert from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the Celtic Bar at Muldoon’s Irish Pub, 202 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach.
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
Crystal Cove Tree Lighting
Crystal Cove Alliance hosts its 15th annual Tree-Lighting Ceremony starting at 3 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Crystal Cove Historic District. Admission to the tree lighting is free. This year will also feature a weekend Holiday Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 5 p..m. Dec. 3 and Dec. 4. Proceeds from the bazaar will benefit restoration and education efforts for Crystal Cove State Park and the Historic District. For more information, visit https://www.crystalcovealliance.org.