Pacific Coast Sportfishing Tackle, Boat, Travel and Outdoor Show Mar. 2-5
Southern California’s Premier Outdoors Show will again bring a great selection of top boats, tackle, and travel destinations. Looking for a new boat, fishing tackle, or to plan the trip of a lifetime? Don’t miss this show! OC Fair & Event Center www.sportfishingfestival.com
School Readiness Fair: Learn Succeed Grow Mar. 4
Connect with experts regarding: Community & support, Healthy development & milestones, Literacy, creativity, math, & S.T.E.M, Speech & language, Dental, hearing, vision. Free to attend.
9am-1pm / Pretend City, Irvine www.pretendcity.org
Aliso Viejo Hiring Fair Mar. 4
Get tips on perfecting your resume and interviewing skills as well as meet and apply to some great organizations who are hiring for the upcoming summer season.
11am-2pm / Aliso Viejo Ranch www.avcity.org
Shamrock Run 5K/10K Mar. 4
Get your green on! Race or walk the scenic beach trails, historic downtown and pier. Every racer gets a chipped racing bib and Shamrock Run t-shirt. All ages are welcomed.
7am-12pm / San Clemente Pier www.scdba.org
Fish for Life Clam Chowder Cook-Off! Mar. 4
15 local restaurants will compete for the People's Choice, Mayors Choice awards as well as the Best Booth Decoration. Proceeds will help fund Fish for Life, a non-profit that provides fishing trips for special needs children. 11am-3pm / Baby Beach Grass Area, Dana Point Harbor www.fishforlife.org
Dana Point Festival of Whales Mar. 4-5
Celebrates the return of the once-endangered California Gray Whale with a leviathan-size event. Festival includes a kick-off parade, Sand Sculpting, Ocean Awareness Day, musical entertainment, on-the-water Concert, Whale of a Block Party, Art Shows, Pancake Breakfast, BBQs, Kids Interpretive Crafts, Classic Car Exhibits, Lectures/Seminars at multiple venues including the Ocean Institute, plus much more! www.festivalofwhales.com
Crooner Classics & Dinner Mar. 5
A tribute to the classics. $55 concert and dinner. 4:30pm / Garden Grove Elks Lodge www.ggcity.org
Orange County Restaurant Week Mar. 5-11
This year’s event will highlight more than 150 restaurants that have thoughtfully crafted menus and cocktails designed to showcase Orange County’s diverse dining options.
Knott’s Boysenberry Festival Mar. 10-Apr. 16
Indulge in a tantalizing lineup of dishes and drinks including a variety of wines and craft beers that you can only find at Knott's Berry Farm during this limited-time food-inspired event. Live music, musical stage shows, & fun activities for guests of all ages.
Knott's Berry Farm: 8039 Beach Blvd. www.knotts.com
Monarch Butterfly Habitat Build Mar. 11
Be part of creating habitats in Dana Point for Monarch Butterflies! Water, tools, and snacks will be provided. A volunteer email will be sent prior to the event.
9am-12pm / Lantern Bay Park, Dana Point www.danapoint.org
#La Habra Race Mar. 11
5K Run/Walk, 1K Kiddy Run and 50-YD. Diaper Dash! Registration includes La Habra Races medal, t-shirt, bib number, goodie bag and entry to the pop-up farmer's market. There also will be vendor booths and a kids' zone. This year's theme is "Groovy '70s Family Fun Run" so dress in '70s attire. 6am / La Habra Marketplace shopping Center
562-383-4200 / www.lahabraca.gov/674/La-Habra-Races
El Presidente Ball Mar. 11
Celebrates the origins of the old west when San Juan Capistrano was in its early days. All colorful characters are welcome and encouraged to come dressed in Western, Spanish, Mexican or early California attire. Great food and old-fashioned fun while dancing under the stars to live country- western style music.
6-10pm / El Adobe de Capistrano, SJC 949-615-1920 / www.swallowsparade.com
Irvine Animal Care Center Foster Donation Celebration Mar. 11
Help newborn, very young, and recuperating animals thrive with the support of foster care. Drop off new pet supplies to support animals in foster care. We'll have treats and an Irvine Animal Care Center Supporter sticker for everyone who donates.
1-3 pm / 6443 Oak Canyon 949-724-7740 / www.cityofirvine.org/irvine-animal-care-center
Family Art Festival Mar. 11
The Family Art Fest provides a wonderful opportunity for parents and children to enjoy a day discovering the arts together. Join us for fun activities such as crafts, painting, music, and entertainment!
10am-1pm / Smith-Murphy Park, Buena Park www.buenapark.com
Fullerton Wedding Show Mar. 11
Brides, grooms, parents can join you on your journey creating your special day. So make your sure you mark your calendar & register online to attend this wedding planning fun event.
12-3pm / Fullerton Community Center 714-738-6575 / www.cityoffullerton.com
California Bridal & Wedding Expo Mar. 12
An amazing selection of wedding pros ready to help you find the perfect gown, reception venue, invitations, photographer, music, menu, honeymoon destination, and more!
12:30-5pm / OC Fair & Event Center www.cabridalshows-of.com
Arts & Crafts Show Mar. 12 & 26
Shop over 50 unique, hand picked artisans and crafters as they showcase their latest designs, collections, products and one-of-a-kinds!
10am-4pm / Old World Village, Huntington Beach www.visitoldworld.com
American Red Cross Blood Drive Mar. 13
To schedule your appointment for this Blood Drive, visit www. RedCrossBlood.org. Use Sponsor Code: Ladera Ranch. At this time, all donors must make an appointment.
7am-7pm / 28192 O'Neill Drive, Ladera Ranch 949-388-8300 / www.laderalife.com
Hoag Classic Mar. 15-19
Each year, the tournament raises funds for Hoag and other local charities, totaling more than $20 million in its history – making it one of the most philanthropic events on the PGA TOUR Champions.
Newport Beach Country Club
949-660-1001 / www.hoagclassic.com
TPSF 9th Annual Golf Classic and Auction Mar. 16
Join community leaders in support of Tustin Public Schools Foundation's 9th Annual Golf Classic and Auction. Proceeds from the event will go towards enrichment programs in Tustin Unified schools and to support need-based scholarships for Tustin Summer Academy. Refreshments, games, boxed lunch, evening reception, live & silent auction, and prizes. Strawberry Farms Golf Club, Irvine www.tpsf.net/golf
Weekend of Art Mar. 17-18
Saturday will include an arts & crafts vendor fair. We encourage all artists to participate in the exhibition as well as a vendor in the arts & crafts fair. Fri 5-8pm, Sat 12-6pm / Los Alamitos
562-430-1073 / www.cityoflosalamitos.org
Brea Spring Craft Boutique Mar. 17-18
Features unique, one-of-a-kind crafts, seasonal and year-round gifts and décor, wearable art, jewelry, florals, baby items, tasty goodies, and much more from over 250 vendors.
Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-4pm / Brea Community Center www.ci.brea.ca.us
Irish Fest @ Old World Village Mar. 17-19
Come down to The Biergarten in Old World Huntington Beach for great food, drinks, and live music! During Irish Fest, Corned Beef & Cabbage and Irish Stew will be served at the Biergarten!
Old World Village, Huntington Beach www.oldworldhb.com/irishfest
Art in the Park Mar. 18
The Garden Grove Unified School District's First Impressions Art Gallery, showcasing hundreds of works of student art will be open, plus experience interactive art exhibits and create hands-on DIY keepsakes.
11am-2pm / Village Green Park, Garden Grove www.ggcity.org
Saint Joseph's Day at the Mission Mar. 19
Highlights of the day include: Ringing of the historic bells, Live Mariachi music, Community presentations, Native American Storytelling, Flamenco dance performance, History of St. Joseph’s Day and Swallows Legend, Virtual Lecture on the State of the Swallows, Coloring Pages, Complimentary Tours, Craft Station for Kids and more!
Mission San Juan Capistrano, SJC www.missionsjc.com
Bugs, Bees and Butterflies Day Mar. 21
Stroll our grounds and gardens, create free bug art projects (perfect for your school age children), speak with local beekeepers and entomologists, shop the artist vendor village, and learn about our amazing insect friends! 10am-1pm / The Muckenthaler Cultural Center, Fullerton
714-738-6595 / www.themuck.org
Swallows Day Fiesta Grande Mar. 22
A night of Wild West entertainment! Four contests are rolled into one evening of fun at the Fiesta Grandé. This is the kick off of the culmination of the Swallow’s Day Parade Season. Spectators are always welcome!
6-9pm / Swallow's Inn, SJC www.swallowsparade.com
Swallows Day Parade & Mercado Mar. 25
Our Grand Marshal for 2023 is Actor Dennis Quaid and our theme is Back in the Saddle Again! The Mercado Street Faire is open from 9am-5pm in the Historic Town Center. It's a fun event just off the main Parade route where the whole family can go to eat, dance, play, and shop. Listen and dance to the music of a traditional country music band.
11am / Downtown San Juan Capistrano www.swallowsparade.com
Bubble Run Mar. 25
Participants run, walk, dance and play across 3 miles of rad real estate. Foam Bogs of colored suds are encountered along the course, bringing back memories of car washes and bathtub bubble beards.
6am / OC Fair & Event Center www.bubblerun.com
Animals Everywhere Mar. 25
With petting zoos, animal shows, a pony sweep, and a special Peter Rabbit meet and greet, families will have the chance to learn about animals big and small! Refreshments will be available for purchase from local vendors. 10am-1pm / Central Park, Rancho Santa Margarita www.samlarc.org
Springfest: Open House Mar. 25
In partnership with our Santa Ana Collaborative members, we are excited to re-introduce Santa Ana recreation classes! Enjoy a morning filled with presentations from instructors, food, a scavenger hunt, and much more! 10am-1pm / El Salvador Community Center, Santa Ana
714-647-6558 / www.santa-ana.org
OC Pet & Reptile Expo Mar. 25-26
Includes product representation from local pet stores and manufactures, accessories like leashes and collars, dog and cat beds, treats and other goodies and our reptile room is full of exotic reptiles.
Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm / OC Fair & Event Center www.ocfair.com
Wedding & Event Expo Mar. 26
Come and meet some of the OC's premier event businesses. We have everything from A-Z including traditional vendors like photographers, travel agents, custom suit and dress companies and wedding planners to vendors like a doggie daycare, bartenders, body sculpting and more!
1-4pm / Placentia Round Table Women's Club 714-528-1873 / placentiachamber.com
