September Activities in Orange County!
Summer may be coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to! Here is a list of activities happening throughout Orange County during the month of September!
Via: Connie Lasley
Festival of Arts || Through Sept. 1
The show features the original artwork by 140 award-winning artists from
Orange County.
Time/Place: 650 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach
Contact: www.foapom.com
Pageant of the Masters || Through Sept. 1
Ninety minutes of tableaux vivants (“living pictures”), incredibly faithful re-
creations of classical and contemporary works of art, with real people
posing to look exactly like their counterparts in the original pieces.
Time/Place: 650 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach
Contact: www.foapom.com
Huntington Beach Concert Band Summer Series || Through Sept. 2
Sundays. Bring out your lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic blankets for this
HB tradition. The HB Concert Band hosts a free eleven-week series
featuring various music groups, like concert bands, Latin bands, and hot
swinging big bands.
Time/Place: 5pm / Thomas Ridley Central Park Bandstand
Contact: 714-891-6856 / www.hbconcertband.org
Dana Point Concerts in the Park || Through Sept. 12
Sundays. A Spirit Garden will be available to purchase alcoholic drinks with
the proceeds benefiting the 5th Marine Regiment Support Group. BBQ food
items will be for available for purchase and the proceeds will benefit the
Dana Point Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9934.
Time/Place: 3-6pm / Sea Terrace Park: 33501 Niguel Road
Contact: 949-248-3530 / www.danapoint.org
La Habra Movies in the Park || Through Oct. 12
Join the Recreation staff for an outdoor, family-friendly movie on Friday
nights. Participants should bring their own lawn chairs and blankets and
can enjoy food vendors and the Bamboo Kids Club. Movies begin at dusk.
Time/Place: See website for schedule.
Contact: www.lahabracity.com
Hyatt Regency Newport Beach Summer Concert Series || Through Oct. 12
Fridays. Another incredible summer filled with world-class music, fine wine
and dining at the intimate Back Bay Amphitheatre of the Hyatt Regency
Newport Beach.
Time/Place: 7pm / 1107 Jamboree Road
Contact: http://series.hyattconcerts.com
International Street Fair || Aug. 31-Sept. 2
International foods, crafts, folk dancing and music. Many different ethnic
foods and costume. The Street Fair has become known for the variety of
food reflecting cuisine from around the world. Food, drink, entertainment
and crafts provided.
Time/Place: Fri 5-10pm, Sat & Sun 10am-10pm / Orange Plaza
Contact: www.orangestreetfair.org
Tall Ships Festival || Sept. 7-9
Live music, art shows and a variety of tasty food. Interactive living-history
encampments including blacksmiths, scrimshaw artists, and the infamous
Port Royal Privateers are sure to entertain and amaze guests of all ages
and are not to be missed. Explore the historic tallships and listen to the
crew share tails of life at sea.
Time/Place: Dana Point Harbor / Ocean Institute
Contact: www.ocean-institute.org
Friday Fall Flicks || Sept. 7 & 21
Seating is on a grassy field. Bring a blanket or low chair, so you don’t
obstruct viewing. Dress warmly as it may cool down once the sun sets.
Please, no pets, smoking or alcohol. Snacks will be available for purchase.
Time/Place: 7-9pm / Marina Hills Park, Laguna Niguel
Contact: 949-425-5100 / www.cityoflagunaniguel.org
Dana Point Lobster Fest || Sept. 8
Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club’s Dana Point Lobster Fest. Enjoy
gourmet appetizers, no-host bar, fresh east coast lobster, smoked tri-tip
steak, desserts, live music and dancing.
Time/Place: 4-10pm / Doheny State Beach
Contact: www.danapointlobsterfest.org
Ballet Repertory Theatre’s Fall Festival || Sept. 8-9
Discover a riveting new contemporary piece by Ballet West Guest
Choreographer Christopher Sellars, enjoy the classic beauty of Swan Lake
Act II, and delight in the exuberance of Expressions, a company creation.
Time/Place: Golden West College Theater, Huntington Beach
Contact: 714-895-8150 / www.gwctheater.com
Heroes Day Event || Sept. 9
The City of Lake Forest is honoring local heroes who made the ultimate
sacrifice by naming the ball fields at Heroes Park in their honor. The
ceremonies will feature the OCSD Mounted Honor Guard, two OCSD
helicopters and more.
Time/Place: 10am-12pm / Heroes Park
Contact: www.lakeforestca.gov
Oktoberfest Small Breed Dog Races || Sept. 9-23
Sundays. Come see these small dogs race to the finish line during. Arrive
early and stay for lunch on their dog friendly patio.
Time/Place: 3-4pm / Old World Village, Huntington Beach
Contact: 714-895-8020 / www.oldworld.ws
Huntington Beach Oktoberfest || Sept. 9-Oct. 28
Every Wednesday through Sunday. Sample Imported German Beers,
Bratwurst, Rotisserie Chicken, Hamburgers, Pork Sandwiches, Strudel,
Pretzels & more.
Time/Place: Old World Festival Hall
Contact: www.oldworld.ws
Patriot Day Remembrance Ceremony || Sept. 11
Join the City of Rancho Santa Margarita as we pay tribute to those who lost
their lives on September 11, 2001, and observe the National Day of Service
and Remembrance.
Time/Place: 5:30-6pm / Civic Center Plaza, RSM
Contact: www.cityofrsm.org
Orange County Craft Beer Festival || Sept. 15
This year there will be over 100 breweries serving over 250 craft & import
beers plus awesome food, live entertainment, beer seminars, all at the best
location in Orange County.
Time/Place: 1-4pm / Lake View Park, Orange
Contact: www.ocbrewhaha.com
Coastal Clean Up Day || Sept. 15
Join us at Doheny to participate in one of the largest volunteer events in the
world as volunteers from up and down the coast join together to remove
trash from our beaches and waterways.
Time/Place: 9am-12pm / Capo Beach Park, Dana Point
Contact: www.danapointchamber.com
Hometown Heroes Concert || Sept. 15
The concert will be honoring and celebrating La Palma’s own Hometown
Heroes –veterans, active serving military, police and fire personnel for their
tireless service.
Time/Place: 5-7pm / La Palma Central Park
Contact: www.cityoflapalma.org
Dozynki Harvest Festival || Sept. 15-16
Celebrating Polish culture with food, music dancing and exhibits. Dozynki is
a celebration of thanksgiving after a bountiful harvest that dates back to
16th century Poland. Polish folk dancers in traditional costumes plus
delicious polish food such as freshly prepared stuffed cabbage, traditional
pierogi, authentic Polska Kielbasa and Polish beer.
Time/Place: Pope John Paul II Polish Center, Yorba Linda
Contact: 714-996-8161 / www.polishcenter.org
Fiestas Patrias Festival and Parade || Sept. 15-16
Celebrates Santa Ana's vibrant Mexican culture with a parade, beer
garden, performers each night, delicious food, vendors, interactive
activities, and exciting carnival rides.
Time/Place: 12-10pm / Santa Ana Civic Stadium
Contact: www.gandcproductions.com/FiestasPatrias
Balboa Island Carnival/Taste of the Island || Sept. 16
Family Fun, Games, Bungee Jump, Great Food, Pie-Eating Contest, DJ
Music, Wine & Beer Garden, Fashion Walk.
Time/Place: 1-5pm / Marine Avenue
Contact: www.visitnewportbeach.com
Senior Expo || Sept. 21
Enjoy Life, Be Healthy and Plan for the Future. Raffles, Door Prizes, Health
Screenings, 30+ vendors.
Time/Place: 9am-12pm / 24602 Aliso Creek Road, Laguna Niguel
Contact: 949-425-5151 / www.cityoflagunaniguel.org
Lions Club Fish Fry & Carnival || Sept. 21-23
Features a parade, carnival, food and car show in Fairview Park. The Fish
Fry is presented to help raise money for local schools, clubs, and other
organizations in the community. Event includes, fish fry, raffle, baby contest
carnival and rides.
Time/Place: Fri 5-9pm, Sat & Sun 12-9pm / Fairview Park, Costa Mesa
Contact: www.cmnhlions.com
St. NorbertFest || Sept. 21-23
The annual St. Norbertfest (formerly Oktoberfest) continues to grow and
helps to build the parish, school, and the Orange community. There will be
great food, fun games, raffles, exciting rides and awesome entertainment
for everyone.
Time/Place: St. Norbert Catholic Church, Orange
Contact: 714-637-4360 / www.stnorbertchurch.org
Anaheim Craft and Vintage Fair || Sept. 22
One of a kind handmade items from local crafters. No multi-tiered
marketers. Real art and handmade items! Attention foodies! Food will be
sold, including handmade Eastern European favorites, baked goods and
homemade jam!
Time/Place: 9am-4pm / Annunciation Byzantine Catholic Church, Anaheim
Contact: 714-533-6292 / www.annunciationbyzantine.org
Cruisin’ For A Cure Car Show || Sept. 22
The world’s largest one day car show dedicated to helping find a cure for
Prostate Cancer. Live music, food and vendors.
Time/Place: 6am-4pm / OC Fair and Expo Center, Costa Mesa
Contact: 949-353-7353 / www.cruisinforacure.com
J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center Annual BBQ and Family Faire || Sept. 22
Traditional family barbecue in a casual setting featuring live country
western entertainment, activities for children, live and silent auctions and
riding demonstrations.
Time/Place: 4pm / 26284 Oso Road, San Juan Capistrano
Contact: 949-240-8441 / www.sheacenter.org
Irvine Global Village Festival || Sept. 22
Featuring more than 100 performances representing cultures from around
the world; international cuisine; kids’ crafts and activities; cultural and
religious exhibits; and an international marketplace.
Time/Place: 10am-6pm / Orange County Great Park
Contact: 949-724-6606 / www.irvinefestival.org
Lantern District Classic Car & Motorcycle Show || Sept. 23
This event is free to the public and will feature hundreds of custom and
classic cars, a motorcycle display, awards, great entertainment, food and
more! Come for the cars, stay for the great dining and shopping!
Time/Place: 10am-3pm / Dana Point Lantern District
Contact: 949-496-1555 / www.danapointchamber.com
Race for the Cure Orange County || Sept. 23
Susan G. Komen Orange County’s signature fundraising event to provide
local breast health services and fund national breast cancer research.
Time/Place: 6:30am-12pm / Fashion Island, Newport Beach
Contact: 714-957-9157 x26 / www.komenoc.org/race
Ohana Fest || Sept. 28-29
Craft beer, wine, signature cocktails, as well as artisan food options from
local restaurants and food trucks will be available all-day long. Ohana will
donate a portion of proceeds to the San Onofre Parks Foundation.
Time/Place: 12-10pm / Doheny State Beach, Dana Point
Contact: www.ohanafest.com
Battle of the Bands || Sept. 29
Brian Young and the Blues Band Blues Racket Band. Enjoy food from local
restaurants – included with ticket Sip beer, wine and spirits. Win great
prizes in our raffle Support the Ocean Institute in a silent auction.
Time/Place: 5-9pm / Ocean Institute, Dana Point
Contact: www.sanddollarguild.org/tickets
Taste of Lake Forest || Sept. 29
The Taste of Lake Forest is a great opportunity for Lake Forest restaurants
to promote their unique cuisine to the local and surrounding communities.
Time/Place: 12-3pm / Foothill Ranch Towne Centre Food Festival
Contact: 949-461-3567 / www.lakeforestbusiness.com
San Juan Capistrano Greek Festival || Sept. 29-30
Greek food, live Greek music and dancing, shopping at the Greek bazaar,
kid friendly activities and exhibits featuring Byzantine icons and traditional
Greek costumes.
Time/Place: 11am-10pm / SJC Community Center
Contact: www.sjcgreekfest.org
Orange County Children’s Book Festival || Sept. 30
Authors, illustrators, booksellers, animals, storytellers, costumed
characters, train rides, crafts, food and entertainment and much more.
Time/Place: 9:30am-4pm / Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa
Contact: 714-838-4528 / www.kidsbookfestival.com