Best Things To Do This Weekend In OC - December 5
You're likely in one of two different scenarios: either you know you overwhelmed by the holidays and you actually did you Christmas shopping during the Black Friday madness, or you haven't even begun. The bright side is that either way, you currently have time to not have to worry about it. There's way too many great activities happening right now with everyone being in the spirit of the seasons to have to worry about shopping. For our Orange County readers, here is a rundown of the best options for your weekend itinerary.
Indulge That Sweet Tooth
Sugar Rush
OC Fair & Events Center
88 Fair Dr
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 708-1500
www.bigbiteevents.com
Leave it to the same Big Bite Event company that produced an entire festival dedicated to bacon to create a weekend marketplace devoted entirely to sweets. Lining the aisles of the OC Events Center at the fairgrounds, vendors like Front Porch Pops (a big hit at this year's Coachella), Unbaked – A Cookie Dough Bar, and Viva Los Cupcakes, will showcase their goods and give patrons the best kind of samples. The two-day event will also host a sugar cookie decoration contest and a cookie bake off where the winner walks with $250 cash for the best in show.
Sip Some Spirit
OC Brew Ho Ho
The Phoenix Club
1340 S Sanderson Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92806
(714) 563-4166
www.ocbrewhoho.com
Big beards, ugly Christmas sweaters, and of course, plenty of beer anchor an afternoon at Anaheim's Phoenix Club for the annual OC Brew Ho Ho. This Christmas-themed play, which is based on the summertime OC Brew Ha Ha, is a more intimate version of the craft beer festival, but it still boasts over 80 different craft beers including a few limited release recipes designed specifically for this event. As for entertainment, the Brew Ho Ho went big this year and brought out Ska staples Reel Big Fish which is guaranteed to turn the floor plan into a complete dance party. Food trucks, beer gear vendors, unlimited tastings, and tunes from the Fish make this a hot ticket in the OC.
Get Your Arts & Crafts On
Make It and Take It Wreath Classes
Centennial Farms
88 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-708-1619
www.ocfair.com
Offering regular classes and workshops under the tutelage of UC Master Gardener Nancy Claxton, the Centennial Farm gives local green thumbs the chance to get their hands dirty and learn tricks of the trade from the very best. This weekend, the Farm is hosting a class on how to build your own wreath from the freshest of greens. With all the tools and materials provided, this is a great way to take home some holiday spirit and get in tune with your artistic side.
Whale Watching
Dana Wharf Whale Watching Cruises
34675 Golden Lantern
Dana Point, CA 92629
www.danawharf.com
Dana Wharf was the very first whale watching charter in Orange County and has been operating since 1971. They are a year round whale watching facility and monitor blue and gray whales off the California coast. With seasoned, veteran captains at the wheel and a knowledgeable staff even a cruise just off of Dana Point would be a great way to spend the day. But, watching some of the biggest mammals on earth swim in the distance is nothing short of breath-taking.
Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art
Bowers Museum
2002 N Main St
Santa Ana, CA 92706
(714) 567-3600
www.bowers.org
While bamboo is considered an integral part of Japanese culture, there are currently less than 100 artists in the region that specialize in the medium. Considering that the platform requires knowledge of not only the manipulation of the bamboo, but how to cultivate and harvest it as well means the passion is a very real one. The Bowers Museum of Santa Ana is currently housing some of the finest works of Japanese bamboo art in an installation curated by Dr. Andreas Marks, Minneapolis Institute of Arts. With works from 17 Japanese artists, the detail and meticulous nature of the medium is impossible to appreciate.
