Orange County

The Long Beach Crawfish Festival returns, serving up succulent scores of seasoned Cajun crustaceans prepared to mouth-watering perfection in the world's largest crawfish pots. The authentic, Louisiana... [more+]

The Long Beach Crawfish Festival returns, serving up succulent scores of seasoned Cajun crustaceans prepared to mouth-watering perfection in the world's largest crawfish pots. The authentic, Louisiana-style crawfish is prepared by master crawfish chefs and served with Cajun potatoes and corn. But there's much more to eat here than crawfish -- you can also savor other New Orleans-style dishes, like Café du Monde-style chicory coffee, beignets and more New Orleans-inspired cuisine. Dance away the calories to the sounds of live music by Grammy nominee Andre Thierry, Bear Brass, Flashpants and others. Sing your heart out at the Karaoke Lounge with its live band Friday and Saturday evenings. March and dance along with the second line parade. From a children's stage offering inflatable bounces, magicians and balloon twisting to a comedy magic show (as seen on "America's Got Talent") on Saturday and Sunday, there's something for everyone at the Crawfish Festival. Don't forget to drop by the photo booth for a souvenir e-photo that is included with your ticket. [less-]

Leave your white T-shirts at home and get ready to indulge your cravings for BBQ meats and treats at the Long Beach BBQ Festival. The best BBQ pitmasters from all over the nation -- including Montana ... [more+]

Leave your white T-shirts at home and get ready to indulge your cravings for BBQ meats and treats at the Long Beach BBQ Festival. The best BBQ pitmasters from all over the nation -- including Montana Q, Porky N Beans and more -- make their way to the festival to compete with local grillers for the title of World's Best BBQ and your vote as the People's Choice Favorite. Long Beach's Rainbow Lagoon Park hosts this three-day extravaganza, which also features karaoke, dancing, a kid's area, animal variety shows, a petting zoo and more. To add to the excitement, there'll also be live music and a Michael Jackson impersonator. Bring the whole family -- and your empty stomachs -- and enjoy non-stop fun at this ultimate food festival. [less-]

Hollywood's newest, coolest pop-up museum comes Instagram ready to put you and the fam right in the middle of some amazing images. The Museum of Illusions is filled with paintings, 3-D set pieces and ... [more+]

Hollywood's newest, coolest pop-up museum comes Instagram ready to put you and the fam right in the middle of some amazing images. The Museum of Illusions is filled with paintings, 3-D set pieces and giant props that produce eye-popping pics, inspired by cartoons, art, current events, movies and more. You can picture yourself on a raft watching the Titanic go down, climb a sheer cliff, become a burger topping or dangle over an MC Escher-like edge. Then show off your shots and really wow your crowd back home. [less-]

Avast, ye scurvy dogs! Circus Vargas is back with an all new show that's sure to spark joy in the hearts of landlubbers and swabbies alike. America's favorite traveling big top circus adds a fantastic... [more+]

Avast, ye scurvy dogs! Circus Vargas is back with an all new show that's sure to spark joy in the hearts of landlubbers and swabbies alike. America's favorite traveling big top circus adds a fantastical new level of swashbuckling spectacle to its music-filled extravaganza with "Dreaming of Pirates" at the Laguna Hills Mall. Jam-packed with aerial feats, acrobatics and clowning, not to mention a colorful cast of characters, world-class performers, singing, comedy and more, "Dreaming of Pirates" has plenty of treasures for the whole family to enjoy. Before the show, kids have the chance to step into the ring and learn circus skills. After the show, stick around to meet and take pictures with the cast. [less-]

One of the most amazing sights in nature is that of majestic whales swimming and playing on the ocean's surface, leaping out of the water and slapping their mighty tales. On this 2.5-hour cruise off t... [more+]

One of the most amazing sights in nature is that of majestic whales swimming and playing on the ocean's surface, leaping out of the water and slapping their mighty tales. On this 2.5-hour cruise off the shores of Newport Beach, you may see giant blue whales during the summer and fall months or the annual grey whale migration that brings tens of thousands of grey whales along the coast during the winter and spring months. Huge pods of several species of dolphin are very common, as are the resident sea lions. You might also catch glimpses of seals, killer whales, sharks and many other marine creatures. With a 96% success rate, almost every cruise has many opportunities to observe these fascinating creatures. An added plus is the picturesque coastal backdrops of Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and Huntington Beach. [less-]

Be ready, because as the name suggests, virtually anything can happen at the 13th annual Freestyle Festival. The party comes to the Queen Mary Events Park stage with back-to-back hit-makers including ... [more+]

Be ready, because as the name suggests, virtually anything can happen at the 13th annual Freestyle Festival. The party comes to the Queen Mary Events Park stage with back-to-back hit-makers including Sir Mix-a-Lot, Village People, Right Said Fred, Jody Watley, Lisa Lisa, The Jets, Johnny O., The Sugarhill Gang and more. You'll get to groove to styles like New Jack Swing, seductive R&B, party-ready hip-hop, rap, ska and more. This all-day, outdoor Long Beach music bash features more than a dozen eclectic acts that'll have you pumping your fist and shouting "That's my jam!" as you hear your favorite tunes -- and likely some new faves too. [less-]

"Same Time, Next Year" follows a love affair between two people, Doris and George, married to other people, who rendezvous once a year in Northern California. Twenty-five years of manners and morals a... [more+]

"Same Time, Next Year" follows a love affair between two people, Doris and George, married to other people, who rendezvous once a year in Northern California. Twenty-five years of manners and morals are hilariously and touchingly played out by the lovers in this romantic comedy by Bernard Slade. One of the most popular romantic comedies of the century, "Same Time, Next Year" ran four years on Broadway, winning a Tony Award for lead actress Ellen Burstyn, who later recreated her role in the successful motion picture. It remains one of the world's most widely produced plays. Now you can see it at Modjeska Playhouse in Lake Forest. [less-]

Meet and learn about 11,000 animals in more than 50 exhibits at the Aquarium of the Pacific, one the nation's most popular aquariums. Come face-to-face with and touch the ocean's ultimate predators in... [more+]

Meet and learn about 11,000 animals in more than 50 exhibits at the Aquarium of the Pacific, one the nation's most popular aquariums. Come face-to-face with and touch the ocean's ultimate predators in Shark Lagoon, hand-feed colorful lorikeet birds and watch Magellanic penguins play. You'll get closer to animals than ever before at the bonnethead shark and cownose ray touchpool, the horseshoe crab touch lab, and tidepool touch lab. Explore the new frog exhibit, Dazzling and Disappearing, featuring two dozen frogs from a range of environments, from lush rainforests to arid deserts. Uncover the mysteries behind frogs and their amphibian relatives, as well as why they're quickly disappearing from our planet. The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach celebrates the planet's largest and most diverse body of water: the Pacific Ocean, from the frigid waters of the Northern Pacific to the colorful reefs of the Tropical Pacific. With this offer, you can choose any weekday during afternoon hours (3:00pm-6:00pm) to visit this world-class aquarium featuring a wide array of hands-on activities, live and video presentations and much more. [less-]

Experience the next crop of Major League Soccer stars at an LA Galaxy II game. Playing in the fan-friendly confines of StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium, LA Galaxy II matches offer an intimate sett... [more+]

Experience the next crop of Major League Soccer stars at an LA Galaxy II game. Playing in the fan-friendly confines of StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium, LA Galaxy II matches offer an intimate setting for professional soccer in Southern California. Your ticket includes free on-site parking, plus there are discounted concessions options and a host of exciting promotional nights and giveaways. Galaxy II have been one of the most successful teams in the United Soccer League, having made the playoffs in each of their first three seasons. [less-]

Larger and faster than the "Titanic" -- and with 1001 successful trans-Atlantic crossings to the "Titanic"'s zero -- the Queen Mary is rich with history, elegance and grandeur. Decommissioned in 1967 ... [more+]

Larger and faster than the "Titanic" -- and with 1001 successful trans-Atlantic crossings to the "Titanic"'s zero -- the Queen Mary is rich with history, elegance and grandeur. Decommissioned in 1967 after 30 years ferrying movie stars, royalty and World War II-era soldiers between the United States and England, this floating hotel and Southern California icon is filled with stories to experience. The First-Class Passport is your ticket to all the best activities the Queen Mary has to offer, including access to the model ship gallery, museum, the brand new 4-D theater and two tours that showcase the ship's glitzy and haunted history. [less-]

The stars are aligning for another season of dazzling Major League Soccer action as the LA Galaxy hit the pitch at the StubHub Center in Carson. Sigi Schmid, who coached the team to their very first M... [more+]

The stars are aligning for another season of dazzling Major League Soccer action as the LA Galaxy hit the pitch at the StubHub Center in Carson. Sigi Schmid, who coached the team to their very first MLS Cup in 2002, is back at the helm, hoping to add to the Galaxy's record five titles. Giovani Dos Santos and Romain Alessandrini, both former team MVPs, are returning, and star striker Ola Kamara -- who scored 18 goals in 2017 -- is joining the squad, as is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who's played professionally throughout Europe and for his native country of Sweden, racking up more than 450 goals. Plus, the atmosphere at a Galaxy game is always out of this world, with dedicated fans and newbies alike rocking the house. [less-]

The ultimate love story continues in "Love Never Dies", Andrew Lloyd Webber's spellbinding sequel to "The Phantom of the Opera". Ten years after disappearing from the Paris Opera House, the Phantom ha... [more+]

The ultimate love story continues in "Love Never Dies", Andrew Lloyd Webber's spellbinding sequel to "The Phantom of the Opera". Ten years after disappearing from the Paris Opera House, the Phantom has a new life in New York where he lives amongst the joy rides and freak shows of Coney Island. Christine Daaé, now one of the world's finest sopranos, is coming to perform in New York. In a final bid to win back her love, the Phantom lures Christine, her husband Raoul and their young son to the glittering and glorious world of Coney Island, where anything could happen. See this epic sequel to one of the most spectacular musicals ever to grace Broadway, as "Love Never Dies" brings its thrilling rollercoaster ride of intrigue, obsession and romance to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. [less-]

The waters off Dana Point are a whale- and dolphin-watching haven, and Dana Wharf's boat captains are masters at spotting the majestic mammals. During this two-hour seafaring voyage, your captain will... [more+]

The waters off Dana Point are a whale- and dolphin-watching haven, and Dana Wharf's boat captains are masters at spotting the majestic mammals. During this two-hour seafaring voyage, your captain will keep you entertained with interesting facts and anecdotes as you scout out whales (gray or blue, depending on the season), three different types of dolphin, sea lions and more. Dana Wharf, the originator of whale watching in Orange County, has an 85 percent success rate at spotting marine mammals. They guarantee you'll see whales or dolphins during the voyage -- or you'll ride again for free. [less-]

With its hothouse emotions, lush melodies and commentary on racial tolerance, Rodgers & Hammerstein's "South Pacific" is both a romantic musical and a deeply felt drama. As Americans stationed on an i... [more+]

With its hothouse emotions, lush melodies and commentary on racial tolerance, Rodgers & Hammerstein's "South Pacific" is both a romantic musical and a deeply felt drama. As Americans stationed on an island paradise during World War II, a nurse and a GI both fall in love with island residents, but a culture clash threatens their relationships. Ultimately love wins out, but the dangers of war threaten their happy endings. The unforgettable score of this timeless musical is filled with all-time favorites like "Some Enchanted Evening," "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair," "There is Nothing Like a Dame" and "Bali Ha'i." See for yourself why this Pulitzer- and Tony Award-winning musical has melted the hearts of audiences for over 60 years at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. [less-]

Get up close and personal with an incredible array of marine life on this 2.5-hour whale and dolphin-watching cruise from Davey's Locker. You'll cast off from picturesque Newport Beach, home to one of... [more+]

Get up close and personal with an incredible array of marine life on this 2.5-hour whale and dolphin-watching cruise from Davey's Locker. You'll cast off from picturesque Newport Beach, home to one of the most beautiful coastlines in Southern California, and enjoy a whale-watching trip where each voyage is a unique experience with views of a variety of marine life. During grey whale migration season, cruises regularly run into 5 or more whales on a trip. You might also see dolphins (including megapods of 500 or more), a sea lion colony, finback whales, minke whales and humpback whales. The ship features a large upstairs sun deck, a snack bar with food and beverages available for purchase, wraparound outdoor seating and indoor seating with large windows. [less-]

Ye olde Koroneburg RenFest has been transporting ye and yours back to Germany, circa 1450-1600, for two decades, providing one of the most interactive experiences of its kind in SoCal. You'll stroll t... [more+]

Ye olde Koroneburg RenFest has been transporting ye and yours back to Germany, circa 1450-1600, for two decades, providing one of the most interactive experiences of its kind in SoCal. You'll stroll through a bustling historical village where you can learn the blacksmith trade, practice your archery and experience the thrill of armor and weapons demonstrations. That's in addition to the many merry bands of live entertainers, from fire jugglers and comics to jousting tournaments and singing pirates. There's even more fun to be had at the Ship-O-Games, featuring axe-throwing, rocking horses and other period-appropriate activities, including escape rooms. Of course, you'll want to visit the merchants, offering their handmade wares, and as for the feasting, there's more variety than you can shake a turkey leg at, with pickles, popcorn, pastries and other traditional German and American delights to be had across the festival grounds. [less-]

Hailed as "a first-class ensemble," "unfailingly stylish," "technically dazzling," and "the epitome of what chamber musicians should be," Trio Céleste has firmly established itself as one of the most... [more+]

Hailed as "a first-class ensemble," "unfailingly stylish," "technically dazzling," and "the epitome of what chamber musicians should be," Trio Céleste has firmly established itself as one of the most dynamic chamber music ensembles on the classical music scene today. Performing in hundreds of recitals worldwide, their 2017 highlights include lauded debuts at New York's Carnegie Hall, Seoul Arts Center in South Korea, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Their first album debuted at No. 5 on iTunes for "Best Seller New Release." The Trio will be joined by Chamber Music OC Camerata, as well as members of Chamber Music OC's renowned Young Artists Program, during this performance debut at Irvine Barclay Theatre. [less-]

Board a historic battleship and see history come to life before your eyes. Named one of the best exhibits to see with your kids by CBS Local, the Battleship Iowa Museum is the West Coast's only battle... [more+]

Board a historic battleship and see history come to life before your eyes. Named one of the best exhibits to see with your kids by CBS Local, the Battleship Iowa Museum is the West Coast's only battleship open to the public. Walk the wooden decks and check out the guns, missile decks, bridge, mess areas and the world famous Captain's Cabin -- with the only bathtub installed on a battleship for a president. Known as "The Battleship of Presidents," Iowa has hosted three presidents: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. New for 2017, you'll get an up-close look at a Korean War-era Piasecki HUP-2 Retriever helicopter, fully restored and sitting on Iowa's flight deck. You'll also be able to have an augmented reality HUP Experience of flying an actual HUP helicopter, as well as take a simulated ride in a virtual reality Navy Flight Theater. The Battleship Iowa is located at the L.A. Waterfront, former home to the US Navy Battleship fleet prior to World War II and an area rich in maritime history. [less-]

George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Buddy Guy, Blues Traveler, Eric Burdon & the Animals, Jimmie Vaughan, Beth Hart and many more great acts perform at Dana Point's Sea Terrace Park, the new home of ... [more+]

George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Buddy Guy, Blues Traveler, Eric Burdon & the Animals, Jimmie Vaughan, Beth Hart and many more great acts perform at Dana Point's Sea Terrace Park, the new home of the Doheny Blues Festival. A constant stream of music will keep you grooving all weekend long as bands perform from two main stages on opposite sides of a huge grass field, in addition to the intimate Backporch stage, where you can get up close to some of your favorite musicians while enjoying some craft beer tastings. To top off your festival-going experience, you can fill up on yummy bites from the food court, peruse stalls in the Vendor Village and get your drink on at the Wine Lounge. See the full event description for a complete lineup. [less-]

Everything's better with brass, especially when it's coming from Mexico's popular Banda MS. Led by singers Oswaldo Silvas and Alan Ramirez and tuba player Sergio Lizarraga, this award-winning band is ... [more+]

Everything's better with brass, especially when it's coming from Mexico's popular Banda MS. Led by singers Oswaldo Silvas and Alan Ramirez and tuba player Sergio Lizarraga, this award-winning band is more than a dozen members strong, and they all know how to get the crowd moving with fiery hits like "Me Vas a Extranar," "Hablame De Ti," "Solo Con Verte" and more. Their most successful album release, "En Preparacion", came in 2009 and spawned a Top 10 hit on the U.S. Hot Latin Songs chart, "Sin Evidencias." Now you can see Banda MS, which is actually short for Banda Sinaloense MS de Sergio Lizarraga, take the stage of the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario. [less-]