If you’re in Southern California, check back here for local events that I think are worth checking out with your family or friends!
P.S. All events are FREE unless a cost is noted.
P.P.S. Newly added events will be designated as *NEW* for a couple days.
February:
2/7/08 7:00pm (Thurs) - Musical performance and signing of Hawaiian Grammy nominees Tia Carrere (from movies True Lies, Wayne’s World, Lilo & Stitch, etc.), Daniel Ho, and Cyril Pahinui @ Borders Costa Mesa - Newport. Link
*NEW* 2/8/08-2/10/08 (Fri-Sun) - Tet Festival 2008 celebrates Lunar New Year w/ the Vietnamese community. Features contests, concerts, and pageant @ Garden Grove Park. $4-$5, depends on age. [Thanks juicyfruit!] Link
*NEW* 2/9/08 9:30am-10:37am (Sat) - MetroLink’s Lunar New Year festival celebrates Lunar New Year w/ free Lee’s Sandwiches, lion dance, Vietnamese hat dance, and free MetroLink tickets for the first 300 people! Use the tickets to attend the Chinese New Year Parade and Festival in Chinatown at 2pm! Free same-day tickets (for 10:37am train only) to be handed out at 9am to those in line @ MetroLink Irvine station. Link
2/9/08 12:30pm (Sat) - Musical performance by Hawaiian Grammy nominees Tia Carrere, Daniel Ho, Cyril Pahinui, Keoki Kahumoku, George Kahumoku, Jr., Richard Ho’opi’i, Peter deAquino, and Sterling Seaton @ Borders Torrance. Link
2/23/08 11am-4pm (Sat) - Irvine Tennis Day w/ special guest, Michael Chang! Family tennis classes, racket demos, cardio, food, and more @ Heritage Park. Link
2/23/08 11am-4pm (Sat) - Huntington Library’s Garden of Flowing Fragrance (aka Chinese Garden) opens w/ Chinese New Year festival, including music, dance, and children’s activities. The park itself is open from 10:30am-4:30pm @ San Marino. $6-$20/person for admission to Huntington Library, based on age. Link
2/24/08 4pm (Sun) - Sounds of Spring concert #4 of solo and ensemble chamber music by UC Irvine Chamber Fest showcasing strings, winds, and piano @ Irvine Civic Center. Link
March:
Every Sunday in March 10:30am (Sun) - Santa Anita Race Track’s Family Fun Day has inflatable slide and moon bounce for kids, as well as horse racing! Other kids’ activities, such as face painting, pony rides, and games available for additional charge. May not occur if inclement weather. $5 adults, free under 17 years old w/parent. Link
3/30/08 4:00pm (Sun) - Sounds of Spring concert #5 of California Concert Artists playing classical and jazz music @ Irvine Civic Center. Link
April:
4/5/08 10:30am-6:30pm (Sat) & 4/6/08 10:30am-5pm (Sun) - Cherry Blossom Festival of So Cal celebrates the season of cherry blossoms and Japanese culture @ Little Tokyo. TONS of activities, shows, and vendors!! Link
4/12/08 & 4/13/08 10:30am (Sat-Sun) - Santa Anita Race Track’s Carnival Days has carnival rides, games, and county fair fast food all weekend. $5 adults, free under 17 years old w/parent. Link
4/13/08 4:00pm (Sun) - Sounds of Spring concert #6 of Young Concert Artists playing classical and chamber music @ Irvine Civic Center. Link
4/19/08 10:30am (Sat) - Santa Anita Race Track celebrates Fan Appreciation Day! Giveaways TBD. $5 adults, free under 17 years old w/parent. Link
May:
5/4/08 8am-5pm (Sun) - Carlsbad Village Street Faire is the largest single-day street fair w/ 100,000+ visitors each May and November. Vendors sell everything from art to toys to jewelry and more. There’s also an international food court and children’s area with bounce house, face painting, rock climbing wall, and arts & crafts. Link
5/17/08 10am-7pm (Sat) & 5/18/08 10am-6:30pm (Sun) - Oxnard’s Strawberry Festival is all about strawberries…food booths, contests, berry hunt, Strawberryland for kids, and much more! $5-$12/person goes to charity, based on age. Link
June:
6/1/08 Time TBD (Sun) - Tustin Street Fair and Chili Cookoff features craft booths, kids carnival, food vendors, and of course, chili! Link
July:
7/26/08-7/27/08 11am-7pm (Sat-Sun) - If you like things spicy, check out Oxnard’s Salsa Festival. Do tortilla art in Kids Korner, test your salsa recipe in the salsa challenge, learn to cook w/ chilis, watch salsa dancing, and eat lots of salsa. Link
August:
8/23/08-8/24/08 9am-6pm (Sat-Sun) - Aloha Beach Festival shares the spirit of Aloha w/ hula dancers, canoe race, surfing challenge, and viewing of the movie, Endless Summer, @ Ventura. Link
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January:
1/19/08-1/20/08 10am-7pm (Sat-Sun): Asian American Expo is the largest Asian trade show in California. Check out various businesses and food products while enjoying cultural entertainment @ Pomona Fairplex. $10/person. Link
