3rd Annual Orange County Beer Week
April 21-29
Orange County
http://ocbrewers.org/oc-beer-week/
This 10-day beer celebration covers all of Orange County, starting with a beer fest at the Fullerton Arboretum. During this period, virtually every restaurant, bar, gastropub, and any other craft beer establishment will host some sort of beer event. Literally hundreds of beer events will take place in Orange County, so for an abridged list, visit the website linked above. Even the website cannot contain every single event! Check with your local favorite brewpub to find out how they will participate. For the purposes of condensing this list, I will not include any event that directly relates to OC Beer Week, as their website will list them all.
Taste of Downtown Long Beach
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm, April 25-26
East Village Arts District, Downtown Long Beach
http://downtownlongbeach.org/event-post/taste-of-downtown/
Sample food & drinks from various restaurants from Downtown Long Beach at this tasting fest held in the East Village Arts District. Free to attend for all-ages, guests simply pay to eat, purchasing booklets of 12 tickets for $10 each. Each restaurant accepts varying amounts of tickets depending on their offerings. Live music and artists will keep guests entertained as well.
Newport Beach Film Festival
April 26 – May 3
Multiple venues, Newport Beach
http://www.newportbeachfilmfest.com/
Dozens of independent films will air this week in Newport Beach. Check out the website for a schedule of all the films that you may watch, as well as the prices for each.
OC Beer Week Pint Nite
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, April 26
Meat Up BBQ, Placentia
http://www.meatupbbq.com/
http://www.facebook.com/events/194206708038612/
Meat Up BBQ brings back their monthly pint nite this Thursday night. Buy a beer, and keep the glass while supplies last.
Wine Wars
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, April 26
Eat Drink Americano, Los Angeles
http://www.winela.com/wine-war-apri-26
Wine trivia meets wine tasting this Thursday night in Downtown LA. The event page claims that they will open one bottle per person that shows up. Admission costs $49, and includes all wine tastings from all opened bottles. Admission does not include food – attendees must pay extra for food. No one under 21 may attend.
29th Annual America’s Family Pet Expo
10:00 am – 6:00 pm, April 27-29
OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa
http://petexpooc.org/
Pet lovers will want to check out this pet expo at the OC Fair & Event Center this weekend. Open to all ages, attendees will find lots of pet resources, including food, merchandise, demos, exhibits, shows, pet adoptions, and more. General admission costs $15, but guests may NOT bring pets.
22nd Annual Upland Lemon Festival
3:00 pm – 11:00 pm, April 27
10:00 am – 11:00 pm, April 28
10:00 am – 10:00 pm, April 29
9th St & Euclid Ave, Upland
http://www.uplandlemonfestival.com/
This street fair in Upland will have food, arts & crafts, live music, dance, entertainment, and lemons everywhere. Completely free to attend for all ages, visitors should park in the neighborhoods around the street closures.
Cerritos Spring Festival
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, April 27
1:00 pm – 10:00 pm, April 28
1:00 pm – 9:00 pm, April 29
Cerritos Sports Complex, Cerritos
http://www.cerritos.us/RESIDENTS/recreation/events/program_highlights.php
Enjoy a local spring carnival this weekend, free to attend for all ages. Visitors will find rides, games, live entertainment, food, drinks, treats, and more.
The 2018 Hollywood Show
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, April 27
10:00 am – 5:00 pm, April 28
11:00 am – 4:00 pm, April 29
The Westin LA Airport Hotel, Los Angeles
http://hollywoodshow.com/main.php
Check out the ultimate autograph and pop culture expo taking place this weekend near LAX. Meet a handful of celebrities from the old days, get autographs, take photos, and see more.
Los Angeles Spartan Race Stadium Sprint 2018
7:00 am – 5:00 pm, April 28
Dodger Stadium, Elysian Park
http://www.spartan.com/en/race/detail/3590/overview
Test your might at one of the more well-known national obstacle courses this Saturday in Elysian Park. Run, climb, crawl, and traverse all sorts of obstacles as you make your way to the finish line for sweet bragging rights. Registration varies, with the basic registration costing $149 per individual – see the website for a breakdown of all prices.
Wanderlust 108
7:30 am – 3:30 pm, April 28-29
Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica
http://wanderlust.com/
Join in on this yoga meetup this weekend on the Santa Monica Pier. Admission costs $55, and includes entry into a 5k run, yoga, and meditation. Attendees should bring their own yoga mat, plus sunscreen if they want to share.
5th Annual San Diego Shaka Fest
8:00 am – 4:00 pm, April 28
Crown Point Park Mission Bay, San Diego
http://sandiegoshakafest.com/
Bring your friends and family out to this all-ages athletics & Hawaiian cultural festival this Saturday in San Diego. This event combines a traditional cultural festival with some athletic activities and competitions, featuring rowing, obstacle courses, yoga, and more activities along with the festival’s food, drinks, music, arts & crafts, vendors, and more.
35th Annual Encinitas Street Fair
9:00 am – 5:00 pm, April 28-29
South Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas
http://encinitas101.com/
This FREE street fair takes place this weekend in Encinitas. Featuring 450 unique food, arts & crafts vendors, five music stages, rides & games, and a beer garden hosted by Stone Brewing and Port Brewing, people of all ages will enjoy this street fair. Due to the compact nature of this area, parking can get extremely difficult to locate. Arrive early, or take public transportation to arrive safely.
STEAM Expo 2018
10:00 am – 2:00 pm, April 28
Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach
http://magnoliapublicschools.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=325600&type=d
Bring out the family to this free and all-ages event this Saturday morning in Long Beach featuring activities, games, and other arts & crafts surrounding science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
31st Annual Seal Beach Classic Car Show
10:00 am – 4:00 pm, April 28
Main Street, Seal Beach
http://sealbeachchamber.org/seal-beach-car-show-gallery/
Free to attend for all ages, check out this classic car show that will take over the streets of Old Town Seal Beach this Saturday.
Spring 2018 Jackalope Art & Craft Fair – Pasadena
10:00 am – 5:00 pm, April 28-29
Central Park, Pasadena
http://www.jackalopeartfair.com/pasadena
Free to attend for all ages, this two-day arts & crafts fair will feature local artisans, curators, food trucks, live music, and more.
Holi Festival of Colors – San Fernando Valley
11:00 am – 3:00 pm, April 28
Woodley Avenue Park, Van Nuys
http://www.festivalofcolorsusa.com/
Want to get covered in color without the necessity of moving for five kilometers? Check out the annual Festival of Colors this Saturday. As simply a celebration with color, guests will enjoy live music the entire time, all while mingling and showing off colors. Color throwing occurs every two hours starting at noon. Admission costs $5, and guests can purchase colors at the festival.
34th Annual Mission Federal ArtWalk
11:00 am – 6:00 pm, April 28-29
Little Italy, San Diego
http://www.missionfederalartwalk.org/
Free to the public, this art walk takes up 17 blocks of Little Italy filled with over 350 artists. All throughout the fest, guests can discover music and dance performances, and plenty of kids’ activities.
Smog City Brewing’s 7th Anniversary
11:00 am – 10:00 pm, May 20
Smog City Brewing, Torrance
http://www.smogcitybrewing.com/
http://smogcity2018.brownpapertickets.com/
Smog City Brewing reaches another birthday this week, and to celebrate, they will have multiple rare beers available for you to try this Saturday. A VIP session will take place from 11am to 1pm featuring exclusive tastings. After 1pm, the doors open to the public, so anyone can come in and drink away.
1st Santa Monica Wine Fest
11:30 am – 8:30 pm, April 28
11:30 am – 3:00 pm, April 29
Barker Hangar, Santa Monica
http://santamonicawinefest.com/
A wine tasting event comes to Santa Monica this weekend. Three three-hour event sessions will take place this weekend: 12pm or 5:30pm on Saturday, or 12pm on Sunday. General admission costs $75 and starts at the aforementioned times, while VIP admission costs $125, starts half an hour earlier, and includes a goodie bag. Admission does not include food – all attendees will need to pay for food separately. No one under 21 may attend.
Mission Viejo Arts Alive & Street Painting Festival
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm, April 28-29
Oso Viejo Community Park, Mission Viejo
http://cityofmissionviejo.org/artsalivefestival/
Free to enter for all ages, guests will find plenty of arts & crafts, vendors, food, live entertainment, and other things to do. All things come at cost, so make sure you bring cash to take part in this event.
Back To The Beach Festival 2018
12:00 pm – 9:00 pm, April 28-29
Huntington State Beach, Huntington Beach
http://backtothebeachfest.com/
A ska & rock concert comes to Huntington Beach this weekend. Tickets to this all-ages concert start at $60.
Adams Avenue Unplugged 2018
12:00 pm – 10:00 pm, April 28
Adams Avenue, San Diego
http://www.adamsavenuebusiness.com/Adams-Avenue-Unplugged.html
Completely free to the public, guests will spectate 180 live music acts throughout the day all in the various local businesses and multiple stages. The city will also offer free trolley service to transport guests from one end to the other.
Watermelon Blonde Party
12:00 pm – 10:00 pm, April 28
Hamilton Family Brewery, Rancho Cucamonga
http://www.hamiltonfamilybrewery.com/
http://www.facebook.com/events/300612070467699/
Rancho Cucamonga’s Hamilton Family Brewery will release a spring seasonal beer this Saturday, and they will also have a watermelon eating contest and other fun watermelon inspired games and activities throughout the day. This event has no admission fee – simpy show up, and enjoy a cold one or two.
Wicks Brewing Co. 5th Anniversary Celebration
12:00 pm – 12:00 am, April 28
Wicks Brewing Co., Riverside
http://www.wicksbrewing.com/
Wicks Brewing Co. opened their doors to the public five years ago, and to celebrate their anniversary this weekend, they will have an all-day party at their tasting room in Riverside. This event has no cover charge – simply show up and enjoy their anniversary ale, other special brews, and live music throughout the day.
4th Annual STEAM Carnival
2:00 pm – 7:00 pm, April 28
Great Park, Irvine
http://ipsf.net/steam-carnival.html
Bring out the family to this all-ages event this Saturday afternoon in Irvine featuring activities, games, and other arts & crafts surrounding science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Admission costs $10.
Brew Lagoon Craft Beer & Music Festival
2:00 pm – 7:00 pm, April 28
Seaside Lagoon, Redondo Beach
http://www.brewlagoonfest.com/
A beer and music festival comes to Redondo Beach this Saturday afternoon. Admission costs $50 presale or $60 at the gate, and provides unlimited beer tasters while supplies last. Bring cash for food, and prepare for hot sunny weather. No one under 21 may attend. Attendees can find plenty of free street parking in the nearby neighborhoods.
3rd Annual OC Brewers Guild Festival
3:00 pm – 7:00 pm, April 28
Newport Dunes, Newport Beach
http://ocbrewers.org/
The first festival dedicated to Orange County’s microbreweries and restaurants moves to Newport Beach this Saturday evening. The $60 admission grants you unlimited beer tastings while supplies last. Bring cash for food. No one under 21 may attend.
10th Annual South Pasadena Eclectic Music Festival & Art Walk
3:00 pm – 10:00 pm, April 28
Mission District, South Pasadena
http://www.theeclectic.rocks/
Free to attend for all ages, see dozens of musicians and artists across five stages in South Pasadena this Saturday, plus a self-guided art walk, food trucks, a beer & wine garden, and more.
Playhouse District Wine Walk
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, April 28
Pasadena Playhouse, Pasadena
http://www.playhousedistrict.org/calendar-of-events/wine-walk
For $25, you get six wine tastings at this small wine tasting event in Pasadena this Saturday evening.
24th Annual Jewels of the Night Food & Wine Festival
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm, April 28
Walter Pyramid, Long Beach
http://www.longbeachstate.com/jewelsofthenight/
This Saturday evening, Cal State Long Beach hosts its annual food & wine festival for the 20th year in a row at the Walter Pyramid on the north side of the campus. Over 20 of the area’s top restaurants will serve their delicious food at this tasting gala, and a handful of California wineries will pour their signature wines. General admission to this event costs $125.
11st Annual Taste of Aliso Niguel
6:00 pm – 11:00 pm, April 28
Laguna Design Center, Laguna Niguel
http://www.anhspfan.org/
Taste the flavors of South Orange County at this tasting event this Saturday night in Laguna Niguel. Admission to this food fest costs $35. No one under 21 may attend.
Pancakes & Booze Art Show
8:00 pm – 2:00 am, April 28
Union Nightclub, Los Angeles
http://www.pancakesandbooze.com/
For just a $10 cover, guests get treated to unlimited pancakes and many artists from across the country showcasing their works. Guests can also witness body painting, stencil art, art battles, sculptures, graffiti, and more. No one under 21 may enter.
7th Annual Chocolate Festival
10:00 am – 4:00 pm, April 29
Maritime Museum, San Diego
http://sdmaritime.org/visit/public-events/chocolate-festival/
This Sunday, guests of all ages can enjoy plenty of chocolate to eat, demos, arts & crafts, and more. Museum admission includes access to the chocolate area, which costs $20 presale or $33 at the door for adults, with discounts applicable to seniors, military, and children.
2018 Taste of Huntington Beach
11:00 am – 4:00 pm, April 29
Huntington Beach Sports Complex, Huntington Beach
http://www.tastehb.com/
Sample the flavors of Huntington Beach’s local restaurants this Sunday at their food fest. Admission includes unlimited food samples and wine & beer tasters. General admission costs $70 and starts at 12pm, while VIP costs $90 and starts at 11am. VIP comes with complimentary champagne, extra hors d-oeuvres, free raffle entries, and free goodies. For both admissions, designated drivers will save $5, which only means they cannot receive any wine or beer.
23rd Annual San Diego County Vintners Association Wine & Food Festival
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, April 29
Bernardo Winery, Rancho Bernardo
http://sandiegowineries.org/
Sample local wine and food this Sunday afternoon in Rancho Bernardo in San Diego County. Admission costs $55 and comes with unlimited food and wine samples while supplies last. No one under 21 may attend.
9th Annual AutoCon Los Angeles
1:00 pm – 8:00 pm, April 29
Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles
http://www.autoconevents.com/
See all things cars at AutoCon this Sunday at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Downtown LA. Attendees will find hundreds of classic & customs cars, a huge vendor village, demos, food trucks, import models, and more. General admission to this all-ages convention cost $20Â presale or $25 at the door. Bring cash for parking as well, which will cost $20 per vehicle.
8th Annual Taste of the Eastside
3:00 pm – 8:00 pm, April 29
Los Angeles River Center & Gardens, Los Angeles
http://tasteoftheeastside.com/
Sample the best of East LA’s restaurants this Sunday evening. At this all-ages tasting, guests can receive unlimited food samples from all of the 20+ participating vendors. Admission comes in three levels and varies depending on when you purchase it, starting at $45 and rising up to $85 – check the website for pricing details.
San Diego Magazine’s Best of North County Party
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, April 29
Park Hyatt Aviara, Carlsbad
http://www.sandiegomagazine.com/San-Diego-Magazine/January-2018/Best-of-North-County-Party-2018/
Samples food from North San Diego County’s top restaurants and chefs, and sip on wines and beers from the area’s breweries and wineries at this tasting gala this Friday night. Admission to this event costs $85 per person.