Orange County's hottest arrivals in shopping, nightlife, dining, entertainment, attractions, museums, theater, culture, sports and recreation. MAPS of Orange County

EVENTS
O.C. Fair July 16–Aug. 15. "The Beat Goes On" with carnival rides, a 4-H competition, food and wine tasting, pig racing, motocross and concerts including Adam Lambert, Faith Hill and ZZ Top. Orange County Fairgrounds, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.3247. ocfair.com

Capistrano Shakespeare Festival July 23–25, 30–Aug. 1. This festival not only features two crowd-pleasing Shakespeare plays, but also a specially created Melodrama set in Old Capestrano Italy. On select dates, catch "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Much Ado About Nothing" in the Historic Town Center Park and old world melodrama "The Merchant of Venice" on the Camino Real Playhouse Main Stage. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.489.8082. capistranocenter.com

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presnets Barnum's FUNundrum July 28–Aug. 8. Celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of legendary P.T. Barnum with this three-ring spectacle that features 130 performers from six continents and almost 100,000 pounds of performing pachyderms, cowboys, pirates and mermaids. Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 800.745.3000. hondacenter.com

Project Playhouse Opening July 31. View whimsical playhouses created to benefit HomeAid Orange County. Tour the fantasy village and peek inside the playhouses August 1 and every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through September 10. Irvine Spectrum Center, 71 Fortune Drive, Irvine, 949.553.9510. projectplayhouse.org

Annual Lobsterfest Aug 1. Dive in to a dinner of boiled Maine lobster, served with red potatoes, corn on the cob, rolls with butter and a brownie, enter in a sandcastle contest and listen to beach tunes from the Hodaddies. $75 for adults and $25 for children; tickets must be purchased by July 30. Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, 949.729.3863. lobsterfestatnewportbeach.com

MUSIC
Pacific Amphitheatre July 23–25, 30–Aug. 1. Rock out to a variety of musical genres at this outdoor venue. July 23–25, catch Ziggy Marley, Faith Hill and Blue Oyster Cult, and from July 30–Aug. 1, don't miss John Legend, Sublime and Ratt. As always, concert tickets include free admission to the O.C. Fair. Orange County Fairgrounds, 100 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.1870. pacamp.com

Verizon Wireless Amphitheater July 24, 29. The largest live music venue in Orange County has a summer schedule full of some of the hottest entertainment acts, including the Unity Tour with 311 and the Offspring on July 24, and Aerosmith on July 29. 8808 Irvine Center Dr., Irvine. livenation.com

Reggae Sundays July 25, Aug. 1. Groove to some of reggae's biggest hits with Quino, lead singer of Big Mountain, on July 25, and Andrew Bees of Black Uhuru on August 1. The opening act is the one and only Einstein, a steel drum ambassador. Mozambique Steakhouse, 1740 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.715.7777. mozambiqueoc.com

ART
Art-A-Fair Through Aug. 29. Browse top international, national and local artists, take adult beginner and intermediate art classes and dine on epicurean cuisine at Tivoli Too! A $7 general admission ticket also acts as a season pass to return all summer long. 777 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.494.4514. art-a-fair.com

Sawdust Art & Craft Festival Through Aug. 29. View works by nearly 200 artists on display, plus art demonstrations, children's activities, outdoor cafes and live music. Admission is $7.75 per adult for one day and $15 for a season pass. 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.494.3030. sawdustfestival.org

Festival of Arts Through Aug. 31. California's longest-running outdoor fine-art exhibition features work by 140 juried artists. At night, don't miss Pageant of the Masters, where actors spectacularly re-create works of art in living tableaux with narration and live music. 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 800.487.3378. foapom.com

SPORTS
Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing Aug. 2. Catch a wave to the world's largest pro surfing competition featuring 500 competitors and 400,000 spectators. In addition, a massive beach-lifestyle festival provides extra entertainment with action sports contests, demonstrations, live music and fashion shows. Huntington Beach Pier, Huntington Beach, 424.653.1900. usopenofsurfing.com

COMEDY
Brea Improv July 23–25, 30–Aug. 1. Laugh out loud with a true "comic's comic," Bobby Slayton, when he performs his intense style of standup July 23–25. Chelsea Lately regulars Sarah Colonna and Chris Franjola take the stage July 30–Aug. 1 to showcase their comedic talents. 120 S. Brea Blvd., Brea, 714.482.0700. improv.com

THEATER
Hello Dolly! Through Aug. 1. The story follows Mrs. Levi, whose attempts to marry the well known half-millionaire Horace Vandergelder lead her to some successful matchmaking with those she meets along the way. O.C. Pavilion, 801 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 714.550.0880. ocpavilion.com

'Till Death Do Us Part: Late Nite Catechism 3 July 25–26, Aug. 1–2. After teaching countless students about all the saints, venial, sins, guilt, limbo and more, Sister is once again offering up her hilarious lessons on the Sacraments of Marriage and Last Rites, including her own wacky version of the Newlywed Game. Bring along your sweetie and your sense of humor for some quality time with the feistiest new couples counselor in town. The Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach, 949.497.2787. lagunaplayhouse.com