Special Events
ORANGE COUNTY MUSIC AWARDS
March 3. The county’s music industry gathers to honor achievements of local artists in 24 categories. Grove of Anaheim, 2200 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.712.2700 Map I11
FESTIVAL OF WHALES
March 3-4, 10-11. 41st annual festival celebrates the migration of the California gray whale. Parade, street fairs, concerts, crafts and marine-mammal cruises. Call for hours. Free. Dana Point Harbor, Dana Point, 949.472.7888 Map J16
TOSHIBA SENIOR CLASSIC
March 12-18. Senior PGA players compete. Tee times begin at 10:15 am. $25. Newport Beach Country Club, 1600 E. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, 949.644.9550 Map E6
return of the swallows
March 19. Festival commemorates storied annual bird visit. 10 am-2 pm. Free. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.1976 Map I17
youth expo
April 13-15. Educational fair features rides, science exhibit, four acres of livestock and petting zoo. F 9 am-3 pm; Sa-Su 10 am-5 pm. Free; parking $5. Orange County Fairgrounds, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.1500 Map K12
spring into art
Weekends April 14-29. Learn to create jewelry, paint, blow glass, arrange flowers. Call for hours. Sawdust Art Festival, 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.494.3030 Map G15
newport boat show
April 19-22. 39th annual in-the-water show at Lido Marina Village. Th-Sa 10 am-7 pm, Su 10 am-6 pm. $15, 12 and under free. Free parking and shuttle from Newport Health Center, 500 Superior Ave., Newport Beach, and Newport Harbor Lutheran Church, 798 Dover Drive, Newport Beach, 949.757.5959
newport beach film festival
April 26-May 3. Screenings of more than 350 films from around the world, including features, shorts, documentaries and animation, as well as galas and sessions with directors and screenwriters. Jury and audience awards. schedule at newportbeachfilmfest.com. 949.253.2880 Map E3
newport to ensenada race
April 27-29. Yacht race is world’s largest; more than 200 boats are expected to compete. Best views are from Corona del Mar coastal cliffs and Balboa Pier. Noon start. 949.644.1023 Map N13
southern california spring garden show
April 26-29. 23rd annual show features seminars, competition gardens, vendors and children’s crafts. M-F 10 am-9 pm, Sa 10am-8 pm, Su 11 am-6:30 pm. Free. South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa, 714.435.2160 Map J13
taste of huntington beach
April 29. Sampling of menu items from many of the city’s restaurants. Huntington Beach Sports Complex, 18100 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach, 714.375.5023 Map D2
doheny blues festival
May 19-20. Live blues, rock and R&B on three stages. Meet performers at the music store. Microbrew tasting. 11 am-9:30 pm. Doheny State Beach, 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, 949.360.7800 Map H1
garden grove strawberry festival
May 25-28. Parade, carnival rides, strawberry cake-cutting ceremony. F 1-10 pm; Sa-Su 10 am-10 pm, M until 9 pm. Free. Rides $1. Village Green between Main and Euclid streets, Garden Grove, 714.638.0981 Map J9
