Happy Wednesday!
The World Cup is here, which means the biggest sporting event in the world is officially taking over TVs, patios and probably a few group chats. Go Team USA!

Several spots around South OC are hosting watch parties, including Pub 32, where we’ll be cheering on USA vs. Paraguay on June 12 at 6pm. More options below.

There is also music everywhere this weekend: A music festival in Costa Mesa, five summer concerts around South OC, plus live music at local venues, restaurants and patios.

And finally, don’t forget about Dad. We rounded up 17 fresh Father’s Day ideas so he doesn’t have to sit through another overpriced brunch pretending the eggs were worth it.

Keep scrolling.

To all the new readers, welcome to The Scene… Our motto is: the more you know, the more you’ll go. That’s what this newsletter is all about, sharing ideas big and small to make it easier (and more fun) to get out and enjoy OC.

See you out there!
Lorna & Jason

🎶 Songs in the Canyon
A three-day mini music festival takes over local venues, ending with a grand finale at Canyon Park. Emily Brimlow headlines with her Indie folk-pop vibes.
June 12–14 | Costa Mesa

⚽ USA vs. Paraguay Watch Party
The World Cup kicks off at Pub32 as Team USA takes on Paraguay. Grab a pint, settle in, and catch every minute of the action with fellow soccer fans. Reservations are recommended.
Fri, June 12 | 6pm | Pub32 Irish Gastropub, Mission Viejo

Other local places hosting include: Gibroni’s Pizza in San Clemente, Oggi’s in Mission Viejo, Old Town San Clemente, Mozambique in Laguna Beach and Mission Ready Brewing in RSM

🤠 Line Dancing in the Barn
Champagne Cowgirl leads an evening of line dancing under the stars at Farmakis Farms. Tickets must be purchased online in advance.
Fri, June 12 | 7pm - 10pm | Farmakis Farms, San Juan Capistrano

🛍️ Sugar Plum Festival in Irvine
Vintage treasures, handmade goods, food vendors, and family-friendly shopping vibes are heading to Sugar Plum Festival’s new lakeside Irvine location.
June 11–14 | Woodbridge Village Center, Irvine

🎶 Summer Concerts
Three free concerts kick off the weekend with Family Style in Mission Viejo, Wayward Sons in Laguna Hills, and Celter Skelter bringing its Celtic-Beatles mashup to the cliffs of Laguna Beach.
Fri, June 12 | South OC Locations, South OC

🪼 Bioluminescence Night Cruise
Catch the ocean’s natural light show on this guided night cruise—equal parts science and magic.
June 11–14 | 8:30pm | Ocean Institute, Dana Point

🎶 🎶 Checkout all of this weekend’s Live Music Options

➡️ NEXT WEEK
Scroll down to see events happening next week and beyond.

🎸 The Smithereens
The legendary alt-rock band behind “A Girl Like You” and “Only a Memory” are bringing four decades of jangly guitars, MTV-era nostalgia, and New Jersey rock energy to The Coach House.
Sat, June 13 | 8pm | The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano

🧵 Craft Supply Swap
Clean out your craft closet and discover new treasures at this community swap. Free donated supplies will be available to browse, and donors get early access from 9–10am.
Sat, June 13 | 10am–12pm | Mission Viejo Library

🌺 Webb’s Summer Kickoff Luau
Poke, pig, tropical drinks, live music, and laid-back island vibes take over Webb’s Grainworks for this annual summer luau. No cover, reservations not required, and all ages welcome.
Sat, June 13 | 2–10pm | Webb’s Grainworks, Aliso Viejo

🌅 Late Edition Summer Kickoff
Beachfront DJs, art installations, cocktails, food, and sunset dancing take over Hotel Laguna for this 21+ summer kickoff party hosted by Late Edition.
Sat, June 13 | 5–11pm | Hotel Laguna, Laguna Beach

🍴 Taste of Lake Forest
Bites from local restaurants, live music, beer and wine gardens, inside the historic park grounds. Tickets required.
Sat, June 13 | 4–8pm | Heritage Hill Historical Park, Lake Forest

🎸 Free Summer Concert Night
Two concerts to choose from: No Duh brings its high-energy No Doubt tribute to Rancho Mission Viejo, while Which One’s Pink delivers a night of classic Pink Floyd at Lake Mission Viejo (members only).
Sat, June 13 | Multiple Locations, South OC

🌶️ Chili Cookoff + Save Dogs
Chili tasting, live music, raffles, and a full-on biker bar vibe, all supporting rescue animals. $10 gets you tasting cups and a vote.
Sat, June 13 | 10:30am–3pm | Cook’s Corner, Trabuco Canyon

🌈 Mission Viejo Pride 2026
Show your pride, share the love, and soak up a feel-good afternoon with live entertainment and community booths.
Sat, Jun 13 | 12–5pm | Saddleback College, Mission Viejo

🛍️ Modern Makers Mart: I ❤️ 90’s Edition
A 90s-themed outdoor market with 55+ handmade vendors, live music, crafts, kids activities, and plenty of throwback nostalgia at Woodbury Town Center. Free jelly bracelets wsp.
June 13–14 | 3–8:30pm | Woodbury Town Center, Irvine

🛍️ The Coast Vintage Market
Retro finds, antiques, handmade goods, and treasure-hunt energy take over the Laguna Hills Mall parking lot for this free vintage market.
Sun, June 14 | 8am–3pm | Laguna Hills Mall South Parking Lot, Laguna Hills

🎨 Sip & Paint at the Speakeasy
Channel your inner artist with a guided painting class inside Great American Craft Bar’s hidden speakeasy. Your ticket includes all supplies plus a handcrafted cocktail or glass of wine.
Sun, June 14 | 3–5pm | Great American Craft Bar, Rancho Santa Margarita

🌴 TikiLand Laguna Social
Tiki cocktails, Dole Whips, live ukulele music, DJs, artists, vintage-inspired shopping take over the iconic Royal Hawaiian for this tiki marketplace and social.
Sun, June 14 | 10am–4pm | Royal Hawaiian, Laguna Beach

🎶 Great American Sing-Along
Belt out classics from The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, and more in this lively, singalong led by Hershey Felder, celebrating of 100 years of American music.
Sun, Jun 14 | South Coast Repertory Costa Mesa

🧚 Midsummer Night’s Ball
A whimsical evening of music and dancing with fairy-tale energy.
Sun, June 14 | 6–9pm | Potocki Center for the Arts, Mission Viejo

🎶 Songs in the Canyon Pop-Up Festival
This free mini music festival brings together local bands, artisan vendors, a beer garden, and dog-friendly picnic vibes for an easygoing afternoon in Costa Mesa.
Last Day June 14 | 2–7pm | Canyon Park, Costa Mesa

🎶 🎶 Checkout all of this weekend’s Live Music Options

➡️ NEXT WEEK
Scroll down to see events happening next week and beyond.

Skip brunch. This year, give Dad something to do. From golf and fishing to axe throwing, flight simulators, car shows and whiskey, here are local Father’s Day experiences in Orange County and nearby that are easy to book.

The local craft distillery specializes in whiskey and serves BBQ favorites like brisket, pulled pork, ribs, smoked tri-tip, whiskey BBQ wings and candied pork belly lollipops.

Where: Drift Distillery and Smokehouse, San Clemente
Phone: 949-388-0700
Reserve

For the dad who likes competition, Whoop Axe offers axe throwing, a rage room and line dancing nights.

Where: Whoop Axe, Lake Forest
Book Here

3. Live Music + Art at The Coach House

Live music, storytelling and art come together for Brett Dennen’s Art Is Life Tour, a great Father’s Day pick for the creative dad.

Where: The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano
When: Sunday, June 21, 2026
Book Now

No plane. No parachute. Just Dad floating in a wind tunnel while everyone takes pictures. A solid gift for adventure dads without going full “jump out of an aircraft.”

Closest options: Oceanside or Ontario
Book Here

🧐 Trivia Answer:

✅ B — Free Chicken Dinner

San Clemente was founded on December 6, 1925, when Ole Hanson — a former mayor of Seattle — lured 600 prospective buyers to a tent on barren coastal land halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego with a free chicken dinner and a sales pitch. By the end of that rainy afternoon, he had sold over 300 lots and his "Spanish Village by the Sea" was born.

Hanson's vision was strict: every home had to be built in Spanish Colonial style, with white stucco walls and red tile roofs. He even whitewashed his unpaved roads so they'd look like clean concrete in the aerial photos he used for marketing brochures. Nearly a century later, San Clemente still proudly wears that architectural identity — and enjoys around 300 days of sunshine a year to show it off.

🥱 Boring Stuff

Publication Disclaimer: Everything included here is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. It is always best to double-check links to be sure event information hasn’t changed if you plan on attending something.

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