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Hey friend,
Is it just me, or did we blink and suddenly it’s Christmas?

Half the pumpkins on my street are still sitting on porches while twinkle lights and inflatable Santas are moving in.

From here on out, it’s holiday season on overdrive. Pour the eggnog, take a deep breath, and hang on!

To all the new readers, welcome to The Scene… Our motto is: the more you know, the more you 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

~~ FRIDAY NOV 7th ~~

🤠 Line Dancing in the Barn
Grab your boots for the final Farmakis Farms line dancing night of 2025. Tickets required.
Fri, Nov 7 | 7–10pm | San Juan Capistrano

🌙 Harbor After Dark
Shop late, sip waterfront cocktails, and catch live music at this new First Friday series.
Fri, Nov 7 | 4:30–7:30pm | Dana Point Harbor

🦊 Movie Night: Fantastic Mr. Fox
Outdoor movie night. Complimentary concessions while supplies last.
Fri, Nov 7 | 6pm | San Juan Capistrano Library, San Juan Capistrano

🎬 Old Towne Film Festival
Walk the red carpet for the premiere of The Old Towne Orange Movie inside the historic Masonic Lodge.
Fri, Nov 7 | Evening | Orange

Scroll down to see what’s happening next weekend and beyond:
➡️ PLAN AHEAD…

🎶 🎶 Checkout This Weekend’s Live Music Options

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~~ SATURDAY NOV 8th ~~

🎨 Free Art in Nature
Sketch or paint Irvine’s open-space wildlife and views. Reservations required. Free.
Sat, Nov 8 | 8:30am–12pm | Bommer Canyon Preserve, Irvine

🕯️ Candle-Making Workshop
Make your own custom-scented candle and support homeless pets.
Sat, Nov 8 | 1–2pm | Animal Services Center, Mission Viejo

🍷 Orange County Wine Fest
Two days of tastings from hundreds of wineries. Use Code SAVE10 for 10% off
Sat-Sun, Nov 8–9 | OC Fair & Event Center | Costa Mesa

📚 Giant Library Book & Holiday Sale
Thousands of books and holiday finds at bargain prices. (.25–.50 for most items)
Sat, Nov 8 | 10am–2pm | Laguna Niguel

🧘 Free Yoga in the Park
Outdoor yoga and community vibes at Grand Park.
Sat, Nov 8 | 9am–12pm | Aliso Viejo

🌌 Cosmic Dawn Documentary
NASA’s James Webb Telescope story with a Q&A with Science educators. Free.
Sat, Nov 8 | 3–5pm | Mission Viejo

🎄 Holiday Faire
Shop handmade art, crafts, and gifts from local makers with live festive music and holiday cheer.
Sat, Nov 8 | 10am–4pm | Irvine

🧶 Silverado Canyon Pop-Up Craft Fair
Handmade goods and local makers in a scenic canyon.
Sat, Nov 8 | 10am–2pm | Silverado Canyon

Scroll down to see what’s happening next weekend and beyond:
➡️  PLAN AHEAD…

🎶 🎶 Checkout South OC Live Music Options

~~ SUNDAY NOV 9th ~~

🌿 Nature Meditation Walk
Mindful one-mile walk and tea ceremony in nature.
Sun, Nov 9 | 9–11am | Nix Nature Center, Laguna Beach

📚 Books & Blooms in San Juan Capistrano
Books, plants, author talks, coffee bar and Kindle decorating station!
Sun, Nov 9 | 10am–4pm | Inn at the Mission, San Juan Capistrano

🛍️ The Coast Vintage Market
Antiques, treasures, and local finds. Free entry.
Sun, Nov 9 | 8am–3pm | Parking Lot, Laguna Hills Mall

🎨 Artisans Market at Aliso Viejo Ranch
Local art, crafts, food, and photo ops. Free.
Sun, Nov 9 | 11am–3pm | Aliso Viejo Ranch

🤠 Line Dancing & Shrimp Boil
Kick up your boots with line dancing lessons, plus BBQ and shrimp boil.
Sun, Nov 9 | 1pm | Lake Forest

⛸️ Friendsgiving Skate
Bring two canned goods for free skate rentals and enjoy a Friendsgiving public skate at Great Park Ice.
Sun, Nov 9 | 2–4 PM | Irvine

Scroll down to see what’s happening next weekend and beyond:
➡️ PLAN AHEAD…

🎶 🎶 Checkout South OC Live Music Options

🦄 NICE NEWS !

🌟 The Ice Rink at Irvine Spectrum Center Is Back
Your favorite winter outing is officially open again, the outdoor ice rink in Giant Wheel Court has returned for the season along with the big Christmas tree. Lace up your skates for open-air sessions starting daily at 2:00pm

✈️ Flying Leatherneck Museum Breaks Ground
This amazing museum is moving into the Orange County Great Park in Irvine. The 100,000-sq-ft project will host more than 40 Marine Corps aircraft, plus STEM exhibits and interactive displays. Opening expected in 2027.

🎶 Disney’s Next Ride Will Make You Say “¡Coco Loco!”
Disney California Adventure has filed permits for a new boat ride inspired by Coco, set backstage near Pixar Pier and Paradise Gardens. Construction is slated to begin later this year.

🍸 Shelter Distilling Moves into Dana Point
Mammoth’s Shelter Distilling is taking over the space of StillWater in Dana Point. The new Orange County location will serve house-made whiskey, gin, vodka and ready-to-drink cocktails.

🧐 Trivia Answer: ✅ Answer: B) El Adobe de Capistrano
When El Adobe opened in 1948, it joined two historic buildings—one a former courthouse and jail dating back to 1797, the other a family home built in 1812. The restaurant kept the original jail cell, converting it into a private dining room where guests can literally eat behind bars. Over the years, it’s hosted everyone from movie stars to President Richard Nixon, who made it a favorite stop while living at the Western White House in San Clemente.
More El Adobe history

🥱 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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©️ 2025 The Scene: South OC | All content and information set forth above was created by Lorna Ladd and Jason Ladd and is the intellectual property of this publication. It is protected under US copyright law, including but not limited to “The Digital Millennium Copyright Act.” Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or duplication of any material, in whole or in part, without express written authorization & consent, is strictly prohibited by law and may result in legal action. Violators will be subject to prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.