May is a big month for moms here at the Orange County Moms Blog. There’s so much to do in our area, and not just on Mother’s Day! Here’s our short list of some of the interesting events happening in Orange County this May 2018:
Bear Awareness Day at the Orange County Zoo
May 5th
This sweet little zoo in Irvine Regional Park is perfect for visiting with little ones. We like to pair a visit to the OC Zoo with a mini train and pony ride, and maybe even a spin through the park on a surrey bike. All these attractions are a short walk apart through gorgeous greenery. From their website: “Come learn more about bears and have fun at the OC Zoo! Activities include crafts for kids, special keeper chats about bears, and a learning station where you can find out more about bear conservation and research, how to “bear proof” camping sites, and what to do if you see a bear.”
Activities are free with paid zoo admission ($2 per person, ages 2 & under free). Parking fee: $5 per car (you only pay once to enter the park).
Spring Faire and Butterfly House Opening at the Environmental Nature Center
May 6th
There’s so many reasons to attend this 13th annual event in Newport Beach. In addition to having Orange County’s only butterfly house, this fun day will also live presentations from the OC birds of Prey Center, Francisco The Bug Guy, and the ISO Pod mobile aquarium. It will also feature food from local restaurants as part of the Savor OC event, a youth art showcase with the theme “ecosystems of California,” and arts, crafts, and face painting.
Free admission though some activities cost extra like face painting and crafts (a $5 donation for a reusable ENC bag).
Rocket Launch at the Boeing Company
May 12
Though this event is sponsored by the Discovery Science Center (aka The Cube), it takes place at the Boeing headquarters in Huntington Beach. From their website: “…this event is full of hands-on activities for all ages and includes a competition where you’ll design, build and launch your own 2-liter bottle rocket with pressurized air and water. Rockets with the longest “hang time” will be awarded prizes!”
Free but registration is required (click here for more info).
PAW Patrol Live! at the Terrace Center in Long Beach
May 12+13
If you’ve got a child who’s a PAW Patrol fan, this live theater show is a must-do! From their website: “Adventure Bay’s Mayor Goodway is nowhere to be found on the day of the Great Adventure Bay Race against Foggy Bottom’s Mayor Humdinger. PAW Patrol to the rescue! Ryder summons the pups to represent Adventure Bay and race in Mayor Goodway’s place! Using their unique skills and teamwork, Marshall, Chase, Skye, Rubble, Rocky, Zuma and Everest show that “no job is too big, no pup is too small” as they make several heroic rescues on their race to the finish line.” Though Long Beach is technically Los Angeles County, it is the closest location to Orange County on this PAW Patrol Live! tour.
Tickets start at $17 for adults and children 1-17.
**Want to win a free family 4-pack of tickets to see the show? Enter our giveaway on the Orange County Moms Blog facebook page!**
Mother’s Day Celebration at the Hyatt Huntington Beach
May 13th
Chances are, your loving family is already thinking about all the different ways to make you feel special this Mother’s Day. If you’re like me, you’ll probably be happy with just a handmade gift, warm hugs from your babies, and maybe even breakfast in bed. However, if your family is looking for a decadent splurge, consider this all-you-can-eat buffet brunch event at the Hyatt resort in HB. With ocean views and family-friendly features like a free balloon artist, live music, and possibly every kind of dessert a kid could ever want, this is a Mother’s Day event to remember. Did we mention there’s unlimited champagne?
$94.00 adults, $74.00 (65 and over), $34.00 (ages 6-12, and kids under 5 are free.
80’s Prom For Moms
May 17th
Dust off your scrunchies, ladies, because it’s time for an 80’s flashback party with your besties! Didn’t get asked to prom? Broke up with your date on the dance floor? Now’s your chance to have the prom redo you always dreamt of. Show off your dance moves without worrying if the captain of the football team thinks you’re cute. Now that you’re older and wiser, you know you are! With food and beverages provided by Catering On Time, Raising Canes, Lamppost Pizza, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, San Clemente Cookie Dough, and Twisted For Sugar, you can eat like a gremlin who’s been fed after midnight and then werk it all off on the dance floor. Can you tell we’re excited about this event? We’ll be the ones wearing side ponytails and doing The Robot all night long!
General Admission tickets are $15* and include: Admission, 5 Raffle Tickets to enter giveaways for amazing prizes, Food and Sweets, Opportunity to learn about local businesses and brands at our vendor tables, Music and dancing galore. $5 optional add on fee for drink tickets. VIP ticket is $40* and includes all this plus a VIP Swag bag, 2 drink tickets, and access to enter our exclusive VIP Giveaway. (*plus a small 3rd party ticketing fee)
Taste of Anaheim
May 17th
While you’re having a blast from the past at the 80’s Prom For Mom, the rest of your family can indulge their taste buds at this 23rd annual Anaheim event. There’s food tasting from dozens of local restaurants, live entertainment, exhibitor booths for local businesses, and a silent auction.
Advanced Ticket Price – $40, Day-of Ticket Price – $45, Children 5 and under – FREE. Drinks an additional charge. Free parking in Disney’s Pumbaa lot.
Anaheim Children’s Festival at Pearson Park Amphitheater
May 19
This is the 26th year for this event, and as their website indicates, this year will have even more art, dance, and music! There’s over 50 hands-on art activities, two entertainment stages featuring puppets and other live performers, dance lessons, drawing lessons, City Police and Fire Department participation, and roving entertainers.
Free, but food and kiddie carnival games are an additional nominal fee.
Mackerel Flats and Goathill Junction Railroad
May 19+20
Do you have a little train enthusiast at home? Then you’ve got to bring them to this neat little train ride in Costa Mesa. Run by volunteers from the Orange County Model Engineers club, these minature ride-on trains take you on a pleasant journey through the wild landscape of Fairview Park. This event occurs every third weekend of the month year-round!
Rides are free, though donations are appreciated.
Party For The Planet at the Santa Ana Zoo
May 20
May 18th is Endanged Species Day, and more than 130 zoos and aquariums across North America are throwing a Party for the Planet. Lucky for us in Orang County, Santa Ana Zoo is one of them. From their website: “Celebrate Earth Day and Endangered Species Day with activity stations and special guests throughout the Zoo.”
General Public – free with price of admission; FOSAZ Members – FREE; City of Santa Ana Residents – FREE.
Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra’s Season Finale at Segerstrom Concert Hall
May 20
If you’re looking for a way to introduce your family to classical music, this is a fairly risk-free option. From their website: “Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra’s season finale features the two tied-for-first-place winners of our annual PSYO Concerto Competition. The program opens with selected movements from the Glazunov and Sibelius Violin Concertos, and closes with the ever-popular “An American in Paris” by George Gershwin.”
Admission is free, but tickets are required (click here for more info). Seating is general admission.
60th Anniversary Garden Grove Strawberry Festival
May 25-28
This Memorial Day weekend celebration of all things strawberry is a Garden Grove institution. With carnival rides ranging from kiddie to thrill, contests, live performances, vendor booths, and strawberry shortcake for everyone!
Admission is free, but rides and food cost extra. All-day ride wristbands are $30 on Friday May 25 only; $35 all other days.
Family Game Day at Orange County Great Park
May 26
If you attended the annual Halloween Spooktacular event at this Great Park in Irvine, you know they can throw a fun party. From their website: “Saturdays are for family and fun. Bring a picnic and enjoy a day at the park. Lawn games, board games and other activities will be provided by Great Park staff to kick-start your weekend. Activities will be held next to the Visitors Center.”
Free
Scottish Fest Orange County
May 26+27
This two day festival over Memorial Day weekend has the distinction of being the oldest and longest running event of its kind in SoCal. From the Travel Costa Mesa website, this celebration of Highland culture “includes a lively weekend full of music, dance, competitions (including a beard contest), displays of athleticism, whisky and incredible food. Listen to bagpipe bands compete, watch Scottish dancing performances, and stare in awe at shows of strength in the caber toss, farmers walk and hammer throw. The event also hosts activities for youth and features a fair of vendors, food and whisky master classes.” NOTE: because visitors are allowed to dress in period costume, some may be allowed to bring in period weapons like swords. Absolutely no guns of any kind are allowed on site.
Advanced 1 day ticket prices: Adults (age 13 and up) $15, Seniors $13, Children $3 (4 and under are free).
