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Special Events in Anaheim
January
College Baseball From the crack of the bat to the slide on into home, NCAA baseball packs a wallop of home run frenzy for what's oft called America's favorite pastime. Diamond action starts in January, continuing through most of June. CSU Fullerton Titans, CSU Long Beach 49ers, CSU Los Angeles Golden Eagles, CSU Northridge Matadors, Loyola Marymount Lions, UC Irvine Anteaters, UC Santa Barbara Gauchos, UCLA Bruins, USC Trojans
Amp'd Mobile Supercross Angel Stadium is the site for these exciting motorcycle races each January.
Santa Ana Artists Village
Open House In Santa Ana, the first Saturday each month gets lively at the Artists Village Open House, a free event attracting up to 1,500 from throughout Orange County to experience some 150 participating studios and galleries. Call (714) 571-4229 for more information.
February
Amp'd Mobile and THQ Supercross Angel Stadium is the site for these exciting motorcycle races each February.
African Heritage Festival
Celebrating diversity of African and African-American cultures, this annual celebration at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach has ethnic food, arts and crafts. Call (562) 590-3100 for more information.
March
Annual Festival of the Whales
For some three decades, the Festival of the Whales, with a carnival, pancake breakfast, art fest and more, has celebrated migration of the California gray whale from Alaska to Baja and back. Call (888) 440-4309 for more information.
Glory of Easter
This annual Easter production from late March through early April features dramatic special effects, live animals and a cast of 200 depicting the last seven days of Christ's life. Call (714) 971-4000 for more information.
April
Major League Baseball Nothing signals advent of spring more than baseball with a capital B, tightly meshed into American culture with historic firsts, icon performances, record-setting events, and traditions from hot dogs slathered in mustard to unexpected curveballs, and seventh-inning stretches. Books and movies about baseball are fine and dandy, but nothing beats Major League Baseball action, playing out each season from April through the World Series.
Major League Soccer There's no end to the excitement each season as Major League Soccer teams from both the eastern and western conferences vie for glory in regular season matches, on to the play offs and cup finals.
Fabulous Fords Forever Car Show Drawing Ford enthusiasts for nearly two decades, Knott's Berry Farm's Independence Hall parking area hosts Mustangs and other classic vehicles in a free show. Call (714) 220-5200 for more information.
May
Anaheim Children's Art Festival
At the Center Street Promenade in late May, this day-long festival has grown since its 1997 founding by the Anaheim Arts Council, and now draws about 7,000 to try projects in staffed booths. Call (714) 280-0772 for more information.
Cinco de Mayo
Staged the first weekend in May, a day of festivities marks the Battle Puebla when Mexican militia defeated the invading French Army. Call (714) 765-5100 for more information.
June
Flower & Garden Festival
Mid June brings together plant and garden vendors, along with native plants by Tree of Life Nursery, artists, demonstrations and a children's garden at Mission San Juan Capistrano. Call (949) 234-1300 for more information.
Taste of Anaheim
Each year bigger and tastier, Anaheim's culinary tradition on the Center Street Promenade continues with ethnic food, fun and displays and participation by more than 40 restaurants. Call (714) 758-0222 for more information.
July
Orange County Fair
Throughout July, this annual fair unfolds on a 160-acre facility, which also hosts a marketplace year around on Saturdays and a farmer's market on Thursdays. Call (714) 708-3247 for more information.
Anaheim Hills 4th of July Festival & Parade
This annual event held since 1978 in Peralta Park includes a parade, 5K/10K run/walk, pancake breakfast, dog show, food and game booths and entertainment capped by fireworks. Call (714) 765-5191 for more information.
August
Pageant of the Masters
July and August since the early 1930's brings a juried exhibit of fine, original works by gifted artists. Call (949) 494-1145 for more information.
Saturday Car Cruisers
At Huntington Beach, what's billed as the Best Free Car Show in the World unfolds each Saturday as classic and hot rod car collectors known as Donut Derelicts meet from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. in a lot near Adams Avenue Donuts.
September
College Football
NCAA Football, created in 1997 to promote college football ideals, makes no bones about the importance of each game. Losing at any time during the season can thwart a team's chances for postseason action or an NCAA Championship. No wonder NCAA Football marketers have adopted a tagline of "NCAA Football: Every Game Counts."
October
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League's rough and tumble world packs a motherlode of milestones, from 1917's NHL opener, to when Maurice Richard was first to score 50 goals in one season in 1944-45, to when Clint Benedict was the first goalie to put on a mask after a shot knocked him unconscious, to when Manon Rheaume made headlines in 1992 as the first woman playing in one of the four major sports leagues, goaltending for the Tampa Bay Lightning against the St. Louis Blues. From October on, it's non-stop action in the world of hat tricks -- three goals in a game by a player -- and sudden death overtime.
November
College Basketball
First devised by James Naismith in 1891, with the first recorded collegiate game in 1893, legions testify there's no sound so soothing as a basketball whooshing through the net after a flick of the wrist. NCAA basketball brings grass roots hoop dreams to an entirely new level each fall, building toward March Madness, the NCAA Division Basketball Championships. CSU Long Beach 49ers, Loyola Marymount Lions, UCLA Bruins, USC Trojans, CSU Fullerton Titans, CSU Los Angeles Golden Eagles, CSU Northridge Matadors, UC Irvine Anteaters, UC Santa Barbara Gauchos CSU Long Beach 49ers.
December
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
More than 200 decorated boats cruise Newport Harbor in a dazzling week-long boat parade that is the largest, oldest parade of its kind in southern California. Call (714) 729-4400 for more information.
Nutcracker Festival
The Nutcracker Festival, on the first Saturday in December, is staged in the Center Street Promenade. Call (714) 956-3586 for more information.
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