1. Easter Eggstravaganza
Hop on over to Irvine Park Railroad for your children to meet and have their photos taken with the Easter Bunny as well as enjoy other activities, including egg hunts, carnival games and, of course, the popular train rides. Through April 16, irvineparkrailroad.com.
2. Egg-A-Pool-Looza
Celebrate Easter at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center with a poolside egg hunt, Easter Bunny photos, bounce houses, family splash time, games and face painting. Registration required. April 16, cityofirvine.org/aquatics-centers/egg-pool-looza.
3. Rabbit Run
Get some fun and exercise Easter weekend with the OC Challenge Wild Hare 5K competitive race and Rabbit Run 5K fun run. Jeffrey Trail Middle School, 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. April 16, runsignup.com/Race/CA/Irvine/TheRabbitRunandWildHare5K.
4. History hike
Celebrate Irvine Regional Park’s 125th birthday with a docent-led hike that tells how a 160-acre oak grove known as “The Picnic Grounds” became California’s first county park. Irvine Regional Park Nature Center, 9 a.m. April 10, letsgooutside.org/activities.
5. Comedy show
“General Hospital” stars Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson bring their real-life antics in the “Stone Cold and the Jackal” show. The 90-minute show is filled with music, comedy and hijinks. Irvine Improv, 3 p.m. April 24, improv.com/Irvine.
6. Makers Mart
Modern Makers Mart is an artisanal outdoor shopping experience for the senses, filled with handcrafted items and live music. Woodbury Town Center, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 9-10 and Woodbridge Village Center, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. April 23-24.
7. Eureka Fest
The annual tech fest celebrates entrepreneurship through innovative content with distinguished speakers, pitches and live music. Irvine’s Eureka Building, April 30, eurekafest.com.
8. ‘A Night of Soul’
Sheléa’s blend of traditional pop, jazz, R&B and soul brings a contemporary edge to classics and a classic touch to contemporary pop standards. She’s performed at the White House and now returns to Irvine with her “Natural Woman: A Night of Soul” show. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 8 p.m. April 23, thebarclay.org.
9. Back Bay Earth Day
This free, family-friendly event features environmental-themed exhibits from community partners and local artists. Activities include arts and crafts, science, discovery and educational information, plus live music. Upper Newport Bay, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 23, letsgooutside.org/activities.
10. Storytime at the Barnyard
Join storytime at the Barnyard Educational Exhibit, where volunteers will be reading farm-themed stories geared toward children 1-5 years old. After storytime, kids get to visit with the animals. Tanaka Farms, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. tanakafarms.com/barnyard-educational-exhibit.
11. Jammin’ in the Palm Court
Visit the Great Park for a live concert highlighting the legacies and influences of musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Ella Fitzgerald and other jazz geniuses. Bring folding chairs and blankets for seating around the Palm Court. Great Park Palm Court Arts Complex, 1-3 p.m. April 10.
12. Concert series
The Orange County Soccer Club will host three events as part of the new Footloose Fridays Concert Series. The series kicks off with rock/ska legends the Aquabats. Championship Soccer Stadium, doors open at 6 p.m. April 15, orangecountysoccer.com/concerts.
13. ‘Nat Geo Live’
See National Geographic photographer and filmmaker Andy Mann describe his adventures swimming with sharks, crocodiles and whales while following scientists to some of the most extreme locations on the planet. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4 p.m. April 10, thebarclay.org.
14. Kidstock festival
Get ready to rock, roll, sing and sway at the Kidstock Music & Arts Festival. Enjoy live music throughout the week and explore different musical stylings, instruments and sounds. Festival activities included with admission ticket. Pretend City Children’s Museum, April 4-15, pretendcity.org.
