1. Celebrating Irvine Park Railroad
Take a ride on the famous Irvine Park Railroad for just $2 per ticket. The discount is part of the railroad’s 27th anniversary celebration, rolling back to its original 1996 prices. Irvine Regional Park, Feb. 25 and 26, irvineparkrailroad.com.
2. Chicks & Sprouts
Sign your children up for the Chicks & Sprouts workshop, which teaches them how baby chickens grow inside the egg, as well as how plants grow. They’ll plant their own sunflowers to bring home and harvest a vegetable. Tanaka Farms, 10-11:30 a.m. Thursdays and Saturdays, tanakafarms.com.
3. Arts lecture
Thought leader Maria Rosario Jackson, chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, will be the featured speaker at Irvine Barclay Theatre’s Creative Edge Lecture. Jackson is the first African-American and Mexican-American woman to attain the NEA’s top position. 10 a.m., Feb. 7, thebarclay.org.
4. Valentine’s concert
Concordia University Irvine will present a Valentine’s concert featuring romantic and heartwarming songs. The women’s choir is known for its seamless and expressive tone, and men’s chorus delights audiences with a touch of humor. Concordia University Irvine, 7 p.m. Feb. 11, cui.edu/event-calendar.
5. Old Town Irvine
Learn your city’s history at the Old Town Irvine exhibition, featuring photographs by documentarian Rene Laursen and selections from UCI Libraries that capture Irvine’s small-town origin. City Hall, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. through March 17, cityofirvine.org.
6. Standup comedy
Comedian Whitney Cummings, best known for creating and starring in the NBC series “Whitney,” will make a stop at Irvine Improv. She also runs a popular podcast, “Good For You.” Feb. 10, 11 and 14, improv.com/irvine.
7. Fruit tree cutting exchange
Join the South Orange County California Rare Fruit Growers for its annual scion wood exchange event. Fill out the registration with the scion wood you’re planning to bring. Great Park Farm + Food Lab, 10 a.m., Feb. 11, southoccrfg.org/events.
8. Super Bowl 5K
Pre-celebrate the Super Bowl while being active and outdoors at the Super Bowl 5K/The Heart Run 5K/Half Crazy Half Marathon. Proceeds benefit Miss Pam’s Ranch that helps troubled youth. Jeffrey Trail Middle School, 7-11 a.m. Feb. 11, runsignup.com.
9. African food tasting for kids
Let your kids experience the food of Africa and learn about different cultures and cuisines. Pretend City Children’s Museum, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Feb. 9, pretendcity.org.
10. Makers Mart
Enjoy a day with your family at this outdoor market featuring handcrafted candles, jewelry, macramé and more – with tasty treats and live music. Woodbury Town Center, Feb. 11 and 12; Woodbridge Village Center, Feb. 25 and 26; modernmakersmart.com.
