Hey friend,
The holiday markets have started, and Sugar Plum in Costa Mesa runs all weekend. The other two picks are free and both on Saturday in Newport Beach, one outside and one inside. Pick whichever one fits your schedule.
This Weekend’s Top Picks
First, the weather:
Friday
High of 82°
Saturday
High of 85°
Sunday
High of 84°
Now, here are our top picks:
Pick 1: Sugar Plum Festival
📍 Location: Costa Mesa Building, OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa
📅 Date & Time: Fri 11/6 11am–6pm, Sat 11/7 10am–6pm, Sun 11/8 11am–4pm
⏱️ Time needed: About 1.5 to 2.5 hours
💰 Cost: Free, parking $15 (bring cash)
🌦️ Indoor/outdoor: Indoor
100+ booths of handmade gifts, holiday decor, bakers, and antiques. Santa does free photos. The festival suggests people carpool.
📍 Location: Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 2301 University Dr, Newport Beach
📅 Date & Time: Sat 11/7, 9:30am–12:30pm (come any time in that window)
⏱️ Time needed: About 45 minutes for the hunt
💰 Cost: Free, free parking. Advance registration recommended, but walk-ups welcome
🌦️ Indoor/outdoor: Outdoor
OC Parks staff and volunteers set up hands-on tables along the trails, and kids who finish get prizes. It's designed for ages 7 to 12, so a toddler will mostly tag along.
Pick 3: Brick Builders Block Party
📍 Location: Stahr Storytime Room, Newport Beach Central Library, 1000 Avocado Ave, Newport Beach
📅 Date & Time: Sat 11/7, 1–3pm
⏱️ Time needed: 2 hours
💰 Cost: Free, no registration
🌦️ Indoor/outdoor: Indoor
Drop-in LEGO and DUPLO building for ages 3 to 11. An adult has to stay with the kids.
Easy At-Home Idea
Try this: Apple Scented Playdough, made by Rainy Day Mum
Two-ingredient playdough that smells like apples and, per the post, takes about a minute to make. Not for eating, so watch anyone who still tastes everything.
Time needed: About 1 minute to make, then playtime
Heads Up
If you’re looking for ways to give back to the community this November, I collected a list of kid-friendly volunteering opportunities. Check it out.
Backup Options
If none of the above work, here's the full list to pick from:
Walk to End Alzheimer's — Huntington Beach, Sat 11/7, 9am check-in, 10:45am walk
Family Storytime @ CdM — Corona del Mar, Sat 11/7, 10:30–11am
Repticon — Costa Mesa, Sat 11/7, 9am–4pm and Sun 11/8, 10am–4pm
Old World Oktoberfest — Huntington Beach, Sat 11/7, 11am–4pm and Sun 11/8, 12–7pm
Primrose Market at Bella Terra — Huntington Beach, Sun 11/8, 12–8pm
Kids D&D Learn & Play Class — Huntington Beach, Sun 11/8, 12–2:30pm
That's the lineup. Hope it makes the weekend a little easier to plan.
Got a plan that worked (or didn't)? Hit reply and let me know! This whole thing gets better with your feedback.
Simple Plans Co. 🤎
