Each week, Arts Orange County and Culture OC deliver you this look at the stories and events happening in our arts and cultural community.

The Wiz

The new Broadway tour of the Tony-winning classic musical comes to Segerstrom Center for the Arts MORE

Culture OC’s Guide to Arts and Culture Events in Orange County for Winter/Spring 2026

National premieres, theater, art exhibitions, dance, concerts and plenty of cultural events are on tap for Orange County during the first half of 2026.

Here’s a look at what’s on tap in theater, dance, visual arts, food and drinks, culture, classical, popular and jazz and world music for 2026, brought to you by Culture OC’s talented team of arts and culture writers. While this is not meant to be a comprehensive list, it should give you an idea of what’s worth marking down in your calendar, and what’s worth spending your hard-earned money on.

Newport Beach Restaurant Week Makes a Comeback

Local culinary celebration returns with discounts and special menus after a four-year hiatus.

Where the Tracks Meet the Tide: San Clemente’s Scenic Views and Fragile Tracks

O.C. by Metrolink: It began as a dream that quickly went bust. While San Clemente has recovered admirably and is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, for anyone trying to reach it – or pass through it – by rail, the journey has increasingly become a nightmare. Coastal erosion, fueled in part by drainage from the homes perched atop the bluffs, has triggered a series of landslides in recent years. Coupled with massive construction to stabilize the cliffs, the result has been repeated track closures, forcing Metrolink and Amtrak to suspend service between San Juan Capistrano and Oceanside for weeks – sometimes months – at a time.

But when the coast is clear and the trains are running, San Clemente’s two stations offer the best views and access to the choicest recreational opportunities of any stop in Orange County.

Each week, we recommend a variety of events and experiences from the listings at SparkOC.com, our free website for Orange County's arts and cultural community.

The Thing In Itself

This multi-disciplinary group exhibition at Laguna Beach's Gallery Sonder examines how our interaction with color, texture, and form contribute to how we perceive the world around us in an ongoing dialogue MORE

Country Music Night Market in Mission Viejo

Line dance to live country music as you enjoy local arts, crafts, and eats in this free night out at Uptown Village Market MORE

Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) Connects Community Arts Festival

Live performances and interactive booths showcase the talent of OCSA's students in a free and inclusive festival designed to share the power and joy of art with children aged 5-11 from all of Orange County's diverse communities MORE

Restore & Renew: Restorative Breathwork

Corona Del Mar's Sherman Library and Gardens wants to give people the tools for a happier and healthier 2026, including this workshop on mindfulness practices proven to help focus and stress management MORE