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

Something Rotten!

Southgate Productions brings to the Brea Curtis stage the riotous and historically-nonsensical Broadway hit about Elizabethan playwrights determined to grab the spotlight from William Shakespeare by inventing the musical MORE

Celebrate Tết and Lunar New Year in Orange County: Community, Culture and New Traditions in 2026

As winter turns to warmer weather and families prepare to welcome the Year of the Horse, communities across Orange County are gearing up for a vibrant season of Lunar New Year and Tết celebrations.

The Horse in the Chinese zodiac represents energy and forward momentum – qualities many hope will define the year ahead. Lunar New Year traditions across Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean communities focus on renewal, prosperity and family unity. Elders give red envelopes for good luck, lanterns are lit for hope, and lion and dragon dances chase away bad luck and invite prosperity for the months ahead. Sharing meals with loved ones, cleaning homes before New Year’s Day and honoring ancestors are also longstanding traditions.

Falling on Tuesday February 17 this year, most Lunar New Year festivities will kick off the weekend prior and after. A rich array of iconic festivals and new community gatherings will ring in 2026 with fireworks, lion dances and community parades. There is something for everyone – whether you’ve been celebrating for years or are joining for the very first time.

Laguna Dance’s ‘Love Letters’ Signals a New Chapter for the Organization

The 2026 festival brings nationally recognized companies, local artists and emerging voices together as the organization redefines its role in Orange County’s cultural landscape.

Nuestros Trajes: A History of Relámpago del Cielo Through Traditional Apparel

Experience the history of Relámpago del Cielo through its garments over five decades.

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.

Common Ground

The main gallery of Anaheim's MUZEO is transformed into a live studio, inviting local artists to contribute to collaborative mural as visitors get to watch it come to life in real time MORE

Year of the Horse Tet Celebration

Join in the traditions of Vietnamese culture ushering in the Year of the Fire Horse in this free (with RSVP) celebration with live performances and craft vendors in Garden Grove MORE

Valentine's Day

Irvine's Pretend City Children's Museum fills the day with love-themed activities, exhibits and play MORE

Vintage Computer Festival SoCal 2026

Gain a close-up, hands-on appreciation for the imagination and artistry that has existed side-by-side with scientific discovery throughout the history of personal computing in this exhibit at Hotel Fera in Orange MORE