Events in Newport Beach, California
July 2025
- Jul 04 2025: Newport Peninsula Bike Parade and Festival & Independence Day on the Back Bay. Celebrate the 4th of July with a bike parade and a festival at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, featuring live music, food trucks, and fireworks. Cost: FREE for the bike parade (starting at Channel Place Park) and festival admission; parking at Newport Dunes on July 4th is $100 pre-paid reserved parking. Parade starting at W. Balboa Blvd. & 36th Street, Newport Beach, CA; Festival at 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660.
- Jul 02 2025: Chamber Night at the Pageant of the Masters. Experience the unique Pageant of the Masters, where famous artworks are brought to life with live models. Cost: Varies, tickets for Pageant of the Masters are typically high, starting from $30-$70 and going much higher for prime seating. Held at Festival of Arts, 650 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, CA 92651.
- Jul 13 2025: 2025 Annual Flight of Newport Beach. An annual event, details to be confirmed closer to the date. Cost: Varies.
August 2025
- Aug 21 2025: 3rd Thursdays in Corona del Mar Village. An evening of local businesses, dining, and community in Corona del Mar. Cost: FREE to attend, costs for shopping and dining.
September 2025
- Sep 13 2025: Newport Beach Pier Cleanup with Veterans!. A community event to help keep the pier and beach clean. Cost: FREE.
- Sep 20 2025: 20th Art in the Park. An outdoor art show featuring local artists. Cost: FREE to attend, costs for purchasing art.
- Sep 26 2025: Bling Bling Irene Cancer Foundation’s 3rd Annual Gala – Mardi Gras Masquerade. A charity gala event. Cost: Ticket prices apply for gala attendance.
- Sep 27 2025: Newport Beach Oktoberfest 2025. Celebrate Oktoberfest with German-themed festivities. Cost: Varies for entry and consumption.
- Sep 28 2025: Susan G. Komen Orange County MORE THAN PINK Walk. A charity walk to support breast cancer research and awareness. Cost: Registration fees apply.
October 2025
- Oct 16-23 2025: Newport Beach Film Festival. An internationally recognized film festival showcasing a diverse collection of features and shorts across various Orange County cinemas. Cost: Varies, tickets for individual screenings or passes. Venues include THE LOT at Fashion Island, The New Port Theater, Edwards Big Newport.
November 2025
- Nov 01 2025: Newport Beach Day of The Dead Bar Crawl – Dia De Muertos. A themed bar crawl for adults. Cost: Ticket prices apply for bar crawl entry.
- Nov 02 2025: 2025 Optimism Cal Tri Newport Dunes. A triathlon event. Cost: Registration fees apply.
- Nov 08 2025: Newport Beach Pier Cleanup with Veterans!. Another community cleanup event. Cost: FREE.
- Nov 29 2025 – Jan 05 2026: Lighting of the Bay. Experience the magic of over fifty floating holiday decorations and Christmas trees on the serene bay at Newport Dunes, part of the Fire & Lights Festival. Cost: FREE entry to the festival and to view the lights; parking fees apply (0-30 min FREE, 30 min-2 hours $15, 2-4 hours $20, 4-8 hours $25, 8-24 hours $30). 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660.
- Nov 29 2025 – Jan 01 2026: Holiday Lights Cruises. Narrated cruises to see the holiday lights around Newport Harbor. *Cost: Adults $40, Juniors $36.
December 2025
- Dec 17 – 21 2025: 117th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. See beautifully decorated boats parade through Newport Harbor. *Cost: Viewing from shore is FREE. Ticket rates for boat parade cruises: Adults $47-$62, Juniors $43-$57.
- Dec 19 – 23 2025: Cruise of Lights. Narrated boat tours through the illuminated waterways of Huntington Harbour (a nearby area), a fundraiser for music education. Cost: Adults $26, Children (2-12) $19, Children (under 2) FREE. 16889 Algonquin Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92649.
January 2026
- TBD Jan 2026: Newport Beach Restaurant Week. Enjoy special prix-fixe menus at participating restaurants throughout Newport Beach. Dates are typically in late January. Cost: Varies by restaurant, generally $15-$25 for lunch and $25-$50 for dinner.
February 2026
- Feb 14 2026: Coastal Discovery Tours. Guided tours to explore the coastal environment. Cost: Varies.
What to Do in Newport Beach, California
Outdoor Activities & Parks
- Newport Beach Pier: A scenic pier offering beautiful views of the coastline and ocean, along with various dining options. Cost: FREE. Oceanfront and 21st Street, Newport Beach, CA 92663.
- Balboa Pier: Another iconic pier on the Balboa Peninsula, with restaurants and views of the historic Balboa Fun Zone. Cost: FREE. Located at the end of Main St. on the Balboa Peninsula, Newport Beach, CA 92661.
- Corona del Mar State Beach: Known for its calm surf, ideal for swimming and sunbathing. Cost: Parking fees may apply, typically hourly or daily rates. 3100 Ocean Blvd, Newport Beach, CA 92625.
- The Wedge: A famous surf spot known for its large, powerful waves, popular with experienced surfers and bodyboarders. Great for watching skilled riders. Cost: FREE. Located at the tip of the Balboa Peninsula, Newport Beach, CA.
- Newport Bay: Offers opportunities for various water activities, including stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and electric boat rentals. Cost: Varies by rental.
- Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve: Also known as The Back Bay, this is Southern California’s largest expanse of coastal wetlands, great for walking, biking, and birdwatching. Cost: FREE. 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660.
- Crystal Cove State Park: A large state park with beaches, tide pools, and undeveloped woodlands for hiking. Cost: Day-use parking is $15 per vehicle, $20 on summer weekends and holidays. 8471 N. Coast Highway, Newport Coast, CA 92657.
- Castaways Park: Offers scenic harbor views and is a popular spot to watch fireworks. Cost: FREE. 700 Dover Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660.
- Environmental Nature Center: Provides educational exhibits and nature walks, focusing on local ecosystems. Cost: FREE to enter, but membership (Individual $30, Family $60) offers benefits like discounts on classes. 1601 E. 16th St, Newport Beach, CA 92663.
- Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruises: Year-round opportunities to spot marine life off the coast of Newport Beach. Cost: From $30-$85 per person, depending on the type and duration of the cruise. Various departure points, including Davey’s Locker Sportfishing & Whale Watching at 400 Main St, Newport Beach, CA 92661.
- Duffy Boat Rental: Enjoy cruising the harbor in an easy-to-operate electric boat. Perfect for a leisurely tour with friends and family. Cost: From $299 for 2 hours, up to $900 for 6 hours. Various locations, including 2001 W Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA 92663.
- Pelican Hill Golf Club: Play a round of golf on a world-class course with stunning ocean views. Cost: Green fees generally range from $200-$299 for weekday/weekend play. 22701 Pelican Hill Rd S, Newport Coast, CA 92657.
- Relaxing Sunset/Evening Cruise: Enjoy a leisurely cruise through Newport Bay and along the coast. Cost: From $20-$25 per person.
Arts & Culture
- Balboa Island Museum Newport Beach: Showcases the history and culture of Balboa Island and Newport Beach. Cost: FREE general admission, donations are accepted. 210 Marine Ave Ste B, Balboa Island, CA 92662.
- Sherman Library and Gardens: A botanical garden and research library focusing on the Pacific Southwest. Cost: Admission fee typically applies, around $5-$10 per person. 2647 E Coast Hwy, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625.
- Historic Beach Cottages (Crystal Cove State Park): Explore or even stay in these charming, restored vintage cottages right on the beach. Cost: Cottages range from $53-$338 per night, depending on size and style; day visitors can view them for the state park parking fee. 8471 N. Coast Highway, Newport Beach, CA 92657.
Entertainment & Shopping
- Balboa Island: A charming island with quaint shops, unique restaurants, and home to the original frozen banana and Balboa Bar. Accessible by bridge or ferry. Cost: Shopping and dining costs vary.
- Balboa Fun Zone: A small amusement area with rides, games, and harbor views, great for families. Cost: Rides and games have individual costs. 600 E Bay Ave, Balboa, Newport Beach, CA 92661.
- Fashion Island: An upscale outdoor shopping center with a variety of luxury brands, department stores, and dining options. Cost: Shopping and dining costs vary. 401 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660.
- Lido Marina Village: An upscale shopping and dining area in the western harbor, featuring boutiques and waterfront restaurants. Cost: Shopping and dining costs vary. 3434 Via Lido, Newport Beach, CA 92663.
- Balboa Island Ferry: A short, historic ferry ride connecting Balboa Island to the Balboa Peninsula. Cost: Cash only. Car & Driver $3; Motorcycle/Scooter $2.50; Bicycle $2.25 (adult), $1.25 (child); Pedestrian/Vehicle Passenger: Adult $2, Child (5-11) $2, Child (Under 5) FREE. 410 South Bay Front, Newport Beach, CA 92662.
Nearby Attractions
- Catalina Island: A popular day trip destination accessible by ferry from Newport Beach. Cost: Ferry tickets from Newport Beach to Avalon (Catalina Island) start from around $47 per person one-way. Ferries depart from various locations, check with Catalina Flyer at 400 Main St, Newport Beach, CA 92661.
- Disneyland Resort (nearby Anaheim): A world-famous theme park offering iconic rides, attractions, and captivating shows for all ages. Cost: One-day tickets start from around $119 (for ages 10+) and vary by date and park. Park Hopper options are also available, typically around $80 more per ticket. Prices can range up to $199+ for a single park ticket and $266+ for a Park Hopper ticket depending on the day and specific park in 2025-2026. 1313 South Harbor Boulevard, Anaheim, CA 92803.
- Knott’s Berry Farm (nearby Buena Park): A popular theme park featuring thrilling rides, entertaining shows, and special seasonal events. *Cost: Day tickets can start from around $65-$90, varying by date. Season passes are also available, starting from approximately $150. 8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620.
What to Eat in Newport Beach, California
Newport Beach boasts an impressive array of dining experiences, from casual eateries to high-end restaurants.
- Mastro’s Ocean Club: An upscale steakhouse and seafood restaurant known for its vibrant atmosphere, live music, and luxurious dining experience with ocean views. *Cost: Appetizers from $20-$55; steaks from $57-$250+; seafood entrees from $44-$105+. 8112 East Coast Highway, Newport Beach, CA 92657.
- Nobu Newport Beach: A renowned Japanese restaurant famous for its innovative new-style Japanese cuisine and sushi, with a sleek, modern ambiance. *Cost: Sushi/sashimi from $8-$20+ per piece; cold dishes from $24-$48+; hot dishes from $32-$90+; tasting menus from $125-$200. 3450 Via Oporto Suite 101, Newport Beach, CA 92663.
- Pelican Grill: Located at The Resort at Pelican Hill, offering refined American and Californian cuisine with stunning ocean and golf course views. Known for fresh fish, pastas, and fine beef. *Cost: Appetizers from $18-$35; entrees from $30-$70+. 22701 Pelican Hill Rd S, Newport Coast, CA 92657.
- The Beachcomber Cafe: Situated directly on the sand at Crystal Cove, offering a casual yet charming experience with American and Californian cuisine, perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner with ocean views. *Cost: Breakfast items from $13-$25; lunch sandwiches/salads from $16-$25; dinner entrees from $25-$40+. 15 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast, CA 92657.
- Billy’s at the Beach: A lively Hawaiian-themed restaurant with a prime waterfront location, known for its seafood, steaks, and famous Mai Tais. *Cost: Pupus (appetizers) from $12-$45; entrees like fish or steak from $25-$49. 2751 West Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA 92663.
- The Mayor’s Table Pacific Pub + Kitchen (Lido House): The signature restaurant at Lido House, offering chef-driven, seasonal cuisine with a focus on seafood and a lively open kitchen. *Cost: Entrees typically range from $25-$50+. 3300 Newport Blvd, Newport Beach, CA 92663.
- The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar: Known for its contemporary California cuisine with a focus on seafood and steaks, and an extensive wine list. Cost: Appetizers/small plates from $19-$45; entrees like fish or chicken from $33-$52; steaks from $50-$60 for an 8-16oz cut; Seafood tower from $90 (petite) to $180 (large). 3131 West Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA 92663.
- Cannery Seafood of the Pacific: A historic waterfront restaurant offering fresh seafood in a refined setting. *Cost: Entrees can range from $30-$60+. 3010 Lafayette Ave, Newport Beach, CA 92663.