Through 1.5.19 First Glimpse: The Buck Collection at UCI When art collector Gerald Buck bequeathed his collection of California art to UCI, it set off shockwaves in the art world. See works that will, along with the Irvine Museum Collection, be the center of the future UCI Institute and Museum for California Art. arts.uci.edu/event/first-glimpse-introducing-buck-collection Through 12.14 Holiday Toy Drive Celebrate the reason for the holiday season by giving to 2/11 Marine Battalion families "adopted" by the city of Irvine. Donate a new, unwrapped gift suitable f or infants or children up to age 12 at Irvine Civic Center, Irvine Police Department and Orange County Great Park Visitors Center. cityofirvine.org/news-media/news-article/donate-holiday-toy-drive Through 12.15 Ella de Búrca exhibit at UCI See new works by artist Ella de Búrca in her first U.S. solo exhibition "Flat as the Tongue Lies" at UCI's Room Gallery. It's an installation of sound, text, and kinetic sculpture and video that explores the formation of meaning through reading, writing, and speech. arts.uci.edu Through 1.6 Skating under the Stars The ice rink at Irvine Spectrum Center is open daily in the center's Giant Wheel Court. Plus, every Thursday starting at 6 p.m. there's a theme (Dec. 13 is Christmas Jammies Night, for example), come dressed to it and get $5 off. irvinespectrumcenter.com Through 2.10 WPA Design exhibit at Great Park President Franklin D. Roosevelt developed the New Deal to provide economic relief during the Great Depression. Agencies like the Works Progress Administration (WPA) were established to fund programs, including the Federal Art Project, to alleviate unemployment. These programs commissioned thousands of artists and designers to create work across mediums. Federal Art Project: American Design surveys the visual culture of graphic illustrations to celebrate this critical era of American art history. cityofirvine.org 12.8-12.24 'The Nutcracker' Don't miss the annual holiday must-see dance event from Festival Ballet Theatre at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. The full-length traditional production features Tchaikovsky's iconic score, renowned guest dancers, and choreography by Festival Ballet Theatre's Artistic Director Salwa Rizkalla . There's also separately-ticketed Nutcracker Tea Party prior to performances. thebarclay.org 12.9 Home for the Holidays Pet Adoption Bring something cute the 12th-annual Home for the Holidays pet adoption fair. More than 40 pet rescue groups and animal shelters will bring about 600 homeless dogs, cats, rabbits and small animals for adoption. The fair also features pet-related vendors, gourmet food trucks, silent auction and a raffle. cityofirvine.org/ irvine -animal-care-center/home-holidays 12.11 Concordia Candlelight The university's annual Christmas celebration service includes carols, a special reading and gifts for young kids, and concludes in candlelight. cui.edu/arts/music/events/ concordia -candlelight 12.21 Celebrate the Solstice at Pretend City It's officially winter! Bring your kids to learn all about winter solstice and the changing of seasons. There will be winter-themed art and activities for little ones to join in the winter wonderland fun. Also at Pretend City in Dec.: Hanukah, Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, visits with Santa, and other celebrations. pretendcity.org 12.25 Christmas Brunch at Hotel Irvine The Backyard at the hotel will feature a holiday feast with seatings at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Kids will love pictures with Santa, live music, kids craft table with face painting and a balloon artist, a photo booth and lawn games, while parents may be interested in bottomless mimosas. $75 per adult; $35 child ages 5 to 12. hotelirvine.com

Through 11.11 Nature in Forms at the Great Park Works in ceramics and sculpture by artists and academics will be on display at the Great Park Gallery. The work looks at ways nature and technology have influenced contemporary sculpture. cityofirvine.org/orange-county-great-park/palm-court-arts-complex Through 11.18 Fall Food Drive Support hunger relief efforts by donating canned goods or nonperishable food items to benefit local food banks. Donations will be accepted at the Orange County Great Park Visitors Center. cityofirvine.org/news-media/news-article/scare-away-hunger-fall-food-drive Through 1.5.19 First Glimpse: The Buck Collection at UCI When art collector Gerald Buck bequeathed his collection of California art to UCI, it set off shockwaves in the art world. See works that will, along with the Irvine Museum Collection, be the center of the future UCI Institute and Museum for California Art. arts.uci.edu/event/first-glimpse-introducing-buck-collection 11.2-11 .3 Holiday Faire Get an early start on seasonal shopping as some 100 local artists offer handmade gifts for sale at the Irvine Fine Arts Center. Entrance is $2 per person, free for ages 12 and younger. cityofirvine.org/ irvine -fine-arts-center/holiday-faire 11.5-12.14 Holiday Toy Drive Celebrate the reason for the holiday season by giving to 2/11 Marine Battalion families "adopted" by the city of Irvine. Donate a new, unwrapped gift suitable for infants or children up to age 12 at Irvine Civic Center, Irvine Police Department and Orange County Great Park Visitors Center. cityofirvine.org/news-media/news-article/donate-holiday-toy-drive 11.10-11.18 "Legally Blonde" at the Barclay UCI Claire Trevor School of the Arts presents a musical of the film "Legally Blonde" that follows the adventures of Elle Woods at Harvard Law School. thebarclay.org 11.11 Veterans Day at Bill Barber Park Irvine hosts a special ceremony to pay tribute to our nation's troops. Free and open to the public, the event will be 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the formal garden at Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park. 11.26-12.1 College Soccer Championships at the Great Park The 60th annual NAIA Men's Soccer Championship for collegiate athletes will be held at the Orange County Great Park Soccer Stadium. The 16-team, single-elimination tournament will draw top soccer teams from smaller colleges and universities from across the country, as well as their fans and families, to Irvine. 11.30-12.1 " MenAlive : Merry and Bright" at the Barclay Enjoy a festive annual holiday extravaganza featuring a fun-filled concert of traditional classics and favorite new carols by O.C.'s gay men's chorus. thebarclay.org 12.2 Winter Wonderland Greet the season at the civic center with carols and songs, a tree-lighting ceremony, games, crafts, food and fun—plus, a visit from Santa Claus. Consider bringing a gift for kids up to age 12 as part of the Holiday Toy Drive. cityofirvine.org/news-media/calendar-of-events/event/winter-wonderland-2018