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Good morning, Orange County, and Happy New Year week! You’re reading Thrive OC, your shortcut to the best things to do, places to eat, and local buzz across Orange County. Here’s what’s on deck:

• New Year’s Eve celebrations

• Events to kick off 2026

• Steakhouse spotlight

• Beach Trail progress

• Costco buzz in Brea

• OC music history

Let’s dive in.

— Dave Berry

🍽️ Restaurant of the Week: Rare Society (San Clemente)

If you’re craving a date-night steakhouse with personality, Rare Society delivers that classic “old-school dinner club” energy (without feeling stuck in the past). Think wood-fired meats, a serious cocktail program, and that unmistakable vibe of a place built for lingering. What stands out: the on-site dry-aging and the whole retro-steakhouse homage (Rat Pack energy, but modern execution). It’s the kind of spot where the room feels like part of the meal.

Where: 226 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, CA 92672 | Phone: (949) 669-7273

📅 Upcoming Events 🎉

First Night Fullerton (Dec 31)

Downtown Fullerton’s New Year’s Eve celebration goes full neon with music, food vendors, and family-friendly activities. Expect a kid zone, festive drinks, and a fireworks finale at midnight. 7:00 PM–12:00 AM | Downtown Fullerton | Event Info

Rock Lobster Ball New Year’s Eve Party (Dec 31)

A retro-themed NYE party at Old World with tribute bands, food, and a midnight champagne toast. 21+ only. 7:00 PM–11:59 PM | Old World, Huntington Beach | Event Info

New Year’s Eve Party at Treehouse on PCH (Dec 31)

A higher-end NYE option with an open bar, small bites, DJ, and midnight toast. Tickets start at $175, with cabana packages available. 8:00 PM–1:00 AM | Treehouse on PCH, 21080 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach | Event Info

NYE Party at The Yost Theater (Dec 31)

A big, club-style NYE in a historic theater setting with DJs, balloon drop, confetti, and multiple event areas. 21+ only. 10:00 PM–Thu, Jan 1, 2:00 AM | The Yost Theater, 307 N Spurgeon St, Santa Ana | Event Info

NYE Yacht Party, Newport Beach (Dec 31)

Open bar + DJ + harbor cruise vibes. The event includes a premium bar, food, party favors, and a countdown onboard. 21+ only. Boarding around 9:00 PM; returns around 12:45 AM | 2431 West Coast Hwy, Newport Beach | Event Info

Happy New Year Party, Rancho Santa Margarita (Dec 31)

A family-friendly early evening celebration with train rides, inflatables, a rock wall, food, games, and music. 5:00 PM–9:00 PM | Bell Tower Regional Community Center, 22232 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita | Event Info

New Years Eve Celebrations Across OC (Dec 31)

Family-friendly and adult-only parties happening all over the county. Dec 31 | All across Orange County | Full Guide

Cowboy Canyon Nights (Jan 2)

A vineyard night built for country vibes: line dancing, vendors, beer and wine, and a “bring the crew” kind of atmosphere. 6:00 PM–10:00 PM | Giracci Vineyards, 16162 Jackson Ranch Rd, Silverado | Event Info

Cielo in the Streets, Santa Ana (Jan 3)

Latin music and dancing outdoors, with a free salsa class before the main set. All ages and no partner needed. Free class at 6:00 PM; DJ 7:00 PM–10:00 PM | Corner of 5th & French St, 459–499 French St, Santa Ana | Event Info

Cars & Café, San Juan Capistrano (Jan 4)

Morning car meet at River Street Marketplace. Spectators welcome, and it’s a great photo-op if you’re into car culture. 8:00 AM–10:00 AM | 31801 Paseo Adelanto, San Juan Capistrano | Event Info

Winter Fest OC, Costa Mesa (Now–Jan 4)

A full winter festival at the OC fairgrounds with ice tubing, glowing light displays, seasonal food, rides, and entertainment for all ages. Admission ticket required. Hours vary | OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa | Event Info

Newport Dunes Fire & Light Festival (Now–Jan 4)

Floating holiday decorations, fire dancer performances, photos with Santa, inflatables, and an igloo bar. Thursday–Sunday evenings through Jan 4 | Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort | Event Info

Knott’s Merry Farm, Buena Park (Now–Jan 4)

A full holiday transformation of Knott’s Berry Farm featuring nightly snowfall in Ghost Town, a Christmas Crafts Village, seasonal shows, festive food, and holiday lights throughout the park. Admission ticket required. Hours vary | Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park | Event Info

Poolside Igloos at Paséa Hotel (Now–Jan 11)

Private holiday igloos with themed décor, drinks, and ocean air — peak “OC winter.” Times vary | Paséa Hotel & Spa, Huntington Beach | Event Info

🏄 Local News You Should Know

San Clemente Beach Trail: What’s happening now

Work has started on the first phase of restoring the Beach Trail near Mariposa Point, including installation activity like steel beams and rebar cages. The current expectation is a public reopening in summer 2026. If you’re planning visits, note there’s also a construction pause through Saturday 1/3/26. If you want to follow progress: sanclemente.gov/projects or octa.net/railemergency

Anaheim’s Chain Reaction: End of an era

OC just lost a piece of music history. Chain Reaction, the long-running all-ages alternative venue in Anaheim, has closed after more than three decades as a launching pad for punk, alt, and emo acts—and a rare place where teens could experience live music up close. Final shows were held December 18–19. Whatever comes next, it’s hard to overstate how many “first concerts” happened in that room.

Costco in Brea? A major step forward (but not a done deal)

Brea’s city council approved a revenue-sharing agreement tied to a plan to pursue a Costco at the Beckman Coulter HQ site (200 and 250 S. Kraemer St.). The developer would take on the purchase and development risk, and the city would share sales tax revenue over a long-term agreement if it happens. There’s still a lot that has to go right—this is the “courtship” phase, not a guarantee—and traffic concerns are already front and center. Bottom line: a potential Costco is on the table, but it’s early and it will be a big local conversation if the project progresses.

🌟 OC Trivia: Did You Know?

San Clemente’s Avenida Del Mar (where Rare Society sits) has been the city’s historic downtown spine since the early days, intentionally designed to connect the heart of town with the pier and coastline. In other words: you’re eating steak on one of OC’s classic walk-to-the-ocean streets.

Think you know OC? Reply with your best trivia, and we might feature it next!

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🎶 Live Music This Weekend

Looking for live tunes? Here’s what’s happening:

Friday, Jan 2:

1. Bigshots Billiards Bar & Grill (Lake Forest) – Bad Habit – Rock/Pop Friday, 10:30 pm

2. Brio Tuscany Grille (Dana Point) – 3 Sisters Band, 7:00 pm

3. Carlos Mexican Restaurant (Dana Point) – Randall Winvick Quartet, 6:00–9:00 pm

4. Pub Thirty-Two (Mission Viejo) – Identity Crisis, 7:00–10:00 pm

5. The Rib Joint (Dana Point) – TBA, 6:30–9:30 pm

6. Swallow’s Inn (San Juan Capistrano) – TBA, 9:00 pm–1:00 am

7. Bayside Restaurant (Newport Beach) – Ron Kobayashi Band, 6:30–11:30 pm

8. Bistango (Irvine) – Rotating Artists, 6:30–10:30 pm

9. Cafe Sevilla (Costa Mesa) – Colombian Latin Soul, 7:00–10:00 pm

10. Off the Hook (Los Alamitos) – JT Harker, 5:00–8:30 pm

11. The Den Cafe (Santa Ana) – Friday Open Mic Night, 6:00–10:00 pm

12. The Quiet Woman (Corona Del Mar) – Brian Barrett Band, 9:00 pm–12:00 am

🌦️ 7-Day Weather Forecast

🌅 Sunrise & Sunset in OC

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