Good morning, Orange County. You’re reading Thrive OC, your weekly guide to the best local spots, happenings, and hidden gems across the coast and beyond. Here’s what’s on deck:

Let’s dive in.

— Dave Berry

NEP Cafe gives Vietnamese comfort food a modern, all-day spin, from bánh mì chảo and beef-tongue fried rice to egg coffee and ube coffee. The Fountain Valley dining room serves breakfast through dinner, making it an easy choice for a slow brunch or a shareable evening meal.

Where: 10836 Warner Ave, Fountain Valley | Phone: (714) 516-8121

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Disney movies return to the Downtown Disney LIVE! Stage on select September evenings; Disney says to check weekly for showtimes. Times vary | Downtown Disney LIVE! Stage, Downtown Disney District, Anaheim | Event Info

Line dance in the barn and under the stars during this 16-and-older evening; food and drinks are available for purchase. Tickets must be purchased online. 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Farmakis Farms, 29932 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano | Event Info

The Ocean Institute’s 42nd annual harbor celebration opens with Friday’s ticketed Sails ’N Ales and continues with free weekend zones, tall ships, maritime exhibits and family activities. Parking is off-site, with a free trolley to the festival. Times vary | Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point | Event Info

Watch three sessions of team bull riding at Honda Center, with professional riders competing Friday through Sunday. Times vary | Honda Center, 2695 E Katella Ave, Anaheim | Event Info

Main Street becomes a free, all-ages country festival with live music, line dancing, a beer garden and local vendors. A separate $100 VIP option includes lounge access, food and two drink tickets. 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Main Street, Yorba Linda | Event Info

Motorcycle racers take on the Action Sports Arena, with gates opening at 6:00 pm and the first race at 7:30 pm. General admission is $30, children 10 and under are free, and parking is $15. 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Action Sports Arena at OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa | Event Info

This free, all-ages weekend brings live entertainment, food, a carnival and street fair to downtown Santa Ana. El Grito takes place Saturday at 7:00 pm, and Sunday’s parade runs from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Times vary | Downtown Santa Ana | Event Info

Hands-on inventions, exhibits and maker demos spread across three OC Fair & Event Center spaces. Single-day admission is $20, a weekend pass is $35, and children under 4 are free; parking is $15. 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Saturday; 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Sunday | OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa | Event Info

Shop 65 local maker booths each day, with live music, a kids craft station and free parking. 3:00 pm – 8:30 pm | Woodbury Town Center, 6460 Irvine Blvd, Irvine | Event Info

Old World opens its Oktoberfest season with a live German band, traditional food and a full bar. All ages are welcome with guests under 21 accompanied by a parent, and parking is free. 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm | Old World Village, 7561 Center Ave, Huntington Beach | Event Info

Browse an outdoor mix of vintage finds, antiques, art and handcrafted goods. Admission and parking are free, and the market runs rain or shine. 8:00 am – 3:00 pm | Laguna Hills Mall, Laguna Hills | Event Info

Celebrate Mexican and Mexican-American culture with two stages of music and dance plus arts, crafts and community workshops. The event is free, but registration is required; free event parking also requires vehicle registration. 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm | Aitken Arts Plaza at Musco Center for the Arts, 415 N Glassell St, Orange | Event Info

Segerstrom Center marks 40 years with a free campus-wide celebration of performances, workshops and open venues, followed by an ’80s birthday bash and drone show. Free parking is available. 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm | Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Dr, Costa Mesa | Event Info

This free, family-friendly celebration fills Great Park with music, art, food, crafts, vendors and cultural activities including lotería and calavera makeup. Food trucks will be on site. 11:00 am – 4:00 pm | Great Park, 8000 Great Park Blvd, Irvine | Event Info

Pumpkin patch season starts September 12 at Tanaka Farms in Irvine and Irvine Park Railroad in Orange, with more OC patches opening in October. Times vary | Locations across Orange County | Event Info

Plan around a countywide rail pause before you make weekend plans. Metrolink will suspend all service on the Orange County and Inland Empire–Orange County lines September 12–13 and says it will not provide alternate transportation. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains will also stop between San Diego and San Luis Obispo for the full weekend, with limited Friday-night bus substitutions. If you need to travel, check your trip before leaving and allow extra driving time.

After 54 years in Dana Point Harbor, Wind & Sea Restaurant says its final day will be Tuesday, September 15. The waterfront restaurant says the closure will mark the end of its last remaining location. Founder Bob Mardian thanked generations of guests and employees in the announcement. If it’s part of your family lore, there are only a few days left for one more harbor meal.

An Irvine Public Library card can double as a September discount pass. Through September 30, participating local businesses are offering cardholders deals such as buy-one-get-one-free treats at Mags Donuts, a free kids meal with an adult entrée at Broken Yolk Cafe, and 15% off at View Cleaners. Show your physical or digital card to redeem participating offers. Irvine residents without one can apply for a card through the library.

The Spirit of Dana Point took 13 years to build: Dennis Holland laid its keel in an Orange County yard in 1970 using plans purchased from the Smithsonian, then launched the 118-foot schooner in 1983. Ocean Institute says its rig rises 100 feet and carries 5,000 square feet of sail.

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

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