Heide Janssen

From fireworks to festivals – your city-by-city guide to celebrating America 250, all in one place. Fireworks over the lake in Centennial Park in Santa Ana during the 2025 4th of July Celebration. Photo courtesy of the City of Santa Ana This Fourth of July marks a milestone: America's 250th birthday.

The 2026 Artists of the Year, from left: Lexie Shehab (Vocal Music), Rio Gomez (Dance), Gavin Shams (Theater), Angela Nguyen (Media Arts), Naomi Gesk (Instrumental Music), Christopher Blocher (Film & TV) and Lucius Acker (Fine Arts). Photo collage by Heide Janssen, Culture OC In it's 13th season, Orange County's Artist of the Year program has finally whittled down the 888 students nominated this year to the top seven arts students in the county in 2026.

From a pool of 888 nominees, 108 students have been named 2026 Artist of the Year semifinalists. The 2026 class of Artist of the Year semifinalists. Photos courtesy of Artist of the Year The next generation of Orange County artists is stepping into the spotlight. Semifinalists for the 2026 Artist of the Year program have been announced, highlighting standout high school students working across theater, dance, instrumental music, vocal music, film and TV, fine arts and media arts.