The locals favorite Orange County events sites! Here's a huge list of Orange County Events THIS WEEKEND for Kids and Families - March 15 - 17, 2024. There are so many fun things to do in OC this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Many of these Orange County events are FREE!
This Orange County FREE weekend events list is organized by date. Looking for FREE family activities, children's activities, community events, great food trucks, OC entertainment, live music performances or craft fairs? We've got the scoop!
If the event is happening in the OC for the general public, it will be listed on this events calendar! (To submit your event, email jill@sandytoesandpopsicles.com.) Details change! Double check event's website to confirm details before going.
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Things to Do in Orange County ALL Weekend
Here are some fun things happening multiple days this weekend in Orange County. Great ideas to do as a family.
Orange County Easter Egg Hunts & Spring Events
Huge list of all the family-friendly activities for Spring!
Orange County St. Patrick Day Events
Fun list of all the family-friendly activities for St. Patrick's Day!
Knott's Boysenberry Festival
Knott's Berry Farm
8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA
All Day
The Knott's Boysenberry Festival celebrates the park's historic roots by highlighting the little berry that started it all, the boysenberry. Indulge in a yummy lineup of dishes ranging from savory foods with a boysenberry twist to one-of-a-kind specialty desserts and drinks that you can only find at Knott's Berry Farm during this limited-time food event.
Bubblefest
Discovery Cube OC
2500 N Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92705
March 22 - April 7, 2024
The bubbles are back! Discovery Cube, Southern California’s leading children’s science museum is excited to welcome back Orange County’s #1 family-friendly Bubble-tastic event! This year, we’re bringing bubble enchantment to life with new, mesmerizing bubble tricks and a spectacular display more bubbles than ever before!
Free Miniature Train Rides at Fairview Park
Goat Hill Junction at Fairview Park
2500 Placentia Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA
March 16 & 17, 2024
10:30am - 3:30pm
If you haven't been to the Goathill Junction Railroad to ride the miniature train rides yet, I highly recommend checking them out. I feel that these little trains are one of the hidden gems of Orange County. There is a height requirement and kids must be able to sit by themselves. Bring a picnic! Free.
Paper Planet at the Segerstrom Center
Segerstrom Center for the Arts - Samueli Theater
600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA
March 16 & 17, 2024
Times Vary
Let your imagination run wild in a world made of paper! Children and families are invited to create a beautiful world inside a forest of tall cardboard trees, using only paper, tape, and their imaginations. Everyone plays together in this magical place to create creatures, plants, costumes, characters, stories, and adventures.
Easter Eggstravaganza at Irvine Park
Irvine Park
1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA
All DAY
Hop on over with family and friends to enjoy this fun and exciting Spring-time event. Children can meet and have their photo taken with the Easter Bunny as well as participate in several activities that are located throughout the area.
Strawberry Wagon Rides
Tanaka Farms
5380 ¾ University Drive, Irvine, CA
March 16 -18, 2024
Times Vary
Make dinner tonight with produce that you picked! Come on out to the farm for a U-Pick Wagon Ride that includes a wagon ride around the farm. You will learn about Tanaka Farms and its history, farming methods, and the crops we grow. You will make a few stops in the fields to pick your own produce. After the wagon ride, visit the animals in our Barnyard Educational Exhibit!
Kids Play & Walk with Goats
Goods and Goat Market
29458 Trabuco Creek Rd, San Juan Capistrano, CA
Friday - Sunday | Times Vary
There are sessions for Playtime & Goat Walking! Cuddle, Brush, and Play with our special Yoga Goats. Look for chicken eggs and feed worms to the hens! We have new furry friends - Bunnies and Guinea Pigs. The zipline is a big hit! Play in the rocks with our antique Tonka Trucks. We have a Shooting Gallery with Nerf guns for kids to play with.
Things to Do in Orange County on Friday, March 15, 2024
OC Public Library FREE Events
Here you will find all the family-friendly library events in your Orange County library.
Morning Playdate with a Leprechaun and Unicorn
Play & Parties
1901 N Tustin Street, Orange, CA
March 15, 2024
10:30pm
Play & Parties Playdates include Live Storytimes, Singalongs, and a special guest! Have fun with other children while paying games, singing songs, and playing with our special guest.
Toddler Treks
Upper Newport Bay
2301 University Drive, Newport
March 15, 2024
10:00 - 10:45am
FREE
Bring your young ones and join OC Parks staff to learn all about Upper Newport Bay. Toddler Treks includes a story time, age-appropriate hike and themed craft. Each week will focus on a different topic that encourages young ones to learn about the outdoors.
Tot Walk- Aliso and Wood Visitor Center
Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park
28373 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel, CA
9 - 10:30am
FREE
Join OC Parks naturalists and bring your young ones (infant to age 3) to explore Aliso’s wild backyard. Take a leisurely stroll through the garden and the creek. We will see bugs, plants and birds while exploring! OC Parks staff may even lead a game or introduce a local resident to the children. Come join the fun!
Main Street Classic Car Show
Historic Main Street, Garden Grove
March 15, 2024
4-8pm
FREE
The Main Street Classic Car Show is the longest-running car show in Orange County. With roughly 50 parking spaces, and the show running every Friday, you’re bound to catch a wide variety of rides on display.
Things to Do in Orange County on Saturday, March 16, 2024
OC Public Library FREE Events
Here you will find all the family-friendly library events in your Orange County library.
Beckman Arts and Science Festival
Segerstrom Center for the Arts - Argyros Plaza
600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA
March 16, 2024
12:30 - 3:30pm
FREE
An exciting, FREE day of science and discovery! Sponsored by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, the 3rd annual Beckman Arts & Science Family Festival invites innovators of all ages to explore the connections between science and the arts through fun and engaging performances, interactive exhibits, and hands-on activities along with other festival food and fun!
Fantastic Fungi and Where to Find Them
Tri-City Regional Park
30952 Oso Parkway, Coto de Caza, CA 92679
March 16, 2024
10 - 11am
FREE
Join park ranger Annelise for a morning program and hike to explore the world wonders that are mushrooms. This program will cover how to identify fungi, where you are likely to find them and understand their vital role in keeping our environment healthy. This program is designed for ages 12 and older.
Super Egg Hunt a A Wonderland Eggstravaganza
The Crossing Church
2115 Newport Boulevard, Costa Mesa, CA
March 16, 2024
10am - 12pm
FREE
Egg hunts, photo with the Easter bunny, bounce houses, scavenger hunt, crafts, tacos for sale, petting zoo, cookie decoration, flamingo golf and Alice & Mad Hatter Tea party.
Easter Pop-Up and Egg Hunt
The Boardwalk Boutique
8345 Garden Grove Blvd, Unit 101, Garden Grove, CA 93844
March 16, 2024
10am - 12pm
FREE
Come join us for our 2nd Annual Easter Pop Up Shop & Egg Hunt! Come shop small & join all the fun. Don’t forget to bring your Easter baskets.
Easter Bunny Photos & Egg Hunt
Frazier Martial Arts - Fullerton
707 S Euclid St, Fullerton, CA 92832
March 16, 2024
10 - 11:30am
FREE
Pictures with the Easter Bunny, Egg Hunt, Games, Snacks and lots of EASTER EGGS. MUST register for a time slot www.FullertonsEasterEggHunt.com
Sugar Lane Dessert Festival
Downtown Anaheim
2800 N Main St, Santa Ana, CA, United States, California 92705
March 16, 2024
5 - 9pm
Step into every dessert lover's dream. Indulge in some classic ice cream, chow down on delicious toffee, munch on hand-crafted cookies, and so much more! FREE Children's Dental Fun Zone.
Wondrous Worms Children's Program
Mission Viejo Library Storytime Room
100 Civic Center, Mission Viejo, CA
March 16, 2024
10:30am
Discover the exciting underground world of earthworms! Learn about these important backyard creatures and their homes through songs, puppets, experiments, and hands-on exploration.
$2 Saturday Morning Kids Flicks
Irvine Spectrum Center
670 Spectrum Center Dr. Irvine, CA 92618
March 16, 2024
10am - 12pm
Regal is making it easier than ever to plan a fun Saturday morning with your kids! See your favorite family movies like Super Mario Bros & Harry Potter on Saturday mornings at 10am for just $2 per ticket!
St. Patrick's Day Fun Fest
North Paseo
25282 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
March 16, 2024
5 - 9pm
🍀 There will be live music, food, games, shopping, and more! It's FREE and family-friendly with family games and activities. Fun free games and slime make and take booth! Hungry? There will be food options for everyone!
Laser Shows the OCC Planetarium
OCC Planetarium
2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa, CA
Saturday, March 16, 2024
Times Vary
Regular showings are offered on weekends so everyone can come enjoy a rotating schedule of breathtaking full-dome experiences that transport you to faraway worlds.
Archery for 10 and up
Oak Canyon Nature Center
Anaheim Hills, CA 92807
Saturday, March 16, 2024
10 & 11:30am
Do you know how to shoot a bullseye? Join us for open range archery and we will teach you the basic skills needed to point, aim, and shoot an arrow. We will cover the correct way to draw a bow and talk about range safety. Ages 10 and up.
Discover Nature Family Program
Oak Canyon Nature Center
Anaheim Hills, CA 92807
Saturday, March 16, 2024
10:30am
FREE EVENT
Come Saturday mornings for an hour long, naturalist-led hike through Oak Canyon to learn about the Canyon's plants, animals, history, ecology, and more! Each week is a themed hike and ends at the Interpretive Center for a live animal demonstration.
Family Workshops at AR Workshop
AR Workshop
31107 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite B2, San Juan Capistrano, CA
Saturday, March 16, 2024
10am - 1pm
Join AR Workshop for a family DIY class to make one of their many wood projects! In the workshop, you will have the opportunity to customize your project with your choice of designer paints and (non-toxic!) stain colors.
Anaheim GardenWalk Cars & Coffee
Anaheim GardenWalk
400 Disney Way Anaheim, CA
Saturday, March 16, 2024
8 - 11am
FREE EVENT
California's only indoor covered Cars & Coffee event! Every Saturday morning, call GardenWalk your home cars & coffee or simply stop by and bring your crowd for a covered C&C late morning gathering. All makes, models, projects, and finished builds are welcome. Enter at Clementine Street north (Clementine & Disney Way).
South OC Cars and Coffee
Outlets At San Clemente, San Clemente
Saturday, March 16, 2024
9 - 11am
FREE EVENT
The name says you’ll find cars and coffee there. But you’ll also find people and conversations. And those conversations will cover anything from powertrains to politics.
Classic Cars at Donut Derelicts
Donut Derelicts, Huntington Beach
Every Saturday Morning
FREE EVENT
Each Saturday morning, car enthusiasts from all over gather in the parking lot of Adams Ave Donuts to enjoy a donut, a cup of coffee and a spectacle of hot rods and classic cars.
Things to Do in Orange County on Sunday, March 17, 2024
OC Public Library FREE Events
Here you will find all the family-friendly library events in your Orange County library.
Free Resident Day at the Santa Ana Zoo
Santa Ana Zoo
1801 East Chestnut Avenue, Santa Ana, CA
All Day
Santa Ana residents receive free admission to the Zoo on the third Sunday of every month. Proof of residency (such as ID or a utility bill) is required.
Heritage House Open House in Mission Viejo
Heritage House at Melinda Park
28951 Melinda Rd, Mission Viejo, CA
March 17, 2024
11am - 1pm
The public is invited to visit Mission Viejo’s Heritage House to learn about our City’s rich past. Nestled in Melinda Park, the City’s Heritage House was established in 2003 to educate the public about Mission Viejo history. Visitors can come to learn about the people and events that made Mission Viejo “The California Promise.”
Easter Special with Easter Egg Hunt
Anaheim GardenWalk
400 Disney Way Anaheim, CA 92802
March 17, 2024
FREE
Join us for an epic Easter Special filled with a fun easter egg hunt, amazing vendors, and special guest appearances!
Zoo Birthday Party at the Santa Ana Zoo
Santa Ana Zoo
1801 East Chestnut Avenue, Santa Ana, CA
All Day
All-Zoo scavenger hunt with animal education activities. See the animals get "birthday enrichment treats!"
St. Patrick’s Day Farm-to-Table Cookout Tour
Tanaka Farms
5380 ¾ University Drive, Irvine, CA
March 17, 2024
11am - 2pm
Take a guided walking tour around the farm where you will be able to pick your own seasonal veggies in the field. Then, we'll take you to our cook out area where we will prepare a lunch with grilled seasonal vegetables, farm fresh salad, seasonal fruit for dessert, and bottled water. You also have the option to add chicken to your meal.
Sensory Friendly Easter Bunny Event
MainPlace Mall
2800 North Main Street, Santa Ana, CA
Sunday, March 17, 2024
9 - 10:30m
During this event, families visit the Easter Bunny at their own pace before the mall opens to the public. Sensory triggers including music, fountains, and lights are limited to create a setting that is calm and comforting.
Public Hours at Heritage Museum
Heritage Museum of Orange County
3101 W. Harvard Street, Santa Ana, CA
March 17, 2024
9:30am - 1pm
Public Days include the historic Kellogg House tour, special exhibits, prizes for scavenger hunts and Gospel Swamp Farm games, self led trail hikes, special guests and more! $10 adults/$5 for children 12 and under.
Evening Family Beginner Mountain Bike Ride
Limestone Canyon
13333 Black Star Canyon Rd, Silverado, CA 92676
March 17, 2024
4 - 6:30pm
FREE
For families and children ages 12 and up who would like to join IRC-certified volunteers in OCParks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space on a longer, slow-paced, family-oriented ride through sycamores, oaks, and habitat native to California. The route takes us to The Sinks, Orange County’s own “Grand Canyon.”
Kid’s Fishing Clinic Sundays
Dana Wharf Sportfishing, Dana Point
12:15pm
Dana Wharf Sportfishing invites children under 14 years of age to join us dockside for an educational fishing clinic. Kids will learn hands-on-fishing techniques from our expert- anglers. After each Sunday clinic concludes, Dana Wharf will be running a fishing trip from 12:45 – 5:15; Adults are $61.00 and Minors (under 14) are $55.00.
Kids Play & Walk with Goats
Goods and Goat Market
29458 Trabuco Creek Rd, San Juan Capistrano, CA
Friday - Sunday | Times Vary
There are sessions for Playtime & Goat Walking! Cuddle, Brush, and Play with our special Yoga Goats. Look for chicken eggs and feed worms to the hens! We have new furry friends - Bunnies and Guinea Pigs. The zipline is a big hit! Play in the rocks with our antique Tonka Trucks. We have a Shooting Gallery with Nerf guns for kids to play with.
Free Things to Do This Weekend in OC
These Orange County places are FREE to visit, and open year round to the public. They make great places to visit on the weekends with family:
- Centennial Farm - OC Fair & Event Center | Times Vary
Centennial Farm is now to the public. Visit the animals and the farming gardens. Admission and parking are free - Family-Friendly Tide Pools in the OC Beaches in Orange County
Check out this list of the best family-friendly tide pools in Orange County. - Niguel Botanical Preserve - Crown Valley Community Park | All Day
If you are looking for a scenic, family friendly nature experience, then the Niguel Botanical Preserve in Laguna Niguel is a great place to check out. - The Ecology Center - The Ecology Center, San Juan Capstrano
Every Saturday and Sunday – Open for self-guided exploration. Be sure to check their calendar for workshops and events happening every weekend! FREE - Pier Plaza Art Afair - Pacific Coast Highway & Main, adjacent to the Huntington Beach Pier
An arts and crafts fair overlooking the pacific Ocean.
Fun Things to Do this Weekend in OC
These OC places are open year round, and make great places to visit on the weekends with family:
- Orange County Farmers Markets - All Over OC | Times Vary
Check out this list of all the farmers markets happening on Orange County. - Balboa Fun Zone - 600 E. Bay Avenue, Newport Beach
The Fun Zone has over 8,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor restaurants, carnival games, vendors, food and fun overlooking the Newport Harbor & Balboa Island. - Anaheim Packing District - 440 S. Anaheim Boulevard, Anaheim
One of the last remaining citrus packing warehouses in OC, that has been historically preserved and retrofitted into a market hall with restaurants, food and vendors. - Irvine Park Railroad - Irvine Regional Park, Orange | All day
Ride the train, concessions, Wheel Fun Rentals - paddleboat and bike rentals, pan for gold, OC zoo, and enjoy the park. - OCC Planetarium - Orange Coast College | Times Vary
The OCC Planetarium is an innovative and immersive experience. Regular showings are offered on weekends so everyone can come enjoy a rotating schedule of breathtaking full-dome experiences that transport you to faraway worlds.
Don't forget about all of these fun things to do in Orange County!!!!!
101 Things to Do With Kids in Orange County