Best Orange County Weekend EVENTS for Families & Kids

Welcome to the local's favorite Orange County events site for Families! Here is a huge list of Orange County Events happening THIS WEEKEND for August 15 - 17, 2025. Fun things to do in OC this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and many are FREE!

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! This list is organized by date. Double check event's website to confirm details before going. To submit your event, email jill@sandytoesandpopsicles.com.

Things to do in Orange County ALL Weekend

• Orange County Summer Movies
  Huge list of summer movies in park, beach and more. Listed by date and city.
• Orange County Concerts in the Park
  Huge list of Orange County summer concerts in the park listed by city.
• Orange County Storytimes
  Huge list of every story time in Orange County.
• OC Public Library FREE Events
  Here you will find all the family-friendly library events in your Orange County library.
• OC Fair - Last Weekend
  The OC Fair & Event Center
  88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA
  July 18 - August 17, 2025
  All Day
  The OC Fair welcomes everyone back for the 2025 OC Fair, “Find Your Happy” Get ready for 23 days of fun-filled live entertainment, exhibits, food, carnival rides, shopping and more!
• Ghost Town Alive! at Knott's Berry Farm
  Knott's Soak City
  8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA
  All Day
  Ghost Town Alive! is back at Knott’s Berry Farm this summer, inviting guests to step into the town of Calico for a live-action Wild West adventure. From cowboys and bandits to hoedowns and heists, visitors become part of the story as honorary citizens with tasks and roles in the day’s unfolding events.
• Free Miniature Train Rides at Fairview Park
  Goat Hill Junction at Fairview Park
  2500 Placentia Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA
  10:30am - 3:30pm
  August 16 & 17, 2025
  FREE
  If you haven't been to the Goat Hill 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.
• Sawdust Art Festival
  Laguna Beach Sawdust Festival Grounds
  June 27 - August 31, 2025
  10am - 5pm
  Come meet 180+ artists, purchase original art, take an art class, watch live art demos, and enjoy live music, tasty food & drinks.
• Pretzel Fest
  The Biergarten at Old World Huntington Beach
  7561 Center Ave Huntington Beach, Ca. #38
  August 16 & 17, 2025
  Times vary
  Celebrate Pretzel Fest at Old World Biergarten in Huntington Beach! Enjoy free parking, family fun, live music, authentic German beers, and plenty of specialty-flavored pretzels in a lively, dance-filled atmosphere.
• Knott's Soak City
  Knott's Soak City
  8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA
  All Day
  A 15-acre water adventure park immediately adjacent to Knott’s Berry Farm. Soak City boasts 23 speed, tube and body slides including Shore Break featuring 6 different waterslide experiences, a thrilling family raft ride, a three‑story Beach House, featuring 200 sprayers and more. 
• Tube-a-Palooza at Pretend City
  Pretend City
  29 Hubble, Irvine, CA
  May 23 - September 3, 2025
  11am - 3pm
  Take your family on an exciting adventure through a world of tubes—big, small, twisty, and tall! This hands-on, STEAM-powered experience is packed for kids to build, explore, and discover through play.
• Weekend Walks at Oak Canyon Nature Center
  Oak Canyon Nature Center
  Anaheim Hills, CA 92807
  August 16 & 17, 2025
  10:30am
  FREE EVENT
  Come join us on Saturday or Sunday 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's hike is themed and ends at the Interpretive Center for a live animal demonstration.
• 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 - Friday, August 15, 2025

• Morning Playdate with a Chase from Paw Patrol
  Play & Parties
  1901 N Tustin Street, Orange, CA
  Friday, August 15, 2025
  10:30am
  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.
  Summer Concert - Laguna Niquel
  Crown Valley Community Park Amphitheater 
  29751 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel, CA
  Friday, August 15, 2025
  6:30 - 8:30pm
  FREE
  Pack your picnic baskets, bring your blankets and chairs, and get ready to enjoy your favorite summer pastime event on the green! All concerts are FREE, open to the public! Refreshments will be available for purchase from our food trucks at all concerts.
• Movie in the Park - Orange
  Irvine Regional Park
  1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA
  Friday, August 15, 2025
  6pm
  FREE
  Get ready for a memorable night of movies under the stars as you enjoy a mix of recent favorites and timeless classics, all free of charge with free parking. Bring your picnic essentials and arrive early at 6 p.m. for exciting pre-show entertainment leading up to the film showtime which starts around 8pm.
• Tot Walk
  Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park
  28373 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
  Friday, August 15, 2025
  9 - 10:30am
  FREE
  Join OC Parks naturalists and bring your young ones to explore Aliso’s wild backyard. Take a leisurely stroll through the garden and creek where we will see bugs, plants and birds while exploring! This program begins at the visitor center at Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park.
• Wild Tales
  Upper Newport Bay
  2301 University Drive, Newport
  Friday, August 15, 2025
  10:00 - 10:45am
  FREE
  Upper Newport Bay’s popular storytime is back! Wild tales will be offered every Friday and include an outdoor storytime in their amphitheater, an age-appropriate hike, and a craft project in our classroom. Each session has a new story, hike theme, and craft project.
• Surf City Artisan Fair
  Huntington Beach Pier Plaza
  Huntington Beach, CA 92648
  Friday, August 15, 2025
  10am - 5pm
  FREE ADMISSION
  Celebrate the talents of local and regional artisans. Surf City Artisan Fair has created a tapestry of community engagement, dynamic programming, and inspiration, centered around the Four Corners concept: Gathering, Giving, Creative, and Learning.
• Public Wood Workshops
  AR Workshop
  31107 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite B2, San Juan Capistrano, CA
  Saturday, August 16, 2025
  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.
• Main Street Classic Car Show
  Historic Main Street, Garden Grove
  Every Friday
  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 - Saturday, August 16, 2025

• Ramps and Amps - Dana Point
  Domingo Avenue and Sepulveda, Dana Point, CA, 92629
  Saturday, August 16, 2025
  10am - 7pm
  Experience high-flying action and jaw-dropping tricks from professional Skate and BMX riders, paired with live music from Lonely Eyes (1 PM), Bodhi Corbett (3 PM), and Power Flex (5 PM). Enjoy eats from Salt & Pepper, The Empanada Maker, Kona Ice, Alohana Acai, and Le Saint Honore, plus drinks from Pepi’s Sports Bar & Grill and coffee from Golden Lantern Coffee Roasters. Nearby, El Patio Café will open early for grab-and-go or dine-in.
• Let's Go To The Movies - Anaheim Hills
  Eucalyptus Park
  100 Quintana Dr Anaheim, CA 92807
  Saturday, August 16, 2025
  4pm
  Join the Pops for an evening in the park. Bring your dinner and relax while listening to some great music from iconic Movies. Gather your family and tell all your friends. See you there.
• Movies in the Park - Yorba Linda
  Hurless Barton Park
  4601 Casa Loma Avenue, Yorba Linda, CA 92886
  Saturday, August 16, 2025
  7pm
  Enjoy a Saturday evening at the park watching a family movie on our 20ft inflatable movie screen. Bring your chairs, blankets and a picnic dinner!
• Marimba Melodies at Pretend City
  Pretend City
  29 Hubble, Irvine, CA
  Saturday, August 16, 2025
  11am
  Get ready to move, shake, and play! Join us for a special Sound & Movement event featuring Marimba Tropical Los Angeles.
• Morning Playdate with a Chase from Paw Patrol
  Play & Parties
  1901 N Tustin Street, Orange, CA
  Friday, August 15, 2025
  10:30am
  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.
• Family Hike: Agua Chinon
  Irvine Ranch Open Space
  13333 Black Star Canyon Rd, Silverado, CA
  Saturday, August 16, 2025
  5pm
  FREE
  Enjoy an afternoon family hike in Agua Chinon, part of OCParks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. We hike a gradual climb of 500 ft elevation as we watch for red-tailed hawks and mule deer.  This activity originates in the City of Irvine and travels into Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. The hike will average 3 miles round trip at an easy pace with a medium level of interpretation. Must Register.
• Bats: Heroes of the Night
  Irvine Ranch Open Space
  13333 Black Star Canyon Rd, Silverado, CA
  Saturday, August 16, 2025
  6:30pm
  FREE
  Come search for the signs and tracks that animals leave behind in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. Mule deer, bobcats, coyotes and even mountain lions call this hidden canyon home. Gain the basic tracking techniques as we search for evidence such as tracks, fur, bones, homes and even scat. You never know what you may find! Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes that you do not mind getting a little dusty. This program is focused on older children and adults.
• Tiki Night Market
  Garden Grove Elks Lodge 1952
  11551 Trask Ave Garden Grove, CA 92843
  Saturday, August 16, 2025
  4 - 10pm
  Join us for a Luau Under the Stars at the Garden Grove Elks Lodge, featuring over 100 vendors, island-style eats, tropical drinks, a full tiki bar, and a live DJ bringing all the island and backyard BBQ vibes. Enjoy hourly giveaways, family-friendly fun, and a festive night market atmosphere—Hawaiian shirts encouraged!
• Sugar Lane Dessert Festival
  Center Street Promenade
  147-199 W Center Street Promenade, Anaheim, CA 92805
  5 - 9pm
  Satisfy your sweet tooth at the sweetest festival in town Sugar Lane! With 40+ unique vendors and Center Street shops offering incredible desserts and sweet treats, there's something delicious for everyone
• Under the Sea Night Market
  North Paseo at Los Osos
  25282 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, CA
  Saturday, August 16, 2025
  5 - 10pm
  Dive into the Under the Sea Night Market at North Paseo in Mission Viejo, a free, family-friendly outdoor event with ocean-inspired fun. Enjoy a beer garden, interactive games, kids’ play area, delicious food vendors, unique local makers, and a mermaid meet-and-greet for the perfect photo op.
• Back to School Summer Bash
  Bella Terra
  7777 Edinger Avenue, Huntington Beach, CA
  12 - 2pm
  FREE
  Send summer off in style at Bella Terra’s Back-to-School Celebration, featuring a locker giveaway with surprise prizes, retailer highlights with special offers, a themed photo station, and music to keep the vibes high. Meet your favorite retailers, score back-to-school must-haves, and see what your prize key will unlock!
• Farmers Market and Crafts
  North Paseo
  25282 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, CA
  Saturday, August 16, 2025
  9am - 1pm
  Every Saturday, you can shop a variety of locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, cooked items, handmade crafts and more. Vendors include Bee Ladies Honey, Butter Crumbs Bake Shop, South Coast Farms, Tea Lucky, The Tamale Fiesta, Black Sheep Farms, Got Green Drinks and many more.
• Storytime and Activity at OC Barnes & Noble Stores
  Fashion Island, Barnes & Noble - Newport Beach
  Bella Terra, Barnes & Noble - Huntington Beach
  Irvine Spectrum, Barnes & Noble - Irvine
  Saturday, August 16, 2025Saturday, August 16, 2025
  11am
  FREE
  Join us for Storytime every Saturday in our Kids department! Fun activities will vary from book to book! Parents/guardians must attend with their kiddos! 
• Archery for 10 and up
  Oak Canyon Nature Center
  Anaheim Hills, CA 92807
  Saturday, August 16, 2025
  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.
• Public Wood Workshops
  AR Workshop
  31107 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite B2, San Juan Capistrano, CA
  Saturday, August 16, 2025
  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
  Every Saturday MorningEvery Saturday Morning
  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
  January 18, 2025Every Saturday Morning
  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.
• Coffee and Donuts at Ted’s
  Ted's Diner
  23990 Aliso Creek Rd, Laguna Niguel, CA
  Every Saturday Morning
  7:30 - 8am
  FREE EVENT
  Hot Rod Car meet-up every Saturday
• Exotics & Espresso
  Eurocar in Newport Beach
  7535 Irvine Center Drive Irvine, CA 92618
  Every Saturday Morning
  9 - 11am
  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.
• 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 - Sunday, August 17, 2025

• OC Public Library FREE Events
  Here you will find all the family-friendly library events in your Orange County library.
• Heritage House Open House in Mission Viejo
  Heritage House at Melinda Park
  28951 Melinda Rd, Mission Viejo, CA
  Sunday, August 17, 2025
  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.”
• Summer Concerts in the Park - Huntington Beach
  Thomas Ridley Huntington Central Park Concert Bandstand
  7111 Talbert Ave at Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach, CA
  Sunday, August 17, 2025
  5:00pm
  FREE
  Enjoy family-friendly concerts in the park! “A Huntington Beach tradition for 50 years” Bring your family, friends, chairs, blankets and picnic dinner!
• Concerts in the Park - Dana Point
  Sea Terrace Park
  33418 Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point, CA, 92629
  Sunday, August 17, 2025
  2:30 - 7:30pm
  Summer fun! Summer music! These FREE family-friendly concerts feature two bands and are held at Sea Terrace Park, PCH & Niguel Road behind the Dana Point Library area. Food and spirits (21+) are available to purchase.
• Summer Concert - Anaheim
  Pearson Park Amphitheater
  401 N Lemon St, Anaheim, CA 92805
  Sunday, August 17, 2025
  6:30 - 8:30pm
  FREE
  Since 1933, Pearson Park Amphitheatre has been a summer entertainment staple in Anaheim, offering cultural, family-friendly, and musical performances in a charming Spanish-style setting. This year’s Summer Night Concert Series features free tribute concerts that bring the music of legendary artists to life under the stars.
• Movies Under the Stars at the Irvine Spectrum
  Irvine Spectrum Center
  670 Spectrum Center Dr. Irvine, CA 92618
  Sunday, August 17, 2025
  7pm
  Inside Out – for family-friendly movies on the Giant Wheel Lawn, every Sunday this summer. Bring your blankets, chairs, and snacks for an evening of movie magic.
• Art at Heritage Museum
  Heritage Museum of OrangeCounty
  3101 W. Harvard Street, Santa Ana, CA
  11:00am - 1:30pm
  FREE
  Come prepared to get dirty as we create art together! Each month on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays HMOC’s own Gospel Swamp Farm hosts “Art at the Farm”, our no cost, hands on immersive art workshops featuring a new large format art installation that the community helps create to be exhibited on HMOC grounds. Suitable for all ages and free to the public!
  Heritage Museum of Orange County: Porch Stories: Signs From the Afterlife
  Heritage Museum of Orange County
  3101 W. Harvard Street, Santa Ana, CA
  Sunday, August 17, 2025
  12 - 1pm
  Join us on HMOC’s historic 1898 Queen Anne Victorian Kellogg House porch as we kick off our  Porch Stories and welcome guest speakers to explore a variety of entertaining and educational topics through this speaker series! Speakers will have the porch from 12-1pm but arrive early, or stay afterwards during Public Hours 11am to 3pm to tour the inside of the Kellogg House and all that our 12 acre grounds offers!
• Public Hours at the Heritage Museum of Orange County
  Heritage Museum of OrangeCounty
  3101 W. Harvard Street, Santa Ana, CA
  Sunday, August 17, 2025
  Sunday 11am - 3pm
  Join us to tour our historic Orange County non profit Museum and 12 acre grounds! Admission allows you to tour our property including the historic 1898 Queen Anne Victorian Kellogg House tour, special exhibits, prizes for scavenger hunts, self led trail hikes, Gospel Swamp Farm access with the Children’s Sensory Garden, special guests and more. Watch the OC Blacksmith Guild hard at work in our HMOC Blacksmith Shop.
• Family Night at the Ranch Saloon
  The RANCH Saloon
  1025 East Ball Road Suite 101B, Anaheim, CA
  Sunday, August 17, 2025
  7pm
  Join us for an afternoon of fun where adults and kids ages 10+ can enjoy three complimentary country dance lessons in a welcoming setting. After each lesson, practice your new moves on the dance floor while the DJ plays the best of country music. Reservations are required to guarantee a seat in the Saloon.
• Family Rec Swim & Inflatable Fun
  Sierra Recreation and Fitness Center
  26887 Recodo Lane, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
  Sunday, August 17, 2025
  12 - 4pm
  FREE
  Enjoy an amazing day of fun and excitement on our inflatable obstacle course! Test your agility and strength while having a blast with friends and family. Please note, participants under 12 years of age must pass a swim test in order to access the obstacle course. *Friends and guests may attend by purchasing a day guest pass. Adult (14 and older) guest passes are $10 and child (3 months to 13 years) guest passes are $5.
• Hoofprints and Horizons: a Gentle Family Hike with a Horse
  Irvine Ranch Open Space
  13333 Black Star Canyon Rd, Silverado, CA
  Sunday, August 17, 2025
  9am - 12pm
  FREE
  Escape into the stunning landscapes of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks with a one of kind family hiking experience. Our guided walk features a friendly horse, offering a special opportunity to interact with these magnificent animals while exploring the natural beauty of Southern California. This walk is perfect for all ages and abilities. It’s a chance to create long-lasting memories and foster a love for both horses and nature.

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!!!!!