Fun Orange County Events this Weekend for Families & Kids

(Updated January 2026)

This is your go-to list of Orange County events for families happening this weekend (February 20-22, 2026). Discover the best things to do in Orange County on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, including free family-friendly events across OC.

Looking for free family-friendly weekend events in Orange County? This guide highlights the best things to do in Orange County this weekend, including kids' activities, community events, food trucks, live music, and craft fairs. Events are organized by date to help families plan their weekend with ease. Always double-check the event website for the latest details.

To submit a weekend event, email jill@sandytoesandpopsicles.com.

Jump to: All Weekend · Friday · Saturday · Sunday

Things to Do in Orange County - All Weekend

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.

Monster Jam (Anaheim)

📅 January 31 - February 1, 2026
📍Angel Stadium
2000 E. Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, CA 92806

Experience adrenaline-charged fun for everyone. You'll be on the edge of your seat watching the legendary Grave Digger®, snarling El Toro Loco, mighty Megalodon® and more push the limits in Freestyle, Skills and Racing competitions. Monster Jam. As Big As It Gets!™

Solar System Encounter at Discovery Cube (Santa Ana)

📅 January 22 - February 22, 2026
📍 Discovery Cube OC
2500 N Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92705

Embark on an immersive journey through our cosmic neighborhood as the Solar System Encounter returns to Discovery Cube Orange County! Featuring stunning, ultra-high-definition imagery from the James Webb Telescope. This stellar exhibit surrounds guests with colossal 360° models of the sun, planets, Earth's moon, and even the dwarf planet Pluto. Vivid lights, breathtaking visuals, larger-than-life displays bring each world to life, inspiring visitors of all ages to explore, discover, and be amazed by the wonders of our Solar System.

Free Miniature Train Rides at Fairview Park (Costa Mesa)

📅 February 21-22, 2026
📍 Goat Hill Junction at Fairview Park
2500 Placentia Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA
💰 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. There is a height requirement and kids must be able to sit by themselves. Bring a picnic!

Knott's PEANUTS Celebration (Buena Park)

📅 January 31, February 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 21 & 22, 2026
📍 Knott's Berry Farm
8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA

Knott's Berry Farm will kick off the Seasons of Fun with PEANUTS™ Celebration, a unique family event dedicated to celebrating the beloved PEANUTS characters. Guests can step inside the pages of a Charles M. Schulz comic strip as the PEANUTS characters take over the entire park.

🧧 Lunar New Year Display at South Coast Plaza (Costa Mesa)

📅 February 12 - March 1, 2026
📍 South Coast Plaza
3333 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

💰 FREE

Enjoy a captivating cultural exhibit, unique Year of the Horse collections, dazzling events and dining promotions to welcome the Lunar New Year.

Things to Do in Orange County - Friday

🍂 Wild Tales (Newport Beach)

📅 Friday, February 20, 2026

📍 Upper Newport Bay
2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA

💰 FREE

Wild Tales is offered every Friday from 10-11 a.m. and 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.

🚘 Main Street Classic Car Show (Garden Grove)

📅 Every Friday

📍 Historic Main Street
Garden Grove, CA

💰 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

🧧 OC Tet Parade (Westminster)

📅 Saturday, February 21, 2026
📍 Intersection of Bolsa Avenue and Magnolia Street
Westminster, CA
💰 FREE

The Tet Parade is a grandiose event that has celebrated the Lunar New Year in Little Saigon for over two decades. Every year Vietnamese communities across the globe tune in to watch the event broadcasted by local TV stations and social media platforms. The Tet Parade features floats, marching bands, lion dances, color guards, veterans and youth organizations, martial arts, multi-cultural attires, elected officials, scout organizations, community organizations, and an array of local and international businesses.

🎨 Public Tour at OCMA (Costa Mesa)

📅 Saturday, February 21, 2026
📍 Orange County Museum of Art
3333 Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, CA
💰 FREE

A half-hour tour of current exhibitions inviting conversation, questions, and new ideas about art. Meet in the Atrium at 1:00 PM.

Mardi Gras Night Market (Mission Viejo)

📅 Saturday, February 21, 2026
📍 North Paseo at LOS OSOS
25282 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
💰 FREE

Enjoy live entertainment, games, food vendors, photo ops and more during the Night Market.

Prime Pizza Grand Opening (Brea)

📅 Saturday, February 21, 2026
📍 Prime Pizza
235 E Imperial Hwy, Brea, CA 92821
💰 FREE

Brea, the wait is over. Prime Pizza is officially here! Celebrate at our Grand Opening Party for a chance to win FREE PIZZA FOR A YEAR!

🐉 Lunar New Year with Pacific Symphony (Costa Mesa)

📅 Saturday, February 21, 2026

📍 Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall Samueli Theater
615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA

💰 FREE

Join Pacific Symphony's annual festivities honoring the Lunar New Year! Celebrating the Year of the Dragon, this performance is sure to sell out once again as audiences from across our communities come together to feast on a colorful presentation of Eastern and Western music and dance.