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 September 5 - 6, 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 Halloween Events
• Check out this huge list of the best family-friendly Halloween Events happening in Orange County.
• 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.
• Original Lobster Festival
  Fountain Valley Sports Park
  16400 Brookhurst Street, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
  September 5-7, 2025
  All Day
  SoCal’s BIGGEST Lobster Festival Returns. Get ready for a weekend of mouthwatering seafood, great music, and unforgettable fun. This annual celebration features fresh, live Maine lobsters flown in daily, live concerts, and entertainment for all ages.
• Surfin' Sundays Concert Series
  Huntington Beach Pier Plaza
  401 CA-1, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
  September 6-7, 2025
  11am - 6pm
  Every Saturday & Sunday During Summer - International Surfing Museum's provides free musical performances for the public's enjoyment. Vendors will be in Pier Plaza all day during the summer months.
• 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. 
• Roger's Gardens Halloween Boutique 'The Gathering'
  August 29 - October 31, 2025
  Rogers Gardens, Newport Beach
  FREE
  You are invited to "Midnight Market" at Roger’s Gardens. Step into the Midnight Market, a spellbinding Halloween boutique where eerie treasures, whispered fortunes, and moonlit magic await. Here for a limited time—then gone before dawn.
• Weekend Walks at Oak Canyon Nature Center
  Oak Canyon Nature Center
  Anaheim Hills, CA 92807
  September 6 & 7, 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, September 5, 2025

• Morning Playdate with Ms Rachel
  Play & Parties
  1901 N Tustin Street, Orange, CA
  Friday, September 5, 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.
• Movie in the Park - Newport Beach
  Sunset Ridge Park
  4850 Coast Hwy. W. Newport Beach, California 92663
  Friday, September 5, 2025
  7pm
  FREE
  Bring family, friends and neighbors out to Sunset Ridge Park to enjoy some fresh air, free popcorn, free candy, free activities, and a live screening of "A Minecraft Movie". The event begins at 7:00 p.m. around dusk.
• Wild Tales
  Upper Newport Bay
  2301 University Drive, Newport
  Friday, September 5, 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, September 5, 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.
• 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, September 6, 2025

• Home Depot Free Kids Workshop
  Home Depot Stores
  9am - Noon
  Pick up your free Kids Workshops Kit on the first Saturday of each month from your local store. Build it in store. Supplies are provided. (While supplies last)
• See's Candy Grand Opening
  South Coast Plaza
  3333 Bristol Street, Space 1025, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 (1st floor)
  Saturday, September 6, 2025
  Doors open at 9am
  Join us for the Grand Opening Celebration of our new shop at South Coast Plaza! Shoppers can enter their email for a chance to win a $25 See’s Gift Card, enjoy free samples, and take part in a raffle to win a year’s supply of lollipops. Plus, the first 50 customers will receive a special gift!
• Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at Pretend City
  Pretend City Children's Museum
  29 Hubble, Irvine, CA
  Saturday, September 6, 2025
  11am - 2pm
  Join us today as we honor the rich heritage and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. Let’s come together to celebrate and learn – ¡Vamos a celebrar! 
• Bolsa Chica Bird Tour
  Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
  18000 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA
  Saturday, September 6, 2025
  9 - 10:30pm
  FREE
  Enjoy a FREE monthly First Saturday tour of the wetlands! Meet at 9 a.m. in the south parking lot at the Reserve, Volunteer Naturalists offer presentations on the history, birds, endangered species, ecology and restoration of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve.
• Vulture Awareness Day at the Zoo
  Irvine Park
  1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA
  Saturday, September 6, 2025
  10am - 2pm
  Join us as we celebrate International Vulture Awareness Day by recognizing the vital role vultures and other birds of prey play in our ecosystem. Activities include education stations, a craft station, and special keeper chats. Reservations are not needed. Activities are free with paid zoo admission.
• Family Hike: Agua Chinon
  Irvine Ranch Open Space
  13333 Black Star Canyon Rd, Silverado, CA
  Saturday, September 6, 2025
  4:30pm
  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. Must Register.
• Farmers Market and Crafts
  North Paseo
  25282 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, CA
  Saturday, September 6, 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, September 6, 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, September 6, 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.
• 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, September 7, 2025

• OC Public Library FREE Events
  Here you will find all the family-friendly library events in your Orange County library.
• Mehregan Festival
  Bowers Museum
  1802 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, CA
  Sunday, September 7, 2025
  11am - 3pm
  This month, celebrate Mehregan, the festival of autumn that honors Mithra, the god of light, friendship, and love. Presented in partnership with Farhang Foundation. Farhang Foundation is a member-supported nonreligious, nonpolitical, and nonprofit foundation dedicated to celebrating Iranian art and culture for the benefit of the global community.
• Aloha Fair
  Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
  16160 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach, CA, 92647
  Sunday, September 7, 2025
  9 - 10:30pm
  FREE Entrance
  Experience the Magic of Polynesia. Live Hawaiian Polynesian dance and music performances that transport you to the islands. Explore arts and crafts vendors with unique items. Indulge in delicious Hawaiian shave ice and more from amazing food trucks. Family-Friendly event for all ages!
• Oktoberfest at Old World
  The Biergarten at Old World Huntington Beach
  7561 Center Ave Huntington Beach, Ca. #38
  September 7 - November 9, 2025
  Door open at 6pm
  This year's Oktoberfest promises to be the best celebration yet, offering authentic German Food (voted "Best Bratwurst" in California), imported German Beers, German Bands straight from Germany, other festivities, competitions, games & more.
• Weiner Dog and Small Breed Dog Races at Old World
  The Biergarten at Old World Huntington Beach
  7561 Center Avenue, #49, Huntington Beach, CA
  Sunday, September 7, 2025
  10am
  CALLING ALL PARENTS with DACHSHUND, SMALL BREED, CORGI and PUPPY!!!
  The Wiener Dog Race are back for the 2023 Season! Come down to the Village and enjoy a day of Dog Races, Food, Biergarten, Art & Craft Shows and Good Times!
• Free Public Tour at OCMA
  Orange County Museum of Art
  3333 Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, CA
  Sunday, September 7, 2025
  1pm
  FREE
  Join docents for a 30-minute tour of current exhibitions. The tour invites conversation, questions, and new ideas about art.

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!!!!!