Popsicle Blog

Orange County Weekend Events for Families & Kids (This Weekend)

(Updated September 2026)

Find the best Orange County weekend events for families happening September 25-27, 2026. This week's list includes fun things to do with kids, local festivals, community events, and plenty of free family-friendly activities.

Looking for free family-friendly weekend events in Orange County? This guide makes it easy to find activities for kids, community celebrations, food trucks, live music, craft fairs, and more happening around OC. Events are organized by date so you can quickly plan your Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Be sure to check each event's website for the latest times, locations, and 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 Halloween Events

List of all the Halloween Events happening in Orange County for 2026. Listed by city!

🍎 Apple Picking in Oak Glen

You guide to the best apple picking in Oak Glen and beyond!

🎃 Orange County Pumpkin Patches

You guide to the best apple picking in Oak Glen and beyond!

📚 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.

👻 Knott's Spooky Farm Opening Weekend (Buena Park)

📅 Thursday-Sundays, September 24-October 31, 2026 & Columbus Day
📍 Knott's Berry Farm
8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA

Enjoy the Halloween season at Knott's Spooky Farm, a family-friendly daytime celebration. Little ghouls can trick-or-treat around the town of Calico's shops and buildings to collect sweet treats, plus enjoy even more kids' Halloween activities. Families can join in on the Halloween fun as the park is transformed with themed décor and spooky surprises.

🎈Festival of Children (Costa Mesa)

📅 September 5-27, 2026
📍 South Coast Plaza - Crystal Court
1621 W Sunflower Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92704

Celebrate the 25th Festival of Children at South Coast Plaza during National Child Awareness Month. Enjoy free family-friendly performances, hands-on activities, interactive exhibits, and inspiring experiences while discovering nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the lives of children and families. Join us throughout September to connect, learn, and celebrate the people and programs building brighter futures in our community. 

🎃 Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch (Irvine)

📅 September 12-November 1, 2026
📍 Tanaka Farms
5380 ¾ University Drive, Irvine, CA

Experience the joy of picking your own pumpkin right from the patch at Tanaka Farms, one of the only real pumpkin patches in Orange County! Enjoy wagon rides, arts and crafts, and even a pumpkin cannon! Also, Monday through Thursday all day, and Friday mornings before noon, you can explore our U-Pick Pumpkin Fields, Barnyard Educational Exhibit, Wagon Rides, Corn Maze, and U-Pick Veggie Patch. It's fun for the whole family! Parking passes required Friday-Sunday.

🎃 Irvine Park Pumpkin Patch (Orange)

📅 September 12-October 31, 2026
📍 Irvine Regional Park
1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869

Irvine Park Railroad's Pumpkin Patch in Orange County is fun for the entire family. Come out and enjoy the many activities for kids of all ages. Train rides, hay rides, carnival games, face painting, cookie decorating and more. The Pumpkin Patch is located just behind the train station and admission is FREE. 

🎃 Roger's Gardens Halloween Boutique 'Midnight Masquerade' (Corona del Mar)

📅 August 29-October 31, 2026
📍 Roger's Gardens
2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd, Corona del Mar, CA 92625

Step into a season of mystery, enchantment, and Venetian intrigue. This Halloween, Roger's Gardens unveils Moonlight Masquerade, a boutique inspired by the romance of Venice after dark. Enter beneath the Bridge of Sighs, follow the glow of candlelight, and step inside the Palazzo of Whispers, where a menagerie of curiosities, gilded masks, dramatic Original Designs, and enchanting seasonal Halloween collections.

🎡 Complimentary SunWheel Ride Irvine Spectrum (Irvine)

📅 September 25-27, 2026
📍 Irvine Spectrum Center
670 Spectrum Center Dr. Irvine, CA 92618
💰 FREE

Soar to new heights this September with a complimentary ride on the Spectrum SunWheel, courtesy of Hoag! The first 300 guests on September 25, 26, and 27 will score a free spin to celebrate the upcoming Hoag Sun Family Campus.

🎡 Westminster Fall Festival (Westminster)

📅 September 24-27, 2026
📍 Westminster Civic Center Sunken Gardens
8200 Westminster Boulevard, Westminster, CA 92683
💰 FREE

We hope to see you all again for another weekend of family fun, including delicious food, exciting live entertainment, and carnival rides!

🦆 The Royal Duck (Santa Ana)

📅 August 28-September 27, 2026
📍 MainPlace Mall
2800 N Main St., Santa Ana, CA

Jump in, bounce around, and let the fun begin! The Royal Duck is bringing an exciting inflatable bounce house park to MainPlace for a fun-filled experience the whole family can enjoy! Families can stop by and enjoy a variety of inflatable attractions designed for kids to jump, play, and have a blast.

🎭 Broadway's Beauty and the Beast Musical (Costa Mesa)

📅 September 22-October 11, 2026
📍 Segerstrom Center for the Arts
600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

e Our Guest at BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Disney's first North American touring production of the beloved musical in over 25 years. This enchanting and timeless tale, filled with the romance and grandeur audiences know and love, has been brought to life like never before, with spectacular new sets and dazzling costumes. 

🥨 Oktoberfest at Old World (Huntington Beach)

📅 September 12-November 8, 2026
📍 The Biergarten at Old World Huntington Beach
7561 Center Ave, Huntington Beach, CA

Celebrate Oktoberfest at Old World Huntington Beach with authentic German food, live music, dancing, festive entertainment and plenty of Oktoberfest fun! Held Wednesdays through Sundays, the celebration includes both family-friendly days and 21+ evening festivities.

Things to Do in Orange County - Friday

🏮 Mid-Autumn Festival (Irvine)

📅 Friday, September 25, 2026
📍 Orange County Great Park
8000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine, CA
💰 FREE

You're invited to the sixth annual Mid-Autumn Festival, an evening of vibrant performances, cultural displays, hands-on crafts, delicious food, and more. Experience the traditions and stories that bring us together at this free, family-friendly event taking place in the Palm Court Arts Complex and the surrounding area.

🎨 Paint & Play at Potocki (Mission Viejo)

📅 Friday, September 25, 2026
📍 Potocki Center for the Arts
27301 La Paz Road, Mission Viejo, Irvine, CA
💰 FREE

Children ages 5 and under and their caregivers are invited to a free art workshop at the Potocki Center for the Arts. Little ones can explore three open-ended art stations at their own pace. These sensory-friendly activities focus on the creative process rather than a perfect final product.

🍂 Wild Tales (Newport Beach)

📅 Friday, September 18 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

🪩 Silent Disco at Irvine Spectrum (Irvine)

📅 Saturday, September 26, 2026
📍 Irvine Spectrum Center
670 Spectrum Center Dr. Irvine, CA 92618
💰 FREE

Turn your nights into a dance party! Choose your DJ, groove to your favorite hits, and create lasting memories.

🏮 Mid-Autumn Festival (Santa Ana)

📅 Saturday, September 26, 2026
📍 MainPlace Mall
2800 N Main Street, Santa Ana, CA
💰 FREE 

Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with us! This cherished tradition brings family, community, and culture together. Join us for a festive afternoon filled with cultural experiences, family-friendly activities, and seasonal fun.

🍂 Halloween Art Family Program (Orange)

📅 Saturday, September 26, 2026
📍 Irvine Park
1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869

Join us in making fun Halloween crafts for all ages and meet some zoo creatures up close! All ages welcome. Cost is $5 per family member. Parents must accompany children for entire program. Phone registration is required. To register for a class, call 714-973-6846. 

Movies in the Park: Zootopia 2 (Mission Viejo)

📅 Saturday, September 26, 2026
📍 Pavion Park
24051 Pavion, Mission Viejo, Irvine, CA
💰 FREE

Please join us for this free Movies in the Park series under the stars. The event begins at 5 pm, with the movie starting at dusk. Drop off blankets and chairs early. Refreshments and food will be available for purchase, along with free games, a bounce house, and music.

📚 Storytime and Activity at Barnes & Noble (Fullerton)

📅 Saturday, September 26, 2026Saturday, September 26, 2026
📍 Barnes & Noble Fullerton - Amerige Heights Town Center
1923 West Malvern Avenue, Fullerton, CA 92833
💰 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! 

📚 Storytime and Activity at Barnes & Noble (Tustin)

📅 Saturday, September 26, 2026Saturday, September 26, 2026
📍 Barnes & Noble Tustin - The District Tustin Legacy
2857 Park Avenue Suite #M0004, Tustin, CA 92782
💰 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! 

📚 Storytime and Activity at Barnes & Noble (Orange)

📅 Saturday, September 26, 2026
📍 Barnes & Noble Orange - Outlets at Orange
20 City Blvd W. Suite 1000, Orange, CA 92868
💰 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! 

📚 Storytime and Activity at Barnes & Noble (Aliso Viejo)

📅 Saturday, September 19, 2026Saturday, September 26, 2026
📍 Barnes & Noble Aliso Viejo - Aliso Viejo Town Center
26751 Aliso Creek RoadAliso Viejo, CA 92656
💰 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! 

📚 Storytime and Activity at Barnes & Noble (Huntington Beach)

📅 Saturday, September 26, 2026Saturday, September 19, 2026
📍 Barnes & Noble Huntington Beach - Bella Terra
7881 Edinger Ave. #110, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
💰 FREE

Join us for Storytime every SaturdaSaturday, September 19, 2026y in our Kids department! Fun activities will vary from book to book! Parents/guardians must attend with their kiddos! 

🏹 Archery for 10 and up (Anaheim Hills)

📅 Every Saturday Morning
📍 Oak Canyon Nature Center
6700 E Walnut Canyon Rd, Anaheim, CA 92807

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 & Culture (Anaheim)

📅 Every Saturday Morning
📍 Anaheim GardenWalk
400 Disney Way Anaheim, CA
💰 FREE

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 (San Clemente)

📅 Every Saturday Morning
📍 Outlets at San Clemente
101 W Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente, CA 92672
💰 FREE

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.

🚘 Exotics & Espresso (Irvine)

📅 Every Saturday Morning
📍 Eurocar
150 Progress, Irvine, CA 92618
💰 FREE

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 (Huntington Beach)

📅 Every Saturday Morning
📍 Donut Derelicts
9015 Adams Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92646
💰 FREE

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

🍂 Family Hike (Laguna Beach)

📅 Sunday, September 27, 2026
📍 James Dilley Preserve
18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Enjoy an easy 2.5-mile hike with your family at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park! Starting at the James Dilley Preserve, we will hike one of the most diverse areas of the park to Barbara's Lake and back. The hike is moderate but includes uneven terrain and approximately 45 feet of elevation gain.

🎨 MAKE: Painted Movie Scenes at OCMA (Costa Mesa)

📅 Sunday, September 27, 2026
📍 Orange County Museum of Art
3333 Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, CA
💰 FREE

This free, drop-in program is open to all ages and hosted on Level 2. Families must sit together for the duration of the project, as it may involve components that require adult supervision. 

More Fun 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 open 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 Capistrano
    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 Afaire - Pacific Coast Highway & Main, adjacent to the Huntington Beach Pier An arts and crafts fair overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
  • Orange County Farmers Markets - All Over OC | Times Vary
    Check out this list of all the farmers markets happening in 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!