The locals favorite Orange County events sites! Here's a huge list of Orange County Events THIS WEEKEND for Kids and Families - April 19 - 20, 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 Earth Day Events
Check out this huge list of the best family-friendly Earth Day Events happening in Orange County.
OC Japan Fair
The OC Fair & Event Center
88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA
April 19 - 21, 2024
All Day
FREE
Enjoy the experience of tasting, shopping and learning about Japanese culture. There will also be a cosplay show, tuna cutting show, popular Japanese artists/comedians performances, traditional instrument performances, games, kimono models meet and greet and more!!
Free Miniature Train Rides at Fairview Park
Goat Hill Junction at Fairview Park
2500 Placentia Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA
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.
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.
Beetlejuice the Musical
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA
Times Vary
April 16 - 28, 2024
It’s showtime! Based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, this hilarious musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes. With an irreverent book, an astonishing set, and a score that’s out of this Netherworld!
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, April 19, 2024
OC Public Library FREE Events
Here you will find all the family-friendly library events in your Orange County library.
Morning Playdate with Marshal from Elmo
Play & Parties
1901 N Tustin Street, Orange, CA
April 19, 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.
Strawberry Picking Tours
Tanaka Farms
5380 ¾ University Drive, Irvine, CA
April 19, 2024
Times Vary
Tanaka Farms is famous for our delicious, sweet, and juicy strawberries! Take a wagon ride around the farm. Learn about the farming methods and history of our farm from your friendly tour guide. You will see how fruits and vegetables grow! Make one stop to pick a seasonal vegetable, and then the last stop on this tour is in the strawberry patch where you can pick and eat strawberries!
Toddler Treks
Upper Newport Bay
2301 University Drive, Newport
April 19, 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, April 20, 2024
OC Public Library FREE Events
Here you will find all the family-friendly library events in your Orange County library.
Home Depot Milkweed Giveaway
Select Home Depot Stores
April 20, 2024
10am - 1pm
FREE
Smart Planet will be hosting milkweed plant giveaway events at select Home Depot store locations in California, Texas, Arizona and Illinois. At the events, young native milkweed plants will be given away to customers who stop by the Smart Planet booth.
Family Earth Day Celebration at the District
District at Tustin Legacy
2437 Park Ave, Tustin, California 92782
April 20, 2024
12 - 2pm
FREE
Families can enjoy a variety of free, hands-on activities including an interactive touch & learn activity, live DJ, face painting, balloon twisting, and Earth Day-themed kid's crafts (such as a wildflower planting station and mushroom art making craft using all recyclable materials).
Day of the Child 2024
Lincoln Park
1535 E. Broadway, Anaheim, CA
April 20, 2024
11am - 3pm
FREE
Ready to enjoy carnival games, win fantastic prizes, and take home FREE giveaways? Join us for a day of family fun and well-being at the Day of the Child hosted by Higher Ground Youth & Family Services, BACA, and The Raise Foundation! Receive free giveaways such as blankets, pillows, booster seats, bike helmets, life vests and more along with free vision, dental, and medical exams. Complimentary food and drinks will be provided.
Fancy Nancy Party
Mission Viejo Library Storytime Room
100 Civic Center, Mission Viejo, CA
11am
FREE
Families are invited to get fancy with Fancy Nancy illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser! Join the library and Robin for a special tea party! Dress in your fanciest clothes or casually for a morning of refreshments, crafts, and lessons on how to be fancy. Following the activities, our favorite illustrator will sign books available for purchase at the event through the Whale of a Tale Children's Bookshop.
Public Tour at OCMA
Orange County Museum of Art
3333 Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, CA
11:30am
FREE
Join a gallery educator for a 30-minute tour of current exhibitions. The tour invites conversation, questions, and new ideas about art. After the tour visitors are welcome to continue the dialogue with the gallery educator, connect with each other, and enjoy the art of looking.
U-Pick Strawberries at the Ecology Center
The Ecology Center
32701 Alipaz Street, San Juan Capistrano, CA
9am - 1pm
FREE
An immersive, interactive farm experience featuring educational programming and a hands-on strawberry U-pick.
Free Family Yoga on the Farm
The Ecology Center
32701 Alipaz Street, San Juan Capistrano, CA
8:50am
FREE
Staci Bina, of Bala Shala, will lead this outdoor experience for children and adults. Please arrive by 8:50am. Bring a yoga mat, towel, or blanket, as well as water (reusable bottles please). Yoga is open to all age and skill levels. We will be outdoors but mostly shaded.
Earth Day / Arbor Day Celebration
Oso Creek Trail - North of Jeronimo Road
Mission Viejo, CA
8am - 12pm
April 20, 2024
FREE
The City of Mission Viejo is hosting its annual Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebration with a planting and Green Expo. Volunteers will have the chance to embrace nature by planting trees and shrubs along the section of Oso Creek Trail that is north of Jeronimo Road. Participants should wear a hat, gloves, boots and sunscreen. Lunch and ice cream will be available for volunteers while supplies last.
Jazz in the Palm Court
Orange County Great Park
8000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine, CA
1 - 3pm
FREE
In support of “Natural Language: Contemporary Book Art,” the Great Park Gallery presents a three-part, live jazz music series, “Jazz in the Palm Court!” Inspired by a diverse range of composers and musicians, this event echoes the cultural diversity. Bring folding chairs and blankets for seating around the Gallery and Palm Court; no advance registration is needed.
"Art at the Farm" at Heritage House of Orange County
Heritage Museum of Orange County
3101 W. Harvard Street, Santa Ana, CA
April 20, 2024
10am - 1pm
GSF proudly hosts no cost hands-on public art workshops "Art at the Farm" the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. Please RSVP to @GospelSwampFarm on Instagram.
Earth Day Event at MainPlace Mall
MainPlace Mall
2800 N Main St., Santa Ana, CA
12 –3pm
FREE
Bring the family to Center Court for some Earth Day fun! Throughout the event, there will be a “Planet vs. Plastic” art display that will serve as a creative backdrop for selfies and an opportunity to educate children about the many kinds of plastic waste that can harm the environment. Children attending the event will also enjoy a special planter-decorating kids craft as well as a sweet Earth Day-themed treat (each while supplies last).
Santa Ana Sueña
El Sol Science and Arts Academy
328 W. Halesworth Santa Ana, CA 92701
April 20, 2024
1 - 4pm
FREE
Free Family FUN for the Whole Community! Each child in attendance will create their own book cover using Travieso Press printing tools and take home an original book. Professor Ana Rosas and her team of UCI students present an historical exhibit of handwritten letters created by the first parents of El Sol to their children expressing to them the importance of a quality, dual language education. Visitors can write their own letter to be saved in the El Sol archives. Santa Ana native Moises Vasquez and his band will entertain with lively tunes and dance music. Free street tacos while they last...first come first served! Enjoy story telling, poetry station, El Sol Folklorica, ART Activities and raffle prizes!!
Family Storytime!
Placentia Library
411 E. Chapman Avenue, Placentia, 92870
10am
FREE
Get ready to kick off the weekend with Family Storytime! All families are invited to join us on Saturday mornings, where we'll read aloud fun stories, sing and dance to favorite tunes, learn new rhymes and fingerplays, and make wonderfully silly crafts.
Laser Shows the OCC Planetarium
OCC Planetarium
2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa, CA
Saturday, March 23, 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 23, 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 23, 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, April 6, 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 23, 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.
Coffee and Donuts at Ted’s
Ted's Diner
23990 Aliso Creek Rd, Laguna Niguel, CA
7:30 - 8am
FREE EVENT
Hot Rod Car meet-up every Saturday.
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, April 21, 2024
OC Public Library FREE Events
Here you will find all the family-friendly library events in your Orange County library.
Earth Day at Pretend City
Pretend City
29 Hubble, Irvine, CA
April 21, 2024
11am - 3pm
Celebrate Earth Day with as ClimateLitNow! Did you know that Californians throw away nearly 6 million tons of food scraps or food waste each year. Stop by Pretend City and learn all things composting. What, how and why to compost, and the science of thermophilic bacteria!
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.”
Earth Day Celebration
Chino Hills State Park Discovery Center
4500 Carbon Canyon Rd, Brea, CA 92823
Sunday, April 21, 2024
10am - 2pm
FREE
Come out for fun and interactive workshops at the Chino Hills State Park Discovery Center this Earth Day!
Heritage House of Orange County Public Hours
Heritage Museum of Orange County
3101 W. Harvard Street, Santa Ana, CA
April 6 & 7, 2024
10am - 2pm
Admission helps support this local Orange County non profit museum and allows access to tour the 12 acre grounds including the historic 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!
FREE: Sunday Concerts at The Richard Nixon Library
Richard Nixon Presidential Library
18001 Yorba Linda Blvd, Yorba Linda, CA
2 - 3pm
Concerts are generally held Sundays and are free and open to the public.
Doors open at 1:30 pm, and the music begins at 2:00 pm unless otherwise noted.
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.
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!!!!!
- Imaginology: Free STEAM Event at OC Fair
- 2024 CHOC Walk in the Park at Disneyland Resort
- BEETLEJUICE the Musical Comes to Orange County's Segerstrom Center for the Arts
- 25 Earth Day Events in Orange County for Kids [2024]
- Irvine Park Railroad Easter Eggstravaganza Guide [2024]
- 12 St. Patrick's Day Events in Orange County for Families [2024]
- 101 Easter Egg Hunts & Spring Events in Orange County [2024]
- Discovery Cube Solar System Encounter: What to Expect