Orange County Events THIS WEEKEND for Kids and Families - May, 20, 21 & 22, 2022. Here are some fun things to do in Orange County this weekend. This is a list of the BEST Events in the OC for kids and families. All the OC activities on this list are happening this Friday, Saturday or Sunday...some events are FREE!
Looking for – FREE family activities, children's activities, a community event, food trucks, OC entertainment, live performances or live music, craft fairs with local merchants or unique vendors, neighborhood special events, a parade or festivals? If they are happening in Southern California, they will be listed.
(To submit your event, email jill@sandytoesandpopsicles.com.) Details change! Double check event's website before going.
Things to Do in Orange County This Weekend
OC Events Happening ALL Weekend in OC
Knott's Ghost Town Alive!
Knott's Berry Farm
8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA
All Day until 5:30pm
Ghost Town Alive! returns to Knott's Berry Farm for the summer complete with bandits, cowboys, robberies, judges, a good ol' western hoedown, and much more! Guests can visit the beloved town of Calico and experience an authentic western adventure by becoming a star in this summer's story of the Wild West.
Knott's Soak City - Opening Weekend
Knott's Soak City
8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA
All Day until 5:30pm
Knott’s Soak City Waterpark is a separately gated 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 and a thrilling family raft ride, The Wedge; the 750,000-gallon Tidal Wave Bay wavepool; a one‑third‑mile Sunset River; and the three‑story Beach House, featuring 200 water guns, nozzles, sprayers and other interactive surprises.
U-Pick Wagon Rides
Tanaka Farms, Irvine
5380 ¾ University Drive, Irvine, CA
Times Vary
Make dinner tonight with produce that you picked! Come on out to the farm for a U-Pick Wagon Ride that includes a wagon ride around the farm. You will learn about Tanaka Farms and its history, farming methods, and the crops we grow. You will make a few stops in the fields to pick your own produce. After the wagon ride, visit the animals in our Barnyard Educational Exhibit!
U-Pick Strawberries at South Coast Farms
South Coast Farms
33201 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, CA
10am - 4pm
It's $5/LB for Strawberry U-Pick. You pay for what you pick! $5 Entrance fee per car. No reservations needed. Walk-ins are welcome! When you arrive at Tree of Life Nursery follow the U-Pick signs out to the field to park and pick!
Strawberry Tour at Tanaka Farms
Tanaka Farms, Irvine
5380 ¾ University Drive, Irvine, CA
Times Vary
Take a wagon ride around the farm. Learn about farming and the history of our farm from a friendly tour guide. 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! Everyone will take home a one-pound basket of strawberries! After the tour, visit the Barnyard Educational Exhibit where you can meet and interact with our barnyard friends.
Sunflower Picking at Hana Fields
Hana Fields, Costa Mesa
427 Anton Boulevard, Costa Mesa
Times Vary
GENERAL ADMISSION: $10 - DOES NOT INCLUDE FLOWER PICKING (Children 2 & Under and Military are FREE). Keepsake U-Pick Flower Cup: $15 - Includes up to 15 blooms. Flower cutters are $8 - OR BRING YOUR OWN!
Fun Things to Do in Orange County with Family
Places to Visit with Families ALL Weekend in Orange County
- 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 and 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. - Donut Life Museum - Westminster Mall | Times Vary
Get ready to experience donuts in a new way! Orange County's selfie museum with a donut experience that captures moments in life through the creativity of donuts.
Free Things to Do This Weekend in Orange County
- Centennial Farm - OC Fair & Event Center | Times Va
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.
Things to Do in Orange County This Friday, May 20, 2022
Make sure to check the "Happening ALL Weekend" event list above.
International Food Festival
Westminster Mall
1025 Westminster Mall, Wesstminster, CA
5-9pm
Explore over international food truck vendors and merchants. Enjoy international food selections, and shop from local vendors!
In front of the JCPenny entrance.
Black Berry Picking at Tanaka Farms
Tanaka Farms, Irvine
5380 ¾ University Drive, Irvine, CA
3pm
WALK out to the Blackberry Fields to pick (& eat!) some juicy, sweet, delicious, Tanaka Farms grown berries! Everyone entering the fields must pay the $8 entry fee, which includes picking to eat in the fields. BLACKBERRIES: 6-ounce baskets are $4 each to fill. There is no wagon ride or tour as part of this activity. Just berry picking.
Special Guest Playtime with Pikachu
Play & Parties
The Village at Orange Mall
1500 E. Village Way, Suite 2131, Orange, CA
10:30am
Play & Parties is a new store and party place at that hosts Live Storytimes, Singalongs, Kids Clubs & Parties! They offer safe, socially distanced creative experiences, and quality educational gifts, books, & dress up.
Storytime at the Barnyard
Tanaka Farms
5380 ¾ University Drive, Irvine, CA
10:30am
Join Tanaka Farms at the Barnyard Educational Exhibit for Storytime! Barnyard volunteers and staff will be reading farm-themed stories right by all our Barnyard friends. After storytime, visit with the animals! Storytime lasts about 30 minutes. (Geared towards children 1 - 5 years old.) Event is included with your $5 general admission ticket.
Family Class: Butterflies, Bees and Bugs
Sherman Library & Gardens
2647 East Coast Highway, Corona del Mar, CA
9:30am
During this family friendly class, we will talk about what a pollinator is, which ones we find locally, and what we can do to help them. Then we’ll take a walk through the garden to find some of our pollinators’ favorite flowers and find out why. You will take home a pollinator friendly native plant and lots of tips about attracting wildlife to your garden.
Kids Play with Goats
Goods and Goat Market, San Juan Capistrano
9am - noon
Fun for Adults and kids! Come anytime between the hours listed and stay as long as you would like. Booking online is not necessary. This special time is set aside for ALL GOAT LOVERS to visit the farm.
Wild Tales
Upper Newport Bay
2301 University Drive, Newport
10:00 - 10:45am
FREE
Upper Newport Bay’s long-running and popular storytime is back! Wild tales will be offered every Friday and include an outdoor storytime in our newly renovated amphitheater, an age-appropriate hike, and a craft project in our classroom. Each session will have a new story, hike theme, and craft project.
Weekend Entertainment at Irvine Spectrum
Irvine Spectrum Center, Irvine, CA
6 - 8pm
Irvine Spectrum Center presents Weekend Entertainment. Join us Friday and Saturday evenings to listen to the sweet sounds of some local talent. This Friday is Kianna Ugalde.
Main Street Classic Car Show
Historic Main Street, Garden Grove
4-8pm
FREE
The Main Street Classic Car Show is the longest-running car show in Orange County, California. Classics are on display for sure. But you’re likely to find all types of vehicles on the show-strip any given Friday. Because there are roughly 50 parking spaces. And with the show running every Friday you’re bound to catch a wide variety of rids on display.
Things to Do in Orange County This Saturday, May 21, 2022
Make sure to check the "Happening ALL Weekend" event list above.
Sweet Street Dessert
200 W Center Street Promenade
Noon - 4pm
Downtown Anaheim is giving you the chance to step into every dessert lover's dream - right on the Center Street Promenade!Discover some of the best desserts Southern California has to offer! Indulge in some classic ice cream, chow down on delicious toffee, munch on hand-crafted cookies, and so much more!
Spring Party
MainPlace Mall
2800 N Main St., Santa Ana, CA
1 - 3pm
Stop by to create your own flower crown made from beautiful fresh flowers. There will also be a springtime wooden craft for kids and a live musician! 
The first 100 MyPerks members who stop by the MyPerks Lounge will receive a free wildflower planter kit! Not a member? No problem. Click here to join: https://bit.ly/3sbWOVY
Gilby the Gecko at Pretend City
Pretend City Children's Museum
29 Hubble, Irvine, CA
11am & 2:30pm
Our friend and local author, Angela Garbis, will be here to introduce us to her very special friend, Gilby the Gecko. This is a mysterious and engaging book about a gecko named Gilby whose sense and intuition lead him on an adventure of exploring a fire station. Gilby is entranced with curiosity, fun and wonder as he discovers all the various components of a fire station.
Backyard Bugs
Upper Newport Bay
2301 University Drive, Newport
1 - 3pm
FREE
Insects are the most diverse group of animals on Planet Earth and make up 80% of all known species. There are more different kinds of bugs than all the other types of animals combined! Join us on a family friendly trek around Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve to learn all about these amazing animals who have perfected the art of ecological specialization. Insects may have a reputation for being icky, but in fact, they are essential pollinators who are needed to sustain life on our Planet.
Kids Walk a Goat
Goods and Goat Market, San Juan Capistrano
9am - noon
Join Farmer James and our herd for a nature walk down our trail. The walk takes about 30 minutes and then follow up with all kinds of Goat Cuddles!
Free Public Tour
Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa
10am
FREE
Take a free tour of Orange County's award-winning home for the performing arts and see Segerstrom Center in a whole new light! Led by Segerstrom Center volunteer Docents, guests will explore the remarkable campus while experiencing the details and history of this cultural arts hub located in the heart of Orange County.
Family Fun Workshop at AR Workshop
AR Workshop
31107 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite B2 San Juan Capistrano, CA
10am - 1pm
Join AR Workshop for a family DIY class to make one of their many Wood Projects! Choose from a Plank Wood Sign, Porch Sign, Bath Tray, Framed Wood Sign, Round Lazy Susan, Centerpiece Box, Wood Clock, Plank Wood Tray, Pedestal Tray, or Wood Photo Frame. In the workshop, you will have the opportunity to customize your project with your choice of designer paints and (non-toxic!) stain colors.
Whimsical Garden Craft Workshops
Dragonfly Shops & Gardens
260 N Glassell St, Orange, CA
Times vary
Offering a fun variety of classes, including Mosaic Tiling, Beading & Jewelry Making Workshops, Windchimes, Dreamcatchers, Fairy & Miniature Garden Workshops, Succulent Container Workshops, Gardening, Essential Oils, Macrame, Kokedamas, and so much more. Registration required.
Chicks & Sprouts Educational Workshop for Kids!
Tanaka Farms
5380 ¾ University Drive, Irvine, CA
9:30am - 1pm
This interactive workshop teaches children how baby chickens grow inside the egg as well as how plants grow! Children will plant their own giant sunflowers to bring home, harvest a vegetable, and visit with our barnyard friends. This workshop is geared towards children 3 to 10 years old. The entire experience lasts about an hour and a half.
Weekend Entertainment at Irvine Spectrum
Irvine Spectrum Center, Irvine, CA
6 - 8pm
Irvine Spectrum Center presents Weekend Entertainment. Join us Friday and Saturday evenings to listen to the sweet sounds of some local talent. This Saturday is 3 Mile Radius.
Kids Play with Goats
Goods and Goat Market, San Juan Capistrano
9am - 2pm
Fun for Adults and kids! Come anytime between the hours listed and stay as long as you would like. Booking online is not necessary. This special time is set aside for ALL GOAT LOVERS to visit the farm.
Wyland’s Whale and Dolphin Adventure Art Lessons In The Wild
9am - Noon
Dana Wharf Whale Watching
34571 Golden Lantern Street, Dana Point, CA
This exclusive package for kids ages 12 and under, includes an art lesson via video feed by environmental artist Wyland and a FREE 2-hour whale watching adventure. Each child that participates in the Art Lesson (cost is $10) will be entered in a contest to win prizes as well as a gift from Wyland and Dana Wharf just for entering! Reservations required.
South OC Cars and Coffee
Outlets At San Clemente, San Clemente
9 - 11am
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.
See Classic Cars at Donut Derelicts
Donut Derelicts, Huntington Beach
Saturday Morning
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 This Sunday, May 22, 2022
Make sure to check the "Happening ALL Weekend" event list above.
Chicks & Sprouts Educational Workshop for Kids!
Tanaka Farms, Irvine
5380 ¾ University Drive, Irvine, CA
9:30am - 1pm
This interactive workshop teaches children how baby chickens grow inside the egg as well as how plants grow! Children will plant their own giant sunflowers to bring home, harvest a vegetable, and visit with our barnyard friends. This workshop is geared towards children 3 to 10 years old. The entire experience lasts about an hour and a half.
Kids Play with Goats
Goods and Goat Market, San Juan Capistrano
11:30am - 4pm
Fun for Adults and kids! Come anytime between the hours listed and stay as long as you would like. Booking online is not necessary. This special time is set aside for ALL GOAT LOVERS to visit the farm.
Kid’s Fishing Clinic Sundays
Dana Wharf Sportfishing, Dana Point
12:15pm
Dana Wharf Sportfishing invites children 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 $59 and Children ages 5-12 will fish for FREE when they are enrolled in the Kids Fishing Clinic!
What's the Surf This Weekend in Orange County?
- FRIDAY - AM: flat CHOPPY | PM: flat CLEAN
- SATURDAY - AM: flat CLEAN | PM: flat CLEAN
- SUNDAY - AM: flat FAIR | PM: flat FAIR
Don't forget about all of these fun things to do in Orange County!!!!!
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