Fun Orange County Events this Weekend 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 13 - 15, 2024. 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.

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Things to Do in Orange County ALL Weekend
Things to Do in Orange County - Friday, September 13, 2024
Things to Do in Orange County - Saturday, September 14, 2024
Things to Do in Orange County - Sunday, September 15, 2024

Things to Do in Orange County ALL Weekend

Here are some fun things happening multiple days during this weekend in Orange County.

Guide to Apple Picking in Oak Glen
Apple picking season is here! Check out this guide to visiting Oak Glen and how to navigate it from Orange County.
Orange County Storytimes
Huge list of every story time in Orange County listed by city. Includes storytimes for public libraries, local business, and community centers.
Maritime Festival in Dana Point
Ocean Institute
24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA
September 13 - 15, 2024
All Day
FREE EVENT
The festival will feature local vendors, food trucks, beer gardens, the Seadog Saloon, Lil’ Lads Landing, Sailor Camp, local marine life, tall ships, and more! The Maritime Festival has been a beloved community event for the past 40 years, and we are thrilled to continue celebrating Dana Point’s rich maritime history. Additional ticketed experiences available.
Free Miniature Train Rides at Fairview Park
Goat Hill Junction at Fairview Park
2500 Placentia Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA
September 14 - 15, 2024
10:30am - 3:30pm
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! Free.
Creep it Real Nostalgic at Heritage Museum
Heritage Museum of Orange County
3101 W. Harvard Street, Santa Ana, CA
September 14 - 15, 2024
1 - 7pm
Join the 80's and 90's Trick or Treat Party at Creep It Real OC's 5th Halloween Festival! Celebrate spooky nostalgia with local vendors, delicious food, and plenty of treats. Explore the grounds, take part in a scavenger hunt for 90's collectibles like POGs, and visit the Museum of Nostalgia. Enjoy live music, a costume march, and meet stars from The Nightmare Before Christmas. Don’t miss out on the fun!
Fiestas Patrias
Downtown Santa Ana Historic District on 4th Street
3101 W. Harvard Street, Santa Ana, CA
September 14 - 15, 2024
12 - 10pm
FREE EVENT
Join Santa Ana’s Fiestas Patrias for a weekend of free festivities celebrating Mexican independence and Latin American communities in Orange County! Enjoy a parade, street fair, live music, carnival rides, delicious food, a beer garden, cultural exhibitors, and more. Fun for the whole family!
Roger's Gardens Halloween Boutique 'The Gathering'
Rogers Gardens, Newport Beach
2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd. Corona del Mar, CA 92625
August 30 - October 31, 2024
9am - 6pm
FREE
You are invited to "The Gathering" at Roger’s Gardens, where witches from around the world come together for their annual coven. Held in an overgrown forest where nature meets the supernatural, this mystical event showcases spellbinding décor, bewitching accessories, and haunting treasures. Immerse yourself in a world of magic and mystery as you explore the Halloween Boutique at Roger's Gardens, where every corner holds a secret waiting to be discovered.
Project Playhouse 2024 at Irvine Spectrum
Irvine Spectrum Center
670 Spectrum Center Dr. Irvine, CA 92618
September 5 - October 5, 2024
All Day
FREE
Project Playhouse is making a grand return to HomeAid Orange County at Irvine Spectrum Center! Make your way to the Giant Wheel Lawn to discover a collection of innovative and beautifully designed playhouses, while supporting a great cause. Join us for an unforgettable and inspiring experience where you can dive into a world of creativity and witness incredible talent.
Pumpkin Patch at Irvine Park Railroad
Irvine Park
1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA
September 14 - October 31, 2024
All Day
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. The Pumpkin Patch is located just behind the train station and admission is FREE. Please note that a gate entrance fee will be charged by the County of Orange for each vehicle that enters Irvine Regional Park.
Pumpkin Patch at Tanaka Farms
Tanaka Farms
5380 ¾ University Drive, Irvine, CA
September 14 - October 31, 2024
9:30am - 2:30pm
Pick your own pumpkin at Tanaka Farms, one of the few real pumpkin patches in Orange County! Enjoy activities like unlimited wagon rides and U-Pick Veggies. Visit www.TanakaFarms.com and click on the Pumpkin Patch page for details. Parking passes are required on weekends with a $10 fee starting at 12pm on Fridays and all day on Saturdays and Sundays. Parking is limited, so be sure to get your pass in advance!
SEUSSICAL The Musical
GEM Theater
12852 Main St, Garden Grove, CA
August 22 - September 29, 2024
11am - 3pm
One More Productions at The GEM Theatre presents SEUSSICAL The Musical! Join us as we bring the beloved world of Dr. Seuss to life, featuring characters you know and love. This family-friendly musical is a celebration of friendship, loyalty, and the power of being unique. Originally produced by One More Productions in 2008, we're thrilled to bring it back to The GEM stage for a new generation to enjoy. Don’t miss this vibrant and heartwarming show!
Weekend Walks at Oak Canyon Nature Center
Oak Canyon Nature Center
Anaheim Hills, CA 92807
August 24 & 25, 2024
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.
Knott's Soak City
Knott's Soak City
8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA
Every Day
A 15-acre water adventure park immediately adjacent to Knott’s Berry Farm. Enjoy 23 speed, tube and body slides including Shore Break featuring 6 different waterslides and a fun family raft ride, The Wedge, 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.
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 13, 2024

Morning Playdate with Hello Kitty
Play & Parties
1901 N Tustin Street, Orange, CA
September 13, 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.
Animal Art I Preschool Program at the OC Zoo
OC Zoo
1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869
September 13, 2024
10:15am
Class includes hands-on learning, fun crafts, and meeting zoo creatures up close! Program is for ages 3-4 years old ONLY. Cost is $5 per child (one parent included). Parent must accompany child for entire program. Phone registration is required. To register for a class, call 714-973-6846.
Movies in the Park - Newport Beach
Buffalo Hills Park
1891 Port Provence Place, Newport Beach, California 92660
September 13, 2024
6 - 9pm
FREE
Wonka! Bring family, friends and neighbors out to Irvine Terrace Park to enjoy some fresh air, free popcorn, free candy, free activities, and a live screening of "Wonka". The event begins at 6:00 p.m. around dusk. Remember to bring a chair, blanket, or towel for comfortable sitting during the movie.
Wild Tales
Upper Newport Bay
2301 University Drive, Newport
10:00 - 10:45am
FREE
Join OC Parks for Wild Tales, a fun outdoor program for kids ages 2-5! Enjoy story time, a short hike, and a themed craft focused on nature. Held at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center, this free program offers a new topic each week. Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. Free parking included.
Main Street Classic Car Show
Historic Main Street, Garden Grove
September 13, 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 - Saturday, September 14, 2024

OC Public Library FREE Events
Here you will find all the family-friendly library events in your Orange County library.
Centennial Farm’s 35th Celebration
The OC Fair & Event Center
88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA
September 14, 2024
11am - 3pm
Commemorate the 35th anniversary of Centennial Farm with a family-friendly celebration that’s sure to be a hit with all ages! Dive into the rich history and bright future of our community’s beloved Centennial Farm, a beacon of agricultural education for students from Orange County and beyond that highlights the vital role of farming in our everyday lives. The day will be packed full of fun, learning and delicious food!
Mid-Autumn Festival at the Great Park
Orange County Great Park
Great Park Palm Court
8000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine, CA
5 - 9:30pm
FREE
The City of Irvine, in partnership with South Coast Chinese Cultural Center, will gather the community for the fourth annual Mid-Autumn Festival at the Great Park. Explore unique cultural displays and discover valuable resources provided by local community organizations. This family-friendly festival will feature educational displays, live entertainment, crafts, specialty food trucks, artistic demonstrations, and more.
Art Walk at MainPlace Mall
MainPlace Mall
2800 N Main St., Santa Ana, CA
September 14, 2024
2 – 5pm
FREE
Guests can enjoy this family-friendly event by interacting with local artists, listening to live music, and participating in hands-on workshops, which are perfect for all ages. As you stroll through the mall, you can also enjoy prominent murals painted by local artists. And while you’re here, check out our Art Gallery, Galería of Imagination, located on the lower level across from Boudin SF.
Chess and Checkers in the Nature Area
Mile Square Park
16801 Euclid Street, Fountain Valley, CA
September 14, 2024
9am - 12pm
FREE
Stop by Mile Square's Nature Area for a day of chess, checkers, art, and fun! Free chess and checkers sets will be available, along with art supplies like colored pencils, coloring pages, paper, and watercolors. Feel free to bring your own materials! We’ll be at the picnic tables on the south side of the Nature Area, near the entrance from the overflow lot.
Family Hike: Red Rocks/Black Star Canyon
Black Star Canyon
13333 Black Star Canyon Rd, Silverado, CA
September 14, 2024
6 - 8:30pm
FREE
Join us for a family-friendly hike in Black Star Canyon, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. This easy-paced, 3-4 mile hike along a flat trail and dry creek is perfect for spotting red-tailed hawks and mule deer. Ideal for those who prefer a slower, low-level hike. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes, sturdy shoes, and bring water.
Laser Shows the OCC Planetarium
OCC Planetarium
2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa, CA
September 14, 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.
Family Storytime!
Placentia Library
411 E. Chapman Avenue, Placentia, 92870
September 14, 2024
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.
Archery for 10 and up
Oak Canyon Nature Center
Anaheim Hills, CA 92807
September 14, 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.
All Ages Wood Workshops
AR Workshop
31107 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite B2, San Juan Capistrano, CA
September 14, 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
September 14, 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
September 14, 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
September 14, 2024
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 - Sunday, September 15, 2024

OC Public Library FREE Events
Here you will find all the family-friendly library events in your Orange County library.
Mermaid Tea By the Sea in Dana Point
Ocean Institute
24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA
September 15, 2024
1:15am
You are cordially invited to join us for an afternoon Mermaid Tea By the Sea! Delight in a selection of finger sandwiches, scones, and a variety of teas. This enchanting experience includes a dazzling mermaid swim show, a captivating story time, and a photo opportunity with the mermaids. Plus, every ticket includes a Festival Adventure Pass to the Maritime Festival for even more fun and excitement throughout the day! It's an experience you and your family will not want to miss!
Heritage House Open House in Mission Viejo
Heritage House at Melinda Park
28951 Melinda Rd, Mission Viejo, CA
September 15, 2024
11am - 1pm
FREE EVENT
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.”

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.