Weekend Events for Families in Orange County

Weekend Events for June 16 – 17, 2018 – It’s Father’s Day weekend!!! what are you planning on doing in Orange County with dad? there are some great family-friendly events happening in the OC this Saturday and Sunday. some are FREE!!! hope you have a great weekend. (to submit your event, email jillparkin@gmail.com by the wednesday before your event.)

All Weekend

Summer Movies in Orange County | Check out this list of over 100 Summer Movies! There are movies on the beach, movies at the park, summer movie programs for kids and a list of drive-in theaters. FREE

Father’s Day at Dana Point Harbor – Enjoy the art walk, whale watching, restaurants, ocean views, beaches, the Ocean Institute, galleries, boutiques and more.

Ghost Town Alive! | Knott’s Berry Farm – Ghost Town Alive! has returned 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, where the power to unlock adventures is in the hands of every guest. Ghost Town Alive! Runs on select days now through September 3.

Aliso Viejo Fairy Trail is OPEN!!! | Oso Creek Trail in Mission Viejo – The Caring Fairies can be visited at the Oso Creek Trail in Mission Viejo. The begining of the fairy trail is located at 27301 La Paz Road, Mission Viejo, California 92692, adjacent to the Potocki Center for the Arts. The trail is open from sunrise to sunset. Free public parking and fairy map is available at the Potocki Center for the Arts.

Saturday, June 16, 2018

Truck Adventures for Kids | Oc Fair & Event Center | 9:00am – 2:00pm – This unique fun-filled event will bring families and children together in the community. Children of all ages will be able to get up-close-and-personal with all types of trucks and other exciting vehicles they see every day on the road. Fire trucks, police cars, construction vehicles and many more will be on display for children to see, explore, sit in the driver’s seat and talk to the individuals who drive these vehicles.

Movies on the Beach – Sand Lot | Newport Dunes | Movie starts at Dusk – Newport Dunes’ Movies on the Beach is offered every weekend from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The whole family can enjoy the movies, so bring the kids. Be sure to bring blankets, beach chairs and jackets for the cool Summer nights. FREE

Star Wars Day | OC Zoo, Irvine Regional Park | 10:00am – 3:00pm – Let the force be with you when you visit the zoo! Join us for a fun day that includes Star Wars characters, kids crafts, and games. Zoo animals will receive special treats and there will be scheduled Animal Meet-and-Greets throughout the day. All visitors are encouraged to come dressed in Star Wars attire/costume. The first 100 children ages 12 & under in Star Wars costume will receive a free gift and a free train ride ticket at Irvine Park Railroad. Activities are free with paid zoo admission ($2 per person, ages 2 & under free. Coupons & passes are not accepted for special events. Parking fee is $5 per car

Chili at the Beach | Huntington Beach Pier, Main Street – This is a fun event for Father’s Day with a Chili Cook-Off and Salsa Tasting Contest. Held on the Saturday of Father’s Day weekend, this event includes a marketplace with vendors featuring products and activities geared towards men’s interests and gifts for Dad, musical entertainment on 2 stages and roving street performers. Kid’s Zone, Family-friendly!

Movie at the Park: The Jungle Book | Carbon Canyon Park | dusk – The 2018 OC Parks Sunset Cinema kicks off with The Jungle Book (2016) at Carbon Canyon Regional Park. Pack a picnic, blankets, and beach chairs and head to OC Parks Sunset Cinema and enjoy recent popular flicks and introduce the young ones in your life to beloved classics. All movies are free to attend, with free parking beginning at 6 p.m. and show times starting around 8 p.m. after the sun has set. Food trucks will be serving on-site. The Nature of Wildworks will be hosting the pre-show entertainment, with a variety of animals to share with the public. FREE

Movie in the Park: Ferdinand | Eastside Community Park in Yorba Linda | 8:00 pm – Watch a movie in the Park! Bring your chairs and blankets.

Beachfront Cinema in Huntington Beach: Wonder Woman | 7:00 – Beachfront Cinema is the premier outdoor movie experience, which takes place on the beautiful sandy beaches of Southern California. This one of a kind event consists of a reserved, premium area on the California State Beach, featuring one of the largest inflatable, outdoor movie screens in California. With top end production elements including theater quality projection and sound, Beach Front Cinema also features plush, jumbo-sized beanbags, food vendors, live bands, beach bar, contests, games and some of the most amazing sunsets on the West Coast.

Walk with a Naturalist | O’Neill Regional Park | 9:00 – 10:30am – Join O’Neill Regional Park naturalists and learn about the animals and nature of Trabuco Canyon. This will be a light to moderate walk on mostly paved roads. All ages welcome. Meet at the Nature Center Patio. Event is conditional on the weather. FREE

Animal Feeding Day at Bolsa Chica Conservancy | Bolsa Chica Conservancy, Huntington Beach | 12:00 – 1:00 pm – Come join us to learn more about the animals at our interpretive center! During the feeding, we will cover feeding habits and general biology and anatomy of our reptiles and marine animals! *Please note: snake feedings involve live mice.* FREE

See Classic Cars at Donut Derelicts | Donut Derelicts – 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. FREE

Father’s Day Super Games Day | Pretend City – Do you have a SUPER DAD?! What about a SUPER grandpa, uncle, or care-taker?! Today is all about highlighting the super person in your life to celebrate Father’s Day! We will be celebrating with lots of activities to celebrate the dads in our lives! Check out our a ctivities below! Bring your dad or other special male caregiver to join in on the fun.

Sunday, June 17, 2018

Happy Father’s Day!

Father’s Day Car Show | Balboa Bay Club | 11:00am – 3:00pm – Enjoy a fine collection of cars, great music, family fun, and more. From rare to classic, custom or antique, there’s a wide variety of cars and something for everyone. Cocktails and concessions will be available for purchase. Car show entrance is complimentary thanks to Balboa Bay Club.

Crusin’ Classic Car Show | Downtown Brea | 10:00am – 4:00pm – Enjoy 100’s of classic cars. This year’s show will have a lot of variety and will be the largest one ever. Bring the entire family and treat dad on Father’s Day to a car show featuring Southern California’s hottest cars! Downtown Brea has plenty of restaurants, shops, and 22 Edwards Theaters to entertain everyone. Bring a can of food for the Orange County Food Bank – Let’s Help those That Are without Food!

Strawberry Tours and Corn Festival | Tanaka Farms – Strawberry Tours are every half hour from 9:30 am – 2:30 pm. No reservations needed. Cost is $18 per person and includes tractor ride, box of strawberries and more! Corn Festival is weekends in June. Food, games, vendors, crafts, and more!

Take Your Father on a Nature Hike | Crystal Cove State Park | 9:00am – Take Your Father on a Nature Hike and celebrate the day at Crystal Cove State Park where a docent will share fun facts about the plants and animals living in the park. Meet at the Berns Amphitheater (PCH inland at stoplight School-State Park follow the signs to the Campground/Moro day use.) $15 day-use fee

Ranger Led Hike | Caspers Wilderness Park | 8:00 – 9:15am – Join OC Parks Rangers for a 1-mile nature hike in the beautiful Bell Canyon area of Caspers Wilderness Park. Hike lasts approximately one hour and is suitable for all ages. FREE Parking is $5 per vehicle