Weekend Events for Families in Orange County

Weekend Events for Families in Orange County – November 23 & 24, 2019. Here are the top fun things to do in Orange County this weekend. There is something for everyone! All the events on this list are happening here in the OC this Saturday and Sunday…some are even FREE!

(To submit your event, email jillparkin@gmail.com by the Wednesday before your event.)

Things to Do in Orange County This Weekend

150 Christmas Events in Orange County
Check out these AMAZING Christmas Events happening all over Orange County. Get your calendars out!

Apple Picking in Oak Glen LAST CHANCE!!!
Oak Glen | All Day
Time to come up to pick apples, press cider, pet animals, shop, ride horses, trains and eat many delicious local treats.

Oso Creek Fairy House Trail
Oso Creek Trail, Mission Viejo | All Day
The caring fairies have returned and you can visit their fairy houses. A fun family friendly walk through the park to find amazing little fairy houses set up by artists. FREE

Knott’s Merry Farm (Opening Weekend!)
Knott’s Berry Farm
Spend the most wonderful time of the year with your family at Knott’s Merry Farm enjoying thrilling holiday attractions, live entertainment, a Christmas Crafts Village, festive food, lavish holiday decorations, and nightly snow in Ghost Town. Knott’s Merry Farm is Southern California’s ultimate holiday festival full of Christmas activities and attractions for the entire family. Park-goers of all ages can enjoy classic shows like Merry Christmas, Snoopy!, the beloved ice show starring the famous beagle, the Peanuts Gang and a cast of world-class ice skaters. ‘Tis the season for delectable food creations that can’t be found anywhere else, and only offered this time of year. The streets of Calico play host to traditional Christmas Carolers, a Christmas Crafts Village offering one-of-a-kind gift ideas, Santa’s Christmas Cabin, a nightly tree lighting ceremony, the enchanting Snow and Glow experience, plus so much more.

Holiday Farm Tours (with Santa!)
Tanaka Farms, Irvine | 9:30am – 2:30pm
Take a wagon ride around our 30 acre farm and sample the delicious winter vegetables growing along the way. (Yes, we are a real working farm!) Your friendly tour guide will tell you all about our farm and history as you enjoy the scenery. Make a special stop on the tour in Tanaka Land on top of the hill where you might get caught up in a snow flurry! You will also have the opportunity to take photos with Santa and other farm-themed holiday sets while enjoying the gorgeous view. The wagon will then transport you back down where you can continue the winter fun and photo opportunities. This tour lasts approximately 1 hour.

Santa’s Wonderland
Bass Pro Shops, Rancho Cucamonga | 5:00 – 8:00pm
Stop by Bass Pro Rancho for tons of fun during Santa’s Wonderland! We’ll have free photos with Santa (One free 4×6 per family), crafts, giveaways, fun & games for the kids, and much more! Show up early to get a Bass Pass, which allows you to come back during your allotted time frame to take your photo with Santa! Each Bass Pass is redeemable for one free photo with Santa during the time listed on your Bass Pass! We hope to see you soon & look forward to making your Holiday dreams come true here at Bass Pro Shops! FREE

Sawdust Art Festival’s Annual Winter Fantasy
Laguna Beach Sawdust Festival | All day
Featuring 180 artists and makers, 3 stages of live music, holiday-themed festival classes and ceramics, art demonstrations, daily visits with Santa, carolers, a petting zoo, marionette shows, falling snow, thousands of lights and decorations for your perfect festive photo ops, outdoor cafes and saloon, and so much more!

Stand Up Paddleboarding and Surfing Santa Competition
The Ritz-Carlton Dana Point | 8:00am – 4:00pm
A fun, two-day surf competition where men, women and children dress like Santa or other holiday-inspired characters and surf or stand up paddle board to benefit Surfers Healing. FREE

Planetarium Shows
OCC Planetarium
Family presentations at the OCC Planetarium with rotating shows – Magic Tree House 🌳 and Capcom Go! 🚀 until the beginning of October! Public programs are a cornerstone of the Planetarium’s mission. Come enjoy a rotating schedule of breathtaking full-dome experiences.

Discover Nature Family Program
Oak Canyon Nature Center | 10:30am
Join staff of Oak Canyon Nature Center weekend mornings for an hour long, naturalist-led hike through Oak Canyon and a live animal demonstration themed to the Canyon’s plants, animals, history, ecology, and more! Admission is free but a $5 per family is suggested.

Weekends on the Farm
The Ecology Center | 10:00am – 4:00pm
Every Saturday and Sunday – explore The Ecology Center and all it has to offer! Saturdays are our Farm Festival Days, While Sundays are open for self-guided exploration. Be sure to check their calendar for workshops and events happening every weekend!

Things to Do in Orange County This Saturday

Apple Picking in Oak Glen LAST CHANCE!!!
Oak Glen | All Day
Time to come up to pick apples, press cider, pet animals, shop, ride horses, trains and eat many delicious local treats.

Get Ready For Santa Cookie Decorating Party
Pacific City, Huntington Beach | 3 – 5:00pm
Join us inside of LOT 579 for a cookie decorating party as we prep for Santa’s arrival. Kids will enjoy a cookie decorating station and write letters to Santa, he might even stop by! FREE

Storytime and Cookie Decorating with Santa and Mrs. Claus
Bella Terra, Huntington Beach | 10:30 – 11:30am
Use Your Imagination! Enjoy a story time with Mrs. Claus. Be Crafty! Decorate a holiday cookie & decorate your cookie box. Get Glittered. Get a fun holiday glitter tattoo. Say Cheese! Get your picture package with Santa just in time for the holidays. Make sure to register. FREE

Champions of Magic
Segerstrom Center for the Arts | 4:00 & 8:00pm
The five world-class illusionists that make up this mind-bending theatrical production make their Segerstrom Center debuts following sold-out shows across the globe, rave reviews and a run in London’s West End. With more than 30 million online views between them, this cast of top magicians includes international award-winners presenting incredible mind reading, stunning close-up magic and daring large-scale illusions. Their skills have been seen on screen around the world with appearances on The CW’s Penn & Teller: Fool Us, NBC’s Caught on Camera with Nick Cannon, The Today Show and Access Hollywood. Perfect for the whole family.

Fashion Island Holiday Tree Lighting
Fashion Island Newport Beach | 6:00pm
Join us for Fashion Island’s Tree Lighting Ceremony in the Neiman Marcus / Bloomingdale’s Courtyard. Enjoy a 25-minute live musical show by The Young Americans, a visit from Santa, a magical snowfall, and, of course, the highly-anticipated lighting of the tree! FREE

Santa Paws Photos
Outlets of San Clemente | 10:00am – 2:00 p.m.
Bring your favorite furry friend to Outlets at San Clemente and have his or her picture taken with Santa. The cost is only $15 for a picture and you’ll receive the photo immediately! Start a family tradition with these keepsake photos of your beloved pets. All proceeds benefit the homeless animals at the San Clemente – Dana Point Animal Shelter.

Skydiving Santa and Cool Yule Holiday Kickoff Celebration!
Pacific City, Huntington Beach | noon – 3:00 p.m.
You’re invited to witness Santa’s official arrival in Surf City USA! Straight from the North Pole, Santa and two of his elves will appear in the sky and land on the beach in front of Pacific City! Special surprises are in store as Santa is escorted from his landing spot on the beach to Pacific City. The hall-decking happiness will commence with photo ops with Santa and your little ones as Pacific City celebrates the start of the holiday season. Expect holiday songs, Santa hats and candy canes while supplies last and so much more! FREE

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

Junior Ranger Day at the Bay
Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve | 9:00am – Noon
Come earn your Junior Ranger Badge and Certificate at Upper Newport Bay. Participants will go on a guided hike, complete a short service project, and take the junior ranger oath. Activities will be designed for learners in the 9-12 age range, but everyone is welcome. Minors aged 16 and younger must have legal guardian present at all times. Rain will cancel the event. Registration required. FREE

Tide Pool Walk
Crystal Cove State Park | Noon
Enjoy a low tide at Crystal Cove State Park where a park naturalist will lead a guided tidepool walk to Pelican Point on Saturday, November 23 at 12pm and help identify animals and describe some awesome adaptations. Meet at Pelican Point parking lot #2, at the top of the boardwalk near the parking lot (PCH coastward at Newport Coast, right at kiosk to first lot.) $15 day-use fee. FREE

Free Crafts
Lakeshore Learning Centers Laguna Hills and Fountain Valley | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Make fun seasonal crafts. No reservations necessary 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

Things to Do in Orange County This Sunday

Music Matters
Segerstrom Center for the Arts | 3:00pm
Launching our inaugural Family Concert Series, this free event is designed for listeners of all levels! Whether you are new to classical music or a seasoned listener, deepen your understanding and appreciation of classical music as we explore the orchestra: its formation, history, and traditions through the scope of Dvorak’s 8th Symphony. Enjoy musical demonstrations by special guests and leading experts, and participate in an open forum Q&A.

Holiday Tree Lighting at the Ritz-Carlton
Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel | 4:00pm
Gather for the annual tree lighting and enjoy holiday music and a special appearance from Santa Claus. Donations of toys, books, and canned goods will be collected for donation to local organizations.

Miracle On Main Street
November 24, 2019 | 2:00 – 7:00pm | Main Street, Huntington Beach
It’s the most wonderful time of the year when HB Downtown fills the 2nd block of Main Street with entertainment, holiday craft vendors, kid’s activities, and refreshments. A special tree lighting ceremony with entertainment. FREE

Pet Photos with Santa
Brea Mall | 7:00 – 8:30pm
Bring your pet to pose with Santa. Find Santa in Center Court.

Beachside Chat
Crystal Cove State Park | 8:00 – 11:00am
Stop by and meet a Park Naturalist at a Trailside Chat table before starting a hike into the backcountry of Crystal Cove State Park. Learn about some of the fun critters living in the park and reasons to stay on the trail. Our Park Naturalist will be stationed at the Moro Canyon Trail Head near the Berns Amphitheater. (PCH inland at stoplight School-State Park, follow signs towards the campground.) $15 day use fee FREE

Seaweeds & Sea Creatures of Crystal Cove
Crystal Cove State Park | Noon
Explore the huge variety of seaweeds on a guided Seaweeds & Sea Creatures of Crystal Cove Beach Walk. There are countless species of marine algae; green, red, and brown found on the beach. Learn about the biology, ecology, and even human uses of seaweeds. Meet at Pelican Point parking lot #2, at the top of the boardwalk near the parking lot (PCH coastward at Newport Coast, right at kiosk to first lot.) $15 day-use fee. FREE

Trailside Chat
Crystal Cove State Park | 8:00 – 11:00am
Stop by our Beachside Chat table and learn about some of the fun and interesting animals that live at Crystal Cove State Park. Find our naturalist and her bounty of nature props near the Historic District Education Commons by the Beachcomber Cafe. Park in the Los Trancos lot (PCH inland at stoplight Los Trancos then walk through the tunnel or take the shuttle.) Day-use fee: $5/per hour (max. $15). FREE

Ranger Led Hike
Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park | 8:00 – 9:15am
Join OC Parks rangers for a one-mile nature hike in the beautiful Bell Canyon area of Caspers Wilderness Park. The hike lasts approximately one hour and is suitable for all ages. Contact park office for hike updates. Parking: $5 per vehicle (day use fee). Meet at the Old Corral Day Use Area. FREE

Crafty Kids Sunday
Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve | 10:00am – 3:00pm
Join us for a fun themed craft project anytime between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.! Crafty Kids Sunday features free craft activities in the Muth Interpretive Center’s Discovery Classroom. All ages are welcome, recommended for ages 2 to 10 years old. No registration is required. Children must be accompanied by an adult. FREE