Orange County Weekend Events for Families & Kids

(Updated October 2026)

Find the best Orange County weekend events for families happening October 23-25, 2026. This week's list includes fun things to do with kids, local festivals, community events, and plenty of free family-friendly activities.

Looking for free family-friendly weekend events in Orange County? This guide makes it easy to find activities for kids, community celebrations, food trucks, live music, craft fairs, and more happening around OC. Events are organized by date so you can quickly plan your Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Be sure to check each event's website for the latest times, locations, and details.

To submit a weekend event, email jill@sandytoesandpopsicles.com.

Jump to: All Weekend · Friday · Saturday · Sunday

Things to Do in Orange County - All Weekend

🎃 Orange County Halloween Events

List of all the Halloween Events happening in Orange County for 2026. Listed by city!

🍎 Apple Picking in Oak Glen

You guide to the best apple picking in Oak Glen and beyond!

🎃 Orange County Pumpkin Patches

You guide to the best apple picking in Oak Glen and beyond!

📚 Orange County Storytimes

Huge list of every story time in Orange County.

📚 OC Public Library FREE Events

Here you will find all the family-friendly library events in your Orange County library.

🎃 Once Upon A NIGHTMARE BEFORE Christmas (Newport Beach)

📅 Sunday, October 17, 23, 24, 30 & 31, 2026
📍 Once Upon an Island
118 Agate Ave, Newport Beach, CA 92662

A spooky, never scary adventure through Santa's North Pole, where your children hold the one secret the whole story is waiting for. Santa's workshop is under new management. Sally is determined to crack the code of how the elves make their toys so quickly, and Jack is never far behind. Come along on a journey north and help set Christmas right.

💀 Fall-O-Ween (Lake Forest)

📅 October 16-18 & 23-25, 2026
📍 Heritage Hill Historical Park
25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630

Tour the decorated historical grounds during special park hours and take your picture at a variety of fall and Halloween-themed photo opportunities. Find your way through the straw maze and complete a scavenger hunt for ghoulish goodies at this free, family-friendly event.

🌊 Surfin' Sundays 2026 (Huntington Beach)

📅 September 12-13, 2026
📍 Huntington Beach Pier
325 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
💰 FREE

The Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum's Surfin' Sundays kicks off in March. Guests can browse unique gift ideas on Saturday and Sunday (artists, clothing and beachwear booths, and more) at the Surf City Marketplace in Pier Plaza. Instrumental surf music takes place on Sunday. Make sure you bring a deckchair or a blanket and sunscreen and enjoy!

🎃 Discovery Cube Pumpkin Palooza (Santa Ana)

📅 October 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25, 31, November 1
📍 Discovery Cube OC
2500 N Main Street Santa Ana, CA 92705

Pumpkin Palooza is back at Discovery Cube Orange County. Join Jack-o-Lynn for an electrifying dance party featuring today's hits and Halloween favorites, and enjoy spooky science, thrilling activities, and an all-new interactive science maze. Presented by OC Waste & Recycling, this pumpkin-packed celebration is fun for witches, wizards, ghosts, and goblins of all ages.

Haunted Trails (Laguna Niguel)

📅 October 22-25, 2026
📍 Crown Valley Park
29751 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel, CA

Haunted Trails is back for another 4 terrifying nights of bone chilling horror. Step inside a world of abandoned hospitals, deranged doctors, and failed experiments that should've never seen the light of day. Not recommended for children under 10 years old. Tickets are available for purchase at Crown Valley Community Center, Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. You may also purchase tickets on event nights. You must present a physical ticket to enter the trail.

👻 Knott's Spooky Farm (Buena Park)

📅 Thursday-Sundays, September 24-October 31, 2026 & Columbus Day
📍 Knott's Berry Farm
8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA

Enjoy the Halloween season at Knott's Spooky Farm, a family-friendly daytime celebration. Little ghouls can trick-or-treat around the town of Calico's shops and buildings to collect sweet treats, plus enjoy even more kids' Halloween activities. Families can join in on the Halloween fun as the park is transformed with themed décor and spooky surprises.

🎃 Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch (Irvine)

📅 September 12-November 1, 2026
📍 Tanaka Farms
5380 ¾ University Drive, Irvine, CA

Experience the joy of picking your own pumpkin right from the patch at Tanaka Farms, one of the only real pumpkin patches in Orange County! Enjoy wagon rides, arts and crafts, and even a pumpkin cannon! Also, Monday through Thursday all day, and Friday mornings before noon, you can explore our U-Pick Pumpkin Fields, Barnyard Educational Exhibit, Wagon Rides, Corn Maze, and U-Pick Veggie Patch. It's fun for the whole family! Parking passes required Friday-Sunday.

🎃Boo at the Zoo (Santa Ana)

📅 October 17, 18, 24 & 25, 2026
📍 Santa Ana Zoo
1801 East Chestnut Avenue, Santa Ana, CA

Boo at the Zoo is one of the safest places for young children to trick-or-treat for Halloween, taking home goodies from 10 toys/treats stations. It's a "Merry not Scary" family fun event, and everyone is encouraged to come in costume!

🎃 Irvine Park Pumpkin Patch (Orange)

📅 September 12-October 31, 2026
📍 Irvine Regional Park
1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869

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. Train rides, hay rides, carnival games, face painting, cookie decorating and more. The Pumpkin Patch is located just behind the train station and admission is FREE.

🎃 Roger's Gardens Halloween Boutique 'Midnight Masquerade' (Corona del Mar)

📅 August 29-October 31, 2026
📍 Roger's Gardens
2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd, Corona del Mar, CA 92625

Step into a season of mystery, enchantment, and Venetian intrigue. This Halloween, Roger's Gardens unveils Moonlight Masquerade, a boutique inspired by the romance of Venice after dark. Enter beneath the Bridge of Sighs, follow the glow of candlelight, and step inside the Palazzo of Whispers, where a menagerie of curiosities, gilded masks, dramatic Original Designs, and enchanting seasonal Halloween collections.

🥨 Oktoberfest at Old World (Huntington Beach)

📅 September 12-November 8, 2026
📍 The Biergarten at Old World Huntington Beach
7561 Center Ave, Huntington Beach, CA

Celebrate Oktoberfest at Old World Huntington Beach with authentic German food, live music, dancing, festive entertainment and plenty of Oktoberfest fun! Held Wednesdays through Sundays, the celebration includes both family-friendly days and 21+ evening festivities.

Things to Do in Orange County - Friday

🎃 Trunk or Treat (San Clemente)

📅 Friday, October 23, 2026
📍 Pacific Coast Church
2651 Calle Frontera, San Clemente, CA 92673

Dress up in costume at come for Trick-or-treat. You can also decorate your car and pass out candy. 12 and under. A fun family activity.

🍂 Wild Tales (Newport Beach)

📅 Friday, October 23, 2026
📍 Upper Newport Bay
2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA
💰 FREE

Wild Tales is offered every Friday from 10-11 a.m. and 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.

🚘 Main Street Classic Car Show (Garden Grove)

📅 Every Friday
📍 Historic Main Street
Garden Grove, CA
💰 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

🎃 Anaheim Fall Festival & Parade (Anaheim)

📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026
📍 Center Greens
311 E Broadway, Anaheim, CA 92805
💰 FREE

All of your favorite features will make an appearance, including the Anaheim Classic Car Show on Center Street, costume contests, local artists, live entertainment, kid's crafts, delicious foods, sweet treats, and scavenger hunt.

🎃 Anaheim Plaza Treat Street (Anaheim)

📅 October 24, 2026
📍Anaheim Plaza
1238 S Beach Blvd, Anaheim, CA

Fun for the whole family! Face painting, photo ops, DJ, balloons, and goodie bags for the first 100 kids in costumes.

🎨 Halloween Zoo-tacular at the OC Zoo (Orange)

📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026
📍 Irvine Regional Park
1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869

Join us for Halloween fun at the OC Zoo! Activities include a scavenger hunt*, trick-or-treating*, and spooky crafts for kids! Come see the zoo animals receive treat-filled pumpkins throughout the day! Reservations are not needed. Activities are free with paid zoo admission ($2 per person, ages 2 and under are free).

🎃 Trunk or Treat (Placentia)

📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026
📍 Three Sixteen Church
102 South Bradford Avenue Placentia, CA 92870
💰 FREE

Join us for a fun-filled, family-friendly evening of candy, costumes, and community! Bring your little ones (and big kids too!) for an unforgettable night of food, raffles, games & contests. No tricks-just treats, laughter, and great memories! Come dressed up, invite your friends and neighbors, and enjoy a safe, exciting place to celebrate Halloween together!

🎃 Fall Fest (Placentia)

📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026
📍 Placentia Presbyterian Church
849 N Bradford Ave, Placentia, CA
💰 FREE

Fall fun for everyone! All are welcome to this free community event! Fun games for kids, crafts, live music, food and of course lots of candy!

👻 Boo at the Bay: Family Halloween Party (Newport Beach)

📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026
📍 Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center
2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
💰 FREE

Join us at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center for a family-friendly Halloween party! We will read spooky stories, make creepy crafts, conduct wacky science experiments, meet bizarre animals and play hair-raising games. Participants are encouraged to attend in costume. The event will also feature booths and exhibits from the Orange County Bird of Prey Center, the Environmental Nature Center, Critter Squad: Wildlife Defenders and more.

🧟💦 Monster Splash (Irvine)

📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026
📍 William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center
4601 Walnut Ave., Irvine, CA

Guests can enjoy trick-or-treating around the pool decks, a floating pumpkin patch, and stations for decorating pumpkins. Attendees can also enjoy recreational swimming or navigate a spooky inflatable obstacle course. The event will feature photo booths to capture memorable moments, along with a selection of snacks and beverages available for purchase. Registration required.

🎃 Jack-o-Lantern Jamboree (Garden Grove)

📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026
📍 Atlantis Play Center
13630 Atlantis Way, Garden Grove, CA 92844

Costumes encouraged! Event activities include inflatable slide, a reptile booth with educational shows, carnival games, glitter tattoos, face painting, a pumpkin patch, and crafts! Please note, only children ages 2-10 will receive a pumpkin. All other activities will be open to all event attendees. Registration required, ticket sales begin October 6th.

🍬 Halloween Spooktacular & Trunk or Treat (Dana Point)

📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026
📍 Dana Point Community Center
34052 Del Obispo Street, Dana Point, CA 92629
💰 FREE

Join the City of Dana Point for a Halloween-themed event at the Dana Point Community Center! Enjoy games, crafts, entertainment, and the Police Services Trunk or Treat display. Meet the Bloodhounds, Bomb Squad, K-9 Unit, and Mounted Patrol. The kids' costume parade with prizes starts at 5:00 PM on the baseball field. Refreshments and food will be available for purchase.

🎃 Halloweekend (Costa Mesa)

📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026
📍 The Crossing
2115 Newport Blvd. Costa Mesa, CA 92627
💰 FREE

Monster Mash is the theme this year for our annual Halloweekend event where families and kids can get candy and play games in a safe environment. All activities are FREE.

👻 Spooky Seas (Dana Point)

📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026
📍 Ocean Institute
24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629

Back this year with new family friendly frights, from bioluminescence laser tag to the mad scientist laboratory, there's something fun for the whole family to enjoy! Bats & ghouls - come in costume to participate in our costume contest and enjoy food, drinks, and alcoholic drinks available for purchase.

📚 Storytime and Activity at Barnes & Noble (Fullerton)

📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026 Saturday, October 3, 2026
📍 Barnes & Noble Fullerton - Amerige Heights Town Center
1923 West Malvern Avenue, Fullerton, CA 92833
💰 FREE

Join us for Storytime every Saturday in our Kids department! Fun activities will vary from book to book! Parents/guardians must attend with their kiddos!

📚 Storytime and Activity at Barnes & Noble (Tustin)

📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026Saturday, October 17, 2026
📍 Barnes & Noble Tustin - The District Tustin Legacy
2857 Park Avenue Suite #M0004, Tustin, CA 92782
💰 FREE

Join us for Storytime every Saturday in our Kids department! Fun activities will vary from book to book! Parents/guardians must attend with their kiddos!

📚 Storytime and Activity at Barnes & Noble (Orange)

📅 Saturday, October 17, 2026Saturday, October 24, 2026
📍 Barnes & Noble Orange - Outlets at Orange
20 City Blvd W. Suite 1000, Orange, CA 92868
💰 FREE

Join us for Storytime every Saturday in our Kids department! Fun activities will vary from book to book! Parents/guardians must attend with their kiddos!

📚 Storytime and Activity at Barnes & Noble (Aliso Viejo)

📅 Saturday, October 17, 2026Saturday, October 24, 2026
📍 Barnes & Noble Aliso Viejo - Aliso Viejo Town Center
26751 Aliso Creek RoadAliso Viejo, CA 92656
💰 FREE

Join us for Storytime every Saturday in our Kids department! Fun activities will vary from book to book! Parents/guardians must attend with their kiddos!

📚 Storytime and Activity at Barnes & Noble (Huntington Beach)

📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026Saturday, September 19, 2026
📍 Barnes & Noble Huntington Beach - Bella Terra
7881 Edinger Ave. #110, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
💰 FREE

Join us for Storytime every SaturdaSaturday, September 19, 2026y in our Kids department! Fun activities will vary from book to book! Parents/guardians must attend with their kiddos!

🏹 Archery for 10 and up (Anaheim Hills)

📅 Every Saturday Morning
📍 Oak Canyon Nature Center
6700 E Walnut Canyon Rd, Anaheim, CA 92807

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.

🚘 Anaheim GardenWalk Cars, Coffee & Culture (Anaheim)

📅 Every Saturday Morning
📍 Anaheim GardenWalk
400 Disney Way Anaheim, CA
💰 FREE

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 (San Clemente)

📅 Every Saturday Morning
📍 Outlets at San Clemente
101 W Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente, CA 92672
💰 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.

🚘 Exotics & Espresso (Irvine)

📅 Every Saturday Morning
📍 Eurocar
150 Progress, Irvine, CA 92618
💰 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.

🚘 Classic Cars at Donut Derelicts (Huntington Beach)

📅 Every Saturday Morning
📍 Donut Derelicts
9015 Adams Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92646
💰 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 - Sunday

👻 Anaheim Town Square's Spooktacular Halloween Celebration (Anaheim)

📅 Sunday, October 25, 2026
📍 Anaheim Town Square
2180 East Lincoln Avenue, Anaheim, CA
💰 FREE

Calling all goblins, witches, and little monsters for an afternoon of Halloween fun for all ages. Enjoy spellbinding Street Performers, Face Painting, Crafting, Magic Show, and a Candy Extravaganza! Come in your costumes and enjoy Trick-or-Treating around the shopping center.

💀 Tales, Tails, & Treats (Mission Viejo)

📅 Sunday, October 25, 2026
📍 Animal Services Center
28095 Hillcrest, Mission Viejo, CA

Mission Viejo Animal Services and Mission Viejo Library invite you to celebrate the season with Tales, Tails, and Treats! Enjoy a festive themed Storytime, crafts and activities, and meet adorable kittens available for adoption. No registration required.

More Fun 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 open 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 Capistrano
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 Afaire - Pacific Coast Highway & Main, adjacent to the Huntington Beach Pier An arts and crafts fair overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Orange County Farmers Markets - All Over OC | Times Vary
Check out this list of all the farmers markets happening in 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.