Consider starting your weekend this Saturday by taking the kids to a celebration of Lunar New Year at the Library of the Canyons or to a family-friendly movie screening at the La Palma Library.
This is just a handful of the many free events and activities happening throughout Orange County – funded by public tax dollars.
CHECK OUT OUR FULL CALENDAR HERE
Every week, Voice of OC reporters work hard to help residents stay connected to upcoming civic events, putting locals in a position to save tax dollars and hold leaders accountable.
You can cut through the noise every morning by reading the free Voice of OC daily email newsletter.
You can also bookmark the Voice of OC calendar to stay ahead of key civic meetings impacting your quality of life during the week.
That same kind of watchdog reporting now fuels a vibrant weekend calendar, choc full of free public services and assets your tax dollars finance.
Here are a few noteworthy free events happening this weekend.
South Orange County
Lunar New Year Celebration
Enjoy an all-ages celebration of Lunar New Year at the Library of the Canyons. The celebration includes a lion dance and a craft.
When: January 17, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: 7531 E. Santiago Canyon Rd., Silverado, CA 92676
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 497-1733
Wilderness Access Day
One of the trails cutting through the Red Rock Wilderness open space on Saturday, May 18, 2024. Credit: MAXIMO SANTANA, Voice of OC
Explore the Red Rocks Wilderness during a self-guided access day. Attendees will be able to hike on a trail network more than 8 miles long with a scenic overlook that offers views of the nearby Black Star Canyon Wilderness, Irvine Lake and Santiago Canyon.
When: January 17, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: Augustine Staging Area, 5524 Santiago Canyon Road, Silverado, CA
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at info@irconservancy.org or visit letsgooutside.org
Diorama Craft
Adults and teens are invited to work on a winter diorama at the Ladera Ranch Library. All materials will be provided while supplies last.
When: January 17, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: 29551 Sienna Pkwy., Ladera Ranch, CA 92694
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 234-5940
North Orange County
Meditate at the Library
Enjoy a morning meditation session at the Yorba Linda Public Library.
When: January 17, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Where: 4852 Lakeview Ave., Yorba Linda, CA 92886
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 777-2873
Game Day
The Hunt Branch Library on May 28, 2024. Given to the City of Fullerton as a gift from Norton Simon in 1962, the midcentury modern library was designed by architect William Pereira. Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC
All ages are welcome to Game Day at the Hunt Library. Play card games, social deduction games, board games and other games.
When: January 17, 9:o0 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 201 S. Basque Ave., Fullerton, CA 92833
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 738-6365
Family Movie
Take the kids to a screening of the 2025 animated movie “Elio” at the La Palma Library.
When: January 17, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 7842 Walker St., La Palma, CA 90623
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 523-8585
Central Orange County
Families are invited to the Orange County School of the Arts for a community arts festival designed for children between 5 and 11 years of age . The event includes interactive booths and live performances by OCSA students.
Click here to register for the event.
When: January 17, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 1010 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA 92701
Cost: Free
For more details, contact community engagement coordinator Kaitlyn Tice at kaitlyn.tice@ocsarts.net or (714) 560-0900 ext. 6204
Preserve Family Photos
Use hardware available at the OC Mobile Memory Lab to digitize your photographs, documents and videos.
Call the Garden Grove Library to reserve a spot, as space is limited. Attendees must be 18-years-old, and bring their own flash drive, hard drive or plan to save their memories to the cloud.
When: January 17, 10:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Where: 11962 Bailey St., Garden Grove, CA 92845
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 897-2894
Play Ukulele
Ages 16+ are invited to practice songs on the ukulele at the Orange Public Library’s central branch. Attendees may check out a ukulele from the library with a library card or call the Adult Reference Desk at (714) 288-2410 to place a hold on a kit.
From 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., the library will host a session for beginners. All levels are welcome to the second session from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
When: January 17, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: 407 E. Chapman Ave., Orange, CA 92866
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 288-2400
Coastal Orange County
Gardening Talk
Learn seed starting techniques during a talk at the Laguna Beach Library. Attendees will hear from expert gardeners on how and when to plant seeds as well as building the best soil.
When: January 17, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: 363 Glenneyre St., Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 497-173
“Around the World” with Crafts
On the 3rd Saturday of each month, kids are invited to the Dana Point Library to learn about other countries and work on a culturally-themed craft.
When: January 17, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: 33841 Niguel Rd., Dana Point, CA 92629
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 496-5517
Teen Trivia
Teenage residents are invited to a trivia featuring topics ranging from pop culture to SAT vocabulary at the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library.
When: January 18, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Where: 1855 Park Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 646-8845
If you know of a free public agency event that the Voice of OC should be aware of, send an email to etaylor@voiceofoc.org
For more events, please refer to the Voice of OC Calendar.
Related