Consider starting your weekend this Saturday by volunteering to maintain hiking trails or by taking your teenager to work on a Halloween-themed craft at the Fountain Valley Library.
On Sunday, adults can work on a Halloween-themed craft at the Cypress Library or catch the final day of OC Parks’ annual “Fall-O-Ween” event at Heritage Hill Historic Park.
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.
North Orange County
Make Jewelry at the Library
Enjoy making earrings, necklaces and other jewelry during a program at the Placentia Library.
When: October 11, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where: 411 E. Chapman Ave., Placentia CA 92870
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 528-1906
Adult Halloween Craft
Adults age 18 or older are welcome to work on a Halloween-themed craft at the Cypress Library. Attendees will recycle old books into Halloween decor.
Registration is not required, but space is limited to the first 20 people.
When: October 12, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 5331 Orange Ave., Cypress, CA 90630
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 826-0350
Gardening Talk
Learn about how to garden with succulents during a gardening talk with master gardeners at the Anaheim Central Library. Attendees will learn about care, feeding and propagation for succulent plants.
When: October 12, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 500 W Broadway, Anaheim, CA 92805
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 765-1880
Central Orange County
Teen Volunteer Opportunity
Teens are welcome to attend a volunteer orientation at the Garden Grove Chapman Library. Attendees will learn how to earn volunteer hours while helping out at the library.
When: October 11, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 9182 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove, CA 92841
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 539-2115
Teen Halloween Craft
Teenagers ages 11-18 are welcome to the Fountain Valley Library to make their own Halloween-themed decorative soap. All supplies will be provided while they last.
When: October 11, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 17635 Los Alamos, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 962-1324
Fitness Hike
Hicks Haul Road on April 10, 2024. Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC
Enjoy panoramic views of Orange County on a 8.5-mile fitness hike through Hicks Haul Road.
Registration is required.
When: October 12, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Where: 11911 Hicks Haul Rd., Irvine, CA 92602
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at info@irconservancy.org or visit letsgooutside.org
Coastal Orange County
Read to a Dog
Take your kids to read aloud to a therapy dog at the Huntington Beach Central Library. Families will read aloud in 15-minute time slots on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Attendees may bring their own book or select from books provided.
When: October 11, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 33841 Niguel Rd., Dana Point, CA 92629
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 496-5517
Family Art Experience
Take the kids to create artwork together at the Laguna Beach Library. Families will work on an art project using provided materials, following instruction from artists.
When: October 11, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 363 Glenneyre St., Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 497-1733
History of Pop Concert
Attend a concert at Marina Park that shows pop music from the 60s to current hits today. Each decade is presented in a short set with an audio montage of news and pop culture sound clips from the era.
Attendees must bring their own beach chairs and blankets. No alcohol is permitted. Admission and parking are free, on a first come, first served basis.
When: October 12, 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Where: 1600 W. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach, California 92663
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the city at (949) 644-3309
South Orange County
Family Halloween Event
Attend the annual “Fall-O-Ween” at Heritage Hill Historic Park. The celebration will have a straw maze and a scavenger hunt.
Attendees are encouraged to wear costumes and take pictures at Halloween and fall- themed photo opportunities.
When: October 10-12, 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Heritage Hill Historical Park, 25151 Serrano Rd., Lake Forest, CA 92630
Cost: Free
For more details, call (949) 923-2230 or email heritagehill@ocparks.com
Movie in the Park
Enjoy a screening of “The Goonies” at Florence Joyner Park. Activities, music and games will kick off at 5:00 p.m. when the movie starts. Refreshments will be available for purchase.
When: October 11, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Where: Florence Joyner Park, 22760 Olympiad Rd., Mission Viejo, CA 92692
Cost: Free
For more details, call (949) 859-4348 or email fitness@cityofmissionviejo.org
Volunteer Opportunity
Volunteers search for acorns at the Laguna Canyon Foundation headquarters in Laguna Beach, Calif. on Oct. 5, 2024. Credit: FASHION CASTILLO, Voice of OC
Volunteer to maintain trails inside the Aliso and Woods Canyons Wilderness Park alongside the Laguna Canyon Foundation.Stewardship activities include clearing drains, pruning vegetation and moving dirt to rebuild eroded tread.
Attendees, which must be 16 or older, can expect to hike up to 4 miles while carrying tools. Gloves and tools will be provided.
Registration is required.
When: October 11, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: Hollyleaf Cul-de-sac, 65 Hollyleaf, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Laguna Canyon Foundation at volunteer@lagunacanyon.org
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