Consider starting your weekend this Saturday by hiking or mountain biking in the Saddleback Wilderness during an access day.
On Sunday, embark on a fitness hike on a partially-paved route or attend a screening of a 1930s movie at the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library.
This is just a handful of the many free events and activities happening throughout Orange County – funded by public tax dollars.
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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
Zumba Class
Enjoy movement during a ‘Latin-dance infused’ exercise class at the Miraloma Park & Family Resource Center.
When: November 22, 9:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Where: 2600 E. Miraloma Way, Anaheim, CA 92802
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Miraloma Park & Family Resource Center at (714) 765-6490
Crochet, Knitting and Embroidery Group
Work on fiber art projects including cross stitch, knitting, embroidery or crochet in a group at the Fullerton Public Library’s main branch.
Attendees are asked to bring their own supplies, but limited yarn supplies will be available for beginners.
A library staff member will be available to assist with some crochet and cross stitch concepts.
When: November 22, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 353 W. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 738-6326 or email info@fullertonlibrary.org
Acoustic Guitar Concert
Listen to a short performance of guitar music at the Brea Library.
When: November 22, 2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Where: 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea, CA 92821
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 671-1722
Central Orange County
Wilderness Access Day
The lookout point at the top of the newly opened trails at Saddleback Wilderness, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space in Orange, Calif. on Saturday, April 8, 2023. It can be accessed from multiple trails. Credit: JACK SUNDBLAD, Voice of OC
Hike 3.3 miles of trails in the Saddleback Wilderness during a scheduled access day.
No registration is required, but access is first-come, first-served until parking capacity is reached.
When: November 25, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: 3081 Santiago Canyon Road, Orange, CA 92869
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at info@irconservancy.org or visit letsgooutside.org
Movie at the Library
The entrance to the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library on April 28, 2024. Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC
Enjoy a screening of the 1935 film “Mutiny on the Bounty” at the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library.
When: November 23, 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: 1855 Park Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library (949) 646-8845
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: November 23, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Where: 11911 Hicks Haul Road, Irvine, CA 92602
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at info@irconservancy.org or visit letsgooutside.org
Coastal Orange County
Teen Dungeons & Dragons Club
Teenagers grades 6-12 are welcome to the Oak View Branch Library to play Dungeons & Dragons, a tabletop roleplaying game.
Registration is required.
When: November 22, 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: 17251 Oak Ln., Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 375-5068
Documentary Film Screening
Enjoy a screening of “The Invisible Mammal” at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. The documentary explores the environmental role bats play through the story of a team of female scientists that set out to save a North American bat species from disease.
Registration is required.
When: November 22, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Cost: Free
For more details, contact Resource Specialist Emma Arago at emma.arago@ocparks.com or call (657) 692-5401
Board Games
Take the kids to play board games at the Newport Beach Central Library. No registration is required, but games are intended for children between ages 3-11.
When: November 22, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach, California 92660
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 717-3800
South Orange County
Volunteer Outdoors
Volunteers help collect native seeds at the Laguna Canyon Foundation Headquarters on Oct. 5, 2024 in Laguna Beach, Calif. Credit: FASHION CASTILLO, Voice of OC
Assist with various stewardship activities like removing weeds, hand watering and seed collection in Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park.
Registration is required.
When: November 22, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Where: 150 Cedarbrook, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Laguna Canyon Foundation at volunteer@lagunacanyon.org or dulce@lagunacanyon.org
Paint by Numbers
Enjoy conversation with other adults during a paint by numbers program at the Rancho Santa Margarita Library.
When: November 22, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: 30902 La Promesa, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 459-6094
Kid’s Fall Craft
Children ages 4-11 are welcome to the San Juan Capistrano Library to craft a wreath made of leaves.
When: November 22, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Cost: Free
For more details and to register, contact the library at (949) 493-1752
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.
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