Consider starting your weekend this Saturday by meditating at the Yorba Linda Public Library, or by volunteering at restoration sites inside Peters Canyon Regional Park.
On Sunday, consider working on a craft at the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library, or visit the OC Mobile Memory Lab at the San Clemente Library to digitize your photographs and videos.
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 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
Meditate at the Library
Enjoy a morning meditation session at the Yorba Linda Public Library.
When: December 14, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Where: 4852 Lakeview Ave., Yorba Linda, CA 92886
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 777-2873
Learn About Native Wildlife
All ages are welcome to the La Habra Library to learn about native habitats and wildlife from OC Habitats.
When: December 14, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 221 East La Habra Blvd., La Habra, CA 90631
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 526-7728
Retro Game Day
Enjoy playing with classic Nintendo, Sega and other retro games from the 80s and 90s at the Canyon Hills Branch Library in Anaheim.
When: December 14, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 400 Scout Trail, Anaheim, CA 92807
Cost: Free
For more details, contact Branch Manager Nissa Perez-Montoya at (714) 765-6444
Central
ESL Conversation Group
English language learners are welcome to practice speaking English in a friendly group setting at the Garden Grove Chapman Library. Light refreshments, discussion topics and activities will be included.
When: December 14, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: 9182 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove, CA 92841
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 539-2115
Outdoor Volunteer Opportunity
Spend the morning volunteering at restoration sites inside Peters Canyon Regional Park.
Registration is required.
When: December 14, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Where: 8548 E. Canyon View Ave., Orange, CA 92869
Cost: Free
For more details, contact resource specialist Shelly Marshall at (714) 973-6625 or shelly.marshall@ocparks.com
Adult Craft
Enjoy decorating a personal welcome sign at the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library.
When: December 15, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: 1855 Park Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 646-8845
Coastal
Read to a Dog
Practice reading skills as a family by reading to therapy dogs at the Huntington Beach Central Library.
When: December 14, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 842-4481
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.
This event occurs the second Saturday of each month into 2025.
When: December 14, 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
Preserve Family Photos
Use hardware available at the OC Mobile Memory Lab to digitize your photographs and videos.
Call the San Clemente 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: December 15, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 242 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, CA 92672
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 492-3493
South
Animal Tracks Program
Learn basic tracking techniques and search for evidence that animals leave behind in Agua Chinon, part of the Irvine Ranch Open Space. Several animals, including bobcats, mountain lions, coyotes and mule deer call this canyon home.
Attendees are recommended to wear comfortable clothes and shoes so that they do not mind getting a little dusty.
Registration is required.
When: December 14, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: Portola Staging Area
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 493-1752
Arabic Storytime
Take the kids to an Arabic storytime including songs and crafts at the Laguna Niguel Library.
When: December 14, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 30341 Crown Valley Pkwy., Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 249-5252
Winter Concert
Enjoy a winter concert at the Rancho Santa Margarita Library. The program, which features classical guitarists, is geared towards adults.
When: December 14, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 30902 La Promesa, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 459-6094
[Read: Free Ways to Celebrate the Holidays Across OC]
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.