Consider starting your weekend this Saturday by going on a challenging hike through the rugged terrain of the Red Rocks Wilderness, or with yoga at the Placentia Library.
On Sunday, consider an educational hike in the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve, or attend a Stanley Kubrick film screening 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
Yoga at the Library
Ages 14 and above are welcome to practice yoga at the Placentia Library.
No registration is required, but space is limited.
When: April 26, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Where: 411 E. Chapman Ave., Placentia CA 92870
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 528-1906
Plant & Seed Exchange
Swap plants, extra seeds, rooted starts, herbs and cuttings at the 3rd annual Plant & Seed Swap at two Anaheim Public Library locations.
The exchange will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Ponderosa Joint-Use Branch Library, and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Haskett Branch Library.
When: April 26, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where:
- Ponderosa Joint-Use Branch: 240 E Orangewood Ave., Anaheim, CA 92802
- Haskett Branch, 2650 W Broadway, Anaheim, CA 92804
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Ponderosa Joint-Use Branch at ponderosaprograms@anaheim.net
and the Haskett Branch at haskettprograms@anaheim.net
Teen Clothing Swap
Teens in grades 7th through 12th are welcome to exchange their gently worn, clean clothing items with others at the clothing swap hosted at the Fullerton Public Library’s main branch in partnership with Sun Hills High School’s Thrifting Club.
The clothing swap will also have a photo booth.
When: April 26, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: 353 W. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Teen Services Librarian at (714) 773-5719
Central Orange County
Advanced Cardio Hike
Embark on a challenging, fast-paced hike in the Red Rock Wilderness, part of the Irvine Ranch Open Space. This strenuous hike is best suited for hikers experienced with multiple steep climbs and descents.
Registration is required.
When: April 26, 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Where: Airfield Staging Area, address to be released after registering
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at irvineranchopenspace@ocparks.com
Bilingual Storytime
Take the kids to a family storytime featuring songs and stories in Vietnamese at the Fountain Valley Library.
When: April 26, 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: 17635 Los Alamos, Fountain Valley, CA
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 962-1324
Movie at the Library
Enjoy a screening of the Stanley Kubrick film “2001: A Space Odyssey” at the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library.
When: April 27, 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
Coastal Orange County
Teen Life Skills Workshop
Ages 14-16 are welcome to the Huntington Beach Central Library to learn financial management skills, including budgeting, avoiding debt and fees, writing checks, saving and investing.
Registration is required.
When: April 26, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Where: 7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 842-4481
Earth Day Celebration
Enjoy a composting workshop, storytime, face painting and other activities in celebration of Earth Day at the Laguna Beach Library. The Environment Nature Center will also give a live animal presentation.
When: April 26, 11:30 a.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 or email ocpl.lagunabeach@occr.ocgov.com
Guided Interpretive Hike in Back Bay
Enjoy learning about local flora and fauna during a 2.5-mile hike in the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve.
Registration is required.
When: April 27, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Where: 2301 University Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660
Cost: Free
For questions, please contact resource specialist Emma Arago at emma.arago@ocparks.com or call (657) 692-5401
South Orange County
Volunteer Outdoors
Volunteer to maintain land alongside OC Parks and the Laguna Canyon Foundation in the Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. Assist with land stewardship activities such as removing invasive plants.
Registration is required.
When: April 26, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Where: Aliso Viejo Community Park, 150 Cedarbrook, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Laguna Canyon Foundation at volunteer@lagunacanyon.org
Art at the Helena Modjeska House
Enjoy creating art compositions alongside professional artist Dori Dewberry at Arden: Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens – the century-old home of Shakespearean actress Madame Helena Modjeska.
Materials will not be provided, only art instruction. The event includes a guided tour of the property and Helena Modjeska’s life.
Registration is required. A list of recommended materials will be made available to registered participants.
When: April 26, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: 29042 Modjeska Canyon Rd., Silverado, CA 92676
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at irvineranchopenspace@ocparks.com
Climate Science Presentation
All ages are welcome to attend a discussion on climate science at Mission Viejo City Hall with NASA Solar System Ambassador Richard Stember in celebration of Earth Day.
When: April 27, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 200 Civic Center, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at libraryprograms@cityofmissionviejo.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.