Consider starting your weekend this Saturday by taking the kids to watch a movie at the La Palma Library or playing board games at the Fullerton Public Library’s main branch.

On Sunday, embark on a morning fitness hike or consider visiting the Orange County Museum of Art in Costa Mesa.

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. 

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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

Makerspace Open Hours

The entrance to the Hangar Makerspace at the Placentia Library District on Sept. 14, 2024. Inside the makerspace, Lana Peterson, right, and her daughter Keira, left, work on a jewelry craft. Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC

Work on a creative project at the Placentia Library’s Hangar Makerspace, featuring various crafting projects. 

When: June 31, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Where: 411 E. Chapman Ave., Placentia CA 92870

Cost: Free

For more details, contact the library at (714) 528-1906

[Read: A Space to Create]

Board Games at the Library

Enjoy playing board games at the Fullerton Public Library’s main branch.

When: June 7, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Where: 353 W. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832

Cost: Free

For more details, contact the library at (714) 738-6326

Animal Show

Take the kids to learn about animals and their role in nature at an animal show at the Anaheim Central Library featuring kinkajous, porcupines and other animals.

When: June 7, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Where: 500 W. Broadway, Anaheim, CA 92805

Cost: Free

For more details, contact the library at (714) 765-1880

Central Orange County

Family Movie

Take the kids to watch the 2024 movie Mufasa The Lion King at the La Palma Library. 

When: June 7, 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

Gardening Talk

The Tustin Library lobby on March 18, 2025, in Tustin, Calif. Credit: JOSIAH MENDOZA, Voice of OC

Learn how to build a garden using California Native plants from master gardeners during a talk at the Tustin Library. 

When: June 7, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Where: 345 E. Main St., Tustin, CA 92780

Cost: Free

For more details, contact the library at (714) 544-7725

Morning Fitness Hike 

Hicks Haul Road on April 10, 2024. Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC

Enjoy panoramic views of Orange County on a fitness hike through Hicks Haul Road, West Loma and Shoestring trails.

Registration is required. 

When: June 8, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Where: 11911 Hicks Haul Rd., Irvine, CA 92602

Cost: Free

For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at irvineranchopenspace@ocparks.com

Coastal Orange County

Visit the Orange County Museum of Art 

A photo of the entrance to the new building of the Orange County Museum of Art. Credit: HEIDE JANSSEN, Voice of OC

Enjoy artwork and other exhibitions on display at the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA).

Tickets must be reserved online, and there is no parking available onsite. 

When: June 7 & 8, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Where: 3333 Avenue of the Arts, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Cost: Free

For more details, contact the museum at (714) 780-2130 or info@ocma.art

Paws on the Trail

A hiker observes the view of the Newport Bay on Oct. 12, 2024, OC Park-led event in Newport Beach. Credit: DYLAN NICHOLS, Voice of OC

Take your dog on a 3-mile hike over unpaved terrain at the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve.

Registration is required.

When: June 7, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Where: 2301 University Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660

Cost: Free

For more details, contact Resource Specialist Emma Arago at emma.arago@ocparks.com or call (657) 692-5401

LEGO Club

Take the kids to play with LEGOs at the Laguna Beach Library.

When: June 7, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where: 363 Glenneyre St., Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Cost: Free

For more details, contact the library at (949) 497-1733 

South Orange County

Wilderness Access Day

A view of the West Sinks, a geographic landmark in the Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, on Dec. 2, 2023. Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC

Explore designated trails inside Limestone Canyon – part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space – on a self-guided wilderness access day.

Advanced registration is required to enter Limestone Canyon.

When: June 7, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Where: Augustine Staging Area

Cost: Free

For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at irvineranchopenspace@ocparks.com 

Volunteer Outdoors

Help to maintain hiking trails alongside other volunteers in the Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. Participants can expect to hike up to 2 miles while carrying tools.

When: June 7, 7:30 a.m.. to 11:00 a.m.

Where: Intersection of Balboa Ave. and Del Mar Ave. at Moulton Meadows Park, 1098 Balboa Avenue, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Cost: Free

For more details, call (949) 497-8324 on weekdays or (949) 923-2200 on weekends.

Adult Craft

Try quilling – or creating a design from strips of paper that are rolled, shaped, and glued together – with a project available at the Rancho Santa Margarita Library. 

When: June 7, 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

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.