Consider starting Saturday at a Local Author Fair, or on the trails in the Saddleback Wilderness.
On Sunday, attend the Chicano Heritage Festival in Santa Ana or visit one of several free museums: the Orange County Museum of Art.
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
Teen Volunteer Orientation
Teens ages 13-17 are welcome to volunteer at the La Palma Library.
Interested youth need to fill out an application packet – which is available at the service desk – and bring it to a one-hour volunteer orientation. No registration required to attend volunteer orientations.
When: August 23, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Where: 7842 Walker St., La Palma, CA 90623
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 523-8585
Crochet Class
Adults and teens are welcome to learn how to crochet at the Canyon Hills Branch Library in Anaheim.
When: August 23, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 400 Scout Trail, Anaheim, CA 92807
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 765-6444
Local Author Fair
Meet local authors and discover new fiction, nonfiction, memoirs and poetry at the Fullerton Public Library’s Local Author Fair.
When: August 23, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 353 W. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, CA, US, 92832
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 738-6326
Central Orange County
Wilderness Access Day
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: August 23, 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
Chicano Heritage Festival
Celebrate Santa Ana’s Mexican-American history at the annual Chicano Heritage Festival. Enjoy live performances, food, community art, a kids zone, cultural exhibits and a car cruise and show at Centennial Park.
When: August 24, 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Where: Centennial Park, 3000 W. Edinger Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92704
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the city at (714) 571-4200
Bilingual Storytime
Kids are welcome to the Westminster Library for songs, stories and activities in English and Vietnamese. Knowledge of Vietnamese is not necessary.
When: August 23, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: 8180 13th St., Westminster, CA 92683
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 893-5057
Coastal Orange County
Visit the Orange County Museum of Art
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: August 23 & 24, 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
Board Games at the Library
Children ages 3-11 are welcome to play board games at the Newport Beach Central Library.
When: August 23, 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
Watercolor Landscapes
Create a watercolor landscape following a short native plant hike in Laguna Canyon. People will learn techniques like blending, shading and creating texture while working on a scenic landscape.
Registration is required.
When: August 23, 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Where: 10 Phillips St., Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Cost: Free
For questions, please contact volunteer@lagunacanyon.org
South Orange County
Mountain Bike Ride
Experienced mountain bikers are invited to explore trails of Fremont Canyon Nature Preserve on this moderate-paced ride through theFremont, Blind and Weir Canyons. This ride has multiple very steep climbs, with an elevation gain of about 2,000 feet over 15 miles.
Registration is required.
When: August 23, 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Lot C in Irvine Regional Park,
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at info@irconservancy.org or visit letsgooutside.org
Family Hike in Baker Canyon
Take the kids on a family hike in Baker Canyon, part of the Irvine Ranch Open Space. Participants will hike on a flat trail and look for local animal life, such as red-tailed hawks and mule deer.
Registration is required.
When: August 23, 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Where: Baker Canyon Staging Area, Baker Canyon Rd. & Black Star Helo Pad Rd., Silverado, CA 92676
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at info@irconservancy.org or visit letsgooutside.org
Blas Aguilar Adobe Museum
Learn about the Acjachemen people and Orange County’s early history at the Blas Aguilar Adobe Museum – housed inside an adobe from 1794.
When: August 23 & 24, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 31806 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the museum at (949) 751-7258
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.