Consider starting your weekend this Saturday by taking the kids to a bilingual storytime at the La Palma Library or take your dog on a hike in the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve.
On Sunday, attend a gardening talk at the Anaheim Central Library or take the kids to craft at the San Juan Capistrano 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
Japanese Storytime
Take the kids to hear songs and stories in Japanese at the La Palma Library’s bilingual storytime.
When: August 9, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: 7842 Walker St., La Palma, CA 90623
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 523-8585
Cello Quartet Concert
Listen to string music played by the OC Cello Quartet, a group of classically trained local musicians, at the Yorba Linda Public Library.
When: August 9, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 14852 Lakeview Ave., Yorba Linda, CA 92886
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 777-2873
Gardening Talk
Attend a talk on growing fall vegetables at Anaheim’s Central Library. Hear from UC Master Gardeners on how to grow vegetables while making the most of your available space, and harvest in winter or spring.
When: August 10, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 500 W. Broadway, Anaheim, CA 92805
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at
Central Orange County
Digitize Photos and Videos
Visit the Mobile Memory Lab at the Cypress Library to digitize your old albums and VHS tapes. Available equipment includes a VHS converter, cassette deck, 3.5” floppy disk drive, 8 mm and Super 8 film converter.
Attendees are asked to bring an external hard drive or flash drive to save files. Waivers will be required.
When: August 9, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Where: 5331 Orange Ave., Cypress, CA 90630
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 826-0350
AStounD
Neurodivergent youth are welcome to the Delhi Center in Santa Ana to practice social and reading skills by interacting with ASD robots and sensory toys in a group setting.
When: August 9, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: 1505 E. Central Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92707
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 647-5358
Fitness Hike on Paved Road
Enjoy panoramic views of Orange County on a sunset fitness hike on Hicks Haul Rd. The hike will travel 6 miles out and back, crossing over Loma Ridge.
Registration is required.
When: August 9, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Where: 11911 Hicks Haul Rd., Irvine, CA 92602
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at info@irconservancy.org or visit letsgooutside.org
Coastal Orange County
Kids Robotics Event
Kids ages 10-15 are invited to hear a talk on robotics from the Marina High School Robotics team at the Huntington Beach Central Library. Students share how they built their bot, answer questions about robotics and explain how to join a robotics team. Participants will make their own bristlebot to take home.
When: August 9, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where:7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 842-4481
Paws on the Trail
Take your dog on a 3-mile hike over unpaved terrain at the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve.
Registration is required.
When: August 9, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 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: August 9, 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
Craft at the Library
Kids ages 4-12 are welcome to the San Juan Capistrano Library to make sunset shadow art. No registration is required.
When: August 9, 11:00 a.m.. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 493-1752
Read to a Dog
Kids are invited to practice their skills by reading to a certified therapy dog. Parent or guardian permission is required.
When: August 9, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 30902 La Promesa, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 459-6094
Art Journaling
Enjoy an adult art journaling group at the Laguna Niguel Library on Sunday afternoon. Learn a new art technique from artist Deborah Goldman for use in the journal.
Registration is required due to limited spaces available.
When: August 10, 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 30341 Crown Valley Pkwy., Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Cost: Free
For more details and to register, contact the library at (949) 249-5252
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.
