Consider starting your weekend this Saturday by working on a creative project with your child at the Hangar Makerspace or exploring the Irvine Ranch Open Space on a wilderness access Day.
On Sunday, learn about Mission Viejo’s history at the Heritage House or consider taking the kids on a hike in the Upper Newport Bay where they can learn about pollution.
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
Meditate at the Library
Enjoy a morning meditation session at the Yorba Linda Public Library.
When: August 16, 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
Makerspace Open Hours
Work on a creative project at the Placentia Library’s Hangar Makerspace, featuring various crafting projects.
When: August 16, 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]
Family Storytime
Take the kids to a family storytime incorporating songs and movement at the Buena Park Library.
When: August 16, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 7150 La Palma Ave., Buena Park CA 90620
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 826-4100
Central Orange County
Guitar Concert
Listen to an hour of classical guitar music at the Cypress Library.
When: August 16, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: 5331 Orange Ave., Cypress, CA 90630
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 826-0350
Learn About Sharks
Visit the Garden Grove Tibor Rubin Library for a day of programming about sharks. Listen to a talk by the CSULB Shark Lab on appreciating sharks and other marine life.
When: August 16, 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 11962 Bailey St., Garden Grove, CA 92845
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 897-2594
[Read: How Long Will The Garden Grove Main Library Be Closed?]
Wilderness Access Day
Explore Bommer Canyon – the southern portion of Irvine’s Open Space Preserve – on a wilderness access day.
No registration is required for this event.
When: August 16, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: 11 Bommer Canyon, Irvine, CA 92603
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at info@irconservancy.org or visit letsgooutside.org
Coastal Orange County
Teen Volunteer Opportunity
The Huntington Central Library welcomes teens to volunteer to sort and package the seeds donated to their seed library. Volunteers will label and pack new seeds for circulation in the community.
When: August 16, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: 7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 842-4481
Guided Hike
Take the kids on a 2.5-mile hike in Upper Newport Bay. Hikers will learn how the wetlands work to clean the water from pollutants that enter the bay, and how people can keep the bay clean.
The program – which requires registration – is designed for children 8 years and older. The trail is not stroller friendly.
When: August 17, 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
Outdoor Volunteer Opportunity
Spend Sunday morning volunteering in the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. Depending on the season, volunteers will assist with land stewardship activities, such as non-native plant removal, seed collection, hand watering and planting.
No experience necessary, and tools will be provided. Advanced registration is required.
When: August 17, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Where: 10 Phillips St., Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Cost: Free
For questions, please contact volunteer@lagunacanyon.org or marjorie@lagunacanyon.org
South Orange County
Brain Games for Adults
Visit the Rancho Santa Margarita Library for an afternoon of chess, puzzles and other brain exercise games. Adults will be able to play other games such as jigsaw, Sudoku, crosswords, backgammon and Scrabble.
When: August 16, 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
Craft at the Library
Kids ages 4-12 are invited to the San Juan Capistrano Library to work on a seashell paper plate craft.
When: August 16, 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
Heritage House
Learn about the City of Mission Viejo’s history during open hours at Heritage House, a collection of local history located in Melinda Park.
The museum was established in 2003 to educate the public about the city’s history.
When: August 17, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: 28951 Melinda Rd., Mission Viejo, CA 92692
Cost: Free
For more details and to register, contact Heritage House at localhistory@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.
