Consider spending part of your weekend at the annual Fiestas Patrias celebration in downtown Santa Ana celebrating Latino communities across Orange County.
On Saturday, take the kids to a STEAM activity at the Yorba Linda Public Library or to an evening movie screening at Pavion Park.
On Sunday, listen to a live band on the Newport Beach Civic Green or learn about California native plants during a gardening talk at the Anaheim Central 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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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
Kids STEAM Craft
Take the kids to make DIY crayons and play with invisible ink at the Yorba Linda Public Library.
When: September 13, 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: 4852 Lakeview Ave., Yorba Linda, CA 92886
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 777-2873
Meditate at the Library
Enjoy an afternoon meditation session at the Fullerton Public Library’s main branch.
When: September 13, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: 353 W. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, CA, US, 92832
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 738-6326
Gardening Talk
Learn about how to garden with California native plants during a gardening talk with master gardeners at the Anaheim Central Library. Attendees will learn how to use less water usage and chemical fertilization while increasing local wildlife and habitat to their gardens.
When: September 14, 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 (714) 765-1880
Central Orange County
Fiestas Patrias
Celebrate local Latino communities at Santa Ana’s Fiestas Patrias, which commemorates Mexican independence from Spanish rule. The weekend-long celebration includes a parade, street fair, live music, carnival rides and a ceremonial El Grito de Independencia.
The parade will start on Main St. and Washington Ave., continuing towards Civic Center Dr.
When: September 13, 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. & September 14, 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Where: Downtown Santa Ana — Main St. and Civic Center Dr. cross streets, Santa Ana, CA, 92701
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the city at (714) 523-8585
[Read: Santa Ana’s Fiestas Patrias Celebrate Mexican Independence Day]
Teen Cross Stitch Workshop
Teens are welcome to the Fountain Valley Library to learn cross stitch. Participants will learn the counted cross stitching method to make Derpy the Tiger or Sussie the Bird from “K-Pop Demon Hunters.”
Registration is required.
When: September 13, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 17635 Los Alamos, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 962-1324
Evening Fitness Hike
Enjoy panoramic views of Orange County on a fitness hike through Hicks Haul Road, 6 miles out and back over Loma Ridge.
Registration is required.
When: September 13, 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
Digitize Photos and Videos
Visit the OC Memory Lab at the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan 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.
The lab will be available at the library until Sept. 17, 2025.
When: September 13 & 14, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: 1855 Park Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 826-0350
Crafting & Conversation Group
Adults are welcome to bring craft projects from home and join in convention the second Saturday of each month at the Dana Point Library.
When: September 13, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: 33841 Niguel Rd., Dana Point, CA 92629
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 496-5517
Summer Concert
Catch the Tijuana Dogs, a band that blends rock, dance and party music, during a concert on the Newport Beach Civic Center Green.
Attendees must bring their own beach chairs and blankets. No alcohol is permitted. Admission and parking are free, on a first come, first served basis.
When: September 14, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where: 100 Civic Center Dr., Newport Beach, California 92660
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the city at (949) 644-3309
South Orange County
Hispanic Heritage Month Crafts
Celebrate Latino heritage at the El Toro Library with a variety of crafts, including llama puppets, paper arpilleras and 3D alebrijes.
When: September 13, 3:o0 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 24672 Raymond Way, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 855-8173
Family Hike
Embark on a 3-4 mile hike as a family in the Red Rock Wilderness.
Registration is required.
When: September 13, 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Where: Creek Staging Area, address to be released after registering
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at info@irconservancy.org or visit letsgooutside.org
Movie in the Park
Attend an evening screening of “A Minecraft Movie” at Pavion Park. Refreshments will be available for purchase.
When: September 13, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Where: Pavion Park, 24051 Pavion, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the city at (949) 859-4348 option 2
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.