Consider starting your weekend this Saturday by embarking on a mountain bike ride in Fremont Canyon or volunteering to work on trails in Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park.
On Sunday, try a fitness hike on a partially-paved route.
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
Wilderness Access Day
Explore six miles of trails in the Gypsum Canyon Wilderness on a wilderness access day. The region features prehistoric rock formations formed 16 to 20 million years ago.
Although no registration is required, access is first-come, first-served until parking capacity is reached.
When: January 10, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: 390 South Gypsum Canyon Rd., Anaheim, CA 92887
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at info@irconservancy.org or visit letsgooutside.org
[Read: 500 Acres of Sweeping Views in the Gypsum Canyon Wilderness]
Makerspace Open Hours
Work on a creative project at the Placentia Library’s Hangar Makerspace, featuring various crafting projects.
When: January 10, 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 sing songs and listen to stories at the Buena Park Library’s family storytime. All ages are welcome.
When: January 10, 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.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
Mountain Bike Ride
Experienced mountain bikers are invited on a docent-led ride through Fremont Canyon to a geological formation known as Lizard Rock. This mountain bike ride is 16-miles out-and back, with approximately 2,500 feet of elevation gain.
Registration is required.
When: January 10, 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Where: Outdoor Education Center Weir Lot, 1 Irvine Park Rd., Orange, CA 92869
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at info@irconservancy.org or visit letsgooutside.org
Gardening Talk
Gain an understanding of monthly garden maintenance during a presentation by the UC Master Gardeners at the Westminster Library.
Space is limited to a first-come, first-served basis.
When: January 10, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 8180 13th St., Westminster, CA 92683
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 893-5057
Fitness Hike
Enjoy panoramic views of Orange County on a fitness hike through Hicks Haul Road, West Loma and Shoestring trails in Limestone Canyon.
Registration is required.
When: January 11, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.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
Family Art Experience
Take the kids to create artwork together at the Laguna Beach Library. Families will work on an art project using provided materials, following instruction from artists.
This event occurs the second Saturday of each month into May 2026.
When: January 10, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 363 Glenneyre St., Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 497-1733
Chess Club
Children ages 7+ and teens are welcome to the Oak View Branch Library to learn to play chess.
Registration is required.
When: January 10, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: 17251 Oak Ln., Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 375-5068
Adult Craft Group
Bring a craft project from home to work on in the company of others at the Dana Point Library.
When: January 10, 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
South Orange County
Trail Stewardship
On Oct. 5, Sunit Nangia, a volunteer from Laguna Niguel, helped collect native plant seeds at the Laguna Canyon Foundation headquarters in Laguna Beach, Calif. Credit: Fashion Castillo, Voice of OC
Work within a group to tend to trails within Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. Volunteers will prune vegetation, move dirt to rebuild eroded tread and other restoration activities.
Registration is required.
When: January 10, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: The program begins at the intersection of Balboa Avenue and Del Mar Avenue at Moulton Meadows Park, 1085 Balboa Ave., Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Laguna Canyon Foundation at volunteer@lagunacanyon.org, craig@lagunacanyon.org and nicholas@lagunacanyon.org
Coloring Club
Adults and children are invited to color at the Laguna Hills Library. All materials will be provided.
When: January 10, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 25555 Alicia Pkwy., Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 707-2699
Kids STEM Activity
Children ages 3-6 can participate in a STEM activity creating a foam volcano at the Library of the Canyons.
When: January 10, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: 7531 E. Santiago Canyon Rd., Silverado, CA 92676
Cost: Free
For more details and to register, contact the library at (714) 649-2216
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.