Consider starting your weekend this Saturday by attending a gardening workshop at the Rancho Santa Margarita Library, or by working on a creative project at the Huntington Beach Central Library’s makerspace.
On Sunday, consider a slow-paced mountain bike ride in Limestone Canyon, or attend a musical performance at the Newport Beach Public 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
Yoga at the Library
Ages 14 and above are welcome to practice yoga at the Placentia Library.
No registration is required, but space is limited.
When: April 12, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Where: 411 E. Chapman Ave., Placentia CA 92870
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 528-1906
Wilderness Access Day
Explore 6 miles of trails in the Gypsum Canyon Wilderness, part of the Irvine Ranch Open Space.
No registration is required, but access is first-come, first-served until parking capacity is reached.
When: April 12, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
390 South Gypsum Canyon Rd., Anaheim, CA 92887
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at irvineranchopenspace@ocparks.com
Learn to Draw Anime
Learn the steps to drawing anime characters with former Simpsons artist Carlos Nieto III at the Buena Park Library.
When: April 12, 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
AStounD
Neurodivergent youth are welcome to the Newhope Library in Santa Ana to practice social and reading skills by interacting with the library’s ASD robots and sensory toys in a group setting.
When: April 12, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: 122 N Newhope St., Santa Ana, CA 92703
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 647-6992
Author Visit
Attend an author talk with plant-based chef and published cookbook author Jocelyn Ramirez.
When: April 12, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: 8180 13th St., Westminster, CA 92683
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 893-5057
Volunteer Outdoors
Enjoy volunteering to restore the native habitat of Peters Canyon Regional Park. Volunteers will weed, water or plant restoration sites and are recommended to bring strong gardening gloves among other personal supplies, like water and sun protection.
Registration is required.
When: April 12, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Where: 8548 E. Canyon View Ave., Orange, CA 92869
Cost: Free
For more details, contact resource specialist Shelly Marshall at (714) 973-6625 or shelly.marshall@ocparks.com
Coastal Orange County
Makerspace Open Hours
Visit the Huntington Beach Central Library’s makerspace – a creative space with machines such as a laser engraver, embroidering machine, 3D printers and other equipment.
To reserve equipment, attendees must make an appointment.
When: April 12, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: 7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 842-4481
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.
When: April 12, 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
Sunday Musicale
Enjoy listening to a musical performance by the Syrinx Quintet at the Newport Beach Public Library.
When: April 13, 3:00 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
South Orange County
Gardening Workshop
Join UC Master Gardeners of Orange County for a talk on pollinators at the Rancho Santa Margarita Library. Learn about methods of pollination and tips on attracting honey bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
When: April 12, 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
Mountain Biking
Try a slow-paced mountain bike ride through Limestone Canyon to The Sinks, known as Orange County’s “mini Grand Canyon.”
Registration is required.
When: April 13, 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Where: Augustine Staging Area, 5524 Santiago Cyn Rd., Silverado, CA 92676
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at irvineranchopenspace@ocparks.com
Fitness Hike on Paved Road
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: April 13, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Where: 13333 Black Star Canyon Rd, Silverado, CA 92676
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at irvineranchopenspace@ocparks.com
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.