Consider starting your weekend this Saturday by exploring the Saddleback Wilderness during a wilderness access day.
Later, attend a summer concert featuring pop and motown-inspired music at a summer concert or attend K-POP night at the Hunt Library in Fullerton.
On Sunday, take the kids to a science activity at the Cypress Library, or consider watching a screening of “Splash” at the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan 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
Teen SAT Practice
High school students and teens ages 13+ are welcome to take a free SAT practice test and get results.
Registration is required, and attendees are asked to bring a laptop.
When: July 26, 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: 4852 Lakeview Ave., Yorba Linda, CA 92886
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 777-2873
K-POP Night at the Library
Enjoy listening to K-POP music and other activities including dance covers at the Hunt Branch Library’s K-POP Night.
Registration is required.
When: July 26, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: 201 S. Basque Ave., Fullerton, CA 92833
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 738-6365
Family Movie
Take the kids to watch a screening of the 2024 movie “Paddington in Peru” at the La Palma Library.
When: July 26, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 7842 Walker St., La Palma, CA 90623
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 523-8585
Central Orange County
Wilderness Access Day
Hike 3.3 miles of trails in the Saddleback Wilderness during a scheduled access day.
No registration is required, but access is first-come, first-served until parking capacity is reached.
When: July 26, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: 3081 Santiago Canyon Road, Orange, CA 92869
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at info@irconservancy.org or visit letsgooutside.org
Kid’s Science Activity
Children ages six and above are welcome to participate in hands-on experiments and interactive stories about science at the Cypress Library.
When: July 27, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 5331 Orange Ave., Cypress, CA 90630
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 826-0350
Movie at the Library
Enjoy a screening of the 1984 film “Splash” at the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library.
When: July 27, 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: 1855 Park Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library (949) 646-8845
Coastal Orange County
Summer Concert
Listen to “top 40 hits” and motown-inspired music at a summer concert featuring Cassie B at the Newport Beach Civic Center Green.
When: June 26, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Newport Beach Civic Green, 100 Civic Center Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Newport Beach Public Library at (949) 717-3800
Lego Mania
Take the kids to play with LEGO bricks and toddler-safe blocks. All ages are welcome, and no registration is required.
When: June 26, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 707 Electric Ave., Seal Beach, CA 90740
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (562) 431-3584
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: July 26, 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
South Orange County
Evening Fitness Hike
Embark on a fast-paced, 5.5-mile fitness hike with 750 ft of elevation in Limestone Canyon, home to Orange County’s
Registration is required.
When: July 27, 5:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Where: Augustine Staging Area, 5524 Santiago Canyon Rd., Silverado, CA 92676
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at info@irconservancy.org or visit letsgooutside.org
Gardening Talk
Learn the “dos and don’ts” of gardening succulents during a talk at the El Toro Library by the UC Master Gardeners.
This program is limited to adults ages 16 and above. No registration is required, but early arrival is suggested.
When: July 26, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 24672 Raymond Way, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 855-8173
Radio Show Play
Enjoy a performance of the radio show “The Last Voyage of the Steamboat Malta” as a play at the Laguna Niguel Library. The 1930s radio show production tells the ‘mysterious’ story of the steamboat’s 1841 sinking in the Missouri River.
When: July 27, 2:00 p.m. to 2:45 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.