Welcome to the local's favorite Orange County events site for Families! Here is a huge list of Orange County Events happening THIS WEEKEND for November 22 - 24, 2024. Fun things to do in OC this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and many are FREE!
Looking for FREE family activities, children's activities, community events, great food trucks, OC entertainment, live music performances or craft fairs? We've got the scoop! This list is organized by date. Double check event's website to confirm details before going. To submit your event, email jill@sandytoesandpopsicles.com.
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Things to Do in Orange County ALL Weekend
Here are some fun things happening multiple days during this weekend in Orange County.
- The Ultimate Orange County Christmas Event Guide
Over 150 Holiday events, Christmas Light spots, Christmas Shows, Santa Photos and more!!!!! - Guide to Apple Picking in Oak Glen
Apple picking season is here! Check out this guide to visiting Oak Glen and how to navigate it from Orange County. - Orange County Storytimes
Huge list of every story time in Orange County listed by city. Includes storytimes for public libraries, local business, and community centers. - Knott's Merry Farm - Opening Weekend
Knott's Berry Farm
8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620
November 22, 2024 - January 5, 2025
All Day
Knott's Merry Farm transforms into a festive holiday wonderland with twinkling lights, themed garlands, and beautiful seasonal décor. Enjoy Christmas shows like Home for the Holidays and a Peanuts ice show, plus unique holiday foods and Santa’s Christmas Cabin. Explore the Christmas Crafts Village, join the nightly tree lighting, and experience the Snow and Glow event. It’s a joyful celebration with activities, entertainment, and holiday spirit for the whole family. - Winter Lights at Discovery Cube - Opening Weekend
Discovery Cube OC
2500 N Main St, Santa Ana, CA
November 23 - December 23, 2024
Experience the magic of the season at Winter Lights at Discovery Cube! Step into a dazzling holiday wonderland filled with a million twinkling lights, gentle snowfall, and giant decorations perfect for exploring with the whole family. Highlights include a festive holiday show, an enchanting holiday tunnel walkthrough, interactive Brite Lites displays, and fun snowball tosses. Enjoy singing snowmen, a large ice castle play structure, and a giant snowglobe for memorable photo ops. Don’t miss Jean Luc’s Snowbulb Workshop, where guests can create and take home their own light bulb snowglobes! - Winterfest OC - Opening Weekend
OC Fair & Event Center
88 Fair Dr, Costa
November 22, 2024 – January 5, 2025
All Day
Experience the magic of winter in California with an immersive holiday celebration that will leave you captivated. Create unforgettable memories with loved ones as you enjoy over a million lights, dazzling decor, thrilling activities, and the North Pole Journey to the enchanting Ice Trail. Delight in snow play, a 150-foot ice tubing slide, carnival fun, festive food, a holiday market, and more! Embrace the sights, sounds, and tastes of the season in a winter wonderland. - Creep It Real FESTIVE!
Heritage Museum of OrangeCounty
3101 W. Harvard Street, Santa Ana, CA
November 22 & 23, 2024
4 - 10pm
Kick off the “Horror-liday Season” at the Cryptsmas Marketplace, a festive blend of spooky and seasonal fun! Shop from 100 vendors offering unique Halloween-inspired holiday items, crafts, and treats. Enjoy live music, delicious food trucks, and a visit from the chilling Creep Kringle. Perfect for curing post-Halloween blues while embracing winter charm, this outdoor festival is a must for fans of all things creepy and jolly. - Sawdust Art Festival's Annual Winter Fantasy
Laguna Beach Sawdust Festival
935 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
November 22 - December 22, 2024
10am - 5pm
Winter Fantasy is a one-of-a-kind holiday art festival that offers a festive, handcrafted shopping experience in an enchanting winter wonderland with thousands of lights and decorations, handcrafted gifts by 165 artists, three stages of live music, community performances, carolers, puppeteers, art classes, and daily visits with Santa Claus. - Weekend Walks at Oak Canyon Nature Center
Oak Canyon Nature Center
Anaheim Hills, CA 92807
November 23 & 24, 2024
10:30am
FREE EVENT
Come join us on Saturday or Sunday mornings for an hour-long, naturalist-led hike through Oak Canyon to learn about the Canyon's plants, animals, history, ecology, and more! Each week's hike is themed and ends at the Interpretive Center for a live animal demonstration. - Kids Play & Walk with Goats
Goods and Goat Market
29458 Trabuco Creek Rd, San Juan Capistrano, CA
Friday - Sunday | Times Vary
There are sessions for Playtime & Goat Walking! Cuddle, Brush, and Play with our special Yoga Goats. Look for chicken eggs and feed worms to the hens! We have new furry friends - Bunnies and Guinea Pigs. The zipline is a big hit! Play in the rocks with our antique Tonka Trucks. We have a Shooting Gallery with Nerf guns for kids to play with.
Things to Do in Orange County - Friday, November 22, 2024
- Morning Playdate with Olaf
Play & Parties
1901 N Tustin Street, Orange, CA
November 22, 2024
10:30pm
Play & Parties Playdates include Live Storytimes, Singalongs, and a special guest! Have fun with other children while paying games, singing songs, and playing with our special guest. - Family Hike: Dilley Canyon
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park
18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
November 22, 2024
6 - 8:30pm
FREE
Enjoy an easy 2.5-mile hike with your family in the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park! Starting at the James Dilley Preserve, we will hike to one of the most diverse areas of the park to Barbara’s Lake and back. The hike is moderate but includes uneven terrain and approximately 45 feet of elevation gain. Please wear closed-toe shoes, sun protection and bring water. - Main Street Classic Car Show
Historic Main Street, Garden Grove
November 22, 2024
4-8pm
FREE
The Main Street Classic Car Show is the longest-running car show in Orange County. With roughly 50 parking spaces, and the show running every Friday, you’re bound to catch a wide variety of rides on display.
Things to Do in Orange County - Saturday, November 23, 2024
- OC Public Library FREE Events
Here you will find all the family-friendly library events in your Orange County library. - Plaza Navideña
Downtown Santa Ana
325 E 4th Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701
November 23, 2024
5 - 8pm
Celebrate the start of the holiday season in downtown Santa Ana with a free community tree lighting event! Enjoy live entertainment, photos with Santa, arts and crafts, and the magical tree lighting ceremony. Support local businesses and join in the festive fun! - Family Fun Day at OCMA
Orange County Museum of Art
3333 Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, CA
11am - 2pm
FREE
Get inspired by our new exhibition Ordinary Extraordinary and find magic in everyday items with activities that add fun to the familiar! This free drop-in program is designed for kids ages 3 and up. All families are welcome. Family Fun is hosted on our Upper Plaza located on Level 2. We invite families to visit the galleries and explore the exhibitions at their own pace. - Cinderella Princess Tea Party
The GEM OC
12852 Main St, Garden Grove, CA 92840
November 23, 2024
7:30 - 9:30am
Join us for a magical Princess Tea Party at the GEM Theatre, hosted by Cinderella! This enchanting 90-minute event features a delightful full tea service with sandwiches, pastries, and canapes. Guests will enjoy Storytime with Cinderella, interactive games, and a special performance of her favorite songs. Be sure to wear your favorite gown for a royal photo with Cinderella! Don’t miss out on this unforgettable royal experience, perfect for princesses of all ages. - Explore! Fossils of the Ancient Sea Floor
Clark Park
8800 Rosecrans Ave., Buena Park, CA
November 16, 2024
7:30 - 9:30am
FREE
Join us for a fun "paleo run" at Clark Regional Park, exploring the hillside fossil bed and visiting the Interpretive Center. Closed-toe shoes, sun protection, and water are recommended. We’ll meet by parking lot A for a quick intro, cross Rosecrans Avenue to the fossil bed, and then return to the Interpretive Center. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. Don’t miss this adventure to discover shells, crabs, and fossils! - Laser Shows the OCC Planetarium
OCC Planetarium
2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa, CA
November 23, 2024
Times Vary
Regular showings are offered on weekends so everyone can come enjoy a rotating schedule of breathtaking full-dome experiences that transport you to faraway worlds. - Family Storytime!
Placentia Library
411 E. Chapman Avenue, Placentia, 92870