Consider starting your weekend this Saturday by creating art with your child at the Laguna Beach Public Library, or by playing bingo at the Villa Park Library.
On Sunday, hike the paved Hicks Haul Road, or attend a talk on pollinators 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
Meditate at the Library
Enjoy a mid-day guided meditation session at the Fullerton Public Library’s main branch.
When: May 10, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: 353 W. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 738-6326
Gardening Talk: Pollinators
Attend a talk on pollinators with the UCCE Master Gardeners of Orange County at the Anaheim Central Library. Learn about bee nesting habits, causes of the declining bee population and other tips to attract bees.
When: May 11, 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) 526-7728 or (562) 694-0078
Lego Mania
All ages are welcome to the La Habra Library to play with Legos.
When: May 11, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 221 E. La Habra Blvd., La Habra, CA 90631
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 526-7728 or (562) 694-0078
Central Orange County
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: May 10, 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
Bingo at the Villa Park Library
Enjoy bingo, refreshments and conversation with others at the Villa Park Library in celebration of Older Adults Month.
When: May 10, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 17865 Santiago Blvd., Villa Park, CA 92861
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 998-0861
Morning Fitness Hike
Enjoy panoramic views of Orange County on a fitness hike through Hicks Haul Road, West Loma and Shoestring trails.
Registration is required.
When: May 11, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Where: 11911 Hicks Haul Rd., Irvine, CA 92602
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at irvineranchopenspace@ocparks.com
Coastal Orange County
Board Games at the Library
Take the kids to play board games at the Newport Beach Central Library.
When: May 10, 2:00 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
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: May 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
Visit the HB International Surfing Museum
A mural by Donald “DJ Mac” MacDonald on the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum on May 21, 2023. The piece was originally painted in 1996. Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC.
Learn about the history of surfing at the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum, a nonprofit museum located downtown.
The museum is free to enter, but donations are appreciated.
When: May 10 & 11, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: 411 Olive Ave., Huntington Beach, Ca 92648
Cost: Free
South Orange County
Kids STEM Craft
Children ages 3-6 are welcome to make a paper windmill for an hour-long science activity.
When: May 10, 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Where: 7531 E. Santiago Canyon Rd., Silverado, CA 92676
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 649-2216
Learn to Manage Garden Pests
Enjoy a talk on managing insects by the master gardeners of Orange County. Learn techniques of attracting beneficial insects, and other tips on preventing and suppressing pests.
When: May 10, 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
Open Sewing Lab
Teens ages 14+ and adults are welcome to the Laguna Niguel Branch Library to work on a sewing project in their open sewing lab.
Registration is required, as space is limited. Email or call the library to register.
When: May 10, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 30341 Crown Valley Pkwy., Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at ocpl.lagunaniguel@occr.ocgov.com or by calling 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.
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