The Tustin Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off is renowned as the largest one-day chili cook-off in the nation! This annual event in Old Town Tustin features amazing chili tastings, craft beer and wine, live music, craft booths, and lots of family-friendly activities (e.g. games, bounce houses, and other entertainment). Like the Fullerton Food and Wine festival, all proceeds go back to local nonprofits and service groups.

• Date: June 1, 2025
• Location: Old Town Tustin

Mermaid Cove at Wild Rivers

June 1-30

Wild Rivers has introduced a new family friendly experience – Mermaid Cove! Birthday parties, mini braids, and mermaid academy can be booked for a special day. Make a full day of it with all the other attractions, too!

Celebration of the Arts & Music Festival – Yorba Linda

June 1

From the website: Dozens of artists exhibits and sales, including paintings, photography, ceramics, mosaics, jewelry, sculptures, wood carving, glass art, mixed media and cultural activities. This is a family friendly event offering free activities for all ages, sharing the creativity & talent of our community. This event is NOT a carnival, craft fair, beerfest, or fundraiser, but truly a day where talent & creativity is shared and inspired!

LOCATION:
Hurless Barton Park
4601 Casa Loma Ave
Yorba Linda, CA

INFORMATION:
714-996-1960

From Dinosaurs to People – Santa Ana

June 14

From the website: It’s Dino time! HMOC is bringing back one of our absolute favorite events!! We all know Orange County is amazing, but did you know we can trace it back to prehistoric eras? Together with vendors from all over Orange County we’ll be demonstrating the variety of histories and cultures that we have right here in SoCal in a FUN family and pet friendly event!

LOCATION:
Heritage Museum of OC
3101 W. Harvard St.
Santa Ana, CA

INFORMATION:
714.540.0404

Summer Fun Fest at the Market Place in Tustin

June 14

Select days, June 14 – August 2, 2025

Bring the whole family to The Market Place for playful days packed with games, crafts, music, giveaways, and more.

Hot Rod Social
Saturday, June 14: 12pm – 3pm
Location: courtyard near Mathis Home
Cruise into a day of cool cars, awesome games, and nonstop fun with face painting, tasty treats, Hot Rods, and more.

Picnic in the Park
Saturday, July 12: 12pm – 3pm
Location: courtyard near Mathis Home
Grab your blankets and enjoy a laid-back afternoon packed with live music, complimentary barbecue sauce bar, giveaways, and more.

Surfing Back to School
Saturday, August 2: 12pm – 3pm
Location: courtyard near Mathis Home
Catch the wave into a new school year with customizable school binders, sweet treats, photo ops, and more.

Farmakis Farms Craft Market – San Juan Capistrano

June 14

Summer Movie Series 2025 – ALISO VIEJO

Fridays, June 6 to August 8, 2025
Fridays, 6:30 -10 pm

Aliso Viejo Community Association (AVCA) will be hosting our Summer Movie Nights in 2025! . For this family friendly thing to do in Orange County please bring Blankets, Pillows or low Lawn Chairs. Food Trucks will be available for food purchases.

2025 MOVIES & DATES:

June 6 – Moana 2 (PG)
June 20 – Kung Fu Panda 4 (PG)
July 11 – The Wild Robot (PG)
July 25 – Mufasa (PG)
August 8 – Toy Story 4 (PG)

LOCATION:
Grand Park
6101 City Lights Dr
Aliso Viejo, California

INFORMATION:
(949) 243-7750

Tuesday Night Dance: Soulful Grooves at Segerstrom Center for the Arts

June 17

From the website:

Celebrate Black Music Month with free Tuesday Night Dance classes spotlighting styles rooted in Black dance traditions. Join Sakina Ibrahim, founder of Dance Arts Academy OC, for social dance, jazz, hip hop, and more – all levels and ages welcome. Adaptive movements will also be demonstrated by Studio D instructors.

• Free with Plaza Pass
• No experience required
• Social dance, jazz, hip hop
• Inclusive for all ages and abilities

Summerfest – Fountain Valley

June 19-22

Talk about family friendly things to do in Orange County! Carnival rides, vendors, food booths and the famous FV Classic Car Show, great entertainment, and beer garden.

LOCATION: The Recreation Center and Sports Park 16400 Brookhurst St. Fountain Valley, CA

INFORMATION: (714) 649-2760

Free Entrance Day to National Parks – Juneteenth

June 19

SELECT DATES

Come experience the national parks! On the following dates, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. Mark your calendar for these free entrance days in 2025:

• January 9: National Day of Mourning for President James Earl Carter Jr.
• January 20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• April 19: First day of National Park Week
• June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day
• August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
• September 27: National Public Lands Day
• November 11: Veterans Day

A Taste of Greece – Irvine

June 20-22

This is a fun-filled Festival for the whole family!

Pastries, dancing, boutique & delicious Greek food. There will also be Greek folk dancing lessons, church tours and kids play zone, Shop the Agora (marketplace) and browse the gourmet Greek food items

LOCATION:
Saint Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church
4949 Alton Pkwy
Irvine, CA 92604

Free Miniature Train Rides at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa

June 21-22

THIRD FULL WEEKEND OF EVERY MONTH

The Orange County Model Engineers offer public ride days every third full weekend of each month. To ride the trains, children must be able to walk and be at least 31″ tall and able to walk. A typical trip takes about 12 minutes and covers two loops of the park.

Rides are weather permitting. Visit their website and social media to stay updated.

Doheny Surf & Art Festival

June 21

The Doheny Surf & Art Festival is a free two-day event that celebrates the historic surf culture and coastal beauty of the park. The event features an array of activities including a variety of art and surf booths, music, great food and more.

Beyond Blindness Family Fair in Santa Ana

June 21

The Beyond Blindness Family Fair returns with a day full of entertainment, activities, and the ultimate in family-friendly things to do in Orange County! This community favorite brings together neighbors and families for a morning of games, inflatables, and tasty treats.

Guests can enjoy carnival games, bounce houses, train rides, face painting, and temporary tattoos. Music and live entertainment add to the festive atmosphere. There are plenty of chances for families to connect and make summer memories together.

Activities include:

• Carnival games & concessions
• Bounce houses & inflatables
• Train rides for all ages
• Face painting & temporary tattoos
• Music and live entertainment
• Community connection and fun

Ticketed entry is $8 for ages 3 and up (includes games, inflatables, train rides, face painting, temporary tattoos, and concessions). Admission is free for children 2 and under. Additional meal tickets are available for purchase.

Beyond Blindness empowers children with visual impairments and other disabilities to achieve their fullest potential.

Great Outdoor Jubilee at Children’s Museum at La Habra

June 21

Calling all future park rangers — Great Outdoor Jubilee invites families for a day of outdoor exploration at the museum. Participants will make s’mores, make a tie dye t‑shirt and animal track, and explore the science of nature, along with special crafts. Alongside outdoor fun, the ticket includes all‑day museum admission.

Each child’s ticket covers a s’more kit, one tie dye t‑shirt, one hot dog, and access to all event activities, all for $20 per child.

Summer Reading Kickoff Carnival at the Huntington Beach Central Library

June 21

Huntington Beach Public Library is kicking off summer with a family friendly carnival to launch the annual Summer Reading Program. Held outdoors in front of the Central Library, families can join in the fun while signing up for this year’s reading challenge.

There’ll be carnival games, face painting, a book walk, crafts, and food. A silent auction adds some extra excitement for adults, and live children’s performances will take place at the Tabby Theater.

Activities include:

• Carnival games & face painting
• Crafts and book walk
• Silent auction & food vendors
• Children’s shows throughout the day

Carnival tickets are $0.50 each or 11 for $5, available at the outdoor ticket booth. Show tickets are distributed 30 minutes before each performance. Children under 2 (on a lap) are free; all others need a ticket. Seating is limited.

Cowboy Festival at Rancho Los Cerritos in Long Beach

June 21

Rancho Los Cerritos hosts a special Cowboy Festival honoring Juneteenth and celebrating the stories of cowboys often left untold. The day is filled with cultural connections, learning, and fun.

Activities and highlights include:

• Games and family activities
• Live performances
• Demonstrations by local experts
• Urban Saddles partnership
• Exhibit: Untold Legacies

Admission is $5 per person, children under 3 free.

Tiny Disco at The Goldfish in LA

June 22

Get ready to groove at a family-friendly dance party made just for little ones and their grownups. Kids can dance, play, and express themselves while adults join the fun in a safe, welcoming space.

Enjoy food from Sticky Rice Thai and a lively vibe that’s all about connection and celebration.

Free entry, but kids must be accompanied by an adult.

Juneteenth Celebration & Concert at Polliwog Park in Manhattan Beach

June 22

Juneteenth Celebration & Concert brings families together for a vibrant day honoring freedom, culture, and community in Manhattan Beach. Enjoy upbeat live music, shop at local Black‑owned business booths, and get creative with interactive art projects.

This event is designed for all ages—kids can dive into family‑friendly activities while parents soak in music and community spirit. It’s a meaningful yet fun way to honor African American heritage and embrace unity.

Activities include:

• Live, soulful music performances
• Local Black‑owned vendor booths
• Interactive community art projects
• Family-friendly activities and reflection

The event is free and open to the public.

OC Parks Summer Cinema Series

June 25

OC Parks Sunset Cinema film series brings recent blockbusters and beloved classic films to scenic parks across Orange County.

Guests of all ages are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy lively pre-show entertainment such as character meet-and-greets, DJ-led games and more. Cinema events begin at 6 p.m. with screenings starting after sundown, at approximately 8 p.m. OC Parks Summer Concert Series and OC Parks Sunset Cinema film series are open to the public of all ages and free to attend with free parking.

DATES & TIMES:
Opens at 6 pm, movies at sunset

July 18: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
July 25: Miss Congeniality (2000) @ Yorba Regional Park

LOCATION:
Yorba Regional Park
7600 E La Palma Ave
Anaheim, CA 92807

Sawdust Art Festival

June 27- August 31

FROM THE WEBSITE: The next 3 events on this list are all take place around the same time during the summer and are literally within walking distance to one another, so we recommend making a day to enjoy all three! The Sawdust Art Festival, just across the street from the Festival of Art and Pagaent of the Masters, opens its doors each summer to showcase handcrafted works from over 180 local artists in an immersive, woodsy outdoor setting. Not to mention live music, art demos and classes, and lots of local food and drink options!

Meanwhile, during the holiday season, the venue opens again as the Sawdust Winter Fantasy, which offers a lot of the same fun but with a festive twist. It’s also worth the visit!

• Date: June 27 – August 31, 2025 (and TBD Winter Dates)
• Location: Sawdust Art Festival, Laguna Beach

Laguna Art-A-Fair

June 27- August 31

Just a short walk from the Sawdust Art Festival and Pageant of the Masters, Art-A-Fair is a juried art festival showcasing over 100 artists from around the world. Featuring a variety of media, from painting and sculpture to photography and jewelry, visitors can browse and purchase one-of-a-kind pieces while enjoying live entertainment and artist demonstrations.

• Date: June 27 – August 31, 2025
• Location: 777 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach

Asian Garden Night Market in Garden Grove

June 27

Weekends, June 13 – August 31, 2025 Experience the culture of an open air night market with food vendors, unique artisans, and exciting entertainment.

Star Wars Day at the OC Zoo

June 28

Let the force be with you when you visit OC Zoo for Star Wars Day! Enjoy a day of family fun including crafts, games, and photo ops. See zoo animals receive special treats throughout the day along with animal meet-and-greets.

Reservations not required. All activities are free with paid zoo admission ($2 per person, ages 2 and under are free). Zoo coupons/free passes are not valid for this event. Parking is $5 per vehicle on weekends.

Star Wars costume/attire encouraged!

Bash in the Gardens in Hawaiian Gardens

June 28

Celebrate the grand reopening with free family fun, including arts and crafts, balloon twisting, inflatables, music, face painting, and more. This community bash offers something for all ages to enjoy—just show up and join the party.

Long Beach Japanese Cultural Festival

June 28

Celebrate with an evening of food, culture, and traditional Bon Odori dancing. Guests can enjoy teriyaki, udon, chili rice, and shaved ice, with cha siu bao available by pre-order. Bring a chair for comfortable seating during the dance.

Rainbow Vision: Family Workshop at Getty Center

June 29

Make a spectroscope and bend white light into the seven different colors of the rainbow while exploring the art and science of prisms, light diffraction, and the visible color spectrum. Event is free.

Family Science Sunday: All About Water at Marine Mammal Care Center

June 29

Spend your Sunday diving into ocean discovery at Marine Mammal Care Center’s Family Science Sunday. This free one-hour program invites families to explore ocean conservation and marine life through hands-on learning.

On June 29, scientists (ages 8 and up) will learn about water and how it makes up our planet. Families will explore water’s unique properties through fun, science-based activities that connect to the ocean and the animals we care for.

Admission includes access to the full visitor experience, including patient viewing and interactive exhibits.

Advanced registration required—spots fill up fast!

We hope you enjoy these family friendly things to do in Orange County! Let us know what you would add to the list.