April is blooming with a bounty of fun family-friendly activities, including celebrations for STEM month (including the solar eclipse!), Passover, Cherry Blossom Festival, and Earth Day. Here are our top picks for the most interesting Orange County events April 2024 has to offer!
NASA Role Model Rossina Miller Virtual Visit – Mission Viejo
April 1
If you’re looking for a way to not just occupy your children’s minds during spring break but help them explore a potential career in STEM, here’s a cool option that is hosted by the City of Mission Viejo. “Join us for a virtual visit from NASA researcher, Rossina Miller! Rossina will share how she became a NASA scientist and what inspired her as a young person to pursue a STEM career. The presentation will be followed by space-themed activities and snacks.”
Free. Best for ages 8-14
CITIES OF THE FUTURE Film At The California Science Center – Los Angeles
Now Playing
Produced by a Laguna Beach-based company, this family-friendly IMAX documentary follows a team of middle schoolers as they participate in the annual Future Cities Competition. Got a kid who loves LEGO? This film will inspire them to dream about what they can really create with that passion for engineering. Other special exhibits at the California Science Center right now are on Leonardo Da Vinci and Goose Bumps! You could spend the whole day here enjoying CITIES OF THE FUTURE and then exploring the permanent exhibits.
Admission to the California Science Center is FREE! Tickets to the film are an additional $3 per person.
Home Opening Day At Angels Stadium – Anaheim
April 5
No list of Orange County events April 2024 has to offer would be complete without mentioning home opening day of Angels baseball season! Are you even really an OC family if you have never taken your kids to America’s favorite pastime at one of the most beautiful ballparks in the country? This is an evening game against the Boston Red Sox but here’s pro tip – if you’ve got young ones, take them to a day game on another date and they’ll still have a great time! For more insight into family fun at Angel Stadium, check out this post featuring everything you need to know about going to an Angels game!
Tickets start at $47 and the April 5th game ticket includes a free Angels wall calendar (while supplies last).
Bowers Museum Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival – Santa Ana
April 7
Welcome spring following the tradition of a Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival! The entire family will enjoy candy sculptures by Shan the Candy Sculptor, Kofu Bonsai tree demonstration, face painting, mochi treats, tissue paper cherry blossoms and Japanese fan crafts, Japanese tea ceremony, a drum performance by Kishin Daiko Drums, dance performances, and more.
Free festival. General admission to Bowers Museum is also free on Festival Sundays for Members and Santa Ana residents only.
Partial Solar Eclipse Viewing Party – San Juan Capistrano
April 8
From their website: “Join us at the Caspers Wilderness Park Nature Center to view a Partial Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024. A solar eclipse will cross North America, while Southern California will be able to observe about 60% of the totality. A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and anything else you might need to enjoy the show. Solar Telescopes will be available for viewing.”
Free admission and day-use parking is $5. Space is limited and advance registration is required. Complimentary eclipse viewing glasses will be available for registered participants.
Imaginology at the OC Fair & Event Center – Santa Ana
April 13-14
Your kids will have so much fun at this event which sprawls across multiple indoor and outdoor venues at the fairgrounds, they won’t even realize they’re learning all about S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics)! From their website: “Children, teens, families and school groups dig into science, technology, engineering, arts and math. Imaginology provides unique experiences for attendees of all ages – from preschool to high school, and their parents and grandparents – to build, create, play, observe and interact through activities that help them see the possibilities of a future in STEAM fields. Imaginology features makeshops, demonstrations, competitions, hands-on activities and entertainment, as well as food and fun. Youth competitions give students the chance to be recognized for their unique talent and accomplishments.”
Free admission. Parking is $12.
Passover at Pretend City – Irvine
April 17
From their website: “Rabbi Sender is coming to help us prepare to Passover with the making of Matza! Children will learn about the exodus from Egypt and will have the opportunity to use flour, roll it into dough and learn about the process that Matzah bakeries typically go through. Take home the Matzah that you make!”
Included with museum admission. $19.95 adults and children over 12 months. Seniors $17.95. Military and their families $16.95. Free to museum members.
Earth Day / Arbor Day Celebration – Mission Viejo
April 20
Come plant a tree and learn more ways to help the planet at the Green Expo! From their website: “Volunteers will have the chance to embrace nature by planting trees and shrubs along the section of Oso Creek Trail that is north of Jeronimo Road. Participants should wear a hat, gloves, boots and sunscreen. Lunch and ice cream will be available for volunteers while supplies last. Along with the planting, the City is hosting a Green Expo in the open space beside Oso Creek Trail, north of Jeronimo Road, that will feature earth-friendly activities and environmental exhibits with tips on pollution prevention, recycling and more.”
Free. Includes lunch and ice cream to tree-planting volunteers. Must pre-register to volunteer. Parking will be available at Newhart Middle School and on the Village Green at Norman P. Murray Community Center. Complimentary golf cart shuttle service will be provided between parking areas and event location.
Earth Day At The Bay – Newport Beach
April 20
From their website: “OC Parks and the Newport Bay Conservancy invite you to attend our annual celebration: Earth Day at the Bay. This free, family-friendly event features environmental-themed exhibits from community partners and local artists. Booths will feature activities that include arts and crafts, science discovery and educational information. There will be live music throughout the day as well as a scavenger hunt complete with prizes. Be sure to enter our opportunity drawing as well!”
Free admission and parking. Bring some cash for food trucks.
Earth Day at the Natural History Museum – LA
April 21
While not technically in Orange County, what better reason to drive up to LA than for this Earth-themed event! From their website: “Since 1970, Earth Day has been celebrated on April 22 to give a voice to environmental consciousness and inspire people to take action for their planet. The Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County protect and share more than 35 million specimens and artifacts, the largest natural and cultural history collection in the western United States. By understanding the world around us, past and present, we gain a better appreciation for our planet and for all who share it.”
Children ages 3-12 $7 (ages 2 and under are free), Adults $18, Students ages 13-17 or with student ID, and Seniors ages 62+ $14. Free admission for members.
For more Earth Day Orange County events April 2024 has to offer, check out this comprehensive list and click here for 5 easy ways to do Earth Day with kids at home!
Festival of Nations – La Palma
April 27
From their website: “Join the City of La Palma’s Festival of Nations & Parade on Saturday, April 27, 2024! The festival will feature carnival rides, attractions, and games, as well as cultural entertainment throughout the day. A variety of food trucks will also be available. The Festival of Nations spotlights the rich culture and heritage of Southern California, particularly the cultural diversity of La Palma.”
Free to attend. Bring money for food, rides, and games.
Though April means Spring Break and travel for many OC families, we hope you also find time to check out some of these family-friendly Orange County April 2024 events if you’ll be around and need some fun activities to fill that school-free time!
