There’s so much to do around Orange County in September! We’re always gathering fun ideas for families around town and some of this months’ best are listed here for you. Don’t miss our full calendar for even more events!
This year Diwali is on October 20th. Click HERE to see where to celebrate around town!
Irvine Nights at The Great Park Live
September 4
6pm-10pm
From the website: Thursdays, August 7-28, 2025
Get ready for the best in live entertainment, delicious food and drinks, and vibrant community spirit. Dive into a lively atmosphere for nights of fun, vendors, and kids bounce houses. Each night a different performer will be playing, check the website to RSVP.
Event is free with RSVP. Reserved seating area and VIP options available.
29th Annual Original Lobster Festival
September 5 – September 7
From the website: Fresh Live Maine Lobsters flown in daily prepared to mouth-watering perfection in the World’s Largest Steamers. You can find all things lobster from lobster rolls to lobster mac and lobster bisque, and even lobster on-a-stick! Incredible live music – Bruno and the Hooligans, REMJ-Michael Jackson Tribute Show, Devotional The Depeche Mode Experience, Rio: A Tribute to Duran Duran, and Jumping Jack Flash THE Tribute to the Rolling Stones, to name a few.
Fresh Live Maine Lobster Live Music • Dance Floor • Beach Bars DJ & Dance Instructions • Dance Floor Food Court with Tasty Lobster eats Exclusive VIP Lounge Carnival Rides & Games Karaoke Lounge w/Live Band Free El Baston del Rey Tequila and Whiskey Tastings Free Stella Rosa Tastings Local Artisans • Kids Area Magic Illusions shows (Sat./Sun.) AND more to explore.
Admission $5 Fri., $15 Sat/Sun – Kids 12 and under FREE!
LOCATION:
Fountain Valley Sports Park
16400 Brookhurst Street
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
FREE PARKING!
MOVE TO MUSIC Dance Fundraiser for Parkinson’s, Dystonia, and Movement Disorder
September 6 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
From the website: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Join the Parkinson’s and Movement Disorder Foundation and National Spasmodic Torticollis Association for a fun-filled afternoon at the Move to Music Dance Fundraiser event! Get ready to groove and support a great cause at the Saigon Grand Center on Fountain Valley, CA. Let’s dance our way to raising awareness and funds for those affected by Parkinson’s and other movement disorders. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make a difference while having a blast on the dance floor. See you there!
$25Ticket Includes
• MOVE TO MUSIC Bandana
• Chance to win prize for dancers
• Lunch provided by Katella Deli
• Chance to win a raffle prize
• Water
LOCATION:
Saigon Grand Center
16149 Brookhurst St
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Dodgers Kids Run the Bases – Los Angeles
September 7
Sundays, Select Dates, June 22 – September 21, 2025
Kids Run the Bases gives children (ages 5-14) the chance to run the bases after most Sunday afternoon games.
Pasadena Greek Festival
September 9 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
From the website: The Pasadena Greek Festival is a vibrant three-day celebration featuring authentic Greek food, traditional music and dance, cooking lessons, wine tastings, church tours, kids zone, and more.
Highlights include:
- Authentic Greek cuisine and drinks
- Live performances and dance lessons
- Church tours and cultural exhibits
- Cooking demos, wine tastings, and mixology
- Zorba dance competition and raffles
Tickets $5-10
Irvine Nights at The Great Park Live
September 11 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
From their website: Thursdays, August 7-28, 2025
Get ready for the best in live entertainment, delicious food and drinks, and vibrant community spirit. Dive into a lively atmosphere for nights of fun, vendors, and kids bounce houses. Each night a different performer will be playing, check the website to RSVP.
Event is free with RSVP. Reserved seating area and VIP options available.
Maritime Festival – Dana Point
September 12 – September 14
From the website: The festival features a spectacular array of fun activities including visiting Tall Ships, Sails ‘n Ales Craft Beer Party, Cannon Battles, Pirate and Mermaid Ball, Beer Garden, Mermaids Swim Shows, Pirate School, Live music, Reenactors and Sailor Camp, Local Vendors, Food Trucks and more!
LOCATION:
Dana Point Harbor / Ocean Institute
Shuttle service from Salt Creek Beach Park at Pacific Coast Highway and Selva Road & from Dana Hills High School)
INFORMATION:
949-496-2274
Creep It Real Nostalgic OC EXPO – Santa Ana
September 12 @ 12:00 pm – September 14 @ 6:00 pm
From the website: Come celebrate 80’s-90’s nostalgic Halloween at our annual Halloween Festival in Orange County. Shop from over 120 spooky themed vendors. Enjoy LIVE entertainment from spooky themed bands and GJ Vinyl Ghoul. Meet-and-greet with celebrities from that nostalgic era. Get snappy with lots of fun spooky photo ops and roaming characters.
LOCATION:
Heritage Museum of Orange County
3101 West Harvard Street
Santa Ana, CA 92704
INFORMATION:
Admission: Ages 13 and up are $7 each. Click above for tickets.
Fiestas Patrias Festival and Parade – Santa Ana
September 13 – September 14
From the website: Celebrate our local Hispanic and Latino communities on September 13 – 14, 2025 at Santa Ana’s very own Fiestas Patrias! This event marks the independence of various Latin American countries and commemorates the very people whom reside within our city. The festivities will include a street fair, live music, food, carnival rides, cultural exhibitors and more. The event is located on Flower Street between Civic Center Drive and Santa Ana Boulevard.
LOCATION:
Downtown Santa Ana
Rosemead Moon Festival
September 13 @ 2:30 pm – 11:00 pm
From the website: Rosemead Moon Festival will encompass three city blocks for a massive street fair featuring live performances, kids zone, food vendors; it is familyfriendly & multicultural, with a festive celebration to bring in Moon Festival.
on Valley Blvd. (Between Ivar Ave. and Walnut Grove Ave.)
Rosemead, CA
Children’s Entrepreneur Market – Burbank
September 13 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
From their website: Come support a farmer’s market run entirely by kids. The market features young entrepreneurs selling crafts and more.
Dodgers Kids Run the Bases – Los Angeles
September 14
Sundays, Select Dates, June 22 – September 21, 2025
Kids Run the Bases gives children (ages 5-14) the chance to run the bases after most Sunday afternoon games.
Family Printmaking Workshop at the Getty Center
September 14 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
From the website:
Hands-on workshop to create your own foam block print inspired by traditional relief techniques and discover the creative connection between drawing and printmaking.
1200 Getty Center Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Hangawi: The Autumn Festival of Korea at The Ford
September 14 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
From the website:
Celebrate the Korean fall festival of Hangawi with Kim Eung Hwa and the Korean Dance Company, sharing the beauty of Korean culture through music, movement, and tradition. This family-friendly program features traditional drums, lively folk rhythms, and graceful dances like the fan dance and flower crown dance.
The day begins with hands-on art activities before the performance, inviting all ages to join in the seasonal celebration.
Schedule:
- 10am – Interactive activities and art-making with LA Commons
- 11:30am – Main stage performance
Best for ages 3–11. Event runs outdoors; sunscreen and hats recommended. Included with LA Soundscapes programming. Tickets are $13.
Irvine Nights at The Great Park Live
September 18 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
From their website: Thursdays, August 7-28, 2025
Get ready for the best in live entertainment, delicious food and drinks, and vibrant community spirit. Dive into a lively atmosphere for nights of fun, vendors, and kids bounce houses. Each night a different performer will be playing, check the website to RSVP.
Event is free with RSVP. Reserved seating area and VIP options available.
Super Girl Surf Festival in Oceanside
September 19 @ 8:00 am – September 21 @ 5:00 pm
From the website:
The world’s largest women’s surf competition returns to Oceanside for the 19th annual Super Girl Surf Pro.
Watch top athletes compete in shortboard and longboard events, explore the all-female Festival Village with vendors, activities, and celebrity speakers, and enjoy live music from Lupe Fiasco, Plain White T’s, and more.
The weekend also features skateboarding, beach volleyball, soccer, roller skating, art exhibits, fitness classes, and family-friendly entertainment.
Dozynki Harvest Festival – Yorba Linda
September 20 – September 21
From the website: Celebrating Polish culture with food, music dancing and exhibits. Dozynki is a celebration of thanksgiving after a bountiful harvest that dates back to 16th century Poland. It remains a long-standing tradition in Polish communities throughout the world, including the United States and Canada.
The Dozynki will feature Polish folk dancers in traditional costumes plus delicious polish food such as freshly prepared stuffed cabbage, traditional pierogi, authentic Polska Kielbasa and Polish beer.
LOCATION:
Pope John Paul II Polish Center
3999 Rose Dr
Yorba Linda, CA
INFORMATION:
714-996-8161
Weekend Train & Trolley Rides at Southern California Railway Museum in Perris
September 20 – September 23
From the website:
Weekends, January 11 – October 26, 2025
Visit the largest railway museum on the West and on weekends, take a ride on a historic train or trolley. Tickets are valid all day, meaning you can ride as much as you like during scheduled operations.
Explore the grounds, exhibits, historic buildings, and pack a picnic to enjoy in Holstrom Park.
Tickets:
- $8-9 – Children (ages 5-11)
- $10-13 – Adults (ages 12+)
- Free – Children (under 5 with adult)
Anaheim Craft and Vintage Fair – Anaheim
September 20 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
From the website: Saturday, September 20, 2025
9:00am to 4:00pm
Visit the Anaheim Craft and Vintage Fair to shop for one of a kind handmade items from local crafters.
• More than 30 unique vendors
• No multi-level marketers
• Vintage Sellers
• No entrance fee for shoppers
• Convenient parking
• Great food for sale
• Bake sale, with jam and jelly
• Handicapped accessible
Please share with your clubs, groups, parish and stop on by to support this great craft/art/food event
LOCATION:
Annunciation Byzantine Catholic Church
995 N. West St.
Anaheim, CA 92801
Pomona Children’s Festival
September 20 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
From the website: The Annual Pomona Children’s Festival is back with a superhero-themed celebration filled with exciting activities for all ages. Enjoy community sports sign-ups, learning experiences, free food, and a special gift for all registered children.
Event is free.
Ancient Perfume Making Workshop at the Getty Villa
September 21
From the website:
In this free, drop-in, perfume-making workshop, you can create your own perfume inspired by an ancient recipe from Pylos, in southern Greece. Build custom perfumes by exploring the spices and oils favored by the Mycenaeans, some of which are still in use today, and discover how these materials were applied in antiquity.
Admission is free.
Fall Festival at the Westminster Civic Center Sunken Gardens
September 25 @ 5:00 pm – September 28 @ 9:00 pm
From the website:
A weekend of family fun, including delicious food, exciting live entertainment, and carnival rides!
Admission is free. Carnival rides are additional cost.
Los Angeles Comic Con
September 26 – September 28
Join in at the ultimate destination for comics, gaming, cosplay, anime & pop culture.
San Juan Capistrano Greek Festival – San Juan Capistrano
September 27 – September 28
From the website: Be Greek for the day! Enjoy authentic Greek food and pastries, live Greek music and dancing, shopping at the Greek bazaar, kid friendly activities and exhibits featuring Byzantine icons and traditional Greek costumes.
LOCATION:
San Juan Capistrano Community Center
25925 Camino Del Avion
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
INFORMATION:
(949) 542-3445
OC Pride: Revolutionary Festival at the OC Fair and Event Center
September 27 @ 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
From the website:
OC Pride: Revolutionary Festival takes over the OC Fair & Event Center with Orange County’s largest LGBTQIA+ celebration of the year.
Enjoy a parade, live music, drag shows, art, inspiring speakers, family activities, and themed zones like Trans Central, Teen Pride, and the new Splash Zone.
Admission is free for youth 15 and under and seniors 65+.
J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center Annual BBQ and Family Faire – San Juan Capistrano
September 27 @ 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm
From the website: We invite you to attend The Shea Center’s Annual BBQ and Family Faire fundraiser on Saturday, September 21, 2024. This renowned, family-oriented event promises a day of enjoyment at The Shea Center. By coming together, we rally behind our shared mission of enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities through therapeutic horse-related programs. The occasion features a wide array of captivating activities and entertainment, uplifting client demonstrations and stories, delicious BBQ dinner and beverages, the camaraderie of fellow supporters, and the chance to have a significant impact on furthering The Shea Center’s initiatives.
LOCATION:
The J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center
26284 Oso Road
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
INFORMATION:
949-240-8441
Annual Sandcastle Contest – Corona Del Mar
September 28 @ 10:30 am – 4:30 pm
From the website: Hosted by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, thousands of sightseers will descend on “Big Corona Beach” to view amazing sand sculptures created by participants ranging from the novice to the expert.
Whether you’re a participant or a spectator, it’s a perfect way to spend the day with family and friends.
LOCATION:
Corona del Mar State Beach
(Marguerite & Ocean Blvd., Corona del Mar)
INFORMATION:
949-729-4400
CHECK OUT OUR FULL CALENDAR FOR MORE EVENTS
