It’s been a long hot summer already, and there’s still one more month of it to go. How? Why? Ugh. Well, if you’re looking for the most interesting kid-friendly Orange County events August 2024 has to offer, check out this list below!
OC Fair – Costa Mesa
Now – August 18 (Wednesdays through Sundays)
The OC Fair is back again this year with many of the favorites we’ve enjoyed year after year at this month-long event. The theme for 2024 is “Always A Good Time” and they will once again offer an Everyday Passport for those OC Fair diehards who want to be able to go any and every day of the event! There are TWO different carnival areas featuring rides and games, action sports arena, arts exhibitions, animals exhibits, produce displays, live entertainment, and more.
Tickets must be purchased in advance except for those with the Everyday Passport. Limited capacity so buy them early. General (13-59) $13 on Weds-Thursdays, $15 on Fri-Sat-Sunday, Senior (60+) $9, Youth (6-12) $9, Children 5 and younger are free. Everyday Passport is $60. Fair parking is $15 per car.

Disney The Little Mermaid x CAMP – Century City (LA)
Starting August 2 and open every day into the fall season
If you didn’t have a chance to check out CAMP’s Bluey experience (or even if you did), their newest immersive creation promises to be worth the drive up from Orange County and a great way to beat the summer heat! From their website: “Calling all merpeople, princes, and crabs! Dive into a world of wonder at CAMP and Disney’s The Little Mermaid immersive experience! Behind CAMP’s Magic Door is a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience where families can climb, slide, sing, dance, and play in the world of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. With live music, puppetry, and magic, there’s something for everyone! Explore Triton’s Throne Room, go on a scavenger hunt for Ariel’s treasures, slide through Ursula’s Lair, watch a live mermaid comedy show, and play EVERYWHERE.”
Tickets for all guests ages 2 and older including adults start at $34 and are dynamically priced based on date/time. Tickets can be rescheduled up to 2 hours before show time for a standard fee. Please arrive 15 minutes before your reservation time.
Junior Ranger Program – Upper Newport Bay
August 3
From their website: “Are your kids interested in learning more about the natural world? Come and explore the plants, animals, and landscapes of the Upper Newport Bay during our Junior Ranger program! Participants will have the opportunity to earn their own junior ranger badge alongside an OC Parks park ranger. All program materials will be provided.”
Program content is geared towards ages 7-12, but all are welcome. Please bring water, closed-toe shoes, and sun protection. They will be walking a short distance on dirt trails. Advance registration is required.
Enchanted Bubble Blast – Tustin
August 3
From their press release: “Families can experience a day full of bubbles including an interactive Foam Zone, Bubble Stations by BubblePOP, meet & greet with Baby Shark, live DJ, and kids can make a Sea Jelly Kaleidoscope and Nemo Sea Anemone forest!”
Free. Located in The District At Tustin Legacy, in The Promenade near RAKKAN Ramen.
Festival of the Butterflies – San Juan Capistrano
August 3
From their website: “The eagerly awaited Festival of Butterflies is back and better than ever as it celebrates its milestone 10th birthday bash! This beloved event promises a day filled with free, family-friendly fun, captivating entertainment, and educational experiences that will delight attendees of all ages.” Past celebrations of all things butterfly have included a kids parade (so adorable to see little ones wearing butterfly wings of their own creation!), a kidszone, vendors, live music, and a butterfly headpiece contest where entrants are judged on their use of upcycled/recycled/organic materials.
Free. Parking is limited around town, so they encourage walking, biking, taking the trolley or riding the train.
US Open Of Surfing – Huntington Beach
August 10
If you’ve got aspiring surfers or skateboarders at home, August 10th would be a great day to take them to this weeklong event! Though it goes from August 3-11, the 10th features boarding competitions in the water and on concrete, plus athlete signings, free live concerts and surfing-themed movies all day long! This is one of those classic Orange County events August 2024 offers local families that are why we love living the OC life!
Free to attend. Food and merch available for additional cost.
Fiesta Music Festival – San Clemente
August 11
Here’s one of the many notable Orange County events August 2024 has to offer OC families! This annual event features a kids zone with fun activities like bounce houses and face painting, live music, contests (past years have included a bubble gum blowing contest), exhibits from vendors like the Anaheim Ducks, and arts & crafts.
Free to attend. Food & crafts available for purchase.
Family Hike: Agua Chinon – Silverado (Irvine)
August 17
From their website: “Enjoy an afternoon family hike in Agua Chinon, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. We hike a gradual climb of 500 feet elevation as we watch for red-tailed hawks and mule deer. This activity originates in the City of Irvine and travels into Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. The hike will average 3 miles round trip at an easy pace with a medium-level of interpretation. This program is for participants who would enjoy a slower-paced gradual climb hike. Hikers should be in good health able to do a beginning hike over a variety of terrains. Wear comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes, and bring water for the hike. Be ready to enjoy the sounds and smells of early evening.”
Free. Must register in advance through link above.
Pacific Symphony’s Symphony In The Cities – Lake Forest
August 17
From their website: “Pack a picnic, grab a lawn chair or blanket and gather the family for an evening of free music and outdoor summer fun! Now a long-standing summer tradition, Symphony in the Cities (SITC) brings thousands of people together for great music and entertainment in local parks each year. With a potpourri of popular classics, pop tunes, and patriotic tunes, these concerts are led by Music Director Carl St.Clair and the audience is invited to participate in a sing-along of patriotic favorites.
“A pre-concert Musical Playground features many interactive and hands-on activities for children, including instrument making and a drum circle. And—back each year by popular demand—kids have the chance to learn how to conduct with Maestro St.Clair and later help lead the orchestra in Sousa’s “Hands Across the Sea” during the concert.”
Free. Other August concert dates are Mission Viejo (Aug. 3), Orange (Aug. 4), Lake Forest (Aug. 17), and Irvine (Aug. 18). Check website linked above for more details on each date’s music program!
Sea Country Festival – Laguna Niguel
August 23-25
From their website: “Bring your friends and family to experience this end-of-summer event with music, rides, games, food, and much more! …. The Sea Country Festival will have live music performances throughout the event!” Performances include Laguna Niguel Youth Committee Presents: Battle of the Bands, for the tweens and teens in your household.
Free. Nominal charges for attractions and games. Food available for purchase. Free shuttle service (see website linked above for more details).
Also, don’t forget about these ongoing FREE summer concert and movie events hosted by OC Parks this August 2024!
OC Parks Summer Concert Series
August 1 and every Thursday during the summer until August 22
The last month of this summer concert series kicks off on August 1 with legendary local band, Ozomatli! From their website: “Enjoy live music from exceptional bands and artists at Craig Regional Park, Mason Regional Park, Irvine Regional Park, Mile Square Regional Park and Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach. The concert series kicks off with The Smiths and Morrissey cover band Sweet and Tender Hooligans June 20 at Craig Regional Park in Fullerton, followed by popular local and renowned artists including Mariachi Divas, Flashback Heart Attack, A Thousand Horses, No Duh, Ozomatli, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and The FABBA Show. Jimmy’s Buffet will round out the 2024 OC Parks Summer Concert Series at Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach.”
Admission and parking are free. Open to the public of all ages. Doors will open at 5 p.m. for guests to enjoy the food trucks and to save their spot on the grass for the concert. All concerts are from 6 to 8 p.m. August 2024 events take place outdoors so bring your own chairs and blankets.
OC Parks Sunset Summer Cinema
August 2 and every Friday night during the summer until August 30
From their website: “12 free movie screenings Friday nights beginning June 7 to Aug. 30 at Craig Regional Park, Carbon Canyon Regional Park, Mason Regional Park, Yorba Regional Park, Irvine Regional Park, Laguna Niguel Regional Park and Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach. Guests of all ages can enjoy recent blockbusters and popular classic films, complete with dynamic pre-show entertainment such as character interactions, DJ-led games and more. Cinema events begin at 6 p.m. with screenings starting after sundown, at approximately 8 p.m.”
The series continues in August 2024 with FROZEN 2 (2019) and includes other family crowd pleasers like THE SUPER MARIO BROTHERS MOVIE (2023) and 13 GOING ON 30 (2004). Click on the link above for detailed list of movies/dates.
Free Admission and free parking starting at 6:00pm (screening starts approximately at 8:00pm after sundown). Food trucks and booths will have bites and beverages available for purchase at each location. Events take place outdoors so bring your own chairs and blankets.
For even more ideas of what to do with your kids this August 2024, check out our Ultimate Summer Bucket List For Orange County Families!
However you choose to enjoy the last weeks of summer in Orange County, we hope you experience some of the fun Orange County events August 2024 has to offer!