Though it may not feel like it right now, with the weeks of cold rainy days we’ve been having lately, spring is technically right around the corner! There are so many fun and family-friendly events coming up this March 2019 in Orange County, including Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day, Arbor Day, and more kid-centric festivities. Here are our top picks of family events from all over Orange County for the month of March:
Mardi Gras Celebration At Pretend City – Irvine
March 5
From their website: ““Laissez les bons temps rouler!” is French for “Let the good times roll!” It’s one of the most popular sayings during Mardi Gras. Join us at Pretend City and let the good times roll in our own Mardi Gras celebration! Sing, dance, and bake your way through the museum and end the day with a festive parade down our city streets.”
Included with museum admission. $13.75 adults and children over 12 months. Military and their families $10.50.
Mom 2 Mom Marketplace
March 9th
RESALE. MAKERS. MOM BOSSES. 8am-12pm at San Clemente Presbyterian Church
Kite Party – Huntington Beach
March 9+10
Did you know there’s an annual kite flying party by the beach? Though their website doesn’t have a ton of details, it does say there will be professional demonstrations at various times throughout the day, and sport kite lessons held on the south side of the pier on both days. Please note that you have to register if you’d like to fly your own kite (experienced flyers only). But if you’ve got kiddos who love kites, this is a fun one for them to come and see a bunch of them flying above the beach!
Free to watch. Regular beach parking rates apply. Kite flying takes place on the north and south sides of the Huntington Beach Pier.
Celebrate Arbor Day With Stonyfield And The City Of Tustin – Tustin
March 13
From their website: “Celebrate Arbor Day with the City of Tustin and Stonyfield! This free family fun event will be held at the Tustin Sports Park at 12850 Robinson Dr, Tustin, CA and will involve games, fun and of course, free organic yogurt! Come by the sports complex fields anytime between 3 pm – 5pm on March 13th to get involved with your community by supporting or learning about taking harmful pesticides off the playing fields in Tustin through our StonyFIELDs initiative.”
Free.
OC Cherry Blossom Festival – Huntington Beach
March 15-17
Have you ever seen a copse of cherry blossom trees in full bloom? It’s a beautiful sight! And did you know that we have a garden of cherry blossom trees right here in Orange County? Here’s your chance to see these lovely trees while enjoying this annual celebration of Japanese and Japanese American culture. From their website: “Each year the festival brings together a broad spectrum of performers and activities that span the traditional to the contemporary. Taiko drumming, minyo, classical dance, gagaku music, origami, ikebana are presented alongside cosplay contests, anime characters, electronic music, jazz, video game tournaments and beyond. Of course the event is also all about tasting the best of Japanese food and drink vendors in the region- 2019 we are launching the Sakura Night Market and we hope you will join us!”
Free. Speaking from personal experience, this is a hugely popular event and the parking can be something of a nightmare. So I recommend getting there early or be prepared to wait in lines to purchase food.
OC Heart and Stroke Walk – Anaheim
March 16
The Heart Walk is a 5k that winds in and around Angels Stadium, how cool is that?? If running isn’t your thing, you can do it as a non-competitive walk instead. All run participants receive a shirt and a medal at the finish line. In addition to the run/walk, there’s a Health Expo which includes a CPR Zone where you can learn Hands-only CPR. There’s also a FREE kids zone with activities and games, plus live music and entertainment, and free giveaways.
Free for all to attend the Walk and Health Expo. Registration Fee for the Run $35 – price will increase to $45 three days before the event. Free Parking is available in the general parking lots. Leashed dogs and strollers are allowed!
Ancestral Arts Day At Earthroots – Trabuco Canyon
March 16
From their website: “Join Earthroots instructors, Jodi Levine-Wright, Shane Brown, and Claudia Boden, for a family day at Big Oak Canyon! Learn techniques for basket weaving, shelter building, fiber arts, discover the meaning behind animal tracks and signs, and have a look at our nature museum.”
$25 per person, ages 3 and under free. All ages welcome!
Magic Show At SoCo Farmers Market – Costa Mesa
Irish Festival – Mission Viejo
March 16
From their website: “Mission Viejo is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day! Entertainment will feature OC’s renowned Irish band Cillian’s Bridge, a lively sheep herding demonstration by SoCal Herding, and bungee jumping for the bravest among us, along with crafts and games for the kids. Delicious Irish (and not so Irish) food, including beer and wine, will be available for purchase. We will also have many free crafts and games.”
Free.
International Children’s Festival – Long Beach
OCMB Presents Hanging With Heroes – Anaheim
- GIVEAWAYS – Lots of Giveaways from our awesome sponsors at Right Movers, Destination Science, Fountain Valley Ice, and More!
- FREE Face-painter courtsey of Yorba Linda High School
- Elsa, Anna & A Fabulous Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle will be gracing us the entire day! Courtesy of Dazzling D’s Princess Productions LLC
- Right Movers will be giving away 3 Bikes!
- The Anaheim Police will be there! Let your kids see the inside of a squad car!
- The Anaheim Fire Truck will be there!! {The truck may have to leave early depending on if there is an emergency}
- Summit Academy is sponsoring a BOUNCE HOUSE! Everyone loves a bounce house right?
- Pediatric Smiles of Orange is sponsoring a SLIME STATION! Every child attendee will be able to take home SLIME!
- Lander Chiropractic is sponsoring a make your own PLAY-DOH STATION. Every child will go home with play-doh!
- Fit4Mom Anaheim Hills/Orange is bringing a TODDLER OBSTACLE COURSE.
- Aqua-Tots is sponsoring a FUN ZONE!
- Playground – if you’ve never been to Trinity Lutheran School you are missing out! They have an amazing facility AND a fantastic playground. WITH SHADE FOR PARENTS! So, if you need to sit and take a break from the awesomeness – they’ve got you covered!
- THE FISH OC will be making our event musical!
- They See Me Mommin’ the most hilarious podcast you’ll ever listen to will be sponsoring our Silly String Station!
- A Photobooth to capture every FUN moment courtesy of Bigfoot Photobooths!
- Great Park Ice & FivePoint Arena will test your shooting skills!
- Gymboree will be there with their parachute and activities!
- Mission Renaissance will be bringing art class to the event!
This event is only $5 per family!! Get your tickets HERE!
Rocket Build & Launch Event – Laguna Niguel
March 24
Join Future Kids OC, a non-profit which promotes science education for kids in Orange County, in this fundraiser event that promises to have lots of hands-on STEM activities for all ages, including a competition where you build and launch your own rocket! There will be prizes for rockets with the longest “hang time” in the air.
Minimum donation to attend the event is $25 (tax-deductible) and includes a Rocket Build Kit, tools, instructor, and chance to compete for prizes mentioned above. Donations over $100 will be entered to win a Future Kids OC Complete Science Kit.
Bonkers For Bunnies Preschool Program At The OC Zoo – Orange
March 26
From their website: “Come learn all about bunnies and meet some up close! Class includes hands-on learning and fun crafts. Ages 3-4 years old only. Parent must accompany child for duration of program.”
Fee: $5 per child (includes one adult). Parking: $3 per vehicle. Registration is required! Call (714) 973-6846 to register. Please note these Easter-themed classes fill quickly!
Know of an event in March that you think should make the list? Please let us know in the comments below!
