Looking for things to do with the family in Orange County this month?
As always, OC Mom Collective has you covered! Check out some of our favorites and let us know what events you would add to the list!
July 4th Street Food Cinema (Pet-Friendly) at The Autry Museum in LA
July 5
Celebrate the holiday weekend with a firework-free movie night designed for both humans and their four-legged companions. Enjoy live music, food trucks, and family-friendly activities, then end the night with a Fourth of July-themed projection mapping show. All dogs are welcome on leash.
Pagaent of the Masters
July 5-August 29
FROM THE WEBSITE: Lastly in this Laguna Beach summer art-scene series is the Pagaent of the Masters (which, if you decided to try and do all three events in a day, would be the last event of the evening as well since it occurs at sundown in a star-lit amphitheatre). This event, made even more famous thanks to Arrested Development, allows the audience to witness art come to life with a unique theatrical performance where famous artworks are recreated using live models, all of which are volunteers! With a professional orchestra, intricate sets, and an original score, it’s an incredibly unique show worth experiencing at least once!
- Date: July 5 – August 29, 2025
- Location: Festival of Arts grounds, Laguna Beach
Hug & Groom Horses with Free Rein Foundation
July 6
FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH
Come learn, hug and groom rescue and therapy horses at Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center. There are normally 4-8 horses that participate in the event. You may meet playful mustangs, a feisty thoroughbred, or a big white mule.
All proceeds go to care and feeding of rescued horses.
Tickets are $25 each, children 2 and under are free. Water and snacks included.
Summer Movie Series 2025 – ALISO VIEJO
July 6
Films will take place 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! . 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
Ocean Encounters
May 24-September 1
From the website: Take a deep dive into the wonderful world of the Ocean at the Discovery Cube OC. Visitors can find out about kelp forests and coral reefs. Discover what are Twilight and Midnight Zones, and what are the differences between a Trench and an Abyss. This exhibit, which opens May 24 and remains the Cube through September 1, also shares info on the environmental threats that the Ocean faces from human activities
https://www.discoverycube.org/orange-county/visit/
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
Huntington Foodie Fest
July 11
June 6, July 11, August 1, 2025
Enjoy a night out with food trucks, music, family fun, and a marketplace! Admission free.
Dana Point Shakespeare Festival
July 11
5:00pm Festivities Begin
Set sail for a bold reimagining of Twelfth Night, where Shakespeare’s classic comedy meets the intrigue of pirates on the high seas. In a world of exiled nobles and cunning privateers, Viola is shipwrecked in a turbulent port ruled by power, deception, and unspoken desires. Disguised as a sailor, she navigates a tangled web of mistaken identities, unrequited love, and shifting allegiances. With romance revelry, and a touch of danger, this Twelfth Night is a tempest of passion and wit, proving that love, like the sea, is unpredictable, untamed, and impossible to resist.
Free admission. Bring your low back chair or blanket. Food trucks and spirits for 21+ will be available for purchase.
LOCATION:
Sea Terrace Park
Dana Point
Parking at Salt Creek Beach Pay & Display Parking Lot
TICKETS / INFORMATION:
RSVP at ocshakesbeer.com for FREE ticket
Sharks After Dark at Ocean Institute
July 11
Take a deep dive into a nighttime marine adventure that spotlights Southern California’s toothy residents. Guests explore interactive spaces and activities that indulge curiosity and observe night-active sharks and rays before the shark feeding session.
Event highlights include:
- Hands‑on interactive galleries
- Night‑active shark & ray viewing
- Sharks feeding session
- Beer, wine and live music
Event runs 5:30–8:30 PM. Food and drinks available for purchase. Tickets are $7.50-15 per person.
OC Parks Summer Cinema Series – Irvine
July 11
July 11, 2025
Fridays, 6 pm
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 11: Mufasa: The Lion King (2024)
LOCATION:
Mason Park
18712 University Dr.
Irvine
Family Films in the Park – Brea
July 11
Films will take place Fridays, June 20 to July 18, 2025
8 pm until 10 pm
Summer is set with evening fun at the City of Brea’s popular Family Films series. Films are shown outdoors on a gigantic screen. Bring family and friends along with your blankets and beach chairs to get the night started. Admission and parking are free. Please be sure to check for location changes.
2025 MOVIES & DATES: Dates & Movies
Friday, June 20: The Wild Robot
Friday, June 27: A Goofy Movie
Friday, July 11: Big Hero 6
Friday, July 18: The Mighty Ducks
LOCATION:
Civic & Cultural Center
1 Civic Center Circle
Brea, CA 92821
INFORMATION:
(714) 990-7201
Summer Fun Fest at the Market Place in Tustin
July 12
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.
Summer Movie Series 2025 – ALISO VIEJO
July 13
Films will take place 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! . 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
Queen Mary Movie Night Market
July 16
June 13, July 16, and August 3, 2025
The Queen Mary is hosting a summer series of Movie Night & Night Market Combo events, offering a full evening of exploration, eats, and entertainment. Guests can enjoy the ship, shop and snack at the Night Market, and end the night watching an outdoor movie under the stars.
Each date features a lively market with local food vendors, pop-up shops, live music, and a beer garden. Attendees are also invited to explore the iconic Queen Mary before the movie begins.
It’s a fun way to spend a summer evening with family or friends, blending history, community, and cinema all in one place.
OC Fair
July 18-August 17
FROM THE WEBSITE: Easily one of the biggest events if not THE biggest event of the summer, the OC Fair has not just the typical country fair fun of carnival rides and agricultural exhibits but some awesome food creations worth trying (like bacon churro fries?? Yes please!) and even live concerts to enjoy. There are often even special, limited-time events that occur during certain periods of the fair, so it’s worth keeping an eye on their calendar, so you don’t miss out!
- Date: July 18 – August 17, 2025
- Location: OC Fair & Events Center, Costa Mesa
Sizzlin’ Summer Concerts – Irvine
July 19
DETAILS:
Enjoy family-friendly concerts at Mike Ward Community Park — Woodbridge covering a variety of music genres. Concerts begin at 5:30 p.m. Guests can bring picnic-style treats or purchase snacks from gourmet food trucks.
Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests should bring low-back chairs and blankets; layered clothing is recommended.
DATES & TIMES:
Saturdays, July 29 – August 9, 2025
Concerts begin at 5:30 p.m.
July 19: Family Style • Blues and Soul
July 26: 1969 the Tribute • ’60s Rock and Roll
August 2: Your Mom • 90’s and more
August 9: DW3 • R&B, Soul, Old School Funk
LOCATION:
Mike Ward Community Park-Woodbridge
20 Lake Road
Irvine, CA 92604
INFORMATION:
(949) 724-6606
Shakespeare by the Sea presents: As You Like It
July 24
For audiences seeking quality, family entertainment, Shakespeare by the Sea’s free performances can’t be beat. Pack a picnic, a blanket and beach chair, gather loved ones, and settle in under the stars for a night of classic entertainment.
Located at the flat grassy area in the center of the Campus – has gorgeous views and facilities. We perform right outside the Student Center
LOCATION:
Soka University’s Campus Green
1 University Drive
Aliso Viejo, CA
Water Lantern Festival at Whittier Narrows Recreation Area in El Monte
July 25
Water Lantern Festival is filled with fun, happiness, hope, and great memories that you’ll cherish for a lifetime. Enjoy food trucks, music, design lanterns, and more.
Cost:
U.S. Open of Surfing
July 26-August 3
Catch the world’s (yes, the world’s!) best surfers in action at the U.S. Open of Surfing! This annual free event is one of the largest surfing competitions globally and attracts competitors from all over. The event also features awesome BMX and skateboarding exhibitions, vendor booths, and live music, making it a particularly exciting beach day.
- Date: July 26 – August 3, 2025
- Location: Huntington Beach
