Consider starting your weekend this Saturday by attending a Ballet Folklorico performance at the Buena Park Library, or by taking the kids to a cooking club at the Haskett Branch Library in Anaheim. 

On Sunday, explore Fremont Canyon on an early morning hike, or watch a movie at the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library.

This is just a handful of the many free events and activities happening throughout Orange County — funded by public tax dollars.  

CHECK OUT OUR FULL CALENDAR HERE

Every week, Voice of OC reporters work hard to help residents stay connected to upcoming civic events, putting locals in a position to save tax dollars and hold leaders accountable. 

You can cut through the noise every morning by reading the free Voice of OC daily email newsletter. 

Sign up here.

You can also bookmark the Voice of OC calendar to stay ahead of key civic meetings during the week. 

That same kind of watchdog reporting now fuels a vibrant weekend calendar, choc full of free public services and assets your tax dollars finance.  

Here are a few noteworthy free events happening this weekend. 

Saturday, September 28

Folklorico Dance Performance

Folklorico dancers line up before performing at the Santa Ana 4th of July celebration at Centennial Park. Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC

Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month by attending a Mexican folk dance performance, also known as Ballet Folklorico, at the Buena Park Library.

Attendees are asked to bring a picnic blanket or lawn chair.

When: 2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Where: 7150 La Palma Ave., Buena Park, CA  90620 

Cost: Free

For more details, contact the library at (714) 826-4100 Ext. 125

Kid’s Cooking Club

Children ages 7 and up are invited to learn how to make Orange Julius at the Haskett Branch Library in Anaheim. 

Registration is required. Email or call the library to register.

When: 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Where: 2650 W Broadway, Anaheim, CA 92804

Cost: Free

For more details, contact the library at haskettprograms@anaheim.net

Open Sewing Lab

Teens ages 14+ and adults are welcome to the Laguna Niguel Branch Library to work on a sewing project during their open sewing lab.

Registration is required, as space is limited. Email or call the library to register.

When: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where: 30341 Crown Valley Pkwy., Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Cost: Free

For more details, contact the library at ocpl.lagunaniguel@occr.ocgov.com or by calling the library at (949) 249-5252

Sunday, September 29

Early Morning Hike

Explore Fremont Canyon on an early morning hike

Registration is required.

When: 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Where: 13333 Black Star Canyon Rd., Silverado, CA 92676

Cost: Free

For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at irvineranchopenspace@ocparks.com or info@irconservancy.org

Outdoor Volunteer Opportunity

A street view of Mile Square Regional Park located in Fountain Valley on Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. Credit: CARISSA NELSON

Volunteer in a nature area cleanup at Mile Square Regional Park.

Registration is required.

When: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Where: 16801 Euclid St., Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Cost: Free

For more details, contact Mile Square Regional Park at (714) 973-6600

Afternoon Movie

The entrance to the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library on April 28, 2024. Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC

Attend a screening of the Alfred Hitchcock film “Spellbound” at the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library. 

When: 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Where: 1855 Park Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92627

Cost: Free

For more details, contact the library at (949) 646-8845

If you know of a free public agency event that the Voice of OC should be aware of, send an email to etaylor@voiceofoc.org

For more events, please refer to the Voice of OC Calendar.

Join the conversation: In lieu of comments, we encourage readers to engage with us across a variety of mediums. Join our Facebook discussion. Message us via our website or staff page. Send us a secure tip. Share your thoughts in a community opinion piece.