12 Free Things You Can Do in Orange County

Orange County events may be known for its “summertime fun,” but there are plenty of things to do in the Autumn months, all for free!

From Oktoberfest to going on a free hike, here are our selection of free Autumn Orange County events.

Enjoy a good day on the beach, then return to the luxury holiday spot, and enjoy the perfect holiday, enjoy the warmth and hospitality.

Costa Mesa is the ideal spot for your weekend, but will soon reach all of OC’s famous attractions.

This place has excellent hotel deals that can be an ideal springboard for your Orange County events in the fall.

Take the children to one of the Orange County events, the Children’s Reading Festival

Grab a free kids’ activity and participate in this free admission family event. Head to the Orange Coast College, and have an opportunity to meet more than 125 authors (this year, Kobe Bryant is a special guest) and 25 illustrators.

View illustrations of famous characters, participate in reading and discussion panels, and visit petting zoos and wildlife stages. This festival is a great way to make your child interested in literature, and the good news – it’s entirely free! 

Celebrating Oktoberfest at Huntington Beach

A massive Oktoberfest celebration takes place at Huntington Beach every Wednesday through Sunday throughout September and October.

From the oom-pah band to the bratwurst to the pretzels to the tons of beer, this fun festival has everything to do. It also includes parades and special Kinderfest celebrations for families. The best? Free admission on Wednesdays and Thursdays makes the holidays budget-friendly.

Free Orange County events at Argyros Square

The free event on Argyros Square has become a significant attraction for Costa Mesa and continues into the fall. September 21st is National Dance Day and will feature live performances and interactive classes.

The calendar also includes the October 11th Silent Disco, October 19th special autumn celebrations, including storytelling, music, dance, and all-round festivals on October 26th, including art creations and performances. 

Visit Newport Bay and Moose Interpretation Center

Walking around Newport Bay is always a good idea, especially when the temperature drops.

Stroll or cycle along the various paths of the area, and don’t forget to stop at the Muth Interpretation Center, where you will learn all about all the species found in the bay. The car parking is free because there is plenty of free space around the beach.

Participate in the Laguna Beach Plein Aviation Painting Invitational Tournament

Join this classic Laguna Beach event from October 5th to 13th. Watch the painting demonstrations and learn all about art from these advanced Purin air painters. You can also enjoy refreshments for free, meet artists at certain events, and participate in exclusive Q&A sessions.

Take your family to the Environmental Nature Center

Newport Beach’s Environmental Nature Center is always an exciting place to spend a few hours visiting the Butterfly House. You can also learn about the habitats of Orange County.

During this fall, they will host the Autumn Fair and Pumpkin Patch on October 13th, which includes many games, zoos, live animals, DJs, face paintings, and lots of pumpkins. This annual event has attracted many people, so please arrive as soon as possible.

Take an artistic walk in Costa Mesa, Santa Ana or Laguna Beach

On the third Saturday of each month, Costa Mesa will take an artistic walk at Lions Park, including performances by local artists, live music, DJs, dining cars, and in the afternoon. A wonderful dance battle!

Every first Thursday of the month, head to Laguna Beach for a local art walk. Here the art gallery will remain open so you can enjoy the artwork and take a short break. 

It is also good to visit the Laguna Art Museum, which was admitted for the first time on Thursday and has a fantastic collection of California art. 

These two days are great opportunities to explore the cities and everything they offer.

Visit Discovery Cube OC

Are you a cardholder of Bank of America? Then, head to Discovery Cube OC on the first Sunday of the first full weekend of the month to see this fun children’s museum for free.

In this interactive museum, there are always cool exhibits ranging from superheroes to healthy cooking to dinosaurs and rockets. 

Check out the Sherman Library and Gardens

Every first Monday of each month, this cool library and garden’s entrance are free. Check out their amazing collections of cacti and succulents, herbs, orchids, roses, and heliconias.

At the same time, the library records the development of Southern California with books, photos, maps, and newspapers. Spend an afternoon at the informative (beautiful) location of Newport Beach, killing time and getting to know all about Orange County.

Visit the California scene (and take some photos)

You must have already seen it on Instagram: the “California Scene” created by Isamu Noguchi (known by the locals as “Noguchi Garden.”) 

Take some time to walk around Costa Mesa’s tranquil sculpture garden in the heart of the art district, which records the various elements that make up our country. 

Strolling OC Grand Park

Free parking makes a visit to the OC Grand Park a must. This vast park has plenty of space for cycling, skateboarding, or lounging.

You can also check out many free artworks, including a vast walking schedule that outlines the history of the park and Orange County. You can also visit the rotating contemporary art exhibits at Palm Springs Gardens and visit the cool old-fashioned aircraft at Hangar 244.

Celebrate Halloween

There are lots of fun free Halloween themed Orange County events! Check out this list for some ideas, but we also have some ideas.

Eggs or quail eggs at Anaheim Plaza, where shops and restaurants sprinkle with candy.

There will also be facial paintings for children’s DJs and balloon artists. Or head to Dana Point’s Halloween Spooktacular Trunk or Treat for free refreshments, handicrafts, entertainment, carnival games, movie screenings, and more.

Make your trip to OC memorable by visiting Toyota of Orange, the number 1 dealer of Toyota cars for sale in Orange County, for a free test drive.