25 upcoming · checked by a human
🎟️ Free Culture & Outdoors in Irvine and Orange County
Free museum days, nature walks, garden days, and the library programmes that cost nothing. Residents-only and free-with-admission are both labelled where they apply.
Sherman Library & Gardens
FRIDAYS · 10:00 AMLittle Seedlings Story TimeSherman Library & Gardens · Costa Mesa & Newport BeachFree of charge for preschool children and their caregiversDetails →Ocean Institute
SAT, OCT 24Spooky SeasOcean Institute · Laguna & South CountyAdults $20 · Seniors (55+) & Military $18.50 · Children (19 mo.–13 yr.) $17 · Infants/Toddlers freeDetails →Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens
WEDNESDAYS · 10:30 AMWeekly Story TimeCasa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens · Laguna & South County$8 (Members and children 12 and under FREE)Details →Orange County Great Park
FRI, OCT 30Halloween Movie Night: Minions & Monsters and Hocus PocusOrange County Great Park · IrvineFree admission and parkingDetails →Sea & Sage Audubon / San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary
SAT, OCT 31Annual Pancake BreakfastSea & Sage Audubon / San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary · Irvine$15 adults, $10 volunteers, $8 children 10 and under, free for children under 3Details →Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens
FreeSUN, NOV 1Free Family Sundays: Fall Harvest FestivalCasa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens · Laguna & South CountyFreeDetails →Bowers Museum
FreeSUN, NOV 1Día de los MuertosBowers Museum · Santa Ana, Tustin & OrangeFreeDetails →Mission San Juan Capistrano
FreeSUN, NOV 1Free Birthday CupcakesMission San Juan Capistrano · Laguna & South CountyFreeDetails →Heritage Museum of Orange County
FREESUN, NOV 1Community Día de los MuertosHeritage Museum of Orange County · Santa Ana, Tustin & OrangeFREEDetails →Ocean Institute
WED, NOV 4Distinguished Speaker Series: Amber Sparks and Emily HazelwoodOcean Institute · Laguna & South County$10 General · FREE Members · FREE Students (with valid ID)Details →UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art
FRI, NOV 6Art Happy HourUC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art · Costa Mesa & Newport BeachAdmission is free; drinks available for purchaseDetails →Orange County Great Park
SAT, NOV 7Dial Up FestOrange County Great Park · IrvineChildren 5 and younger free; VIP packages availableDetails →UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art
WED, NOV 11Art & Play (Ages 0–2)UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art · Costa Mesa & Newport BeachFree · tickets available two weeks before at 3 p.m.Details →Heritage Museum of Orange County
FREESAT, NOV 14Powwow Celebrating Native American Heritage MonthHeritage Museum of Orange County · Santa Ana, Tustin & OrangeFREEDetails →Sherman Library & Gardens
SAT, NOV 14Sherman Sowers Gift FaireSherman Library & Gardens · Costa Mesa & Newport BeachGarden admission is free throughout the entire dayDetails →UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art
FreeSAT, NOV 14Public Opening: Fall 2026UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art · Costa Mesa & Newport BeachFreeDetails →Crystal Cove Conservancy
SAT, NOV 21Explore the Cove: Coastal Ecology HikeCrystal Cove Conservancy · Costa Mesa & Newport Beach$15 Day Use fee per vehicle; free with State Parks annual passDetails →Sherman Library & Gardens
THU, DEC 3Merry & Bright NightsSherman Library & Gardens · Costa Mesa & Newport BeachMembers: $45 / Non-Members: $65 / Ages 3 and under: FreeDetails →Sherman Library & GardensFRI, DEC 4Merry & Bright NightsSherman Library & Gardens · Costa Mesa & Newport BeachMembers: $45 / Non-Members: $65 / Ages 3 and under: FreeDetails →Sherman Library & GardensSAT, DEC 5Merry & Bright NightsSherman Library & Gardens · Costa Mesa & Newport BeachMembers: $45 / Non-Members: $65 / Ages 3 and under: FreeDetails →Bowers MuseumFreeSUN, DEC 6International Winter HolidaysBowers Museum · Santa Ana, Tustin & OrangeFreeDetails →Sherman Library & GardensSUN, DEC 6Merry & Bright NightsSherman Library & Gardens · Costa Mesa & Newport BeachMembers: $45 / Non-Members: $65 / Ages 3 and under: FreeDetails →Sherman Library & GardensTHU, DEC 10Merry & Bright NightsSherman Library & Gardens · Costa Mesa & Newport BeachMembers: $45 / Non-Members: $65 / Ages 3 and under: FreeDetails →Sherman Library & GardensFRI, DEC 11Merry & Bright NightsSherman Library & Gardens · Costa Mesa & Newport BeachMembers: $45 / Non-Members: $65 / Ages 3 and under: FreeDetails →Ocean Institute
FRI, DEC 11Parade of Lights Viewing PartyOcean Institute · Laguna & South CountyAdult $20 · Senior (55+)/Military $18.50 · Child (19 mo.–13 yr.) $17 · Infant/Toddler (0-18 mo.) FreeDetails →
FRIDAYS · 10:00 AMLittle Seedlings Story TimeSherman Library & Gardens · Costa Mesa & Newport BeachFree of charge for preschool children and their caregiversDetails →Ocean InstituteSAT, OCT 24Spooky SeasOcean Institute · Laguna & South CountyAdults $20 · Seniors (55+) & Military $18.50 · Children (19 mo.–13 yr.) $17 · Infants/Toddlers freeDetails →Casa Romantica Cultural Center and GardensWEDNESDAYS · 10:30 AMWeekly Story TimeCasa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens · Laguna & South County$8 (Members and children 12 and under FREE)Details →Orange County Great ParkFRI, OCT 30Halloween Movie Night: Minions & Monsters and Hocus PocusOrange County Great Park · IrvineFree admission and parkingDetails →Sea & Sage Audubon / San Joaquin Wildlife SanctuarySAT, OCT 31Annual Pancake BreakfastSea & Sage Audubon / San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary · Irvine$15 adults, $10 volunteers, $8 children 10 and under, free for children under 3Details →Casa Romantica Cultural Center and GardensFreeSUN, NOV 1Free Family Sundays: Fall Harvest FestivalCasa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens · Laguna & South CountyFreeDetails →Bowers MuseumFreeSUN, NOV 1Día de los MuertosBowers Museum · Santa Ana, Tustin & OrangeFreeDetails →Mission San Juan CapistranoFreeSUN, NOV 1Free Birthday CupcakesMission San Juan Capistrano · Laguna & South CountyFreeDetails →Heritage Museum of Orange CountyFREESUN, NOV 1Community Día de los MuertosHeritage Museum of Orange County · Santa Ana, Tustin & OrangeFREEDetails →Ocean InstituteWED, NOV 4Distinguished Speaker Series: Amber Sparks and Emily HazelwoodOcean Institute · Laguna & South County$10 General · FREE Members · FREE Students (with valid ID)Details →UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of ArtFRI, NOV 6Art Happy HourUC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art · Costa Mesa & Newport BeachAdmission is free; drinks available for purchaseDetails →Orange County Great ParkSAT, NOV 7Dial Up FestOrange County Great Park · IrvineChildren 5 and younger free; VIP packages availableDetails →UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of ArtWED, NOV 11Art & Play (Ages 0–2)UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art · Costa Mesa & Newport BeachFree · tickets available two weeks before at 3 p.m.Details →Heritage Museum of Orange CountyFREESAT, NOV 14Powwow Celebrating Native American Heritage MonthHeritage Museum of Orange County · Santa Ana, Tustin & OrangeFREEDetails →Sherman Library & GardensSAT, NOV 14Sherman Sowers Gift FaireSherman Library & Gardens · Costa Mesa & Newport BeachGarden admission is free throughout the entire dayDetails →UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of ArtFreeSAT, NOV 14Public Opening: Fall 2026UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art · Costa Mesa & Newport BeachFreeDetails →Crystal Cove ConservancySAT, NOV 21Explore the Cove: Coastal Ecology HikeCrystal Cove Conservancy · Costa Mesa & Newport Beach$15 Day Use fee per vehicle; free with State Parks annual passDetails →Sherman Library & GardensTHU, DEC 3Merry & Bright NightsSherman Library & Gardens · Costa Mesa & Newport BeachMembers: $45 / Non-Members: $65 / Ages 3 and under: FreeDetails →Sherman Library & GardensFRI, DEC 4Merry & Bright NightsSherman Library & Gardens · Costa Mesa & Newport BeachMembers: $45 / Non-Members: $65 / Ages 3 and under: FreeDetails →Sherman Library & GardensSAT, DEC 5Merry & Bright NightsSherman Library & Gardens · Costa Mesa & Newport BeachMembers: $45 / Non-Members: $65 / Ages 3 and under: FreeDetails →Bowers MuseumFreeSUN, DEC 6International Winter HolidaysBowers Museum · Santa Ana, Tustin & OrangeFreeDetails →Sherman Library & GardensSUN, DEC 6Merry & Bright NightsSherman Library & Gardens · Costa Mesa & Newport BeachMembers: $45 / Non-Members: $65 / Ages 3 and under: FreeDetails →Sherman Library & GardensTHU, DEC 10Merry & Bright NightsSherman Library & Gardens · Costa Mesa & Newport BeachMembers: $45 / Non-Members: $65 / Ages 3 and under: FreeDetails →Sherman Library & GardensFRI, DEC 11Merry & Bright NightsSherman Library & Gardens · Costa Mesa & Newport BeachMembers: $45 / Non-Members: $65 / Ages 3 and under: FreeDetails →Ocean InstituteFRI, DEC 11Parade of Lights Viewing PartyOcean Institute · Laguna & South CountyAdult $20 · Senior (55+)/Military $18.50 · Child (19 mo.–13 yr.) $17 · Infant/Toddler (0-18 mo.) FreeDetails →What lands on this page
This is what most people mean by “free things to do”, and it is the largest of the three lists. Two warnings the cards carry and the aggregators do not: some free days are for residents of one city or of Orange County only, and “free with admission” is not free, so where a talk or a tour needs a ticket to get in, the card says so.