Family events in Dana Point, CA

The County of Orange and OC Parks present the returning OC Parks Sunset Cinema series, offering 12 free film nights at Carbon Canyon, Craig, Mason, Yorba, Laguna Niguel and Irvine regional parks, plus Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach. The series welcomes all ages. This screening features 10 Things I Hate About You (PG-13, 1999) at Laguna Niguel Regional Park in Laguna Niguel. Before the movie begins at sunset, attendees can enjoy character appearances, DJ hosted games and photo ops. Admission and parking are free, and food and beverages are available for purchase from on site food trucks and concessions. Wild Fork sponsors the evening and serves items such as Angus beef sliders, veggie burgers, chicken tenders and loaded pulled pork tots from its food truck.

Start the weekend with outdoor live music at the center. Every Friday brings a new vibe, spanning upbeat DJ mixes and sing along covers to relaxed jazz and heartfelt vocals. This night spotlights Jazz Night with Laurence Juber and Christena Rich near H&M. Grab dinner, stay for a set, and follow the sounds as you explore. Weather permitting and subject to change or cancellation without notice.

A ghost walk winds through the historic heart of San Juan Capistrano, where tales of the restless are shared beneath century-old pepper trees. The path moves through the Los Rios district and continues along Camino Capistrano under low light, reaching the outskirts of the Mission. Along the way, hear accounts of headless apparitions, bandits, and even a pirate raid, with elegant restaurants that carry a shadowy past adding to the atmosphere. The journey concludes outside the Mission near the ruined stone church, the site of the 1812 earthquake that took the lives of forty-two parishioners, where legend says at least one spirit lingers. It is a history-rich exploration of one of Southern California’s oldest and most haunted places.

Small cars, big collisions. This team-style demolition derby packs mini machines into hard-hitting showdowns where metal crumples from start to finish. Each derby ticket also includes same-day access to the OC Fair.

This session in the Dementia Caregiver Education Series explores how caregivers can recognize early signs of Alzheimer’s and take practical steps toward prevention. Led by Dr. Dung Trinh, Chief Medical Officer at Healthy Brain Clinic and a board member of Alzheimer’s Orange County, it takes place at the Mount of Olives Adult Day Program. Nurses can earn three CEU units, and a vendor expo with light refreshments is included. A free Memory Cafe runs at the same time for loved ones living with early to mid stage dementia. Space is limited and advance registration is required for the Memory Cafe. Attendees may also request a brief memory screening provided by the Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation on the day of the event, with sign ups taken onsite and accommodated as time and space allow on a first come, first served basis. This free installment in the series is presented by the Adult Day Program at Mount of Olives Church in collaboration with Alzheimer’s Orange County. For details or help with registration, contact adpinfo@moochurch.org or 949-581-3800.

The Pacific Motor and Spirits Festival brings together a wide range of automobiles with food and cocktails. Displays include vintage vehicles, modified builds, early muscle, exotics, and motorcycles. Space for participating vehicles is limited.

Join OC Parks naturalists for a family-friendly trek to explore backyard bugs in Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. Learn why insects are so important to the planet, including their role as essential pollinators, and get a closer look at the incredible variety of these animals. All ages are welcome, and kids under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Be sure to bring water, closed-toed shoes, and sun protection. Advanced registration is required, and every participant must sign a waiver at the start of the program. The event may be canceled due to weather or muddy trail conditions.

South OC Cars & Coffee is a weekly morning meet-up for car lovers, with hundreds of enthusiasts gathering to enjoy a wide variety of vehicles. It takes place on the upper level of the parking garage at the Outlets at San Clemente, giving everyone a fun, ocean-view setting while cruisers show off their cars. It runs every Saturday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

The Jeffrey Craig Project performs on the Plaza Stage at the OC Fair.

Mike Ward Community Park Woodbridge turns into an open-air stage for Irvine Summer in the City Concerts, showcasing a mix of musical styles. Bring picnic favorites or pick up bites from local food trucks. Admission is free with no tickets or preregistration needed, and seating is available on a first come basis. Pack low-back chairs and blankets, and dress in layers as temperatures can change into the evening. Additional parking is available at Woodbridge High School and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The season features the music of Jimmy Buffett and The Beatles, Top 40 hits, and Symphony in the Cities.

Enjoy summer evenings with live, outdoor music at Altea Park as part of the Talega Summer Concert Series. This date features Stone Soul. The broader lineup for the season includes The Mighty Untouchables, Reflexx, Franklin Wall, and Undercover.

Experience the OC Fair in a new way with family friendly fun runs through the fairgrounds before the gates open. Choose a 5K or a 1.1 mile course and move at your own pace, whether you prefer to run, walk, or skip. It is a lighthearted outing for all ages in a festive setting.

OC Animal Care hosts an affordable pet vaccine event with easy, walk-up access. Appointments are not necessary. Please leash dogs and use carriers for cats to ensure a smooth visit. Pricing details for canine and feline services are available online. For questions, call 1 (800) 988-VETS.

At Petco, meet adoptable dogs looking for loving homes and discover a new companion. Walk-ins are welcome, and you can also schedule an appointment to meet a specific dog so they are reserved and available to meet at the event. Each dog comes with health records and has received vaccinations, de-worming, flea and tick prevention, a microchip, and spay or neuter surgery. Adoption fees vary by dog and start at $250, and they are partially tax-deductible donations that help a charity care for more than 500 dogs. For questions, call or text 888.508.8943.

Enjoy an outdoor concert at Sea Terrace Park during a Sunday afternoon set that runs from late afternoon into early evening. Bring your friends and settle in for live music in the park atmosphere.

Enjoy an evening of live music at the Town Center Amphitheater in Grand Park as part of the AVCA Summer Concert Series. The setting is close to shops, making it easy to pick up food and snacks to enjoy on the lawn. Guests are welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs, gather with family and friends, and relax to performances by crowd pleasing bands. Presented by the Aliso Viejo Community Association.

Part of the Newport Beach Concerts on the Green series, this free outdoor performance on the Newport Beach Civic Center Green features Pacific Symphony. Presented by the Newport Beach Arts Commission, attendees can relax on low chairs or blankets. Bring a picnic or pick up food from food trucks on site. Alcohol is not permitted. Admission and parking are free and available on a first come, first served basis. The summer series presents concerts at both the Civic Center Green and Marina Park.

Celebrate Jewish culture through food, music, and art at the 20th annual Chabad Jewish Summer Fest. The evening features live Jewish music, hands-on craft activities, children’s rides, classic games, and face painting, along with a kosher barbecue serving hot dogs, burgers, falafel, and more. All are welcome, regardless of background or faith. Rabbi Avrohom Rapoport, the event coordinator, shares that the aim is to give children and their families a lively night together and a positive Jewish experience. The concert is free, rides and a craft badge are available with an $18 donation, and food will be sold on site. The festival is planned for Newport Ave. and the beach near the Ventnor Library, contingent on the weather. The event is organized by Chabad at the Shore, whose work supports Jewish continuity through education and social programs.

Action Sports Arena at the OC Fair hosts a demolition derby packed with hard hits and nonstop collisions in a free-for-all showdown. A ticket to the derby also includes entry to the 2026 OC Fair on the same day.

This is a summer art camp for young kids (3 to 6 years old) at Kidcreate Studio Aliso Viejo. Camp is designed around hands-on, screen-free creativity where kids work with real materials and make take-home art projects. Small groups and age-appropriate activities help keep everyone engaged while building early confidence with art-making.

Greatest Showman Camp is a summer performing-arts week for kids ages 5 to 14, running Monday through Friday. Sessions take place each day from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Newport Theatre Arts, with plenty of time for theater-focused activities and skill-building.

Wicked Part 2 Camp is a performing arts theater camp for kids ages 5-14. It runs Monday through Friday, with daily sessions in the late morning through early afternoon. Campers will spend the week focused on theater and performing arts training and activities.

Gaming should be fun, welcoming, and accessible for everyone. This free trial session is hosted at Valhallan Esports Training and offers a sensory-friendly environment for players 17 and under to learn, create, and play at a comfortable pace. Coaches provide a supportive, positive setting focused on confidence, friendships, and skill development. Drop in for the two-hour session and register to get started.

Catch the 2026 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in person at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center. The event runs for multiple days, with sessions scheduled from morning through evening during the Wednesday to Saturday window.

Shop local at the weekly Certified Farmers Market at its new spot. The market runs 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with a rotating lineup of carefully curated vendors including Black Sheep Farms, Bee Ladies Honey, Chaupain Bakery, Fresco Pasta, and more. Park inside the new parking structure, and you can park for up to 4 hours free while you browse.

Join Pretend City Children’s Museum for We Read Wednesdays, an intergenerational reading experience where kids and older adult mentors read together. Empowering Readers OC will help bring stories to life in a fun, welcoming setting built for imagination and discovery. The session runs from late morning through noon.

Stop by for weekly kids' storytime every Wednesday and Saturday at 11:00 AM. Bring the little ones for a fun reading session designed for children.

Stop by the children’s department at Barnes & Noble for a weekly storytime. This is a free event for all ages.

Bring your little ones for Storytime on the Lido Deck as part of the Little Lido Kids Club. You’ll enjoy harbor views while staff from Lido Village Books read stories old and new. It runs from 10:00 to 10:30 AM.

Join us for Storytime in the Children’s Department at The District Tustin Legacy, where we’ll read favorite picture books together. Feel free to drop in for this family-friendly reading session.

Part of the San Clemente Summer Concerts series, this free community show at the San Clemente Pier features Common Sense. The series has been a local tradition for more than 20 years and often attracts over a thousand attendees. Expect live music, food, and a relaxed open-air atmosphere. Many people bring beach chairs and blankets for comfortable seating. Admission is free and no registration is required.