7 Fun Things to Do in Orange County This Weekend

Attendees check out local vendors at Irvine Nights at Orange County Great Park in Irvine, Calif. Courtesy of PSQ Productions

Irvine Nights

Enjoy a night full of lively music, tasty food, and fun activities as Irvine Nights return to the Orange County Great Park in Southern California. Over two dozen food vendors will offer a variety of food choices, and many local shops and crafters will also be featured at the event.

Children can enjoy inflatables, mini golf, carnival games, prizes, and much more with a kid’s zone wristband. Live performances will feature Twist on Taylor—A Tribute to Taylor Swift.

8000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine. Friday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Free admission. Kid’s zone wristband $18 online, $20 onsite. For more information, visit www.irvinenights.com

A child plays on the inflatable slides at Irvine Nights at Orange County Great Park in Irvine, Calif. Courtesy of PSQ Productions

Taste of Placentia

The festival offers an assortment of food and beverages from over 30 restaurants, and a live concert. Dozens of local businesses will also participate providing attendees opportunities of community engagement.

Proceeds will be donated to the Placentia Yorba Linda Unified School District.

2301 N Kraemer Blvd., Placentia. Thursday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. General admission: $40, children under 10: $10. For more information, visit www.placentiachamber.com/taste-of-placentia

Corgi & Wiener Dog Races

Fan of these short furry friends? Come witness these pint-sized, yet speedy, dogs dash to the finish line at Old World Village.

“Kilo” the corgi poses with his trophy at the 11th annual Corgi Beach Day in Huntington Beach, Calif., April 1, 2023. Carol Cassis/The Epoch Times

The day will start with the All Small Breed & Corgi Races and conclude with the Wiener Dog Races later in the afternoon.

7561 Center Ave., Huntington Beach. Sunday, Corgi races: 11 a.m., Wiener dog races: 2 p.m. General admission: $7. Race tickets sold separately. For more information, visit www.rcpalmer.com/wienerdog

Plum Festival

This enjoyable family-friendly gathering features lively German melodies, captivating traditional dancers, plum cakes, plum puff dough strudel, homemade plum jam and juice, plum Berliners—a type of German jam doughnut—and a variety of other exquisite plum treats for purchase.

This annual festival began in 1995 to celebrate the esteemed “First Lady of the Old World Village”—Dolores Bischof, who co-founded Old World Huntington Beach—and her passion for plum cake.

7561 Center Ave., Huntington Beach. Sunday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Free. For more information, visit www.events.oldworldhb.com/event/plumfest-august-20

The Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, Calif. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

World War II Photography of Stanley Troutman

Unlike many others on the battlefield, war correspondent Stanley Troutman was armed only with a camera. He captured the aftermath of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The exhibit showcases his photos, letters, artifacts, and memories of his time in Japan and the South Pacific.

Orange County Fairgrounds, 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa. On display until Sept. 10, every Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. For more information, visit www.ocfair.com/heroes-hall

Little Saigon Night Market

Experience the delights of Vietnamese cuisine and entertainment at the Asian Garden Mall. On hand will be a variety of traditional Vietnamese dishes including pho, porridge, shellfish, egg noodles, tofu, and ribs.

The event also features live music, and dancing underneath the night sky.

9200 Bolsa Ave., Westminster. Friday to Sunday, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Free admission. For more information, visit www.littlesaigonnow.com/event/little-saigon-night-market-2023-21.html

Fresh produce is being sold at the farmer's market at Farmakis Farms in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. Courtesy of Farmakis Farms

Farmers’ Markets

How about doing your weekend grocery shopping at the outdoor farmers’ market? Find quality produce, baked sweets and treats, small-batch foods, and a variety of hand-made crafts and goods at these local markets.

• Aliso Viejo Farmers’ Market
  26701 Aliso Creek Rd., Aliso Viejo. Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. For information visit www.myoccfm.com
• OC Great Park Farmers’ Market
  8000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine. Parking Lot 2. Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. For information visit www.myoccfm.com
• Farmers Market at Farmakis Farms
  29932 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. Fridays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free. For information, visit www.farmakisfarms.com