Fun Things to Do This Weekend in Orange County

The Orange County Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa, Calif., on March 1, 2021. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

2nd Annual Westminster Fall Festival

Several thousand people are expected to attend this family-friendly carnival in Westminster featuring live entertainment, vendors, food, and children’s activities. The weekend will kick off with the “Taste of Westminster” on Friday evening with a wide variety of local food and drink vendors.

Westminster Civic Center at 8200 Westminster Blvd. in Westminster. Friday through Sunday at various times. Admission and parking are free. For more information, visit https://www.westminster-ca.gov/departments/community-services/fall-festival

San Juan Capistrano Greek Festival

Experience the culture and food of Greece presented by the Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church. Traditional Greek dishes at the event include lamb chops and souvlaki, gyro sandwiches, Greek village salads, and yiayia’s Greek pastries with Greek wine tasting and beer. The event includes live Greek music, a folk dance performance, a bazaar, a $1500 raffle prize, and kid’s activities.

San Juan Capistrano Community Center at 25925 Camino Del Avion in San Juan Capistrano. Saturday 11 a.m to 10 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is $3, with active military, first responders, and children aged 12 and under free. For more information, visit https://www.sjcgreekfest.com/

Free National Park Access on National Public Lands Day

Explore the wonders of local Southern California national parks this weekend to celebrate National Public Lands Day. This is one of five days annually that the National Park Service opens over 400 parks for free entry across the U.S., including Joshua Tree and Death Valley, as well as free parking at Lake Mead and Lake Mohave.

Joshua Tree National Park is located at 74485 National Park Dr. in Twentynine Palms. Saturday only. For more information, visit https://enjoyorangecounty.com/free-national-park-days/ 

A view of the Milky Way arching over Joshua trees at a park campground popular among stargazers in Joshua Tree National Park, July 26, 2017. Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times/TNS

California Coastal Cleanup Day

Treasure the natural beauty of California on this annual day dedicated to cleaning and preserving the state’s coastline and waterways. The clean-up, organized by the California Coastal Commission, is one of the largest volunteer efforts in California to remove trash, debris, and litter from beaches, shorelines, creeks, rivers, parks, and neighborhoods.

Cleanup locations vary across Southern California, including San Clemente, Laguna Beach, Crystal Cove State Park, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, and Bolsa Chica Beach in Orange County. Saturday only. For more information, visit https://enjoyorangecounty.com/coastal-cleanup-day/

53rd U.S. National Speedway Championship

This speedway championship will feature an exciting show of motorcyclists speeding down short straights and leaning at seemingly impossible angles to turn around the track. This event has been thrilling attendees for 53 years.

OC Fair & Event Center Costa Mesa Speedway at 88 Fair Dr. in Costa Mesa. Saturday only, starting at 6 p.m. General admission is $30. Tickets for ages 13-17, seniors, and active military are $20, children 3-12 are $10, and kids 2 and under enter for free. Parking is $12. For more information, visit https://ocfair.com/event/costa-mesa-speedway-championship/

BeachLife Ranch Festival

Live music and art will fill this celebration of the spirit of beach culture, country, and the Americana community. Three stages will feature performing artists including Jack Johnson, the Bahamas, Brad Paisley, Midland, and Chris Isaak.

Seaside Lagoon at 239 N. Harbor Drive in Redondo Beach. Friday through Sunday at various times. Ticket prices start at $180. Children 6 and under are free. For artist lineups and more information, visit https://www.beachliferanch.com/

SoCal VegFest

This annual festival provides opportunities for Southern California vegans wanting to explore new foods while enjoying drinks, live music, and dancing. There will also be a vegan marketplace, speakers, celebrity chef appearances, social media influencers, comedy performances, yoga, a kid’s area, and games.

OC Fair & Event Center at 88 Fair Dr. in Costa Mesa. Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ticket prices start at $7, with seniors, military, veterans, and children 12 and under free. For more information, visit https://www.socalvegfest.org/