Events in Orange County for 2021 look different than most years. We’re here to help you find fun and safe things to do, outdoor events, virtual events, and more. Check back often as our list will be updated as events are announced.
Angels Baseball
Angel Stadium
Games and Tickets Available
Welcome back to the ballpark! Single game tickets are available for purchase online. You can choose from select socially distant pods and pay for parking all in advance. Learn more about Angel Stadium.
Concerts At The Camp
The Camp – 2937 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Enjoy live music all summer long at The Camp in Costa Mesa. This free drive-in concert series runs every Thursday night from 5:30 – 7:30 PM, May 6 – September 30, 2021. To see the full summer schedule, visit our summer concerts page.
Disneyland & California Adventure
Now Open! California Residents Only
Reserve your spot and purchase tickets
Disneyphiles and fanatics can finally get back on park property! For the phased reopening, the park is currently open to California residents only. Tickets and reservations must be made online in advance.
Donut Life Museum
Westminster Mall
2036A Westminster Mall – Westminster, CA 92683
Hours Vary
Details and tickets
Experience donuts in a “hole” new way. The all-ages interactive experience is fun for making memories and capturing unique photos with your family. Tickets start at $20.00 plus fees for Adults and $15.00 plus fees for Kids ages 4-12. Kids 3 and under are free. Get your tickets now for this sweet experience.
Downtown Disney
1580 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, CA 92802
Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Downtown Disney is open to the public with social distance restrictions in place. Visitors can enjoy the world of Disney, shop at select retail shops, and dine at select open restaurants. Visitors must wear a mask at all times, except when eating or drinking, and temperature checks will be conducted upon entry for guests over the age of 2. Parking is available in the Simba Lot only for $10.
DIY – At – Home
Many of the local maker studios and other do-it-yourself shops are now offering DIY Take Home Kits so you can pickup curbside and get creative at home, either on your own, with your family, or even plan a Zoom with friends. Here are a few of the best DIY-At-Home kits around Orange County:
Duff’s Cake Mix – 827 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine – Pick up DIY cake decorating kits. Cake, fondant, buttercream, decorations and instructions included in the cost of the kit.
Blaze Pizza – Make pizza night more fun with DIY pizza making kits from Blaze Pizza. Kits can be purchased as one, two or four individual sized pizzas complete with dough, sauce, cheese, dusting flour, and up to seven toppings.
AR Workshop – Huntington Beach & San Juan Capistrano – Pick up DIY kits including wood crafts, canvas projects, custom signs, holiday themed crafts, and more.
Home Depot – Locations throughout OC – Register for the monthly kids workshop and pick up your kit in-store at the Customer Service desk.
Hidden Talents – This Huntington Harbour ceramics studio offers kits delivered straight to your door. Kits can also be purchased and taken to-go.
How it works:
- Text/Call in your order to 714-330-1817
- Once confirmed, pay for your order with Venmo: @Debra-Wainer
- Products will be delivered to your door (within 5 miles)
- Complete your project at home and call for pick up when ready
- Ceramics will be glazed and fired and ready within a week!
What’s Included?
- $30 per item
- One ceramic item (see photos here)
- 8 paint colors (specific colors at request)
- Brushes on loan
- Delivery
2021 ENC Spring Faire
Environmental Nature Center
1601 E. 16th Street, Newport Beach, CA
May 16, 2021
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Purchase A Spring Faire To Go Bag
ENC’s Spring Faire will be virtual with the option to pick up To Go bags. Online events include a virtual Craft Crawl, virtual Story Walk, play virtual nature games and watch live performances from the Full Circle Stage. See a schedule of the virtual Spring Faire events here. You can also bid on Silent Auction items donated by local businesses like wine collections, dinners, craft beer, science kits, and more. Spring Faire To Go bags will be packed in reusable canvas bags donated by EARTHPACK and loaded with goodies including a free plant, gift certificates to local restaurants, personal care items, and much more!
Gardenwalk Coffee Cars & Culture
Every Saturday
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Free
Event details
Come to Anaheim GardenWalk where this new car show brings OC, LA, San Bernardino, Riverside, and San Diego County pop-up car shows together under a 400,000 square foot, 4,000 stall facility just steps from Disneyland. Upcoming competitions will include Classic Customs, Chopped Champions, Heroic Hot Rods (designated to veteran owners), Screamers (engine & exhaust decibel sound challenge), Truck Terrors (lifted trucks), Jaw dropping Exotics, and The VW (classic VWs and the touring stories they tell).
Ghost Walks with Haunted OC
Tours start at $24 per person
Tours are limited to 20 people for social distancing
Explore Orange County’s supernatural side with Haunted Orange County. Tours are 90 minutes to two and a half hours depending on location. Choose from five OC locations:
- Old Town Orange
- San Juan Capistrano
- Downtown Santa Ana
- Black Star Canyon
- Fairhaven Cemetery
- The Kellogg House
Drive-In Movie Nights
The Frida Cinema
Drive in movie nights are still happening at Mess Hall Market in Tustin. Screenings here include cult classics like Repo Man, Scarface, and Taxi Driver.
See our Drive-In Events page for a current list of movies playing.
Jurassic Trails & Tales
Crown Valley Park
29751 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel
May 14 – 5-8:30 PM
May 15 & 16 – 2:30 – 8:30 PM
Pre-registration is required for this exciting dinosaur experience. Reserve your group’s spot for $40. Your reservation includes space for up to 8 people per group and one parking spot.
Knott’s Berry Farm – Now Open!
Knott’s Berry Farm
8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park
May 6, 2021
Knott’s Berry Farm is now open to California residents. Buy tickets and make reservations online.
Live Music on the Ocean Deck
Pacific City
21010 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Come enjoy live music outside on the Ocean Deck at Pacific City. All shows are 1:00 – 3:00 PM
- May 1 – Chris Arpad
- May 2 – Natalie Clark
- May 8 – Kaitlyn Weathers
- May 9 – Paul Lemire
- May 15 – Chelsey Ann
- May 16 – Tiffany Dennis
- May 22 – Matt Hurray
- May 23 – Tanner Howe
- May 29 – Chad Rubin
- May 30 – Gina Roode
- May 31 – Jake Hitt
- June 5 – Michael Physick
- June 6 – David Rosales
Pacific City also hosts other outdoor events:
- May 4 – Mother’s Day Celebration and Photo Sessions
- May 18 – PC Grommets: Magical May Day (registration required)
Live Music at Old World
Old World Huntington Beach
7561 Center Ave. #49, Huntington Beach
Enjoy casual dining at Old World’s spacious 10,000 sq. ft. outdoor patio or in the Biergarten Hall plus live music. Day and night performances now on the calendar. Most performances are free. View event information here.
- May 1 – Muffler
- May 2 – Joaquin and His Latin Trio Band
- May 2 – The Disciples
- May 5 – Silver Lining
- May 6 – Mid Day Blues
- May 6 – Triceratops
- May 7 – Paul Wayne
- May 7 – Jim Plays Dan
- May 8 – Biergarten Bash
- May 8 – Flashpants Band (Ticketed event)
- May 9 – Totally 80s Mothers Day Brunch
- May 13 – The Moon Jays
- May 13 – Pollen Collective
- May 14 – The Cured & Arena (Ticketed Event)
- May 15 – Retrofit
- May 15 – Overdose AC/DC (Ticketed event)
- May 16 – Crosstown 2
- May 16 – Valley Sons
Open Market OC
Laguna Hills Mall: 24100 Laguna Hills Mall, Laguna Hills, Ca 92653
Main Place Mall: 2820 N Main St, Santa Ana, Ca 92705
Hours: Mon-Sat 10 – 6; Sun 11-5
Open Market OC is a unique shopping experience that features more than 200 local and small businesses that specialize in fashion, art, beauty, vintage, handmade items, and artisan foods. Keep an eye on the calendar – workshops and events will be added as they are allowed.
Pinot’s Palette Paint Events
Locations and offerings vary
Details and Class Registration
Get creative and enjoy an evening painting your next masterpiece. Pinot’s Palette has five Orange County Locations: Aliso Viejo, Brea, Huntington Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, and Tustin. Due to in-person event modifications, Pinot’s Palette is now offering a variety of outdoor and virtual paint events. Some virtual events include a paint kit, others do not, so be sure to check the class details. For virtual classes that DO include a paint kit, designated times for pick-up will be indicated in the class details. Also note that each location has different options — for example, Tustin offers over 60 video tutorials and registration includes a paint kit for $35.
Ride the Train
Visit Irvine Regional Park for the day and enjoy a ride on the popular Irvine Park Railroad. What else can you do there? Pony rides are open Tuesday through Sunday, or rent a bike or paddleboat from Wheel Fun Rentals. Hiking trails are open to explore, and if you’d rather hit the trails on horseback, horse rentals are available by appointment for $55 per person. Pack a picnic and enjoy a day at the park.
In addition to Irvine Regional, Orange County has many amazing regional parks, each with something unique to offer. Find one to explore here.
SeaLegs At The Beach
Bolsa Chica State Beach – 17851 PCH, Huntington Beach CA 92649
This outdoor venue on the sand in Huntington Beach offers various events including live music and dancing complete with beach chairs, picnic tables, delicious food, and drinks to order. Reggae Sundays, Boots On The Beach, comedy events, and game day celebrations are just a few of the events hosted by SeaLegs. Check the SeaLegs calendar to see what’s happening this week!
Upcoming events include:
- May 1 – Yachty By Nature
- May 2 – Reggae Sundays: The Late Ones
- May 7 – Comedy On The Beach: Jeremy Piven
- May 8 – Plastic Culture
- May 14 – Comedy On The Beach: Adam Corolla
- May 15 – Jake Parr
- May 22 – Robert Young and the Wrecks
Just down the way at SeaSalt Beachside Burger, you can also catch live performances. Follow their Facebook page for updates.
Sweet Treats
Times are absolutely strange. For many, times are tough. What better way to find a little joy than with a sweet treat. Orange County has many unique and creative dessert spots, from Polar Playground’s handspun cotton candy characters to The Loop’s fully loaded churros. Some locations are tucked in corners of strip malls, others have store fronts in one of the local food halls. Wherever you decide to seek out your next dessert, we definitely recommend making this a Friday Night ritual to close out the week.
Shopping! Support Local Businesses
Most retail businesses are currently open with modified capacity requirements for social distancing. Support your local business owner by shopping local. Orange County’s downtown areas are ripe with small businesses, restaurants, and boutiques that need your business, so take a stroll and shop to show your love.
Solve A Mystery
Book a private room for your group at one of these escape rooms for an experience you won’t soon forget.
Crossroads Escape Room in Anaheim has been voted the #1 escape room in Southern California and #3 in the nation. Sign up for a unique private game experience for you and your crew here at Crossroads. Choose from a variety of games including The Hex Room, The Psych Ward, and The Fun House.
The Escape Game at Irvine Spectrum Center offers 60-minute escape room experiences. Choose from Gold Rush, Special Ops: Mysterious Market, Prison Break, The Heist, and Playground. To follow social distancing recommendations, all games will be private and sanitized prior to the entry of each new group. All team members will wear face coverings and practice 6-foot social distancing measures. Can’t wait to play? Book a remote game to play virtually!
Tanaka Farms
5380 3/4 University Drive, Irvine, CA 92612
Monday-Friday: 9:30am – 4pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10am – 4pm
Reservations & Details
Sign up for a U-Pick wagon ride to cruise around the farm and pick fresh produce to take home. Wagon rides include stops to collect three different types of fruit or veggies, and guests can take a walk to the Barnyard Educational Exhibit to visit with the farm’s animal residents. Tanaka Farms also offers curbside pickup and a drive-thru produce stand.
Weekly Farmers Markets
Orange County features many weekly farmers markets. The OC Fairgrounds hosts one every Thursday from 9 to 1, Irvine Regional Park hosts theirs every Tuesday from 9 to 1, and the Orange County Great Park hosts one every Sunday from 10 to 2. For 2021, there is a brand new farmer’s market in Fountain Valley at Mile Square Park located at Freedom Hall near Euclid and Edinger. Find a Farmer’s Market to explore and stock up on fresh, organic produce.
Related Articles
| Orange County Drive-In Events | Best Downtowns in Orange County |
| Orange County Breweries | What to Do This Weekend in OC |
| Best Beaches In Orange County | Best Cities for Families in Orange County |
Heidi Deal is the author of the Newcomers Handbook to Living In Los Angeles & Orange County and a children’s book author specializing in history and human rights.
