Things to Do in Orange County This Week
Looking for the best things to do in Orange County this week? You’re in the right place. Each week, Thrive OC rounds up some of the best local events, activities, pop-ups, festivals, food experiences, family-friendly happenings, and unique things to do across Orange County.
Whether you’re planning a date night, a weekend outing with friends, a family day, or just looking for something new to do nearby, this weekly Orange County events guide is designed to help you find the most worthwhile happenings without digging through dozens of sites.
From beachside experiences and food festivals to community markets, live entertainment, seasonal happenings, and hidden gems, we curate the events that stand out so you can make the most of your week in OC.
Best Things to Do in Orange County This Week
LAcon V: The 84th World Science Fiction Convention, Anaheim (August 31)
Worldcon’s final day still offers panels, autographing, a MakerSpace, children’s programming, dealers, and the 3 PM closing ceremony. Monday-only memberships are available online. Times vary | Anaheim Convention Center North and Hilton Anaheim | Event Info
Festival of Arts Fine Art Show, Laguna Beach (Now–September 3)
More than 100 Orange County artists fill this open-air juried show with paintings, glass, ceramics, photography, and other original work. Admission also opens the door to demonstrations, select live music, and artist encounters throughout the season. Times vary | Festival of Arts, 650 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach | Event Info
Fullerton Night Market Finale, Fullerton (September 3)
The season wraps with market vendors, food, and live music in the Downtown Plaza. Admission is free. 4:30–8:30 PM | Downtown Fullerton Plaza, 125 E Wilshire Ave, Fullerton | Event Info
OC Parks Summer Concert: Family Style, Dana Point (September 3)
Family Style closes the free concert series with opener Chase Walker Band, food trucks, and an ocean-view lawn. Parking and admission are free beginning at 5 PM. 5–8 PM; music starts at 6 PM | Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach, 33333 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point | Event Info
Pageant of the Masters: The Greatest of All Time, Laguna Beach (September 4)
Catch the final performance of this year’s living-pictures production, a 90-minute celebration of landmark artworks and artists. 8:30 PM | Festival of Arts grounds, 650 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach | Event Info
Orange International Street Fair, Orange (September 4–6)
Food, crafts, community booths, and entertainment fill the streets around the Plaza for this long-running free festival. Friday 5–10 PM; Saturday–Sunday 10 AM–10 PM | Old Towne Orange Plaza | Event Info
Tchaikovsky Spectacular: Concert of Hope, Irvine (September 5)
Pacific Symphony closes SummerFest with violinist Randall Goosby performing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, followed by the 1812 Overture and a fireworks finale. 8 PM | Great Park Live, Irvine | Event Info
Orange County Soccer + Labor Day Beer Fest, Irvine (September 5)
Orange County SC hosts Sacramento Republic FC, with a Labor Day Beer Fest scheduled before kickoff. The current schedule provides separate links for match and Beer Fest tickets. 7 PM kickoff | Championship Soccer Stadium at Great Park, Irvine | Event Info
Downtown Santa Ana Art Walk (September 5)
One of DTSA’s signature nights returns with live music, DJs, artisan vendors, pop-ups, dancing, and interactive art experiences spread across downtown. If you want a night out with actual energy and culture, this is one of the strongest picks of the week. 5:00 PM-10:00 PM | Downtown Santa Ana | Event Info
Civil War Days, Huntington Beach (September 5–6)
Hundreds of living historians recreate military camps and civilian life, with demonstrations and four scheduled battle reenactments. Admission is free. Times vary | Huntington Beach Central Park behind Central Library, Gothard St between Slater Ave and Talbert Ave | Event Info
Cars & Coffee Classic, Anaheim (September 6)
Classic Japanese cars take center stage at this free first-Sunday gathering. 8 AM–noon | 2300 E Orangewood Ave, Anaheim | Event Info
Aloha Fair, Huntington Beach (September 6)
Island cuisine, vendors, and free entertainment bring a relaxed Sunday market atmosphere. Admission and parking are free, and leashed pets are welcome. 10 AM–4 PM | 16160 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach | Event Info
Sawdust Art Festival, Laguna Beach (Now–September 6)
Sawdust’s handcrafted village brings together more than 180 Laguna Beach artists, live entertainment, demonstrations, workshops, and food and drink. It’s an easy choose-your-own-pace art day with plenty to see beyond the booths. Times vary | Sawdust Festival Grounds, 935 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach | Event Info
Want Even More Orange County Events, Picks, and Local Finds?
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How We Curate Our Weekly OC Event Picks
At Thrive OC, we focus on highlighting events and experiences that people actually want to know about, not just filling a page with everything happening in the county. Our goal is to make it easier to discover what is worth your time this week in Orange County.
That means you’ll typically find a mix of:
seasonal events
food and drink experiences
community festivals
markets and fairs
family-friendly activities
nightlife and entertainment
unique local happenings
cultural events
outdoor experiences
special pop-ups and limited-time events
Some events may be featured as part of paid partnerships, while others are included because they are timely, interesting, or a great fit for our audience. We aim to keep Thrive OC useful, local, and genuinely worth checking before you make plans.
Explore More Orange County Guides
Looking for more local ideas beyond this week’s events? Explore more Orange County recommendations, guides, and curated local finds from Thrive OC.
Why People Use Thrive OC
Thrive OC is built for people who want to discover the best of Orange County in a more curated, modern, and useful way. We cover local events, food, experiences, businesses, and lifestyle picks across the county with a focus on quality, relevance, and what is actually worth knowing.
If you’re always searching for things to do in Orange County this week, local events near you, Orange County weekend plans, or new places to try in OC, this page is for you.
Check Back Each Week
We update this page regularly with fresh Orange County events and local happenings, so be sure to bookmark it and check back often for new things to do throughout the week.
And if you want the full inside track on what’s happening around OC, make sure to read this week’s Thrive OC newsletter and subscribe for future updates.
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