Find out where to see films and hear live music for free this summer in Orange County.
Movies
OC Parks Sunset Cinema
Friday nights are film nights at parks throughout Orange County. The long-running series begins at Carbon Canyon Regional Park with a screening of “Despicable Me 4” on June 6 while June 13 presents “Charlie’s Angels” (rated PG-13). Fullerton’s Craig Regional Park offers “Inside Out 2” on June 20 and “Hercules” on June 27. Pre-screening activities start at 6 pm with the movies rolling at sundown (around 8 pm) and the final film plays on Aug. 29.
Brea’s Family Films
Families can enjoy a wild and goofy time with the two films Brea is showing in June. “The Wild Robot” is the feature attraction on June 20, while “The Goofy Movie” is the movie for June 27. “Big Hero 6,” meanwhile, is July 11’s film and “The Mighty Ducks” arrives on July 18. The outdoor screenings are scheduled for Brea’s Civic Center, but the city recommends you check their Instagram for updated info.
Movies Under the Stars
Irvine Spectrum Center welcomes families to spend a Sunday evening experiencing some movie magic. The lineup features “Despicable Me 4” (June 1), “The Garfield Movie” (June 8), “Mufasa: The Lion King” (June 15), “Kung Fu Panda 4″ (June 22), “Frozen” (June 29), “Captain America: Brave New World” (July 6), “The Spongebob Movie” (July 13), “Sonic The Hedgehog 3” (July 20), “The Wild Robot” (July 27), “Moana 2” (Aug. 3), “Elemental” (Aug. 10), “Inside Out 2” (Aug. 17), “Wicked” (Aug. 24) and “IF” (Aug. 31). Movies screen at 7 pm.
La Habra’s Movies in Park
Portola Park is the place this year for La Habra’s summer film series. “Moana 2” gets screened on June 13 while “Mufasa: The Lion King” is the film for June 13. Laugh along with “Shrek” on July 12 and enjoy Christmas in July when “Arthur Christmas” gets shown on July 26. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” wraps the series on Aug. 9. Pre-show activities commence around 6 pm with films starting at sunset.
Newport Beach’s Movies in the Park
Families can experience a Friday night out with free activities, free candy and popcorn, and a free movie, courtesy of Newport Beach. Marina Park presents “Moana 2” on June 6, while “Madagascar” screens July 11 at Mariners Park. Sunset Ridge Park shows “A Minecraft Movie” Sept. 5, and you’ll find “Lilo & Stitch” at Irvine Terrace Park Oct. 3. Movie nights are 7 pm-9 pm except Oct. 3, when it’s 6 pm-8 pm.
Screen on the Green
Rancho Santa Margarita hosts a monthly movie program in their Central Park — hence the title: Screen on the Green. The series premieres with “Moana 2” on June 6 at 6:30 pm. The evening’s family fun also includes giveaways, food for purchase and the chance to meet Moana and Maui in person. The next screening, “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” occurs July 25. Check https://www.samlarc.org/events for more details.
Rossmoor’s Movies in the Park
Rush Park is the park where you can see free movies once a month during the summer. June 20 features “Sonic The Hedgehog 3” while “Moana 2” is the film screening July 18, with “Snow White” closing the series on Aug. 15. The films start at dusk; however, get there early to enjoy free arts and crafts, and a bounce house. There will be food options too.
Movies in Santa Ana Parks
See seven free movies in seven Santa Ana locales! “The Garfield Movie” screens in El Salvador Park (June 6), “Despicable Me 4″ in Santiago Park (June 13), “Moana 2” at Windsor Park (June 20) and “Inside Out 2” (June 27) in Jerome Park. In July, “Lilo & Stitch” plays at Carl Thornton Park on the 11th, followed by “Toy Story” in Memorial Park (July 18) and “Madagascar” at the Santa Ana Zoo (July 26). Activities start at 6:30 pm.
Yorba Linda’s Movie in the Park
Be entertained by some popular cinematic animals at this free film program (7 pm-9 pm). “Sonic The Hedgehog 3” plays at Hurless Barton Park on June 21, while the city’s big 20-foot inflatable screen presents “Dog Man” in Eastside Community Park on July 19. More screenings will happen at Hurless Barton on Aug. 15 and Oct. 18 and at Eastside on Sept. 20. Check https://www.yorbalindaca.gov/404/Upcoming-Family-Fun-Special-Events/ for movie title updates.
Music
OC Parks Summer Concert Series
This popular series returns with nine Thursday night concerts at various OC Parks. Fountain Valley’s Mile Square Park is the spot for the two June shows. Ozomatli will get things off to a high-spirited start with a performance on June 19. On June 26, you can spend some time with Doin’ Time. Activities begin at 5 pm with the live music commencing at 6 pm. This series continues on through Aug. 21.
Summer Concerts on the Green
Cypress’ Civic Center Green holds a night filled of music on Fridays this summer. June 13 delivers RemiX, followed by Radio Royalty (June 20) and The Dreamboats (June 27). July’s lineup is The Funny Hippeez (July 11), Franklin Wall (July 18) and the What’s Up Pussycats (July 25). Electric Vinyl performs Aug. 1 and then it’s Blue Breeze Band concluding the series Aug. 8.
Garden Grove’s Summer Concert Series
The Dreamboats launch this series in Eastgate Park June 19 with ‘50s and ‘60s classics, while Wild Shot salutes Guns & Roses on June 26. The Answer delivers timeless hits July 10 and it’s the 80s vs 90s Show July 17. Catch The Kelly Boyz’s country tunes July 24, while July 31’s finale features Take On Taylor. Concerts run 6:30 pm-8:30 pm with “The Voice of Garden Grove” contest happening from 6 pm-6:30 pm.
Laguna Niguel’s Summer Concerts
Laguna Niguel’s Crown Valley Park Amphitheater serves up free music every other Friday night. The James Kelly Band performs on June 6, with the Funky Hippeez playing June 20. July 4 features two groups: Juke Box Productions and Titans of Rock. Folks can enjoy the Dreamboats on July 18, the Rock Shows Aug. 1 and Flashback Heart Attack Aug. 15. Concerts take place from 6:30 pm-8 pm, except it’s 5:30 pm-9:30 pm on July 4.
Los Alamitos’ Free Summer Concerts
The summer music scene begins on Pine Street with JT Harker (June 12); Devotional — Depeche Mode Tribute (June 19); 80z All Stars (June 26) and Headshine (July 10). Concerts continue at Little Cottonwood Park with Remix (July 17) and Hard Day’s Night — Beatles Tribute (July 31) and Orville Lewis Jr. Park with Chris Lozano Band (July 24) and Spin Town (Aug. 7). All concerts go from 6:30 pm-8 pm.
Concerts on the Green
The Village Green at the Norman Murray Community & Senior Center is the place where Mission Viejo presents free concerts this summer. Enjoy the Smith Band’s country pop sound on June 13 as well as experiencing the history of pop music from the 805 Social Club on July 18. The concerts, which run from 6 pm-8 pm, also have gourmet food trucks and free bounce houses for the kids.
San Juan Summer Nites
Summer Nites occur once a month in San Juan Capistrano’s Historic Town Center Park from June through September. Enjoy classic ‘80s rock June 18 with Flashback Heart Attack and more classic tunes from Tijuana Dogs July 16. It’s country rock night Aug. 20 with Pickleback Shine and get Yachty By Nature Sept. 17. Concerts are 6 pm-8 pm and Nites include food trucks, a business expo and kids activities. Free trolley service runs 4 pm-10 pm.
Seal Beach’s Summer Concerts
Rock out on Wednesday nights by the picturesque Pacific. Concerts occur by the pier outside Eisenhower Park from 6 pm-8 pm. This summer’s lineup contains Led Zep Again (June 18), LA Vation (June 25), OC 3 (July 2), Strange Days (July 9), Vitalogy (July 16), In Tyme (July 23), Redneck Rodeo (July 30), Pretty Fly (Aug. 6) and Illusion (Aug. 13). A raffle drawing takes place weekly at approximately 7 pm.
A Bit of Both
Aliso Viejo’s Summer Series
Aliso Viejo’s Grand Park’s free films on Friday night include “Moana 2” (June 6), “Kung Fu Panda 4” (June 20), “The Wild Robot” (July 11), “Mufasa: The Lion King” (July 25) and “Toy Story 4” (Aug. 8). Pre-movie activities begin at 6:30 pm with screenings starting at sunset. The Sunday evening concerts (5 pm-7:30 pm) feature Tijuana Dogs (June 8), Stone Soul (June 22), Family Style (July 13), Modern Highway (July 27) and Flashback Heart Attack (Aug. 10). Visit https://avca.net/ for more information.
Costa Mesa’s Summer in the City
Costa Mesa’s summer plans start June 14 with “Sonic The Hedgehog 3” in Shiffer Park. You’ll find “Moana 2” in Balearic Park July 12 and “The Iron Giant” at the Downtown Recreation Center backyard on July 22. Activities commence at 7:30 pm with movies shown at sunset. July also features three 5 pm concerts in Fairview Park: Family Style (July 7), Flashback Heart Attack (July 15) and Tijuana Dogs (July 22).
Dana Point’s Movies in the Park
Fridays in June are film-tastic in Dana Point. “Moana 2” will be shown at Dana Crest Park on June 6. “Mufasa: The Lion King” appears at Sunset Park June 13. June 20 offers “Sing” at Sea Terrace Park, while “Despicable Me 4” plays Del Obispo Park on June 27. Showtimes are at 8 pm. By the way, Dana Point presents free concerts in July and August. Find more details at https://www.danapoint.org/department/calendar/-curm-7/-cury-2025
Summer in the City
Irvine’s Hicks Canyon Community Park is the site for the city’s summer movie series. “Harold and the Purple Crayon” screens June 13. “Mufasa: The Lion King” gets shown on July 18, followed by “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” on July 25 and “Inside Out 2” on Aug. 8. Food trucks set up at 6 pm with movies get rolling at sunset. July and August also hold summer concerts at Mike Ward Community Park. Visit https://cityofirvine.org/news-media/calendar-of-events/event for details.
Lake Forest’s Monthly Movies & Music Events
Lake Forest’s Sports Park juggles concerts and film screenings throughout the summer. The Movies in the Park (7:30 pm-9:30 pm) features “Inside Out 2” (June 13), “Moana 2” (July 11) and “Encanto” (Aug. 8). The Concerts in the Park series (5:30 pm-7:30 pm) presents Swift Nation (June 28), Family Style (July 26) and Flashback Heart Attack — along with a classic car show — (Aug. 23).
Placentia’s Movies in the Park
Placentia is screening five movies in five different parks. Catch “Inside Out 2” at Champions Sports Complex June 27 and “Despicable Me 4” at Parque De Los Ninos July 11. Parque De Los Vaqueros hosts “Mufasa: The Lion King” July 25. McFadden Park presents “Nacho Libre” Aug. 8 while “Goonies” plays at Koch Park Aug. 22. Showtime is at dusk. Tri-City Park has five Concerts in the Park starting July 10 (6:30 pm-8:30 pm).
Tustin’s Movies & Music Series
The free films (6 pm-10 pm) start at Veterans Sports Park with “Lilo & Stitch” (June 27), followed by “Luca” at Peppertree Park (July 11), “Finding Dory” at Frontier Park (July 18), “Surf’s Up” at Cedar Grove Park (July 25) and “Moana 2” at Camino Real Park (Aug. 1). Additionally, Peppertree Park presents free concerts (6 pm-8 pm), including The New Romantics (June 11), Funk Phenomenon (June 18) and The Convertibles (June 25). The Wednesday night shows continue through the end of July.
By Michael Berick
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