What's On in South Orange County This Weekend (Oct. 9 to 11)
Laguna Niguel starts the weekend with an outdoor Halloween movie, Mission Viejo packs Saturday with a market, animal adoption festival and park movie, and Dana Point runs an art-and-history trolley tour.
8 Oct 2026
If you only pick one family stop this weekend, Mission Viejo is the easiest place to build a full Saturday. You can start at the farmers market, meet adoptable animals at the Fur-Ever Friends Fall Festival, then finish with an outdoor showing of Toy Story 5. If you want something more unusual, Dana Point's Trolley Art & History Tour is the standout: a guided ride linking public art with local history.
Friday night: Fall Flicks in Laguna Niguel
Laguna Niguel's Fall Flicks series is showing The Nightmare Before Christmas at Crown Valley Park on Friday evening.
When: Friday, Oct. 9, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Crown Valley Park, Laguna Niguel
Why go: It is a simple outdoor start to the weekend, especially if you want a Halloween-season event without committing to a full haunted attraction.
The city listing confirms the time and park. It does not show a ticket price in the calendar entry, so check the event page before leaving if that matters to you.
Saturday morning: market first, then adoptable animals in Mission Viejo
Farmers Market and Crafts
Mission Viejo's Saturday market runs at North Paseo at LOS OSOS.
When: Saturday, Oct. 10, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: North Paseo at LOS OSOS, Mission Viejo
Why go: It pairs neatly with the animal festival below, so you can make one trip rather than bouncing between towns.
Fur-Ever Friends Fall Festival
The Mission Viejo Animal Services Center is bringing together more than a dozen rescue groups with adoptable dogs, cats, bunnies and reptiles. The city also lists children's crafts, hands-on activities, wildlife education, animal meet-and-greets, barbecue for purchase and sweets available for donations.
When: Saturday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Mission Viejo Animal Services Center, 28095 Hillcrest, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
Before you go: The city specifically asks visitors to leave their own pets at home.
Why go: Even if you are not looking to adopt, it is one of the more useful community events this weekend because several rescue organizations are in one place.
Source: City of Mission Viejo: Fur-Ever Friends Fall Festival
Dana Point: farmers market plus the Trolley Art & History Tour
Dana Point has two easy Saturday options close together.
Farmers Market and Crafts Vendors
When: Saturday, Oct. 10
Where: La Plaza Park, 34111 La Plaza, Dana Point, CA 92629
What you will find: California produce plus art, jewelry, clothing, candles, handmade soap and other craft vendors.
Trolley Art & History Tour
This is the most distinctive event in the guide. Dana Point's art program and local history community use the trolley to connect murals, sculptures and historic stops, with an Art Ambassador and a Dana Point Historical Society docent providing context.
When: Saturday, Oct. 10
Tour times: 10 a.m. and noon
Length: About 90 minutes
Tickets: $20, with advance registration required. The published event information says walk-ons will not be available.
Why go: It gives you more than a drive-by look at Dana Point. You get the story behind pieces you may have passed dozens of times.
Sources: Dana Point Arts & Culture and City of Dana Point calendar
Saturday evening: pick between a skate contest and a park movie
Haunted Skate Contest, Laguna Niguel
Laguna Niguel's skate park goes Halloween for the evening.
When: Saturday, Oct. 10, 5 to 9 p.m.
Where: Laguna Niguel Skate and Soccer Park
Source: City of Laguna Niguel calendar
Movies in the Park: Toy Story 5, Mission Viejo
When: Saturday, Oct. 10, 5 to 9 p.m.
Where: Crucero Park, Mission Viejo
Why go: If you have younger kids, this is the easier evening choice after the market or animal festival.
Sunday: low-key afternoon in Mission Viejo
If you want something active rather than another festival, Mission Viejo lists a Pickleball Demo Day at Felipe Tennis and Recreation Center.
When: Sunday, Oct. 11, 1 to 5 p.m.
Where: Felipe Tennis and Recreation Center
A suggested weekend
Friday: Bring a blanket to Crown Valley Park for The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Saturday morning: Start at the Mission Viejo farmers market, then walk or drive over to the Fur-Ever Friends Fall Festival. If you would rather explore the coast, book the Dana Point Trolley Art & History Tour.
Saturday evening: Choose the Haunted Skate Contest in Laguna Niguel or Toy Story 5 at Crucero Park.
Sunday: Keep it simple with pickleball in Mission Viejo or a quiet coastal day.
Quick planner
Fri 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.: Fall Flicks: The Nightmare Before Christmas (Laguna Niguel). Check city listing
Sat 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Farmers Market and Crafts (Mission Viejo). Pay per vendor
Sat 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Fur-Ever Friends Fall Festival (Mission Viejo). Event listing does not show admission
Sat: Farmers Market and Crafts Vendors (Dana Point). Pay per vendor
Sat 10 a.m. or noon: Trolley Art & History Tour (Dana Point). $20
Sat 5 to 9 p.m.: Haunted Skate Contest (Laguna Niguel). Check city listing
Sat 5 to 9 p.m.: Movies in the Park: Toy Story 5 (Mission Viejo). Check city listing
Sun 1 to 5 p.m.: Pickleball Demo Day (Mission Viejo). Check city listing
Details can change, especially registration availability for the trolley tour. Check the linked organizer pages before you drive.