- How the two series work
- Summer Concert Series — full 2026 lineup
- Sunset Cinema — full 2026 lineup
- Where each park is
- Insider tips for a great night
- Make a night of it
The short version: Two of Orange County's best free traditions are still running. OC Parks Summer Concerts play Thursday evenings through September 3, and Sunset Cinema shows free movies on Friday nights through August 28. Both are free, parking is free, and food trucks (plus beer & wine for 21+) are on site. Bring a blanket and a low chair and make an evening of it.
♪ Concerts: Thu Aug 20 — Big Bad Voodoo Daddy @ Mile Square (Fountain Valley) · Thu Aug 27 — Dream Like Taylor @ Salt Creek Beach (Dana Point) · Thu Sept 3 — Family Style @ Salt Creek Beach (finale)
🎥 Movies: Fri Aug 21 — Jumanji @ Irvine Regional Park · Fri Aug 28 — Top Gun @ Salt Creek Beach (finale)
How the two series work
OC Parks runs two separate free series each summer, and they rotate through regional parks across the county:
- Summer Concert Series — Thursday evenings, 5 to 8 p.m. The park opens the evening at 5 and live music typically runs from about 6 to 8. Tribute acts and local favorites headline.
- Sunset Cinema — Friday nights, starting at 6 p.m., with the movie beginning after sundown. Arrive early for pre-show entertainment: character meet-and-greets, DJ-led games, themed photo ops, and more.
Both are free to attend with free parking. All movies are shown in English; translation services are available on request at the concerts.
Summer Concert Series — full 2026 lineup
Thursdays, 5–8 p.m. (music ~6–8 p.m.):
| Date | Performer | Park · City |
|---|---|---|
| July 9 | Flashback Heart Attack | Mason Regional Park · Irvine |
| July 16 | Queen Nation | Irvine Regional Park · Orange |
| July 23 | Boy Band Review | Irvine Regional Park · Orange |
| July 30 | Beatles vs. Stones | Craig Regional Park · Fullerton |
| Aug 6 | Mariachi Divas | Craig Regional Park · Fullerton |
| Aug 13 | Como La Flor (Selena tribute) | Mile Square Regional Park · Fountain Valley |
| Aug 20 | Big Bad Voodoo Daddy | Mile Square Regional Park · Fountain Valley |
| Aug 27 | Dream Like Taylor (Taylor Swift tribute) | Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach · Dana Point |
| Sept 3 | Family Style | Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach · Dana Point |
Sunset Cinema — full 2026 lineup
Fridays, gates 6 p.m., film after sundown (no screening July 3):
| Date | Film | Park · City |
|---|---|---|
| June 5 | Lilo & Stitch (2025) | Carbon Canyon Regional Park · Brea |
| June 12 | E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) | Carbon Canyon Regional Park · Brea |
| June 19 | Freakier Friday (2025) | Craig Regional Park · Fullerton |
| June 26 | Monsters, Inc. (2001) | Craig Regional Park · Fullerton |
| July 10 | How to Train Your Dragon (2025) | Mason Regional Park · Irvine |
| July 17 | Elio (2025) | Yorba Regional Park · Anaheim |
| July 24 | Twilight (2008) | Yorba Regional Park · Anaheim |
| July 31 | The Wild Robot (2024) | Laguna Niguel Regional Park · Laguna Niguel |
| Aug 7 | 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) | Laguna Niguel Regional Park · Laguna Niguel |
| Aug 14 | Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024) | Irvine Regional Park · Orange |
| Aug 21 | Jumanji (1995) | Irvine Regional Park · Orange |
| Aug 28 | Top Gun (1986) | Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach · Dana Point |
Where each park is
The series moves around the county. Here's where each venue sits — tap Directions for the OC Parks map:
| Park | City | Map |
|---|---|---|
| Irvine Regional Park | Orange | Directions → |
| Mason Regional Park | Irvine | Directions → |
| Mile Square Regional Park | Fountain Valley | Directions → |
| Craig Regional Park | Fullerton | Directions → |
| Yorba Regional Park | Anaheim | Directions → |
| Carbon Canyon Regional Park | Brea | Directions → |
| Laguna Niguel Regional Park | Laguna Niguel | Directions → |
| Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach | Dana Point | Directions → |
Insider tips for a great night
- Come early for parking — and the pre-show. Lots fill up before showtime on popular nights; arriving 45–60 minutes early gets you a good spot and, at Sunset Cinema, the character meet-and-greets and DJ games before the film.
- Bring low chairs and a blanket. Taller chairs can block sightlines at the movies, so low beach-style chairs or a blanket are ideal.
- Don't pack a full dinner if you don't want to. Food trucks are on site every evening, with beer and wine concessions for guests 21 and older.
- Layer up near the coast. The Salt Creek Beach (Dana Point) nights get breezy after sundown — bring a light jacket.
- Great Park bonus. If you're closer to Irvine, note that these two OC Parks series are county-run and separate from Great Park's own programming — between them, there's almost always a free night out within a short drive.
Make a night of it
These evenings are a reminder of what makes summer in Orange County special — and a low-key way to explore parks and neighborhoods you might not visit often. If a particular community catches your eye while you're out (Irvine's villages, the coast around Dana Point, or the north-county parks), that's exactly the kind of local knowledge we bring to helping people buy and sell here. More on the local scene and market on the Kwon Home Group blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the concerts and movies really free?
Yes — free admission and free parking for both series. Food and drinks are available for purchase from on-site vendors.
Do I need tickets or a reservation?
No tickets or reservations — just show up. Arrive early on popular nights for parking and a good seat.
What should I bring?
Low lawn chairs and/or blankets, and a light jacket for coastal nights. Food trucks and beer/wine (21+) are on site, so you don't have to pack a full meal.
What's left in the 2026 season?
Concerts on Aug 20, Aug 27, and Sept 3 (finale), and movies on Aug 21 (Jumanji) and Aug 28 (Top Gun, finale). Full dates are in the tables above.
Where do I confirm the latest details?
See the official OC Parks announcement for any updates.
Event details via OC Parks (retrieved August 15, 2026); dates, films, and locations are subject to change — confirm on the official OC Parks page before you go. Kwon Home Group · Real Broker, CA · California DRE #01918857. Equal Housing Opportunity.
