Discover all the best things to do in Villa Park including concerts, festivals, picnics, shows, parades, movies, home tours and much more. We are keeping this list of things to do to only the 2.1 square miles of Villa Park because the list is already long enough!
Activities
Biking – If you’re a serious bike rider then you’ll probably want to venture elsewhere but Villa Park has great homes and a scenic neighborhood to view while riding. Family rides are ideal.
Handball Courts – Cerro Villa has handball courts.
Horse Riding – Orange Park Acres is best known for being a horse riding neighborhood but people still have horses in Villa Park and can be seen riding them on VP’s dirt trails.
“Mountain Biking” – While really a trail this is a fun short ride for kids. At Cerro Villa and Canyon Dr there is a trail on the hill side of the street. If you go left it goes to about Loma and Cerro Villa before turning into a walking trail that leads up into the hills. If you go right it goes to about Mesa and Cerro Villa before turning into a walking trail (at best). It’s a short ride but fun for the kids.
Outdoor Basketball Courts – Both VPHS and Cerro Villa have outdoor basketball courts where anyone can play during non-school hours.
Running/Walking – There are track fields at both VPHS and Cerro Villa. There are also many trails and people can be seen running or walking throughout the neighborhood. Plus, plaques celebrating the City’s history, free library boxes and exercise equipment located on the trails.
Free Library Boxes – Take and read a book from the library boxes located throughout the City. Return it or replace it when you’re done.
Santiago Creek Bike Trail (SCBT) – Ride, jog or walk the SCBT. Starting from the Villa Park Town Center you can head down Wanda Rd towards Collins and enter the 10 foot wide, dual lane, paved trail that runs for 8 miles alongside Santiago Creek. Enjoy the scenic views, wild life and even feed the ducks at the Grijalva bridge.
Scavenger Hunt – Host your own scavenger. Here are some scavenger hunt ideas for finding in Villa Park.
Shopping – There are many places to shop and eat in the Towne Centre.
Tennis – There are tennis courts at VPHS.
Villa Park Knowles – Walk the Villa Park Knowles trail which includes a walking path made of decomposed granite that is surrounded by various plant life including wildflowers, succulents, fruit trees, and native shrubbery. There are also benches, exercise/fitness stations, dog waste stations and signs commemorating the City’s history. The along along Villa Park Knowles leads directly to the Santiago Creek Bike Trail.
Volunteer – There are many ways to contribute mainly through the many organizations within the community such as the Villa Park Community Services Foundation or Villa Park Women’s League. Other ways to volunteer are at the local schools or library.
Youth Sports – Little League is played annually in the Spring at Cerro Villa. NJB Basketball, swim & water polo, baseball, volleyball, and soccer are all played at VPHS. There are also week long summer camps at Cerro Villa from June to August. Plus many more youth programs right outside of Villa Park and a few more within.
Annual Events
Outdoor Family Movie Nights
When: Various times throughout the school year. Typically on a Friday.
Where: VPE and Serrano Elementary Schools
These pop up from time to time at either Serrano or Villa Park Elementary Schools. Parents and their children who attend the schools bring lawn chairs and blankets for a movie, music, games, popcorn, glow necklaces and other treats for a family fun outing.
Little League Opening Day Parade & Ceremony
When: January/February
Where: Starts at VPHS and ends at Cerro Villa
Little League kids on each team decorate a truck in their teams colors and parade through Villa Park led by the OCFA fire engine. The parade ends at Cerro Villa where the opening day ceremonies start.
Villa Park High School and Community Pancake Breakfast
When: Early February from about 7:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.
Where: VPHS
Sponsored by the school’s Parent, Faculty, Student Organization (PFSO) and benefits the VPHS PFSO and campus booster clubs.
When: During Little League season
Where: Town Center
Each year restaurants from and near Villa Park serve food along with music, dancing and a raffle to benefit VPLL.
VPWL Home & Garden Tour
When: Typically on a Sunday in April
Where: Villa Park Homes
Residents of Villa Park open up their beautiful homes for self-guided tours followed up by an after-party that night. This is a fundraising event that sends proceeds back to the community through school funding, community organizations, grants or scholarships for graduating college-bound high school seniors, or community beautification efforts.
When: May
Where: VPHS
Many exciting classic cars and motorcycles on display plus demonstrations of vehicles by the OC Sheriff Department and OC Fire Authority.
When: Sunday before Memorial Day
Where: VPHS or Irvine Lake
Those who have died in military service are honored followed by family events such as boat rides, cook-offs, music, games and competitions plus food. This picnic dates back to the 1800s.
Villa Park 10K/5k Run / Walk
When: End of June on a Saturday starting at 8 AM and ending at 10 AM
Where: VPHS (starts and ends) The Villa Park 10K and 5K Run/Walk is a great run for all age groups. The run features a flat, loop course with awards for many age groups plus a medal to all finishers. There are also merchants with food samples, music and activities for the kids. The Villa Park Run is hosted by the Friends of the Villa Park Library (FOVPL) and proceeds benefit the Villa Park library.
Villa Park Fourth of July Parade
When: Fourth of July, 2022
Where: Starts and Ends at VPHS
Bikes, trikes, scooters, strollers, wagons, skateboards, and classic cars are all decorated patriotically for a mile and half parade led by an OCFA fire engine. There are treats such as donuts, coffee, shaved ice cones plus raffles after. Neighbors on the parade route come out and cheer on the participants.
When: Fourth of July, 2022
Villa Park is one of the few cities in Orange County that allows fireworks. Every year there are fireworks pop-ups selling fireworks where a portion of the revenue goes to the local schools and schools booster programs.
Free Concerts in the (Villa) Park
When: Summer
Where: VP High Outdoor Amphitheater
The outdoor amphitheater at Villa Park High holds concerts during the summer.
When: Saturday, October 30, 2022 from 4:00 to 7:30 PM
Where: Villa Park Town Center
Kids and some parents dress in their Halloween costumes and trick or treat through the Town Center merchant shops. There are also decoration, costume, coloring and pumpkin decorating contests with prizes awarded by different age levels. Vendors are on hand with food, treats and unique wares plus hayrides, crafts, a sheriff’s car, fire truck, and an ambulance.
When: Thanksgiving day
Host Marines at your home on Thanksgiving. Start out the Town Center and take a limo to pick up the Marines at Camp Pendleton. Upon returning there is a brief photo event and then each family takes their guests to a Thanksgiving dinner at their home.
When: Saturday, December 2022
Santa Clause jumps in an OCFA Fire Engine and travels through Villa Park while throwing candy canes to the kids. There are about 20 plus stops along the way where Santa stops and listens to what the kids want for Christmas. View this post on Instagram
A post shared by City of Villa Park (@cityofvp) on Dec 4, 2017 at 10:48am PST
When: Sunday, December 2022
Boats (on trailers), cars, golf carts and anything that can be driven up to five miles an hour can join in the parade. The “boats” are decorated with festive cheer and parade through Villa Park. Everybody ends up at the Towne Centre where vendors have interesting food and gifts for sale. Trophies are awarded to winners and finally there is a tree lighting ceremony.
Looking to explore outside of Villa Park? Find things to do in Orange.