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 in Villa Park
Biking – Villa Park’s residential streets and scenic neighborhoods can make for an enjoyable local ride, particularly for families. Riders looking for a longer route can connect with the Santiago Creek Bike Trail.
Handball Courts – Cerro Villa has handball courts.
Horse Riding – Equestrian activity is more closely associated with neighboring Orange Park Acres, but horses can occasionally be seen in and around Villa Park. Riders should follow posted access rules and use appropriate permitted routes.
“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 that may be accessible to the public after school hours when the campuses and facilities are open.
Running/Walking – Track facilities at VPHS and Cerro Villa may be accessible after school hours when the campuses and facilities are open. Villa Park also has neighborhood trails for running and walking, along with historical plaques, free library boxes and exercise equipment along portions of 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 and wildlife along the route, including the area near the Grijalva bridge.
Scavenger Hunt – Host your own scavenger hunt. Here are some scavenger hunt ideas for exploring Villa Park.
Shopping – Visit the Villa Park Town Center for local shops, restaurants and services.
Tennis – Tennis courts at VPHS may be accessible after school hours when the campus and facilities are open.
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 Villa Park Knowles trail leads directly to the Santiago Creek Bike Trail.
Volunteer – Villa Park offers a variety of ways to get involved through community organizations, local schools, the library and civic activities. See our Volunteer Opportunities guide for ways to participate.
Youth Sports – Villa Park families have access to a variety of seasonal youth sports, leagues, programs and summer camps. See our Youth Sports & Programs guide for current options and details.
Annual Events in Villa Park
Event dates, locations and activities can change from year to year. Follow the links below for the latest information about each event.
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: Typically held in early February
Where: VPHS
Sponsored by the school’s Parent, Faculty, Student Organization (PFSO) and benefits the VPHS PFSO and campus booster clubs.
VPLL Taste of Villa Park
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.
Villa Park Car Show
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.
Villa Park Picnic
When: Sunday before Memorial Day
Where: Location may vary; check the event page for current details.
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: Typically held in late June
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: July 4
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.
Fourth of July Fireworks
When: July 4
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.
Halloween Fest
When: Typically held in October
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.
Marine Thanksgiving
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.
Santa Tour on a Fire Truck
When: December
Santa Claus rides through Villa Park on an OCFA fire engine, greeting families and handing out candy canes. The route includes neighborhood stops where children can see Santa; check the Santa Tour page for the latest route, stops and event details.
Dry Land Boat Parade
When: December
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.