Upcoming Events
September 2019
Curiosity Carts
Each educational cart offers close-up learning for students and visitors interested in seeing items up close. Items include branding irons, spurs, horseshoes, hides, candles, pottery shards and objects used by the Juaneno Indians.
Find out more »Koi Fish Feeding
Help us feed our koi fish friends! Visitors may meet us at one of two courtyard fountains to participate in and enjoy this daily activity. Fish food is free for Mission Preservation Society Members and $1.00 for non-members.
Find out more »Historic Bell Ringing: Constitution Day
In honor of Constitution Day, there will be a special ringing of the historic bells at 1:00 pm. The historic bells ring every year on these dates: · March 19 Feast Day of St. Joseph · July 1 Feast Day of St. Serra · September 11 Patriot’s Day · September 17 Constitution Day · September 23 St. Serra’s Canonization Day · October 23 Feast Day of St. John of Capistrano · November 1 Founder’s Day · November 24 St. Serra’s…
Find out more »Homeschool Family Day
Join us every 3rd Wednesday of the month for Homeschool Family Day. Discount package includes child admission, audio tour, panning for gold, adobe brick making, koi fish food, Mission Clubhouse ID card and Mission Passport. Must book and purchase 1 week in advance. Groups must also have a minimum of 8 attendees. Please call Group Bookings at (949) 234-1306.
Find out more »Native American Basket Weaving
Experience the art of basket weaving at Mission San Juan Capistrano on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of each month. Learn the traditions and capture the culture of basket weaving.
Find out more »Garden Tours
These half hour tours are conducted by the Mission Gardening Angels every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Guests wishing to tour should meet at the Front Gate.
Find out more »Art Walks
The Mission Art Walk is a docent guided tour highlighting the art collection of rare paintings related to Mission’s history within the Serra Chapel, the Spanish Colonial Room and the Mission Treasures Exhibit. Experience Spanish Colonial and Plein Air paintings as well as learn about Mission San Juan Capistrano’s goal and efforts in the conservation of its collection. www.missionsjc.com/tours/art-walks/ For groups of 15 people or more, please call Group Bookings at (949) 234-1306 to schedule in advance. Pricing is $8 per adult.…
Find out more »Romance of the Mission Benefit Gala
Voted One of Orange County’s Best Fetés, Romance of the Mission benefit gala and concert is one of the most magical, romantic events of the year. Join us for a reception in the Mission’s spectacular front gardens, a concert in the Ruins of the Great Stone Church and a four-course plated dinner in the Central Courtyard. Proceeds benefit Mission preservation.
Find out more »Panning for Gold
Try your luck at finding the gold in our custom-designed Mission trough. We'll supply the pan and the "gold" – you roll up your sleeves and pan your way to riches! Panning for Gold/Adobe Brick Making/Arrowhead Necklace Bundle: $10.00 per person, $5.00 for members *Crafts may be cancelled due to rain.
Find out more »Adobe Brick Making
Join the fun! During this hands-on activity, kids are encouraged to make and build their own adobe brick. Examine the daily lives of Mission Native Americans. Students and adults will delight in the historic fun. Panning for Gold/Adobe Brick Making/Arrowhead Necklace Bundle: $10.00 per person, $5.00 for members *Crafts may be cancelled due to rain.
Find out more »Arrowhead Necklace
Join the fun! Craft your own arrowhead necklace while learning about the lifestyle of Mission Native Americans. Students and adults will delight in the historic fun. Panning for Gold/Adobe Brick Making/Arrowhead Necklace Bundle: $10.00 per person, $5.00 for members *Crafts may be cancelled due to rain
Find out more »Special 4th Grader Q&A Sessions
Offered every Saturday & Sunday at 3:30 p.m. by the Father Serra Statue. Learn all the facts you need to know for your Mission Report.
Find out more »Serra Chapel Tour
In honor of Saint Serra’s 300th birthday celebration, the Mission is offering guests the chance to enjoy a private tour of the Serra Chapel, the most historically significant chapel in California, every Sunday. Mission San Juan Capistrano is one of the nine missions Saint Serra founded. It is also the only Californian mission to name a church in Saint Serra’s honor. Saint Serra celebrated mass in the Mission’s newly built adobe church in 1783, just a year before he died. Mission San Juan Capistrano…
Find out more »October 2019
Historic Bell Ringing: Feast of St. John of Capistrano
The historic bells ring every year on these dates: · March 19 Feast Day of St. Joseph · July 1 Feast Day of St. Serra · September 11 Patriot’s Day · September 17 Constitution Day · September 23 St. Serra’s Canonization Day · October 23 Feast Day of St. John of Capistrano · November 1 Founder’s Day · November 24 St. Serra’s Birthday · December 8 Day of Remembrance, honoring the victims of the 1812 earthquake. And also 7 times…
Find out more »November 2019
Historic Bell Ringing: Founder’s Day
In honor of the founding of Mission San Juan Capistrano by Saint Junipero Serra on November 1, 1776, the historic bells will ring at noon on November 1. The historic bells ring every year on these dates: · March 19 Feast Day of St. Joseph · July 1 Feast Day of St. Serra · September 11 Patriot’s Day · September 17 Constitution Day · September 23 St. Serra’s Canonization Day · October 23 Feast Day of St. John of Capistrano…
Find out more »Historic Bell Ringing: Saint Junipero Serra’s Birthday
Join us for the ringing of the historic bells in honor of Saint Junipero Serra's Birthday. The historic bells ring every year on these dates: · March 19 Feast Day of St. Joseph · July 1 Feast Day of St. Serra · September 11 Patriot’s Day · September 17 Constitution Day · September 23 St. Serra’s Canonization Day · October 23 Feast Day of St. John of Capistrano · November 1 Founder’s Day · November 24 St. Serra’s Birthday ·…
Find out more »Closed in Observance of Thanksgiving
Mission San Juan Capistrano and the Mission Store are both closed in observance of Thanksgiving.
Find out more »December 2019
Capistrano Lights Opening Night
Join us on Saturday, December 7th from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for the opening nights of our holiday programming Capistrano Lights. Capistrano Lights is a unique one of a kind holiday experience where history meets holiday. On opening night you will enjoy a reading of the first Christmas, photos with Santa, cookie decoring kits, special performances and much more! Capistrano Lights is a ticketed event, members received pre-sale opportunities and discounted tickets. For more information including pricing and ticket…
Find out more »Closed in Observance of Christmas
Mission San Juan Capistrano and the Mission Store are both closed in observance of Christmas.
Find out more »January 2020
March 2020
St. Joseph’s Day and The Return of the Swallows Celebration
St. Joseph’s Day and the Return of the Swallows Celebration is a world-renowned tradition celebrating the annual return of the famous swallows to Capistrano. This tradition was started by Father O’Sullivan in the 1920’s at Mission San Juan Capistrano, historic California landmark and home of the swallows, and is carried each year on March 19th. Join us for this historic celebration full of tradition, community, and festivity, on March 19 marking the return of our famous swallows to Capistrano and the…
Find out more »July 2020
Historic Bell Ringing: Feast of Saint Junipero Serra
In honor of the Feast of Saint Junipero Serra, join us for a ringing of the historic bells on July 1 at 12:00 p.m. The historic bells ring every year on these dates: · March 19 Feast Day of St. Joseph · July 1 Feast Day of St. Serra · September 11 Patriot’s Day · September 17 Constitution Day · September 23 St. Serra’s Canonization Day · October 23 Feast Day of St. John of Capistrano · November 1 Founder’s…
Find out more »September 2020
Historic Bells Toll for 9/11 Memorial
The historic bells ring every year on these dates: · March 19 Feast Day of St. Joseph · July 1 Feast Day of St. Serra · September 11 Patriot’s Day · September 17 Constitution Day · September 23 St. Serra’s Canonization Day · October 23 Feast Day of St. John of Capistrano · November 1 Founder’s Day · November 24 St. Serra’s Birthday · December 8 Day of Remembrance, honoring the victims of the 1812 earthquake. And also 7 times…
Find out more »Romance of the Mission Benefit Gala
Voted One of Orange County’s Best Fetés, Romance of the Mission benefit gala and concert is one of the most magical, romantic events of the year. Join us for a reception in the Mission’s spectacular front gardens, a concert in the Ruins of the Great Stone Church and a four-course plated dinner in the Central Courtyard. Proceeds benefit Mission preservation.
Find out more »
