All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
Shark Lagoon Nights | Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach
Sep 22, Oct 6, Oct 20, Nov 10, Nov 24: Touch bamboo sharks, see rays, and get up close with large sharks during free after-hours evenings at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Only Shark Lagoon is open; event is weather-dependent. FREE!
Free Admission for Veterans | Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach
November 11: In celebration of Veterans Day, the Aquarium of the Pacific honors veterans and active military personnel with free admission.
San Diego Veterans Day Parade | Harbor Drive, San Diego
November 11: Honor America's veterans at the San Diego Veterans Day Parade featuring marching bands, historic military units, vintage vehicles, and patriotic performers.
Kids Club | The Grove, Los Angeles
June 3–24: Enjoy weekly kids shows with music, puppets, and storytelling at AMC theaters.
Veterans Day Celebration | Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills
November 11: Honor those who served with patriotic music, a keynote, and family performances at Forest Lawn’s Veterans Day celebration. FREE!
Veterans Day Commemoration | Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, Simi Valley
November 11: Honor America's veterans with live music, a Civil War encampment, military vehicles, a special flyover, patriotic program, and more at the Reagan Library. FREE outdoor events and program!
Happy Night Market: Anime Edition | TAWA Gateway, San Gabriel
November 13-15: Enjoy three nights of food, anime artists, collectibles, shopping, live entertainment, photo ops, and more at Happy Night Market. FREE!
Friday Fun | Madrona Marsh Nature Center, Torrance
Every Friday: Explore nature with story time, crafts, science, and guided activities designed for preschoolers. FREE!
LEGO Reindeer Make & Take | Participating LEGO Stores
November 13: Kids ages 6+ can build and take home a LEGO Reindeer at participating LEGO Stores while supplies last. FREE!
Free Saturday Family Theatre in Long Beach
September 5, 2026 - November 6, 2027: A free opportunity for kid of all ages to experience the magic of theatre. These free shows are open to all. Reservations are required.
Lowe’s Kids Workshops
MyLowe’s Rewards Kids Workshops are free, hands-on DIY experiences designed just for kids. Feb 21: Birdhouse / Mar 21: Lawn Mower / Apr 18: Terrarium / May 16: Garden Basket / Jun 13: Trophy Cup / Jul 18: Mini Toy Box / Sep 12: Haunted House / Oct 17: Firefighting Plane / Nov 14: Holiday Engine / Dec 12: Holiday Trolley Car / Jan 16, 2027: Winter Play Lodge
Public Star Party | Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles
September 19, October 17, November 14, December 19: Look at the Sun, Moon, planets, and other objects through a variety of telescopes at Griffith Observatory's free monthly star party. Volunteer astronomers are on hand to answer questions and guide viewing. FREE!
Native Art and Acorn Festival | Oak Canyon Nature Center, Anaheim
November 14: Celebrate Native American heritage with Native food, live performances, free books, Native art, traditional practices, and acorn-inspired activities. FREE!
The OC Book Fair | Old Town Tustin
November 14: Explore a world of independent booksellers, publishers, and bookish vendors. The event features author talks, book signings, activities for kids of all ages, storytime and more.
3rd Annual HMOC & RedBoy Productions Powwow | Heritage Museum of Orange County, Santa Ana
November 14: Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with traditional dance and song performances, fry bread and Indian tacos, arts and crafts, vendors, and more. FREE!
Veterans Day Celebration | Heroes Hall Museum & Education Center, Costa Mesa
November 14: Honor military veterans with an aircraft flyover, live music, family activities, an inflatable obstacle course, free hot dogs, and the new "Courageous Companions" exhibit at Heroes Hall.
Tree Lighting Celebration | Outlets at San Clemente, San Clemente
November 14: Celebrate the season with OCSA Montage, the Full Circle Boys, Santa, and a dazzling tree lighting at Outlets at San Clemente. FREE!
CicLAvia | Pasadena
November 15: Walk, bike, run, skate, and play along 2.7 miles of car-free streets on Colorado Boulevard and Raymond Avenue during CicLAvia Pasadena. FREE!
Walt Disney’s Carolwood Barn Public Day | Griffith Park, Los Angeles
September 20: Tour Walt Disney's original home workshop and explore displays of backyard railroad history, an operating Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland model, and restored railroad cars. FREE!
25th Annual Christmas at The Grove | The Grove, Los Angeles
November 16: Celebrate 25 years of Christmas at The Grove with Nicole Scherzinger, Jason Mraz, Mark Ambor, Cirque du Soleil and more, plus snowfall, a drone show, fireworks, Santa's arrival, and the tree lighting. FREE!
Kids Club | The Grove, Los Angeles
June 3–24: Enjoy weekly kids shows with music, puppets, and storytelling at AMC theaters.
Pier Lighting & Holiday Open House | Downtown Manhattan Beach
November 18: Celebrate the season with live entertainment, Santa's sleigh, carolers, live reindeer, holiday shopping, and the lighting of the Manhattan Beach Pier.
Tree Lighting Ceremony | Signal Hill Park
November 19: Celebrate the season with a tree lighting, live performance by The Alley Cats, festive crafts, Winter Village fun, carolers, seasonal treats, and photos with Santa. FREE!
Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration | Beverly Hills
November 19: Celebrate 50 years of Rodeo Drive with live music, dance, festive entertainment, dazzling holiday lights, and a spectacular fireworks finale. FREE!
Tree Lighting | VEA, Newport Beach
November 19: Celebrate the season with VEA Newport Beach's annual tree lighting featuring Santa sightings, live entertainment, hot cocoa, sweet treats, and family fun.
Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony | Los Angeles Union Station
November 19: Celebrate the season at Union Station with Santa, holiday stilt walkers, sweet treats, family activities, and live music. FREE!
Tree-Lighting Ceremony & Santa’s Arrival | Town Center Park, Costa Mesa
November 19: Welcome Santa and celebrate the season with a traditional tree lighting and magical performances from some of Orange County's leading arts organizations. FREE!
Discovery Days | Centennial Farm, Costa Mesa
September 30, 2026 – June 1, 2027: Explore the farm on an unguided tour, plant a radish seed to take home, and learn about chicks, rabbits, and seasonal crops. Visit pigs, goats, sheep, cattle, and poultry along the way.
Friday Fun | Madrona Marsh Nature Center, Torrance
Every Friday: Explore nature with story time, crafts, science, and guided activities designed for preschoolers. FREE!
Tree Lighting | Bella Terra, Huntington Beach
November 20: Enjoy live holiday entertainment, festive characters, kids' activities, photo experiences, visits with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and Bella Terra's holiday tree lighting. FREE!
Tree Lighting Ceremony | Fashion Island, Newport Beach
November 20: Watch Fashion Island's 90-foot live Christmas tree sparkle to life with magical snowfall, festive music, a performance by the Sugarplums, and a visit from Santa. FREE!
Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration | Plaza Mexico, Lynwood
November 20: Enjoy festive music, family activities, holiday treats, and a community countdown as the Plaza Mexico Christmas tree lights up the night. FREE!
Hermosa for the Holidays | Downtown Hermosa Beach
November 21-22: Celebrate Hermosa for the Holidays with a tree lighting, Ferris wheel, Santa photos, Letters to Santa, live music, local shopping, and more by the beach.
Free Miniature Train Rides at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa
THIRD WEEKEND OF EVERY MONTH: The Orange County Model Engineers offer public ride days every third full weekend of each month. To ride the trains, children must be able to walk and be at least 31" tall. A typical trip takes about 12 minutes and covers two loops of the park.
Holiday Performances & Snowfall | Westfield Century City, Los Angeles
November 21 - December 27: Experience daily snowfall at Westfield Century City's Holiday Village, plus live holiday performances Thursday-Sunday featuring music, lights, and festive effects.
Free Youth Fishing Derby at El Dorado Park in Long Beach
November 21: Kids can enjoy outdoor recreation, learn to fish, get expert fishing tips, and have opportunities to win prizes like fishing gear and gift cards. Fishing poles and tackle will be provided to participating youth to use for free during the derby, but youth may also bring their own gear to use.
Fall In The Farm | The Farm at Fairplex, Pomona
November 21: Get hands-on with agriculture at Fairplex with interactive activities, workshops, live entertainment, vendors, and a livestock competition. FREE!
Christmas Tree Lighting | Seal Beach Pier, Seal Beach
November 21: Celebrate California beach style with kids' sledding, crafts, carolers, Santa, gingerbread cookies, hot cocoa, and the annual Christmas tree lighting at the Seal Beach Pier. FREE!
Tree Lighting Ceremony | Santa Fe Springs
November 21: Kick off the holiday season with a tree lighting ceremony featuring live performances, a kids zone with crafts, food vendors, letters to Santa, and photos with Santa. FREE!
Plaza Navideña | Plaza Calle Cuatro, Santa Ana
November 21: Celebrate Plaza Navideña with a tree lighting, Santa and Mrs. Claus, live performances, crafts, holiday treats, and a glow stick dance party. FREE!
Festival of Lights Opening Night Ceremony | The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, Riverside
November 21: Watch The Mission Inn illuminate more than 10 million holiday lights during the Festival of Lights Opening Night Ceremony with fireworks, Santa, live entertainment, and a special performance by Gavin DeGraw. FREE!
Artist-at-Work: Serigraphy | Getty Center, Los Angeles
November 8 & 22 & December 13: Meet artist Alfonso Aceve and watch the art of silkscreen printing come to life during bilingual, drop-in family demonstrations at the Getty Center. FREE!
Pump Track Ribbon Cutting | Peak Park, Buena Park
November 23: Celebrate the opening of Buena Park's new Pump Track with a ribbon cutting, live DJ, free helmets while supplies last, and a chance to test out the new track. FREE!
Shark Lagoon Nights | Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach
Sep 22, Oct 6, Oct 20, Nov 10, Nov 24: Touch bamboo sharks, see rays, and get up close with large sharks during free after-hours evenings at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Only Shark Lagoon is open; event is weather-dependent. FREE!
Kids Club | The Grove, Los Angeles
June 3–24: Enjoy weekly kids shows with music, puppets, and storytelling at AMC theaters.
Apple Butter Festival | Los Rios Rancho, Oak Glen
November 27-29: Celebrate the end of apple season with live music, pumpkin painting, coloring and kids crafts, cider tasting tour, autumn foliage carriage tours, and apple butter making. FREE!
Newport Beach Boat Parade & Holiday Lights Cruises in Newport Beach
Nov 27 - Jan 2, 2027: Experience Newport Harbor in full holiday décor aboard a decorated vessel on a 75-minute holiday lights cruise. View multi million dollar estates and vessels all decked out with thousands of lights.
Solvang Julefest | Solvang
Nov 27 - Jan 3: Experience the holidays Danish-style at Solvang Julefest with nightly light shows, a Nisser hunt, Santa visits, a tree lighting, parade, holiday markets, carolers, family activities, and more. FREE!
Fire & Lights Festival | Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort
Nov 27 - Jan 3: See more than 50 floating holiday light displays at Newport Dunes, plus fire dancers, Santa visits, giant inflatables, s'mores, and festive waterfront fun.
Friday Fun | Madrona Marsh Nature Center, Torrance
Every Friday: Explore nature with story time, crafts, science, and guided activities designed for preschoolers. FREE!
Disclaimer: The Kidsguide team does their best to keep event details accurate at the time of posting, but information can change without notice! Be sure to double-check with the event organizer before heading out. Kidsguide is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or changes on our calendar—we’re just here to help you find the fun!
