All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
Thai Fest by the Beach | Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica
September 19-20: Taste Thai street food, watch traditional dance and Muay Thai demonstrations, enjoy live music, photo ops, and family activities at Santa Monica Pier. FREE!
La Mirada Youth Fishing Derby | La Mirada Regional Park, La Mirada
September 19: Cast a line at the annual La Mirada Youth Fishing Derby at La Mirada Regional Park. The lake is generously stocked, a free pancake breakfast kicks off the morning, and fishing lessons are provided by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Only youth fish, but the whole family is invited. FREE!
Garden Adventures | Adventures to Dreams Youth Garden, Long Beach
August 8 & September 19: Dig into hands-on gardening, arts activities, and STEM projects designed for kids and teens to explore outside the classroom. FREE!
Chalktastic | Whittier City Hall, Whittier
September 19: Create chalk art on a 4x4-foot concrete square at this free outdoor event at Whittier City Hall. Artists of all ages receive a free chalk kit and kneeling pad upon registration. Watch professional demonstrations, play games, listen to music, and enjoy food on-site. Prizes awarded by age group and a People's Choice Award. FREE!
City Celebration | Empty Saddle Club, Rolling Hills Estates
September 19: Enjoy an outdoor family festival with equestrian events, pony and horse rides, a petting zoo, hay rides, a stick horse rodeo, a rock wall, corn pits, a magician, a reptile show, face painting, picnic games, and food vendors. An all-day activities wristband is $15 online or $20 at the event. Event entry is FREE!
200th Birthday Bicentennial Celebration | Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum, Rancho Dominguez
September 19: Celebrate the Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum's 200th birthday with live performances, exhibitions, storytelling, guided tours, hands-on activities, and food trucks. FREE!
Discovery Zone | Madrona Marsh Nature Center, Torrance
Third Saturday: Explore a hands-on space where kids can touch feathers, match animal tracks, build food webs, and learn how wetlands support plants, animals, and people. Through simple science activities and real marsh artifacts, young explorers discover why protecting nature matters. FREE!
SPCC Moon Festival | South Pasadena Library Park, South Pasadena
September 19: Celebrate the Moon Festival with live entertainment, a chalk drawing contest, outdoor activities, arts and crafts, and a mooncake gift box raffle. FREE!
I Love Downey Festival | Downey
September 19: Celebrate Downey's 70th anniversary with live bands, an art exhibition, a beer & wine garden, community booths, giveaways, and local food vendors. FREE!
California Visionaries Opening Reception | Forest Lawn Museum, Glendale
September 19: Celebrate the opening of California Visionaries with live music, refreshments, DOLE WHIP, curator remarks, and a look at a historic Disneyland Matterhorn Bobsled. FREE!
Astronomy Night | Columbia Memorial Space Center, Downey
September 19: Explore the night sky with telescope viewing and an expert speaker presentation at this monthly astronomy event celebrating National Observe the Moon Night. FREE!
Orange County Children’s Book Festival | Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa
September 20: Explore books, meet authors, and catch live performances and author read-alouds at this free, one-day literary festival at Orange Coast College. Special guest StoryTeller from KidTime StoryTime performs, and the OCC Planetarium hosts a headliner presentation including a Magic Tree House program. FREE!
12th Annual Bob Baker Day | LA State Historic Park, Los Angeles
September 20: Celebrate the legacy of Bob Baker with a free all-day festival featuring puppets, art, interactive activities, crafts, artisans, vendors, and food. The Hooray LA Village includes free art activities, educational offerings, and storytelling programs, plus a quiet book nook from the Los Angeles Public Library. 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!
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.
LéaLA: Spanish Book Fair & Literary Festival | LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, Los Angeles
September 24-27: Celebrate Spanish-language books and Latino culture with authors, book signings, live music, films, children's activities, creative workshops, and more. FREE!
Fall Festival | Westminster Civic Center, Westminster
September 24-27: Enjoy carnival rides, live entertainment, food, Lotería, a drone show, Moon Lantern Celebration, local shopping, and more. FREE!
Taiwan Carnival 2026 | STC Anaheim GardenWalk, Anaheim
September 25–27: Taste authentic Taiwanese street food, try carnival games, and watch live cultural performances at this free three-day festival. A traditional Taiwanese Puppet Show, is featured on Sunday. FREE!
Friday Fun | Madrona Marsh Nature Center, Torrance
Every Friday: Explore nature with story time, crafts, science, and guided activities designed for preschoolers. FREE!
Happy Moon Festival | Mathis Home, Irvine
September 25: Celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with free arts and crafts, Chinese calligraphy, mooncake and tea tasting, festival games, and live cultural performances including a dragon and lion dance and a guzheng and pipa duo. FREE!
Science Showtime at Golden West College
September 25: Make slime, control robots, and create exploding gummy bears at the Science Nite at Golden West College. FREE!
Mid-Autumn Festival | Great Park, Irvine
September 25: Celebrate the sixth annual Mid-Autumn Festival with performances, cultural displays, hands-on crafts, and food. This free event honors traditions celebrated by many East and Southeast Asian cultures. FREE!
Foods of Garden Grove LIVE | Village Green Park, Garden Grove
September 25: Taste bites from local restaurants, play glowing games, explore blacklight art, and catch a free concert. FREE!
Moon Festival | Heritage House, Riverside
September 25: Celebrate Asian cultures with moon cakes, lanterns, and traditions rooted in the ancient harvest season. This Moon Festival highlights the history of Chinese Americans in Riverside's citrus industry. FREE!
Family Nite | Columbia Memorial Space Center, Downey
September 25: Explore space science through expert talks and full access to museum exhibits at this free monthly evening event. FREE!
Los Angeles Libros Festival | Central Library, Los Angeles
September 26: Celebrate Spanish-language and bilingual books, storytelling, music, authors, and workshops at this free community festival. Free and open to the public. FREE!
Stories Under the Stars | Malibu Creek State Park, Calabasas
September 26: Celebrate 50 years of Malibu Creek State Park with an evening of fossil observation, tree exploration, art-making, and storytelling from tribal members, scientists, and historians. The night wraps up with a star party and anniversary cake. FREE!
Cypress Community Festival | Oak Knoll Park, Cypress
September 26: Check out a classic car show, taste entries in the chili and salsa contest, and browse vendor booths. The kids area features a rock wall, bounce houses, an obstacle course, large slides, cow milking, and toddler inflatables. FREE!
Pacific Islander Festival | Ski Beach, San Diego
September 26-27: Celebrate the cultures and traditions of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia at Ski Beach with traditional music, dance performances, cultural workshops, and authentic island food and craft vendors. FREE!
35 Years of Speed: The Sonic Art Exhibit | ARK/8, Los Angeles
September 26–27: Celebrate 35 years of Sonic the Hedgehog with a curated art exhibit featuring newly imagined pieces from 30+ renowned artists, fan submissions, and historical artwork from SEGA's archives. The creator of Amy and Metal Sonic, Kazuyuki Hoshino-san, will be on hand for a meet and greet on September 26. FREE!
Watts Towers Day of the Drum & Jazz Festivals | Watts Towers Arts Center Campus, Los Angeles
September 26-27: Celebrate music and culture with two days of drumming traditions from around the world, jazz, salsa, Caribbean music, hip hop, and more. FREE!
LEGO Pokémon SMART Play Experience | The Americana at Brand, Glendale
September 26–27: Choose a LEGO® Pokémon™ partner, then nurture, train and battle in a hands-on SMART Play™ experience. Receive official trainer status, catch set demonstrations and snap photos with LEGO Pokémon creatures. FREE!
Long Beach Youth Adventure Festival | Camp Fire Long Beach, Long Beach
September 26: Climb a rock wall, shoot a bow, race a pinewood derby car, roast a s'more, and explore dozens of hands-on activity booths run by local youth organizations. A youth craft market with 40 kid-run vendor booths and food trucks are also on site. FREE!
Salute to Firefighters Festival | Warner Center Park, Woodland Hills
September 26: Honor local firefighters and sample signature dishes from 15+ LAFD fire stations at this free community festival. Watch live firefighting demonstrations, catch a classic car show, and enjoy live music and family activities. FREE!
Worldwide Day of Play | Southern California Children’s Museum, Pasadena
September 26: Celebrate a global day of play with free hands-on activities at Southern California Children's Museum, including water tables, bubble blowing, a Paw Patrol obstacle course, sensory bins, and more. FREE!
Dinosaur Train Day with PBS SoCal | Children’s Museum, La Habra
September 26: Meet Buddy from Dinosaur Train, catch live science shows, make crafts, enjoy music and dancing, meet live animals, and explore the museum's exhibits. FREE!
Pasadena Chalk Festival | Brookside Park, Pasadena
September 26–27: Watch hundreds of skilled artists create large-scale chalk murals spanning styles from whimsical illustrations and character art to portrait work and recreations of masterpieces. Walk up to artists as they work and see the murals come to life up close. FREE!
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Expo | Lakewood Civic Center, Lakewood
September 26: Meet first responders, explore fire trucks, sheriff's vehicles, and the Sky Knight helicopter at this free community expo. Learn emergency preparedness tips for homes and pets, plus crime prevention strategies — and kids can enjoy a family fun zone. FREE!
Free Harbor Boat Tours | Port of Los Angeles, San Pedro
September 26: Take a free, fully narrated boat tour of Los Angeles Harbor, with departures every 30 minutes from 11am–2pm. A pet-friendly tour departs at 11:30am and a Spanish-language tour at 1pm. No tickets required — first come, first served. FREE!
USS Midway’s 81st Birthday & Multi-Cultural Fair | USS Midway Museum, San Diego
September 26: Celebrate 81 years of USS Midway with live multicultural music, traditional dance performances, and birthday cake on the hangar deck. FREE!
Kids Take Over the Village | Broxton Plaza, Los Angeles
September 26: Play, create, and explore at this free family event in Westwood Village, featuring pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, crafts, STEAM activities, live music, a kids dance session, and local vendors. FREE!
Mid-Autumn Festival | MainPlace Mall, Santa Ana
September 26: Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with cultural dance and instrumental performances, a moon goddess meet and greet, moon cake sampling, family crafts, and a bunny farm visit at MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana.
San Pedro Festival of the Arts | Peck Park, San Pedro
September 26: Watch local dance companies perform Bollywood, Flamenco, and more at this free outdoor festival celebrating 20 years of dance, culture, and community. Bring a picnic and enjoy the afternoon at Peck Park. FREE!
OKTOBERFEST Euro Cruise-In | Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles
September 27: Stroll a lineup of European cars and motorcycles on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum plaza, featuring vintage classics, rally legends, modern performance cars, and custom builds. All European makes are welcome. FREE!
Car Show on the Pier | Redondo Beach Pier, Redondo Beach
September 27: Browse over 100 classic cars on display over the water at the Redondo Beach Pier and vote for your favorite. FREE!
Long Beach Bus Fest | Near Monty’s Dog Beach, Long Beach
September 27: Explore bus displays and take exclusive vehicle tours featuring transit agencies from across Southern California. Get up close with next-gen buses and learn about all the destinations local public transportation can reach. FREE!
Pokémon 30th Anniversary Celebration | Target Stores
September 27: Celebrate 30 years of Pokémon with a draw-your-own Pokémon TCG card activity, themed photo ops, and giveaways while supplies last. Select stores also feature a Pokémon Pokopia demo on Nintendo Switch 2, plus Pokémon merch and games to browse.
Kids Club | The Grove, Los Angeles
June 3–24: Enjoy weekly kids shows with music, puppets, and storytelling at AMC theaters.
Eco Expo at the Costa Mesa Sanitary District
September 30: Explore eco booths, gardening tips, and hands-on green living demos. 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!
