All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
Events at Long Beach Public Libraries
Ongoing: Explore free events at Long Beach Public Libraries, including storytimes, workshops, book clubs, and hands-on activities for all ages!
Antique Aircraft Display Days at Fullerton Airport
2nd Sunday of the Month: Owners of classic aircrafts are invited to display their aircrafts and visitors are invited to view the displays.
Community Day at Back Bay Science Center in Newport Beach
Sundays: Tour labs, touch sea creatures, wander the trails, and watch animal feeding during this free drop-in open house. FREE!
El Segundo Holiday Parade
December 14: Watch performers, floats, marching bands, antique cars, and St. Nick parade through the street during the El Segundo Holiday Parade!
Chanukah Celebration | The Original Farmers Market, LA
December 14: Watch a menorah carved from ice, enjoy kids’ crafts and performances, and gather for a festive community menorah lighting. FREE!
Centennial Farm Discovery Days
September 30 - June 1: During a Discovery Day, “farmers” are stationed around the farm available to answer questions and provide information.
Santa’s Jingle Jam Holiday Tour | Various Parks, Gardena
December 11, 16, 18: Meet Santa, play games, enjoy treats, and join the fun as Gardena’s Jingle Jam pops up at three neighborhood parks.
Mermaid Story Time with Once Upon an Island in Newport Beach
Nov 5 - Jan 28, 2026: Enjoy mermaid story time with bubbles, puppets, and story time magic, plus a free latte for moms. RSVP required. FREE!
Christmas Boat Parade & Ring of Lights in Newport Beach
December 17-21: Watch beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks, and canoes sail along the harbor. View the parade from over 50 locations including Marina Park and Balboa Village Fun Zone.
Santa’s Jingle Jam Holiday Tour | Various Parks, Gardena
December 11, 16, 18: Meet Santa, play games, enjoy treats, and join the fun as Gardena’s Jingle Jam pops up at three neighborhood parks.
Winter Wonderland & Holiday Marketplace | Ventura Harbor Village
December 20: Meet Santa by the sea, play in faux snow, and explore a festive holiday marketplace with live reindeer and cheerful entertainment.
North Pole Express | Orange County Model Engineers, Costa Mesa
December 20-21: Ride the North Pole Express, meet Santa and the Grinch, and enjoy free miniature train rides all day at Goathill Junction.
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 Snow Land | Balearic Park, Costa Mesa
December 20: Balearic Park turns into a winter wonderland with over 40 tons of snow. This time-honored tradition hosts over 1,000 people annually. FREE!
Breakfast With Santa by OC Autism Foundation | Atlantis Play Center, Garden Grove
December 20: Enjoy food, crafts, toys, and inclusive holiday fun with Sensory Santa at a festive pajama-party event.
Sunsets with Santa in San Clemente
December 14 & 20: Come take pictures with Santa Claus on the San Clemente Pier! Photographer will not be provided; please bring your own camera. Santa's sleigh departs for the North Pole promptly at 5:00 pm, so please plan your visit accordingly. FREE!
Naples Island Annual Boat Parade in Long Beach
December 20: Twinkling lights decorate the boats that cruise the canals of Naples. Hundreds of homes and boats are festively decorated throughout the season. FREE!
Events at Long Beach Public Libraries
Ongoing: Explore free events at Long Beach Public Libraries, including storytimes, workshops, book clubs, and hands-on activities for all ages!
Community Day at Back Bay Science Center in Newport Beach
Sundays: Tour labs, touch sea creatures, wander the trails, and watch animal feeding during this free drop-in open house. FREE!
Holiday Festival | The Muckenthaler Cultural Center, Fullerton
December 21: Enjoy live music, art workshops, and a festive makers market at this family-friendly holiday celebration. FREE!
PCH Explorer Kids Club at 2ND & PCH in Long Beach
June – December: Join themed kids’ club parties at 2ND & PCH featuring crafts, performances, animals, and more. Held outdoors on select Tuesdays with extra summer dates.
Annual LA County Holiday Celebration | Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
December 24: Watch a diverse group of L.A.-based artists and community groups showcase their talent, artistry and traditions on The Music Center’s iconic Dorothy Chandler Pavilion stage. The three-hour live production features instrumental music, choral music and dance performances. FREE!
Events at Long Beach Public Libraries
Ongoing: Explore free events at Long Beach Public Libraries, including storytimes, workshops, book clubs, and hands-on activities for all ages!
Community Day at Back Bay Science Center in Newport Beach
Sundays: Tour labs, touch sea creatures, wander the trails, and watch animal feeding during this free drop-in open house. FREE!
Mermaid Story Time with Once Upon an Island in Newport Beach
Nov 5 - Jan 28, 2026: Enjoy mermaid story time with bubbles, puppets, and story time magic, plus a free latte for moms. RSVP required. FREE!
Fullerton First Night 2026 | Downtown Fullerton Plaza
December 31: Enjoy live music, family activities, and a fireworks finale as Fullerton rings in 2026 at its annual First Night celebration. FREE!
N.Y.E. | Gloria Molina Grand Park, LA
December 31: Ring in 2026 with live music, art installations, and a midnight 3D projection show at LA’s biggest free NYE celebration. FREE!
Free Day at The Huntington Library
EVERY FIRST THURSDAY: The first Thursday of every month is Free Day. Admission is free of charge with advance reservation.
Centennial Farm Discovery Days
September 30 - June 1: During a Discovery Day, “farmers” are stationed around the farm available to answer questions and provide information.
Friday Fun | Madrona Marsh Nature Center, Torrance
Every Friday: Explore nature with story time, crafts, science, and guided activities designed for preschoolers. FREE!
Movie Night: Elio | Garfield Community Center, Santa Ana
January 9: Relax with snacks and a teen-only screening of Elio at the library. FREE!
Movies Under the Stars | Kelly Park, Compton
January 9: Watch an inspiring outdoor movie, enjoy free pizza, and celebrate community at this family-friendly film night. FREE!
Astronomy Night | Columbia Space Memorial Center, Downey
January 9: Each month, expert guest speakers dive into fascinating astronomy topics, sharing their knowledge and passion for the universe. After the talks, explore the night sky with our telescopes and witness celestial objects up close. FREE!
Making Scents of the Ancient World: Pylos Perfume Workshop at the Getty Center
September 21 - January 10: In this free, drop-in, perfume-making workshop, you can create your own perfume inspired by an ancient recipe from Pylos, in southern Greece.
Storytime Adventures | Lakeshore Learning (Multiple Locations)
January 10 & 24: Make story-themed crafts, explore hands-on activities, and spark imagination at this free walk-in event for little learners. FREE!
SNOW Much Fun! | Rivian Laguna
January 10: Make snowy creations while learning how heat, ice, and salt work together in this kid-friendly winter science workshop. FREE!
Silk Road Day | USC Pacific Asia Museum & SoCal Children’s Museum
January 11: Explore hands-on art, culture, and music during a free family day celebrating the Silk Road across two Pasadena museums. FREE!
Lunar New Year Festival | Torrance Cultural Arts Center
January 11: Celebrate Lunar New Year with lion dances, food vendors, cosplay, and family fun at this all-day cultural festival. FREE!
Antique Aircraft Display Days at Fullerton Airport
2nd Sunday of the Month: Owners of classic aircrafts are invited to display their aircrafts and visitors are invited to view the displays.
Oshogatsu Family Festival | Japanese American National Museum, LA
January 11: Make mochi, see candy art demonstrations, craft Year-of-the-Horse keepsakes, and enjoy a day of cultural performances at this free New Year festival. FREE!
Mermaid Story Time with Once Upon an Island in Newport Beach
Nov 5 - Jan 28, 2026: Enjoy mermaid story time with bubbles, puppets, and story time magic, plus a free latte for moms. RSVP required. FREE!
Lights of Korea: Jinju Silk Lanterns | Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles
Jan 15 - Feb 28: Explore luminous Jinju silk lanterns inspired by Korean heritage and the iconic twelve-panel skirt. FREE!
Westerly School Community Tour | Long Beach
January 15: Tour the Westerly campus and experience their learning spaced during the school day!
Wild Tales | Upper Newport Bay, Newport Beach
Every Friday: Wild tales is offered every Friday and include an outdoor story time in the newly-renovated amphitheater, an age-appropriate hike, and a craft project in the classroom. FREE!
Friday Fun | Madrona Marsh Nature Center, Torrance
Every Friday: Explore nature with story time, crafts, science, and guided activities designed for preschoolers. FREE!
Lunar New Year in Rancho Cucamonga
January 17-18: Enjoy a day of cultural celebration with lion dances, martial arts performances and more! The event features foods from local vendors and carnival rides. Check out the Artisan Marketplace and where local artisans showcase their crafts.
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.
MLK Day Parade & Celebration | Gardena
January 17: Celebrate Dr. King with a lively community parade and festival featuring bands, entertainment, booths, and food trucks. FREE!
OCSA Connects Community Arts Festival | OCSA Campus, Santa Ana
January 17: This free, annual community festival, hosted on the campus of Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA), offers arts-minded children a full day of play! Kids (ages 5-11) and their families are invited to come take part in arts play areas and experiences while enjoying live performances by OCSA's talented students.
Martin Luther King Jr. Parade | Long Beach
Saturday, January 17: The parade kicks off at the intersection of MLK and Anaheim St., followed by a park celebration with performances, kid zone, food and merchandize vendors, and more. 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!
