Cinco de Mayo | Bowers Museum, Santa Ana

May 3: Watch mariachi, see folklórico dancers, make mini piñatas, and enjoy pan dulce at this festive celebration. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Bowers Museum 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Kids in the Preserve | Crown Valley Park, Laguna Niguel

May 3: Niguel Botanical Preserve hosts Kids in the Preserve from 1–3 p.m. at this free, 18-acre botanical garden in Laguna Niguel. Check the preserve's website for more information about the lineup. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Crown Valley Park 29751 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Taste of Able ARTS Work | Long Beach

May 9: Create, connect, and enjoy art, music, and giveaways at Able ARTS Work’s free community event.

Dates:
Location:
Achieving Results Together (ARTS Center) 3841 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Mariachi Festival | Artesia Park, Artesia

May 9: Enjoy mariachi music, folklórico dance, food trucks, and family fun at Artesia Park. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Artesia Park - City of Artesia 18750 Clarkdale Avenue, Artesia
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Mother’s Day at California Botanic Garden

May 10: Moms get free admission for a day filled with crafts, a café pop-up, and a photo station, plus an afternoon artisan market and milkweed plant sale. Pre-order a charcuterie picnic box to enjoy in the garden while exploring local vendors and family-friendly activities.

Dates:
Location:
California Botanic Garden 1500 N. College Ave., Claremont
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Monrovia Days Community Festivals

May 14–17: Enjoy carnival rides, parade, live music, and family fun at this community festival. FREE-ish!

Dates:
Location:
Monrovia Library Park 321 S Myrtle Ave., Monrovia, CA
+ Google Map

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.

Dates:
Location:
Fairview Park - Costa Mesa 2501 Placentia Ave., Costa Mesa, CA
Cost:
Free

Impact Event | Discovery Cube, Sylmar

May 16: Help clean up the park, explore hands-on activities, and give back at this community impact event. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Discovery Cube - Los Angeles 11800 Foothill Blvd., Sylmar, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Kids to Parks Day | Rancho Palos Verdes

May 16: Explore local parks with relay races, mural painting, kids yoga, and guided hikes during this free outdoor event. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Rancho Palos Verde Parks
Cost:
Free

STEAM Fest 2026 | Discovery Cube LA, Sylmar

Saturday, May 16, 2026 Celebrate curiosity, creativity, and hands-on learning at this interactive STEAM festival designed for students and families. STEAM Fest brings together schools, educators, and community partners for a day of discovery where kids can explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and math through real-world experiences. The focus is on helping students see themselves... View Article

Dates:
Location:
Discovery Cube - Los Angeles 11800 Foothill Blvd., Sylmar, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Cypress Police Open House

May 16: SWAT demo, K9 demo, station tours, and more! FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Cypress Police Station 5275 Orange Ave., Cypress, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Clarkia Flower Festival | UCLA

May 16: Celebrate flowers, nature, and community with crafts, music, and outdoor activities. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden 707 Tiverton Drive, Los Angeles, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
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!

Dates:
Discovery Zone | Madrona Marsh Nature Center, Torrance
Location:
Madrona Marsh Preserve 3201 Plaza Del Amo, Torrance, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Comic Orange | Aliso Viejo Library

May 10: A celebration of libraries, graphic novels, cosplay, animation and more! Activities include Cosplaying 101 where kids learn how to make their own cosplay and artist talks.

Dates:
Location:
Aliso Viejo Library 1 Journey, Aliso Viejo, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Beckman Arts & Science Family Festival | Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa

May 16: The Beckman Arts & Science Family Festival invites innovators of all ages to explore the connections between science and the arts through fun and engaging performances, interactive exhibits, and hands-on activities along with other festival food and fun!

Dates:
Location:
Segerstrom Center for the Arts 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Red Bull Soapbox Race | Los Angeles

May 16: Watch wild, handmade cars race downhill at this high-energy Red Bull Soapbox event. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Los Angeles
Cost:
Free

Balboa Island Artwalk | Newport Beach

May 17: Browse art, enjoy live music, and stroll the waterfront at the Balboa Island Artwalk. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Balboa Island 1306 S Bayfront, Newport Beach, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
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!