All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
Anaheim Children’s Festival | Pearson Park, Anaheim
May 16: Create art, enjoy performances, and explore hands-on activities at this free children’s festival. FREE!
May the Sixth: Lightsaber Craft | Billie Jean King Main Library, Long Beach
May 6: Make lightsabers, watch a Star Wars movie, and dress up for themed fun at the library. 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.
Friday Fun | Madrona Marsh Nature Center, Torrance
Every Friday: Explore nature with story time, crafts, science, and guided activities designed for preschoolers. FREE!
Youth Fishing Derby | Alondra Community Regional Park, Lawndale
May 9: Kids cast a line, learn fishing skills, and compete for prizes at this morning derby. FREE!
NCL Sea Craft Hour | Roundhouse Aquarium, Manhattan Beach
May 9 & 23: Get crafty with free hands-on projects for kids and families during this creative afternoon at the aquarium. All supplies provided!
Eco-Fun Faire | Oak Canyon Center, Anaheim
May 9: Get creative with crafts, music, and eco-friendly fun at the Eco-Fun Faire. FREE!
Special Needs Awareness & Resource Fair | Apollo Park, Downey
May 9: Explore resources, enjoy games, performances, and food trucks at this inclusive family event. FREE!
LAFD Fire Service Day | Citywide Open Firehouse Celebration
May 9: Visit local LAFD fire stations citywide with trucks, demos, and meet-your-firefighter moments. 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.
Clockshop’s Kite Festival | Los Angeles Historic State Park
May 9: Fly kites, make art, and enjoy music at Clockshop’s colorful community Kite Festival. FREE!
Mother’s Day Concert in the Park | Haster Basin Recreation Area, Garden Grove
May 9: Celebrate Mother’s Day with Selena and Taylor Swift tribute bands, food trucks, and family fun. FREE!
Mariachi Festival | Artesia Park, Artesia
May 9: Enjoy mariachi music, folklórico dance, food trucks, and family fun at Artesia Park. 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.
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.
Public Works Open House at Surf City Nights | Huntington Beach
May 12: Explore trucks, demos, and games at Huntington Beach Public Works open house.
Monrovia Days Community Festivals
May 14–17: Enjoy carnival rides, parade, live music, and family fun at this community festival. FREE-ish!
Salute to Recreation Family Festival | Northridge Recreation Center, Northridge
May 15–17: Enjoy carnival rides, live music, food, and family activities at this community festival. FREE!
Friday Fun | Madrona Marsh Nature Center, Torrance
Every Friday: Explore nature with story time, crafts, science, and guided activities designed for preschoolers. FREE!
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.
Disney Jr. Play Cafe | Short Stories Hotel, Los Angeles
May 16-17: Disney Jr. Play Cafe is a 90-minute experience featuring complimentary dining, interactive play stations, crafts, and special Disney Jr. character meet-and-greets with photo opportunities.
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!
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
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!
Long Beach Adaptive Sports Fair | Long Beach City College
May 16: Try adaptive sports like basketball, soccer, and dance while connecting with community resources at this free inclusive event. FREE!
Water Festival | Santa Margarita Water District Headquarters
May 16: See birds of prey, touch a snake, build compost boxes, and try a zipline. 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
Cypress Police Open House
May 16: SWAT demo, K9 demo, station tours, and more! FREE!
AnaCon: Comics & Sci-Fi | Anaheim Central Library
May 16: Meet comic creators, enjoy cosplay, trivia, and Star Wars storytime at this free library con. FREE!
Clarkia Flower Festival | UCLA
May 16: Celebrate flowers, nature, and community with crafts, music, and outdoor activities. 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!
Star Wars Celebration | Yorba Linda Public Library
May 16: Make crafts, play games, and take photos at this all-ages Star Wars celebration. FREE!
Annual Literacy Fair: Reading in the LB SEA | MacArthur Park, Long Beach
May 16: Pick up free books, enjoy activities, and celebrate reading at this family literacy fair. FREE!
Anaheim Children’s Festival | Pearson Park, Anaheim
May 16: Create art, enjoy performances, and explore hands-on activities at this family festival. 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.
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!
Red Bull Soapbox Race | Los Angeles
May 16: Watch wild, handmade cars race downhill at this high-energy Red Bull Soapbox event. FREE!
Balboa Island Artwalk | Newport Beach
May 17: Browse art, enjoy live music, and stroll the waterfront at the Balboa Island Artwalk. FREE!
AAPI LA Day at Smorgasburg | ROW DTLA
May 17: Celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month with food, performances, and more. FREE!
CAMP CUP | CAMP Los Angeles
May 18 – July 19: Play games, earn punches, and unlock prizes at a summer-long soccer-inspired celebration. Collect punches to earn mini toys, full-size toys, collectible stickers, and a free Magic Door ticket. Some activities are free; others like the slime bar, maker studio, and splatter zone require a separate purchase. 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.
Tunes at the Dunes | Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina
May 22–24: Enjoy beachfront live music, food trucks, and sunset vibes by the bay. FREE!
OCLA Night Market & Natsu Festival | STC Rowland Legacy, Rowland Heights
May 22–24: Explore Japanese-inspired street food, live performances, cosplay, and games at this lively night market festival. FREE!
Garden Grove Strawberry Festival
May 22–25: Ride, eat, and celebrate at this four-day strawberry festival with parades, concerts, and carnival fun.
Friday Fun | Madrona Marsh Nature Center, Torrance
Every Friday: Explore nature with story time, crafts, science, and guided activities designed for preschoolers. FREE!
Pride in Irvine | Irvine Civic Center
May 22: Celebrate Pride with a flag raising, community resources, and family-friendly activities at this inclusive event. FREE!
Fiesta Hermosa | Hermosa Beach
May 23–25: Shop, ride, eat, and enjoy live music all weekend at this beachside festival. FREE-ish!
NCL Sea Craft Hour | Roundhouse Aquarium, Manhattan Beach
May 9 & 23: Get crafty with free hands-on projects for kids and families during this creative afternoon at the aquarium. All supplies provided!
Ukulele Experience for Kids | PV Music House, Rolling Hills Estates
May 23: Kids learn ukulele basics, play a song, and explore music in a fun beginner-friendly workshop. FREE!
Smorgasburg BBQ Invitational | Santa Anita Park, Arcadia
May 23–25: Sample BBQ from multiple vendors, enjoy carnival rides, games, and live entertainment at this three-day food and family event.
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!
