All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
Chicken Fest at Hana Field
JUNE 29-30: Join Hana Field for a day of chicken festivities including games, vendors, information, education, adoptions, and meet & greets with real live chickens.
Shark Summer at Birch Aquarium
July 10 - August 7: Explore shark science, feeding sessions, hands-on stations, and trivia nights (July 17 & 31) during Shark Summer. Enjoy ocean views, themed drinks, and pop-up science (July 10, 24 & August 7).
Los Angeles Lighthouse Challenge
JULY 13: Visit three lighthouses and three Fresnal lenses in one day. Collect stamps at each participating location and pick up a prize at the end of the day.
Rusalka by Pacific Opera Project at Descanso Gardens – Fairytale Opera Performance
JULY 12-21: Presented with orchestra and sung in English, Rusalka is based on Slavic mythology and was the original inspiration for Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid.
Corn-O-Copia Harvest Food Festival at Tanaka Farms
JULY 20-21: Join Tanaka Farms for a weekend full of everyone's favorite summer treat. Enjoy roasted corn, brisket elote bowl, Korean corn cheese, roasted corn pico, plus live entertainment.
Toddler Time with Laguna Ocean Foundation at Rivian South Coast Theater
JULY 24: Meet and walk to the beach where kids will participate in a story of mimicking ocean creatures through modified yoga poses. After yoga, head back to the theater for light snacks and craft activity.
Summerfest & Drone Show at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Long Beach
JULY 27: Spend the evening at Veterans Memorial Stadium connecting with the community, enjoy live music, festivities, and food under the summer sky. After dark there will be a drone show by Pixis Drones.
Toddler Time with Birds of Prey at Rivian South Coast Theater
JULY 31: Join Rivian and the OC Bird of Prey Center in exploring and learning about these special birds. All ages welcome.
Kids’ Fishing Rodeo in Belmont Pier in Long Beach
AUGUST 3: Bring your own rod and reel or get a free loaner. Free bait and instruction. Alfredo's Beach Club and Buoys Snack Bar will be open too. Raffles and trophies at noon.
Zoo Friday Nights at LA Zoo
FRIDAYS, AUGUST 9, 16, 23, 30: Explore the zoo on a summer evening! See your favorite animals during twilight hours. Enjoy musical performances, family dance party and games, and interactive education stations.
Cool Summer Nights at Shipley Nature Center
AUGUST 17: Join the Nature Center for evening hours for a Summer Scavenger Hunt and exploring the trails.
Summer Science Spectacular at Discovery Cube LA
July 20: Archeologist Day • July 27-28: Critters at the Cube • August 10: Educators Day • August 10-11: Critters at the Cube • August 17-18: Aviation Day
Fall Festival: A Night in the Park at Johnny Cash Park in Burbank
SEPTEMBER 7: Enjoy "The Nightmare Before Christmas" 30th Anniversary movie showing, live music, food trucks, interactive arts, family fun, and more!
Family Art Days in Crystal Cove
SEPTEMBER 3 & 10: Participate in Family Art Days and enjoy hands-on educational activities while learning about ongoing conservation work at the park, the critical habitats at Crystal Cove, and how it all connects with landscape scale efforts to protect and preserve the natural world.
Opening Day of Spider Pavilion at Natural History Museum
September 14: Walk among hundreds of orb weavers, see giant garden spider webs, and check out tarantulas, wolf spiders, and more.
Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Farm in Redlands
SEPTEMBER 20 - OCTOBER 31: Visit the largest outdoor pumpkin patch in Southern California! Enjoy rides, slides, ponies, petting zoos, games, and food. Attractions include a corn maze, sunflower fields, cow coaster, mini ATVs, carousel, corn box, and lots more.
Prancers Farm Pumpkin Patch in Santa Paula
SEPTEMBER 27 - OCTOBER 31: Explore 40 acres of pumpkins and enjoy activities and attractions including pumpkin bowling, corn expedition, zipline, pumpkin axe throwing, and lots more. Enjoy live entertainment from fire dancers, jugglers, magicians, and musicians.
Nights of the Jack in Calabasas
SEPTEMBER 27 - NOVEMBER 2: Walk through an interactive trail filled with thousands of hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins. Vast grounds of elaborate, larger-than-life pumpkin installations greet visitors as they walk around the history-filled ranch.
World Gorilla Day: Walk on the Wild Side at LA Zoo
SEPTEMBER 28: Follow a self-guided tour to see western lowland gorillas and other primates, uncover fascinating facts, and count your steps along the way. With engaging animal keeper talks, special feedings, and enriching activities, this event promises a wild adventure.
Birds of Prey at the ENC Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary
SEPTEMBER 28: Witness these fascinating creatures up close as expert naturalists showcase hawks, owls, eagles, and falcons. Learn about their unique biology, hunting techniques, nesting habits, and their important role in maintaining ecological balance.
Sunset Safari Tours at Wildlife Learning Center
OCTOBER 5 and 12: Visit with the animals as the sun sets during guided group tours while chilling out with complimentary snow cones, lemonade, and iced tea. Tours also include meeting a hedgehog and tortoise.
Prehistoric OC at Ralph B. Clark Regional Park
OCTOBER 12: Join OC Parks for Prehistoric OC, a free event inviting families to explore the natural and cultural history of Orange County. Enjoy fun and educational activities presented by OC Parks archaeologists and paleontologists.
Farmtastic BOOtique at Manassero Farms in Irvine
OCTOBER 12: Enjoy the market, face painting, a petting zoo, pony rides, a photobooth, heirloom pumpkins, and more.
Sunset Sail with Los Angeles Maritime Institute
OCTOBER 12: Sail out of Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach and enjoy a special visit and pirate lessons from a cast of characters! Enjoy the sunset over Long Beach Harbor from the deck of a tall ship as you sit back and relax or become part of the crew.
Family Camp in Lakewood
OCTOBER 19-20: Parents and their children ages 3-11 can enjoy an outdoor experience together and spend a night out under the stars at Monte Verde Park. Activities include games, crafts, nature walks, roasting marshmallows and singing around the campfire. All meals and snacks are prepared so parents can sit back, relax and enjoy nature with their children.
Harbor Hayride at Ocean Institute in Dana Point
OCTOBER 26: Enjoy live music, apple cider, temporary tattoos and trick-or-treating all while cruising the beautiful Dana Point Harbor on the R/V Sea Explorer.
Halloween in the Garden at the LA Arboretum – Trick or Treat, Workshop, Night Hike and “Thrill the World”!
OCTOBER: Spooky season is here, enjoy trick or treating, workshops and a world-record-breaking-attempt to perform "Thriller" with communities all over the world, at the same time - all happening at the Los Angeles Arboretum.
Halloween Train Ride at Wilson Park in Torrance
OCTOBER 25-26: Enjoy a train ride around the park, costumes encourages!
Hana Field Pumpkin Patch in Costa Mesa
OCTOBER 5-27: Pick your own pumpkin, pick your own flowers, wander through flower fields and corn maze, and visit the barnyard.
Lavender Nights at 123 Farm
AUGUST 22 - OCTOBER 27: Although the lavender is no longer in bloom, visitors can still stroll through the fields lit with over 300,000 lights!
Ice Rink at Irvine Spectrum Center
NOVEMBER 1 - JANUARY 5: Holiday magic starts at Irvine Spectrum Center with the return of the Ice Rink sponsored by the Anaheim Ducks. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Ventura County Farm Day
NOVEMBER 2: More than 15 Ventura County farms, ranches and agricultural organizations invite the public to experience a day of free agricultural activities and tours.
Free Youth Fishing Derby at El Dorado Park in Long Beach
NOVEMBER 16: 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.
Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens
NOVEMBER 17 - JANUARY 5: Enchanted Forest of Light is an interactive, one-mile walk through unique lighting experiences throughout the gardens.
Wild Holidays at San Diego Zoo Safari Park
SELECT DATES, NOV 29 - JAN 5: Go on an expedition of light and travel through places that glow, shine, and twinkle with holiday cheer. Fanciful characters, musical entertainment, festive storytelling, and culinary treats create family fun and get everyone in the spirit of the season!
Jungle Bells: Aurora at the San Diego Zoo
DECEMBER 14 - JANUARY 5, 2025: This annual holiday event will treat guests through a wonderland of twinkling lights, live entertainment, festive music, views of wildlife and more holiday fun to get you into the spirit!
Christmas with the Animals at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine
DECEMBER 14: Visit San Diego’s only accredited animal sanctuary to watch animals unwrap their Christmas presents. Plus, enjoy their Festival of Lights, grab a cup of hot cocoa, and visit the gift shop.
Luminaria Nights at the California Botanic Gardens in Claremont
DECEMBER 13-14, 20-21: Enjoy peaceful paths lined with string lights that lead to musical venues. There will be performers, art installations, food and drink for purchase.
Wild Lights at America’s Teaching Zoo in Moorpark
Select dates, NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 23: A 45 minute self guided stroll through the zoo with larger-than-life light installations, like sparkling animals and wintery scenes. Enjoy interactive displays, pathways, plenty of seasonal photo opportunities, treats, music, and more.
Whale and Marine Life Tour at Ocean Institute
NOW - DECEMBER 30: Join the crew of the Research Vessel Sea Explorer for a Whale Watching experience. See whales, dolphins, sea lions, and more as your explore the Pacific Ocean.
Winter Wonders & Holiday Lights at Wild Wonders in Bonsall
WEEKENDS, DECEMBER 15-17, 21-23 & 28-31: Go on a special tour, sip on hot cocoa, and meet nocturnal animal ambassadors in the glow of holiday lights.
Night Under the Stars at Columbia Memorial Space Cener in Downey
FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2025: Gaze at the stars, chat about the mysteries of space, and share the magic of the cosmos through our telescopes. This month, Dr. Jeff Gray from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) will have an inspiring talk on the latest in space exploration and show off smart telescopes for an epic stargazing experience.
Astronomy Night at Columbia Space Memorial Center in Downey
JANUARY 10: 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.
January Sunset Sail with Los Angeles Maritime Institute
SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2025: Sail the San Pedro Bay and watch the sunset from the deck of a tall ship. Sit back and relax or become part of the crew – your choice!
Wyland’s Whale & Dolphin Adventure Art Lesson
January 25 - April 26, 2025: Calling all young artists (ages 3-12) and ocean lovers! Kids can participate in an art lesson, then depart free of charge on a 2-hour whale watching trip. Paid adult must accompany the child.
Whale of a Weekend at Heal the Bay Aquarium in Santa Monica
February 15-16: Catch a glimpse of migrating whales! Feel the heft of a whale rib, check out bristly baleen, see feeding demonstrations, and learn more interesting facts through storytime, audio interactives, and fun crafts.
Valentine’s Ahoy Me Hearties Sunset Sail at LA Maritime Institute
February 15, 2025: Sweep your sweetie off their feet on this special Sunset Sail celebrating the love of thee and the sea! Pirate attire not required but certainly encouraged. You are also welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy.
Family Bird Festival at California Botanic Garden
February 16: Fly, hop, waddle or soar to the Garden for the Family Bird Festival. Enjoy a day outdoors with hands-on experiences and educational opportunities for young beginners and bird enthusiasts alike.
Valentine’s Sweets For Sweeties Sail at LA Maritime Institute
February 16, 2025: Join LAMI for this special afternoon sail featuring sweet and savory delights, including hot beverages.
Girls in Ocean Science Conference with Ocean Institute
February 22: Middle and high school girls will spend the day conducting research with leading scientists inside labs and at sea aboard the research vessel.
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!
