All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
Lotus Festival in Los Angeles
July 12–13: Catch dragon boat races, cultural performances, and street food galore surrounded by blooming lotus flowers and summer vibes.
Rail Giants Train Museum in Pomona
2nd Weekends: Climb aboard historic locomotives and explore rail history at RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona.
Watermelon & Lavender Festival at Mellano Farm Stand in Oceanside
July 12-27: Pick lavender, snack on farm-fresh watermelon, enjoy live music, food trucks, and tractor rides across three weekends of summer fun at Mellano Farm Stand.
Acquaprofonda — Free, Family-Friendly Opera at Aquarium of the Pacific
July 12-13: Long Beach Opera debuts Acquaprofonda, a 30-minute, family-friendly opera adventure about ocean protection featuring crafts, Q&As, and photo ops. Free entry to the theater; aquarium admission optional.
Summer Fun Fest at the Market Place in Tustin
Select Days, June 14 - August 2: Hot Rod Social (6/14), Picnic in the Park (7/12), Surfing Back to School (2/2)
Drop-In Workshop for Families: Claymation at the Academy Museum
July 5, 12 & 19: Families can explore stop-motion animation together in this hands-on Claymation workshop inspired by summer camp stories. Free for youth 17 and under.
Open House at Santa Ana Fire Museum
July 12: Tour vintage fire equipment, explore hands-on exhibits, and see a fully restored 1921 engine at this firefighter-themed open house.
NCL Sea Craft Hour at Roundhouse Aquarium in Manhattan Beach
May 10 - August 23: Get crafty with free hands-on projects for kids and families during this creative afternoon at the aquarium. All supplies provided!
PAC-MAN Fingerboarding Experience at Great Park Gallery in Irvine
July 12: Celebrate PAC-MAN’s 45th anniversary with a free fingerboarding experience featuring themed mini parks and a limited-edition fingerboard giveaway.
Urban Workshop Open House in Costa Mesa
July 12: Explore OC's largest makerspace with live blacksmithing and CNC router demos, tours of the makerspace, free food, and raffle prizes.
Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals in Los Alamitos
July 12: Watch 100 dachshunds dash down the track in a hilarious, high-stakes race for charity. Proceeds benefit local animal care, and fans get a free race-day program.
Coco in Concert Live to Film in Marina del Rey
July 12: Watch Disney and Pixar’s Coco under the stars with a live symphony performing the score in sync with the film. A one-night-only outdoor concert experience.
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!
Something Rotten at Rose Center Theater in Westminster
June 27 - July 20: Shakespeare meets showbiz in a hilarious musical mashup filled with big numbers, sibling rivalry, and Renaissance absurdity.
Shark Week at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro
July 13-19: Celebrate Shark Week with hands-on activities, fun facts, and ocean learning all about sharks and their role in the ecosystem. Activities run daily in the Exploration Center.
Family ArtMaking at Long Beach Museum of Art
June 15 - August 17: Join the LBMA Education team and make art with the whole family! Projects are inspired by current exhibition, The Art of Food: From the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation. Designed for all ages and skill levels.
Pacific Islands Festival at Bower’s Museum in Santa Ana
July 13: Celebrate island culture with hula, Polynesian dance, art projects like fish printing and lei-making, and frozen tropical fruit bars. Free family fun at Bowers Museum.
Tween Rock Show at The Pike Restaurant & Bar in Long Beach
July 13: Tween and teen bands rock out at a free, all-ages show with grunge, punk, and classic rock vibes. Expect loud guitars, high energy, and serious talent.
Family Sunday Funday at Sherman Library & Gardens
July 13: Play lawn games, join a limbo contest, and cool off with shaved ice during a tropical-themed evening in the gardens. Bring a picnic and soak up the island vibes.
Free Summer Lunch Cruises in Long Beach Shoreline Village
Wednesdays, July 9 - August 27: Enjoy a FREE 30 minute harbor cruise with purchase of lunch “to go” from participating restaurants every Wednesday through the end of Augus
Free Port of Long Beach Harbor Tours – Registration Dates
April - August: Go aboard a 90-minute narrated excursion and get close to operations at one of the busiest ports in the nation. Tours are held on select Saturday mornings and select Wednesday evenings. Due to extremely high demand, registration is on a lottery basis.
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.
Tuesday Family Nights in Cerritos
June 10 - August 5: Families can enjoy entertainment and activities at four neighborhood parks. Each program has a pre-show craft, game or activity. Don't forget to bring a blanket and picnic dinner!
Free Summer Lunch Cruises in Long Beach Shoreline Village
Wednesdays, July 9 - August 27: Enjoy a FREE 30 minute harbor cruise with purchase of lunch “to go” from participating restaurants every Wednesday through the end of Augus
Belmont Shore Stroll & Savor in Long Beach
3rd Wednesday & Thursdays: Enjoy 50+ eateries, activities, live music and more.
Movie Nights in the Biergarten at Brewery X in Anaheim
June 11, July 16, August 6, September 14: Join Brewery X in Anaheim for family-friendly Movie Nights in the Biergarten. Lawn chairs and blankets encouraged. No ticket required.
World Taste at Anaheim Packing District
July 16: Grab a tasting passport and explore global bites from local chefs, with live music, trivia, and art activities in the Anaheim Packing District. Perfect for food-loving families.
Queen Mary Movie Night Market
June 13, July 16, August 3: Explore the Queen Mary, browse a lively night market, and end the night with an outdoor movie under the stars. Food, music, and summer vibes await.
Plumeria Festival at LA County Arboretum
July 18–19: Shop for exotic plants, enjoy guided tours, and explore the largest public plumeria collection in the western U.S. With live music, expert talks, and over 20 vendors, there’s plenty to see and do.
Wired for Wonder & The Chill Lab at Kidspace Children’s Museum
June 6-28: Explore a multisensory maze with 25+ exhibits, then chill with frozen treats and flavor experiments at Wired for Wonder—family fun after dark.
Tchaikovsky Spectacular with Fireworks at the Hollywood Bowl
July 18-19: Enjoy Swan Lake with live ballet, orchestral favorites, and a fireworks finale at this annual LA tradition.
Asian Garden Night Market in Westminster
June 13 – August 31: Enjoy summer weekends with Vietnamese street food, shopping, and live music at the outdoor Asian Garden Night Market in Westminster.
Carnival Car Wash in Lakewood
June 20 - July 20: Meet carnival characters, play car-side games, and score a $24 car wash with your ticket. Enjoy cotton candy, snow cones, and live performers—all without leaving your vehicle. Perfect for families or a quirky night out.
South Bay Greek Festival
July 18-20: Dance, eat, and learn at this cultural celebration packed with Greek food, live music, and hands-on fun for all ages.
OC Fair “Find Your Happy”
July 18 – August 17: Carnival rides, fair food, animals, exhibits, and a special Read & Ride deal for kids who complete three books!
Something Rotten at Rose Center Theater in Westminster
June 27 - July 20: Shakespeare meets showbiz in a hilarious musical mashup filled with big numbers, sibling rivalry, and Renaissance absurdity.
Overnight Family Camping at Whittier Narrows Recreation Area
June 6, July 18, August 1: Enjoy camping locally at this affordable outdoor "stay-cation." It's perfect for families looking to experience the outdoors without the long drive.
Overnight Family Camping at Hahn State Recreation Area
June 20, July 18, August 15: Enjoy camping locally at this affordable outdoor "stay-cation." It's perfect for families looking to experience the outdoors without the long drive.
Overnight Family Camping at Castaic Lake
June 20, July 18, August 15: Enjoy camping locally at this affordable outdoor "stay-cation." It's perfect for families looking to experience the outdoors without the long drive.
Wild Tales at Upper Newport Bay in 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!
Children’s Entrepreneur Market – Laguna Hills
July 18: Come support a farmer's market run entirely by kids. The market features young entrepreneurs selling crafts, food, and more.
Summer Nights at La Brea Tar Pits
July 18: Enjoy a free evening at La Brea Tar Pits with live DJs, food trucks, hands-on science fun, and a virtual ice age adventure through the Ecos: La Brea game.
Flashback Fridays at Shoreline Village in Long Beach
July 4 – August 29: Dance to decade-themed hits every Friday, from 70s disco to 2000s jams, with live bands and DJs on the waterfront. FREE!
Family Hike at Black Star Canyon | Irvine Ranch Open Space
March–April (Saturdays): Take a guided 3–4 mile family hike along a flat canyon trail with wildlife spotting and interpretive stops. Registration may be required.
Hot Rods on the Tarmac at Lyon Air Museum
July 19: Explore vintage hot rods on the tarmac, grab a bite, and check out the microcar exhibit inside the museum.
Something Rotten at Rose Center Theater in Westminster
June 27 - July 20: Shakespeare meets showbiz in a hilarious musical mashup filled with big numbers, sibling rivalry, and Renaissance absurdity.
Smurfs Movie Party at Harkins Cerritos
July 19: Watch Smurfs on the big screen and enjoy a pre-show party with photo ops, snacks, and a collectible gift.
Cowabunga BBQ N’ Beer Festival in Placentia
July 19: Dig into local BBQ, enjoy craft beer, browse classic cars, and play outdoor games at this evening festival.
San Clemente Ocean Festival
July 19-20: Watch surf contests, build sand sculptures, run the Dolphin Dash, and explore art, cars, and family fun during this ocean-inspired weekend by the pier.
Watermelon & Lavender Festival at Mellano Farm Stand in Oceanside
July 12-27: Pick lavender, snack on farm-fresh watermelon, enjoy live music, food trucks, and tractor rides across three weekends of summer fun at Mellano Farm Stand.
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!
