All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
Lil McDonald’s Experience at Santa Monica Place
July 19-20: Jump into toy-themed zones and a Chicken McNugget ball pit during this oversized Happy Meal-inspired experience.
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.
OC Fair Express Kick-Off Event at ARTIC in Anaheim
July 19: Kick off your OC Fair day with crafts, prizes, snacks, and a fun bus ride at this family-friendly event.
New Play Area Grand Opening at The Shops at Mission Viejo
July 19: Celebrate the new play area with music, face painting, balloon twisting, and a visit from Bearamy. Goody bags for the first 50 families!
California Kids Club Summer Luau at Club Joyful in Venice
July 19: Celebrate summer with live entertainment, crafts, shopping, and food at this all-ages luau. Early birds may score a welcome tote or win a $200 swag bag.
Sharks @ The Beach – CSULB Shark Lab Open House
July 19: Tour CSULB’s Shark Lab and Marine Lab, meet Dr. Chris Lowe, and get hands-on with marine life. Free admission and activities for all ages, plus crafts and tacos on site.
Boots, Bustles & Brews at Heritage Museum of Orange County
July 19: Travel back in time with Victorian reenactments, gunfight shows, and live music across 12 acres of museum grounds. Enjoy BBQ, brews, gold mining, lawn games, and historic home tours.
Long Beach Bluegrass Festival at The Shell in Long Beach
July 19: Tap your toes to live bluegrass, explore instruments in the Jamming Forest, and enjoy hands-on music fun all day long.
Bubble Bash at Cerritos Towne Center
July 19: Make bubbly memories with interactive stations, crafts, and live entertainment at this colorful summer event.
Toys R’ Us Play Day In-Store Event
July 19: Join Toys"R"Us at Macy’s for free UNO game play, giveaways, and coloring sheets. Plus, score deals and take the Pledge to Play.
Afro-Latino Culture Fest at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
July 19: Experience Afro-Latino and Caribbean culture with food, music, family activities, and community vendors at this free outdoor festival.
Finding Nemo at Rivian South Coast Theater in Laguna Beach
July 19: Catch a free community screening of Finding Nemo with complimentary popcorn in a restored 1930s theater. Fun for all ages.
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.
Family Science Sunday: Veterinary Simulator at Marine Mammal Care Center
July 20: Dive into the world of marine mammal rescue and rehab with an up-close look at how expert hospital staff cares for sick and injured patients.
Open House at Heritage Museum of Orange County
July 6 - September 7: Families can explore the Heritage Museum grounds, take a Kellogg House tour with lemonade and cookies, and enjoy croquet, crafts, and a gardening lesson. Docent-led tours available with add-on ticket.
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.
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
Dallas Cowboys Training Camp at River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard
August 7-8 & 12-13: Watch the Dallas Cowboys train for the season during free open practices in Oxnard, including a joint session with the Rams. FREE
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!
Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour at Honda Center
July 22: Sing and dance along with the cast of Descendants and Zombies at this high-energy live concert experience.
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
Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour at Crypto Arena in LA
July 23: Sing and dance along with the cast of Descendants and Zombies at this high-energy live concert experience.
Irvine Nights: Neon Street Feast at Great Park Live
July 24: Stroll through food vendors, catch live music, and let kids enjoy inflatables, games, and mini golf at this free summer event at Irvine Great Park.
Sunset Music Series at Kidspace Children’s Museum
June 13 - September 5: Enjoy Friday night performances, dancing, and themed artmaking during Kidspace’s Sunset Music Series—featuring cultural shows from the Pacific Islands to Korea.
Christmas in July at Wild Rivers
July 25: Celebrate Christmas in July with a sunny-day snowball toss, holiday foam party, and summer visit from Santa at Wild Rivers.
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.
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.
BBQ Music Fest in Mission Viejo
July 25-27: Feast on BBQ, enjoy live music, dance, ride carnival attractions, and meet critters during this three-day festival. Pitmasters compete for the title of Best BBQ, and karaoke and photo ops round out the fun
Water Lantern Festival in Los Angeles
July 25-27: Decorate a lantern, enjoy live music and food, then watch the water glow during this reflective, family-friendly festival.
Overnight Family Camping at Santa Fe Dam Regional Park
June 27, July 25, August 22: 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!
Bubble Pop & Popsicle Stop at Stratford School in Laguna Niguel
July 25: Cool off with music, bubbles, and popsicles at this free morning event for little ones. A live bubble show adds to the fun. Ages 2–5.
Summer Nights at La Brea Tar Pits
July 25: Enjoy a free evening at La Brea Tar Pits with live DJs, food trucks, hands-on science fun, and free museum access.
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!
Sleeping Beauty Dance & Light Show at Rose Center Theater in Westminster
July 25: Watch glow-in-the-dark ballet dancers bring Sleeping Beauty to life in a luminous dance show in Westminster.
National Day of the Cowboy & Cowgirl at the Autry Museum in Los Angeles
July 26: Enjoy trick ropers, cowboy poetry, games, live music, and museum tours celebrating cowboy and cowgirl culture. Special activities include line dancing, themed exhibits, and an outdoor movie screening.
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.
Toy Swap in Long Beach
July 26: Bring gently used toys and books to swap and find new treasures. The event takes place during the Art Walk with live music, food, and activities for all ages.
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.
US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach
July 26 - August 3: The US Open of Surfing returns to the southside of the Huntington Beach Pier to host the world’s largest action sports festival. Enjoy surf competition, live music, food trucks, festival village, and more.
E-Bike Safety Rodeo in Fountain Valley
July 26: Test your riding skills, get helmet tips, and roll through safety demos at this free e-bike event. Open to all ages and packed with prizes, booths, and riding fun.
Grand Opening of Luna Park at Great Park Neighborhoods in Irvine
July 26: Explore one of OC’s largest playgrounds and celebrate the grand opening of Luna Park with food tastings, sports games, giveaways, and live entertainment.
All Abilities Celebration at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
July 26: Celebrate creativity, inclusion, and community with live music, interactive crafts, ASL workshops, and more—all designed to welcome guests of all abilities.
Tokyo Central Grand Opening in Irvine
July 26-27: Enjoy food, prizes, and family fun at this grand opening celebration. Don’t miss taiko drumming, giveaways, and weekend-only in-store deals.
Grand Reopening at MacArthur Park in Long Beach
July 26: Celebrate the reopening of a newly upgraded park featuring a shaded playground, fitness trails, and picnic areas. Enjoy a ribbon cutting ceremony and explore the refreshed family-friendly space.
Saving Paka’s Dog Park with Musical Theatre West
JULY 26: This FREE event includes: performance of Saving Paka’s Dog Park, dog adoption, vendors, food, prizes & more!
Weekend Walks at Oak Canyon Nature Center
Weekends: Join a guided nature hike through the canyon, followed by a live animal demo. Each walk highlights a different aspect of local wildlife and ecology.
Safe Summer Pool Party in San Clemente
July 26: Cool off with floating inflatables and water safety demos at San Clemente’s free Safer Summer Pool Party.
S.T.E.A.M. Summer Fair at Sunkist Library in Anaheim
July 26: Explore ocean life, try out science experiments, and enjoy sweet treats at this hands-on family fair. Kids can join interactive STEAM stations and cheer on winners of the 3D design contest.
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!
