Annual Original Lobster Festival in Fountain Valley

September 5-7: Enjoy fresh Maine lobster, live music, carnival rides, kids’ activities, and more at the Original Lobster Festival.

Dates:
Location:
Fountain Valley Recreation Center & Sports Park  16400 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley
+ Google Map
Cost:
$5 – $159

626 Night Market at OC Fair and Event Center

September 5-7: Enjoy 200+ food, merchandise, crafts, artists, games, live concerts, and entertainment attractions. 

Dates:
Location:
OC Fair & Event Center 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA
+ Google Map

Shark Lagoon Nights at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach

SELECT FRIDAYS, JANUARY - NOVEMBER, 2025: Get up close with the ocean’s ultimate predators and have a chance to touch smaller sharks such as bamboo sharks. You will also see rays and large sharks in the Aquarium’s Shark Lagoon. Coffee, hot cocoa, and snacks are available for purchase. Shark Lagoon Nights are weather-dependent and can be canceled due to inclement weather.

Dates:
Shark Lagoon Nights at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach
Location:
Aquarium of the Pacific 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Open Farm Tour at Oasis Camel Dairy

September 6: Meet camels, parrots, and mini sheep during a live farm show, then enjoy camel milk goodies, hands-on feeding, and the return of the Wild West Turkey Stampede.

Dates:
Location:
Oasis Camel Dairy 26757 CA-78, Ramona, Ca
+ Google Map
Cost:
$15

Festival of Children at South Coast Plaza

September 6–28: Enjoy a month of performances, crafts, and exhibits at this free family festival celebrating kids and community. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
South Coast Plaza 3333 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Santa Barbara County Farm Day

September 6: Explore farms, enjoy tastings, kids activities, and meet local growers. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Santa Barbara County
Cost:
Free

Los Angeles Kids Book Festival in Hollywood

September 7: Activities include live book readings by celebrated authors, interactive storytelling sessions,  and various arts and crafts activities. Also enjoy photo booth, face painting, and foam party as the festival finale. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
West Hollywood Park 647 N San Vincente Blvd., Hollywood, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Hug & Groom Horses with Free Rein Foundation

FIRST SUNDAYS: Come learn, hug and groom rescue and therapy horses. You may meet playful mustangs, a feisty thoroughbred, or a big white mule.

Dates:
Location:
Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center 18381 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
$25

Mehregan Persian Festival at Bowers Museum

September 7: Celebrate Iranian culture with dance, music, food, and family activities at the Mehregan Festival.

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

Creep it Real OC at Heritage Museum of Orange County

September 12-14: Celebrate Halloween early with haunted beach vibes, photo ops, live music, roaming creeps, and a special appearance by R.L. Stine.

Dates:
Location:
Heritage Museum of Orange County 3101 W. Harvard Steet, Santa Ana
+ Google Map

Maritime Festival at Ocean Institute in Dana Point

September 12-14: Celebrate California's rich maritime history with a fun-filled weekend featuring visiting Tall Ships, cannon battles, mermaid swim shows, pirate school, re-enactors and sailor camp, local vendors, live music, food trucks and more.

Dates:
Location:
Ocean Institute 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA
+ Google Map

Silverado Park Playground Grand Opening in Long Beach

September 12: Celebrate the grand opening of Silverado Park’s new playground with inclusive play areas, colorful designs, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Silverado Park in Long Beach 1545 W. 31st St., Long Beach, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Fiestas Patrias in Santa Ana

September 13-14: Celebrate local Hispanic and Latino community at Santa Ana's very own Fiestas Patrias. Festivities include a parade, street fair, live music, food, carnival rides, cultural exhibitors, and more.

Dates:
Location:
Santa Ana Civic Center Plaza 717 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Reptile Super Show at the Anaheim Convention Center

September 13-14: Explore the world of reptiles with thousands of snakes, lizards, and amphibians at this massive two-day expo.

Dates:
Location:
Anaheim Convention Center 800 West Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA
+ Google Map

Electric Bloom Experience at Westfield Century City

September 13-14: Join the Electric Bloom fun with photo ops, charm bracelets, makeovers, and giveaways at this free two-day event. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Westfield Century City Mall 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Idyllwild Renaissance Faire

September 13-14: Step into a Spanish Renaissance village with games, stage shows, kids’ activities, food, and lively entertainment all weekend long.

Dates:
Location:
Hurkey Creek Park (Mountain Center) 56373 Hwy 74, Mountain Center, CA
+ Google Map

Annie at Rose Center Theater in Westminster

September 13-28: See Annie live with beloved songs, hopeful moments, and a heartwarming story.

Dates:
Location:
Rose Center Theater 14140 All American Way, Westminster, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
$20

Plane Pull at JetZero Long Beach

September 13: Watch teams of 25 pull a jet down the runway, with kids joining in on their own mini pulls, games, and activities. FREEish!

Dates:
Location:
JetZero 4150 Donald Douglas Drive, Long Beach, CA
+ Google Map

Celebrate Los Al in Los Alamitos

September 13: Enjoy the street fair and carnival, listen to live music, eat, drink and celebrate Los Al restaurants and make memories with the community. The night ends with a Glow Run where more than 1,500 participants will unite in their most eccentric neon outfits and experience the magic of glow tunnels. 

Dates:
Location:
Los Alamitos 10901 Pine Street, Los Alamitos, CA
Cost:
Free

Health & Safety Fair at AV Ranch in Aliso Viejo

September 13: Stop by the Health & Safety Fair for free health screenings, resources, giveaways, and a Touch-a-Truck experience. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Aliso Viejo Ranch 100 Park Ave., Aliso Viejo, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Rolling Hills Estates City Celebration

September 13: Celebrate 68 years of Rolling Hills Estates with inflatables, games, entertainment, and food at this free community festival. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Ernie Howlett Park (Rolling Hills Estates) 25851 Hawthorne Blvd., Rolling Hills Estates, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Learn & Grow Family Fair in Tustin

September 13: Explore after-school activities, tutoring, enrichment programs, and special needs resources at this free family fair in Orange County. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
The District at Tustin Legacy 2437 Park Ave., Tustin
+ 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!