Teeth Tell the Story | OC Zoo, Orange

September 6: Kids ages 10-15 become wildlife detectives while examining real skulls, teeth, and animal clues, plus crafts and up-close zoo encounters.

Dates:
Location:
OC Zoo in Irvine Regional Park 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange
+ Google Map

Creep it Real OC | Heritage Museum of Orange County

September 11-13: Celebrate Halloween with spooky shopping, live music, trick-or-treating, entertainment, and appearances by Halloweentown stars Kimberly J. Brown, Judith Hoag, and Daniel Kountz.

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

Original Lobster Festival | Fountain Valley

September 11-13: Feast on fresh Maine lobster and enjoy live music, carnival rides, midway games, magic shows, crafts, and more at the Original Lobster Festival. Tickets start at $5.

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

Renaissance Faire | Hurkey Creek Park, Idyllwild

September 12-13: 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

Bike Fest 12 | SkyPark at Santa’s Village, Skyforest

September 12-13: Hit the trails for mountain biking, e-bike demos, BMX big air shows, MTB trials, challenges, clinics, group rides, raffles, and more at Bike Fest 12.

Dates:
Location:
Skypark at Santa's Villiage 28950 California 18, Skyforest, CA
+ Google Map

Fiestas Patrias | Downtown Santa Ana

September 12-13: Celebrate Fiestas Patrias with live music, cultural exhibits, vendors, carnival rides, the Grito de Independencia Ceremony, and Sunday parade. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Downtown Santa Ana
Cost:
Free

Plane Pull | JetZero, Long Beach

September 12: Watch teams race to pull a massive airplane for Special Olympics Southern California, plus kids ages 5-13 can take on their own CHP Cessna pull. FREE for spectators!

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

Learn & Grow Family Fair | The District, Tustin

September 12: 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

TCL Is the Home Field Advantage | Westfield Century City, Los Angeles

September 12-13: Take on interactive football challenges, score giveaways, snap photos, and meet special guests including NFL legend Antonio Gates at this free fan experience. FREE!

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

Boots on Main | Yorba Linda

September 12: Dance, shop, and enjoy live country music and food at Yorba Linda’s all-day Boots on Main festival. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Boots on Main Main St., Yorba Linda, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

10th Annual Rosemead Moon Festival | Downtown Rosemead

September 12: Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with cultural performances, live entertainment, street food, kids activities, community booths, and more in Downtown Rosemead. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Rosemead on Valley Blvd. (Between Ivar Ave. and Walnut Grove Ave.), Rosemead, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Grandparents Day | La Habra Community Center, La Habra

September 13: Celebrate Grandparents Day with a pancake breakfast, arts and crafts, a Mobile Museum visit, and admission to the Children's Museum at La Habra.

Dates:
Location:
La Habra Community Center 101 W. La Habra Blvd., La Habra, CA
+ Google Map

Belmont Shore Car Show | 2nd Street, Long Beach

September 13: See 600+ cars take over 2nd Street, plus live music, DJs, vendors, and a street fair at the Belmont Shore Car Show. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Belmont Shore 2nd Street, Belmont Shore
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

East LA Parade & Festival | East Los Angeles

September 13: Celebrate 80 years of the East LA Parade & Festival with Mexican-American cultural traditions, live music and entertainment, food, art, and community festivities. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
East LA Mednik between Cesar Chavez Blvd and 1st St., Los Angeles
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Americana in the Park | Gandara Park, Santa Monica

September 13: Enjoy live Americana music from Albert Lee, Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca, Abby Posner & the Big Fall, and more, plus Bob Baker Marionette Theater and family activities. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Gandara Park - Santa Monica 819 Stewart St., Santa Monica
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion | Euclid Avenue, Ontario

September 18-19: Cruise Euclid Avenue and check out over 1,000 classic cars, from Model Ts to hot rods and custom builds. Enjoy live music, food vendors, contests, a Ferris Wheel, and kid rides. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Euclid Ave. Ontario
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Los Angeles International Ukulele Festival | Torrance Cultural Arts Center, Torrance

September 18–20: Strum, sing, and celebrate at a free three-day ukulele festival featuring live performances, free beginner classes and demos, an open mic, and a marketplace with instruments and accessories from independent luthiers and international brands. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Torrance Cultural Arts Center 3330 Civic Center Dr., Torrance, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Solvang Danish Days | Downtown Solvang

September 18–20: Celebrate Danish heritage at the 89th annual Solvang Danish Days with aebleskiver breakfasts, folk dancers, live music, free outdoor concerts, axe throwing, an artisanal crafts marketplace, story time with Hans Christian Andersen, and LEGO activities for kids. General admission is free. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Solvang Visitor Center 1637 Copenhagen Drive, Solvang, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Pasadena Greek Festival | Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church, Pasadena

September 18–20: Celebrate Greek culture with live dance performances, cooking demos, Greek dance lessons, church tours, authentic food and drinks, and a Kidzone for kids. Free admission for kids (ages 11 and under).

Dates:
Location:
Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church 778 S Rosemead Blvd, Pasadena, CA
+ Google Map

Hispanic Heritage Celebration | AJ Padelford Park, Artesia

September 18: Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with music, live performers, dancing, games, and vendors in Artesia. Free food will be available while supplies last. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
AJ Padelford Park (Artesia) 11870 169th St., Artesia, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

California Coastal Cleanup Day

September 19: Join California's largest annual volunteer event and help remove trash from beaches and inland waterways statewide. Use the interactive map at the California Coastal Commission's website to find a cleanup site near you. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Southern California
Cost:
Free

Hispanic Heritage Month Kick Off Event | Pretend City, Irvine

September 19: Kick off Hispanic Heritage Month with a celebration of culture, community, and creativity. Explore traditions, stories, music, mariachi, and folklorico dancing honoring Hispanic and Latino communities. Included with museum admission.

Dates:
Location:
Pretend City Children's Museum 29 Hubble, Irvine, CA
+ Google Map

Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off | Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch, Orange

September 19: Watch pumpkin growers compete for cash prizes at the annual Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off. Giant pumpkins will be on display and all pumpkin patch activities will be open to visitors. Park entrance fee applies; pumpkin patch entry is free.

Dates:
Location:
Irvine Park Railroad 1 Irvine Park Rd., Orange, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Spectrum SunWheel Grand Opening | Irvine Spectrum Center, Irvine

September 19: Celebrate the grand opening of the Spectrum SunWheel with live entertainment, pop-up treat stations, and a commemorative photo opportunity. The first 300 guests score a complimentary ride on the new wheel. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Irvine Spectrum Center 670 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Nat at Night | San Diego Natural History Museum, San Diego

Sep 19, Oct 16, Nov 20, Dec 18: Explore exhibitions and the rooftop deck at the San Diego Natural History Museum at night on select Fridays, open until 11 PM. The whole family is welcome — grab dinner in the Atrium or on the rooftop and explore until bedtime. Admission is half-price after 5 PM.

Location:
San Diego Natural History Museum Balboa Park, 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA
+ Google Map

Vista Viking Festival | Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, Vista

September 19–20: Celebrate Viking and Norse culture with live music, fire exhibitions, a professional stonelifting world championship qualifier, an interactive Viking village, axe and archery ranges, adult competitions, and an expanded kids pavilion with hands-on activities.

Dates:
Location:
Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum 2040 N. Santa Fe Ave., Vista, CA
+ Google Map

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.

Dates:
Free Miniature Train Rides at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa
Location:
Fairview Park - Costa Mesa 2501 Placentia Ave., Costa Mesa, CA
Cost:
Free

Zootoberfest | L.A. Zoo, Los Angeles

September 19–20: Celebrate fall Oktoberfest-style at the L.A. Zoo with live bands, German-inspired food and drinks, specialty beer and root beer floats, a braid bar, giant ribbon tunnel, lawn games, keeper talks, and themed photo opportunities.

Dates:
Location:
Los Angeles Zoo 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA
+ Google Map

Power of The Arts Festival | Discovery Cube LA, Sylmar

September 19-20: Celebrate creativity at the intersection of art and science at Discovery Cube LA's two-day festival. Activities span music, dance, culinary arts, and more. Included with general admission or membership.

Dates:
Location:
Discovery Cube - Los Angeles 11800 Foothill Blvd., Sylmar, CA
+ Google Map

Thai Fest by the Beach | Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica

September 19-20: Taste Thai street food, watch traditional dance and Muay Thai demonstrations, enjoy live music, photo ops, and family activities at Santa Monica Pier. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
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!