All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
Public Star Party | Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles
September 19, October 17, November 14, December 19: Look at the Sun, Moon, planets, and other objects through a variety of telescopes at Griffith Observatory's free monthly star party. Volunteer astronomers are on hand to answer questions and guide viewing. 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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure | Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa
September 19–20: Watch a bilingual family musical bring the traditions of Día de Muertos to life through regional Mexican music, dance, and vibrant storytelling. Recommended for kids (ages 6+).
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.
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.
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!
La Mirada Youth Fishing Derby | La Mirada Regional Park, La Mirada
September 19: Cast a line at the annual La Mirada Youth Fishing Derby at La Mirada Regional Park. The lake is generously stocked, a free pancake breakfast kicks off the morning, and fishing lessons are provided by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Only youth fish, but the whole family is invited. FREE!
Garden Adventures | Adventures to Dreams Youth Garden, Long Beach
August 8 & September 19: Dig into hands-on gardening, arts activities, and STEM projects designed for kids and teens to explore outside the classroom. FREE!
Chalktastic | Whittier City Hall, Whittier
September 19: Create chalk art on a 4x4-foot concrete square at this free outdoor event at Whittier City Hall. Artists of all ages receive a free chalk kit and kneeling pad upon registration. Watch professional demonstrations, play games, listen to music, and enjoy food on-site. Prizes awarded by age group and a People's Choice Award. FREE!
City Celebration | Empty Saddle Club, Rolling Hills Estates
September 19: Enjoy an outdoor family festival with equestrian events, pony and horse rides, a petting zoo, hay rides, a stick horse rodeo, a rock wall, corn pits, a magician, a reptile show, face painting, picnic games, and food vendors. An all-day activities wristband is $15 online or $20 at the event. Event entry is FREE!
200th Birthday Bicentennial Celebration | Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum, Rancho Dominguez
September 19: Celebrate the Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum's 200th birthday with live performances, exhibitions, storytelling, guided tours, hands-on activities, and food trucks. FREE!
SPCC Moon Festival | South Pasadena Library Park, South Pasadena
September 19: Celebrate the Moon Festival with live entertainment, a chalk drawing contest, outdoor activities, arts and crafts, and a mooncake gift box raffle. FREE!
25th Annual SC Open Skate Contest & Pump Track Race | Ralphs Skate Court, San Clemente
September 19: Celebrate 25 years of skating with a skate contest, pump track race, food trucks, live music, face painting, and kids' activities. New this year: the pump track race includes an adult division.
Buena Park Culture Fest and Parade | Boisseranc Park, Buena Park
September 19: Celebrate cultural heritage with live performances, community booths, food, and family-friendly activities — plus a brand-new parade through the streets of Buena Park. FREE!
I Love Downey Festival | Downey
September 19: Celebrate Downey's 70th anniversary with live bands, an art exhibition, a beer & wine garden, community booths, giveaways, and local food vendors. FREE!
California Visionaries Opening Reception | Forest Lawn Museum, Glendale
September 19: Celebrate the opening of California Visionaries with live music, refreshments, DOLE WHIP, curator remarks, and a look at a historic Disneyland Matterhorn Bobsled. FREE!
Astronomy Night | Columbia Memorial Space Center, Downey
September 19: Explore the night sky with telescope viewing and an expert speaker presentation at this monthly astronomy event celebrating National Observe the Moon Night. FREE!
Kidz Bop Live Birthday Concert Event | F&M Bank Amphitheater, Long Beach
September 20: Celebrate KIDZ BOP's 25th anniversary with a live birthday concert featuring the KIDZ BOP Kids performing pop hits and throwback favorites. DJ KB opens the show with a dance party, and the fan-favorite Daddy Dance Off makes its return.
Create Your Own Movie Prop Space Blaster | Dystopian Studios, Los Angeles
September 20: Parents and kids can build, customize, and paint their own movie-style sci-fi props, then pose for photos on a real science-fiction movie set.
Kids Run the Bases | Dodger Stadium, LA
Select Sundays, June 21 - September 20: Kids Run the Bases gives children (ages 5-14) the chance to run the bases after most Sunday afternoon games.
Fiesta Alhambra 2026 | Alhambra Farmers Market, Alhambra
September 20: Celebrate Latino and Hispanic Heritage Month with live music, cultural performances, artisan vendors, family-friendly activities, and local produce at Alhambra Farmers Market.
Orange County Children’s Book Festival | Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa
September 20: Explore books, meet authors, and catch live performances and author read-alouds at this free, one-day literary festival at Orange Coast College. Special guest StoryTeller from KidTime StoryTime performs, and the OCC Planetarium hosts a headliner presentation including a Magic Tree House program. FREE!
12th Annual Bob Baker Day | LA State Historic Park, Los Angeles
September 20: Celebrate the legacy of Bob Baker with a free all-day festival featuring puppets, art, interactive activities, crafts, artisans, vendors, and food. The Hooray LA Village includes free art activities, educational offerings, and storytelling programs, plus a quiet book nook from the Los Angeles Public Library. FREE!
Walt Disney’s Carolwood Barn Public Day | Griffith Park, Los Angeles
September 20: Tour Walt Disney's original home workshop and explore displays of backyard railroad history, an operating Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland model, and restored railroad cars. FREE!
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast | Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa
September 22 – October 11: Watch Disney's Beauty and the Beast take the stage in its first North American touring production in over 25 years. The beloved musical features all-new sets, dazzling costumes, and the classic Oscar-winning score.
Shark Lagoon Nights | Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach
Sep 22, Oct 6, Oct 20, Nov 10, Nov 24: Touch bamboo sharks, see rays, and get up close with large sharks during free after-hours evenings at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Only Shark Lagoon is open; event is weather-dependent. FREE!
Kids Club | The Grove, Los Angeles
June 3–24: Enjoy weekly kids shows with music, puppets, and storytelling at AMC theaters.
LéaLA: Spanish Book Fair & Literary Festival | LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, Los Angeles
September 24-27: Celebrate Spanish-language books and Latino culture with authors, book signings, live music, films, children's activities, creative workshops, and more. FREE!
Fall Festival | Westminster Civic Center, Westminster
September 24-27: Enjoy carnival rides, live entertainment, food, Lotería, a drone show, Moon Lantern Celebration, local shopping, and more. FREE!
Lucha Libre Live | Museum of Latin American Art, Long Beach
September 25–27: Lucha Libre returns to the Museum of Latin American Art for a multi-day weekend of wrestling, live cumbia music, a book launch, film screenings, a marketplace, and special meet and greets.
Taiwan Carnival 2026 | STC Anaheim GardenWalk, Anaheim
September 25–27: Taste authentic Taiwanese street food, try carnival games, and watch live cultural performances at this free three-day festival. A traditional Taiwanese Puppet Show, is featured on Sunday. FREE!
SoCal Fitness Festival | Huntington Beach Pier, Huntington Beach
September 25–27: Head to the Huntington Beach Pier for a three-day fitness and wellness festival featuring elite CrossFit, strongman, weightlifting, and hybrid fitness competition alongside a free Dreamers Market, kids fitness classes, live music, and a special appearance by Gabi Butler from Netflix's "Cheer."
Friday Fun | Madrona Marsh Nature Center, Torrance
Every Friday: Explore nature with story time, crafts, science, and guided activities designed for preschoolers. FREE!
Happy Moon Festival | Mathis Home, Irvine
September 25: Celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with free arts and crafts, Chinese calligraphy, mooncake and tea tasting, festival games, and live cultural performances including a dragon and lion dance and a guzheng and pipa duo. FREE!
Moonlight Mid-Autumn Celebration | Bella Terra, Huntington Beach
September 25: Celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with live performances, mooncakes, calligraphy, crafts, and more.
Science Showtime at Golden West College
September 25: Make slime, control robots, and create exploding gummy bears at the Science Nite at Golden West College. FREE!
Mid-Autumn Festival | Great Park, Irvine
September 25: Celebrate the sixth annual Mid-Autumn Festival with performances, cultural displays, hands-on crafts, and food. This free event honors traditions celebrated by many East and Southeast Asian cultures. FREE!
Parents Night Out – Cooking Classes for Kids at Lil’ Chef
JUNE 21, JULY 31, AUGUST 21 & SEPTEMBER 25: This is a great workshop for the parents to go out and let their children (ages 3+) have a fun-filled Friday evening! Each month features a different “themed” Friday Night with food that your Lil’ Chef will make from scratch, and provide drinks and a game or movie to end the evening.
Foods of Garden Grove LIVE | Village Green Park, Garden Grove
September 25: Taste bites from local restaurants, play glowing games, explore blacklight art, and catch a free concert. FREE!
Moon Festival | Heritage House, Riverside
September 25: Celebrate Asian cultures with moon cakes, lanterns, and traditions rooted in the ancient harvest season. This Moon Festival highlights the history of Chinese Americans in Riverside's citrus industry. FREE!
Family Nite | Columbia Memorial Space Center, Downey
September 25: Explore space science through expert talks and full access to museum exhibits at this free monthly evening event. FREE!
Mid-Autumn Moon Celebration at The Huntington
September 25-27: Experience lanterns, performances, and seasonal traditions at night.
Los Angeles Libros Festival | Central Library, Los Angeles
September 26: Celebrate Spanish-language and bilingual books, storytelling, music, authors, and workshops at this free community festival. Free and open to the public. FREE!
Love Letters to L.A. – Autry’s Annual Block Party | The Autry, Los Angeles
September 26: Celebrate L.A. at the Autry Museum's annual block party with live music, cultural performances, Dino Land, a PBS Nature Cat meet and greet, carnival rides, a classic car show, film screenings, and more. Tickets are priced at 1988 opening-day rates.
Stories Under the Stars | Malibu Creek State Park, Calabasas
September 26: Celebrate 50 years of Malibu Creek State Park with an evening of fossil observation, tree exploration, art-making, and storytelling from tribal members, scientists, and historians. The night wraps up with a star party and anniversary cake. 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!
