Kidsguide

NextGenLA Sneak Peek of New Galleries at LACMA
2025-07-06 10:00 - 15:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, 90036
Sunday, July 6, 2025
LACMA is opening its doors for a one-day, kid-focused sneak peek of its brand-new David Geffen Galleries—before the art even goes up!
This exclusive event is for NexGenLA members (free for kids under 17 living in LA County) and their grown-ups, offering a chance to explore the galleries ahead of the official 2026 opening.
The day includes hands-on workshops, puppet walkabouts, a scavenger hunt, DJ tunes, and kid-friendly tours.
Activity highlights include:

First look inside the new galleries (no artwork yet!)
Hands-on art workshops and creative stations
Family-friendly tours and a scavenger hunt
Puppet walkabouts by Bob Baker Marionette Theater
DJ music inspired by LA’s soundscape
Access to BCAM and Resnick Pavilion exhibitions

Free for NexGenLA members. RSVP required. Sign up for NexGenLA in advance to attend.

Family ArtMaking at Long Beach Museum of Art
2025-07-06 11:00 - 13:00 | Long Beach Museum of Art, 2300 East Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA, 90803
Sundays, June 15 – August 17, 2025
Join the LBMA Education team for free, drop-in artmaking inspired by their current exhibition, The Art of Food: From the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation.
Projects are designed for all ages and skill levels. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Hug & Groom Horses with Free Rein Foundation
2025-07-06 11:00 - 13:00 | Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center, 18381 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach, CA, 92648
FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH
Come learn, hug and groom rescue and therapy horses at Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center. There are normally 4-8 horses that participate in the event. You may meet playful mustangs, a feisty thoroughbred, or a big white mule.
All proceeds go to care and feeding of rescued horses.
Tickets are $25 each, children 2 and under are free. Water and snacks included.

Tanabata Festival at the Japanese Garden at CSU Long Beach
2025-07-06 13:00 - 15:00 | Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, CSULB, 1250 N. Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA, 90815, United States
Sunday, July 6, 2025
Celebrate the legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden’s Annual Tanabata Festival on Saturday, July 6. Inspired by the Japanese Star Festival, this cultural event invites guests to write wishes on colorful paper and hang them from bamboo trees. Enjoy an afternoon of live music, crafts, and cultural activities for all ages.
General admission is $10 for up to six people, or $5 for Garden members. Free parking available in Lot G4.

Tuesday Family Nights in Cerritos
2025-07-08 18:30 | Cerritos, CA
Tuesdays, June 10 – August 5, 2025
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!
Event is free.
June 10: Frontier Park – Megan the Bubbleologist
June 17: Sunshine Park – The Arty Loon Show
June 24: Friendship Park – Ranger Jack’s Music and Puppet Show
July 8: Westgate Park – Wild Man Dan Reptile Show
July 15: Frontier Park – Annie Banannie Balloon Storyteller
July 22: Sunshine Park – Michael the Juggler
July 29: Friendship Park – Doodlebugs Animal Adventures
August 5: Westgate Park – Party Puppet Show

Free Summer Lunch Cruises in Long Beach Shoreline Village
2025-07-09 | Shoreline Village, 401-435 Shoreline Village Drive, Long Beach, 90802
Wednesdays, July 9 – August 27, 2025
Enjoy a FREE 30 minute harbor cruise with purchase of lunch “to go” from participating restaurants every Wednesday through the end of August.
You must pre-order with the individual restaurant to reserve your seats. Participating restaurants for 2024 are:

Shenanigans
Tugboat Pete’s
Gilan Pizza

Boarding passes will be received with your lunch order from the restaurant before boarding the boat.
Participants will board the Spirit Cruise ship at Dock 9 near Parker’s Lighthouse.
RESERVATION IS REQUIRED. Call participating restaurants (Shenanigans, Tugboat Pete’s or Gilan Pizza) to make reservation and place orders. Pick up orders and boarding pass at restaurant.

Children's Entrepreneur Market - Glendale
2025-07-09 16:00 - 19:00 | Verdugo Park – Glendale, 1621 Canada Blvd., Glendale, 91208
July 9, August 6, 2025
Come support a farmer’s market run entirely by kids. The market features young entrepreneurs selling crafts and more.

Lakewood Sheriff's Station Tour
2025-07-09 18:00 - 20:00 | Lakewood Sheriff’s Station, 5130 Clark Ave, Lakewood, CA, 90712
Select Wednesdays, April – July
Join public safety personnel for a free tour of the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station from 6-8pm. Open to all ages, Lakewood residents only. Pre-registration required.
Tours are available on the following dates:
• Wednesday, April 16
• Wednesday, May 14
• Wednesday, June 11
• Wednesday, July 9

Cool Crafts Roundup at Rancho Los Alamitos
2025-07-10 13:30 - 16:00 | Rancho Los Alamitos, 6400 East Bixby Hill Road, Long Beach, CA, 90815
Second Thursdays of the Month
Families are invited to get creative at Rancho Los Alamitos! Drop-in for a craft project and story time. Paint portraits of the Rancho’s Great Horned Owls and the story time books will be about owls and other birds. All ages are welcome while supplies last. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Overnight Family Camping at Bonelli Regional Park
2025-07-11 | Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park (San Dimas), 120 Via Verde Road, San Dimas, CA, 91773
Friday, July 11, 2025
Friday, August 8, 2025
Los Angeles County Parks & Recreation invites families to enjoy camping locally at the Bonelli Regional Park. This affordable outdoor “stay-cation” is perfect for families looking to experience the outdoors without the long drive.
Special activities include:

Free raffle
DJ
Nature center presentations

The cost is $15 per person. Kids ages 13 and under are free! Participants are required to bring their own camping equipment, including food. Register online.

Sunset Music Series at Kidspace Children's Museum
2025-07-11 | Kidspace Children’s Museum, 480 North Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91103
Select Fridays, June 13 – September 5 2025
Kidspace Children’s Museum is staying open late for their family-friendly Sunset Music Series—an outdoor evening of live music, dance, and artmaking designed just for kids. On select Fridays throughout the summer, families can enjoy interactive multicultural performances, hands-on crafts, and museum fun after hours.
Each event highlights a different cultural theme, giving families a chance to sing, dance, and make art together while exploring global traditions in a fun, playful setting.
Activities include:

Live multicultural music & dance
Interactive family-friendly performances
Themed artmaking activities
Extended museum hours

Performance Lineup:

June 13: Sunset in the Pacific Islands
June 27: joyUS justUS Dance
July 11: Folklórica de México
July 25: Journey through the Philippines
August 15: Taiko Drum Jam Session
August 22: Afro-Latin Summer Jam
September 5: The Beauty and Sounds of Korea

All performances are included with museum admission. Open to all ages.

Wired for Wonder & The Chill Lab at Kidspace Children's Museum
2025-07-11 - 2025-07-12 | Kidspace Children’s Museum, 480 North Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91103
Fridays & Saturdays, June 6 – August 1, 2025
Art and science collide in Wired for Wonder, a multisensory maze for families of all ages. Come explore, touch, smell, taste, and lose yourself in more than 25 art and science exhibits.
Add even more flavor to your evening with The Chill Lab, where frozen treats meet science. Try black ice cream with secret flavors, savory shaved ice, and flash-frozen popcorn that makes you breathe vapor like a dragon.
Activities include:

Multisensory maze with 25+ exhibits
Interactive science and art stations
The Chill Lab frozen treat add-on
Nighttime access to museum and maze

Wired for Wonder admission is $15 and includes the maze and museum. Add The Chill Lab experience for $8. Open to all ages.

Warner Bros. Bugs Bunny's 85th Anniversary at the Hollywood Bowl
2025-07-11 - 2025-07-12 | Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N Highland Ave., Los Angeles, CA, 90068
July 11-12, 2025
Celebrate Bugs Bunny’s 85th and the concert’s 35th anniversary with animated shorts projected on big screens while the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra performs the original scores live. New additions and surprises make this the ultimate version of the critically acclaimed show.

626 Night Market at Santa Anita Park
2025-07-11 - 2025-07-13 | Santa Anita Park, 285 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, 91007
July 4-6, 11-13, 2025

Food lovers and families alike can head to Santa Anita Park for the iconic 626 Night Market—a massive outdoor festival inspired by the open-air night bazaars of Asia. Expect an evening packed with delicious eats, shopping, games, and live entertainment.
With hundreds of food vendors, artists, crafters, and performers, there’s something for everyone—from adventurous snacks to handmade goods and interactive attractions. It’s a festive, high-energy experience that brings the community together under the night sky.
Activity highlights include:

Food vendors from all cuisines
Artists, makers, and pop-up shops
Games and interactive experiences
Live music and entertainment

Asian Garden Night Market in Westminster
2025-07-11 - 2025-07-13 | Asian Garden Mall, 9200 Bolsa Ave., Westminster, CA, 92683
Weekends, June 13 – August 31, 2025
The popular Asian Garden Night Market returns for summer weekends filled with food, shopping, and culture. Since 2011, this outdoor event has brought the energy of traditional Asian night markets to Westminster.
Families can stroll through vendor booths offering skincare, clothing, accessories, and toys—while the main draw remains the variety of tasty Vietnamese street food. Live music sets the scene for a lively evening outing.
Activities include:

Vietnamese street food vendors
Shopping for skincare, clothes & toys
Live music performances
Outdoor evening strolls & bites

Held in the front plaza of the mall. Free to attend and open to all ages.

Carnival Car Wash in Lakewood
2025-07-11 - 2025-07-13 | Carwood Car Wash & Detail Center, 2729 E Carson St., Lakewood, CA, 90712
Fridays – Sundays,
June 20 – July 20, 2025
Carnival Car Wash blends nostalgic fun with a fresh car wash in a one-of-a-kind drive-through adventure. This all-ages event takes place weekends in Lakewood and includes treats, games, and entertainment—all from the comfort of your vehicle.
Activity highlights include:

Lively carnival characters guiding your journey
Five interactive game booths with classic games
Live entertainment and performers
Popcorn, cotton candy, and snow cones
Vibrant photo-op stops
Express car wash ($24 value) included with ticket
One ticket per vehicle—bring the whole crew

Tickets start at $30.40 per vehicle (including fees)

Something Rotten at Rose Center Theater in Westminster
2025-07-11, 2025-07-12 | Rose Center Theater, 14140 All American Way, Westminster, CA, 92683
June 27 – July 20, 2025
Set in the Renaissance and packed with over-the-top musical numbers, this Broadway-sized comedy follows two playwright brothers trying to outshine Shakespeare by inventing something brand new: the musical.
With laugh-out-loud moments, showbiz parodies, and big dance numbers, this Tony-nominated hit delivers both heart and hilarity. Best for ages 10 and up due to some comedic innuendo.

Sharks After Dark at Ocean Institute
2025-07-11 08:00 - 17:00 | Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA
July 11 & August 8, 2025
Take a deep dive into a nighttime marine adventure that spotlights Southern California’s toothy residents. Guests explore interactive spaces and activities that indulge curiosity and observe night-active sharks and rays before the shark feeding session.
Event highlights include:

Hands‑on interactive galleries
Night‑active shark & ray viewing
Sharks feeding session
Beer, wine and live music

Event runs 5:30–8:30 PM. Food and drinks available for purchase. Tickets are $7.50-15 per person.

Wild Tales at Upper Newport Bay in Newport Beach
2025-07-11 10:00 | Upper Newport Bay, 2301 University Dr., Newport Beach, CA, 92660
Every Friday, January – August, 2026
Upper Newport Bay’s long running and popular story time is back! 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. Each session will have a new story, hike theme, and craft project.
Activities are designed for ages 2-4 but all are welcome.

Friday Night Swim at Splash! La Mirada
2025-07-11 17:00 - 20:00 | Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center, 13806 La Mirada Boulevard, La Mirada, CA, 90638, United States
Friday, July 11, 2025
Celebrate National Parks and Recreation Month with an evening of water fun at Splash! La Mirada’s Friday Night Swim. For just $5 admission, guests get access to both Buccaneer Bay Waterpark and the 25-yard pool from 5-8pm.
Visitors can also take advantage of the 2025 Season Pass Sale, offering discounted rates for General and Junior/Senior passes. Tickets are available online or in person.
Purchase tickets here.

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Huntington Foodie Fest
2025-07-11 | Golden West College, 15744 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach
June 6, July 11, August 1, 2025
Enjoy a night out with food trucks, music, family fun, and a marketplace!
Admission free.

Dana Point Shakespeare Festival: Twelfth Night
2025-07-11 17:00 - 2025-07-12 21:00 | Sea Terrace Park (Dana Point), Pacific Coast Hwy & Niguel Road, Dana Point, CA, 92629
July 11-12, 2025
Spend an evening under the stars with food, music, and a live outdoor performance of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night at the Dana Point Shakespeare Festival. Set in a world of pirates and mistaken identities, this romantic comedy blends love, disguise, and mischief in a family-friendly setting.
Before the play begins, enjoy live music, kids’ activities, food trucks, and drink vendors starting at 5pm. The performance runs from 7pm–8:30pm.
Activity highlights include:

Outdoor performance of Twelfth Night
Food trucks, beer & wine vendors
Live music and kids’ activities
Picnics welcome; bring low-back chairs

Free to attend. RSVP encouraged; walk-ins welcome.

Flashback Fridays at Shoreline Village in Long Beach
2025-07-11 18:00 - 22:00 | Shoreline Village, 401-435 Shoreline Village Drive, Long Beach, 90802
Fridays, July 4 – August 29, 2025
The waterfront comes alive every Friday night with decade-themed music at Flashback Fridays. From 70s disco to 2000s hits, each week features live bands or DJs spinning the soundtrack of a different era. Guests can dance under the stars, snap themed photos, and enjoy food and drinks from Shoreline Village’s eateries.
Line-up:

July 4 – DJ Leo (80s music)
July 11 – DJ Leo (2000s music)
July 18 – Sugar Lips (70s disco)
July 25 – As If (90s music)
August 1 – Sugar Lips (70s disco)
August 8 – So Rad (90s music)
August 15 – DJ Leo (2000s music)
August 22 – As If (90s music)
August 29 – Goldstein Party of Five (80s music)

Event runs 6–10pm. Free and open to all ages; parking additional.

Astronomy Night at Columbia Memorial Space Center
2025-07-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Columbia Memorial Space Center, 12400 Columbia Way, Downey, CA, 90242
Friday, July 11, 2025
Discover the wonders of space at this monthly stargazing event featuring expert talks on astronomy and telescope viewings of celestial objects. Whether you’re a seasoned stargazer or just curious about the cosmos, it’s a great way to explore the universe.
Telescopes are only brought out when weather permits. All ages are welcome, but some presentations may be better suited for older children and adults.

Family Hike at Black Star Canyon | Irvine Ranch Open Space
2025-07-12 | Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park, 12247 Black Star Canyon Rd., Silverado, CA, 92676
Saturdays, March – April 2026
Enjoy a guided family hike through Black Star Canyon in the Irvine Ranch Open Space. This easy, slower-paced outing follows a mostly flat trail, crosses a dry creek bed, and offers opportunities to spot local wildlife such as red-tailed hawks and mule deer along the way.
The hike averages 3–4 miles round trip and includes a medium level of interpretation, making it ideal for families and participants who prefer a relaxed pace. Guests are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing, sturdy shoes, and bring water.

Is the event free?
Registration required. Please check with OC Parks for current information.
Where is the event located?
Family Hikes are located at different trails. See website for more information.

Before You Go: Visit OC Parks for registration details and updated event information. Kidsguide is an independent community resource helping families discover fun events across Southern California.
Looking for more family fun? Explore more family-friendly events on our blog, browse our calendar, check out limited-time exhibits and experiences, or subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates.

Green Port Celebration Harbor Tours with Port of Long Beach
2025-07-12 | Port of Long Beach – Dock 3, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA, 90802
Saturday, July 12, 2025
Celebrate 20 years of going green with the Port of Long Beach during a full day of free narrated harbor tours and family fun. Five 90-minute tours will depart throughout the day, offering a closer look at one of the world’s most sustainable ports.
In addition to the tours, families can enjoy games, photo opportunities, and activity booths along the waterfront.

Tour departure times: 10am, noon, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm
Tours leave from Doc #3, adjacent to the Aquarium of the Pacific
No advance registration needed — first-come, first-served
Light refreshments will be provided aboard the tours

Drum Corps at the Rose Bowl
2025-07-12 | Rose Bowl Stadium, 1001 Rose Bowl Dr., Pasadena, CA, 91103
Saturday, July 12, 2025
Drum Corps International returns to the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium for an evening of precision, power, and pageantry. This premier DCI event in Southern California features an impressive lineup of World Class and Open Class Corps, including a special appearance by the Boston Crusaders.
Lineup is listed alphabetically and subject to change:

The Academy – Tempe, AZ
Blue Devils – Concord, CA
Blue Devils “B” – Concord, CA
Blue Devils “C” – Concord, CA
Blue Knights – Denver, CO
Boston Crusaders – Boston, MA
Gold – San Diego, CA
Golden Empire – Bakersfield, CA
Impulse – Buena Park, CA
Mandarins – Sacramento, CA
Pacific Crest – City of Industry, CA
Sacramento Freelancers – Sacramento, CA
Santa Clara Vanguard – Santa Clara, CA
Seattle Cascades – Seattle, WA

Lotus Festival in Los Angeles
2025-07-12 - 2025-07-13 | Echo Park Lake, 751 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles, CA, 90026, United States
July 12-13, 2025
Celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander cultures with live music, dance, and cultural performances across two stages.
Watch dragon boat races on the lake, explore food vendors serving up regional favorites, and check out community booths, boutique shopping, and a beer and wine garden.
Illuminated paper lanterns are available for purchase to participate in the Lights of Dreams Festival.
This year’s festival honors South Korea and takes place during peak lotus bloom season.

Rail Giants Train Museum in Pomona
2025-07-12 - 2025-07-13 | Pomona Fairplex, 1101 W McKinley Ave., Pomona, California, 91768
Second Weekend of Every Month
Explore an impressive collection of well-preserved locomotives—including rare 3-cylinder steam engines and the massive Union Pacific “Centennial”—alongside historic freight and passenger cars.
Wander through the original Arcadia Depot, browse the library archives, and stop by the gift shop.
Free admission is offered every second weekend of the month (except May), making it a great family outing for train lovers and history buffs alike.
