All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
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!
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!
San Juan Capistrano Greek Festival | Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church, San Juan Capistrano
September 26–27: Celebrate Greek culture with traditional food, live music, folk dancing, church tours, bazaar shopping, and kids activities at this annual community festival in San Juan Capistrano.
Pacific Islander Festival | Ski Beach, San Diego
September 26-27: Celebrate the cultures and traditions of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia at Ski Beach with traditional music, dance performances, cultural workshops, and authentic island food and craft vendors. FREE!
El Dorado Frontier Pumpkin Patch Opening Weekend | El Dorado Frontier, Long Beach
September 26–27: Kick off fall at El Dorado Frontier's Pumpkin Patch Adventure opening weekend. Join a monster mash dance party, spooky story telling, face painting, and pick from the pumpkin patch.
35 Years of Speed: The Sonic Art Exhibit | ARK/8, Los Angeles
September 26–27: Celebrate 35 years of Sonic the Hedgehog with a curated art exhibit featuring newly imagined pieces from 30+ renowned artists, fan submissions, and historical artwork from SEGA's archives. The creator of Amy and Metal Sonic, Kazuyuki Hoshino-san, will be on hand for a meet and greet on September 26. FREE!
Long Beach Youth Adventure Festival | Camp Fire Long Beach, Long Beach
September 26: Climb a rock wall, shoot a bow, race a pinewood derby car, roast a s'more, and explore dozens of hands-on activity booths run by local youth organizations. A youth craft market with 40 kid-run vendor booths and food trucks are also on site. FREE!
Salute to Firefighters Festival | Warner Center Park, Woodland Hills
September 26: Honor local firefighters and sample signature dishes from 15+ LAFD fire stations at this free community festival. Watch live firefighting demonstrations, catch a classic car show, and enjoy live music and family activities. FREE!
Worldwide Day of Play | Southern California Children’s Museum, Pasadena
September 26: Celebrate a global day of play with free hands-on activities at Southern California Children's Museum, including water tables, bubble blowing, a Paw Patrol obstacle course, sensory bins, and more. FREE!
Pasadena Chalk Festival | Brookside Park, Pasadena
September 26–27: Watch hundreds of skilled artists create large-scale chalk murals spanning styles from whimsical illustrations and character art to portrait work and recreations of masterpieces. Walk up to artists as they work and see the murals come to life up close. FREE!
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Expo | Lakewood Civic Center, Lakewood
September 26: Meet first responders, explore fire trucks, sheriff's vehicles, and the Sky Knight helicopter at this free community expo. Learn emergency preparedness tips for homes and pets, plus crime prevention strategies — and kids can enjoy a family fun zone. FREE!
Free Harbor Boat Tours | Port of Los Angeles, San Pedro
September 26: Take a free, fully narrated boat tour of Los Angeles Harbor, with departures every 30 minutes from 11am–2pm. A pet-friendly tour departs at 11:30am and a Spanish-language tour at 1pm. No tickets required — first come, first served. FREE!
USS Midway’s 81st Birthday & Multi-Cultural Fair | USS Midway Museum, San Diego
September 26: Celebrate 81 years of USS Midway with live multicultural music, traditional dance performances, and birthday cake on the hangar deck. FREE!
Kids Take Over the Village | Broxton Plaza, Los Angeles
September 26: Play, create, and explore at this free family event in Westwood Village, featuring pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, crafts, STEAM activities, live music, a kids dance session, and local vendors. FREE!
Mid-Autumn Festival | MainPlace Mall, Santa Ana
September 26: Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with cultural dance and instrumental performances, a moon goddess meet and greet, moon cake sampling, family crafts, and a bunny farm visit at MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana.
San Pedro Festival of the Arts | Peck Park, San Pedro
September 26: Watch local dance companies perform Bollywood, Flamenco, and more at this free outdoor festival celebrating 20 years of dance, culture, and community. Bring a picnic and enjoy the afternoon at Peck Park. FREE!
OKTOBERFEST Euro Cruise-In | Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles
September 27: Stroll a lineup of European cars and motorcycles on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum plaza, featuring vintage classics, rally legends, modern performance cars, and custom builds. All European makes are welcome. FREE!
Car Show on the Pier | Redondo Beach Pier, Redondo Beach
September 27: Browse over 100 classic cars on display over the water at the Redondo Beach Pier and vote for your favorite. FREE!
The OG Family Rave: 80s Edition | YOST Theater, Santa Ana
September 27: Dance to house and techno DJs at an all-ages family rave at Yost Theater in Santa Ana. Expect a multi-sensory dance floor with lasers, confetti, and balloons, plus a crafting area and optional 80s fancy dress.
Long Beach Bus Fest | Near Monty’s Dog Beach, Long Beach
September 27: Explore bus displays and take exclusive vehicle tours featuring transit agencies from across Southern California. Get up close with next-gen buses and learn about all the destinations local public transportation can reach. FREE!
Kids Club | The Grove, Los Angeles
June 3–24: Enjoy weekly kids shows with music, puppets, and storytelling at AMC theaters.
Free Day at The Huntington Library
EVERY FIRST THURSDAY: The first Thursday of every month is Free Day. Admission is free of charge with advance reservation.
Pacific Airshow® Huntington Beach
OCTOBER 2-4: Looking for your next big family day out? ✈️ Pacific Airshow® Huntington Beach takes over the coastline with unbelievable aerial action, world-class performers, skydivers, live entertainment and plenty happening on the beach. Get your crew up close to the action, engage in STEM activities, meet your heroes and watch some seriously impressive flying overhead. And with the ocean as your backdrop, it’s a pretty epic way to spend a weekend together.
Friday Fun | Madrona Marsh Nature Center, Torrance
Every Friday: Explore nature with story time, crafts, science, and guided activities designed for preschoolers. FREE!
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-N-Fire | Long Beach Arena, Long Beach
October 3–4: Watch monster trucks hit the Long Beach Arena for Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-N-Fire. Fan favorites return alongside the live debut of Rhinomite™, plus freestyle motocross stunts, a transforming robot, enhanced pyro effects, and special kids pricing.
Spooktacular Family Sleepover | Battleship IOWA, San Pedro
October 3-4: Spend a spooktacular night aboard the Battleship IOWA with Halloween activities, after-hours exploration, dinner, breakfast, and an overnight stay in real sailor bunks. Costumes encouraged!
Sensory-Friendly Sunday | Children’s Museum, La Habra
May 3: Explore the museum with reduced noise, dim lighting, and a calm, sensory-friendly environment.
Dribble for Victory Over Cancer | UCLA
October 4: The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and UCLA have teamed up to launch the 19th annual Dribble for Victory Over Cancer. Every dribble helps put an end to childhood cancer. Meet college basketball players, coaches, and alumni while giving kids and their families battling cancer a chance for a brighter tomorrow.
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.
Friday Fun | Madrona Marsh Nature Center, Torrance
Every Friday: Explore nature with story time, crafts, science, and guided activities designed for preschoolers. FREE!
CatCon in Pasadena
October 10-11: Celebrate cat culture with kittens, cat celebs, pop-up shops, workshops, giveaways, and more. All ages welcome.
Sensory Friendly Saturdays | GRAMMY Museum, LA
2nd Saturdays: Explore the GRAMMY Museum in a calmer, sensory-friendly environment with softer lighting and reduced noise levels.
$5 Play Day | The Children’s Museum at La Habra
February - December: The Children's Museum at La Habra hosts its first $5 Play Day with full access to all exhibits. Ride the carousel, explore the Dino Garden, and hop aboard the historic train car.
Antique Aircraft Display Days at Fullerton Airport
2nd Sunday of the Month: Owners of classic aircrafts are invited to display their aircrafts and visitors are invited to view the displays.
Kids Club | The Grove, Los Angeles
June 3–24: Enjoy weekly kids shows with music, puppets, and storytelling at AMC theaters.
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.
Friday Fun | Madrona Marsh Nature Center, Torrance
Every Friday: Explore nature with story time, crafts, science, and guided activities designed for preschoolers. FREE!
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.
Lowe’s Kids Workshops
MyLowe’s Rewards Kids Workshops are free, hands-on DIY experiences designed just for kids. Feb 21: Birdhouse / Mar 21: Lawn Mower / Apr 18: Terrarium / May 16: Garden Basket / Jun 13: Trophy Cup / Jul 18: Mini Toy Box / Sep 12: Haunted House / Oct 17: Firefighting Plane / Nov 14: Holiday Engine / Dec 12: Holiday Trolley Car / Jan 16, 2027: Winter Play Lodge
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!
Discovery Zone | Madrona Marsh Nature Center, Torrance
Third Saturday: Explore a hands-on space where kids can touch feathers, match animal tracks, build food webs, and learn how wetlands support plants, animals, and people. Through simple science activities and real marsh artifacts, young explorers discover why protecting nature matters. FREE!
Spooky Science Night | Columbia Memorial Space Center, Downey
October 17: Celebrate a spooky-themed night of science with hands-on STEM activities, a robotics lab, super slime, a science show, and trunk or treat. Admission is $5 per person; kids (ages 3 and under) are free. Members get in 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!
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!
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!
