Kids Free San Diego

October 1-31: During the entire month of October, kids 12 and under receive free admission with a paid adult to more than 70 of San Diego County's favorite museums, historic sites, aquariums, gardens and more. Many are even free for the whole family!

Dates:
Location:
San Diego San Diego, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Boo-tastic Halloween Party | Adventure City, Anaheim

Select nights, October 2-30: Trick-or-treat, enjoy 11 rides, hop aboard the Halloween Express Train, explore the Cosmic Vortex, join a scavenger hunt and dance party, and more.

Dates:
Location:
Adventure City 1238 S. Beach Blvd., Anaheim, Ca
+ Google Map
Cost:
$37.95

Carnival Colossal | Vista Hermosa Sports Park, San Clemente

October 8-11: Enjoy four days of carnival rides, midway games, food trucks, plus weekend live music and a beer garden. Thursday includes a sensory-friendly hour. Admission is FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Vista Hermosa Sports Park 987 Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Spooktacular Season Fan Event: Hocus Pocus & The Nightmare Before Christmas | El Capitan Theatre, Hollywood

October 9 & 16: Celebrate Spooktacular Season with special Hocus Pocus and The Nightmare Before Christmas in 4D Fan Events featuring introductions, a live drawing demo, photo ops, and more.

Location:
El Capitan Theatre 6838 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA
+ Google Map

Annual Night Sky Festival | Twentynine Palms

October 9-10: Explore the Mojave Desert's night skies with telescope viewing, hands-on science, Family Space Camp, astronomy lectures, a Glow Party, and a Night Star Party.

Dates:
Location:
Sky's The Limit Observatory & Nature Center 9697 Utah Trail, Twentynine Palms, CA
+ Google Map

Noche Latina | Renaissance High School for the Arts, Long Beach

October 9: Celebrate Noche Latina with student performances, cultural demonstrations, a Latin street food fest, art activities, an inflatable obstacle course, and more. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Renaissance High School for the Arts 235 E. 8th St., Long Beach, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

A Great Day in the Stoke | Huntington Beach Pier

October 10: Hit the beach for a surf competition, 5K run/walk, free surf lessons, wellness activities, Double Dutch, live music, vendors, and more. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Huntington Beach Pier 325 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

CatCon in Pasadena

October 10-11: Celebrate cat culture with kittens, cat celebs, pop-up shops, workshops, giveaways, and more. All ages welcome.

Dates:
Location:
Pasadena Convention Center 300 E. Green Street, Pasadena

Turtle and Tortoise Day | Madrona Marsh Preserve, Torrance

October 10: Meet baby turtles and tortoises, learn about these amazing animals, and discover adoption opportunities during a special visit from the California Turtle and Tortoise Society.

Dates:
Location:
Madrona Marsh Preserve 3201 Plaza Del Amo, Torrance, CA
+ Google Map

Fall Fantasy Book Faire | Autry Museum Lawn, Los Angeles

October 10-11: Enter a fantasy world of books, authors, cosplay, magical merchants, storytime, live knights, crafts, games, and immersive activities. Kids 10 and under are free.

Dates:
Location:
Autry Museum of the American West 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA
+ Google Map

Oktoberfest & Beerfest | Wild Rivers, Irvine

October 10: Celebrate Oktoberfest at Wild Rivers with live Oktoberfest music, German food specialties, local breweries, and a festive atmosphere.

Dates:
Location:
Wild Rivers 10000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine, CA
+ Google Map

Scarecrow Festival | Lions Park, Costa Mesa

October 10: Enjoy trick-or-treat stations, a kids costume parade, scarecrow contest, photo ops, live entertainment, music, and more. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Lions Park - Costa Mesa 570 W. 18th St., Costa Mesa, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

The Mole Fair | Gloria Molina Grand Park, Los Angeles

October 11: Celebrate Mexican flavors and traditions with 80+ food exhibitors, artisans, live music, cultural performances, culinary seminars, and a kids area. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Gloria Molina Grand Park 200 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA
+ Google Map

O-Town Walls Block Party | Downtown Ontario

October 16-17: Celebrate the finale of O-Town Walls Mural Fest with two nights of breaking battles, workshops, a street skate park, food trucks, and more surrounded by newly created murals.

Dates:
Location:
Downtown Ontario

OC Japan Fair | OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa

October 16-18: Experience Japanese culture with food, J-POP and traditional performances, a tuna cutting show, cosplay, crafts, anime merchandise, family games, and more.

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

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

Spooktacular Season Fan Event: Hocus Pocus & The Nightmare Before Christmas | El Capitan Theatre, Hollywood

October 9 & 16: Celebrate Spooktacular Season with special Hocus Pocus and The Nightmare Before Christmas in 4D Fan Events featuring introductions, a live drawing demo, photo ops, and more.

Location:
El Capitan Theatre 6838 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 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

Granada Hills Street Faire | Granada Hills

October 17: Enjoy 250+ vendors, live entertainment, a car show, farmers market, Kids Corner, food, shopping, and more. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Granada Hills
Cost:
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!

Dates:
Discovery Zone | Madrona Marsh Nature Center, Torrance
Location:
Madrona Marsh Preserve 3201 Plaza Del Amo, Torrance, CA
+ 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!