California Avocado Festival | Downtown Carpinteria

October 2-4: Celebrate 40 years of the California Avocado Festival with 60+ bands, food, vendors, a Youth Stage, Strong Arm Contest, Guacamole Contest, and more. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Downtown Carpinteria 800 Linden Ave, Carpinteria, CA
+ Google Map

Greek Festival | Los Angeles

October 2-4: Savor Greek food, wine, dancing, kids’ activities, and cathedral tours at the LA Greek Fest.

Dates:
Location:
Saint Sophia Cathedral 1324 S. Normandie Ave., Los Angeles, CA
+ Google Map

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

Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair | Manhattan Beach

October 3-4: Enjoy live music, arts and crafts, a Community Showcase, plus Kid Country with a petting zoo, pony rides, games, and face painting. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Manhattan Beach
Cost:
Free

Reptile Super Show | Anaheim Convention Center

October 3-4: Explore the world of reptiles with thousands of snakes, lizards, and amphibians at this massive two-day expo.

Dates:
Location:
Anaheim Convention Center 800 West Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA
+ Google Map

Rare Books LA | Union Station, Los Angeles

October 3-4: Browse rare books, first editions, maps, prints, and more from 50+ exhibitors, plus a special Interview with the Vampire 50th anniversary exhibit, author talks, and curator-led tours.

Dates:
Location:
Union Station Los Angeles 800 N Alameda St., Los Angeles
+ Google Map
Cost:
$11.40 – $40

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!

Dates:
Location:
Battleship USS Iowa 250 S. Harbor Blvd., Berth 87, San Pedro, CA
+ Google Map

OC Fire Authority Station Open Houses | Orange County

October 3: Meet firefighters, explore emergency vehicles, learn about fire and life safety, and enjoy hands-on activities at participating OCFA stations throughout Orange County. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Orange County
Cost:
Free

Harvest Festival | Gardena

October 3: Celebrate fall with music, vendors, and kids’ activities at Gardena’s Harvest Festival. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
City Hall Complex - Gardena 1700 W. 162 St., Gardena, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Battle of Dominguez Hill Reenactment | Rancho Dominguez

October 3: Come see a live reenactment of the Battle of Dominguez Hills. This historic event welcomes vendors, a taco truck, military encampments, activities, and, of course, a battle reenactment. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum 18127 South Alameda Street, Rancho Dominguez, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Muertos Artwalk | Olvera Street, Los Angeles

October 3: Shop artwork and handmade goods from 35+ local artists, plus enjoy live music, performances, face painting, and more at Olvera Street. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Olvera Street 845 Alameda St., Los Angeles
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Great American Train Show | Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar

October 3-4: See huge model railroad displays, ride a Thomas the Tank Engine train, climb aboard real railcars, shop for trains and collectibles, and more. Kids 11 and under are free.

Dates:
Location:
Del Mar Fairgrounds 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar
+ Google Map
Cost:
$13

Country Night | Lomita Railroad Museum, Lomita

October 3: Enjoy live music, dancing, food trucks, local vendors, museum tours, and family fun at Country Night at the Railroad Museum.

Dates:
Location:
Lomita Railroad Museum 2137 W. 250th St., Lomita, CA
+ Google Map

KCRW Family Day | Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles

October 4: Enjoy live music, interactive jam sessions, songwriting, artmaking, garden activities, museum galleries, and more at KCRW Family Day. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Skirball Cultural Center 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles
+ 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

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

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

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!