Catch It While You Can: Limited-Time Events & Experiences for Families in Southern California

Southern California is always buzzing with incredible events, but some experiences won’t be around forever! From traveling museum exhibits and immersive pop-ups to seasonal art installations and one-of-a-kind attractions, this list highlights the best limited-time events happening now.

Unlike our regular Event Calendar, this collection features longer-running but temporary experiences that you won’t want to miss.

Events are sorted by end date — so the ones at the top are wrapping up the soonest!

Check back often! New experiences are always popping up!


Photo: Discovery Cube

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: The Exhibit

Discovery Cube | Los Angeles
Now – May 3, 2026

Step into the world of Mickey and friends in this playful, hands-on exhibit focused on teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving. Kids can explore interactive activities that encourage using their unique skills, helping others, and building friendships along the way. Special themed weekends add even more fun with crafts, movement, and community-focused experiences. Included with general admission.

Photo: Disney

Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration

Disneyland Resort | Anaheim
May 16 – Summer 2026

Disneyland Resort celebrates 70 years of magic with new and returning entertainment, colorful décor, themed food, special merchandise and more.

Highlights include:

  • World of Color – Happiness! at Disney California Adventure
  • Paint the Night Parade – Dazzling floats with over a million LED lights
  • Wondrous Journeys – Nighttime spectacular celebrating Disney Animation classics
  • Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration – Daytime parade at California Adventure
  • The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade – New character cavalcade showcasing rare and classic Disney friends
Photo: Natural History Museum

Butterfly Pavilion

Natural History Museum | Los Angeles
March 22 – August 23, 2026

Step into a seasonal outdoor enclosure filled with hundreds of free-flying butterflies among lush native plants. This immersive experience lets visitors observe the full butterfly life cycle—from caterpillars to chrysalises—while spotting up to 30 species, including California natives.

Museum educators are on hand to share insights, making it both a beautiful and educational visit. Timed tickets required; additional fee applies.

Photo: California Science Center

Mummies of the World

California Science Center | Los Angeles
Now – September 7, 2026

This global exhibition features real human and animal mummies from ancient Egypt, South America, and Europe, alongside burial artifacts, mummification tools, and interactive displays. Using advanced CT scans, visitors can uncover the stories behind these preserved remains and gain insight into ancient cultures and daily life. This is the exhibition’s final tour stop and includes specimens never before seen in Los Angeles. Included with exhibit ticket.

Note: Due to the presence of real mummies, bones, and skulls, some content may feel intense or unsettling for younger children.

Photo: Discovery Cube

Wild Kratts®: Creature Power®!

Discovery Cube | Los Angeles
May 23 – September 13, 2026

Interactive exhibit lets kids to step into the world of Wild Kratts and explore animal habitats through hands-on play. Swing like a spider monkey, stalk like a jaguar, and hunt like a platypus while discovering real-life creature powers such as echolocation, stealth, and enhanced senses. Special “Creature Power Weekends” bring themed activities throughout the summer, connecting animal abilities to science concepts in fun, engaging ways. Included with general admission.

Photo: South Coast Botanic Garden

Thomas Dambo’s TROLLS: A Field Study

South Coast Botanic Garden | Palos Verde
Now – October 4, 2026

This whimsical outdoor exhibit brings 12 larger-than-life trolls, crafted entirely from reclaimed wood, to life across the Garden’s 87 acres. Created by artist Thomas Dambo, these gentle giants are “studying” humans, inviting guests to explore immersive landscapes and discover each troll tucked throughout the grounds.
For a deeper experience, Troll Trek tours offer a guided walk through the exhibit with storytelling and behind-the-scenes insights. Included with general admission; Troll Trek tickets available for an additional fee.

Photo: Petersen Museum

Cars are Beautiful: Mr Brainwash @ the Petersen

Petersen Museum | Los Angeles
Now – 2026

Step into a vibrant pop art world at the Petersen Automotive Museum’s new immersive exhibit, Cars Are Beautiful, created by French-born, LA-based artist Mr Brainwash. Known for his playful, graffiti-inspired style, Mr Brainwash transforms the automobile into a colorful celebration of imagination, joy, and American culture through paintings, sculptures, and interactive art.

The exhibit fills the Armand Hammer Foundation Gallery with a whimsical explosion of creativity, inviting visitors of all ages to experience cars like never before.

Photo: Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Studio Ghibli’s PONYO

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures | Los Angeles
February 14 – January 10, 2027

Explore the magical world of Ponyo in this exhibition celebrating Studio Ghibli’s hand-drawn animation. Featuring more than 100 rare materials—including original drawings, art boards, and animation tools—this showcase highlights the artistry and storytelling behind the beloved film. Interactive elements, like an animation table, invite guests to create their own sequences while exploring themes of transformation and human connection. Included with museum admission.

Photo: National History Museum

Unearthed: Raw Beauty

National History Museum | Los Angeles
Now – April 18, 2027

Exhibition showcases some of the largest and rarest mineral specimens ever displayed in their natural, uncut form—many on view for the first time. From massive crystals and vibrant gemstones to California’s own mineral treasures, the collection highlights the beauty and science behind rocks, gems, and fossils. Interactive elements and striking displays create an otherworldly experience that reveals the role minerals play in our everyday world. Included with general admission.

Photo: Natural History Museum

Orcas: Our Shared Future

National History Museum | Los Angeles
April 26, 2026 – April 25, 2027

Explore the deep connections between orcas, humans, and the ocean through life-size replicas and dynamic, underwater-inspired displays. Learn how these intelligent, family-oriented animals communicate and thrive, while also experiencing artwork by Indigenous artists of the Pacific Northwest Coast that reflect cultural ties to orcas. Blending science and storytelling, this powerful exhibit offers a deeper look at one of the ocean’s most fascinating creatures. Additional ticket required.

Photo: California Science Center

GAME ON! Science, Sports & Play

California Science Center, Los Angeles
May 15 – Summer 2028

GAME ON! is a hands-on exhibition celebrating the connection between science, sports, and play. Spanning 17,000 square feet, the exhibition invites visitors to explore a wide range of sports through interactive activities, technology-enhanced challenges, and guidance from mentor athletes.

Guests can practice baseball swings, kick soccer goals, swim virtually with a Para athlete, explore yoga and mindfulness, and learn about nutrition and careers in sports.

Tickets: Included with free general admission and will remain on view through the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Categories:

This post was written by Kidsguide

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

X