Fun Things To Do for Mother's Day 2026 - Near LA & Orange County

Fun Things To Do for Mother’s Day 2026 – Near LA & Orange County

It’s time to celebrate mom! If you’re in Southern California, there’s so many fun activities and outings to make the day special.

Photo: South Coast Botanic Garden

Go to a Special Mother’s Day Event

Mother’s Day at the Garden
South Coast Botanic Garden, Palos Verdes Peninsula
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Plan a full day at the Garden with options like reserved picnics with food and service, VIP seating with shade and music, and access to seasonal exhibits including Thomas Dambo’s Trolls and the SOAR butterfly experience. Guests can also pre-order picnic boxes or add a bottomless mimosa package, with multiple ticket options available to customize your visit.

Open Garden Day
West Floral Park & Fisher Park, Santa Ana
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Stroll through nine beautiful private gardens on this self-guided tour, offering a rare peek into lush residential spaces across historic neighborhoods. Enjoy live music, plein air artists, garden demos, and local vendors for a relaxing, inspiration-filled day with Mom.

Mother’s Day Special
Imaginarium “Utopia,” Lakewood
Saturday – Sunday, May 9-10, 2026
This limited-time package includes two admission tickets, drinks, desserts, a gift for Mom, and DIY crafts to enjoy together. Explore a glowing, storybook-inspired world filled with lights, interactive displays, photo moments, and live circus performances for a fun, all-ages experience.

Mother’s Day Luncheon
Tanaka Farms, Irvine
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Celebrate Mom with a scenic farm-to-table buffet featuring fresh produce, hearty entrées, and sweet treats in a relaxed hilltop setting. After brunch, enjoy lawn games, photo ops, and quality time together overlooking the farm.

Mother’s Day Concert in the Park
Haster Basin Recreation Area, Garden Grove
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Celebrate with a free outdoor concert featuring live tribute bands, kids activities, and community vendors in a relaxed park setting. Bring blankets and chairs to enjoy music, food trucks, and a family-friendly evening on the lawn.

Mother’s Day Sunset Sail
Los Angeles Maritime Institute, San Pedro
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Treat the moms in your life to sunset views, sweets, and relaxing time aboard a tall ship. Bring your own snacks—some treats will be provided.

Mother’s Day
LA County Fair, Pomona
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Special ticket package that includes admission, food vouchers (Thummer Bucks), a return ticket for a future visit, and a flower for Mom.

Mother’s Day Weekend Creative Co-Op
Fullerton Museum Center
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Join an artist-led workshop to create paper orchid flowers in a hands-on, guided session with all materials included. Each ticket also comes with a drink, making it a relaxed and creative way to celebrate together.

Mommy & Me ArtWalk
Downtown Pomona
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Enjoy a free evening of live music, local art, food vendors, and kid-friendly activities in a lively outdoor setting.

Mother’s Day: Blooms, Butterflies & Bouquets
The Flower Fields, Carlsbad
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Spend the day surrounded by blooming ranunculus with special activities like free family photos, live butterfly releases, bouquet making, and cultural dance performances. Guests can also explore the butterfly encounter, take a wagon ride, and enjoy seasonal treats throughout the fields.

Mother’s Day Brunch
Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Families can celebrate Mother’s Day with a picnic on the veranda overlooking Rainbow Harbor, then explore the aquarium together. All moms receive a complimentary mimosa or soft drink.

Free Admission on Mother’s Day
California Botanic Garden, Claremont
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Moms get free admission for a day filled with crafts, a café pop-up, and a photo station, plus an afternoon artisan market and milkweed plant sale. Pre-order a charcuterie picnic box to enjoy in the garden while exploring local vendors and family-friendly activities.

Moms & Muffins Mother’s Day Cruise
Ocean Institute, Dana Point
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Set out on a guided ocean tour in search of whales, dolphins, and sea lions while learning from onboard naturalists. Tickets include light refreshments and general admission to the Ocean Institute.

Mother’s Day at Santa Anita
Santa Anita Park
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Celebrate Mother’s Day with a day at the races, featuring live stakes racing, dining options like buffets and BBQ picnics, and scenic views at Santa Anita Park.

Free Entry for Moms
Bower’s Museum, Santa Ana
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Moms and grandmothers receive free general admission to explore the museum’s permanent collections, along with a discount at the Gallery Store. Guests can also add a buffet brunch at Ada’s Table, with indoor and outdoor seating options for a relaxed celebration.

For even more events and fun things to do, check out our Calendar with 50+ events happening now through Mother’s Day!

Photo: Butterfly Pavilion, Natural History Museum

Explore Enchanting Butterfly Exhibits

Butterfly Pavilion
Natural History Museum, Los Angeles
See all stages in the butterfly life cycle, including eggs, caterpillars, and chrysalises. Count up to 30 different species and chat with museum educators.

SOAR – Tropical Butterflies
South Coast Botanic Garden, Palos Verdes Peninsula
Stroll through plant species that are part of a butterfly’s habitat, then stop by the Emergence Chamber where you may just see a butterfly emerge from its pupa. Finally, enter the pavilion to be surrounded by hundreds of tropical butterflies. This year, guests also have the opportunity to feed the butterflies from a flower vial or ring filled with nectar.