Skipping the Spooky? Non-Halloween Events for SoCal Families (2026)
Skipping the Spooky? Non-Halloween Events for SoCal Families (2026)
Updated: October 2026
By mid-October, most family calendars are 90% pumpkins, costumes and candy. This round-up is for the other 10%, or for families looking for even more fun things to do!
You’ll find cultural festivals, star parties, live theater, car shows and farm days across Southern California.
Every listing below is kid-friendly or has activities for children, and plenty are free. We have them in order by start date, so you can plan your weekends at a glance.
Know Before You Go: Dates, times, prices and availability are subject to change. Some events require tickets, RSVPs or advance reservations, and outdoor events may be affected by weather. Always confirm details on the event’s website before you go.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa
September 22 – October 11, 2026
Belle, the Beast and Lumiere arrive in the first North American touring production in over 25 years, with new sets and the classic score.
Dog Man: The Musical
Kirk Douglas Theatre, Culver City
September 12 – October 18, 2026
Dog Man takes the stage in a musical based on Dav Pilkey’s bestselling books, with Petey the cat, Flippy the fish and plenty of laughs.
Into the Woods
South Coast Repertory, Costa Mesa
September 12 – October 18, 2026
Meet the Baker, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and Jack in a musical comedy celebrating its 40th anniversary.
Discovery Days
Centennial Farm, Costa Mesa
September 30, 2026 – June 1, 2027
❇️ FREE!
Take an unguided farm tour, plant a radish seed to take home and visit pigs, goats, sheep, cattle, chicks and rabbits.
Kids Free San Diego
Participating attractions, San Diego County
October 1–31, 2026
❇️ FREE!
Kids 12 and under get free admission with a paid adult at more than 70 museums, gardens, aquariums and historic sites all month.
Carnival Colossal
Vista Hermosa Sports Park, San Clemente
October 8–11, 2026
❇️ FREE!
Four days of carnival rides, midway games, food trucks and weekend live music. Thursday includes a sensory-friendly hour.
Annual Night Sky Festival
Sky’s The Limit Observatory & Nature Center, Twentynine Palms
October 9–10, 2026
Explore the Mojave Desert sky with telescopes, hands-on science, Family Space Camp, astronomy lectures and a glow party.
Noche Latina
Renaissance High School for the Arts, Long Beach
October 9, 2026
❇️ FREE!
Student performances, cultural demonstrations, Latin street food, art activities and an inflatable obstacle course.
Astronomy Night
Columbia Memorial Space Center, Downey
October 9, 2026
❇️ FREE!
Hear astronomy talks from guest speakers, then look through telescopes at celestial objects when weather permits.
A Great Day in the Stoke
Huntington Beach Pier, Huntington Beach
October 10, 2026
❇️ FREE!
A surf competition, 5K run/walk, free surf lessons, wellness activities, Double Dutch, live music and vendors at the pier.
Hispanic Heritage Festival
Jane Addams Park, Lawndale
October 10, 2026
❇️ FREE!
Celebrate Hispanic cultures with youth performances, food and craft vendors, games, activities, and a free concert at Lawndale’s first Hispanic Heritage Festival.
Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade and Festival
Pasadena City Hall, Pasadena
October 10, 2026
❇️ FREE!
A parade and festival with live music, cultural performances, art, food and family activities celebrating Latino heritage.
Festa Italiana
6th Street, San Pedro
October 10, 2026
❇️ FREE!
Kick off Italian-American Heritage Month at a street festival with Italian food, live music and performances, artisan vendors, and unique merchandise. Fun for the whole family.
CatCon in Pasadena
Pasadena Convention Center, Pasadena
October 10–11, 2026
Kittens, cat celebs, pop-up shops, workshops and giveaways at a convention for cat lovers of all ages.
Rancho Family Fest 2026
Central Park, Rancho Santa Margarita
October 10–11, 2026
Live music, food booths, a kids’ fun zone, a tot lot and a marketplace of local makers. Beer and wine garden for adults.
Soar into STEM: Glider Day
Flight Path Museum & Learning Center, Los Angeles
October 10, 2026
Build and tune your own glider, learn about aerodynamics and test it in a distance competition. Advance registration required.
Placentia Heritage Festival
Tri-City Park, Placentia
October 10, 2026
❇️ FREE!
A parade, car show and live entertainment celebrating America’s 250th and Placentia’s centennial, plus inflatables and food vendors.
Turtle & Tortoise Day
Madrona Marsh Nature Center, Torrance
October 10, 2026
❇️ FREE!
Meet live and baby turtles and tortoises up close, and learn about adoption opportunities in this hands-on event.
Irvine Global Village Festival
Great Park – City of Irvine, Irvine
October 10, 2026
❇️ FREE!
Celebrate 25 years with international food, music and dance, cultural exhibits, a global marketplace and Kids Village activities.
Fall Fantasy Book Faire
Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles
October 10–11, 2026
Books, authors, cosplay, magical merchants, storytime, live knights, crafts and games. Kids 10 and under are free.
Fur-Ever Friends Fall Festival
Mission Viejo Animal Care Services, Mission Viejo
October 10, 2026
Meet adoptable dogs, cats, bunnies and reptiles, plus kids crafts, wildlife education and animal meet-and-greets.
Oktoberfest & Beerfest
Wild Rivers, Irvine
October 10, 2026
German food, live Oktoberfest music and local breweries at the water park.
Culver City Arts Festival
Culver City Arts District, Culver City
October 10, 2026
❇️ FREE!
See live muralists, shop artisan vendors, catch music across three stages, and visit kids zones with hands-on art, a super slide, Velcro wall, and more.
Shakespeare Bridge Centennial Parade & Block Party
Los Feliz, Los Angeles
October 10, 2026
❇️ FREE!
A 1926-inspired parade with costumes, dogs and vintage cars, then a block party with live music and kids crafts.
Fest-of-All
Palms Park, Lakewood
October 10, 2026
❇️ FREE!
Music, dance and food from many cultures, a family fun zone, a craft village and a Passport Around the World.
Zoo Quest: Dress Code
Los Angeles Zoo, Los Angeles
October 10, 2026
Solve puzzle clues across the zoo in an after-hours escape room-style game about animal coats and camouflage, with keeper talks.
Celebrating Indigenous People’s Day
Pretend City Children’s Museum, Irvine
October 11, 2026
Storytelling, songs, traditional instruments and hands-on cultural objects teach kids about Native American history and traditions.
The Mole Fair
Gloria Molina Grand Park, Los Angeles
October 11, 2026
❇️ FREE!
More than 80 food exhibitors, artisans, live music, cultural performances and a kids area celebrating Mexican flavors.
Puptoberfest
Hunt Branch Library (Fullerton), Fullerton
October 11, 2026
❇️ FREE!
Dog races, a dog runway show, live music, food trucks, kids activities and a beer garden.
Pacific Marine Mammal Center Reopening
Pacific Marine Mammal Center, Laguna Beach
October 12, 2026
❇️ FREE!
See the reopened center after three years of expansion, with new rehabilitation pools, interactive displays and volunteer docents.
Brass Rubbing Medieval Arts Center
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Long Beach
October 13 – November 7, 2026
History comes alive as you experience the drama and imagery of the Middle Ages through the simple hands-on craft of brass rubbing.
The Ranch Discovery Day
OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa
October 15, 2026
❇️ FREE!
Meet horses and farm animals, watch demos and join a kids’ stick horse rodeo. Reservations required.
Disney Fan Day
Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University, Orange
October 15, 2026
Disney-inspired crafts, a meet and greet with author Gavin Doyle, museum tours and a look at Disney artwork.
O-Town Walls Block Party
Downtown Ontario
October 16–17, 2026
Two nights of breaking battles, workshops, a street skate park and food trucks among new murals.
70th Annual Silverado Days
William Peak Park (Buena Park), Buena Park
October 16–18, 2026
❇️ FREE!
Carnival rides, games, live music, 70+ craft booths, a pie-eating contest, mutt show and classic car show.
OC Japan Fair
OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa
October 16–18, 2026
Japanese food, J-POP and traditional performances, a tuna cutting show, cosplay, crafts and family games.
Nat at Night
San Diego Natural History Museum, San Diego
October 16, 2026
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.
Hoedown Throwdown Party
Pretend City Children’s Museum, Irvine
October 16, 2026
❇️ FREE!
Dance, listen to music and try hands-on activities at a Mickey’s Country Farm-inspired hoedown. Free for the first 200 guests.
Family NERF Night
Yorba Linda Middle School, Yorba Linda
October 16, 2026
Battle it out on a school field turned NERF battlezone. Bring your own blaster and eyewear; darts provided.
Public Star Party
Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles
October 17, 2026
❇️ FREE!
Peek at the Moon, planets and more through telescopes while volunteer astronomers answer questions at this free monthly star party.
Southeast Asia Day
Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach
October 17, 2026
Music, dance and craft demonstrations representing Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and more.
Journeying Japan: Tohoku Day
Japanese Friendship Garden, San Diego
October 17, 2026
Explore Japan’s Tohoku region with a Kokeshi doll exhibit, a stamp rally and an optional doll painting workshop.
Pull My Finger: Family Friendly Comedy Show
The Crow, Santa Monica
October 17, 2026
A silly, high-energy improv comedy show for the whole family, where kids may even get to jump on stage.
Mega Night Market Asian Food, Music & Cultural Festival
Great Park Live, Irvine
October 17–18, 2026
Asian street food, live music, DJs and traditional dance. Admission is $5.88, and cultural attire gets you in free Sunday.
Antique Tractor Show & Festival
Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, Vista
October 17–18 & 24–25, 2026
Antique tractors, steam and gas engines, daily parades, blacksmithing, wagon rides and railroad displays across 55 acres.
38th Annual Walk Against Drugs
Village Green at Oso Viejo Park, Mission Viejo
October 17, 2026
❇️ FREE!
A community walk followed by a fair with face painting, inflatables and food trucks. First 1,000 participants get a free T-shirt.
50th Anniversary Community Celebration & Open House
South Whittier Community Resource Center, Whittier
October 17, 2026
❇️ FREE!
Meet the team, connect with local organizations and enjoy free food and giveaways at a community open house.
Moto Beach Classic
Bolsa Chica Beach, Huntington Beach
October 17, 2026
❇️ FREE!
Motorcycle racing, stunt and FMX shows, kids e-bike races, live music, custom bikes and vendors on the sand.
Tour the Super Constellation
Yanks Air Museum, Chino
October 17, 2026
Step inside a once-classified Super Constellation aircraft, meet a crew member and hear firsthand stories.
Family Festival: LA and Mexico in Focus
Getty Center, Los Angeles
October 17, 2026
❇️ FREE!
Mariachi, ballet folklorico, bilingual storytelling and hands-on art workshops celebrating Mexican culture.
Granada Hills Street Faire
Granada Hills
October 17, 2026
❇️ FREE!
More than 250 vendors, live entertainment, a car show, farmers market and Kids Corner.
Discovery Zone – Explore, Discover, Wonder!
Madrona Marsh Nature Center, Torrance
October 17, 2026
❇️ FREE!
Kids touch feathers, seeds, shells and animal tracks, use magnifiers and build a food web to learn why wetlands matter.
Lucky Strike Family Fest
Participating Lucky Strike locations
October 17–18 & 24–25, 2026
❇️ FREE!
Free bowling, kids arcade play, food samples, a DJ, face painting and balloon art. RSVP required.
Kids Market
Founders Park, Ladera Ranch
October 17, 2026
❇️ FREE!
Shop a community market where the vendors are kids selling their own handmade goods.
Asian Glow Fest: Water Lanterns & Kite Festival
Elm Grove Beach, Lake Elsinore
October 17–18, 2026
❇️ FREE!
Colorful kites, Asian food, music, a night market and a glowing community water lantern release by the lake.
Los Angeles Printers Fair
International Printing Museum, Carson
October 17–18, 2026
Browse letterpress, printmaking, book arts, and paper arts from artists across the Southwest and beyond. Shop custom posters, hand-printed cards, handmade paper, and antiquarian books, all surrounded by the world’s largest collection of working antique presses.
Opera at the Beach: Carmen
Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica
October 17, 2026
❇️ FREE!
Watch a live broadcast of Carmen on the big screen, with crafts, balloon art, face painting and a prize wheel beforehand.
Opera in the Park: Carmen
William Steinmetz Park (Hacienda Heights), Hacienda Heights
October 17, 2026
❇️ FREE!
Watch a live broadcast of Carmen on the big screen, with crafts, lawn games, face painting and caricatures beforehand.
Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk
Manhattan Beach Pier, Manhattan Beach
October 18, 2026
Walk pier to pier with thousands of families to support children with special needs and public education.
Barnyard Afternoon
Rancho Los Alamitos, Long Beach
October 18, 2026
A petting zoo, face painting, Dia de los Muertos crafts, games and music at a historic ranch.
Chemistry Day
Santa Ana Zoo, Santa Ana
October 18, 2026
Explore educational booths scattered throughout the grounds, each featuring information on chemistry. Discover facts and learn more about the science of chemistry along the way.
Shark Lagoon Twilight Tuesday
Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach
October 20, 2026
❇️ FREE!
Touch bamboo sharks, see rays and get close to large sharks during free after-hours evenings. Only Shark Lagoon is open, weather permitting.
Family Astronomy Night
The Huntington Library, San Marino
October 22, 2026
View Saturn’s rings and the Moon through telescopes, then join a green laser-guided constellation tour.
Formula Drift Shoreline Showdown
Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach
October 23–24, 2026
The pro drifting season finale, with qualifying Friday and tandem elimination battles Saturday for the championship.
Bluey’s Big Play
The Pantages Theatre, Los Angeles
October 23–25, 2026
Bluey and Bingo try to get Dad off the bean bag in a live show with puppets, an original story and new music.
Los Angeles Fall Fair
Whittier Narrows Recreational Area, South El Monte
October 23 – November 1, 2026
Carnival rides, games, local artisans and a food court at the largest fall festival in LA County, with weekend live music.
Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical
Irvine Barclay Theatre, Irvine
October 24, 2026
Cat Kid and Molly Pollywog start a comics club for 21 baby frogs in a musical based on Dav Pilkey’s books. Ages 5+.
Dog Man: The Musical
Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, Cerritos
October 24, 2026
Dog Man, who has the head of a dog and the body of a policeman, stars in a hilarious, heartwarming musical.
Be Like Blippi Tour
October 24, 2026 – Long Beach Terrace Theater, Long Beach
October 25, 2026 – Grove of Anaheim, Anaheim
Sing, dance and explore with Blippi and Meekah at an interactive live show with favorites like “The Excavator Song.”
Yellow Bird Chase
Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa
October 24–25, 2026
A wordless family show with puppetry, masks and physical comedy as a maintenance crew chases a magical yellow bird. Accessible to Deaf audiences.
Water Harvest
Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility, El Segundo
October 24, 2026
❇️ FREE!
Space-themed STEM games, facility tours, live music, exhibits from local agencies and a kids’ costume contest.
All Abilities Celebration
Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa
October 24, 2026
❇️ FREE!
Live performances by local artists with disabilities, dance and percussion workshops, and a resource fair. ASL interpretation provided.
RJS 101 & First Responder Appreciation Event
Fire Station 112 (San Pedro), San Pedro
October 24, 2026
❇️ FREE!
Meet LAFD firefighters, enjoy complimentary food and drinks while supplies last, and honor Harbor-area first responders.
Japan Family Day
Santa Anita Park, Arcadia
October 24–25, 2026
Japanese cultural demonstrations, food and activities, plus the Tokyo City Cup Stakes race on Saturday.
Ektaa Diwali Fest
Great Park Live, Irvine
October 24, 2026
❇️ FREE!
Indian music, cultural performances, food, shopping, henna, a lamp lighting ceremony and a drone show.
The Music Man
Ahmanson Theater, Los Angeles
October 27 – November 8, 2026
A fast-talking salesman cons an Iowa town in this Tony Award-winning musical comedy, featuring “Seventy-Six Trombones.”
Lenny Pearce Toddler Rave World Tour
The Wiltern, Los Angeles
October 28, 2026
Riverside Municipal Auditorium, Riverside
October 30, 2026
A toddler rave with children’s favorites remixed into modern hits and big beats for little feet.
Fleurs de Villes THE GILDED AGE
Greystone Mansion, Beverly Hills
October 28 – November 4, 2026
Thousands of flowers and floral mannequins inspired by HBO’s The Gilded Age fill the mansion, with live floral demonstrations.
L.A. Comic Con
Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles
October 30 – November 1, 2026
Three days of comics, gaming, cosplay and anime with 200+ panels, 800+ exhibitors, celebrity guests and Artist Alley.
That is a wrap on our October picks. Check each event’s website for the latest hours, tickets and reservation details before you go.
Categories: Blog, Blog Latest
This post was written by Kidsguide
Comments are closed here.