Fun Things To Do This Weekend in Southern California — November 6-8, 2026
Diwali Festival of Lights
Got weekend plans? We do! Whether you’re looking for a family adventure, a budget-friendly outing, or just something fun to do, we’ve rounded up the best events happening this weekend. Check out what’s going on!
✍️ Bookmark this page and check back every week!
🚗 Know Before You Go: Confirm details with the event organizer before making plans. We’re here to help you find the fun, but changes, cancellations, and mistakes can happen!
Happening All Weekend – November 6 – 8
Anime Pasadena
Pasadena Convention Center, Pasadena
November 6 – 8: Browse 400+ vendors and artists, meet celebrity guests, and dive into cosplay, panels, gaming, anime karaoke, photo ops, and performances.
Repticon
OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa
November 7 – 8: See live reptiles and exotic animals from around the world, and shop pets and pet products directly from expert vendors at this two-day expo.
Diwali Festival of Lights
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir, Chino Hills
November 7 – 8: Celebrate Diwali with cultural exhibitions, light shows, and family activities at this community festival.
FREE! Field of Valor
Handy Park, Orange
November 7 – 12: Walk among more than 1,200 American flags honoring service members, with special ceremonies for the Marine Corps Birthday and Veterans Day.
Friday – November 6
FREE! Friday Fun
Madrona Marsh Nature Center, Torrance
Explore nature with story time, crafts, science, and guided activities designed for preschoolers.
FREE! Santa’s Arrival & Tree Lighting Ceremony
Victoria Gardens, Rancho Cucamonga
Welcome Santa and watch a 45-foot live Christmas tree light up alongside a choreographed light show, a laser experience, and live music from Harbor Party.
Saturday – November 7
FREE! Christmas Tree Lighting Concert
Citadel Outlets, Commerce
Kick off the holidays with live performances, a magical snow show, and Santa lighting the World’s Tallest Fresh Cut Christmas Tree.
FREE! Merry Little Village Tree Lighting Ceremony
LBX, Long Beach
Meet Santa and gingerbread characters, catch Sugarplum Fairy performances, and make crafts before a magical tree lighting. Browse artisan vendors and snap festive photos too.
FREE! Veterans Day Remembrance Celebration
Artesia Park, Artesia
Honor local heroes with breakfast, guest speakers, displays, and family fun.
FREE! Veterans Day Celebration
Houghton Park, Long Beach
Honor veterans with a kids’ zone, obstacle course, community resource fair, food trucks, DJ sets, and live performances.
30th Anniversary Air Fair & F/A-18 Super Hornet Dedication
Palm Springs Air Museum, Palm Springs
See the dedication of a Top Gun: Maverick F/A-18 Super Hornet, plus historic aircraft, family activities, live entertainment, and veteran tributes at the museum’s 30th anniversary celebration.
STEAM Day
Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach
Discover STEAM careers through special displays, meet partner organizations, and add to a jumbo coloring project while exploring the aquarium.
Saturday Mornings at the Opera: Open Door Days
LA Opera, Los Angeles
Sing, dance, act, and craft one-of-a-kind souvenirs in interactive arts workshops, then catch a kid-friendly opera featuring cowboys, bullfighters, a very sad clown, and a pair of (literal) lovebirds.
FREE! Día de Muertos Celebration
Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum, Rancho Dominguez
Celebrate from 10 am–3 pm with mariachi, baile folklórico performances, traditional food, vendors, and community ofrendas.
FREE! El Poder de La Cultura Morelense: Día de Muertos
West 4th Street, Santa Ana
Celebrate Día de los Muertos with live music, food, vendors, Chinelos de Morelos, and a colorful parade of Chinelos and Catrinas.
Noche de Altares
Downtown Santa Ana, Santa Ana
Explore community altars honoring loved ones, plus cultural performances, live music, face painting, and free kids’ art workshops.
Drop-in Workshop: Día de Muertos with Lil’ Libros
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Los Angeles
Create a Catrina inspired by the zodiac and Little Astrology Catrinas with Lil’ Libros author and illustrator Mariana Galvez. Youth 17 and under get free museum admission.
FREE! Sacred Path x The Autry Pow Wow
Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles
Celebrate Native culture with traditional powwow dancing and songs, Native arts and crafts, community booths, Indian tacos, fry bread, and more.
Celebrating Diwali
Pretend City Children’s Museum, Irvine
Dance to upbeat Indian music and decorate a diya in a hands-on activity. Included with museum admission.
FREE! Holiday Faire
Great Park, Irvine
Shop handcrafted gifts and art at Irvine’s annual holiday market.
FREE! Corita Day Festival
SCI-Arc, Los Angeles
Make art, watch Bob Baker Marionette Theater, and enjoy live music and a KCRW DJ set at this all-ages celebration inspired by artist Corita Kent. Advance registration required.
FREE! Art Lab
Hammer Museum, Los Angeles
Drop by for hands-on creative activities inspired by artworks on view at the museum.
Sunday – November 8
Latin Music Appreciation Day
GRAMMY Museum, Los Angeles
Celebrate Latin music and culture with Lucky Diaz, salsa and bachata lessons, a live performance, a DJ set, and more.
FREE! Exploring Your Universe
UCLA, Los Angeles
Visit science booths and catch talks on astronomy, biology, geology, chemistry, sustainability, psychology, and more.
FREE! STEAM Day
MUZEO Museum and Cultural Center, Anaheim
Explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math through music, hands-on activities, vendors, and unique STEAM experiences.
FREE! Artist-at-Work: Serigraphy
Getty Center, Los Angeles
Watch artist Alfonso Aceve bring silkscreen printing to life during bilingual, drop-in family demonstrations.
Antique Aircraft Display Day
Fullerton Airport, Fullerton
See classic aircraft up close as owners show off their planes at this monthly display day.
Kids Market
The District at Tustin Legacy, Tustin
Shop a community market where the vendors are kids selling their own handmade goods and creative products.
Ongoing Events
Hallowe’en Spooktacular
Bob Baker Marionette Theater, Los Angeles
September 5 – November 8: Catch 100+ spirited puppets, silly songs, and spooky fun, complete with a Día de los Muertos sequence. Final weekend!
Brass Rubbing Medieval Arts Center
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Long Beach
October 13 – November 7: Learn about knights, armor, and medieval customs during a docent talk, then make a take-home brass rubbing using metallic waxes and replica brass plates from English churches. English tea is available with a reservation.
The Music Man
Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles
October 27 – November 8: Follow a fast-talking salesman who cons a small Iowa town into buying instruments for a boys’ band, until he falls for the town librarian. Hear classics like “Seventy-Six Trombones,” “Trouble,” and “Gary, Indiana” in this Tony Award-winning musical comedy for the whole family.
FREE! Fleet Week San Diego
Various Locations, San Diego
November 1 – 15: Explore active-duty Navy and Coast Guard vessels, and enjoy free concerts, ship tours, STEM activities, military displays, a Veterans Day 5K, and a boat parade.
Christmas Nights
123 Farm at Highland Springs Ranch & Inn, Cherry Valley
November 5 – January 3: Wander through glowing lights and discover Santa visits, a Christmas Village, a holiday maze, a scavenger hunt, wagon rides, live music, and shopping.
Frost on 5th Ice Rink
Downtown Santa Monica, Santa Monica
November 5 – January 18: Skate by the coast at this outdoor rink with skate lessons, special events, and festive fun all season long.
📚 Library Events
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This post was written by Kidsguide
