ALL WEEKEND
REDCAT International Children’s Film Festival - Downtown
Closing weekend highlights include animator Joe Chang’s China Fantasia, shorts about our planet, and a live action and animated look at the beaches, back roads, jungles, and bustling cities of Latin America.

Bug Fair 2013 - - Downtown
The Natural History Museum celebrates things winged and creepy-crawly with the biggest bug festival in North America.

Anatolian Cultures & Food Festivals  -  Costa Mesa
 More than a dozen civilizations grew and thrived in Anatolia (the area that's now the western portion of Turkey). This four-day festival celebrates the music, crafts, and cuisine of those great cultures (not to mention the playgrounds, rides, and bouncy houses).

The Big Parade - - Los Angeles
Put on your walking shoes and explore the many sights (and stairways!) of Los Angeles.

California Strawberry Festival - Oxnard
Strawberries are the only fruits that have their seeds on the outside. They are also yummy. Nibble on a pound or two at this annual festival.

Renaissance Pleasure Faire - Irwindale
Lords and ladies of the court, mount your fastest steeds and hie thee to the closing weekend of the Renaissance Pleasure Faire!

SATURDAY MAY 18

Dads & Family Day - Los Angeles
You can sit this one out, Mommas, the Dads & Family Day is a fun, entertaining and educational family event for fathers (and grandpas and male caregivers).

LA Sanitation West Valley Yard Open House - Northridge
Join Mr. Recycle and his sidekick Robo Blue at the West Valley District Yard, and see the city's trash trucks up close.

Nothin' But Sand Beach Cleanup - Pacific Palisades
The whole family can participate in the beach cleanup at Will Rogers State Beach.

Montana Avenue Annual Sidewalk Sale - Santa Monica
Sure. It's for the kids. That's why you want to spend the afternoon shopping on Montana Avenue. Uh huh.

Dinosaur Dig -Thousand Oaks
The dino-rific fun at the Conejo Community Center includes dinosaur crafts, games, and a hike to a “dig site” to dig for fossils.

Monrovia Public Library Children's Tea and Book Exchange - Monrovia
Kids are invited to come dressed in their tea party finest for a special tea & book exchange. Kids bring a new or gently used book from home to exchange.

Public Star Party - Griffith Park
The Observatory's free public star party offers a chance for the whole family to look at the sun, moon, planets, and other celestial bodies.

Jenny Lee, Caroline Sunshine, & Adam Irigoyen: Author Talk and Stars of Shake It Up - West LA
Author Jenny Lee is joined by stars of the TV show Shake it Up as she presents her new book Elvis and the Underdogs, about a boy who gets a therapy dog that can talk.

Movie in the Park - Manhattan Beach
Bring blankets, low back chairs, and snacks for a free screening of Brave (PG) at Polliwog Park.

World City at The Music Center: LIAO WEN HO PUPPET THEATRE - Downtown
This month’s free World City presentation features the Taiwanese Liao Wen Ho Puppet Theatre, performing in the classic style of Taiwanese glove puppetry with a cast of puppet characters ranging in design from regal to fantastical.

SuperSMASH School Fair - Santa Monica
Santa Monica Alternative School House brings on the fun at this annual fundraiser that includes a BBQ, games, rides, and crafts and a real car that you can help paint.

SUNDAY MAY 19

52nd Annual Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival - Agoura Hills
Whether you want to watch or join in, the Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival offers plenty of opportunity to enjoy music, with the backdrop of Western movie sets and the mountain locations of Paramount Ranch.

Museums of the Arroyo Day - Los Angeles & Pasadena
Families can discover living history, local history, architectural history, dance, traditional craft demos, kids' crafts, storytelling, art, and live music at five historical museums in Pasadena and Los Angeles.

MASANGA Marimba Ensemble - Santa Monica
MASANGA Marimba performs music from Zimbabwe and Latin America at McCabe's biweekly kids concert series.

Taiwanese American Heritage Week Festival - Monterey Park
Celebrate Taiwanese American culture with a day of fun and celebration of at Barnes Park.

Young Jewish Families Picnic - Family Fun & Parent Schmooze - Encino
The kids can have fun and the parents can schmooze at this free family event at Genesta Park. Bring your own picnic; dessert is provided.

Western Heritage Family Day at the Autry - Griffith Park
The Autry’s monthly program helps kids explore the stories of the diverse people of the American West.

Salt Marsh Open House San Pedro
Close up or far away? Families can use binoculars and microscopes to observe live animals in the wetlands habitat at Cabrillo Beach.

Seal Day - San Pedro
The Marine Mammal Care Center hosts its 21st annual Seal Day, encouraging families to come see the marine mammals and enjoy games, activities, live music, information booths, guest speakers, and movie screenings. Pet adoptions are also available at the event (but I’m guessing no seals).

Sister Cities Of Los Angeles Cultural Day In The Park - Los Angeles
The Grove celebrates the cultures of eight of Los Angeles sister cities, with music and dance from Beirut, Busan, Giza, Lusaka, Mexico City, Mumbai, Nagoya, and Yerevan.

As always, there are many more activities listed on our daily events calendar. Whatever you choose to do this weekend, we hope you have marvelous time!