Weekend Fun for LA Kids: Exploring Our Universe, Bye Bye Spiders, and Christmas... Wait, What? November 7 - 8

11/5/15 - By Toby B

Hasta la vista, Halloween; it was real. We may have pulled a muscle or two dragging those overloaded trick-or-treat bags around, but at least we earned a break before the next onslaught of holiday overload comes a calling. That's why we're going to fill this weekend with Santa Claus.

What's that? I meant science. There's some serious science happening on the UCLA campus this Sunday. Your kids can prepare for careers in astrophysics, pharmacology, food science... Speaking of putting the food in science, anyone up for a tree lighting?

Tree lighting? No, that was supposed to be "pumpkin launching."  A fitting end for the Halloweeny squash. And it's science, because launching and trajectories and, well, squashing. (Squashing! So nice, you say it ice!)

Keep reading for our merriest picks for this weekend....

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

ALL WEEKEND

Spider Pavilion Closing Weekend - Exposition Park
They hung around for the week after Halloween, but it’s time for the spiders to pack up their webs until next season.

Fashion Island Tree Lighting Ceremony - Costa Mesa
Mickey Mouse & Friends from the Disneyland Resort help Fashion Island light up its grand holiday tree (forecast calls for snow).

The Little Mermaid (G) - Hollywood
Betcha on land they understand, bet they don't reprimand their daughters. In fact, I bet they take them to see The Little Mermaid at the El Capitan.

Day Out with Thomas - Perris
Now entertaining the station: Thomas the Tank Engine with Sir Topham Hat. All Aboard!
 
Folk Art LA Plaza - Downtown       
A festival and sale celebrating the rich diversity of Latin American folk art is celebrated with performances, workshops, and demonstrations, as well as handmade and one-of-a-kind pieces offered for sale.
 
Japanese Garden Festival - La Cañada-Flintridge
Families can learn about Ikebana (flower arranging), take tours of the gardens, and listen to Taiko drums at Descanso Gardens’ annual family-friendly festival celebrating the art and culture of Japan.

Autumn Festival - Long Beach
Aquarium of the Pacific celebrates Asian culture with its 10th annual Autumn Festival.

Pasadena Model Railroad Club Fall Open House - Pasadena
Model railroaders wait months for the chance to view this club's fantastically lively and detailed display of trains.

The Blue and the Gray Civil War Reenactment - Thousand Oaks
The battles and daily life of the Civil War play out in the largest Civil War battle reenactment west of the Mississippi. This year the event is held at a new location: California Lutheran University.

Pepper Tree Music Jam Exhibit Opening - Pasadena
Kidspace Children's Museum newest exhibit space helps kids hear the music in nature.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7

Citadel Holiday Tree Lighting - Commerce
The Citadel Outlets host the lighting of the record-breaking, world’s tallest Christmas tree (115-ft) with a free outdoor concert featuring performances by Laura Marano, Sabrina Carpenter, and TV host Mario Lopez.  They also have a really big bow.

Battleship Iowa Veterans Day Festival - San Pedro
Battleship Iowa honors this nation’s veterans with a day of festivities including a special Army helicopter landing on board, a ceremonial firing of the 5" guns, 1940's era swing music, vintage vehicles, historic military reenactors, and more.
 
Long Beach Veterans Day Parade - Long Beach
The City of Long Beach pays honor to America's veterans with its annual Veterans Day Parade.
 
Camp Dino Sleepover at the Natural History Museum - Exposition Park
Kids become junior paleontologists at a prehistoric sleepover at the Natural History Museum.

Santa's Arrival & Breakfast - Redondo Beach
Yes, it’s the first week in November.  And yes, Santa Claus is coming to town.  First stop: South Bay Galleria.
 
Home Depot Kids Workshops - Multiple Locations
Home Depot’s free workshop this weekend offers a Veteran’s Day themed jet.

Saturday Morning Concerts - Santa Monica
Dill Purple Genius performs an inspirational, fun, and rockin’ musical family show at Books and Cookies, with singing, dancing, giveaways, and a dill-awesome story-time with the Dill Purple Geniuses’story book mascot Pookie.

Fall Clothing Exchange - Peace.Love.Swap - La Cañada-Flintridg
The seasons are changing,  perfect time to swap out your outgrown, gently-used clothes and gear.
 
Pumpkin Launch - Fullerton
With Halloween over, those pumpkins aren’t good for much… but they sure can fly.

Junior Chef Classes - Multiple Locations
Kids can learn the all-important art of cookie decorating at Williams-Sonoma stores.
 
Album Launch & Musical Storytime - West LA
Children's Book World hosts a musical storytime for the release of  This Record Belongs To _____,   Kid can learn the mysteries of vinyl records, and hear music by Carole King, Jerry Garcia, Woody Guthrie, and more.
           
Long Beach Airport Fly-In - Long Beach
Long Beach Airport opens up for a free event featuring displays of aircraft, entertainment, food trucks, the Aquarium of the Pacific and a JetBlue giveaway.
 
Author Event: Stan Lee - Fairfax
The comic book living legend presents his memoir at Barnes & Noble at The Grove.
 
12th Annual Noche de Altares - Santa Ana
Families can view and/or build traditional altars honoring loved ones at this free, family-friendly, community event.

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8

Exploring Your Universe - Westwood
The science folk at UCLA share all kinds of STEM goodness.  Expect lots of hands-on experiments that make science accessible to super fun for kids.

Club MomMe Family Fall Fest - Palos Verdes Peninsula
Club MomMe’s annual signature event offers panels with celebrities, pampering for mommy, and play for kids, plus the scoop on the best baby and kid gear and seriously awesome goody bags, on the grounds of the South Coast Botanic Garden.

826LA@Hammer: Fairy Tailoring, Favorite Characters Meet -Westwood
Worlds collide at the Hammer Museum, as kids imagine characters from different stories meeting.
 
Target Sundays at CAAM - Exposition Park
In the spirit of gratitude, the California African American Museum hosts a Gospel and inspirational show for all ages.

Free Day at PAM - Pasadena
Pacific Asia Museum celebrates ancient autumn holiday of Diwali, the festival of lights, with performances of Indian classical dance, storytime, gallery tours and a candle making activity.
 
Family Day - El Segundo
ESMoA welcomes families to take part in a Scavenger hunt, and make art inspired by some of LA's legendary artists.

Family Jam: Fascinating Rhythm! - Westwood
It’s a day for rhythm at the Fowler Museum at UCLA, as visitors can learn the basic steps of Cumbia, a popular dance in Colombia.

Stories in the Afternoon - Pasadena
Norton Simon Museum invites kids to draw a picture as a thank you to someone they’re thankful for.
 
Second Sunday Concert Series -  Mid-Wilshire
Mista Cookie Jar and the Chocolate Chips perform their special brand of Urban Island Folky Rock and Roll at Zimmer Children's Museum.


As always, there are many more activities listed on our Event Calendar, and if you didn't receive this info as a newsletter, you should sign up for our weekly events updates. Whatever you choose to do this weekend, we hope you have a terrific time!