ALL WEEKEND

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Xtreme - Staples Center - Downtown
The circus is back in town, with a new show that takes spectacle to the Xtreme.  

Old Fort MacArthur Days - San Pedro
From the days of the Roman Legions to the Vietnam War, more than 600 participants set up camps and demonstrate what life was like during their represented time period.

Comic Con 2015  - San Diego
The annual celebration of all things pop culture takes over the San Diego Convention Center, with surprise celebrity appearances, sneak previews, panels on comic books, movies, television, and much much more.

Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival 2015 - Griffith Park
Before Sunday’s performance of Romeo & Juliet, families can enjoy a free workshop about the play and Shakespeare's language.

150th Anniversary Celebration of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll - Long Beach
Long Beach Shakespeare Company goes down the rabbit hole to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Lewis Carroll's classic tale.

Old Pasadena Film Festival - Pasadena
This weekend marks the start of the month-long free film festival in venues throughout Old Pasadena. Of particular interest to families: Sunday’s screening of The Witches (1990) in Central Park.

The Lotus Festival - Echo Park
Timed to coincide with the traditional blooming of the Lotus Flower, the Lotus Festival promotes the arts and cultures of the Asian Pacific Region.

Inside Out (PG) with Light Show  - Hollywood
Forget the other emotions, the pre-show and film at the El Capitan will have you experiencing pure joy.

Little Red -  Downtown
Little Red is a contemporary musical adaptation, with a punk-rock Chicana twist, of the classic fairytale Little Red Riding Hood.

Family Amphitheater Performances - West LA
The Skirball keeps bringing on the fun! This weekend: Rhythm Child on Saturday and Masanga Marimba on Sunday.

Theatre 360 Presents Xanadu - Pasadena
There’s some strange magic going on at Theatre 360 as a Greek Muse finds herself in 1980’s California.
 
Matilda: The Musical Downtown
The popular Broadway import closes out its run this weekend at the Ahmanson Theatre.

Opening Weekend: Pageant of the Masters – Laguna Beach
Great works of art come to life before your eyes. This year’s theme: The Pursuit of Happiness.

SATURDAY JULY 11

Target Free Family Saturday: Okinawan Traditions - Downtown
The fun free family day at the Japanese American National Museum is all about Okinawan culture.                  
      
Family Jam at the Zoo - Griffith Park
The after-hours fun at the Zoo includes live bands (including the Beat Buds), kids’ karaoke, dancing, games, and food trucks, along with up-close animal encounters, keeper talks, and more

7-Eleven Free Slurpee Day - Multiple Locations
7-Eleven celebrates its namesake day with free Slurpees for everyone, (totally worth the brain freeze!)
 
Family Day Takeover - Downtown
The Minions are taking over Family Day at LA Live, and they're bringing tons of fun with them. (Check out our parent review of the film).

Movie on the Lawn - Irvine
Please look after this bear.  Or at least watch his movie, Paddington, at Orange County Great Park.

Free Drum Circle JAM Session at Downtown Pomona Arts Walk - Pomona
Families can take a rhythmic journey with Christopher Ramirez in an evening of interactive group drumming. 
 
Saturdays Off the 405- West LA
The views can’t be beat! California power pop band Waters perform at the Getty Center’s free summer series.

Young Explorers Academy: Living in Space  - Downey
Just what do the astronauts and cosmonauts of the International Space Station do up there?  (Besides watching things float. Because that is totally what I would do).
 
Family Program: Journey to Japan - San Marino
The Huntington hosts a kid-friendly morning of Japanese music and theater.
 
Crenshaw Health Fest - Baldwin Hills
The free community festival at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza offers free health screenings and services (flu shots! Eye exams and glasses for kids!) as well as info and referrals.

Marina Del Rey Summer Concert Series: Pop Saturdays  -Marina del Rey
On the wings of love!  Jeffrey Osborne joins American Idol winner/velvet teddy bear Ruben Studdard,  and “You Are My Lady” songster Freddie Jackson for the free (free!) concert at Burton W. Chace Park .

Eat See Hear - Pasadena
Save the clock tower!  Back to the Future  screens in Centennial Square at Pasadena City Hall.

Redondo Beach Summer Music Festival - Redondo Beach
Watch the sun set over Redondo Pier as Johnny Polanco y Su Amistad Conjunto perform.

Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions.- Griffith Park
Pokemon fans can experience the video game franchise in a unique symphonic performance at the Greek Theatre.
 
Language of the Heart  - Downtown
This free multi-cultural theatre project explores themes of diversity, hope, love and humor as a group of strangers find themselves trapped on a subway.

Free Summer Movie Series - Malibu
Who you gonna call? Malibu Country Mart sweetens the free screening of Ghostbusters with free candy and popcorn.

Electric Dusk Drive-In - Downtown
 E.T. phoned home.  He’s at a drive-in screening of E.T. at the City Market of LA. 
 
SUNDAY JULY 12

Free Day at PAM Pasadena
Pacific Asia Museum welcomes families for the Nepal Cultural Festival, with Nepalese folk songs, dance, storytime, special appearances and discussion about Nepal Earthquake relief.  

A Faery Hunt - Crestwood Hills Park - Brentwood
Talk about Christmas in July -  Santa Claus himself joins the hunt for faeries in Crestwood Hills Park.
 
Skirball Playdate: An Archaeology Adventure - West LA
Grab your trowel! Skirball visitors can search an outdoor dig site for buried objects to learn how people lived thousands of years ago
 
Family Flicks at the Hammer - Westwood
Classic cartoon shorts offer a unique spin on favorite characters from Madeline, Robin Hood, and Dr. Seuss.

L.A. Conservancy's Union Station Youth and Family Tours - Downtown
Family tours of Union Station offer insight into LA’s history.
 
Andell Family Sundays - Pencil It In: The Art of Ed Moses - Mid-Wilshire
Los Angeles artist Ed Moses finds inspiration in objects from around the world: you can, too.
 
Kids Run the Bases - Dodgers Home Game - Echo Park
The Dodgers play the Brewers, kids run the bases, and kids go home with a Dodgers hamper.
 
The Great Comic Caper: A Cartoon Art Workshop - Griffith Park
The Autry Center offers many action heroes, villains, and fantastical Western landscapes to inspire Western adventures.
 
Stories in the Afternoon - Pasadena
Henri walks to Paris to find inspiration.  You just have to go to Pasadena.

Sunday Movie Nights - Beverly Hills
Bon appetit! Beverly Canons Garden cooks up a free screening of Ratatouille.

And for your free summer concert music fix:
 
LevittLA Summer Concert Series - Children's Concerts in MacArthur Park - Downtown
Lucky Diaz & The Family Jam Band get kids moving at Levitt Pavilion - MacArthur Park

2015 Music in the Park - Laguna Beach
Bluebird Park starts its summer season with the Latin sounds of Los Pinguos.
 
Sizzlin' Summer Concert Series - Irvine
It’s a British invasion! Paperback Writer: the Beatles Experience plays Mike Ward Community Park - Woodbridge
 
Playa Vista Concert in the Park - Playa Vista
Jazz/funk/pop group Angel City Smooth performs in Concert Park.
 
Manhattan Beach Summer Concerts in the Park-  Manhattan Beach
Mira Costa Jazz Band plays at Polliwog Park Amphitheater.
 
South Pasadena Summer Concerts - South Pasadena
Grateful Dads rocks Garfield Park.
 
Sun Sets Concert Series at Calabasas Lake - Calabasas
The Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center is now Gold Rush Country.
 
Concerts on the Green - Woodland Hills
Why don’t you come to your senses, Desperado, and go see The Long Run: Experience the Eagles at Warner Center Park.
 
Sierra Madre Concerts in the Park - Sierra Madre
Decades of Rock performs favorite rock hits at Memorial Park Bandshell

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!