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Fun & Free Events for LA Kids this Weekend: Los Feliz, Orange County, and the Civil War: July 21- 22

7/19/12 - By Toby B

This weekend, the war between North and South plays out in the Los Angeles area. Prepare yourselves for battles, bloodshed (simulated we hope), demonstrations of physical prowess and exceptional elocution, and in the end a resolution that is pleasing to all. No, I'm not talking about the Civil War reenactment in Long Beach, (though by all accounts it will be one for the history books); I am talking about the different communities of Southern California vying for your presence at their extraordinary events this weekend. And its not just North and South; there's some Eastside/ Westside tension to address as well.

We have the battle of the Shakespeares: Griffith Park with Winters Tale for the East, and West LA VA with As You Like It for the West. Outdoor movies: Costa Mesa’s Segerstrom Center's Movie Mondays vs. Hollywood’s Oscars Outdoors.  Costa Mesa’s Orange County Fair has formidable competition in Thousand Oak’s Tropical Daze Summer Music Festival; the Eastside’s Los Feliz Village Street Fair goes head to head with the Westside’s Montana Avenue Artwalk & Street Fair.

And who will the victors be? Well, that should be clear. With a plethora of choices the clear winners will be: Los Angeles families. 

Keep reading for some of our favorite picks for this weekend...

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

ALL WEEKEND

North vs. South Civil War Reenactment - Long Beach
History jumps out of the textbook and onto the battlefield as Long Beach’s El Dorado Regional Park East plays host to the largest Civil War reenactment ever held in this area.

Orange County Fair - Costa Mesa
The fun this weekend at the Orange County Fair includes a concert by Cody Simpson, a junior livestock auction, racing pigs, and tons of other family-friendly activities.

As You Like It - West Los Angeles
The Shakespeare Center puts the grounds of the Japanese Garden at the VA to good use as the backdrop for an open-air production of As You Like It. (Check out our review for the full scoop!)

Family Amphitheater Performances - West Los Angeles
This week’s offerings at the Skirball Cultural Center’s crowd-pleasing family-friendly performances include Chinese acrobat Jason Jiang (Saturday) and the highly interactive infectious rhythms of Rhythm Child (Sunday).

Take Flight - Santa Ana
Discovery Science Center is for the birds this week. Visitors can learn all about our fine feathered friends and even meet a few exotic specimens.

Montana Avenue Artwalk and Street Fair - Santa Monica
Montana Avenue transforms into a super-long art gallery for the third annual Montana Avenue Artwalk. Kids can even make a few masterpieces of their own.

Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival 2012 - Griffith Park
Winter’s Tale and A Midsummer Night’s Dream are in rotation this weekend. Theatre-goers can participate in a free family workshop on Friday (reservations recommended) and enjoy a performance by Invertigo Dance Theatre on Sunday.

SATURDAY JULY 21

The Journey of the Buddha - Pasadena
The road to enlightenment begins at the Norton Simon Museum of Art, where kids can learn about the life of the Buddha.

Marina Del Rey Summer Concert Series: Pop Saturdays - Marina Del Rey
A free concert with Shelby Lynne & Lisa Loeb? No way!  Yes way, on Mindanao Way, in Marina Del Rey's Burton Chace Park.

A Faery Hunt - Griffith Park - Griffith Park
When was the last time you went on a Faery Hunt? Methinks you might find a few in Griffith Park this Saturday.

25 Cent Family Flicks - Hollywood
Dig under those sofa cushions to find the two bits for a ticket to see Puss in Boots at Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

SUNDAY JULY 22

Hammer Kids: The Problem with Perfection - Westwood
Kids create their own fictional Utopias then examine the trouble sustaining them in this free workshop at the Hammer Museum.

Debi Derryberry - Topanga
Jimmy Neutron (or rather, the woman who gives him voice) performs at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum.

Los Feliz Village Street Fair - Los Feliz
Eclectic Los Feliz Village plays host to a fun festival on Hollywood Blvd featuring local shops and restaurants, with a carnival and other kid-friendly activities.

Summer Family Fun Series - Farmers Market at the Grove
Farmers Market’s biweekly family festival features performances by Melissa Green, a flower planting activity, and face painting.

Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band - Mid-Wilshire
Lucky Diaz & the Family Jam Band bring their hip-shaking, head-bopping brand of music to the Zimmer for some Sunday fun.

Family Flicks: My Friend Flicka - Westwood
Kids and horse lovers of all ages can enjoy a free screening of 1943’s My Friend Flicka at The Hammer Museum.

LevittLA Summer Concert Series - Children's Concerts - Downtown
Kiddle Karoo's Silly Monsters take center stage at his Sunday’s free concert in MacArthur Park. This kids’ puppet show includes silly monsters playing their favorite "rock and roar" songs.

Manhattan Beach Summer Concerts in the Park - Manhattan Beach
This week’s open-air concert  in Polliwog Park Amphitheater features TimeBomb, a classic rock cover band playing music from 1975-1985, the golden era of rock.

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