South Coast Botanic Garden - 8:00 AM
South Coast Botanic Garden - 8:00 AM
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Angeles Mesa Branch Library - 4:00 PM Pick
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Fun & Free Things to Do with LA Kids this Weekend: Bugs, Banjos and a Solar Eclipse, May 19 - 20
From Bugs to Banjos, Los Angeles has it all this weekend.
Reminding us that LA is just a collection of small towns, locals can celebrate at neighborhood festivals in Santa Monica and Hollywood.
Think you’re alone in your hobby? Not in this town! We’ve got festivals this weekend that celebrate interests of all kinds! Whether you’ve got a bee in your bonnet for bugs, or you’re silly for strawberries, there are tons of other eccentrics folks who think they're swell, too. There are hoedowns for those who sing the praises of strings, both the fiddling and puppet-wielding variety. And if you’re all about getting out and moving, you can find like-minded folk traveling by foot and by sea.
Think your hobby eclipses them all? You might be right, if you’re gazing skyward. We’ve got two places to view this weekend's solar eclipse, (just don’t look directly at it!)
Keep reading for our favorite picks for this weekend.
OUR LATEST VIDEOS
ALL WEEKEND
Bug Fair 2012 - Downtown
The Natural History Museum celebrates things winged and creepy-crawly with the biggest bug festival in North America.
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 and say hello to Strawberry Shortcake at this annual festival.
The Big Parade - Los Angeles
Put on your walking shoes and explore the many sights (and stairways!) of Los Angeles.
Renaissance Pleasure Faire - Irwindale
This is the last weekend to go back in time to the Elizabethan age without use of a time machine; if you're hoping to hit the Renaissance Faire before it closes, get thee to Sante Fe Dam.
Marina Fest 2012 - Marina del Rey
Families can try out the boating lifestyle for size, and enjoy activities such as free SCUBA lessons and stand-up paddleboarding instruction.
SATURDAY MAY 19
Hollywood Block Party - Hollywood
Locals can play tourist and check out the Hollywood hotspots, with free tours of the Kodak Theatre and Grauman's Chinese Theatre and free admission to Madame Tussauds.
Santa Monica Festival - Santa Monica
Families can enjoy performances, participate in workshops, join in some active fun, and nosh from gourmet vendors at this popular festival in Clover Park.
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.
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.
The Road to Bilingualism - West LA
Hoping to raise your kids to be bilingual? This informative discussion addresses the challenges and solutions of bilingualism for parents and children.
Halau O' Keikiali i - Downtown
World City’s latest installment takes families on a musical trip to Hawaii. Aloha!
LA Celebrates Puppetry 2012 - Tujunga
LA’s finest puppeteers gather for this festival at the McGroarty Arts Center.
SUNDAY MAY 20
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 .
51st 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.
Western Heritage Family Day: Conversations for Families - Griffith Park
Visitors to the Autry can learn about the contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander immigrants who made their home in the West.
Public Viewing of the Partial Solar Eclipse - Griffith Park
Not to alarm you or anything, but, um, where did the sun go? Folks are gathering at the Griffith Observatory to look at the moon-shaped spot in the sky where our closest star used to be.
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!
