Celebrate the art of puppetry at The Skirball. Puppet Festival photo by Ben Gibbs, courtesy of the Skirball Cultural Center
Disney on Ice, Arts & Literacy Festival, and More Top Things To Do in Los Angeles This Weekend
Enjoy Mother's Day at the Getty Villa. Photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins
37 Things To Do on Mother's Day 2024 in Los Angeles
Strawberries are that much sweeter when you pick them yourself. Photo courtesy of the Carlsbad Strawberry Company, Facebook
Go Strawberry Picking near Los Angeles: Family Farms Where Kids Can Pick Berries
GUIDE
Los Angeles Summer Camp Guide
Treat mom to Mother's Day brunch on the coast. Photo courtesy of Terranea Resort
Best Mother’s Day Brunch in Los Angeles
Watch the puppet masters at Bob Baker Day. Photo by Chloe Rice, courtesy of the Bob Baker Marionette Theater
Best Free and Fun Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids April 2024
Amplify’s one-of-a-kind music and arts camp attracts deeply creative kids from California and around the world.
  VIDEO
This Top LA Area Music and Arts Camp Still Has Spots Open
Photo courtesy of The Flower Fields of Carlsbad
GUIDE
Spring Fun Guide for LA & OC Kids
Even in a dry year, California is bursting with gorgeous colors in the spring!
Stunning Spring Wildflower Hikes near Los Angeles
Dino Valley means jurassic fun in LEGOLAND for kids of all ages.
NEW Dino Valley in LEGOLAND is Open for T-Rex-Sized Fun
Where else are kids going to learn archery, besides summer camp? Photo courtesy of Tom Sawyer Camp
Best Summer Day Camps in Los Angeles
Wander to a local waterfall, with excited kids in tow.
Best Waterfall Hikes Near Los Angeles for Families
Get your game on at sports summer camps. Photo courtesy of Saken Sports Camp
Top Sports Summer Camps in Los Angeles: Soccer Summer Camps, Baseball Camps, and More
Photo by Bill Soistmann
GUIDE
Los Angeles Visitors' Guide for Families
Dive into fun at the Cayton Children's Museum. Photo by Matthew Tucciarone
Best Children's Museums in Los Angeles and Orange County
Right this way to all the free fun in LA, especially at the Griffith Observatory! Photo by Gina Ragland
100 Fun Free Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids
Everything at the Cayton has been carefully crafted with one goal in mind: to help create a better world through the power of play.
Guide to the Cayton Children’s Museum in Santa Monica–A Parent Review
Step into an
NEW American Girl Store Opens in Los Angeles
Imaginative play for preschoolers is music to our ears. Photo courtesy of Pretend City
39 Things To Do with Preschoolers in Los Angeles Before They Turn 5
This 3 day itinerary will make you fall in love with LA. Photo by Roberto Nickson, via Pexels
3 Days in Los Angeles with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Visit LACMA's Levitated Mass. Photo by Joey Zanetti
100 Things To Do in Los Angeles Before Kids Grow Up

Free in October: 25 Totally Free Things To Do with Kids in Los Angeles this Month

Acorn Day photo courtesy of OC Parks
Acorn Day photo courtesy of OC Parks
10/1/19 - By Brian Steele

October sees the arrival of spooky season here in Los Angeles, which means you're already committed to spending on costumes and candy. If you don't have a lot of spare cash to spend beyond the trick-or-teating, no problem; there's still plenty of free fun to be had by the whole family. From Halloween happenings to sweater weather shenanigans, you can hit the town without hitting the bank. Here are just a few of the free events happening this month—look for more free fun on our ultimate Halloween event list.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Free Events in LA this Month

Carousel Unicorn Unveiling

Friday 10/04/2019
Care to take a spin on a unicorn? Irvine Spectrum Center unveils the newest creature on its Carousel. Guests are invited to celebrate with free carousel rides from 10am - Noon.     READ MORE

Acorn Day

Saturday 10/05/2019
Acorn Day is a free, family-friendly day under the oaks at O’Neill Regional Park, full of  activities for every age. READ MORE

Ticket to the Twenties

Saturday 10/05/2019 & Sunday 10/6/2019
The Homestead Museum's annual festival celebrates the Roaring 20s in a weekend filled with music, dancing, silent films, crafts, historic house tours, games, demonstrations, and more. READ MORE

Learn & Grow Health, Education, and Special Needs Expo

Saturday 10/5/2019
Learn & Grow Expo is a free family event at which families can find over 60 exhibitors focusing on health, education, and special needs. Attendees can take advantage of free health screenings.  READ MORE

Say NO Bullying Festival

Saturday 10/5/2019
The 8th annual Say NO Bullying Festival brings together kids, teens, and adults for an outdoor extravaganza that features empowerment messages from anti-bullying activists,  musical talent, resource booths, food, and a massive group of supporters who together say no to bullying. READ MORE

CicLAvia - Heart of LA

Sunday 10/06/2019
CicLAvia revisits its Heart of LA route. The 7.8-mile route connects Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Historic Core of DTLA, South Park, the 6th Street Viaduct, and Boyle Heights. READ MORE

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Sea Fair

Sunday 10/06/2019
The annual celebration of the sea at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium offers ocean-related activities throughout the day. Highlights include face-painting and ocean-themed crafts and activities; guests can learn how to cast a fishing rod. READ MORE

Feria de los Moles

Sunday 10/06/2019
Gloria Molina Grand Park welcomes La Feria de los Moles, the largest annual Mexican food festival in the US. For the 16th year, Angelenos have the chance to taste the different flavors of Mexico.  READ MORE

Sunset Walk & Talk

Wednesday 10/09/2019
Each month the Griffith Observatory offers a sunset hike led by a park ranger and museum guide. The hike starts on the Observatory West Terrace, proceeds up the Charlie Turner trail to the Berlin Forest on the hill just north of the Observatory, and then returns to the West Terrace. READ MORE

Reyes Adobe Days

Thursday 10/10/2019 through Sunday 10/13/2019
Reyes Adobe Days returns! The weekend-long celebration of California's heritage doesn't scrimp on the fun, with a parade, pony rides, and a petting zoo. READ MORE

ArtNight Pasadena

Friday 10/11/2019
Pasadena's Art Night is once again a go! Select museums and institutions in Pasadena, (including the Pasadena Public Library, USC Pacific Asia Museum, and Armory Center for the Arts) open their doors for this free semi-annual event. READ MORE

Fall Festival (Original Farmers Market)

Saturday 10/12/2019
Kids can enjoy the wonders of a country fair in the middle of the city. The Original Farmers Market on Fairfax plays host to the Fall Festival, featuring such family-friendly attractions as a pumpkin patch, farm animals, fall-themed games, kids crafts, photo ops, and live entertainment.  READ MORE

Prehistoric OC

Saturday 10/12/2019
The OC goes way back.... Prehistoric OC is a free family-friendly event exploring the natural and cultural history of Orange County. Guests can enjoy fun and educational activities presented by OC Parks archaeologists and paleontologists along with exhibitors from local cultural, paleontological and geological organizations. READ MORE

Depot Day 2023

Sunday 10/13/2019
Depot Day is Travel Town's annual celebration and open house. Highlights include performances by local high school bands, a giant indoor & outdoor train displays, tours of historic railway passenger cars, woodcarver and blacksmith demonstrations, and the chance to see restoration work in progress! READ MORE

Free Day at the Arboretum

Tuesday 10/15/2019
Free Day at the Arboretum has become so popular that tickets must now be booked in advance.  READ MORE

Cinemalibu

Saturday 10/19/2019
Game on: the first Cinemalibu screening at Malibu Bluffs Park this summer is Space Jam, (the 1996 version). READ MORE

Water Harvest Festival

Saturday 10/26/2019 10:00
The Water Harvest Festival is back as an in-person event, held at the front parking lot of the Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility. This year's event welcomes community members to enjoy a day of free family-friendly activities including: tours of the water recycling facility, stage shows, interactive water education booths, games, kids’ costume contests, and opportunity drawings. READ MORE

Bounce-A-Mania

Saturday 10/26/2019
Reed Park turns into a “Bounce-A-Mania” Park as the grass area is transformed into a Bounce House fun zone. READ MORE

Marina Spooktacular

Saturday-Sunday October 26-27, 2019
The Department of Beaches & Harbors presents this year's Marina Spoktacular, Harvest Delights & Nighttime Frights. The family-friendly harvest celebration takes place during the day, followed by spine-tingling thrills at night. READ MORE

Pumpkin Race Festival

Sunday 10/27/2019
The city of Manhattan Beach holds its annual Pumpkin Race on the pier. Families are encouraged to attend in costume and create their own crazy pumpkin race cars at the pier's colorful Pumpkinrace Land. READ MORE

Haute Dog Howl'oween Parade

Sunday 10/27/2019
The parade for animal charities features more than 500 dogs in colorful costumes.​ Even for folks who don't normally venture down Long Beach way, some of these canine costumes really are worth the drive. The Haute Dog Howl'oween Parade claims to be the "World's Largest Halloween Pet Event."  This year's event is held in a new location: the former Belmont Pool grassy area and paths. READ MORE

Growl-o-ween

Sunday 10/27/2019
The Dog Bakery hosts its annual Growl-o-ween event, inviting Pasadena pooches to don costumes and strut their puppy stuff. Dogs (and their creative owners) parade down Mills Alley and along Colorado Blvd., followed by a costume contest back at the store. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Multiple Hubs, including Mariachi Plaza
Reyes Adobe Park and throughout Agoura Hills
Multiple Venues in Pasadena
Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility