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Free in September: Moon Festival, KidFest, and More Free Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids

It's time for the Annual Chinatown Moon Festival! Photo courtesy of dola.com
It's time for the Annual Chinatown Moon Festival! Photo courtesy of dola.com
9/2/22 - By Brian Steele

Just because school is in session doesn't mean that there aren't plenty of fun (and free) things to do in Los Angeles with kids this month. Save your money for those Halloween costumes, bags of Halloween candy, and a giant inflatable skeleton for your yard, because we have all sorts of ways to enjoy the city in September without dipping into your rainy day fund. Celebrate the harvest moon at a local festival, watch the Malibu 2XU triathlon, dance around at a free outdoor kids club, check out a museum you've never been to on a free admission day, or catch an outdoor movie or concert before the weather turns cold. With our guide, it's easy to make this a free and easy September to remember. 

Plus, we are always adding free events to our Los Angeles event calendar as they pop up, and we keep all our roundups of free outings for families in our Guide to Free Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids.

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Help keep our beaches clean on Coastal Cleanup Day. Photo courtesy of Heal the Bay Aquarium
Help keep our beaches clean on Coastal Cleanup Day. Photo courtesy of Heal the Bay Aquarium

Free Things To Do in Los Angeles This September

Harvest Day at The Vineyards Porter Ranch

Thursday, September 15
Porter Ranch
Celebrate the wine harvest at The Vineyards with this fun Third Thursday event on the lawn. The grape-themed party includes a 50's-style Doo-Wop group performing live music, and a Lucille Ball impersonator who recreates the iconic grape stomping scene from a 1956 "I Love Lucy" episode. Children can look forward to plenty of free grape-flavored treats! READ MORE

Beach Streets Long Beach

Saturday, September 17
Long Beach
For one incredible day, the streets of Long Beach close to motorized vehicles. Wander through the typically busy streets of Long Beach to find a new restaurant, explore new shops, or take in the scenery without the danger of oncoming traffic. Grab your roller skates, bikes, or just your best walking shoes for a slow-paced tour of Long Beach. READ MORE

Conejo KidFest & Family Wellness Day

Saturday, September 17
Westlake Village
Conejo KidFEST & Family Wellness Day brings families together for a day of fun, wellness, and learning in Mae Boyar Park in Oak Park.  Highlights of this community celebration include vendors, glitter tattoos, a super hero & princess party, storytime, craft stations, lawn games, spinning wheels, and fitness demos & challenges. READ MORE

Coastal Cleanup Day 2024

Saturday, September 17
60+ sites throughout SoCal
Coastal Cleanup Day organizes in-person group cleanups at coastal, inland*, and river sites throughout L.A. County. Volunteers pitch in at a variety of clean-up sites, removing the plastic bags, cigarette butts, and soda cans that sully our shores and waterways.  READ MORE

Monrovia Friday Night Family Street Fair

Fridays in September
Monrovia
Every Friday night, Old Town Monrovia transforms Myrtle Avenue into a family-friendly street fair with live entertainment, shopping, food, and kids' crafts. The first Friday of every month is kids' night with special events specifically for your littles.  READ MORE
It's the last chance to catch free Shakespeare in the park this year!
It's the last chance to catch free Shakespeare in the park this year!

Free Fairs and Festivals in Los Angeles in September

2024 Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival

Thursday - Sunday, September 1 - 4
Griffith Park
All the world's a stage, including Griffith Park. Free Shakespeare returns to Griffith Park for a full summer of theater under the stars. This year the festival puts on one show: As You Like It.   READ MORE

Orange International Street Festival

Friday - Sunday, September 2 - 4
Orange
Fancy some Italian food Labor Day weekend? Maybe hoping for some Asian fare? Mexican? Irish? Greek? Lebanese? The Orange International Street Fair has all that and more. With more than a dozen ethnic streets, there's something to please every taste. READ MORE

Huntington Beach Civil War Days

Saturday & Sunday, September 3 & 4
Huntington Beach
The Huntington Beach Historical Society commemorates the anniversary of the Civil War with a weekend-long living history re-enactment of the War Between the States. READ MORE

Annual Chinatown Moon Festival

Saturday, September 17
Chinatown
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Zhongqiu Festival, is a popular harvest festival celebrated in China for over 3,000 years.  READ MORE

2XU Malibu Triathlon

Saturday & Sunday, September 17 & 18
Malibu
The Malibu Triathlon is an epic two-day event that attracts Hollywood celebrities, professional athletes, and triathletes from all over the country. Anyone can come and watch the action while enjoying a beautiful day at Zuma beach. Kids can play at the fun zone with crafts, games, and a photo booth. READ MORE
See a movie on the beach while warm evenings linger. Photo courtesy of Newport Dunes
See a movie on the beach while warm evenings linger. Photo courtesy of Newport Dunes

Free Outdoor Movies and Concerts in LA in September

OC Parks Sunset Cinema Movie Series 2024

Friday, September 2
Dana Point
OC Parks summer movie series closes out with The Goonies in Dana Point. OC Parks screens free family-friendly movies at rotating locations on Fridays this summer. This year's selections include recent releases Wonka, Barbie, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, as well as classics such as 13 Going on 30 and The Goonies READ MORE

Newport Dunes Movies on the Beach

Friday & Saturday, September 2 & 3
Newport Beach
Movies on the Beach is back! Families can watch family-friendly films on the sand at Newport Dunes Resort. The opening weekend selections are Shrek and The Parent Trap. READ MORE

LevittLA Summer Concert Series in MacArthur Park

Saturday & Sunday, September 3 & 4
Los Angeles
They're back! LevittLA once again brings a series of free summer concerts to MacArthur Park. All of this summer's concerts are on Saturday nights. Performers come from a range of genres including cumbia, rock, ska, alternative and indie rock, soul and funk, and reggae. READ MORE

2024 Summer Concerts in the Park at Conejo Community Park

Monday, September 5
Thousand Oaks
It may get a little chilly in the evenings, but the music at Conejo Community Park is hot!  READ MORE

La Habra Movies in the Park 2024

Friday, September 23
La Habra
The city of La Habra shows free movies this summer at different parks. This season's highlights include  recent releases such as Disney's Wish, TMNT: Mutant Mayhem, and Migration​. READ MORE

Moorpark Summer 2024 Movies in the Park

Friday, September 23
Moorpark
Moorpark's Movies in the Park are free to attend, no tickets are required. Guests can arrive early to enjoy food vendors, photo ops and pre-show activities. READ MORE

Beach Movie Nights

Fridays in September
Dockweiler Youth Center
On the sand, by the waves, under the stars: Dockweiler Youth Center screens free family movies all summer. For the last screening, the trolls band together for Trolls Band Together. Films for 2024 include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem​, Migration, Lilo and Stitch, and Wish. READ MORE

Grand Performances Summer 2024

Saturdays through September 24
Los Angeles
Grand Performances returns with free outdoor performances celebrating diversity and inspiring community. Guests are treated to music, dance, art, theater, and poetry at California Plaza. READ MORE

Americana in the Park Concert Series 2024

Sundays through September 25
Santa Monica
Santa Monica partners with McCabe’s Guitar Shop for another season of this concert series in Gandara Park. The Americana in the Park series explores Americana music from its roots to modern forms. READ MORE
Kids can explore and play at Kidspace. Photo courtesy of Kidspace Museum
Kids can explore and play at Kidspace. Photo courtesy of Kidspace Museum

Free Museum Days in LA in September

Free First Fridays at Kidspace

Friday, September 2
Pasadena
Families can enjoy a free night at Kidspace on the first Friday of the month. This museum regularly introduces new exhibits and celebrations, such as Butterfly Season in early spring.  November's event is Día de los Muertos themed. READ MORE

Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day

Saturday, September 17
Various museums in and around LA
Please note: Museum Day is being paused for 2023. Look for the event's return in 2024. READ MORE

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Saturday, September 24
Multiple national parks in and around LA
On select days throughout the year, all national parks are open to the public with no admission fee. Veterans Day marks the last freebie for 2024.  READ MORE

Free Day at MOLAA

Every Sunday in September
Long Beach
Please note that on December 31, MOLAA closes at 2pm. The museum is open for free on Sunday. Families can explore Latin American culture through art workshops, live performances, and gallery tours; activities vary by week. READ MORE
Free weekday entertainment is at the Kids Club Concert Series at Santa Monica Place. Photo courtesy of the event
Free weekday entertainment is at the Kids Club Concert Series at Santa Monica Place. Photo courtesy of the event

Free Los Angeles Kids Clubs in September

Kids Club Concert Series at Santa Monica Place

Wednesday, September 7
Santa Monica
Twinkle Time hosts the monthly kids club concert series at Santa Monica Place Each month, Twinkle Time performs and introduces  a different kindie music guest artist or band. READ MORE

Monthly Kids Club at The Point

Thursday, September 15
El Segundo
The Point Kid's Club is held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from May through October. The themed events include live entertainment, face painting, balloon twisting, strolling characters, and more. In October, it's a Trick-or-Treat festival! READ MORE

Bella Terra Kids Club

Every Monday in September
Huntington Beach
Bella Terra in Huntington Beach hosts kids' club activities on the Green, including crafts, story time, and fun performances. READ MORE

Manhattan Village Kids Club

Every Tuesday in September
Manhattan Beach
Kids, parents and caregivers are invited to experience a fun adventure with Manhattan Village and  Wild Child Gym. Kids can get those wiggles out through a variety of games, music, movement, creative and imaginary play. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Griffith Park - site of the Old Zoo
Various OC Parks, such as Craig Park
Various Locations in La Habra, including Portola Park
Kidspace Children's Museum
multiple locations throughout California & the US
National Parks - Multiple Locations