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Things To Do in LA this Weekend with Kids: Zoo Lights, Tree Lightings, Lego Escape

Holiday lights at the Los Angeles Zoo. Photo by Jamie Pham
Holiday lights at the Los Angeles Zoo. Photo by Jamie Pham
11/14/19 - By Toby B

The truth is about to come out. All of it: the trees, the lights, the lighted trees...

Maleficent may be on the way out in Hollywood, but next week winter is coming—or at least some Frozen version of it.

There's really no escaping it (though you could look for a way). When the jolly old elf comes calling, you best be in, and for heaven's sake clean up before he gets here—especially since in SoCal Santa can look a little different. 

Keep reading for our best picks for this weekend, truly...

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Things To Do All Weekend

Autumn Festival

Long Beach
The Aquarium of the Pacific celebrates Asian culture with its annual Autumn Festival. Families can learn about the arts, cuisine, cultures, and marine environments of Japan, China, Korea, and the Philippines. READ MORE

LA Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow

Griffith Park
Zoo Lights once again lights up the night with a holiday light display at the LA Zoo. The event transforms select areas of the zoo into an immersive landscape filled with spectacular lantern sculptures of animals among blooming flowers, towering trees, and more. READ MORE

First Responders Weekend

Pasadena
Kidspace celebrates and appreciates first responders with special guests and opportunities to learn more about who first responders are and what they do.  READ MORE

Kiddee Matinees

Hollywood
On Saturdays and Sundays, families can catch a matinee screening of a kid-friendly movie at the New Beverly Cinema.   READ MORE

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (PG)

Hollywood
Well, well...  if you're hoping to see Maleficent at the El Capitan, best get on it.  Now's your last chance before a cold front sets in! READ MORE

Moonlight Forest - Lantern Art Festival

Arcadia
Moonlight Forest hopes to return in 2021. The  Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanic Garden transforms into an evening wonderland: Moonlight Forest. New this year are the Ocean Visions exhibit with exotic fish and a giant shark, and the Polar Dreams experience featuring playful penguins and cuddly sled dogs. READ MORE

Tale of Turandot

Burbank
The Tale of Turandot incorporates puppetry, video projections, and original music in a modern production inspired by an ancient fairy tale. This magical and empowering story introduces Princess Turandot, a smart, courageous, and misunderstood young woman who wants a say in how her life unfolds. READ MORE

Laurel & Hardy Rare Early Silent Shorts

El Segundo
The Old Town Music Hall presents a collection of silent short films by comic greats Laurel & Hardy. All of the silent shorts are accompanied with live music from the Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Pipe Organ. READ MORE

LEGO Escape Room

Irvine
You're not getting out of... taking your kids to this free LEGO-inspired escape room experience.  READ MORE
Fashion Island's tree lighting. Photo courtesy of The Irvine Company
Fashion Island's tree lighting. Photo courtesy of The Irvine Company

Things To Do Saturday, November 16

Nothin' But Sand Beach Cleanup

Hermosa Beach
Kids can get involved and help the environment by participating in this monthly beach cleanup. The first event in 2024 is held at Malibu's Zuma Beach. READ MORE

LACCNAIC Pow wow

Downtown
This gathering in Grand Park celebrates the many cultures on the land of one of the first villages in Los Angeles. Highlights include arts and crafts vendors, dance contests, and native foods. READ MORE

Outlets at San Clemente Tree Lighting Celebration

San Clemente
 Santa and his reindeer host the Tree Lighting Celebration at the Outlets at San Clemente. READ MORE

Light Up Main Street

Newhall
Old Town Newhall is transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland as Main Street is filled with thousands of twinkling lights. Guests can shop, dine, and stroll, taking in the giant Christmas tree with over 3000 ornaments, a ribbon arch and light tunnels, and a 6-foot tall selfie frame. READ MORE

Santa Arrival at Westminster Mall

Westminster
Kids are invited to welcome Santa as he arrives at Westminster Mall in a Tesla! There are free goodies for the first 100 children and a special visit from some magical friends. READ MORE

Saturday Morning Stories and More

West LA
Erin go bookstore! Luke Robertson visits Children's Book World for a St. Patrick's Day storytime. Every Saturday morning Children's Book World offers free children's entertainment March 2020 schedule:      March 7: Andrew & Polly Mini-Concert (all ages) March 14: St. Patrick’s Day Storytime with Luke Robertson (ages 4 – 7) March 21: Kevin Noble Maillard Storytime & Signing (ages 3 – 7) March 28: Roda Ahmed Launch Party & Signing (ages 4 –... READ MORE

Family Matinees at the Vista Theatre

Los Feliz
I have the map! I have the map! And the day after tomorrow... The world! A young boy joins up with a group of Time Bandits who have a map that allows them to travel to different points in time, meeting up with Robin Hood, Napoleon, and ultimately a dark Time Lord in Terry Gilliam's Time Bandits. READ MORE

Promenade on the Peninsula Tree Lighting

Palos Verdes
Promenade on the Peninsula welcomes Santa Claus for its annual tree lighting.  The event includes performances, ice skating, hot cocoa, and kids games. READ MORE

Centennial Family Day

San Marino
Visitors can join the Centennial fun with a day of family-friendly art-making, performances, and concerts celebrating The Huntington at 100. READ MORE

Hands on History

Santa Monica
Kids learn about the iconic Santa Monica Pier in January's free workshop. READ MORE

L.O.L. Surprise! Winter Disco In-Store Event (Target)

Multiple Locations
Fans of all ages can visit Target to find the sparkle of the season at a special L.O.L. Surprise Winter Disco event. Kids can color cutout sunglasses and take a picture at the photo booth. Free giveaways of key chains and lip balms while supplies last. READ MORE
Acorn Festival. Photo courtesy of Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden
Acorn Festival. Photo courtesy of Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden

Things To Do Sunday, November 17

Christmas Celebration & Tree Lighting at The Grove

Fairfax
The Grove launches its holiday season with a spectacular tree lighting event, featuring all-star performances and a fireworks spectacular. This year the Grove partners with Hallmark Channel for its annual star-studded show. The magical evening features special performances by David Foster, Katharine McPhee, and other special guests. READ MORE

Acorn Festival

Claremont
The Acorn Festival is a family event that celebrates our connections to California native plants as well as the Native American peoples that tended the environments of California for millennia. READ MORE

Studio Ghibli Fest

Multiple Locations
Studio Ghibli animated classics return to theaters in this annual series. Screenings may either be subtitled or dubbed.  September's film is Howl's Moving Castle. READ MORE

Huntington Beach Miracle on Main Street Tree Lighting

Huntington Beach
HB Downtown fills the second block of Main Street with entertainment, holiday craft vendors, and cookies and cocoa. READ MORE

826LA@Hammer: Create a World: Setting in Film, Television, Plays, and Books

Westwood
Stories can be set anywhere, from made-up universes to one's own home. Kids create the world of their story, fleshing out details of setting and potential conflicts that make it real. READ MORE

Fowler Families: Express Yourself!

Westwood
How would you like the world to see you? Children of all ages are invited to answer this question while creating self-portraits illustrating how they would like to be seen by others—playing their favorite instrument, helping a friend, or whatever fits them! READ MORE

Silent Sundays at the Playhouse

San Gabriel
Ring the bells: Lon Chaney stars in the 1923 silent version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Mission Playhouse screens classic silent movies with live accompaniment on the beautiful 1924 Wurlitzer theater organ.  READ MORE

Enchanted: Forest of Light

La Canada-Flintridge
Enchanted: Forest of Light is an interactive, nighttime experience, featuring a one-mile walk through unique lighting displays throughout Descanso Gardens. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Old Town Newhall Library
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
Santa Monica History Museum
Participating Theaters, such as Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE
San Gabriel Mission Playhouse