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Photo courtesy of Brick Fest Live
Photo courtesy of Brick Fest Live
8/22/19 - By Toby B

We say good-bye to summer break as one after another our favorite seaonal series come to a close (or just start, for those who want to be contrary).  A new academic year is upon us, and those kids who aren't back in school will be soon enough.  

It's not just kids: whether you're 10 or 50, or old enough for the senior senior discount, you're feeling a change in the way the wind blows. Luckily, we've been through this rodeo enough to know it's never the end: the sun sets, only to rise again. Soon enough there will be a sequel or a live action remake.  

There's always something going on in the City of Angels, whether it's rocking, rolling, or floundering with questionable seaworthiness. We've got plenty to look forward to in the weeks and months ahead, but ah, those summer niiiiights.

Keep reading for our best end-of-summer picks for this weekend....

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Things To Do All Weekend

Fiesta La Ballona

Culver City
Culver City's premier community event, Fiesta La Ballona, treats families to outdoor concerts, carnival rides (wristbands available for purchase), a petting zoo, K-9 demonstrations, and pony rides all weekend long. Other highlights include a pancake breakfast and a magic show.  READ MORE

Pasadena Brick Fest Live

Pasadena
Brick Fest Live is a Lego Fan Experience for enthusiasts of all ages. Among the many brick-based highlights are life-size models, building activities, Lego car derbies, photo ops, and more. Exclusive merchandise is available for purchase.  READ MORE

Pretend City’s 10th Birthday 10 Day Countdown

Irvine
Pretend City is celebrating 10 years of memories and mission moments! For the 10 days leading up to the birthday, Pretend City is organizing special birthday activities, dance parties, and a scavenger hunt.   READ MORE

Toy Story Tempest

Culver City
Clean up, clean up, everybody everywhere: It's time to put this year's Actor's Gang production of Toy Story Tempest away.  READ MORE

LevittLA Summer Concert Series in MacArthur Park

Downtown
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

Kiddee Matinees

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

Circus Vargas: The Greatest of Ease (Arcadia)

Arcadia
The Circus is in town! Circus Vargas is raising its tent at Santa Anita Park.  Circus Vargas’ 50th anniversary extravaganza is an homage to the golden era of circus in America. READ MORE

Skate Rattle and Roll Retro Roller Rink

Downtown
For one weekend only, guests can lace up and step back in time for an old-fashioned roller-skating experience, as Union Station transforms its historic ticket course into a Retro Roller Rink. READ MORE
Creativity and team pride are both fierce at the cardboard yacht regatta. Photo by Jason Abraham courtesy of Annenberg Beach House
Creativity and team pride are both fierce at the cardboard yacht regatta. Photo by Jason Abraham courtesy of Annenberg Beach House

Things To Do Saturday, August 25

Cardboard Yacht Regatta

Santa Monica
The Annenberg Community Beach House hosts its annual Cardboard Yacht Regatta. Teams of two construct yachts from cardboard and duct tape, vying for awards in a variety of categories before racing across the vintage pool. Spectators are welcome, and it's loads of fun to watch! READ MORE

Leimert Park Book Fair

Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw
Book lovers, families, and fans of all ages converge to celebrate the writings of great authors, poets, and artists during this day long festival at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. This year's Book Fair Ambassador is Laila Ali. READ MORE

Dog Days @ the Library

Santa Monica
Santa Monica Library celebrates puppy love with four-legged fun for all ages, including Family Story Time with Mayor Gleam Davis. READ MORE

AMC Theatres Sensory Friendly Films

Multiple Locations: The Angry Birds Movie 2
Select AMC Theatres show current releases in a special monthly screening for families affected by autism. The program provides a special opportunity for families to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment. READ MORE

A Boy Named Charlie Brown (Aero)

Santa Monica
Good grief! The Aero screens A Boy Named Charlie Brown in celebration of the film's 50th Anniversary. READ MORE

OC Center Stage

Costa Mesa
Orange County's rising stars showcase their skills in this countywide talent competition. Aspiring local artists in dance and music  show off their best moves and beats on the Argyros Stage for a chance to win a grand prize of $1,000. READ MORE

Redondo Beach Summer Music Festival 2024

Redondo Beach: The Morning Yells (West Coast Folk Rock)
The free concerts on Redondo Beach Pier come with an added bonus: the chance to see the sun set over the ocean. Thursday night concerts feature tribute bands. READ MORE

OC 626 Night Market

Costa Mesa
OC Night Market features food, merchandise, arts and crafts, games, music, and entertainment that appeals to all ages. READ MORE

Summer Reading Finale Concert with David Tobocman

Santa Monica
Santa Monica Public Library's Fairview Branch closes out its summer reading program with a performance by David Tobocman. READ MORE

Marina Del Rey Summer Symphonic Concerts 2023

Marina del Rey: Kiss Me, Kate (last one!)
The symphonic concerts at Burton Chace Park have a classical flair. The waterfront park makes a lovely setting for a picnic; bring your blanket and low-back chairs and don't forget your jackets (it can get pretty chilly at night!). This year's concerts celebrate Video Game Music,  Music in Film, and JazzAntiqua. READ MORE

Movies in the Park: Pacific Palisades

Pacific Palisades: The Incredibles 2
I have seen gods fly. I have seen men build weapons that I couldn't even imagine. I have seen aliens drop from the sky. But I have never seen anything like this: Black Panther screening at Palisades Rec Center.  READ MORE

Eat See Hear

Beverly Hills: Say Anything Glendale: Beauty and the Beast
Eat See Hear screens favorite films on the "largest outdoor movie screen West of the Mississippi," featuring the only 52-foot wide image on an outdoor screen in LA, with full digital, high-definition projection and audio every week. This year's film selections include Jurassic Park and Ratatouille. READ MORE

City of Inglewood‎ Movies in the Park

Inglewood: The Sandlot
The City of Inglewood hosts free family-friendly movies in a variety of outdoor locations. The evenings include pre-show activities including a magic show, a karate demonstration and other games and activities. Guests should bring blankets and lawn chairs. Food trucks offer food for purchase. READ MORE
Outdoor Art Moves at the UCLA Sculpture Garden. Photo courtesy of Hammer Museum
Outdoor Art Moves at the UCLA Sculpture Garden. Photo courtesy of Hammer Museum

Things To Do Sunday, August 26

Kids Koncerts at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum

Topanga: The Hollow Trees
The summer series closes out with a performance by Mista Cookie Jar. READ MORE

23rd Annual Elvis Festival

Garden Grove
The 23rd Annual Elvis Festival returns to Historic Main Street in Garden Grove for an all-day tribute to Elvis Presley.  READ MORE

Outdoor Art Moves

Westwood
Families can connect with art and nature at the UCLA Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden. Participants discover relationships between nature, art, and the creative process as choreographer/ movement director Zoe Rappaport guides families through movement activities. READ MORE

Sizzlin’ Summer Nights

San Fernando: celebrating the City of San Fernando Birthday !
The Sizzlin’ Summer Nights series offers free concerts in San Fernando Recreation Park with interactive JAM sessions for all. READ MORE

Monrovia Summer Concerts in the Park: Sunday Concerts

Monrovia: The Answer, (Classic Rock Band) (last one!)
On Sundays, Monrovia's Summer Concert Series is held at Library Park with an eclectic mix of bands. READ MORE

Sun Sets Concert Series at Calabasas Lake 2024

Calabasas: Fantastic Diamond (Neil Diamond tribute) (last one!)
Families set up and picnic before concerts on the Calabasas Lake Greenbelt adjacent to the Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center. READ MORE

Summer Concerts (Rancho Los Cerritos)

Long Beach: The Band of the California Battalion (last one!)
The Band of the California Battalion performs a free concert at Rancho Los Cerritos.  Come early for picnicking! READ MORE

Laguna Beach's 2024 Music in the Park

Laguna Beach: LA Sound Machine (Gloria Estefan Tribute) (last one!)
Bluebird Park in Laguna Beach offers free family-friendly concerts on Sundays throughout the summer.   READ MORE

Studio Ghibli Fest 2024

Multiple Venues: My Neighbor Totoro
Studio Ghibli animated classics return to theaters in this annual series. Screenings may either be subtitled or dubbed.  August's first film is Ponyo, a fish out of water tale. READ MORE

Movies on the Lawn at Irvine Spectrum

Irvine: Grease (last one!)
Ohana means family.  Family means you take your kids to see Lilo and Stitch. Irvine Spectrum hosts family-friendly movies on the Giant Wheel Lawn on Sundays this summer.   READ MORE

Manhattan Beach Summer Concerts in the Park 2024

Manhattan Beach: Hot August Night (Neil Diamond Tribute)
Manhattan Beach's concerts in Polliwog Park come to a close with the Blue Breeze Band, playing Motown, R&B, Jazz, funk and more. READ MORE

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Multiple Locations
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

Places featured in this article:

Pasadena Convention Center
Pretend City Children's Museum
Santa Monica Library - Main Branch
AMC Theatres - Participating Locations
Argyros Plaza at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
OC Fair and Event Center
Santa Monica Library - Fairview Branch
Rotating Locations: Santa Monica High School
Various locations in Inglewood, including North Park
Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden
The Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center
Participating Theaters, such as Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE
National Parks - Multiple Locations