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To the top of the pumpkin pile at Tanaka Farms! Photo by Arianna Menon
To the top of the pumpkin pile at Tanaka Farms! Photo by Arianna Menon
9/19/19 - By Toby B

I'm sorry, but do you EVER clean up? Look around you—this place is a mess! Well, this weekend we are putting our foot down. You are getting yourself to the coastline (or possibly an inland waterway) to do your part, pitch in, and clean up. The Coastal Cleanup is a simple way for the whole family to participate in making the world a better place. (This week the beach; next week their rooms.)

I'm not saying there's any reason you have to clean up now in particular, though it might have something to do with the parade of pumpkins making their way toward every doorstep near you, in preparation for October (fest). Hey, did we mention the spiders? Yeah, you're probably gonna wanna clean.

If you do a good job, then rewards await you. You can delve into dinosaurs and race with rubber duckies; you can solve a problem like Maria and the puzzle of getting into museums for free. We appreciate you (we're not the only ones), and we want the best for you. Such as... the cleanest picks for this weekend's events.

Keep reading to find them.

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Learn crafts from the original Californians, coastal Native Americans, at the Moompetam Festival. Photo courtesy of the Aquarium of the Pacific
Learn crafts from the original Californians, coastal Native Americans, at the Moompetam Festival. Photo courtesy of the Aquarium of the Pacific

Things To Do All Weekend

Dino Fest

Exposition Park
Who ya callin' extinct? Dino Fest comes roaring back to the Natural History Museum. The Natural History Museum hosts a festival celebrating dinosaurs, their prehistoric past, and the science that brings their world back to life.  READ MORE

Moompetam: Celebrating Coastal Native Americans

Long Beach
Aquarium of the Pacific hosts its 19th annual Moompetam Festival, celebrating the indigenous California maritime cultures, including Tongva, Chumash, Acjachemen, Costanoan, Luiseno, and Kumeyaay. READ MORE

Pasadena Greek Fest

Pasadena
All weekend Saint Anthony's Church hosts the Pasadena Greek Fest, a celebration of Hellenic culture. READ MORE

Bob Baker’s Hallowe'en Spooktacular

Highland Park
A beloved Bob Baker tradition returns! The Bob Baker Marionettes presents Hallowe'en Spooktacular, a family-friendly musical revue, set to haunting and jazzy holiday-themed tunes celebrating nearly every decade. READ MORE

Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch

Irvine
Tanaka Farms is one of the only farms in Orange County with a real pumpkin patch where kids can pick their own pumpkins out in the field. Get ready to stay up late for Pumpkin Patch Nights! On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, starting October 4, the patch stays open til 9pm. READ MORE

Community Appreciation Weekend

Moorpark
America's Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College invites community members to experience the zoo free of charge this weekend. READ MORE

The Nightmare Before Christmas (PG)

Hollywood
Jack Skellington returns for his annual appearance at the El Capitan: how spooky is that! The El Capitan adds ookie-spooky 4D effects to screenings. Plus, guests can enjoy specialty concession items, a display of props from favorite Halloween movies,and a themed photo op. The classic animated short The Skeleton Dance is shown before the movie. READ MORE

LA County Fair

Pomona
The Los Angeles County Fair returns for the 2024 season, once again held  in the cooler month of May. This year's theme is “Stars, Stripes & Fun." READ MORE

LA Harbor Boat Show

San Pedro
This four-day boating event features boats of all types along with 60 booths offering accessories and gadgets, educational seminars, as well as food trucks and a craft beer garden.  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
Last call for LA Fair! Photo courtesy of LA County Fair
Last call for LA Fair! Photo courtesy of LA County Fair

Things To Do Saturday, September 21

Coastal Cleanup Day 2024

Multiple Locations
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

Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day

Multiple Venues
Imagine Nation, A Museum Early Learning Center will open its doors free of charge to all Museum Day ticketholders on Saturday September 21, 2019 as part of Smithsonian magazine’s 15th annual Museum Day. READ MORE

The Fair on Richmond Street

El Segundo
The Fair on Richmond Street is a fun annual street fair. READ MORE

The Sound of Music Sing-a-Long at the Bowl

Hollywood
These are a few of my favorite things: raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens, and the Sound of Music Sing-a-Long at the Hollywood Bowl. Where else do you get to work your inner Julie Andrews under the stars? READ MORE

Spring Equinox

Griffith Park
Each time the seasons change, the Griffith Observatory presents brief talks at  local noon (in the Gottlieb Transit Corridor) and sunset (on the West Terrace). READ MORE

Cinespia at Hollywood Forever

Hollywood: Moulin Rouge +fireworks
Hollywood Forever Cemetery offers a unique location to see outdoor movies, as Cinespia presents classic films on select days throughout the summer. The films are projected onto the walls of a mausoleum, which houses the earthly remains of departed Hollywood luminaries. READ MORE

Pasadena Loves YA

Pasadena
This annual YA book event features panels, signings, giveaways, and the opportunity to meet the authors. READ MORE

Yorba Linda Movies in the Park

Yorba Linda: Wonder Park
Yorba Linda hosts free monthly movies in the park shown on a giant inflatable screen. The screenings begin at dusk at either Eastside Community Park or Hurless Barton Park. READ MORE

Helms Sunset Cinema

Culver City: Back to the Future
I'll be right here. At the Helms Bakery. Watching a free screening of E.T. READ MORE

Marina Del Rey Free Movie Nights

Marina del Rey:
Free outdoor movie nights return to Marina Del Rey's Burton Chace Park. The waterfront park makes a lovely setting for a picnic to watch films under the stars. Fire up the DeLorian for the opening night film, Back to the Future 2. READ MORE

National Dance Day Celebration 2024

Costa Mesa
Just announced!  The official teaching artists for this year's routine are Cyrus "Glitch" Spencer (runner up of So You Think You Can Dance Season 9), and Lauren Froderman, (winner of So You Think You Can Dance Season 7)! Dance your way down to Costa Mesa for the Annual National Dance Day celebration.  Attendees can learn this year’s official National Dance Day routine at this event, which features live performances by local groups, as well as inclusive and interactive dance lessons in a wide variety of dance... READ MORE
It's Tiny Tot Olympics time! Photo courtesy of the City of Malibu
It's Tiny Tot Olympics time! Photo courtesy of the City of Malibu

Things To Do Sunday, September 22

Tiny Tot Olympics

Malibu
It's never too early to go for the gold! Kids as young as two can participate in this fun-filled event. Opening ceremonies are followed by the running of the torch and a group stretch. Little athletes can then participate in a variety of athletic events. READ MORE

Kids Koncerts at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum

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

Andrew & Polly

Santa Monica
Andrew & Polly play at McCabe's with a full band and special guests The Gabes to celebrate the release of their brand new album, Go for the Moon.   READ MORE

Family Flicks at the Hammer

Westwood: The Point!
UCLA's Hammer Museum presents a free family screening each month.  October's film Microcosmos takes a closeup look at the hidden world of insects and other tiny creatures.  READ MORE

7th annual m.a.r.y.'s day

Reseda
Making the Arts Real for Youth Foundation holds its 7th annual m.a.r.y.’s day event – a day filled with fun activities and fundraising for m.a.r.y. foundation.  READ MORE

Sea Otter Awareness Week

San Pedro
During Sea Otter Awareness Week, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium offers visitors a chance to get an inside look at this amazing marine mammal.   READ MORE

Kids Run the Bases - Dodgers Home Game

Echo Park
Kids ages 5-14 get to run the bases after most daytime Dodger home games on Sundays.    READ MORE

Run, Walk & Roll 2023

Griffith Park
Shane's Inspiration's Annual Walk & Roll celebrates 26 years of bringing the joy of play to children of all abilities through social inclusion. Teams of ALL abilities are invited to the 4K Fun Run, Walk & Roll on the streets of Griffith Park, along with special guests and buddies. The event also features an exhibition fair, free t-shirts, a free raffle, free refreshments and goodie bags for the kids.  This year's Grand Marshal is Diona Reasonover (aka Kasie Hines from NCIS).   READ MORE

Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party

Anaheim
Trick-or-treating at Disneyland - what could be better? This year's spooooookiest Halloween celebration is a villainous bash at Disney California Adventure Park. READ MORE

POSTPONED Faery Hunt Family Series

Redondo Beach
UPDATE:  Now where did those faeries go?  All Faery Hunt events for March and April are postponed.​ READ MORE

Family Garden Workshop: California Wheat and Ancient Grains

Downtown
Garden School Foundation educators lead a garden workshop on all things grain.Through a series of activities, participants  take an in-depth look at the anatomy of grain seeds, learn about ancient whole wheat grains, and discover how to grow wheat in California climates. READ MORE

Kinderfest at Old World's Oktoberfest

Huntington Beach
Old World in Huntington Beach turns Oktoberfest activities into a family event with Kinderfest every Sunday through November 3. The highlight of the day is the wiener dog racing at 3pm, as dachshunds go head to head in a double elimination competition. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Imagine Nation, A Museum Early Learning Center
Various Parks, including Hurless Barton Park
Argyros Plaza at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Shane’s Inspiration Playground in Griffith Park