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Kiss a pig at America's Family Pet Expo. Photo by Keren Lynn Photography
Kiss a pig at America's Family Pet Expo. Photo by Keren Lynn Photography
4/25/19 - By Toby B

This weekend is about celebrating something; I'm just not sure what it is. Is your STEAM throwback or cutting edge? Are you hanging by a string or got no strings on you? That mother you keep talking about—is it Mother Earth or a mother-to-be?

As you take to the streets, are you exploring your hometown? Are you donning a cape to save the day? Or are you just running in circles diamonds?

Look at you all in orange! Are you done up for the Dutch King's birthday, or are you a field of poppies? Is it Cinco de Mayo, or New Year's, or have I just lost count? Despite the confusion, it's actually easy as pie: it's all of that and more!

Keep reading for our completely not confusing selection of picks for this weekend....

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

ALL WEEKEND

California Poppy Festival

Lancaster
Every spring Lancaster celebrates the vibrant orange poppy, California's state flower. This year the festival returns to the AV Fair & Event Center. Families can enjoy 3 entertaining days amidst the sunshine and colorful flowers. READ MORE

Photoville LA

Century City
Photoville continues in Century City through this weekend. READ MORE

Earth Day Teen Climate Fest (Aquarium of the Pacific)

Long Beach
About 70% of the Earth's surface is covered by water, so what better place to celebrate Earth Day than the Aquarium of the Pacific?  This year's event is inspired and created by young leaders. The Teen Climate Fest features displays, activities, and presentations with an emphasis on sustainable art that demonstrates how we can make a difference in our communities and for the planet. READ MORE

Cherry Blossom Festival (Monterey Park)

Monterey Park
Monterey Park's Cherry Blossom Festival returns to Barnes Park for its 24th year, offering attendees the chance to see, hear, and taste a bit of Japanese and Japanese American culture. READ MORE

Cirque du Soleil: Amaluna

San Pedro
Extended!  AMALUNA continues in San Pedro through June 9, 2019. Themes of motherhood, femininity, and the moon are explored in Cirque du Soleil's latest show. AMALUNA journeys to a mysterious island governed by goddesses and guided by the cycles of the moon.  READ MORE

Disney on Ice Worlds of Enchantment (Ontario)

Ontario
Disney on Ice returns to the Southland with Worlds of Enchantment. This Disney on Ice show combines the elements of four favorites - Cars, The Little Mermaid, Toy Story, and Frozen -  in one extravaganza. READ MORE

Knott’s Boysenberry Festival

Buena Park
If you want to celebrate the boysenberry, Knott's is the berry best place. This year's Festival coincides with the grand unveiling of the new Knott’s Hotel. 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

Victorian Fair of the Far West

City of Industry
Ladies, gentlemen, and children of all ages are invited to travel back in time to experience Victorian life (as it was in Los Angeles), with a lively fair on the beautiful grounds of the Homestead Museum. READ MORE

City Nature Challenge - Point Fermin BioBlitz

San Pedro
This weekend, current and aspiring citizen scientists, nature and science fans, and people of all ages and science backgrounds can join NHM’s Community Science Program and the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium to explore coastal marine life at Point Fermin, San Pedro. READ MORE

Black Beauty

Beverly Hills
The classic tale of Black Beauty is reimagined with a blend of storytelling, music, and puppetry. The production, which includes audience engagement, is recommended for families with kids ages 5 and older.  READ MORE
Family fun at the Getty Villa. Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging courtesy of J. Paul Getty Trust
Family fun at the Getty Villa. Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging courtesy of J. Paul Getty Trust

SATURDAY, APRIL 27

YMCA Healthy Kids Day

Multiple Locations
YMCAs all across the Southland celebrate Healthy Kids Day. Participating branches offer free community events with healthy and fun activities for the whole family. READ MORE

Beach Streets - Pacific and Willow

Long Beach
Long Beach's latest Open Streets event goes from Downtown to Wrigley. Beach Streets Pacific Ave. features a 2.5-mile route that invites locals to get out and get active! READ MORE

Hometown Country Fair

La Crescenta
The Hometown Country Fair returns to Crescenta Valley Park, this year with a late June date. This one-day-only festival features live entertainment, a dog parade, a pie-eating contest, traditional and ethnic food, a karaoke contest, a silent auction, and more. READ MORE

Arts & Literacy Festival

Santa Monica
Beep bop book: this year's Arts & Literacy Festival is robot-themed! READ MORE

Huck Finn Fishin' Derby

Simi Valley
The fish are bitin' at Rancho Simi Community Park. READ MORE

Independent Bookstore Day

Multiple Locations
About a dozen local bookstores participate in Independent Bookstore Day. Each store plans its own activities, which may include readings and author appearances, prizes, and refreshments. Check your favorite local bookstore for details. READ MORE

Family Day - Storytime, Art Making, and Tea Meditation

Downtown
Listening to and sharing stories are great ways to learn about each other. Hands-on activities including spring tea meditation and art-making accompany the storytime readings throughout the day at the Chinese American Museum. READ MORE

CANCELED Celebration of the Young Child

Long Beach
UPDATE:  This event has been canceled. The second annual Long Beach Celebration of the Young Child is a fun-filled festival geared toward children and families of children 0-6 years old. READ MORE

AMC Theatres Sensory Friendly Films

Multiple Locations
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

OC STEAM Fest

Irvine
Families are invited to learn, discover, and play at Irvine Public Schools Foundation’s OC STEAM Fest. READ MORE

Family Floralia Workshop

Pacific Palisades
Getty Villa visitors can discover the sights, textures, and fragrances of history during this all-ages Roman Garden workshop. READ MORE

South Pasadena Eclectic Music Festival and Art Walk

South Pasadena
The South Pasadena Eclectic Music Festival and Art Walk brings music and art to the streets of South Pasadena. READ MORE

Mission Viejo Family Art Day

Mission Viejo
Teaching artists from the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity guide families at this free family art day. READ MORE

Spring at the Stables in Huntington Beach

Huntington Beach
The horses are on parade! Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center celebrates Spring at the Stables with a family-friendly open house. READ MORE

Earth Day Los Angeles 2019

Van Nuys
LA Sanitation holds its fourth annual citywide Earth Day LA event. This year, the event is held at at Woodley Park. READ MORE

Dutch King's Day

Long Beach
LA's Dutch Community dresses up in orange to celebrate the birthday of King Willem Alexander of the Netherlands, in an enchanting Amsterdam-style outdoor celebration. Dutch King's Day is a national holiday in the Netherlands and is observed by the Dutch around the globe. The largest Orange Party in Southern California is held this year at the POA Gemmrig Park in Long Beach. READ MORE
Photo courtesy of Ascot Hills Kite Flying Festival
Photo courtesy of Ascot Hills Kite Flying Festival

SUNDAY, APRIL 28

Puppet Festival

West LA
The Skirball celebrates the art of puppetry during this festive day of performances, art making, and new and classic tales told through marionettes, shadow, and full-body puppets. READ MORE

KUSC Kids Discovery Day

Exposition Park
The Natural History Museum presents the 3rd annual KUSC Kids Discovery Day. Activities all day include live family-friendly performances, an instrument petting zoo, puppet shows, arts & crafts, and a live KUSC radio broadcast. READ MORE

CicLAvia - Wilmington

Wilmington
CicLAvia once again gets people moving! The latest route offers an opportunity to explore Wilmington—one of Los Angeles' most historic communities—along 2.25 miles of safe, car-free streets.  READ MORE

Hollow Trees

Santa Monica
The Hollow Trees bring their bluegrass hootenanny to McCabe's biweekly Sunday kids' concert series. Mom and Dad can sip free coffee while little ones get their groove on.   READ MORE

826LA@Hammer: Writing for Plants, A Botany Workshop

Westwood
Kids can become resident botanists for one day at the Hammer, observing, charting, and writing imagined histories of a few bizarre, beautiful, and rare plants. READ MORE

Annie (1982)

Santa Monica
 American Cinemateque pays tribute to the late great Albert Finney with a screening of the 1982 version of Annie. READ MORE

Mary Poppins (Egyptian)

Hollywood
The  Egyptian presents a special screening of Mary Poppins. A panel discussion follows with design consultants Tony Walton, Harrison Ellenshaw, and Theodore Thomas, moderated by Thomas A. Walsh of the Art Directors Guild. 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

KCRW Good Food Pie Day

Westwood
This weekend at the Fowler, you can have your pie and eat it, too!  READ MORE

Lollipop Superhero Walk

Fairfax
Calling all superheroes! The 3rd Annual Lollipop Superhero Walk invites walkers to put on their capes and #beasuperhero for the day, while walking to raise awareness and funding for Lollipop Theater Network, which brings movies and entertainment to hospitalized children. READ MORE

Park Rx Day

Sylmar
The County of Los Angeles Park Rx Day is a day of family friendly fun at El Cariso Community Regional Park. Families can take part in health screenings, check out free fitness activities, visit food trucks, and take a walk with a ranger. READ MORE

Have a Beach Ball - Annenberg Community Beach House 10th Anniversary

Santa Monica
The Annenberg Community Beach House celebrates its 10th anniversary, starting with a community group photo in the sand creating the iconic Beach House beach ball. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Participating YMCA locations eg Hollywood YMCA
Virginia Avenue Park
California State University, Long Beach
AMC Theatres - Participating Locations
Thomas R. Potocki Conference Center
El Cariso Community Regional Park