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Weekend Fun for LA Kids: Swallows, Peacocks, Marathon, and Airport Art

Photo courtesy of Santa Monica Airport Artwalk
Photo courtesy of Santa Monica Airport Artwalk
3/21/19 - By Toby B

Parenting—it's a marathon. And a sprint. And a scrimmage. And a mad, chaotic free-for-all. Then again, sometimes a marathon is just a 26-mile excuse for Momma to get out of the house.

Remember last week when everyone was all "butterflies! butterflies everywhere!"? Not to be outdone, the swallows are making a show of their return from winter break and are getting a parade in welcome. With a 6000-mile flight from South America, I think they earned it! The peacocks are also getting a day in their honor, but they're not going anywhere—just standing around looking pretty.

Other creatures being celebrated this weekend include whales, faeries, Stooges, and vegans, not to mention artists, makers, and dream catcher makers. Bonus: these winning choices won't leave you gasping for breath with blisters on your blisters.

On your mark, get set, keep reading for our raciest picks for this weekend!

 

Peacock Photo:  Photo by Ming-yen Hsu/CC BY 2.0

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Vegan Street Fair. Photo by Joanna Wilson Photography
Vegan Street Fair. Photo by Joanna Wilson Photography

ALL WEEKEND

America's Teaching Zoo Spring Spectacular 2024

Moorpark
Talk about spectacular! America's Teaching Zoo is back with its annual springtime extravaganza.  Details on the 2024 celebration to come! READ MORE

Vegan Street Fair

North Hollywood
Vegan Street Fair is an annual vegan food celebration where local vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants and vendors come together to serve bite-size portions of vegan eats all in one place. READ MORE

Three Stooges Festival

El Segundo
 Nyuck nyuck nyuck: The Old Town Music Hall presents a curated collection of short films by the iconic Three Stooges. 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
Peacock Day at the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden. Photo by Ming-yen Hsu/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
Peacock Day at the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden. Photo by Ming-yen Hsu/Flickr/CC BY 2.0

SATURDAY, MARCH 23

Swallows Day Parade 2024

San Juan Capistrano
We all know that the swallows always return to San Juan Capistrano, but did you know that they are welcomed with an annual homecoming parade? The annual event holds the distinction of being the nation's largest non-motorized parade. This year's theme is "Saddle Up San Juan". READ MORE

Peacock Day 2024

Arcadia
Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden celebrates an essential part of the Arboretum experience: peacocks! READ MORE

Santa Monica Airport Artwalk

Santa Monica
An old favorite is relaunched! 18th Street Arts Center announces the revival of the Santa Monica Airport ArtWalk. Situated in one of the oldest airports in the United States, the Santa Monica Airport hosts a vibrant community of over 60 artists, creative venues, and a spirited aviation scene. READ MORE

CANCELED: Noah's Ark After Dark - Pajama Party

West LA
UPDATE:  This event has been canceled. "The March 14 Noah's Ark After Dark program has been cancelled in light of public-health concerns related to COVID-19. If you have already purchased tickets to this program, you will be contacted by the Skirball with the option to reschedule for May 30 or receive a refund. " Families can spend an evening with animal friends after hours aboard Noah’s Ark at the Skirball. READ MORE

Living History Tours at Woodlawn Cemetery

Santa Monica
History comes alive at Woodlawn Cemetery, Mausoleum, & Mortuary through its annual Living History Tours.  Costumed guides portray noted personalities interred at Woodlawn; on the tours they share their stories and contributions to history and society.  READ MORE

Watson Adventures’ Wizard School Scavenger Hunt

West LA
Watson Adventures leads a Harry Potter-themed scavenger hunt for kids ages 10 & up. Participants follow in the footsteps of young wizards on a field trip to the Getty Center in search of art that echoes characters, places, and enchanted objects in the famed Harry Potter books and movies. READ MORE

Family Evening: Disney’s Alice in Wonderland

San Marino
The Huntington invites guests to celebrate a "very merry un-birthday" at a special screening of the 1951 Disney animated classic, Alice in Wonderland. READ MORE

Peter Pan Panto

North Hollywood
The Mayflower Club presents its annual British panto; this year's show is Peter Pan or Who Really Wants To Grow Old Anyway. For the uninitiated, panto is a family friendly, tongue-in-cheek musical comedy with familiar characters, audience participation, and lots of laughs. READ MORE

FIGat7th Kids Club

Downtown
There are no Kids Club events scheduled at this time. Kids Club will return at a future date. READ MORE

The Phantom Tollbooth

Long Beach
 Enchantment Theatre Company presents a live stage production of The Phantom Tollbooth. The classic tale by Norton Juster comes to life on stage using puppets, masks, magic, and original music in a fun-filled theatrical adventure. READ MORE

CAAM Maker Fest

Exposition Park
The California African American Museum invites everyone to participate in this all-day, all-ages affair, featuring maker stations by local artists. Guests learn from the pros of the community and take home several creative treasures of their own.  READ MORE
Purim slide at Temple Judea. Photo by Steve Sherman Photo courtesy of Temple Judea
Purim slide at Temple Judea. Photo by Steve Sherman Photo courtesy of Temple Judea

SUNDAY, MARCH 24

2024 Celebration of the Whales Festival

Oxnard
A free festival celebrating Pacific Gray migration? Whale be there! The 24th Annual Celebration of the Whales Festival at the Channel Islands Harbor offers educational exhibits,  a “paint a whale” mural project, chalk art, live music, and a children’s fun zone. Food is available for purchase at BBQ and seafood booths, as well as at the local farmer's market.  READ MORE

Los Angeles Marathon

East side, West side, all around the town
Everybody’s running this way and that (mostly that). You can run along and cheer them on—or find alternate routes to get where you're going and not get stuck in traffic! READ MORE

CANCELED: Long Beach Touch-a-Truck

Long Beach
UPDATE: Long Beach Touch-a Truck has been canceled. " Long Beach Touch-A-Truck will not take place Sat., March 28. Our main concern is everyone's health and well-being. Organizers will determine the next steps for moving forward in regards to the coronavirus pandemic." The 5th Annual “Long Beach Touch-A-Truck” interactive event takes place in the parking lot in front of Rosie's Dog Beach.  READ MORE

Purim Carnival (Tarzana)

Tarzana
 Temple Judea hosts the biggest Purim Carnival in the Valley, at the corner of Lindley Avenue and Ventura, with plenty of room for dancing in the street. The area becomes a mini-Disneyland with rides.  READ MORE

Make a Dream-Catcher

Thousand Oaks
Witchita tribal artist Michael Williams teaches the basics of creating your own dream-catcher. READ MORE

Adat Ari El’s Purim World

Valley Village
Adat Ari El's Purim World returns to Valley Village with a Purim celebration that's simply magical. The festivities include carnival rides, games, food and great entertainment. READ MORE

A Chance to Dance by the Los Angeles Ballet Company

Sawtelle
One Sunday each month during Los Angeles Ballet's season, LAB dancers offer free ballet classes and more. The day's classes are usually centered around a theme. After several years of virtual events, the Los Angeles Ballet is offering their dance courses in person. Some classes are specifically geared towards children, like Children's Creative Movement, so make sure to check the schedule to find specific times. READ MORE

POSTPONED: VBS Purim Carnival: Purimpalooza

Encino
UPDATE:  This event has been postponed. "We have been advised by medical professionals and public health officials to work together to minimize the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19). As a result, after much care and consideration, we have decided to postpone our Purimpalooza event planned for Sunday, March 15. Once we have a new date confirmed, we will inform the community. " The VBS Youth Department presents its annual Purim Carnival, a fun-filled day for the whole family with a giant slide, kiddie train, ferris wheel, a swing chair ride, a... READ MORE

Temple Beth Hillel Purim Country Fair

Valley Village
Y'all come down now -- the Purim Carnival at Temple Beth Hillel has a Country Fair theme! The Valley Village celebration includes a giant Ferris Wheel, batting cages, BBQ, and live music.. READ MORE

Patchwork Art

Exposition Park
While patchwork quilting is often seen as a craft, artists such as Adia Millett and Faith Ringgold bring the practice into the realm of fine art. Participants in this workshop view Millett’s work in the exhibition Breaking Patterns for inspiration, then join the artist to design a paper patchwork on their own or as part of a family project.  READ MORE

South Coast Botanic Garden Kids Club

Palos Verdes Peninsula
No advance registration is required for this drop-in style event that gives kids a creative way to enjoy the gardens. READ MORE

Disney Double Feature: Mulan & Cars

San Gabriel
The Mission Playhouse screens two animated Disney classics, Mulan and Cars. These G-rated Oscar nominated films feature themes of honor, friendship, and humility. READ MORE

A Faery Hunt - Tarzana

Tarzana
Positive messages are presented in this fun interactive show,  using stories and songs to illustrate themes such as kindness, respect, and tolerance.   READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Moorpark College Teaching Zoo
Chandler between Tujunga and Vineland
Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
18th Street Arts Center Airport Campus
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
Carpenter Performing Arts Center
The California African American Museum
Marine Emporium Landing Farmers' Market
Granada Ave. beachfront parking lot
The California African American Museum
Tarzana Community and Cultural Center