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6/6/19 - By Toby B

Can you feel that? That's summer getting ready to pop. Whether or not summer break has started for you personally is moot; if it hasn't it will soon, and enough Angelenos are in flipflops-and-beachbags mode that, on average, we are all on vacation anyway.

So how are you kicking off your summer break, which may or may not have started yet? You could be competing in the Special Olympics Summer Games (or cheering on the exceptional athletes who are). You could be winning a Tony (or cheering on the talented performers who are). You could be winning an award from the PBS SoCal Kids Writers contest (or cheering on the talented writers who are). You could be rounding the bases at Angels Stadium. You really could. If you're under 13. Otherwise, you can (checks notes) cheer on the kids who can. Remember: they also win who only stand and cheer.

More summer series are starting this weekend, and everyone is in a partying mood. We have kid-centric movies, free videogame play, wooden boats, cardboard cars, hard-shelled heroes, a fun-a-palooza, sweet, sweet treats, oceans, fish, cartoons, dance, and sanitation. Summer 2019 is go for launch!

Keep reading to get this summer started...

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

ALL WEEKEND

36th Annual Palos Verdes Street Fair and Music Festival

Palos Verdes
The 36th annual Palos Verdes Street Fair & Music Festival is the largest carnival in the South Bay. The heart of Palos Verdes comes alive with more than 200 exhibitors.  READ MORE

National Geographic: Eyes on the Planet

Santa Monica
Free Solo? Try free screening!  The Aero screens some favorite National Geographic documentaries -- and they're mostly free! READ MORE

EA PLAY Fan Fest

Hollywood
EA Play is a free fan event that allows players to get hands-on with the newest games from EA, including Apex Legends, Anthem, new Battlefield V content, new EA SPORTS games, and more. READ MORE

Special Olympics Summer Games

Long Beach
The public is invited to cheer on the exceptional athletes of the Special Olympics at the 2019 Summer Games for Southern California. READ MORE

Pasadena Playhouse Block Party

Pasadena
Ballet Folklorico, mariachi, Snow White panto, Cinderella ballet, and squid.  All these and more await as the Pasadena Playhouse Block Party returns with a day of free entertainment and fun. READ MORE

8th Annual Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival

Newport Beach
The 8th annual Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival celebrates the maritime heritage of Newport Harbor and wooden boats past and present. The weekend is filled with maritime craftsmanship, art, exhibits, food, music, and a boat parade. READ MORE

TMNT Shell-Shocked Screenings

Beverly Hills
Make mine pepperoni: the TMNT screenings at the Paley close out with pizza-inspired episodes. 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

The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (The Wallis)

Beverly Hills
Don't panic. The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is back at the Wallis. READ MORE
Photo courtesy of Street Food Cinema
Photo courtesy of Street Food Cinema

SATURDAY JUNE 8

Stephanie's Day Resource Fair

Studio City
Stephanie's Day is a free resource fair that helps families with children impacted by autism and other special needs with one place to gather valuable information, enjoy fun activities, and more. READ MORE

Kids' Fishing Derby

Buena Park
Give a kid a fish, and you've fed him for a day. Teach a kid to fish and that sounds like a fun Saturday morning at Clark Regional Park! READ MORE

DTLA Donut Festival

Downtown
I do-nut know anything sweeter:  Union Station hosts the second DTLA Donut Festival. READ MORE

Dockweiler Fun-A-Palooza

Playa del Rey
Dockweiler Youth Center hosts a day of free fun. Families can enjoy a petting zoo, bounce houses, rides, face painters, balloon artists, carnival games, camp activities, and live entertainment, and learn about summer recreational programming at the DYC.   READ MORE

LA Sanitation & Environment South Los Angeles Yard Open House

Exposition Park
Keep on truckin'...  to the Open House event at LA Sanitation's South LA District Yard. Sanitation truck operators give demonstrations and tours; guests can tour facilities and enjoy information booths, recycling games, and a free lunch. READ MORE

World Ocean Day

Long Beach
The Aquarium of the Pacific celebrates World Ocean Day! Aquarium visitors can learn about climate change, ocean pollution, and other ocean issues by viewing films and shows and exploring exhibits. READ MORE

Cardboard Car Show

Inglewood
At “Cardboard Car Show” fathers and children build cardboard cars while bonding to celebrate Father’s Day. This free event includes arts & crafts, music, bar-b-cue, and more. READ MORE

World Oceans Day

San Pedro
The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium celebrates World Oceans Day with activities and crafts. This event is free and open to all ages; registration is not required. READ MORE

Cartoon Club

Hollywood
Cartoon Club celebrates the art and history of animation with Saturday morning screenings of rare cartoon gems.  READ MORE

Stories and Songs of the Elfin Forest

Topanga
 Docent Gale teaches kids about the ecology of the chaparral and how the Chumash and Tongva shared, and continue to share, its material culture. READ MORE

Children's Garden Day at the Lighthouse

San Pedro
Children are invited to the gardens at the lighthouse for a fun craft project. Participants make their own take-home fairy gardens, paint a pet rock, and have snacks. READ MORE

Ahead with Horses Annual Children’s Demonstration and Fun Day

Shadow Hills
Ahead With Horses holds its 42nd annual Children’s Demonstration and Fun Day, where special needs program children are truly stars.  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

Summer Reading Kick-off (Pasadena)

Pasadena
Pasadena Central Library celebrates the first day of its Summer Reading Program with music, crafts, and more, with activities themed to the One City, One Story Summer Edition, The Ballad of Huck and Miguel. READ MORE

East End Block Party 2019

Santa Ana
Families can enjoy a day of music, art, and shopping in the East End of Downtown Santa Ana. READ MORE

Father's Day Art Event at Westfield Culver City

Culver City
Need a gift for Dad? Kids can make him something special at Westfield Culver City. READ MORE

2019 PBS SoCal KIDS Writers Contest Winners Ceremony

Downtown
Have they got a story to tell you! The winners of the 10th Annual PBS KIDS Writers Contest are honored at the Central Library. This free event includes an awards presentation and live storytelling from the contest winners themselves. READ MORE

Public Star Party

Griffith Park
The sky... it's full of stars! The lawn... it's full of telescopes!   ​The Observatory's free public star party offers a chance for the whole family to look at the sun, moon, planets, and other objects with the assistance of the Los Angeles Astronomical Society, the Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers, and the Planetary Society. READ MORE

The Silent Treatment Film Series

Griffith Park
The Autry shows silent films the way they were meant to be seen—on the big screen with live musical accompaniment. February's film was directed by and stars William S. Hart, and is shown with live musical accompaniment by Cliff Retallick.   READ MORE

Art in the Afternoon

Exposition Park
A Window Between Worlds presents Art in the Afternoon, an annual community art festival to celebrate the organization's many years of creativity and healing. READ MORE

BHCP Kids Club

Baldwin Hills Crenshaw
  The BHCP Kids Club is held on the second Saturday of the month, offering a variety of free activities for children aged 3 - 13 and their families.   READ MORE

Chinatown Summer Nights

Chinatown
Part food event, part summer party, Chinatown Summer Nights presents an exciting hot spot for Angelenos this summer. READ MORE

Sierra Madre Concerts in the Park

Sierra Madre
The Sierra Madre Concerts in the Park series is held at the Memorial Park Bandshell on  Sunday evenings. Food is available on most concert dates.   READ MORE

BoldPas: A Day of Art & Play in Old Pasadena

Pasadena
With art that’s touchable, colorful, playful, BoldPas returns to Old Pasadena. The third annual BoldPas: A Day of Art & Play in Old Pasadena showcases large, colorful, interactive art in the historic alleys of Old Pasadena.  READ MORE

Street Food Cinema 2024

Pasadena & Culver City
Street Food Cinema goes on adventure with a screening of Up! at the LA Arboret--  squirrel!   READ MORE
Learn some new dance moves with Debbie Allen. Photo courtesy of the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
Learn some new dance moves with Debbie Allen. Photo courtesy of the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

SUNDAY JUNE 9

Free 2nd Sunday at PAM: Silk Road

Pasadena
Pasadena's museum honoring all things Asian opens its doors for free on the second Sunday of every month. November's event marks its fourth annual celebration of the Silk Road. This year's event highlights the importance of food and spice trade along the ancient route. READ MORE

Ferdinand the Bull

Topanga
Ferdinand does not wish to fight. But he does want to see a play under the oaks! READ MORE

Pop-Up Studio: Feeling with Color

Westwood
Hammer visitors can join artists Cara Rae Joven and Olivia Hill for a workshop in color mixing and create a painting one not only sees but feels.  READ MORE

Family Sunday/ Kids Run the Bases: Angels

Anaheim
Kids (ages 5 - 12) can run the bases at Angel Stadium following select Angels Sunday home games. For more fun at Angel Stadium, ticket holders can visit the Family Sunday area located beneath the Right Field Pavilion for interactive games, arts and crafts areas as well as visits from local mascots. READ MORE

Andell Family Sunday: Palm Trees, Lamp Posts, & a Boulder

Mid-Wilshire
Did you know that the palm trees on the LACMA campus are a work of art? Visitors can learn about Primal Palm Garden and other large outdoor artworks, such as Urban Light and Levitated Mass, on a family-friendly tour.  READ MORE

Tony Awards Viewing Party

Costa Mesa
Can't make it to Broadway? No worries: Broadway comes to us!  Theater fans can celebrate the Tony Awards at a free viewing party on the Argyros Plaza. READ MORE

Sun Sets Concert Series at Calabasas Lake 2024

Calabasas
Families set up and picnic before concerts on the Calabasas Lake Greenbelt adjacent to the Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center. READ MORE

Concerts in the Park (Monterey Park)

Monterey Park
Families can enjoy the sweet sounds of summer at Monterey Park's monthly free concerts in Barnes Park—which include fireworks on the 4th of July! READ MORE

La Cañada Flintridge Music in the Park 2024

La Cañada Flintridge
La Cañada Flintridge's Music in the Park Summer Concert Series is held at Memorial Park during the summer on Sunday evenings. Featured bands play a variety of music including rock and roll, blues, reggae, and country. The series opens on Memorial Day Monday with Captain Cardiac & The Coronaries and continues through Labor Day weekend. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

El Molino Ave. and Colorado Blvd.
Century Park Elementary School
Trippet Ranch - Topanga State Park
East End Downtown Santa Ana, including
Rotating locations, including the Autry Museum
Argyros Plaza at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
The Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center