Earn those Thanksgiving pies! Photo courtesy of Turkey Trot Los Angeles
Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2024 in Los Angeles: Parades, Turkey Trots, and More Things To Do
Stroll through vibrant foliage and gardens. Photo courtesy of Descanso Gardens
What's Open on Thanksgiving in Los Angeles? Places Open for Family Fun
Dine in or take out some of the best turkey in Tinseltown. Photo courtesy of the Huckleberry Cafe
Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in Los Angeles
GUIDE
LA Fall Day Trips Guide: Farms, Festivals, and Family Getaways 2024
Try sock skating at Kidspace Winter Frolic. Photo by Jamie Pham courtesy of the Museum
16 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Los Angeles for Kids
LA Zoo Lights dazzle. Photo by Jamie Pham
14 Best Things To Do in Los Angeles November 2024 with Kids
Embrace the mess! Sloomoo Institute photo by Kylie Williams
NEW Sloomoo Institute Opens in Los Angeles for Kids to Enjoy Slime Fun
Photo by Bill Soistmann
GUIDE
Los Angeles Visitors' Guide for Families
Photo courtesy of Underwood Family Farms
31 Fall Day Trips from Los Angeles—Plus Weekend Getaways
Dino Valley means jurassic fun in LEGOLAND for kids of all ages.
NEW Dino Valley in LEGOLAND is Open for T-Rex-Sized Fun
Dive into tons of fun in Long Beach. Photo courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific
39 Things to Do With Kids in Long Beach
Dive into fun at the Cayton Children's Museum. Photo by Matthew Tucciarone
Best Children's Museums in Los Angeles and Orange County
Right this way to all the free fun in LA, especially at the Griffith Observatory! Photo by Gina Ragland
100 Fun Free Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids
Everything at the Cayton has been carefully crafted with one goal in mind: to help create a better world through the power of play.
Guide to the Cayton Children’s Museum in Santa Monica–A Parent Review
This 3 day itinerary will make you fall in love with LA. Photo by Roberto Nickson, via Pexels
3 Days in Los Angeles with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Imaginative play for preschoolers is music to our ears. Photo courtesy of Pretend City
39 Things To Do with Preschoolers in Los Angeles Before They Turn 5
Visit LACMA's Levitated Mass. Photo by Joey Zanetti
100 Things To Do in Los Angeles Before Kids Grow Up
All aboard The Polar Express! Photo courtesy of The Southern California Polar Express Train Ride
LA Auto Show, Winter Fest OC, and More Top Things To Do in Los Angeles This Weekend

Weekend Fun for LA Kids: Sandcastles, Dragon Boats, Crawfish, and Salsa

The Love Long Beach Festival spreads the magic of Long Beach. Photo courtesy of the festival
The Love Long Beach Festival spreads the magic of Long Beach. Photo courtesy of the festival
7/25/19 - By Toby B

It's that time of year again. We're just happily going about our middle of summer business, doing sandy things and beachy things (long beachy things). We're going into the water (but don't go into the water!) And have you checked the temps? It's kinda warm—that's a sure sign of summer. And yet...

And yet. Another quick check of the calendar tells us that we are at the end of July. The end. Which may have been midsummer once upon a time ago, but is a mere few weeks before the start of—what now?—the 19/20 school year. Back to school, you say?

And yet. If summer is coming to a close, why is there so much of it still going on? Why is there so much of it yet to begin? Why are we having the summertime time of our lives??? Perhaps there's still some summer in us yet!

Keep reading for our most summery picks yet!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

The Dragon Boat Festival showcases the ancient Chinese sport of dragon boat racing. Photo courtesy of the festival
The Dragon Boat Festival showcases the ancient Chinese sport of dragon boat racing. Photo courtesy of the festival

THINGS TO DO ALL WEEKEND

Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival

Long Beach
Dragon boats—long, sleek, and powered by many rowers with oars—are raced competitively in events like the Asian Games. Dragon boat competitions are also held each year in China and elsewhere to honor the life and death of ancient poet Qu Yuan (340-278 BC).  READ MORE

Love Long Beach

Long Beach
This two-day festival celebrates all the things that make Long Beach lovable. Highlights include DJs, music, arts and crafts, food court, vendors, yoga, sound healing, massage, and chill areas. READ MORE

Oxnard Salsa Festival

Oxnard
It's getting hot in Oxnard this weekend. The city celebrates salsa in all its forms: food, music and dance! Festival goers can taste spicy samples of Salsa, listen to the rhythmic sounds of Salsa music performed by some the region’s top salsa and Latin Jazz bands, and groove on the dance floor with the fiery moves of Salsa dancing.  The slate of family-friendly activities includes a play zone with rides, jumpers, face painters and other fun activities for kids. READ MORE

Skirball Family Amphitheater Performances

West LA
A summer favorite at the Skirball returns, offering family-friendly entertainment in the amphitheater. This year’s series features artists who use the power of performance to enliven our city and the people who call LA home.  READ MORE

Crawfish Festival

Long Beach
Crawfish Festival is the largest Crawfish Festival outside Louisiana, attracting thousands of festival-goers each year. Families can enjoy Cajun, Zydeco, and New Orleans music plus tons of fresh crawfish, prepared Louisiana style, along with a wide selection of New Orleans’s most iconic dishes. 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

2024 Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival

Griffith Park
All the world's a stage, including Griffith Park. Free Shakespeare returns to Griffith Park for a full summer of theater under the stars. This year the festival puts on one show: As You Like It.   READ MORE

Casablanca

El Segundo
Here's looking at you, El Segundo:  the Old Town Music Hall screens the timeless classic Casablanca.   READ MORE

40 Days of Fun!

Pasadena
Bubble, bubble, toil and ... more bubbles!  Kidspace's 40th birthday celebration nears its close, with tons of bubble fun, including a foam pit to play in!  READ MORE

Shark Week Screenings

Beverly Hills
The Paley Center continues its Shark Week tradition of showing some of Discovery Channels toothiest Shark Week programs. READ MORE

Into the Woods

Hollywood Bowl
Into the woods, and who can tell what's waiting on the journey? An all-star production of the musical Into the Woods is performed live under the stars at the Hollywood Bowl. READ MORE
Drag Queen Story Hour at Eagle Rock Branch Library is dedicated to literacy, love, acceptance, and joy. Photo courtesy of the library
Drag Queen Story Hour at Eagle Rock Branch Library is dedicated to literacy, love, acceptance, and joy. Photo courtesy of the library

THINGS TO DO SATURDAY, JULY 27

Family Sandcastle Building Day

San Pedro
Grab your bucket and shovel (and any other sandcastle-building tools) and head on over to the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium's free Family Sandcastle Day. The sand on Cabrillo Beach is being thoroughly wet down to prepare for sand construction; the rest is up to you! READ MORE

Cypress Community Festival

Cypress
The Cypress Community Festival celebrates the incorporation of the City of Cypress, which was originally known as Dairy City, because there were more cows than people!  READ MORE

Drag Queen Story Hour

Eagle Rock
Eagle Rock Public Library presents Drag Queen Story Hour with Miss Barbie-Q. READ MORE

Bergamot Station Summer Block Party

Santa Monica
The galleries and creative businesses at Bergamot Station host a Summer Celebration, complete with live music,food + drinks, and family-friendly activities and shows. READ MORE

Meet Me at Reed

Santa Monica
Santa Monica’s outdoor cultural and recreational program features free Saturday events. Guests should bring picnic blankets, lawn chairs, and food, or enjoy rotating food trucks throughout the season. Pre-concert activities for all ages begin at 3 pm Upcoming: Sept 21: Bruns Collective with Kevin Baché Sept 28:  Eco Friendly Day/Music by Todd Washington (TMax) Trio Rain may affect programming; call for more info during bad weather. READ MORE

Eat See Hear

Pasadena
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

Redondo Beach Summer Music Festival 2024

Redondo Beach
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

Simi Valley Movies in the Park

Simi Valley
Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District  shows films under the stars in two locations this summer: the opening night at Oak Canyon Community Park and the remaining two evenings at Rancho Madera Community Park. The movies are paired with themed pre-show activities. READ MORE

NoHo Summer Nights: Concerts

North Hollywood
Free concerts are held in North Hollywood Park every other Saturday this summer.  READ MORE

Cinespia at Hollywood Forever

Hollywood
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

Monrovia Summer Concerts in the Park: Saturday Concerts

Monrovia
On Saturdays, Monrovia's Summer Concerts are at Station Square Park. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. 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

Torrance Movies in the Park 2024

Torrance
Movies begin at dusk (around 8pm) for these free movie screenings at parks in Torrance. Bring warm clothes, lawn chairs, and picnics.  READ MORE

Old Pasadena Summer Cinema

Pasadena
The free summer movie series closes out with screenings of Zootopia and Nacho Libre. READ MORE

Saturdays Off the 405

West LA
The Getty Center offers outdoor music and evening views of the city at its signature Saturdays Off the 405. The summer evening concerts feature performances by emerging bands and DJs. READ MORE

Summer Film Series: Stand and Deliver (1988)

Downtown
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes hosts a free screening of the film Stand and Deliver. A panel discussion with members of the cast and creative team precedes the screening. READ MORE

Back to School Health Fair (East LA)

East Los Angeles
The Back to School Health & Family Festival is a free and fun event for the whole family. Kids 4 and up can get a free backpack as well as other free supplies and activities. READ MORE
Peter Alsop’s Kids Koncerts return to the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum. Photo courtesy of the event
Peter Alsop’s Kids Koncerts return to the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum. Photo courtesy of the event

THINGS TO DO SUNDAY, JULY 28

Kids Koncerts at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum

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

Bob Baker Marionette Theater’s Circus Show

Mid-Wilshire
Bob Baker Marionette Theater brings its classic puppet theater to the Miracle Mile with a special show each month, followed by a meet and greet with the puppets. 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

Studio Ghibli Fest 2024

Multiple Locations
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

Santa Ana 150th Birthday Street Breakfast

Santa Ana
In honor of the City of Santa Ana's 150th birthday, friends and neighbors from across the City are invited to partake in a re-enlivening of the Santa Ana Historic Street Breakfast, a civic tradition that dates back to 1928. READ MORE

Wiltern Kids' Classic Summer Movie Series

Koreatown
Steal from the rich, give to the poor, take the kids to the movies.  The animated version of Robin Hood screens at the Wiltern. READ MORE

Summer Concerts (Rancho Los Cerritos)

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

Hello Kitty Meet & Greet

Irvine
Hello Kitty visits Tanaka Farms to meet her fans in person.  Guests are advised to arrive early, as the line can get pretty long to meet her in person. She is a very busy young lady, and is leaving promptly at 2pm.  READ MORE

Manhattan Beach Summer Concerts in the Park 2024

Manhattan Beach
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

Appliqué Bouquet!

Exposition Park
In Plumb Line: Charles White and the Contemporary, Christopher Myers employs the centuries-old needle arts technique of appliqué in his work Pushing Flowers. Participants in this workshop create their own work of art using basic appliqué methods. READ MORE

Sizzlin' Summer Concert Series

Irvine
The summer sizzles at Irvine's free family-friendly concert series in Mike Ward Community Park. Admission is free and no tickets nor pre-registration is required for first-come, first-served seating READ MORE

Concerts on the Green 2024

Woodland Hills
The summer concert series at Warner Center Park returns for the 2024 season.  Swifties can unite at the penultimate concert, featuring Taylor Swift tribute Blank Space. 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

Who’s Afraid Of Classical Music?

Santa Ana
Juilliard-trained classical pianist Beth Sussman answers the age-old question: How do you tell a musical joke?   READ MORE

Music on the Meadow: Heroes and Villains

Palos Verdes Peninsula
Come for the gardens, stay for the music!  The Palos Verdes Symphonic Band presents an afternoon of adventure and triumph as it performs its “Heroes and Villains” program. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Griffith Park - site of the Old Zoo
Kidspace Children's Museum
Reed Park, just north of Miles Memorial Playhouse
Rotating Locations: Santa Monica High School
Various Parks, including Wilson Park
Old Pasadena - Multiple Locations, including One Colorado
East L.A. Family Resource Center
Participating Theaters, such as Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE
Downtown Santa Ana Historic District
The California African American Museum
Mike Ward Community Park - Woodbridge