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Celebrate the first-ever Día de los Niños (Children's Day) at the Los Angeles Zoo. Photo by Jamie Pham, courtesy of the zoo
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4/28/24 - By Toby B

There is no shortage of things to do in Los Angeles in May. From Mother's Day to Memorial Day, we've got the best events happening all month—and May the 4th be with you!

You've won the blue ribbon, your ship has come in, and mamas, it's your day this month. Fresh out the gate, it's the annual return of the LA County Fair. In a galaxy not so far away at the Academy Museum, a May the 4th Celebration takes place. LA Fleet Week docks into LA as the Port of Los Angeles hosts active military ships over Memorial Day weekend. 

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May the 4th be with you at the Academy Museum. Photo courtesy of ©Academy Museum Foundation, Photo by: Michael Baker
May the 4th be with you at the Academy Museum. Photo courtesy of ©Academy Museum Foundation, Photo by: Michael Baker

Top Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids this May

SOAR: Tropical Butterflies at South Coast Botanic Garden

Palos Verdes
Starts Wednesday, May 1, 2024
South Coast Botanic Garden is soaring to great heights with the return of the butterfly experience, which features tropical butterflies in the garden's specially-built pavilion. Returning for 2024: the butterfly feeding experience. READ MORE

LA County Fair

Pomona
Starts Friday, May 3, 2024
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

May the 4th Celebration: Across the Galaxy

Miracle Mile
Saturday, May 4, 2024
Is The Force strong with you? Join the Academy Museum for a Star Wars–inspired May the 4th Celebration!  Whether you’re a Padawan, Jedi, or Sith, all forces will unite for a themed, fun-filled day, including a Droid meet and greet, all-ages workshop, community mural, screenings, and more in a galaxy far, far away. Be sure to dress up in your best Star Wars–inspired costumes.     READ MORE

Kibō Nobori 2024 - Children's Day Festival

Little Tokyo - FREE
Saturday, May 4, 2024
Little Tokyo's third annual Kibō Nobori Children’s Day Festival is a free family-friendly event celebrating the Japanese holiday Kodomo No Hi. "Kodomo No Hi" means "Children's Day" in Japan and is a day to celebrate and wish for health and good fortune for all children. READ MORE

YALLWEST

Santa Monica - FREE
Saturday, May 4, 2024
Y'all come west now, to hear a bunch of great YA authors and more. YALLWEST celebrates books, film, TV, and art related to young adult literature. READ MORE

The Wheels on the Bus by Pasadena Playhouse

Pasadena
Opens Saturday, May 4, 2024
The wheels on the bus can't go 'round and 'round without some tiny helpers at this toddler-focused performance at the Porticos Art Space by the Tony Award-winning Pasadena Playhouse theater group. Performances are at 9am and 11am on Saturdays and Sundays, May 4 - June 9, 2024.  READ MORE

Historical Venice Cinco de Mayo Parade/Festival 2024

Venice - FREE
Saturday, May 4, 2024
Venice's Historic Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival celebrates Mexican American Heritage and the city’s cultural diversity. The event is free and family-friendly. READ MORE

Rancho Days Fiesta

Lake Forest - FREE
Saturday, May 4, 2024
The rich history of Orange County’s rancho era is explored through hands-on activities, crafts, music, and dance. READ MORE

Great Big Family Play Day 2024

Griffith Park
Saturday & Sunday, May 4 & 5, 2024
Great Big Family Play Day returns bringing more great big family fun! Kids of all ages can enjoy two stages filled with live entertainment, character meet + greets, a Dino Exhibit covering 20,000 square feet of space, plus arts & crafts, create & build, sports & games, a bike course, local programs & camps, food, fun, swag and more  READ MORE

Día de los Niños/Children’s Day

Griffith Park
Saturday & Sunday, May 4 & 5, 2024
The LA Zoo celebrates our favorite little creatures! The Zoo hosts special activities for Día de los Niños/Children’s Day throughout the weekend. Highlights include bilingual storytimes with guest readers, cultural performances and art demonstrations. READ MORE

Cinco de Mayo (Bowers)

Santa Ana - FREE
Sunday, May 5, 2024
The Bowers Museum's free family festival for May celebrates Cinco de Mayo.  The full day of fun includes complimentary face painting, art projects including mini piñatas and clay animalitos, live performances, and more. READ MORE

Museums of the Arroyo Day

Arroyo Seco - FREE
Sunday, May 5, 2024
The annual Museums of the Arroyo Day treats LA families to free admission at five local museums. READ MORE

Pan Am Fiesta

Lakewood
Thursday - Sunday, May 9 - 12, 2024
The Pan American Fiesta returns to Mayfair Park in Lakewood on Mother's Day weekend. Festivities include a family-friendly mix of amusement rides, live music, crafts for sale, and food trucks. READ MORE

Happy Birthday, Monterey Park Play Days

Monterey Park
Thursday - Sunday, May 9 - 12, 2024
Monterey Park celebrates its 108th birthday with four days of fun in Barnes Park. READ MORE

4th Annual Community & Unity People's Kite Festival

Chinatown - FREE
Saturday, May 11, 2024
Clockshop and California State Parks host Community & Unity, the 4th annual People’s Kite Festival, at the Los Angeles State Historic Park, next to historic Chinatown. For the first time, a kite competition is held, inviting attendees to compete in various categories judged by kite masters, such as the best handmade kite and a flying competition. READ MORE

MOMentum Place

Topanga
Sunday, May 12, 2024
This Mother's Day, the annual MOMentum Place creates a fantastical world of aerial and circus performers, dancers and musicians in Theatricum Botanicum's rustic outdoor amphitheater. This year it celebrates its 25th anniversary! READ MORE

Monrovia Days

Monrovia
Friday - Sunday, May 16 - 19, 2024
The community of Monrovia celebrates its 138th birthday with a weekend of events. Highlights include games, carnival rides, food, live music, a meringue pie eating contest, and the annual Monrovia Days parade. READ MORE

Crawfish Festival

Fountain Valley
Friday - Sunday, May 17 - 19, 2024
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

Bug Fair 2024

Exposition Park
Saturday & Sunday, May 18 & 19, 2024
There are bugs everywhere! No need to call the exterminator; it's Bug Fair 2024, the Natural History Museum's celebration of things winged and creepy-crawly. Bug Fair is the biggest bug festival in North America, and this year is celebrating its 38th year. READ MORE

California Strawberry Festival

Ventura
Saturday & Sunday, May 18 & 19, 2024
The 2024 California Strawberry Festival returns on Saturday, May 18 & Sunday, May 19, once again at  the Ventura County Fairgrounds.  READ MORE

Comic Con Revolution

Ontario
Saturday & Sunday, May 18 & 19, 2024
Ontario's Comic Con Revolution celebrates comics and the creative arts. Programming includes guest appearances and cast reunions, legendary comic book creators, iconic voice actors, world class photo ops, and tons of cosplay. READ MORE

Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival

Calabasas
Sunday, May 19, 2024
King Gillette Ranch plays host to an old-time bluegrass, folk song, folk dancing, and crafts festival. Instrumental and singing contestants perform on three stages, with performances by AJ Lee & Blue Summit, The Way Down Wanderers, Grupo Bella, Hillary Klug, Water Tower, and many others. The Family Stage hosts kid-friendly performers including Peter Alsop, The Hollow Trees, Happy Campers, and SMMUSD Student Mariachi Band and Student Folklorico Dancers. READ MORE

LA Fleet Week

San Pedro - FREE
Wednesday - Monday, May 22- 27, 2024
Your ship's come in—a whole bunch of 'em actually. Fleet Week returns to the Port of Los Angeles with pier-side ship tours, exhilarating aerial demonstrations and flyovers, live entertainment, live competitions, and neighborhood activations.  READ MORE

Summer Games in the City!

Irvine
Opens Friday, May 24, 2024
Let the Games begin! The training ground at Pretend City is ready for the smallest athletes to test their athletic skills over the next three months. Kids can dive into adventurous play, competition, and hands-on learning experiences that celebrate the vibrant spirit of the Olympics. READ MORE

Garden Grove Strawberry Festival 2024 at the Village Green

Garden Grove
Friday - Monday, May 24 - 27, 2024
Garden Grove marks Memorial Day weekend for the 64th year with its Strawberry Festival, the second largest city festival in the West. This year, the festival's theme is "Celebrating Our Hometown."  READ MORE

Koroneburg Renaissance Festival

Corona
Starts Saturday, May 25, 2024
The Koroneburg Renaissance Festival returns for another season. With lots of audience-participation content, the Faire offers opportunities to learn about ye ol' German 1450-1600 A.D. history. READ MORE

Fiesta Hermosa

Hermosa Beach - FREE
Saturday - Monday, May 25 - 27, 2024
Hermosa Beach's annual blowout combines hundreds of artisans and craftspeople with opportunities to swim, bike, fish, or just relax on the beach. READ MORE

La Cañada's Fiesta Days

La Cañada Flintridge
Saturday - Monday, May 25 - 27, 2024
La Cañada's weekend-long Memorial Day festivities celebrate their 50 year anniversary.  Activities throughout the weekend include a French toast breakfast, vintage car show, a summer picnic and "ukulele rendezvous", a family dinner with music, and fireworks. Saturday evening the fireworks start at 8:45pm at Memorial Park (free admission). READ MORE

Topanga Days Country Fair

Topanga
Saturday - Monday, May 25 - 27, 2024
Topanga hosts its annual Memorial Day celebration which consists of music, artisan booths, great food, and a wide range of games, such as pie eating contests, an animal imitation contest, sack races, and a diaper derby.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Santa Monica High School
Oakwood Recreation and Park
Heritage Hill Historical Park
Multiple Museums, including The Gamble House
Los Angeles State Historic Park
Library Park Memorial Fountain
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Ventura County Fairgrounds
LA Fleet Week EXPO (adjacent to Battleship IOWA)
Pretend City Children's Museum
Crossroads Riverview Park