Best Family Friendly Festivals around LA & OC

For all ages and abilities, CicLAmini—Pico Union offers walkers, joggers, bikers, skaters, and those who simply want to play with one’s favorite people-powered way to enjoy this 1.4-mile unique “pop-up park.”

Susan Gordon said:  A more pedestrian-oriented, car-free experience at CicLAvia’s 60th Open Streets event, CicLAmini—Pico Union, taking place on Sunday, May 18, between 10 a.m.–3 p.m. The public is invited to enjoy this compact neighborhood route for the day to explore Pico Union along Pico Blvd between Normandie and Union Aves. Always free, CicLAvia participants just show up along the route at any time to enjoy the open streets and to take the time to explore. There are two hubs plus activities for all ages sprinkled throughout the route. Free pedicab rides are also available next to each information booth to ensure that everyone, regardless of age or ability, is able to enjoy the day.

Bob Baker Day is free for all! Join us for all day festivities, puppet shows, games, and more at the 10th Annual Bob Baker Day! Celebrate Bob Baker’s 100th Birthday and BBMT’s 60th Anniversary at LA State Historic Park on April 21st. For this year’s Bob Baker Day, we’re thrilled to announce our Grand Marshal: Sid Krofft, the Grandfather of Puppetry! Sid will kick-off the festivities with a whole host of special guests! RSVP is required! If you are able, a suggested donation of $20 helps support this annual event remaining accessible, safe, and fun for all!

10am-5pm

Pretend City said:  Celebrate the next generation of inventors! We’re hosting the 3rd annual Kid Inventor’s Day in the City! Inventors ages 3-18 are bringing their ideas to life and showcasing their inventions to inspire and ignite the next generation of inventors! 

This huge street festival features local food, live entertainment, artist displays, and other exhibits. A special kids zone also hosts entertainment that's aimed at the younger set. It's rich in culture and fun and appeals to both adults and their little ones.

10am-7pm

An exciting weekend dedicated to exploring the musical versatility of the ukulele for the experienced ukulele player, the occasional strummer, or simply the curious spectator.

Erynn said:  This free community event lets families view Long Beach Airport's planes, enjoy live music, and grab a meal from on-site food trucks.

10am-4pm

 Family-friendly kiddie rides, a parade, vendor and game booths, plus contests, music performances, and the Strawberry Stomp 5k make the festival an engaging event for all ages.

This year’s festival will continue to offer a rich array of activities suitable for children of all ages, including over 70 exhibitors, live book readings by celebrated authors, interactive storytelling sessions, musical performances, arts and crafts, and other activities.

Susan Gordon said:  The Los Angeles Kids Book Festival returns to West Hollywood Park on Sunday, September 8, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. This free event celebrates children’s literacy and fosters a love for reading for kids of all ages. This year’s festival will continue to offer a rich array of activities suitable for children of all ages, including over 70 exhibitors, live book readings by celebrated authors, interactive storytelling sessions, musical performances, arts and crafts, and other activities. There will be plenty of books and other interesting vendors, meet-and-greets with authors, and more.

9:30am-4:30pm

Kristy Pepping said:  The Maritime Festival celebrates California’s maritime history and how it connects to the Ocean. This celebration offers several kids' activities from learning to tie a bowline to pirate songs to swimming with mermaids. There will also be live music, storytimes, food and souveniers for sale.

Families are in for a treat at the Pacific Islander Festival, where they get to experience the rich Pacific Islander culture through music, hula dance, arts and crafts. They also get to enjoy the animals at the Aquarium's touch tanks.

9am-5pm

Families can take a step through time and enjoy fantasy during the Renaissance Faire, a place where they can immerse themselves in a world of performers, jesters, old-time jousting, and artisan fun. There will be plenty of delicious food to enjoy, from cheese fritters to root beer floats, turkey legs, and more. Kiddos can enjoy the variety of games and attractions such as dragonfly face painting and a dragon swing.

10am-7pm

Erynn said:  LA celebrates Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math all April long with the City of Stem Festival! Community events happen all over, from the Aquarium of the Pacific to local colleges and gardens. Between Minecraft and animation exhibits to astronomy lectures and family movie screenings, there's a lot of Earth-friendliness and education happening! See the website for additional events and locations.

10am-4pm

Erynn said:  Live music and celebrity appearances, a learning kitchen, and over 100 exhibitors will delight the whole family at Veg Fest. The focus is fresh and cruelty-free food, so whether you're already a veg family or want to explore something new, Veg Fest is a tasty and interactive introduction. The kids' kingdom area has face painting, crafts, storytelling, and other offerings, too.

10:30am-6:30pm

Erynn said:  Visit the Irvine Fine Arts Studio for this everything-art festival! Local artists will display their wares, including ceramics, sculptures, jewelry, paintings, photographs, prints, and fiber and glass designs. Art is for purchase, plus there's live music, art demonstrations, and food- like ice cream sundaes in handmade ceramic bowls!

9am-5pm

Erynn said:  Families can watch artists create stunning street art from chalk, take in a classic car show, check out an art gallery, and create their own chalk art in children's chalkland. Since it's Father's Day weekend, kids can also make cards for dad, a gift dad will love! Face painting is also available for free in the kids' area.

Erynn said:  Performances, food, exhibits, and an international marketplace feature over 100 cultures from around the world! This global event includes kids' activities and crafts, plus educational and entertainment displays, a "kids village," and plenty of international cuisine for purchase.

10am-7pm

Erynn said:  This all-ages event invites everyone to get crafty and creative! Local art professionals run workshops and demonstrations plus let families create and take home treasures of their own. All art materials are provided, and you don't have to have any art experience to join in the fun.

1pm-4pm

Erynn said:  Admission is free, but taco (and other) sales benefit Jovenes, Inc, a program that helps transform the lives of homeless youth in LA. Bring the whole family for a relaxing afternoon of dining on tacos and other delicious food, listening to live music, and supporting the local community.

Keep in mind that all vendors are cash-only, and bring your own lawn chairs or blankets for picnicking in the park!

12pm-8pm

Erynn said:  Five blocks' worth of family-friendly entertainment makes this all-day event a crowd pleaser. Food booths, amusement rides, and lots of family-friendly entertainment round out the carnival zone. Do some shopping, enjoy food from tons of vendors, and watch traditional lion and dragon dancers plus firecrackers at event kickoff. The event is located on Garvey Avenue between Garfield and Alhambra, so plan to park and walk accordingly.

Saturday: 10am-9pm

Sunday: 10am-7pm

Erynn said:  If you love tamales, you won't want to miss this Riverside festival! There will be tamale tasting, appearances by professional bands, dancing groups, and multiple mariachi performances.

11am-7pm

Kelly R said:  The Aquarium of the Pacific's annual Autumn Festival is a celebration of Asian and Asian-American culture, offering kid-friendly opportunities to create origami, experience cultural storytelling, taste authentic food, and learn more about Asian marine life. The festival offers an exciting lineup of programming including a variety of music, dance, and martial arts performances.

9am-5pm

Fun cultural crafts, storytelling, and educational presentations are just some of the offerings lined up for families during the Moompetam American Indian Festival at the Aquarium of the Pacific. There will also be live celebrations with traditional music and dance, as well as continued opportunities to peruse the animals and marine life at the aquarium.

9am-5pm

Erynn said:  This event is a must-do for any true LEGO enthusiast. Its attractions include a glow LEGO display, a build-your-own derby car station with 35-foot-long tracks to race on, collaborative activities like world record setting endeavors, life-size builds, and a video gaming area. There's also mini golf and, of course, shopping for LEGO merchandise.

10am-5pm

Splish Splash! It’s Bubble Bath Day at Pretend City! Stop by and play with cool, colorful bubbles while your family engages in immersive scientific fun! BubblePOP will support children in a full-body bubble experience where they will be encompassed by a bubble, and they'll also be able to engage with smoke bubbles and see how dry ice and bubbles mix!

Welcome to the Year of the Snake! 🐍 Celebrate the Lunar New Year with colorful traditions, cultural stories, and fun for the whole family! Kishin Daiko Drummers will give a rhythmic performance including Japanese percussive-style drumming, and adaptations of traditional Japanese taiko pieces.

Erynn said:  A festival full of magic and fun, this puppeteering event will have kids listening to stories and live music and making art of their own. Puppeteers come from all over the country to put on productions and entertain families, and kids get to make their own puppets for the festival's finale! Advance ticket purchase is recommended.

10am-4pm

Erynn said:  You can literally taste almost everything Anaheim has to offer with this sampling plus entertainment event. Businesses and vendors from the area have their wares available to try, plus bands play throughout the event.

5:30pm-10:30pm

Kristy Pepping said:  The Love Long Beach Festival celebrates the essence of Long Beach with yoga, meditation and an entire village dedicated to kids! Inside the Kids Village, you will find a "Waldorf-inspired" area for playing and learning great for kids of any age. As for activities, there will be workshops, games, arts and crafts, nature-based toys, dancing, storytelling, singing, cozy spaces, and a resting tent. And there will even be an option for childcare from 11 am to 6 pm if you wish to meander over to the other festival areas or the d.js. with older kids.

11 am - 10 pm

Erynn said:  This family festival meets expo has tons for families to do, eat, and see. Carnival rides, an obstacle course, water play, art experiences, sports games, storytimes, plus food and dessert trucks, local businesses and brands, and more will make this the ultimate family day to remember. Plus, sunscreen and hydration stations are available to keep everyone protected and refreshed.

9am-5pm

At Fiesta Hermosa, there are plenty of ways for families to enjoy time together under the sun. The Kiddie Carnival offers pony rides and animal interactions at the petting zoo, super slides and mechanical rides, face painting, and more. Families love that they have a variety of delicious eats to choose from; they can listen to live music from undiscovered artists and shop handcrafted items from dozens of local merchants. There's also the Fiesta Siesta, a sanctuary where moms can decompress and tend to their babies and young children.

Saturday, Sunday & Monday of Memorial Day & Labor Day

10am-6pm

The Lotus Festival At Echo Park, a 2-day annual event that always coincides with blooming lotus flowers, is a festival where families can enjoy dragon boat races, peruse handcrafted artwork, delight in a tea house ceremony, fold paper into decorative shapes during a Japanese oragami workshop, and learn about Chinese culture. There's also a children's play area, food court with different delicious eats to choose from and entertainment.

Saturday & Sunday: 12pm-9pm

Erynn said:  With a vegan and health-conscious approach, this Faire invites families to sample food, enjoy entertainment and dancing, learn about wellness and health, and more. Everything is local and environmentally-focused, giving kids a gentle introduction to vegan living with both health and deliciousness.

4pm-10pm

Erynn said:  Beyond free chips and salsa, this Riverside salsa festival also involves a salsa making competition, food vendors of all flavors, live entertainment, and a kids' fun zone with bounce houses and kid-friendly activities.

11am