All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
Día de los Muertos at St. Isidore Historical Plaza
OCTOBER 28: Altar display contest, face painting, folkloric dancing, live music, and food and drinks. The public is invited to participate in the creation of altars.
Halloween Spooktacular with City of Newport Beach
OCTOBER 28: Enjoy live music, trunk-or-treat area, a haunted house, carnival games, bounce houses, costume contests, food trucks, and fun for the whole family!
Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Long Beach
OCTOBER 28: The event includes trick-or-treating, sensory activities, arts and crafts, mad science lab, performances, and more. Universally designed for children of all abilities.
Trunk-or-Treat Community Event at IKEA
OCTOBER 28: Go trunk-or-treating, enjoy activities and games, a spooky walk-thru experience, food trucks, costume contest, and DJ entertainment.
Movie in the Park: Disney Haunted Mansion (2023) in Mission Viejo
OCTOBER 28: Watch a free screening of Disney Haunted Mansion (2023) at Cordova Park. Movie begins at dusk. Fun games and music beginning at 6pm.
Most Terrifying Objects in Space: Halloween STEM Presentation in Mission Viejo
OCTOBER 28: Join NASA Solar System Ambassadors from Science Heads as they explore the most terrifying objects in space. Vampire stars? Check. Black Widow pulsars? Check. Dark Energy? Check.
Battleship IOWA Halloween STEMebration
OCTOBER 28: Come aboard Battleship IOWA for candy stations, game stations, STEM/craft stations, Spooky Reading Corner, Franklin's Marionettes on the fantail stage, and a family Halloween movie on the fantail.
Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade in Long Beach
OCTOBER 29: See 450+ costumed dogs as they parade around. Halloween costume contest for kids and adults with prizes too.
Día de los Muertos at Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach
OCTOBER 29: Live performances, traditional face painting, children's sugar skull workshop, catrina/catin contest, vendors, and more.
Trick-or-Treat at the Whittier Museum
OCTOBER 29: An all-ages friendly Halloween event where kids can safely receive candy. Free admission and free candy for all visitors without the worry of being frightened.
Spooktacular Halloween at Bella Terra
OCTOBER 30: Visit Bella Terra for a morning of Halloween fun including a costume parade, music and entertainment, games, live creepy crawlies, craft, and raffle. Must register online.
Cops N’ Goblins with City of Buena Park
OCTOBER 31: Bring your little goblins out for a Halloween and trick-or-treat experience as brought to you by your Buena Park Police Department and Community Services Department.
Halloween Carnivals with City of Lakewood Parks
OCTOBER 31: Special carnival activities will be held at Biscailuz, Bloomfield, Bolivar, Boyar, Del Valle, Mayfair, Palms and San Martin parks. Inflatable attractions will be at Mayfair for an additional fee.
Dia de los Muertos at Forest Lawn
OCTOBER 29 & NOVEMBER 2: The lively community festivals honor the memories of the dead while illuminating the rich history of the holiday with community altars, cultural expressions, folkloric dance group, and mariachi music.
Free Day at The Huntington Library
EVERY FIRST THURSDAY: The first Thursday of every month is Free Day. Admission is free of charge with advance reservation.
Fall Outdoor Movie Nights at Muzeo in Anaheim
Get into the spirit of the season with free, family-friendly outdoor movie series in the MUZEO courtyard. Concessions and fall drinks available for purchase. Crafts and contests start at 5pm.
Amal Walks Across America at The Kia Forum
NOVEMBER 3: The Wallis is proud to be among the venues and 1,000+ global artists welcoming Little Amal, a towering 12-foot puppet representing a refugee Syrian child. Join The Wallis for a joyous free outdoor celebration of this worldwide phenomenon, directed by Debbie Allen, at the Kia Forum.
Ventura County Farm Day
NOVEMBER 4: More than 15 Ventura County farms, ranches and agricultural organizations invite the public to experience a day of free agricultural activities and tours.
Saturday Morning Cartoons at The Bowers Kidseum
NOVEMBER 4 & DECEMBER 9: Drop in for a free drawing lesson for all ages! Watch a selection of cartoons and learn how to draw a Looney Tunes character - a different one every session - taught by skilled teaching artists.
Irvine Fine Arts Center’s Holiday Faire at Great Park
NOVEMBER 4: More than 100 local and regional artisans will showcase unique handmade gifts for purchase, including holiday decorations, hand-blown glass, ceramics, jewelry, folk crafts, clothing, and more.
Los Angeles Pow Wow at Autry Museum
NOVEMBER 4: The United American Indian Involvement (UAII) is gathering people in Los Angeles for a one-day contest Pow Wow, featuring vendors, artists, musicians, and drums and dancers all highlighting the best of Southern California.
Free Saturday Family Theatre in Long Beach
FEBRUARY 25 - NOVEMBER 4: A free opportunity for kid of all ages to experience the magic of theatre. These free shows are open to all. Reservations are required.
Turkey Tractor Fest at Bolsa Chica State Beach
NOVEMBER 4: Join Bolsa Chica State Beach for a day of tractors, birds, and giving back to the beach.
Día de Muertos Celebration at Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4: The public is invited to view ofrendas honoring the dead, and enjoy live performances, Mexican cuisine, and shop from local artisans. The event is free.
Hōkūle’a Arrival Ceremony to Dana Point Harbor
NOVEMBER 4: Join Dana Point OC Sheriff and Ocean Institute as they welcome the Hōkūleʻa with a water salute, then watch it be escorted by canoe clubs to the Ocean Institute's dock. The public is invited inside the Ocean Institute for a welcome ceremony in the courtyard with speeches, cultural tributes, and ceremonial dances.
Mexican Day of the Dead Family Festival at Bowers Museum
NOVEMBER 5: Enjoy a FREE, full day of fun for the entire family, featuring face painting, art projects, live performances, and more!
Exploring Your Universe at UCLA
NOVEMBER 5: Exploring Your Universe (EYU) at UCLA will be hosting science booths and science talks with subjects ranging from astronomy, biology, geology, chemistry, sustainability, psychology, and more.
Veterans Month Concert at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
NOVEMBER 5: With gratitude to local veterans, the celebration includes a free outdoor concert.
Centennial Farm Discovery Days
SEPTEMBER 28 - JUNE 3: During a Discovery Day, “farmers” are stationed around the farm available to answer questions and provide information.
Veterans Day Commemoration at Reagan Library
NOVEMBER 10: Celebrate Veterans Day at the Reagan Library with live musical entertainment, a civil war encampment, military vehicle displays and program honoring all branches of the military.
Free Admission for Veterans to Aquarium of the Pacific
NOVEMBER 11: In celebration of Veterans Day, the Aquarium of the Pacific honors veterans and active military personnel with free admission.
Free Entrance Day to National Parks
On January 16, April 22, August 4, September 23, and November 11, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone.
Veterans Day Breakfast at Big Air Buena Park
NOVEMBER 11: Big Air is offering a breakfast for veterans and one guest for free. Enjoy pancakes, sausage, jumping and more!
Salute to Service Festival at USS Midway Museum
NOVEMBER 11: Live music, kids’ activities, contests, free food & drink samples. Free for all Active, Reserve, National Guard, Veterans and their families (up to 4 family members). ID required.
Veterans Day Celebration at Forest Lawn in Hollywood Hills
NOVEMBER 11: The Veterans Day Celebration will honor members of the United States military with a flyover, patriotic music, invocation and benediction, color guard, wreath laying, family-friendly activities, and more.
Papyrus Scroll Making Family Workshop at Getty Villa
NOVEMBER 4 - JANUARY 27: Become a scribe and create your own papyrus scene inspired by illustrations in the Book of the Dead. Learn about the making and use of the scrolls and ancient Egyptian art and belief.
Veterans Day Celebration in Long Beach
NOVEMBER 11: Join the City of Long Beach for a free family-friendly festival featuring a welcome ceremony, veterans recognition ceremony and community resource fair, plus DJ entertainment, live musical performances, Kids Zone, food trucks, giant inflatable obstacle course, historic aircraft flyovers, and community showcases.
Veterans Day Celebration at Orange County Museum of Art
NOVEMBER 11: Enjoy an afternoon on the Upper Plaza with live music, artmaking activities, and pop-up tours. All veterans, families, and visitors of all ages are welcome to attend this free event.
Veterans Day Commemoration at Heroes Hall in OC Fair and Event Center
NOVEMBER 11: Please join the ceremony and the unveiling of a new plaque honoring our fallen heroes and veterans who served post-9/11. The event will include a performance by All-American Boys Chorus, veteran service organization booths, kids’ activities, and food.
Citadel Outlets Tree Lighting Concert with Pentatonix
NOVEMBER 11: Over 18,000 LED bulbs will light up California's tallest live-cut Christmas tree! The free concert is a family-friendly holiday tradition with original pop songs and holiday favorites from Pentatonix, Nyah Damesen (Monster High 2), FUTUREPOP, and Orange County School of the Arts.
Eco Harvest Festival at Sowing Seeds of Change Urban Farm in Long Beach
NOVEMBER 12: Visit the urban farm where there will be loads of earth-friendly activities for the whole family, plus free food and school supplies giveaways! Activities include: a compost demonstration where you can bring your old carved pumpkins, flower crown making, succulent planting, dried fruit and herb garland making, clothes swap, and more.
St. Martin Lantern Parade & Fest at Old World Huntington Beach
NOVEMBER 12: Join German School Campus for the annual Saint Martin Lantern Parade, a tradition through generations.
Roundhouse Aquarium Holiday Open House in Manhattan Beach
NOVEMBER 15: Join the Downtown Manhattan Beach festivities and pier lighting by strolling down the pier and stopping by the Roundhouse Aquarium. See the animals after dark and get some treats!
Tree Lighting Ceremony in Costa Mesa
NOVEMBER 16: Join the Segerstrom Family at their traditional tree lighting ceremony featuring live performances and a visit from Santa.
Remembrance Day at Drum Barracks Civil War Museum in Wilmington
NOVEMBER 18: Join the Sons of Union Veterans and Auxiliary as they remember the sacrifices of Drum Barracks' fallen soldiers and the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.
Lowe’s Workshops for Kids
Bring your mini-DIYer into Lowe's for a special workshop hosted by a Red Vest expert.
Free Miniature Train Rides at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa
THIRD WEEKEND OF EVERY MONTH: The Orange County Model Engineers offer public ride days every third weekend of each month. To ride the trains, children must be able to walk and be at least 31" tall. A typical trip takes about 12 minutes and covers two loops of the park.
Free Youth Fishing Derby at El Dorado Park in Long Beach
NOVEMBER 18: Kids can enjoy outdoor recreation, learn to fish, get expert fishing tips, and have opportunities to win prizes like fishing gear and gift cards. Fishing poles and tackle will be provided to participating youth to use for free during the derby, but youth may also bring their own gear to use.
Little Sparks Workshop at Petersen Automotive Museum
AUG 19, SEP 16, OCT 21, NOV 18, DEC 16: Visit the Petersen Automotive Museum for workshops (ages 3-6) that explore the history, science, and art behind the car.
Family ArtMaking Workshop at Long Beach Museum of Art
THIRD SUNDAYS: Family ArtMaking Workshops provide free family-oriented art-making activities. Parents and children (5+) participate together to create an art project. Workshops are free and no sign-ups are required. Stop by anytime between 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Disclaimer: The Kidsguide team works hard to ensure all events are accurate at the time of posting, but details are subject to change without notice. Confirm all details with event organizer before attending. Kidsguide is not liable for errors, omissions, or changes to listings on our calendar.
