LOS ANGELES & ORANGE COUNTY
Family events, markets & everyday adventures. Clear costs. A plan worth saving.
Sources checked Sep 6–16, 2026 · see each listingHow we check events →THE WEEKEND EDIT
Our editorial picks, matched to your filters. Selected from organizer information.
LA · Los Angeles
Bob Baker Day
Bob Baker Day turns the theater’s annual celebration into a free Sunday outing at LA State Historic Park. Puppets and art are the draw. The published schedule opens with a 10am puppet parade. Complete the free RSVP and check the arrival plan; a donation is optional.
LA · Los Angeles
Public Star Party
Griffith’s Public Star Party puts volunteer astronomers beside the telescopes. It is our pick for a child whose questions keep coming. Choose daytime or evening viewing to suit your family; the sky and weather decide what is visible. Admission is free; parking may cost extra.
OC · Costa Mesa
Orange County Children’s Book Festival
The Orange County Children’s Book Festival offers a Sunday built around books and the people who make them. Let your child’s curiosity set the route, with one new read as a possible souvenir. Admission and parking are free; book purchases are extra.
OC · Costa Mesa
Free Miniature Train Rides
OCME’s volunteer-run miniature trains make this monthly ride weekend worth marking on the calendar. Rides are free, with optional donations. Every rider must walk independently and be at least 31 inches tall; babies in carriers cannot ride. Allow for a queue.
Soonest first · times in Southern California
A seasonal patch, plus the Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off on September 19 at 9am.
Weekdays 10am–6pm · weekends 8am–6pm
Age fitAll ages · suggested 2–10
CostActivities $8; later weekend reservations $16–22 per person, plus fees
Build a tower, a tiny town or whatever comes to mind.
3–4:30pm
Age fitChildren & families
CostFree program
Build a toothbrush-sized robot, then put it on the starting line.
3:30–4:30pm
Age fitChildren · suggested 6+
CostFree program
Explore historic railway equipment at an outdoor transportation museum.
Tuesday–Sunday · 10am–5pm
Age fitAll ages with a caregiver
CostFree museum admission; miniature train rides extra
Explore Mexican food and traditions with a bilingual children’s author.
Sessions at 11am & 2:30pm
Age fitYoung children · suggested 2–8
Cost$22 adult / child; infants through 12 months free
A preschool session of animal learning, hands-on activities and crafts.
10:15–11:15am
Age fitAges 3–4 only
Cost$5 per child; one parent included
Look through telescopes and ask volunteer astronomers your biggest space questions.
2pm–9:45pm
Age fitAll ages · suggested 5+
CostFree event; parking may cost extra
Upper Newport Bay
Help remove litter from the bay with your family.
9am–noon
Age fitAges 6+ only · minors with an adult
CostVolunteer registration; optional donation
Stories, mariachi and folklórico in a child-sized city.
11am reading · 1pm mariachi · 2:30pm dance
Age fitYoung children · suggested 2–8
Cost$22 adult / child; infants through 12 months free
Take on a building challenge or follow your own idea.
11am–noon
Age fitDesigned for ages 4–11
CostFree program
Produce, pastries, flowers and handmade goods on a Saturday morning.
Saturdays · 9am–2pm
Age fitAll ages with a caregiver
CostNo entry fee listed; purchases extra
Browse the certified farmers market at Wilson Park.
Tuesdays & Saturdays · 8am–1pm
Age fitAll ages with a caregiver
CostNo entry fee listed; purchases extra
A neighborhood market with prepared food beside park amenities.
Saturdays · 8am–1pm
Age fitAll ages with a caregiver
CostNo entry fee listed; purchases extra
Local produce, food artisans and a changing program of market activities.
Saturdays · 9am–1pm
Age fitAll ages with a caregiver
CostNo entry fee listed; purchases extra
Goathill Junction at Fairview Park
Volunteer-run miniature train rides with a clear rider-height requirement.
September 19 & 20 · 10am–3:30pm
Age fitMust walk independently and be at least 31 inches tall
CostFree rides; donations and shop purchases optional
A September celebration with free family activities and performances.
September weekends · activity times vary
Age fitAll ages with a caregiver
CostFree festival activities; food and shopping extra
A free community celebration of puppetry, art and imagination.
10am–5pm
Age fitAll ages
CostFree; optional donations and paid VIP extras
Find a new favorite book and meet the people who made it.
10am–3pm
Age fitAll ages
CostFree admission and parking; purchases extra
Farm produce, prepared food and a neighborhood morning on Main Street.
Sundays · 8:30am–1:30pm
Age fitAll ages with a caregiver
CostNo entry fee listed; purchases extra
The former Great Park market now meets at Stonegate Elementary.
Sundays · 10am–2pm
Age fitAll ages with a caregiver
CostNo entry fee listed; purchases extra
A certified produce market at Plaza de Paz, open rain or shine.
Sundays · 8am–noon
Age fitAll ages with a caregiver
CostNo entry fee listed; purchases extra
Press leaves and textures into clay and see what happens.
4–5pm
Age fitDesigned for ages 2+
CostFree program
A small preschool class for curious animal lovers.
10:15–11:15am
Age fitAges 3–4 only
Cost$5 per child; one parent included
An after-hours play session with quieter sounds and softer lighting.
5–7pm
Age fitChildren with family / caregivers
CostFree; advance registration required
An evening of performances, cultural displays and hands-on crafts.
5–9:30pm
Age fitAll ages
CostFree admission; food and extras cost more
Music, dance and bilingual activities meet a full aquarium day.
9am–5pm each day
Age fitAll ages
CostAdult $49.95 · child 3–11 $34.95
Make Halloween crafts and meet zoo animals up close.
10:30am–noon
Age fitAll ages
Cost$5 per family member
A family celebration with music, art activities and Dino Land.
10am–5pm
Age fitAll ages
CostAdult $4.75 · child 12 & under $2
James Dilley Preserve
Walk to a lake with volunteer naturalists as your guides.
3–5pm
Age fitAges 6+ only · minors with an adult
CostRSVP program; $3 parking · confirm any program fee
Learn your first moves or find a new chess partner.
Noon–2pm
Age fitAll ages & experience levels
CostFree program
Explore cultural performances, a global marketplace and the Kids Village.
10am–6pm
Age fitAll ages
CostFree admission; food and purchases extra
Downtown LA route
Walk, skate or ride through streets temporarily opened to people.
9am–4pm
Age fitAll ages
CostFree participation; rentals and purchases extra
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