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Great Big Family Play Day, Cinco de Mayo, and More Top Things To Do in Los Angeles This Weekend

The Great Big Family Play Day is dino-mite! Photo by Gina Ragland
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4/26/24 - By Toby B

Looking for the best things to do in Los Angeles this weekend? Here are some of our favorite events and activities to add to your list this weekend

No need to search for your Disney favorites: they're skating up a storm in Disney on Ice: Mickey's Search Party. Monterey Park is positively pink with its Cherry Blossom Festival. Plus, there's no hiding from the glow of talent, which is on full display at The Music Center's Very Special Arts Festival Family Day. 

More Things To Do in Los Angeles This Week With Kids:

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Go wild for the planet at the LA Zoo. Photo by Jamie Pham for the Los Angeles Zoo.
Go wild for the planet at the LA Zoo. Photo by Jamie Pham for the Los Angeles Zoo.

Best Things To Do This Weekend in Los Angeles

LA County Fair

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

Día de los Niños/Children’s Day

Griffith Park
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

YALLWEST

Santa Monica - FREE
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

Circus Vargas Jubile (Downey)

Downey
Circus Vargas’ new production is an epic world celebration! In Jubilé, different cultures and nationalities join hand in hand, coming together to entertain, laugh, live, love and celebrate as one. READ MORE

Great Big Family Play Day 2024

Griffith Park
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

Free Comic Book Day 2024

Multiple Locations - FREE
Pow! Crash! Boom!  Getting comic books for free is...super! Free Comic Book Day returns on its usual "first Saturday in May" date. READ MORE

The Wheels on the Bus by Pasadena Playhouse

Pasadena
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

CicloIrvine

Irvine - FREE
Irvine steps up with its own Open Streets event! CicloIrvine celebrates community, connection, and clean air through the City of Irvine, with nearly two miles of City streets closed to cars and open for people to stroll, bike, and roll. READ MORE

Rancho Days Fiesta

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

CLAY LA 2024

Mid-Wilshire
CLAY LA 2024 at Craft Contemporary is a celebration of all things clay. The two-day event feature shopping, music, hands-on clay activities, and an early shopping preview event. READ MORE

LA Sanitation East Valley Yard Open House

Sun Valley- FREE
The East Valley Yard in Sun Valley offers the first chance of the season to see LA's garbage trucks up close.  Trash fans can honk the horns, take a tour of the can warehouse, and see the maintenance facilities. Food and drink are served.   READ MORE

May the 4th Celebration: Across the Galaxy

Mid-Wilshire
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

Movies on Location: Star Wars: A New Hope

Van Nuys
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...  Industrial Light and Magic was headquartered in Van Nuys, in what is the present day home to Neiman & Company. It is only fitting then, that My Valley Pass chooses the location to screen Star Wars: A New Hope on May the 4th. READ MORE

Star Wars: The Phantom Menace:25th Anniversary

Hollywood
“And you, young Skywalker. We will watch your career with great interest.”  Audiences can watch the career of  Anikin and other young Skywalkers as the El Capitan celebrates the 25th anniversary of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. READ MORE

Museums of the Arroyo Day

- FREE
The annual Museums of the Arroyo Day treats LA families to free admission at five local museums. READ MORE

Cinco de Mayo at the Rose Bowl

Pasadena - FREE
Rose Bowl celebrates Cinco de Mayo with a free community event. Families can come together and enjoy Pasadena’s rich Latino culture and traditions through music, sports, art, and film. Highlights include a Youth Soccer Tournament, live music performances, a marketplace, and screenings of Coco and Beverly Hills Chihuahua​.  READ MORE

Historical Venice Cinco de Mayo Parade/Festival 2024

Venice - FREE
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

Cinco de Mayo at the Citadel

Commerce - FREE
The Citadel celebrates Cinco de Mayo weekend with traditional folklorico performances in Center Court. The 15-minute performances are presented on the hour from 12noon to 3pm.  READ MORE

Cinco de Mayo Parade & Celebration (Gardena)

Gardena
Gardena celebrates Cinco de Mayo with an annual parade and all-day celebration. The Grand Marshal is meteorologist Belen de Leon of NBC4 Today in LA. The Community Grand Marshal is Victor Escobar, a Gardena Valley Lions member. READ MORE

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

San Clemente
Orange County's Spanish Village by the Sea puts on its annual festival celebrating el Cinco de Mayo with plenty of traditional music, food, face painting, and other family entertainment READ MORE

Free to Be Me Festival

- FREE
The family-friendly Free to Be Me Festival celebrates the special needs community and their families. This free community event features inclusive and adaptive activities, live sensory-friendly entertainment, arts and crafts, recreational activities, sensory play and more.  A chill zone is available for those that need a calming space READ MORE

Cinco de Mayo (Bowers)

Santa Ana
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

Kibō Nobori 2024 - Children's Day Festival

Little Tokyo - FREE
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

Children's Day Celebration

Sawtelle - FREE
Sawtelle Japanese Association hosts a free fun-filled afternoon at the West LA Buddhist Temple in celebration Children's Day. Guests can enjoy free crafts, free plants, tea ceremony, and Japanese taiko performances, as well a food and games available for purchase. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Santa Monica High School
Irvine, including UCI Health Hub
Heritage Hill Historical Park
Neiman & Company (Formerly Industrial Light & Magic)
Multiple Museums, including The Gamble House
Oakwood Recreation and Park
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple