The Best Things to Do With Kids in Los Angeles This Fall
Pumpkin spice season has arrived and, along with it, the start of fall fun! Beyond the pumpkin patches and Halloween experiences, there are so many fun things to do with kids in Los Angeles this season. Check out our list of the best fall activities for families in L.A. and the South Bay.
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20+ Things to Do With Kids This Fall (2023)
Thomas Dambo’s Trolls: Save the Humans
Opens Oct. 1
Premiering at the South Coast Botanical Garden this fall, this incredible installation features Danish artist Thomas Dambo’s signature folklore-inspired troll sculptures built from reclaimed materials. The exhibit features six larger-than-life trolls designed to help inspire conversations about the human impact on the environment. Please note the sculptures are considered works of art, so remind your littles to look with their eyes only.
Locale 90254 Oktoberfest
Sep. 30 – Oct. 1
Get a taste of Germany in Hermosa Beach! This two-day event features traditional German and Bavarian cuisines, live music, and plenty of family-friendly activities at the Carnival, including rides, games, face painting, and more. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite dirndls and lederhosen for a day filled with fun and festivities!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Secret of the Sewer at the Discovery Cube
Sept. 16 – Feb. 19
Calling all Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle fans! If your kids can’t get enough of these pizza-loving crime fighters, head to the Discovery Cube for a brand-new exhibit where visitors can learn teamwork, collaboration, and problem-solving through puzzles, mazes, and obstacles.
Disney’s Aladdin at the Pantages
Sept. 12 – 23
Don’t miss your chance to make a wish and take a magical ride with Aladdin and his pals in this Broadway sensation. Tickets are going fast, so get them before it’s too late!
24th Street Theater Saturday Explorer Series
Saturdays in Sept.
Embark on a journey across the stage where young theatergoers are invited to discover the magic of storytelling. Each weekend features a different show tailored just for young audiences at this historic theater.
National Public Lands Day
Sept. 23
Celebrate our magnificent National Parks with a free day of exploration. Throughout the year, the National Parks Service features free days when you can enjoy free entry into more than 400 parks across the country. There are also several volunteer opportunities.
Take a Hike
All season
Whether you missed National Park Day or it has sent you on an outdoor kick, there’s no better time to go for a hike and enjoy the outdoors in Los Angeles than the fall. Check out our guide to the best family-friendly hiking trails to get started.
Encanto and Coco at the El Capitan
Select dates in Sept. and Oct.
Get into the family spirit and check out these Disney favorites at the iconic El Capitan Theater. Make a full day of it in Hollywood, grab a bite at Ghiradelli’s, and stroll across the stars on the Walk of Fame.
Pacific Airshow
Sept. 29 – Oct. 1
With a lineup of world-class pilots and stunning aerobatic displays, the annual airshow in Huntington Beach promises to be an unforgettable weekend of thrills and excitement.
CARVED at Descanso
Oct. 6 – 29
Explore Descanso Gardens after dark as it gets a spooky overlay of carved pumpkins and Halloween-themed exhibits. Check out the pumpkin house, hay maze, artists sculpting pumpkins, and a special expanded Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) installation and ofrenda. Guests can also enjoy holiday-themed food and beverages.
Nights of the Jack
Sep. 29 – Oct. 31
Nights of the Jack is lighting up the night with this immersive experience that showcases thousands of hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins across the grounds of King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas. After exploring the carved pumpkin displays, grab a drink at the Spookeasy bar and enjoy treats from L.A. food trucks.
Underwood Farms Fall Harvest Festival
Oct. 1 – 31
There’s no better way to get into the spirit of the season than a trip to Underwood Farms’ annual Fall Harvest Festival. In addition to the gigantic fields full of pumpkins, you’ll enjoy all kinds of festive activities, including a corn maze, pumpkin house and displays, animal center, rides and attractions, delicious treats, themed weekend events, and so much more!
NHM Spider Pavilion
Sep. 17 – Nov. 26
Calling all arachnid fans! If you’ve got kids who love to bug out over spiders, then visiting the Natural History Museum’s annual Spider Pavilion is a must. Get an up-close and personal look at hundreds of spiders and their habitats at this open-air exhibit.
Dino Fest
Sep. 24
Go for the spiders and stay for the dinos! The annual celebration of all things dinosaurs is back at the Natural History Museum. This year’s festival features rare specimens, engaging hands-on activities, and more. This popular event fills up fast, so be sure to get advanced tickets.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
October
From Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch to Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch, SoCal is filled with places to pick the perfect pumpkin, play games, and snap a festive family photo. Check out our guide to the best pumpkin patches in Los Angeles and Orange County to find one near you.
Apple Picking
Sept. – Nov.
If you want to get out of the city and enjoy a taste of fall, apple picking is an excellent family activity. Not far from Los Angeles, in Oak Glen, you’ll find family-friendly apple orchards to explore. Get away for the day or plan a whole weekend around it. You’ll find our picks for the best locations in our guide to apple picking near Los Angeles.
Halloween at Disneyland Resort
Sep. 1 – Oct. 31
Oogie Boogie Bash might be sold out, but you can still enjoy loads of spooky fun at the Disneyland Resort this fall. From Mickey Mouse pumpkins to the Nightmare Before Christmas-themed Haunted Mansion Holiday, Disneyland at Halloween time is always exciting. Halloween-themed attractions, shows, character photo ops, decor, and tasty Halloween treats are all part of the celebration.
Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND
Select Saturdays in Sept. and Oct.
On weekends leading up to Halloween, the LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat Monster Party kicks off with live entertainment and shows, character meet and greets, a costume contest, and trick-or-treating.
Boo at the L.A. Zoo
Oct. 1 – 31
Enjoy live shows, animal pumpkin feedings, themed photo ops, education stations, and much more all month long at the L.A. Zoo. On the last two weekends of the month, you can also experience trick-or-treating stations throughout the zoo grounds. Costumes are encouraged!
Fall Festival at the Original Farmer’s Market
Oct. 21 – 22
Farm animals, fall-themed games, live music, kids’ crafts, photo ops, and a pumpkin patch are all part of the fun at this annual event.
Fiesta de los Muertos
Oct. 29 – Nov. 2
Olvera Street’s annual celebration features face painting, ofrendas, live entertainment, and a nightly candlelight procession at 7 p.m.
Canoga Park Dia de los Muertos Festival
Nov. 5
The 23rd Annual Festival takes place on Sherman Way, as the street is shut down and lined with booths, live entertainers, food vendors, and a spectacular classic car show.
Ventura County Farm Day
Nov. 4
For the 11th Annual Ventura County Farm Day, more than 15 Ventura County farms and ranches open their doors and invite the public to experience a day of agricultural activities and tours. Follow the Farm Day Trail Map to the various locations where you can learn about the farm origins of your food.
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