Coolest Things to Do With Kids in the South Bay and 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 the South Bay and Los Angeles this season. Check out our list of the best fall activities for families in the South Bay and beyond.
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20+ Things to Do With Kids This Fall
Taste of South Bay
September 14 – 22
Bypass the cooking and plan a family dinner night out for South Bay Restaurant Week. From September 14-22, 2024, we’re celebrating the best of our local restaurants and businesses with the Taste of South Bay. Local Anchor has curated an incredible list of special offers, allowing you to explore the vibrant flavors of the South Bay like never before. Sign Up HERE for Updates
8th Annual Los Angeles International Ukulele Festival
September 20 – 22
The 8th Annual Los Angeles International Ukulele Festival presented by Torrance-based Kala Koa Entertainment, returns to the Torrance Cultural Arts Center. This unique, family-friendly festival includes workshops for all levels of playing ability to work on technique or simply learn to play and enjoy live all-star performances by some of today’s most popular ukulele players.
Locale 90254 Oktoberfest
September 28 – 29
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!
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.
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.
2024 El Segundo Main Street Fair
September 28
Join in the fun at the 2024 El Segundo Main Street Fair hosted by the El Segundo Kiwanis Club. Bring your family and friends to the South Bay on Saturday Sept. 28th for a fun filled day of music, food and crafts by local vendors, games and rides for kids, a rockin’ beer garden, and much more!
Festa Italiana San Pedro
October 5
The Festa Italiana is a free, family-friendly event organized by the Little Italy of Los Angeles Association in collaboration with Council District 15 to celebrate Italian-American Heritage Month and showcase the best that Italian culture has to offer.
Enjoy an afternoon of fun and entertainment surrounded by some amazing food and merchandise vendors.
San Pedro’s Dia de los Muertos Festival
October 26
Celebrate the Day of the Dead with authentic altar displays, live entertainment, food trucks, a beer garden, costume contest, and more!
Apple Picking
September – November
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.
LA Fall Fair
October 25 – November 3
The 44th Annual LA Fall Fair in South El Monte is the largest Fall Festival in Los Angeles County featuring 12 acres of amusement rides, live music performances, carnival games, local artisans, and delicious food options.
Coco at the El Capitan
Select dates in September
Check out a Disney favorite to celebrate the spirit of the season 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
October 4 – 6
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
October 4 – 30
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 Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) installation and ofrenda. Guests can also enjoy holiday-themed food and beverages.
Nights of the Jack
September 29 – November 2
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
September 28 – October 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
September 15 – November 24
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
September 21
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.
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.
Halloween at Disneyland Resort
August 23 – October 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 weekends in September and October
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.
Fall Festival at the Original Farmer’s Market
October 19 – 20
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
October 25 – November 2
Olvera Street’s annual celebration features face painting, ofrendas, live entertainment, and a nightly candlelight procession at 7 p.m.
55th Annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Faire
November 16 – 17
Presented by the Torrance Craftsmens Guild, enjoy a festive shopping experience featuring over 60 talented artists showcasing their handcrafted treasures, perfect for holiday gifting. Enjoy complimentary parking and admission at Madrona & Torrance Blvd.
Autumn Festival at the Aquarium of the Pacific
November 16 – 17
The annual Autumn Festival celebrates the diversity of Asian and Asian American cultures by highlighting the traditions and cultures of Japan, China, Korea, and the Philippines. The festival features traditional craft demonstrations, music, dance, cultural arts exhibits, and storytelling.
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