Best Things to Do in the South Bay (LA) in May
Whether you’re celebrating Mom or the start of summer, we’ve got you covered on all the fun things to do with kids from the first of May to Memorial Day weekend.
This post is sponsored by South Bay Credit Union. South Bay Credit Union is for all who live, work, or worship in the South Bay.
Upcoming Featured Events & Program Highlights:
- Starting Friday, May 1: SOAR at South Coast Botanic Garden
- Friday – Sunday, May 1 – 3: BeachLife Festival
- Saturday, May 23 – Monday, May 25: Fiesta Hermosa
For more memorable things to do this month, sign up for our newsletter and get it all delivered to your inbox, or check out our events calendar.
Mira Costa High School Drama/Tech Presents Mean Girls
Mira Costa High School Auditorium
Mira Costa High School Drama/Tech Presents Mean Girls
Mira Costa High School Auditorium
Friday Fun at Madrona Marsh Preserve
Madrona Marsh Preserve and Nature Center
3201 Plaza del Amo, Torrance, CA, 90503, United States
BeachLife Festival 2026
BeachLife Festival
Mira Costa High School Drama/Tech Presents Mean Girls
Mira Costa High School Auditorium
Mira Costa High School Drama/Tech Presents Mean Girls
Mira Costa High School Auditorium
PUG NATION FASHION SHOW
Beachwood Brewery & Distilling
3630 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, CA
Mira Costa High School Drama/Tech Presents Mean Girls
Mira Costa High School Auditorium
Our Favorite Family-Friendly Things to Do in May
Summer vacation is just around the corner, but before you hit the summer camps and day trips, there’s still plenty of fun and excitement in May. Check out some of our favorite family-friendly things to do this month.
Events & Activities in the South Bay This Month
SOAR Tropical Butterflies at South Coast Botanic Garden
Starting May 1
Returning for the 6th year to South Coast Botanic Garden is Soar. This incredible exhibit features hundreds of tropical butterflies you wouldn’t otherwise see in Southern California. Learn about these beautiful butterflies as you enjoy an up-close-and-personal experience with the hundreds of them fluttering around you.
While you’re there don’t miss the return of Thomas Dambo’s TROLLS, now open.
BeachLife Festival
May 1 – 3
The BeachLife Festival is coming to Redondo Beach with music, art, and culinary offerings. The festival features diverse musical performances across various genres, including rock, indie, reggae, and more, with headliners like Duran Duran, The Offspring, and James Taylor.
Fire Service Day
May 9
To increase community awareness of Fire Department services, the Los Angeles Fire Department designates the second Saturday of each May as Fire Service Recognition Day. This is your chance to come hang with your local firefighters, see the trucks up close, get a tour of the station and lots of other fun activities during Fire Service Day!
12th Annual Glow Ride Hermosa Beach
May 9
Join in the fun for the 12th Annual Glow Ride Hermosa Beach , a one-of-a-kind family-friendly beach bike ride supporting families affected by cystic fibrosis. As the sun sets, the Hermosa Beach Strand transforms into a glowing celebration. Ride, skate, or stroll between Hermosa and Manhattan Beach alongside hundreds of participants lighting up the night.
Mother’s Day
May 10
Looking for fun Mother’s Day celebration ideas? Check out our lists of the best breakfast in the South Bay or the best spots for brunch in Los Angeles. Or pack a picnic and head to one of our favorite South Bay parks or beautiful local beaches.
14th Annual Tour de Pier
May 17
Be a hero in helping to fight cancer while experiencing the most electrifying fitness fundraiser in SoCal, the 14th Annual Tour de Pier. At the iconic Manhattan Beach Pier & Strand, the area’s best instructors and celebrity guests will spin riders through five 50-minute sessions that include energizing music and entertainment. In addition to cycling, there will be a FREE Health & Fitness Expo featuring some of the area’s most diverse vendors. Kids can enjoy the Cardio Kids Zone with tot-sized stationary bikes, games, moon bounces, and more.
The Point Kids Club Kick-Off
May 20
May marks the first of six monthly Kids Club events taking place the third Wednesday of each month at The Point. For the first event kids will enjoy painting stations, a bug and reptile show, and more! Every month will feature a new theme and activities.
Fiesta Hermosa
May 23 – 25
Spend Memorial Day Weekend in the South Bay jamming with live music, checking out rides, artisans, food vendors, and fun, family-friendly activities in the sunshine on the beach.
LA Fleet Week
May 22 – 25
LA Fleet Week is an annual, multi-day celebration of our nation’s Sea Services held on the L.A. Waterfront at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro. Events and activities include active duty ship tours, concerts and live performances, and aircraft flyovers.
More Exciting Events in the South Bay
From live music to comedy shows, the South Bay is full of venues that host exciting events all month long. Check out some of our favorite spots below:
mbWineco
Every Friday and Saturday on the patio unwind after a long week with a glass of wine and some live tunes. Fridays feature smooth, jazzy lounge vibes, while Saturdays showcase some of the best local artists from the South Bay.
Riviera Mexican Cantina
Every month the Cantina hosts live Mariachi music and live comedy shows with comedians featured on HBO and Netflix. Check out the calendar of events for the month for dates and times.
Laugh Kitchen
The Laugh Kitchen helps you enjoy local South Bay restaurants with a side of live stand-up comedy. This month’s featured event is located in Torrance at The Mongol King followed by Stand-Up Comedy at The Creative Factory next door.
Common Space Brewery
This beer garden and tap room in Hawthorne hosts public events all month, including weekly trivia nights, comedy shows, line dancing, and more. Check out their full line-up for the month.
Worth the Drive: Events & Activities in Los Angeles and Beyond This Month
L.A. County Fair
May 7 – 31
The LA County Fair is back and inviting you to Play Your Way with a focus on recreation and imagination in its 103rd year. There are so many fun things to do with kids, including food, games, rides, exhibits, and concerts. You could spend the entire month here!
California Strawberry Festival
May 16 – 17
The popular festival celebrating all things strawberries is back again at the Ventura Fairgrounds. The festival features a Ninja Nation Obstacle Course, live music and entertainment, over a hundred arts and crafts booths, and, of course, dozens of strawberry-based foods and treats.
NHM’s Bug Fair 2026
May 16 – 17
The bugs are back! Celebrating 40 years of all things creepy and crawly, the Natural History Museum’s annual Bug Fair is here again. Insect fans will enjoy close-up encounters with live bugs and learn about the local insect life in Los Angeles.
Renaissance Pleasure Faire
April 4 – May 17 (Saturdays and Sundays)
Take a step back in time to the days of yore at the Ren-Faire. The faire features over 100 artisans, merchants, vendors, costume contests, games, rides, a food court, and more. Check the website for details on specially-themed weekends, like Pirates and Heroes.
About South Bay Credit Union
South Bay Credit Union is for all who live, work, or worship in the South Bay.
Banking with South Bay Credit Union offers numerous advantages. Their exceptional features include a local presence in the South Bay, personalized attention to detail, tailored banking and lending solutions, access to over 30,000 fee-free ATMs, specialized Youth Accounts, and private insurance coverage of up to $1,000,000 per account.
For small businesses, banking with South Bay Credit Union offers a range of advantages. These include online banking, bill payment services, debit and credit business cards, and low fees. You can enjoy all these benefits while receiving the same level of care and attention as a personal account.
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RELATED STORIES:
BeachLife Festival Returns to Redondo Beach for 2026
Thomas Dambo’s TROLLS Are Back at South Coast Botanic Garden
Fiesta Hermosa Is Back for 2026
