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 Wednesday, May 1: SOAR at South Coast Botanic Garden
Saturday, May 25 – Monday, May 27: 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.
FEEL to Thrive
The Lab
15916 Crenshaw Blvd, Gardena, CA 90249
Friday Fun at Madrona Marsh Preserve
Madrona Marsh Preserve and Nature Center
3201 Plaza del Amo, Torrance, CA, 90503, United States
2025 Summer Camp Fair at The Point
The Point
850 California 1, El Segundo, CA, 90245, US
LA Kings vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Crypto.com Arena
1111 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA, 90015, United States
Cherry Blossom Cultural Festival
Columbia Park, Torrance, California
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 4th 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.
BeachLife Festival
May 3 – 5
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 Sting, Incubus, and My Morning Jacket.
Free Comic Book Day
May 4
Leave your allowance at home and head to a local comic book store to score a free comic on this nationwide event on the first Saturday of May each year. Check the Free Comic Book Day website for a participating shop near you.
Mother’s Day
May 12
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.
Monster Jam World Finals
May 18
Champions will be crowned, and legends will be made at Monster Jam World Finals. The all-day family fun starts at the biggest Pit Party of the year, where you can get up close to 50 trucks–including fan favorites like the legendary Grave Digger® and the mighty Megalodon–and meet the world’s best drivers before they compete for four World Championships. It’s big-time fun for the whole family.
12th Annual Tour de Pier
May 19
Be a hero in helping to fight cancer while experiencing the most electrifying fitness fundraiser in SoCal, the 12th 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.
Fiesta Hermosa
May 25 – 27
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 – 27
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.
The Garfield Movie
Premiering May 24
Garfield (voiced by Chris Pratt), the world-famous, Monday-hating, lasagna-loving indoor cat, is about to have a wild outdoor adventure! After an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father – scruffy street cat Vic (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson) – Garfield and his canine friend Odie are forced from their perfectly pampered life into joining Vic in a hilarious, high-stakes heist.
Worth the Drive: Events & Activities in Los Angeles and Beyond This Month
The Skywalker Saga Movie Marathon
May 4
Spend the day in the dark at the El Capitan, watching all nine movies back to back. Tickets include an exclusive poster and all-you-can-eat popcorn and food for the day.
Great Big Family Play Day at the Autry
May 4 – 5
Coachella for kids is back again for another fun-filled event featuring live music performances by the Beat Buds and Shye Eaze. Rides, games, character meet-and-greets, soft play zones, food, baby gear, and much more await!
L.A. County Fair
May 3 – 27
The LA County Fair is back and celebrating Stars, Stripes, and Fun in its 101st 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!
Disney’s Aladdin at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts
May 7 – 12
Discover a whole new world at Disney’s Aladdin, the hit Broadway musical. From the producer of The Lion King comes the timeless story of Aladdin, a thrilling new production filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy, and breathtaking spectacle. It’s an extraordinary theatrical event where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite.
Walk and Play L.A.
May 18
Support the critical care and work of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles at this annual, family-friendly community event. Walk and Play includes a 3K walk, a family festival for all ages, and exclusive sports activities hosted by professional teams and athletes.
California Strawberry Festival
May 18 – 19
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 2024
May 18 – 19
The bugs are back! Celebrating 38 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 6 – May 19 (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.
Marina Culture Jam Part II
May 26
The Marina Culture Jam series returns to Burton Chace Park with the second performance of this special 3-part series, presented by the Department of Beaches and Harbors and The Music Center. The show features live performances, arts and crafts, cultural learning activities, and more!
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.
Looking for more fun things to do with the family? Check out our guide to what’s happening in SoCal this spring. Stay in the know by subscribing, joining our Facebook group, and following us on Instagram.
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