September 5–7, 2026 · The long weekend
5 worthwhile events, plus three easy outings. Los Angeles · South Bay · Malibu · Long Beach.
5 events in Los Angeles
Saturday–Monday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Free festival entry; food and carnival rides extra · All ages
Browse seaside stalls, listen to live music, and let the kids choose a carnival treat at this beach-town street festival.
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Saturday–Sunday, 1–10 p.m.; Monday, 1–8 p.m.
Advance admission required; ages 5 and under free; rides extra · All ages; ride height limits apply
Make a coastal day of carnival rides, chili tasting, music, and a skate contest at Malibu’s end-of-summer fundraiser.
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Sunday: art activities 10 a.m.; concert 11:30 a.m.
Ticketed family concert; check child-ticket offer when booking · Best for ages 3–11
Start with hands-on art, then enjoy a lively Filipino American a cappella performance with familiar songs and audience participation.
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Sunday; check market hours before leaving
Free entry; food and desserts purchased separately · All ages
Taste your way through the final Sunday of Ice Cream Alley, with independent dessert makers alongside the regular food market.
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Saturday–Sunday, noon–10 p.m.; Monday, noon–9 p.m.
$5 admission; under 12 free; food and rides extra · All ages
Watch folk dancers, try a Greek dance lesson, and choose a pastry before exploring the children’s carnival area.
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A little more adventure
More things to do with kids in Los Angeles. Keep one in your back pocket for the long weekend.
A look at the real Hollywood stars
Explore the astronomy exhibits and city views. Check holiday opening hours; planetarium shows have separate tickets.
Hands-on science in Exposition Park
Choose an Ecosystems gallery and a few interactive exhibits. Check which special exhibitions need separate tickets.
A dinosaur-first museum visit
Start in Dinosaur Hall, then let each child choose a Nature Lab or gem-gallery stop. Reserve admission before leaving.
Labor Day is Monday, September 7, 2026. This guide covers Saturday, September 5 through Monday, September 7. All times are local to Los Angeles.
Fiesta Hermosa, Smorgasburg LA: Ice Cream Alley finale offer free admission. Food, rides, parking and special exhibitions can cost extra; free does not always mean no reservation.
For younger children, try the morning LA Soundscapes concert or a short seaside festival visit. Choose Malibu, the South Bay, or Long Beach as one day’s base; they are separate drives.
California Science Center and the Natural History Museum offer indoor alternatives. Griffith Observatory also has indoor galleries; check holiday hours.
Use each organizer link to confirm the latest admission rules and availability. A listing here is not a live ticket inventory. Reserve timed or dated admission before traveling, and check outdoor-event updates on the day.
Keep exploring
Guides, destinations and activities worth a family weekend.
Kids Activities Near MeA parent-first guide to finding ideas for today by age, distance, weather, budget, and energy level.
After-School Adventures Near YouTen genuinely doable ways to move, reconnect, and reset between school pickup and dinner.Representative imageFilip Rankovic Grobgaard / Unsplash
Meaningful Date Ideas for ParentsTwelve date formats for time alone, kids-along adventures, and meaningful connection after bedtime.Representative imageWeekend Wild image library
This Weekend with KidsFamily events, festivals, pop-ups, and seasonal happenings—plus a backup when the weather changes.Representative imageWeekend Wild image library
The Ultimate Kids’ Party GuideFind kids’ birthday themes by age, Spidey, PAW Patrol Dino Movie, Bluey, Minecraft and LEGO party plans, researched supplies and a practical planning checklist.Representative imageVlada KarpovichPexels License
16 Extraordinary Family Trips for 2027A worldwide edit with a month-and-age finder, side-by-side comparisons, realistic routes, stays and honest planning tradeoffs.MimihitamCC BY 4.0
Where to Go When with KidsA month-by-month global shortlist with one standout family destination in every world region.Representative imageUnsplash
October & November School-Break TripsTen complete family destinations compared by weather logic, travel ambition, and a pace children can actually enjoy.
