Fall is off to a fantastic start and dare we say, with it, some of the most fun events we’ve yet to see all year? Whether it’s catching a live performance of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, heading down to Long Beach to visit one the best aquariums in the world (we’re so lucky) or pondering whether or not Banksy is a genius or vandal (maybe both?)—this weekend’s event list of all the things to do with kids in LA is guaranteed to delight someone in your family. And as if that’s not enough, don’t miss our list of free (yep!) activities happening this month.
photo: Street Food Cinema
Explore the Coral Reef
Take a journey of discovery through the world’s largest ocean at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California. Meet 12,000 animals, and see more than 100 exhibits. Explore sunny Southern California and Baja, the frigid waters of the Northern Pacific, and the colorful reefs of the Tropical Pacific. Come face-to-face with, and even touch, the ocean’s ultimate predator in Shark Lagoon. Hand-feed lorikeet birds. Explore the June Keyes Penguin Habitat. Don’t miss Pacific Visions featuring engaging multimedia games and exhibits, animal displays, and an immersive theater show, included with admission. There is no better time to visit the Aquarium of the Pacific. Fri.-Sun. Event details.
Street Food Cinema
Your favorite movies, tasty food from SoCal’s best mobile eateries and a beautiful night under the Los Angeles sky. You’ll be hard pressed to find a better way to spend a summer evening with friends.Showing: Halloweentown: When a young girl living with her good-witch grandmother learns she too is a witch, she must help her grandmother save Halloweentown from evil forces. Sat. Event details.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
Encore of South Bay brings LIVE THEATRE back to Redondo Beach this October with a “Tale As Old As Time”! Disney’s classic Broadway Musical “Beauty and the Beast will be sure to charm audiences of all ages. Fri.-Sun. Event details.
Knotts Scary Farm
Knott’s Scary Farm is the largest and most haunting Halloween event in Southern California, with unimaginable scares and innovative thrills that can’t be found anywhere else. The fully transformed theme park features uniquely haunted mazes and attractions, sinister shows, and more than 1,000 horrifying creatures lurking in the fog and hiding in every corner of the park. Knott’s Scary Farm is not recommended for children under 13. Fri.-Sun. Event details.
Flutter Immersive Exhibit
“If a museum and a playground had a baby, it would be called Flutter.”Located five minutes from LACMA in Los Angeles, flutter is a completely unique entertainment experience. Throughout a 90 minute private guided tour, you will experience art like never before. Created by extraordinary artists, each of our 13 flutterspaces is designed to stimulate your senses and make your heart flutter. Lead by an expert guide, you will play, explore, create and imagine. Our soulful, magical world will unleash your creativity and quite simply leave you feeling happier. Fri.-Sun. Event details.
Museum of Dream Space
Museum of Dream Space (MODS) is the first museum mainly exhibiting digital art in the United States.The design concept of MODS is inspired by art design from Yayoi Kusama (famous of infinite rooms) and the development of digital art. The aim of MODS is to provide an immersive, magical and unique art appreciative experiences to the visitors. Fri.-Sun. Event details.
Welcome Back to Noahs Ark
This award-winning children’s and family destination invites visitors of all generations to play, climb, build, explore, make believe, and make friends—all while exploring an eight-thousand-square-foot wooden ark, filled to the rafters with whimsical animals and new storm clouds that will spark your senses. Share in a timeless story—and together envision a better world. Fri.-Sun. Event details.
Banksy the Exhibit
Banksy: Genius or Vandal? The renowned Exhibition, which was presented with unprecedented success in 15 cities around the world, comes to Los Angeles! Dedicated to the famous and enigmatic British artist, the exhibit lets visitors dive into the controversial artistic universe of the most influential creator of present time and features more than 80 genuine, authenticated artworks by Banksy from private European collections. Fri.-Sun. Event details.
Hamilton the Musical
HAMILTON is the story of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and was the new nation’s first Treasury Secretary. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B, and Broadway, HAMILTON is the story of America then, as told by America now. Fri.-Sun. Event details.
Boo at the L.A. Zoo Returns
The Los Angeles Zoo goes wild this Oct. with the return of Boo at the L.A. Zoo, featuring Halloween decor, a spooky stroll with photo ops, an extinct-animal graveyard, and other weird and wacky animal facts and educational opportunities. Weekends include special animal feedings, merry-not-scary entertainment, take-home crafts, and, during the last two weekends in Oct., trick-or-treat candy stations scattered throughout the Zoo grounds. Sat.-Sun. Event details.
Haunt O’ Ween Immersive Halloween Event
An Immersive family friendly playground of Halloween adventures and fun! For 31 days we welcome families to interact and engage with EVERYTHING Halloween has to offer all in one place; pumpkin picking and carving, trick or treating, face painting, performances, games, food trucks and so much more! Tickets are on sale now and the event runs Oct. 1-31, 2021. Fri.-Sun. Event details.
Nights of the Jack Is Back
Vast grounds of elaborate, larger-than-life pumpkin installations greet visitors as they walk through the trail around the history-filled ranch. Guests can treat themselves to hot cider, seasonal cocktails from the Spokeasy bar or festive fall treats while they feast their eyes on the spooky sights. The interactive walking trail filled with thousands of hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins is back and brighter than ever, now spanning two-thirds of a mile to provide a safe and festive fall outing. Fri.-Sun. Event details.
PRE-SALE TICKETS AVAILABLE
Carved at Descanso Gardens
Carved is a family-friendly event for all ages. For three weeks in October, thousands of carved pumpkins will line a 1-mile walk through the Camellia Forest and Oak Grove. Along with pumpkins, there will be exciting new oversized sculptures made of sticks and other natural materials. Pumpkin carving demonstrations, the ever-popular pumpkin house, a hay maze, and themed food & beverage will all help to create a fun harvest festival ambiance. Event details.
Elf on the Shelf Magical Holiday Journey
This year Christmas Spirit is running low, so during test flights Santa’s sleigh had to make an emergency landing at Fairplex in Pomona. Now the Scout Elves have assembled there, and they need your help! Join them on a drive-thru quest to build more Christmas Spirit, as you and your elf-loving crew magically shrink down to elf size and embark on a fun expedition to help repair Santa’s sleigh. Enjoy a dazzling light spectacle with toy-repair workshops, gingerbread villages, and all the sights and sounds of the holidays, blended with a touch of high-spirited fun that only Santa’s favorite Scout Elves can deliver. Event details.
Disney Merriest Nites
During this separately ticketed holiday event, you can enjoy after-hours admission to Disneyland Park with limited capacity, including select attractions and entertainment, unique Disney Character sightings, A Christmas Fantasy Parade, snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A., themed photo ops, unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital downloads from the event, themed menu items, live bands, dance parties and the opportunity to purchase special event-themed merchandise! Event details.
—Andie Huber
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