Looking for kids events in Los Angeles this weekend, October 30 – November 1, 2026? Friday opens with a Día de los Muertos procession in Downtown, Saturday is stacked with free storytimes, pumpkin mornings and neighborhood trick-or-treat, and Sunday has a $5 family matinee plus a marine-mammal session in San Pedro. Pick one anchor and let the rest of the weekend breathe.
Friday is the short one — a few hours, mostly free, mostly outdoors. Saturday is the big day: storytime at 10 AM, a toddler party at 10:30, and a Halloween afternoon that runs well past dark. Sunday is gentler and cheaper, with several free library programs and the Aquarium's Scout Day for families with school-age kids.
Start with PlayMap Picks, then swipe the neighborhood rows for something closer to home. Tap any card for times, map, and parent notes, or use the live weekend calendar to filter by age and price.
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PlayMap Picks
Six outings worth planning around — from a free toddler party to a one-hour craft you take home.
PlayMap Pick: Día de los Muertos on Olvera Street
When: Fri, Oct 30 and Sat, Oct 31, 10 AM–9 PM; procession each evening
Where: Olvera Street, 125 Paseo de la Plaza, Downtown Los Angeles
Price: Free; face painting costs extra
Best for: Families who want a cultural night out and can stay for an hour rather than the whole festival
Why we picked it: Nine days of altars, marigolds and food stalls fill one short downtown block, and the evening procession is led by Aztec dancers — a genuine, walkable family evening rather than a staged attraction.
Parent tip: Come for the procession rather than the full nine days. The ceremony honors a merchant family or community member each night, and free sweet bread and drinks are handed out. Street parking downtown is the hard part — plan a walk from a station.
See the procession schedule and the festival map →
PlayMap Pick: Baby & Toddler Halloween Party!
When: Sat, Oct 31, 10:30 AM–12:30 PM
Where: Bob Lucas Memorial Library, 2659 Lincoln Avenue, Altadena
Price: Free
Best for: Babies and toddlers (ages 0–5) with a caregiver; sensory-friendly
Why we picked it: A two-hour celebration built for the youngest crowd — early literacy, play and gentle Halloween fun, with no ticket, no signup pressure and no late finish.
Parent tip: It is the shortest, softest option on this list. Come for the first hour, skip the late-morning rush, and be out before nap time is truly gone.
Check the party details and parking →
PlayMap Pick: Absolutely Halloween!
When: Sat, Oct 31, 2 PM
Where: Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th Street, Santa Monica
Price: $15 for children 12 and under; $17.50 for adults
Best for: Families with a 4-to-10-year-old who will sit through a 60-minute show
Why we picked it: An interactive family musical where the audience casts the spells — the kids are participants, not spectators, and the 2 PM slot lands before bedtime.
Parent tip: The theatre asks families to arrive early, and children need to stay with an adult for the whole show. Book ahead: the Saturday matinee is the one people fight for.
Check show times and ticket prices →
PlayMap Pick: Halloween Day at Descanso
When: Sat, Oct 31, 9 AM–5 PM
Where: Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge
Price: Included with garden admission or membership — not a free event
Best for: Families who will spend the whole day outdoors and are already thinking about a garden membership
Why we picked it: Trick-or-treating through a real garden, plus the Pumpkin Express ride and daytime activities that keep a five-year-old moving for hours.
Parent tip: This is admission, not free entry — budget it or use a membership. Face-obscuring masks are not allowed, and costume expectations are casual rather than mandatory.
Check garden admission and the day's schedule →
PlayMap Pick: Rimas y Ritmos
When: Fri, Oct 30, 12:30–1 PM
Where: Downey City Library, 11121 Brookshire Avenue, Downey
Price: Free — registration was closed when checked October 29
Best for: Spanish-speaking families with babies and toddlers (ages 0–5)
Why we picked it: A hands-on music and movement hour in Spanish — songs, percussion and dancing that a two-year-old can join without a word of English.
Parent tip: Ask the Info Desk about the 12-week series and whether a seat is held for drop-ins. Registration was closed when we checked, so confirm before driving over.
Check the series and registration details →
PlayMap Pick: Family Science Sunday at the Marine Mammal Care Center
When: Sun, Nov 1, 11 AM (also 1, 2 and 3 PM)
Where: Marine Mammal Care Center, 3601 S Gaffey Street, Suite 8, San Pedro
Price: $1 booking fee per participant, waivable
Best for: School-age kids (ages 8+) with a patient streak for animal science
Why we picked it: A one-hour expert-led session with patient viewing and an interactive exhibit hall — the kind of outing that answers the "why" questions a museum usually leaves open.
Parent tip: The fee is waivable, so ask at the desk. Children under 13 need an adult with them, and this is a talk-and-watch session rather than a touch-tank stop.
Check times and how to reserve →
By neighborhood
Choose one area and leave room for a snack break.
Downtown LA & Historic Core
Olvera Street carries the weekend's biggest free cultural moment, and two stops a few blocks away keep the day downtown.
Día de los Muertos on Olvera Street
When: Fri, Oct 30, 10 AM–9 PM
Where: Olvera Street, 125 Paseo de la Plaza, Los Angeles
Price: Free; face painting costs extra
Best for: Families who want a cultural night out and can stay for an hour
Why we picked it: Altars, marigolds and food stalls fill one short block, and the nightly procession is led by Aztec dancers. It is a real festival rather than a themed queue.
Parent tip: The evening procession is the reason to come. Free sweet bread and drinks are handed out, but street parking downtown is the hard part — walk from a station.
See the procession times and festival map →
GCM Bazaar
When: Sat, Oct 31, 11 AM
Where: Grand Central Market, 317 S Broadway, Los Angeles
Price: Free to browse; vendor pricing varies
Best for: Rainy-day browsing, and older kids who like looking at things
Why we picked it: Independent LA merchants and makers in one building — easy to wander, easy to leave, and a good indoor fallback if Saturday's outdoor plans collapse.
Parent tip: Budget for lunch if you stay; food is separate from browsing. The market is busiest right at 11, so arriving at 11:15 gives you room.
See the bazaar details and market hours →
Rockin' Awesome Improv Show at YADA
When: Sat, Oct 31, 11 AM
Where: YADA 3rd St Upstage Theater, 8115 W 3rd Street, Los Angeles
Price: $5
Best for: Kids 6+ who like audience participation and quick jokes
Why we picked it: Fast, family-friendly improv where the audience supplies the ideas — the cheapest hour of indoor entertainment on this list.
Parent tip: At $5 it is easy to say yes to on the spot. The show is loud and fast; very young children tend to lose the thread.
Check the show schedule and tickets →
Museum Row & Exposition Park
Wilshire and Exposition Park give you three very different Saturdays: a film, a hands-on gallery, and a storytime in a garden.
Family Matinee: The Witches
When: Sat, Oct 31, 11 AM
Where: Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Ted Mann Theater, 6067 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles
Price: $5
Best for: Families with school-age kids who will sit through a short film
Why we picked it: A $5 family screening of a film series rated G or PG — a rare indoor, cheap, and genuinely seated option in the middle of a very outdoor weekend.
Parent tip: The ticket is cheap but the seats are not. Buy ahead, and check whether the museum's own admission applies separately for this program.
Check matinee times and ticket details →
Boone Children's Gallery
When: Fri, Oct 30, 11 AM
Where: LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles
Price: Varies — confirm with the museum
Best for: Preschoolers who would rather make something than look at something
Why we picked it: A dedicated drop-in space inside the museum where young children can art-make without a ticket to the galleries.
Parent tip: Confirm what drop-in participation costs before you go — the museum's own page is the source of truth here, not the listing.
Check the gallery and drop-in details →
Storytime in the Nature Garden
When: Sat, Oct 31, 10:30 AM
Where: Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles
Price: Museum admission — check nhm.org for current tickets
Best for: Babies to 5-year-olds with a caregiver
Why we picked it: Back-to-back short readings led by museum educators, in a garden setting that lets a restless toddler walk between stories.
Parent tip: Confirm admission details before you drive — the museum's pricing changes and the garden is separate from the galleries. Bring a layer; the readings run outdoors.
Check admission and the storytime series →
Westside & Venice
The Westside has the priciest family hour of the weekend and the best free one, ten minutes apart.
Absolutely Halloween!
When: Sat, Oct 31, 2 PM
Where: Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th Street, Santa Monica
Price: $15 for children 12 and under; $17.50 for adults
Best for: Families with a 4-to-10-year-old who will sit through a 60-minute show
Why we picked it: An interactive musical where the audience casts the spells, so the kids are in it rather than watching it.
Parent tip: Arrive early as the theatre asks, and book ahead — the Saturday matinee sells first. Parking around 4th Street fills by early afternoon.
Check show times and ticket prices →
Venice Canals Canalloween
When: Sat, Oct 31, 5–6 PM
Where: Linnie Canal Park, Venice Canals, Los Angeles
Price: Free
Best for: Families who want an easy, free, low-commitment Halloween hour
Why we picked it: A costume party built around families and kids rather than a scare maze — pizza, music and a park to run around in, at the end of the day.
Parent tip: It gets busy and loud. Bring a change of clothes, and expect to park a few blocks away — Venice street parking on a Saturday evening is the hard part.
See the Canalloween details and park info →
Fall Spooktacular! Ages 2–5 at Joslyn Park
When: Sat, Oct 31, 9–10:30 AM
Where: Joslyn Park, 633 Kensington Road, Santa Monica
Price: Free — session was full when checked October 29, waitlist open
Best for: Ages 2–5 with a caregiver who need crafts and prizes, not a scare
Why we picked it: A free, explicitly toddler-aged Halloween morning — crafts, activities, prizes and encouraged costumes, with a goodie bag at the welcome booth.
Parent tip: Registration was full when we checked and a waitlist is open. Join the waitlist or call the city before you go; it is not a walk-up event.
Check the waitlist and session details →
Hollywood, Mid-City & Hancock Park
The inland side of the city keeps it simple: a farmers-market Halloween morning, a craft you take home, and a museum festival.
Halloween Spooktacular at La Cienega Farmers Market
When: Sat, Oct 31, 10 AM–1 PM
Where: La Cienega Farmers Market at 18th Street, 1801 S La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles
Price: Free face painting, games and prizes; market purchases extra
Best for: Families who want a free morning that also solves lunch
Why we picked it: Face painting, games and prizes in the middle of a working Saturday market — you can wander the produce stalls between treats.
Parent tip: The regular market runs 9 AM–2 PM, so you can make it a full morning rather than a quick stop. Face painting is first come.
See the market Halloween details →
Monthly Craft for Families: Take Home at Washington Irving
When: Sun, Nov 1, 10 AM
Where: Washington Irving Library, 4117 W Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles
Price: Free
Best for: Families with a rainy Sunday and kids who like making things at home
Why we picked it: A free craft kit to collect and do at your own pace — no crowd, no performance, no sitting through anything.
Parent tip: It is a pickup, not a program: swing by during the third week of the month and take the bag home. No registration needed.
Check pick-up hours and details →
Día de los Muertos at the Natural History Museum
When: Sun, Nov 1, 11 AM
Where: Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles
Price: Museum admission — check nhm.org for current tickets
Best for: Families who want a museum day that includes a cultural festival
Why we picked it: Altars, music and a celebration inside a museum kids already want to visit — two good reasons in one building on a Sunday.
Parent tip: Confirm admission details before you go; the festival is included with museum admission but the pricing changes. Arrive early if you want the quiet hour first.
Check the festival and admission details →
The Valley's best weekend options are short, free and indoors — which is what a rainy Saturday needs.
Friends of the Studio City Library Book Sale
When: Sat, Oct 31, 9:30 AM–12:30 PM
Where: Studio City Branch Library, 12511 Moorpark Street, Studio City
Price: Free
Best for: Budget-conscious families happy to browse used books
Why we picked it: Gently used books, CDs and DVDs with proceeds going back to library programming — a cheap morning out and a way to stock the shelf.
Parent tip: Members of the Friends group get in at 8:30; everyone else at 9:30. Bring a bag — this is a browsing trip, not a browse-and-leave.
Check sale times and location →
Halloween Scavenger Hunt, Parade and Stories
When: Sat, Oct 31, 3:30–4:30 PM
Where: Jo Anne Darcy Library, 18601 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita
Price: Free
Best for: Kids 0–12 who like a parade more than a maze
Why we picked it: A scavenger hunt, a short parade, stories and treats — the gentlest Halloween structure on this list, and it starts before the dark.
Parent tip: It is a library program, so it runs rain or shine — a good backup when Saturday's outdoor plans wobble.
Check the program details →
Halloween Haunted House at Darby Park
When: Fri, Oct 30 and Sat, Oct 31, 5–8 PM
Where: Darby Park, 1 W Manchester Boulevard, Inglewood
Price: Free
Best for: Families with brave-ish kids who want a short, free Halloween scare
Why we picked it: A free community haunted house in a public park — a low-cost scare close to home for families in the South Bay's north end.
Parent tip: It is a Halloween house, so it is dark and jumpy. It runs three hours, which means you can dip in and out.
Check the haunted house details →
San Gabriel Valley & Downey
Two Spanish-language mornings and one mall Halloween — the strongest family programming outside central LA.
Rimas y Ritmos
When: Fri, Oct 30, 12:30–1 PM
Where: Downey City Library, 11121 Brookshire Avenue, Downey
Price: Free — registration was closed when checked October 29
Best for: Spanish-speaking families with babies and toddlers (ages 0–5)
Why we picked it: Music and movement in Spanish for the littlest ones — percussion, songs and dancing a two-year-old joins without a word of English.
Parent tip: Ask the Info Desk about the 12-week series and whether seats are held for drop-ins. We found registration closed, so confirm before driving.
Check the series and registration →
Hora de Cuentos for Library Littles
When: Sat, Oct 31, 10:15–10:45 AM
Where: Downey City Library, 11121 Brookshire Avenue, Downey
Price: Free — registration may be required
Best for: Babies and toddlers (0–3) with caregivers
Why we picked it: A half-hour bilingual storytime built for the smallest library members — short enough for a nap-age attention span.
Parent tip: Doors close five minutes after the start, so arrive early. Ask at the desk whether signup is needed for the Saturday session.
Check the session and registration →
Spooktacular Halloween at The Shops at Santa Anita
When: Fri, Oct 30, 4–6 PM
Where: Center Court, The Shops at Santa Anita, 400 S Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia
Price: Free
Best for: Families who want trick-or-treating without a queue for tickets
Why we picked it: Treats, costumes and a two-hour trick-or-treat window in an indoor mall — a rainy-evening plan that still feels like Halloween.
Parent tip: Bring your own bag and arrive before 4 PM — the treat window is "while supplies last." Malls have parking; the surface lot fills by late afternoon.
See the Halloween details and mall hours →
Long Beach & Harbor
One big-ticket anchor and a long walk of free storytimes around it.
Scout Day at the Aquarium of the Pacific
When: Sun, Nov 1, 9 AM–4:30 PM
Where: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach
Price: $27.95 per child, $32.95 per adult, advance purchase required
Best for: School-age kids in a scout or youth group, with families who plan ahead
Why we picked it: Badge-step stations, live animal presentations and a discounted patch — a full aquarium day that is planned around, not a quick stop.
Parent tip: This is the priciest outing on the list and tickets must be bought in advance. Choose an entrance time that matches your day rather than arriving whenever.
Check Scout Day tickets and entry times →
Saturday Storytimes at Barnes & Noble
When: Sat, Oct 31, 10:30 AM and 11 AM
Where: Barnes & Noble stores across LA — Long Beach, Marina del Rey, The Grove, Palmdale and more
Price: Free
Best for: Families who want a free, no-signup storytime close to home
Why we picked it: Free readings every Saturday morning with no registration — the easiest fallback when the rest of the plan slips.
Parent tip: We do not list every store. Search storytime near you for the branch closest to you and check the store's own page for the time.
Find Saturday storytimes near you →
South Bay & San Pedro
San Pedro has the one paid science hour worth planning around; nearby Long Beach keeps the weekend free.
Family Science Sunday at the Marine Mammal Care Center
When: Sun, Nov 1, 11 AM (also 1, 2 and 3 PM)
Where: Marine Mammal Care Center, 3601 S Gaffey Street, Suite 8, San Pedro
Price: $1 booking fee per participant, waivable
Best for: Kids 8+ who like animals and can sit for an hour
Why we picked it: A one-hour expert-led session with patient viewing and an interactive exhibit hall — the closest thing to a real science class for a Sunday.
Parent tip: Ask at the desk about waiving the $1 fee. Children under 13 need an adult alongside them.
Check the times and how to reserve →
Paws & Pages at Annenberg PetSpace
When: Sat, Oct 31, 11:30 AM
Where: Wallis Annenberg PetSpace, 12005 Bluff Creek Drive, Playa Vista
Price: Free — registration optional
Best for: Animal-loving families with a toddler who needs a short, free outing
Why we picked it: A half-hour animal story session on the bluff — easy to combine with a walk, and it finishes before the afternoon heat.
Parent tip: The bluff itself is worth the drive even if you skip the reading. Registration is optional, but sign up if you can.
See the session details and visiting hours →
South LA, Montebello & the Southeast
Free mall magic, a fair with honest pricing, and a cultural festival in Lynwood.
Mall-O-Ween at The Shops at Montebello
When: Fri, Oct 30, 1–4 PM
Where: Center Court, The Shops at Montebello, 2134 Montebello Town Center Drive, Montebello
Price: Free
Best for: Families who want an indoor afternoon that works in any weather
Why we picked it: Trick-or-treating, costume contests and games through the mall — a three-hour indoor Halloween with no ticket.
Parent tip: Bring your own treat bag; mall parking is free and the center court is easy to find. It is an afternoon slot, so dinner can follow.
See the Halloween details →
LA Fall Fair
When: Sat, Oct 31, 2–11 PM; also Sun, Nov 1
Where: Whittier Narrows Recreation Area, Legg Lake, 750 S Santa Anita Avenue, South El Monte
Price: $5 cash admission ages 8+; under 8 and seniors 65+ free; rides extra
Best for: Families with school-age kids who want rides, and toddlers who come free
Why we picked it: Twelve acres of rides, games, food and local makers, with a real price break for under-eights — one of the few fair days in LA where the youngest family members are free.
Parent tip: Under 8 is free, so it can be a toddler day and a rides day in the same trip. Bring cash for admission and buy ride tickets separately; height limits apply on the big rides.
Check admission, rides and hours →
Día de los Muertos Cultural Festival at Plaza Mexico
When: Sat, Oct 31, 11 AM–4 PM
Where: Plaza Mexico, 3100 E Imperial Highway, Lynwood
Price: Free — tickets available online
Best for: Families who want altars, music and food in one walkable festival
Why we picked it: Altars, live music, artisans and traditional food in a compact festival that moves at a toddler's pace.
Parent tip: Grab free tickets online before you go if the site asks for them. Lynwood is not a quick drive — combine it with the LA Fall Fair in South El Monte if you are already out that way.
See the festival and ticket details →
Orange County
One honest, family-priced day on the water, and a full afternoon of storytimes.
Dana Wharf Kids Fishing Clinic
When: Sun, Nov 1, 12:15 PM
Where: Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point
Price: Free clinic with the Sunday half-day fishing trip ticket; equipment included
Best for: Kids 5+ who do not mind a long drive for a real ocean lesson
Why we picked it: A hands-on clinic on the water with the gear included — the kind of Saturday a kid remembers, if the drive is worth it for you.
Parent tip: The clinic is free but comes with the half-day trip ticket — read the ticket terms before you go. It is a real drive south; bring snacks.
Check the clinic and trip tickets →
Free trick-or-treat around LA County
LA County Parks Trick or Treat Village runs at neighborhood parks across the county on Friday afternoon and Saturday — Saybrook Park, William Steinmetz Park, Bodger Park, Crescenta Valley Park and more. Every village we checked lists free admission, but they fill up and the last call for candy is earlier than the end time. We do not list them one by one; search the calendar for the parks closest to you.
Ongoing picks still active this weekend
- Halloween Party! at Kidspace: a daytime seasonal option on both Friday and Saturday; included with museum admission, not free.
- Orcas: Our Shared Future and Unearthed: Raw Beauty at the Natural History Museum: both run all weekend — check timed-ticket availability and museum admission before you go.
- Studio Ghibli's PONYO at the Academy Museum: a rainy-day backup; admission applies.
- More pumpkin options: compare daytime farms and evening walks in our fall family guide.
Quick picks based on mood
- Free and short: Paws & Pages at Annenberg PetSpace, 30 minutes on the bluff.
- Ages 0–5: the Baby & Toddler Halloween Party in Altadena, or Rimas y Ritmos in Downey.
- Indoor performance: the $5 family matinee at the Academy Museum, or Rockin' Awesome Improv at YADA.
- Something cultural: Día de los Muertos on Olvera Street, Friday evening.
- Older children with questions: Family Science Sunday in San Pedro, or Scout Day at the Aquarium.
- Halloween after dinner: Trick or Treat at Carved in La Cañada Flintridge, Saturday 6 PM — advance timed tickets, and admission is separate from daytime garden entry.
Plan your weekend in five minutes
Pick one anchor and check its tickets before you drive. For Friday, Olvera Street after dark is the outing worth planning. For Saturday, storytime at 10 and the toddler party at 10:30 are the easiest wins — then let the afternoon happen. Sunday can be the recovery day: a free library program in the morning, Family Science Sunday at 11 if the kids are eight or older.
Browse weekend events, free events or toddler events. Check your nearest location rather than driving for a chain event.
