PlayMap Picks
Seven anchors for September 11–13: Pasadena Fiestas tonight, then Saturday’s marina movie, Century City fan village, Long Beach library party, GRAMMY quiet hour, Moompetam, and a mountain Renaissance Faire if you want the drive.
Date: Fri Sep 11, 5–9 PM
Area: Villa Parke Community Center, Pasadena
Price: Free
Best for: Families who want a Friday-night culture kickoff with live music, dance, and food close to the 210.
Why we picked it: The cleanest Heritage Month opener on the calendar — an evening window, not an all-day fairgrounds slog.
Parent tip: Dinner lines get long after 6. Pack a picnic backup and a layer; Pasadena evenings cool off.
Date: Sat Sep 12, 8 PM
Area: Burton Chace Park, Marina del Rey
Price: Free; RSVP recommended
Best for: Families who want a free outdoor movie by the water after dinner.
Why we picked it: County lineup truth this week: Michael replaced Moonrise Kingdom. Lawn seating, harbor air, no ticket booth.
Parent tip: Festival seating only — low-back chairs or blankets. Park in Marina lots #77 and #5. Bundle up; 8 PM on the water is cold even in September.
Date: Sat Sep 12 & Sun Sep 13, 11 AM–8 PM
Area: The Atrium, Level 1, Westfield Century City
Price: Free
Best for: Westside kids who want interactive football games indoors without a stadium ticket.
Why we picked it: Two full days, mall parking, AC, photo ops and giveaways — an easy heat backup between errands.
Parent tip: Guest appearances are staggered; confirm the day’s lineup on the Westfield page before promising a specific athlete.
Date: Sat Sep 12, 11 AM–3 PM
Area: Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library, Long Beach
Price: Free; free on-site parking
Best for: Harbor families who want a free indoor Saturday with storytime, crafts, and a teen art hour.
Why we picked it: Real programming blocks (Sunshine Storyteller at noon, tot hats later) instead of a vague “open house.”
Parent tip: Storyteller is 12–1 PM for all ages. Tote decorating is 18+; party hats are 12 and under. Supplies run out — arrive closer to 11.
Date: Sun Sep 13, 10 AM
Area: East Los Angeles
Price: Free
Best for: Families who want Sunday parade energy without buying a festival wristband.
Why we picked it: The city’s Heritage Sunday — street-level, multi-age, and easy to leave when little legs quit.
Parent tip: Arrive before 10 for a curb spot. Strollers work on sidewalks; skip the densest blocks if noise is a hard no.
Date: Sat Sep 12, 9 AM
Area: Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach
Price: Included with Aquarium admission (members and under-3s free)
Best for: Families already planning an Aquarium Saturday who want cultural programming inside the ticket.
Why we picked it: Festival hours start at 9 AM — earlier than typical aquarium rush — and pairs with First Responders Day leftover energy from Friday.
Parent tip: Reservations are required for general admission. Do festival first, then exhibits, then a nap in the car before any evening movie.
Date: Sat Sep 12 & Sun Sep 13
Area: Hurkey Creek Park, Mountain Center (about 15 minutes south of Idyllwild)
Price: Tickets required; gate hours not posted on the homepage
Best for: Families who want a cooler mountain faire and will treat it as a full-day drive.
Why we picked it: Seventh-year Spanish Renaissance faire in alpine forest — a genuine change of scene from LA basin Heritage events.
Parent tip: Confirm tickets and hours on
idyllwildrenfaire.com before you leave. Pack layers; mountain afternoons swing.
