Worth planning around: Also this weekend
Beyond the carnival and festival anchors: free Shakespeare, Ice Cream Alley, toddler storytime with animals, Museum Row workshops, and a $1 Monday WaterBus.
Date: Sat–Sun Sep 5–6, 7–9:30 PM
Area: Old Zoo in Griffith Park
Price: Free
Best for: Families with school-age kids who can handle an outdoor evening show.
Why we picked it: Classic free Griffith Park Shakespeare — blankets, snacks, and an easy early exit if attention fades.
Parent tip: Arrive before dusk for a good lawn spot; pack layers and a flashlight for the walk out.
Date: Sun Sep 6, 10 AM–4 PM
Area: ROW DTLA
Price: Free entry; pay per vendor
Best for: Families who want a free DTLA dessert crawl with food-hall logistics.
Why we picked it: Pure Sunday sugar with an easy leave-when-full exit — strongest Downtown add-on this weekend.
Parent tip: Go earlier for stroller space; shade and water still matter even indoors-adjacent.
Date: Sat Sep 5, 11:30 AM–12 PM
Area: Wallis Annenberg PetSpace
Price: Free (registration optional)
Best for: Toddlers who want a short free animal storytime without a museum ticket.
Why we picked it: Thirty minutes, free, and built for young attention spans on the South Bay / Playa side.
Parent tip: Optional registration helps; pair with a short PetSpace visit after if energy remains.
Date: Sat Sep 5, 12:30–2:30 PM
Area: Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Price: Free with museum admission; youth 17 and under free with reservation
Best for: Families who want an indoor Museum Row craft when outdoor festivals feel too hot.
Why we picked it: Hands-on miniature-set making with a clear two-hour window — strong AC backup.
Parent tip: Reserve youth tickets ahead; pair with a short Boone Children’s Gallery stop at LACMA if you want a longer Mid-City day.
Date: Sat Sep 5, 10:30 AM
Area: Pretend City Children's Museum, Irvine
Price: Varies with museum admission
Best for: OC families who want museum play plus book-fest energy.
Why we picked it: Indoor pretend-play with a literary Saturday hook — Monday the museum is also open for Labor Day.
Parent tip: Check admission before the Irvine drive; Monday “Museum OPEN for Labor Day” is the backup if Saturday sells out energy.
Date: Sun Sep 6, 11:30 AM–12:30 PM (also 1:30 PM)
Area: Burton Chace Park, Marina del Rey
Price: Free (Eventbrite ticket required; limited capacity)
Best for: Families who want a short free outdoor music jam with a hard end time.
Why we picked it: Free, ticketed capacity, and toddler-friendly length — grab the 11:30 AM slot if naps loom.
Parent tip: RSVP on Eventbrite before you drive; Monday’s $1 WaterBus is a natural Marina stack.
Date: Mon Sep 7, 11 AM–9 PM
Area: Marina del Rey WaterBus
Price: $1 one-way (cash only)
Best for: Families who want a cheap Monday boat hop without a harbor cruise ticket.
Why we picked it: Dollar rides, flexible stop-and-go, and a calm closer after carnival weekends.
Parent tip: Cash only — bring singles; skip the last runs if littles are melting.
Date: Sat Sep 5, 8–10 AM
Area: Santa Monica Pier
Price: Free
Best for: Early-rising Westside families who want a free pier morning before festival heat.
Why we picked it: Short free pier window that pairs cleanly with Tongva Twilight or Malibu Chili later.
Parent tip: Arrive closer to 8 AM; this is a morning opener, not an all-day pier plan.
