August is late-summer heat plus back-to-school energy in August 2026: mornings and evenings win, midday needs shade or AC, and the strongest weekends stack US Open / lantern nights (Aug 1–2), RiverFest (Aug 9), Nisei Week + Natsumatsuri (Aug 15), the LA Kids Book Festival (Aug 23), and Fiesta La Ballona (Aug 28–30).
Browse live listings: Free · Toddlers · Summer hub · Outdoor movies · Festivals · This weekend · Splash pads · Shaded playgrounds
Short on time? Scan the quick picks by vibe table below, jump to PlayMap Picks or your neighborhood, then skim the August calendar by weekend or the FAQ.
Quick picks by vibe
Not sure what to plan? Match the vibe, then open the listing for times, parking, and parent notes.
Jump to section: Quick picks by vibe · PlayMap Picks · Free outdoor concerts · Worth planning around · By neighborhood (Museum Row · Downtown / DTLA · Hollywood / Griffith Park · Westside · South Bay · Valley / Culver · Long Beach · Orange County · Irvine · LA County wide) · Calendar by weekend · FAQ
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PlayMap Picks
The best things to do with kids in Los Angeles in August 2026 to plan first — free festivals and marquees worth rearranging the month around. Tap any card for parking tips, ages, and parent notes.
PlayMap Pick: Fiesta La Ballona
Date: Fri Aug 28–Sun Aug 30 (opens Fri 4:30–10 PM)
Area: Veterans Memorial Park, Culver City
Price: Free entry (rides/food priced separately)
Best for: Culver City families who want a classic carnival weekend with rides, food, and community stages.
Why we picked it: Culver City’s 75th Fiesta La Ballona
Parent tip: Treat rides as optional, pack ear coverage for little ones, and pick one evening instead of three full days.
See times, map, and parent notes →
PlayMap Pick: Nisei Week Japanese Festival 2026
Date: Sat Aug 15 (check parade + plaza schedule)
Area: Little Tokyo
Price: Free
Best for: Families who want a free cultural weekend in Little Tokyo with parade energy and plaza stops.
Why we picked it: Nisei Week stacks Coronation programming, the Grand Parade, and plaza festival energy
Parent tip: Pair it with JANM’s free Natsumatsuri the same day if you want a shorter indoor/outdoor handoff.
See times, map, and parent notes →
PlayMap Pick: Toddler Friendly — Los Angeles Kids Book Festival — 2026
Date: Sun Aug 23, 9 AM–4:30 PM
Area: West Hollywood Park
Price: Free
Best for: Bookish families who want a free all-day children’s literature festival with bilingual and early-education programming.
Why we picked it: LA’s largest free kids book festival
Parent tip: Go earlier for quieter story corners, then exit before the afternoon heat and stroller gridlock.
See times, map, and parent notes →
PlayMap Pick: Worth the Drive — Toddler Friendly — Disney Jr. Let’s Play! Party (Downtown Disney)
Date: Fri Aug 14, 12 PM–10:30 PM
Area: Downtown Disney District
Price: Free (Downtown Disney District)
Best for: Preschool families who want free Disney Jr. dance, bubbles, and crafts without park tickets.
Why we picked it: Downtown Disney’s preschooler party
Parent tip: DJ sets, bubbles, and craft tables. Go earlier for easier stroller flow; skip if you need a quiet sensory day.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Free outdoor concerts this month
Looking for free outdoor concerts in Los Angeles in August 2026? Lawn, pier, museum courtyard, Culver Steps plaza, and marina shows run all month — tap any card for times, maps, and parent notes. Full-season context: free outdoor summer concerts guide.
Marina del Rey Summer Concert — Video Game Soundtrack
Date: Sat Aug 1, 7–9 PM
Area: Burton Chace Park
Price: Free
Best for: Families who want a kid-magnet free marina night
Why we picked it: Kid-magnet free marina night
Parent tip: Blankets help; parking fills early.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Marina del Rey Summer Concert — Monsieur Periné
Date: Sat Aug 8, 7–9 PM
Area: Burton Chace Park
Price: Free
Best for: Families who want a free Saturday marina concert with an easy lawn exit.
Why we picked it: Free Saturday marina concert
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Marina del Rey Summer Concert — D Smoke and Carl Thomas
Date: Sat Aug 15, 7–9 PM
Area: Burton Chace Park
Price: Free
Best for: Families pairing a Little Tokyo day with a free evening marina show.
Why we picked it: Free evening marina show
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Toddler Friendly — Garden Concerts for Kids: Dan + Claudia Zanes with Tyree Austin
Date: Sat Aug 1, 4–5:30 PM
Area: Getty Center — Central Garden
Price: Free
Best for: Families who want a free kids-first concert before an evening plan.
Why we picked it: Free kids-first concert
Parent tip: Best ages: Ages 2–10. Confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Toddler Friendly — Garden Concerts for Kids: Flor Bromley
Date: Sat Aug 8, 4–5:30 PM
Area: Getty Center — Central Garden
Price: Free
Best for: Westside families who want a short free outdoor set with museum logistics.
Why we picked it: Short free outdoor set
Parent tip: Best ages: Ages 2–10. Confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Toddler Friendly — Garden Concerts for Kids: Elizabeth Mitchell
Date: Sat Aug 15, 4–5:30 PM (also Sun Aug 16)
Area: Getty Center — Central Garden
Price: Free (timed-entry reservation required)
Best for: Families celebrating folk singalongs
Why we picked it: Folk singalongs
Parent tip: Short set, picnic blanket, exit before heat peaks.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Sunset Concerts: Annie and The Caldwells / The Campbell Brothers
Date: Thu Aug 6, doors 6 PM / shows 7:00 & 8:15 PM
Area: Skirball Cultural Center — Courtyard
Price: Free (parking $20)
Best for: Westside families who want a free hillside courtyard concert
Why we picked it: Free hillside courtyard concert
Parent tip: Walk-up only; arrive early.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Summer Sunset Concert Series at The Culver Steps
Date: Thu Aug 6, 7 PM (also Thu Aug 13)
Area: The Culver Steps — Town Plaza
Price: Free
Best for: Culver City families who want a free plaza sunset show close to dinner and an easy exit.
Why we picked it: Free plaza sunset show
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Jazz at LACMA Is Back for 2026
Date: Fri Aug 7, 6–8 PM (also Fri Aug 14, 21 & 28)
Area: Smidt Welcome Plaza · LACMA
Price: Free
Best for: Museum Row families who want a free Friday jazz night with nearby indoor backups.
Why we picked it: Free Friday jazz night
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Live Entertainment All Summer Long at The Grove
Date: Sat Aug 8, 5–8 PM (Fri–Sun evenings through August)
Area: The Park at The Grove
Price: Free
Best for: Fairfax-adjacent families who want a free park-stage evening between errands and dinner.
Why we picked it: Weekend live performers in The Park at The Grove
Parent tip: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays all summer; pack layers and an early exit for littles.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Redondo Pier Summer of Music — Alarmaz
Date: Sat Aug 8, 6–8 PM (Thu & Sat through Aug 29)
Area: Redondo Pier — Fisherman's Wharf (west end)
Price: Free
Best for: South Bay families who want a free pier concert with ocean air and a short stroll exit.
Why we picked it: Free Summer of Music on the west end of Redondo Pier
Parent tip: Weather permitting; confirm the night’s band on the pier calendar before you go.
See times, map, and parent notes →
KCRW Summer Nights with the Wende Museum (Good Food Night Market Edition)
Date: Fri Aug 14, 6–10 PM
Area: The Wende Museum
Price: Free (RSVP recommended)
Best for: Culver-adjacent families who want a free DJ + night-market evening
Why we picked it: Free DJ + night-market evening
Parent tip: Ear coverage for littles.
See times, map, and parent notes →
KCRW Summer Nights with CAAM (August 1)
Date: Sat Aug 1, 7–11 PM
Area: California African American Museum
Price: Free
Best for: Exposition Park families who want a free outdoor music night after a museum morning.
Why we picked it: Free outdoor music night
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Worth the Drive — OC Parks Summer Concert — Dream Like Taylor
Date: Thu Aug 27, 5–8 PM
Area: Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach
Price: Free
Best for: OC beach families who want a free Taylor-tribute lawn night with ocean air.
Why we picked it: Free Taylor-tribute lawn night
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Worth the Drive — Summer Concert Series — BEACH STREET A GO GO
Date: Thu Aug 6, 6 PM
Area: Bandstand Stage on The BLVD (Lancaster)
Price: Free
Best for: Antelope Valley families who want a free BLVD bandstand night without a coastal drive.
Why we picked it: Free BLVD bandstand night
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Worth planning around — festivals, beach days & big weekends
August’s bigger family festivals and weekend anchors beyond the PlayMap Picks row — lantern nights, a Dodger Stadium field movie, surf festival weekends, street fairs, and ticketed Disney evenings.
Worth the Drive — Water Lantern Festival Los Angeles (Saturday)
Date: Sat Aug 1, 5:30–9:30 PM (also Fri Jul 31 & Sun Aug 2)
Area: Whittier Narrows Recreation Area, South El Monte
Price: From ~$30.99 (ticket includes lantern kit)
Best for: Families who want a ticketed lantern-launch evening
Why we picked it: Ticketed lantern-launch evening
Parent tip: Arrive at gates for food trucks and music before the dusk launch; reserve parking ahead.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Movie Night on the Field: The Sandlot
Date: Sat Aug 8, doors/pre-show 5 PM · movie 7 PM
Area: UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium
Price: Ticketed
Best for: Baseball-loving families who want a stadium field movie night
Why we picked it: Stadium field movie night
Parent tip: Free parking on the official listing; confirm child ticket rules before you buy.
See times, map, and parent notes →
International Surf Festival — Dwight Crum Pier-to-Pier Swim
Date: Sun Aug 2, 9 AM
Area: Hermosa Beach Pier to Manhattan Beach Pier
Price: Free to watch
Best for: South Bay families who want free pier-to-pier race energy as spectators.
Why we picked it: Free pier-to-pier race energy
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Art on Ocean - Palisades Park Arts Festival
Date: Sat Aug 8, 11 AM–7 PM
Area: Ocean Avenue — Palisades Park, Santa Monica
Price: Free admission
Best for: Westside families who want a free outdoor arts stroll with ocean views.
Why we picked it: Free outdoor arts stroll
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
2026 Natsumatsuri Family Festival
Date: Sat Aug 15, 11 AM–3 PM
Area: Terasaki Budokan
Price: Free
Best for: Families who want a shorter free cultural festival beside Nisei Week programming.
Why we picked it: Shorter free cultural festival
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Silver Lake Family Summer Festival
Date: Sun Aug 16, 2–4 PM
Area: Sunset Triangle Plaza
Price: Free–$50 (ticket tiers on Eventbrite)
Best for: Eastside families who want a compact neighborhood festival with music and kid activities.
Why we picked it: Compact neighborhood festival
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Torrance Antique Street Faire — Sunday, August 23, 2026
Date: Sun Aug 23
Area: Old Torrance — Sartori Avenue
Price: Free
Best for: South Bay families who want a free strollable street faire after storytime or the pool.
Why we picked it: Free strollable street faire
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Vegan Street Fair
Date: Sat Aug 30
Area: Broxton Plaza, Westwood
Price: Free
Best for: Westside families who want a free food-fair afternoon with easy Metro/parking math.
Why we picked it: Free food-fair afternoon
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
6th Annual Santa Monica Classic Car Show on the Pier
Date: Sat Aug 29, 10 AM–4 PM
Area: Santa Monica Pier
Price: Free for spectators
Best for: Families who want free pier car-show browsing
Why we picked it: Free pier car-show browsing
Parent tip: Stroller-friendly if you skip peak midday.
See times, map, and parent notes →
7TH ANNUAL LEIMERT PARK JAZZ FESTIVAL
Date: Sat Aug 29
Area: Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza
Price: See listing
Best for: Families who want a community jazz festival day with plaza logistics.
Why we picked it: Community jazz festival day
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Worth the Drive — Spectrum Silent Disco at Irvine Spectrum Center
Date: Sat Aug 29
Area: Irvine Spectrum Center
Price: Free
Best for: OC families who want a free evening silent-disco hang after dinner.
Why we picked it: Free evening silent-disco hang
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Worth the Drive — Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party
Date: Select nights from Aug 18 (check listing)
Area: Disney California Adventure Park
Price: Separate ticketed party
Best for: Families ready for a ticketed early-Halloween night
Why we picked it: Ticketed early-Halloween night
Parent tip: Not a free outing; plan naps and costumes ahead.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Library events & more concerts
August is packed with free branch storytimes, crafts, and summer wrap-ups. We keep libraries out of the carousels so festivals stay scannable — filter the live list when you need an AC backup.
Browse library events for August 2026 on Play Map LA →
By neighborhood
Neighborhood carousels for family events in Los Angeles in August 2026 — Museum Row, DTLA, Hollywood/Griffith, Westside, South Bay, Valley/Culver, Long Beach, Orange County, Irvine, and county-wide picks. Swipe each row, then tap a card for times and parent notes.
Museum Row / Mid-City
Friday jazz at LACMA, free Grove park-stage nights, Getty kids concerts, Boone / Andell family programs for indoor heat backups, Leimert Park Jazz Festival, and a Community Spotlight stroller stroll at Kenneth Hahn.
Jazz at LACMA Is Back for 2026
Date: Fri Aug 7, 6–8 PM (also Fri Aug 14, 21 & 28)
Area: Smidt Welcome Plaza · LACMA
Price: Free
Best for: Museum Row families who want a free Friday outdoor set.
Why we picked it: Free Friday outdoor set
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Live Entertainment All Summer Long at The Grove
Date: Sat Aug 8, 5–8 PM (Fri–Sun evenings through August)
Area: The Park at The Grove
Price: Free
Best for: Mid-City families who want a free outdoor concert steps from Farmers Market snacks.
Why we picked it: Free outdoor concert
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Toddler Friendly — Garden Concerts for Kids: Flor Bromley
Date: Sat Aug 8, 4–5:30 PM
Area: Getty Center — Central Garden
Price: Free
Best for: Preschoolers who need a short free outdoor concert.
Why we picked it: Short free outdoor concert
Parent tip: Best ages: Ages 2–10. Confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Toddler Friendly — Garden Concerts for Kids: Elizabeth Mitchell
Date: Sat Aug 15, 4–5:30 PM
Area: Getty Center — Central Garden
Price: Free (timed-entry reservation)
Best for: Families who want the series-finale folk singalong before Nisei Week evening plans.
Why we picked it: Series-finale folk singalong
Parent tip: Best ages: Ages 2–10. Confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Toddler Friendly — Boone Children's Gallery
Date: Multiple August weekdays & weekends
Area: LACMA
Price: Free with museum entry rules
Best for: Families who need an indoor art play backup on hot August days.
Why we picked it: Indoor art play backup
Parent tip: Best ages: Ages 0–8 typical. Confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Toddler Friendly — Andell Family Sundays: Expression Through Fashion
Date: Sun Aug 2 (and later August Sundays)
Area: LACMA
Price: Varies / check listing
Best for: Sunday Museum Row crews who want a family art workshop after gallery time.
Why we picked it: Family art workshop
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Date: Sat Aug 15 (confirm meetup time on Instagram)
Area: Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area · Baldwin Hills
Price: Free (park parking fees may apply)
Best for: Mid-City / Baldwin Hills parents who want a community stroller stroll with skyline-park paths.
Why we picked it: This month’s community spotlight: LA Stroll Society’s next Saturday Stroll at Kenneth Hahn
Parent tip: Confirm the meetup spot and start time on @lastrollsociety before you go.
See times, map, and parent notes →
7TH ANNUAL LEIMERT PARK JAZZ FESTIVAL
Date: Sat Aug 29
Area: Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza
Price: See listing
Best for: Mid-City / Crenshaw families who want a community jazz festival day with plaza logistics.
Why we picked it: Community jazz festival day
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Downtown / DTLA
RiverFest, Grand Park Sunday Sessions, Little Tokyo festival weekend (Nisei Week + Natsumatsuri), Maum Market at ROW DTLA, and Bob Baker sensory marionettes.
Maum Market Los Angeles at ROW DTLA
Date: Sat Aug 1, 11 AM–4 PM
Area: ROW DTLA — Dock Street
Price: Free (RSVP requested)
Best for: DTLA families who want a free outdoor Asian-owned brand market
Why we picked it: Free outdoor Asian-owned brand market
Parent tip: Pet-friendly; 2-hour complimentary garage parking.
See times, map, and parent notes →
RiverFest 2026
Date: Sun Aug 9, 2:30–7 PM
Area: Los Angeles State Historic Park
Price: Free
Best for: DTLA-adjacent families who want a free open-air festival with picnic space.
Why we picked it: Free open-air festival
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Sunday Sessions — TheyHouseLA (Aug 16)
Date: Sun Aug 16, 3–8 PM
Area: Gloria Molina Grand Park
Price: Free
Best for: Families who want a free downtown lawn afternoon with music and room to move.
Why we picked it: Free downtown lawn afternoon
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Nisei Week Japanese Festival 2026
Date: Sat Aug 15
Area: Little Tokyo
Price: Free
Best for: Families who want parade + plaza festival energy downtown.
Why we picked it: Parade + plaza festival energy
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
2026 Natsumatsuri Family Festival
Date: Sat Aug 15, 11 AM–3 PM
Area: Terasaki Budokan
Price: Free
Best for: Little Tokyo families who want a shorter free cultural festival beside Nisei Week programming.
Why we picked it: Shorter free cultural festival
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Toddler Friendly — Choo Choo Revue (Sensory-Friendly)
Date: Sat Aug 1, 10:30 AM
Area: Bob Baker Marionette Theater
Price: Free / reserve ahead
Best for: Toddlers who need a sensory-friendly marionette morning.
Why we picked it: Sensory-friendly marionette morning
Parent tip: Best ages: Ages 0–8. Confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
KCRW Summer Nights with CAAM (August 1)
Date: Sat Aug 1, 7–11 PM
Area: California African American Museum
Price: Free
Best for: Exposition Park families stacking a museum day + free night party.
Why we picked it: Museum day + free night party
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Hollywood / Griffith Park
Evening outdoor theater at the Old Zoo — and a one-night stadium movie on the Dodgers’ field.
Movie Night on the Field: The Sandlot
Date: Sat Aug 8, doors/pre-show 5 PM · movie 7 PM
Area: UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium
Price: Ticketed
Best for: Families who want a once-a-summer stadium field screening
Why we picked it: Once-a-summer stadium field screening
Parent tip: Plan transit or free-parking instructions from the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Free Shakespeare in the Park: The Comedy of Errors
Date: Thu Aug 6, 7–9:30 PM (multiple August nights)
Area: Old Zoo in Griffith Park
Price: Free
Best for: Families with older kids who can handle an outdoor play
Why we picked it: Older kids
Parent tip: Skip with restless toddlers.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Toddler Friendly — Los Angeles Kids Book Festival — 2026
Date: Sun Aug 23, 9 AM–4:30 PM
Area: West Hollywood Park
Price: Free
Best for: WeHo-adjacent families who want a free all-day book festival.
Why we picked it: Free all-day book festival
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Silver Lake Family Summer Festival
Date: Sun Aug 16, 2–4 PM
Area: Sunset Triangle Plaza
Price: Free–$50 (ticket tiers)
Best for: Eastside families who want a short neighborhood festival window.
Why we picked it: Short neighborhood festival window
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Westside
Art on Ocean, Skirball Sunset Concerts, Dockweiler beach movies, pier car show, Westwood’s Vegan Street Fair, Culver City’s Fiesta, and Santa Monica back-to-school resources.
Sunset Concerts: Annie and The Caldwells / The Campbell Brothers
Date: Thu Aug 6, doors 6 PM / shows 7:00 & 8:15 PM
Area: Skirball Cultural Center — Courtyard
Price: Free (parking $20)
Best for: Sepulveda Pass families who want a free courtyard concert with museum hours beforehand
Why we picked it: Free courtyard concert
Parent tip: First-come seating.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Art on Ocean - Palisades Park Arts Festival
Date: Sat Aug 8, 11 AM–7 PM
Area: Ocean Avenue — Palisades Park, Santa Monica
Price: Free admission
Best for: Santa Monica families who want a free arts stroll along Ocean Avenue.
Why we picked it: Free arts stroll
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
LA County Beach Movie Nights at Dockweiler
Date: Fri Aug 7, 8 PM
Area: Dockweiler Youth Center
Price: Free (parking $3 after 6 PM)
Best for: Families who want a free beach movie of The Princess and the Frog
Why we picked it: Free beach movie
Parent tip: Bring layers.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Fiesta La Ballona
Date: Fri Aug 28–Sun Aug 30
Area: Veterans Memorial Park, Culver City
Price: Free entry
Best for: Culver City families who want a carnival weekend close to home.
Why we picked it: Carnival weekend
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
6th Annual Santa Monica Classic Car Show on the Pier
Date: Sat Aug 29, 10 AM–4 PM
Area: Santa Monica Pier
Price: Free for spectators
Best for: Families who want a free pier car show without buying tickets.
Why we picked it: Free pier car show
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Vegan Street Fair
Date: Sat Aug 30
Area: Broxton Plaza, Westwood
Price: Free
Best for: Westside families who want a free food-fair afternoon with easy Metro/parking math.
Why we picked it: Free food-fair afternoon
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Virginia Avenue Park Open House & Resource Fair
Date: Fri Aug 28, 5–7 PM
Area: Virginia Avenue Park, Santa Monica
Price: Free
Best for: Westside families who want a free resource fair before school starts.
Why we picked it: Free resource fair
Parent tip: Best ages: Children / families. Confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
South Bay
Surf festival weekends, free Redondo Pier concerts, the Torrance Antique Street Faire, Redondo stroller socials, and the Torrance Mommy Swap.
International Surf Festival — Dwight Crum Pier-to-Pier Swim
Date: Sun Aug 2, 9 AM
Area: Hermosa Beach Pier to Manhattan Beach Pier
Price: Free to watch
Best for: South Bay families who want free race-day pier energy.
Why we picked it: Free race-day pier energy
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Redondo Pier Summer of Music — Alarmaz
Date: Sat Aug 8, 6–8 PM (Thu & Sat through Aug 29)
Area: Redondo Pier — Fisherman's Wharf (west end)
Price: Free
Best for: South Bay families who want a free pier concert with an easy stroller exit.
Why we picked it: Free pier concert
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Date: Thu Aug 6, 3–6 PM
Area: Rock & Brews Redondo Beach
Price: Free + optional donation
Best for: South Bay parents who want a stroller-friendly community social with Tot Rock energy.
Why we picked it: This month’s community spotlight: Stroller Social Club’s Rock, Roll & Stroll
Parent tip: Free + optional donation; confirm last-minute updates with the organizer.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Date: Fri Aug 7, 9 AM
Area: Wilson Park / Torrance
Price: Free
Best for: South Bay parents who want a community gear-swap morning with coffee logistics.
Why we picked it: This month’s community spotlight: South Bay Mommy Club × Ivy Rae Coffee
Parent tip: Bring newborn–5T clothes and gear to trade; unclaimed items go to Harbor Pregnancy Center.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Torrance Antique Street Faire — Sunday, August 23, 2026
Date: Sun Aug 23
Area: Old Torrance — Sartori Avenue
Price: Free
Best for: South Bay families who want a free strollable street faire after storytime or the pool.
Why we picked it: Free strollable street faire
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Valley / Culver City
Culver Steps mornings and sunset concerts, movies in the park, Actors’ Gang robot Shakespeare for kids, and Fairplex train Sundays.
Toddler Friendly — PLAY at the Steps
Date: Wed Aug 5, 10 AM (also Wed Aug 12, 19 & 26)
Area: The Culver Steps — Upper Plaza
Price: Free
Best for: Culver City caregivers who want a free weekly music-and-movement hour with babies and toddlers
Why we picked it: Free weekly music-and-movement hour
Parent tip: Bring a blanket; complimentary one-hour parking.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Summer Sunset Concert Series at The Culver Steps
Date: Thu Aug 6, 7 PM (also Thu Aug 13)
Area: The Culver Steps — Town Plaza
Price: Free
Best for: Culver-area families who want a free Thursday plaza concert
Why we picked it: Free Thursday plaza concert
Parent tip: Small picnic blankets and low-back chairs welcome in designated areas.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Worth the Drive — Agoura Hills Movies in the Park — How to Train Your Dragon
Date: Sat Aug 15, 7–10 PM
Area: Reyes Adobe Park
Price: Free
Best for: Conejo Valley families who want a free dusk movie with blankets.
Why we picked it: Free dusk movie
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Two Gentlebots of Verona (Actors’ Gang)
Date: Sat Aug 1, 11 AM (multiple August weekends)
Area: Media Park
Price: Ticketed — see listing
Best for: Families who want a robotic Shakespeare comedy outdoors
Why we picked it: Robotic Shakespeare comedy
Parent tip: It gets hot in Media Park, so go early if you want a spot in the shade. Free umbrellas are available, but bring water and check show length for toddlers.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Worth the Drive — Fairplex Garden Railroad Aug. 2026
Date: Sun Aug 9, 11 AM–4 PM
Area: Fairplex Garden Railroad
Price: Paid admission
Best for: SGV / Inland Empire families who want a train-garden morning on the second Sunday.
Why we picked it: Train-garden morning
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
KCRW Summer Nights with the Wende Museum (Good Food Night Market Edition)
Date: Fri Aug 14, 6–10 PM
Area: The Wende Museum
Price: Free (RSVP recommended)
Best for: Culver-area families who want a free night-market concert vibe.
Why we picked it: Free night-market concert vibe
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Long Beach
Harbor-side music nights and downtown Long Beach summer programming.
KCRW Summer Nights with Taste of Downtown Long Beach
Date: Sat Aug 22, 6–10 PM
Area: 200 Pine Ave, Long Beach
Price: Free
Best for: Harbor families who want a free downtown Long Beach music night.
Why we picked it: Free downtown Long Beach music night
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Orange County
Huntington Beach festival weekends, Disney Jr. at Downtown Disney, Salt Creek beach cinema, and early Oogie Boogie Bash nights.
Worth the Drive — US Open of Surfing (Huntington Beach)
Date: Sat Aug 1–Sun Aug 2, 8 AM–8 PM
Area: Huntington Beach Pier (south side)
Price: Free
Best for: OC beach families closing out surf festival weekend.
Why we picked it: Surf festival weekend
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Worth the Drive — HB Foodie Fest — Huntington Beach (August 7)
Date: Fri Aug 7, 5–9 PM
Area: Goldenwest College
Price: Free admission
Best for: OC families who want a free Friday food festival.
Why we picked it: Free Friday food festival
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Worth the Drive — Toddler Friendly — Disney Jr. Let’s Play! Party (Downtown Disney)
Date: Fri Aug 14, 12 PM–10:30 PM
Area: Downtown Disney District
Price: Free
Best for: OC/Anaheim-adjacent preschoolers who want free Disney Jr. play.
Why we picked it: Free Disney Jr. play
Parent tip: Best ages: Toddlers & Preschool. Confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Worth the Drive — OC Parks Summer Concert — Dream Like Taylor
Date: Thu Aug 27, 5–8 PM
Area: Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach
Price: Free
Best for: South OC beach families who want a free Taylor-tribute lawn night with ocean air.
Why we picked it: Free Taylor-tribute lawn night
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Worth the Drive — OC Parks Sunset Cinema — Top Gun (1986)
Date: Fri Aug 28, 6 PM
Area: Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach
Price: Free
Best for: South OC families who want a free beach movie night (older-kid vibe).
Why we picked it: Free beach movie night
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Worth the Drive — Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party
Date: Select nights from Aug 18 (check listing)
Area: Disney California Adventure Park
Price: Separate ticketed party
Best for: OC/Anaheim families who want a ticketed early Halloween night
Why we picked it: Ticketed early Halloween night
Parent tip: Confirm age/height rules and hard-ticket dates.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Irvine
Pretend City baby and sensory evenings, free Little Beats dance pop-ups, Irvine Regional Park cinema, and Spectrum plaza nights.
Worth the Drive — Toddler Friendly — Baby Steps
Date: Tue Aug 4, 8–9:30 AM
Area: Pretend City Children's Museum
Price: Varies
Best for: Irvine infant/toddler parents who want a dedicated baby museum hour.
Why we picked it: Dedicated baby museum hour
Parent tip: Best ages: 18 months and under. Confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Worth the Drive — Toddler Friendly — Little Beats Pop-Up Dance Party
Date: Thu Aug 13, 10 AM–12 PM (also Thu Aug 27 at Woodbury Town Center)
Area: Woodbridge Village Center · Irvine
Price: Free
Best for: Irvine toddlers/preschoolers who want a free outdoor dance pop-up
Why we picked it: Free outdoor dance pop-up
Parent tip: Adults must stay with kids; weather permitting.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Worth the Drive — Neurodivergent Family Night
Date: Tue Aug 11, 5–7 PM (also Tue Aug 27)
Area: Pretend City Children's Museum · Irvine
Price: Free evening play (confirm admission rules on listing)
Best for: Irvine families who want a sensory-friendly museum evening with a neuro-affirming crowd.
Why we picked it: Sensory-friendly museum evening
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Worth the Drive — OC Parks Sunset Cinema — Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024)
Date: Fri Aug 14, 6 PM
Area: Irvine Regional Park
Price: Free (food trucks / concessions for purchase)
Best for: Irvine-area families who want a free park movie night with a kid-favorite film.
Why we picked it: Free park movie night
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Worth the Drive — Spectrum Silent Disco at Irvine Spectrum Center
Date: Sat Aug 29
Area: Irvine Spectrum Center
Price: Free
Best for: Irvine families who want a free evening plaza hang.
Why we picked it: Free evening plaza hang
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
LA County wide
Parks After Dark movies and pool parties, plus the Whittier Narrows lantern weekend — check the exact park for your week.
Worth the Drive — Water Lantern Festival Los Angeles (Saturday)
Date: Sat Aug 1, 5:30–9:30 PM (Fri Jul 31 & Sun Aug 2 too)
Area: Whittier Narrows Recreation Area
Price: From ~$30.99
Best for: SGV families who want a lantern-launch night out
Why we picked it: Lantern-launch night out
Parent tip: Bring blankets; paid parking.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Hocus Pocus — Movies in the Park (Parks After Dark)
Date: Fri Aug 7, 7–9:30 PM
Area: Victory Park, Pasadena
Price: Free
Best for: Pasadena families who want a free Parks After Dark movie.
Why we picked it: Free Parks After Dark movie
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Aqua Boogie Nights (Parks After Dark)
Date: Sat Aug 1, 6–9 PM
Area: Villa Parke Pool
Price: Free
Best for: Families who want a free evening pool party (bring towels; confirm swim rules).
Why we picked it: Free evening pool party
Parent tip: Open to all ages — confirm parking and exact times on the listing.
See times, map, and parent notes →
TRYST International Art Fair & NOMAD
Date: Fri Aug 7
Area: Del Amo Crossing
Price: Free
Best for: Torrance-area families curious about a free artist-run art fair
Why we picked it: Free artist-run art fair
Parent tip: More stroll than toddler playground.
See times, map, and parent notes →
Ongoing picks still active this August
- US Open of Surfing — through Sun Aug 2 at Huntington Beach Pier
- Water Lantern Festival — Fri Jul 31–Sun Aug 2 at Whittier Narrows
- Getty Garden Concerts for Kids — Saturdays Aug 1, 8, and 15 (Elizabeth Mitchell closes the series)
- Jazz at LACMA — Fridays Aug 7, 14, 21 & 28
- Live entertainment at The Grove — Fri–Sun evenings through August
- Redondo Pier Summer of Music — Thu & Sat through Aug 29
- Skirball Sunset Concerts — Thu Aug 6 courtyard finale
- Marina del Rey Summer Concerts — Saturdays Aug 1, 8, and 15
- Maum Market at ROW DTLA — Sat Aug 1 (more dates later in the year)
- Nisei Week + Natsumatsuri — Sat Aug 15 in Little Tokyo
- Fiesta La Ballona — Fri Aug 28–Sun Aug 30 in Culver City
- Boone Children's Gallery — multiple August days at LACMA
- Free Shakespeare: Comedy of Errors — select August evenings at Griffith Park Old Zoo
- Oogie Boogie Bash — select ticketed nights from Aug 18 at California Adventure
Plan your August in five minutes
Open kids events in Los Angeles filtered for August, then save favorites by weekend so you’re not rebuilding the plan every Thursday. Hot week? Pair a morning outing with a splash stop — see our best splash pads in Los Angeles. Need shade midday? Try the shaded playgrounds Los Angeles guide.
August 2026 kids events calendar by weekend
Use this as a month-at-a-glance plan for things to do with kids in LA in August — then open the matching carousel cards above for parking, ages, and parent notes.
- Aug 1–2: US Open of Surfing (HB), Water Lantern Festival (Whittier Narrows), Marina del Rey video-game concert, Getty Garden Concerts (Dan + Claudia Zanes), Maum Market at ROW DTLA, International Surf Festival pier-to-pier swim, Parks After Dark Aqua Boogie
- Aug 3–9: PLAY + Summer Sunset Concerts at the Culver Steps, Skirball Sunset Concerts (Aug 6), Dodgers Movie Night — The Sandlot (Aug 8), Art on Ocean (Santa Monica), RiverFest (Aug 9), Fairplex Garden Railroad, HB Foodie Fest, Dockweiler / park beach movies
- Aug 10–16: Nisei Week + JANM Natsumatsuri (Aug 15), Getty Garden Concerts (Elizabeth Mitchell), Marina del Rey + Grand Park Sunday Sessions, LA Stroll Society at Kenneth Hahn, Leimert Park Jazz Festival energy, Torrance Antique Faire
- Aug 17–23: LA Kids Book Festival (Aug 23), Oogie Boogie Bash nights begin (ticketed), Redondo Pier / Grove / Jazz at LACMA continuing series, Vegan Street Fair (Westside)
- Aug 24–31: Fiesta La Ballona (Aug 28–30), Explore JPL ticket registration opens Sat Aug 29 at 9 a.m. PDT (book on jpl.nasa.gov for the Oct 10–11 open house), late Parks After Dark / movie nights, wrap-up library AC backups
Live inventory always beats a static list — filter kids events in Los Angeles the week you go.
Tip: Reminder — book Explore JPL tickets. NASA JPL’s free public open house returns Oct 10–11, 2026, but timed-entry tickets usually disappear in minutes. Registration opens Sat Aug 29, 2026 at 9 a.m. PDT on the official page — bookmark Explore JPL, set an alarm, and have names ready (limit five tickets per reservation; ages 2 and under don’t need a ticket).
Frequently asked questions
What are the best free things to do with kids in LA in August 2026?
Strong free anchors include the US Open of Surfing (through Aug 2), Maum Market at ROW DTLA (Aug 1), RiverFest (Aug 9), Nisei Week / Natsumatsuri (Aug 15), Getty Garden Concerts for Kids, Skirball Sunset Concerts (Aug 6), Culver Steps Thursday sunset concerts and Wednesday PLAY mornings, Marina del Rey Saturday concerts, the LA Kids Book Festival (Aug 23), Fiesta La Ballona entry (Aug 28–30), and beach/park movie nights. Browse the live free kids events filter for the current week.
What is the biggest family festival in Los Angeles in August 2026?
Nisei Week in Little Tokyo and Fiesta La Ballona in Culver City are the biggest multi-program weekends. RiverFest and the LA Kids Book Festival are strong single-day free anchors. OC families often treat US Open weekend and HB Foodie Fest as their marquee beach-adjacent plans.
When is Fiesta La Ballona 2026?
Culver City’s Fiesta La Ballona runs Friday, August 28 through Sunday, August 30, 2026 at Veterans Memorial Park. Entry is free; rides and food are priced separately. See the Fiesta La Ballona listing for hours by day.
When is Nisei Week 2026 in Little Tokyo?
This guide’s big family day for Nisei Week centers on Saturday, August 15, 2026 in Little Tokyo (parade + plaza programming). Pair it with JANM’s free Natsumatsuri Family Festival the same day for a shorter indoor/outdoor handoff.
What toddler-friendly events are happening in LA in August?
Getty Garden Concerts for Kids, Bob Baker’s sensory-friendly Choo Choo Revue, Disney Jr. Let’s Play at Downtown Disney, Pretend City Baby Steps, PLAY at the Culver Steps, the Stroller Social Club Redondo meetup, and LA Stroll Society at Kenneth Hahn are gentler options. Filter toddler events for short sessions.
Where can we go if it’s too hot outside?
Boone Children’s Gallery and LACMA family programs, Pretend City, Bob Baker marionette shows, and branch library events in August are the easiest AC backups. Midday, swap a festival for a shaded playground or splash pad.
Are there free outdoor concerts for kids in August?
Yes — Getty Garden Concerts for Kids (Aug 1, 8, 15), Skirball Sunset Concerts (Aug 6), Marina del Rey Saturday lawn shows, Jazz at LACMA (Fridays), Culver Steps Thursday sunset concerts, The Grove Fri–Sun park-stage nights, Redondo Pier Summer of Music (Thu & Sat), KCRW Summer Nights partner shows, Grand Park Sunday Sessions, and OC Parks Salt Creek concerts. See the concert carousel above or the full-season free outdoor summer concerts guide.
What outdoor movies for kids are playing in LA in August 2026?
Highlights include LA County Beach Movie Nights at Dockweiler, Dodgers Movie Night on the Field (The Sandlot) on Aug 8, Agoura Hills Movies in the Park, OC Parks Sunset Cinema at Salt Creek, Parks After Dark movies, and Kung Fu Panda at Irvine Regional Park. Browse outdoor movies for the live list.
What are good Orange County picks in August 2026?
US Open of Surfing, HB Foodie Fest, Disney Jr. at Downtown Disney, Salt Creek Dream Like Taylor / Top Gun cinema, and Oogie Boogie Bash. For Irvine specifically: Pretend City Baby Steps + Neurodivergent Family Night, free Little Beats dance pop-ups, Kung Fu Panda at Irvine Regional Park, and Spectrum Silent Disco. More listings live under Long Beach & OC events.
About Play Map LA
LA mom navigating toddler chaos & the eternal "what do we do this weekend?" I built Play Map LA so you're not lost on social media every Sunday. Best spots, hidden gems & actually fun things to do with kids 0–6 in LA.
How we researched this guide
PlayMap LA reviewed 1,630 listings for August 1–31, 2026, including approximately 1,578 events with confirmed August dates. We then selected standout and verified key details—such as dates, times, prices, and family logistics—using official venue and organizer sources.
Neighborhood groupings and “best for” recommendations reflect PlayMap LA’s editorial judgment and are not paid placements.
Learn more about our source policy and PlayMap LA. Found an incorrect date, price, or event detail? Send us a correction with the event name and an official source whenever possible.
Published July 28, 2026. Last checked July 28, 2026.
Looking for free library storytimes, crafts, and summer wrap-ups? We left branch listings out of the carousels so festivals stay scannable.
Browse library events for August 2026 on Play Map LA →
