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Bug Fair event photo courtesy of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
Bug Fair event photo courtesy of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
5/1/24 - By Toby B

Looking for the best things to do in Los Angeles this weekend? Here are some of our favorite events and activities to add to your list this weekend

It's going to be a jam-packed weekend filled with things to do in So Cal, especially since the California Strawberry Festival has arrived! Creepy crawlies take center stage at the Natural History Museum's Bug Fair, and ginormous trucks will race side-by-side at SoFi Stadium's Monster Jam World Finals XXIII. Comic book heroes will be celebrated at Ontario's Comic Con Revolution, and kids can dance the day away at the Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival. 

More Things To Do in Los Angeles This Week With Kids:

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Monster Jam World Finals XXIII. Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment
Monster Jam World Finals XXIII. Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment

Best Things To Do This Weekend in Los Angeles

Monrovia Days

Monrovia - FREE
Thursday, May 16-Sunday, May 19
The community of Monrovia celebrates its 138th birthday with a weekend of events. Highlights include games, carnival rides, food, live music, a meringue pie eating contest, and the annual Monrovia Days parade. READ MORE

Crawfish Festival

Fountain Valley
Friday, May 17-Sunday, May 19
Crawfish Festival is the largest Crawfish Festival outside Louisiana, attracting thousands of festival-goers each year. Families can enjoy Cajun, Zydeco, and New Orleans music plus tons of fresh crawfish, prepared Louisiana style, along with a wide selection of New Orleans’s most iconic dishes. READ MORE

Bug Fair 2024

Exposition Park
Saturday, May 18-Sunday, May 19
There are bugs everywhere! No need to call the exterminator; it's Bug Fair 2024, the Natural History Museum's celebration of things winged and creepy-crawly. Bug Fair is the biggest bug festival in North America, and this year is celebrating its 38th year. READ MORE

California Strawberry Festival

Ventura
Saturday, May 18-Sunday, May 19
The 2024 California Strawberry Festival returns on Saturday, May 18 & Sunday, May 19, once again at  the Ventura County Fairgrounds.  READ MORE

Comic Con Revolution

Ontario
Saturday, May 18-Sunday, May 19
Ontario's Comic Con Revolution celebrates comics and the creative arts. Programming includes guest appearances and cast reunions, legendary comic book creators, iconic voice actors, world class photo ops, and tons of cosplay. READ MORE

LA Sanitation & Environment West Valley Yard Open House

Northridge - FREE
Saturday, May 18
Here's your chance to see the city's trash trucks up close! Kids can honk the horns, take a ride, see the maintenance facilities, and enjoy a free lunch. READ MORE

Santa Monica Airport Artwalk

Santa Monica - FREE
Saturday, May 18
An old favorite is relaunched! 18th Street Arts Center announces the revival of the Santa Monica Airport ArtWalk. Situated in one of the oldest airports in the United States, the Santa Monica Airport hosts a vibrant community of over 60 artists, creative venues, and a spirited aviation scene. READ MORE

Waterwise Community Festival

Claremont - FREE
Saturday, May 18
Admission to California Botanic Garden is free for the Waterwise Community Festival. This free, family-friendly event highlights California’s incredible biodiversity and demonstrates how we can all protect and enhance the waterways and landscapes around us. READ MORE

Kids to Parks Day (RPV)

Rancho Palos Verdes - FREE
Saturday, May 18
Kids can get out and play at Rancho Palos Verdes' Kids to Parks Day. Instructors provide free crafts and activities, families can learn about the camps and summer programs at the city parks. Other fun includes nature crafts and giveaways, a live animal exhibit and a show. READ MORE

Modjeska’s Spring Open House

Silverado - FREE
Saturday, May 18
The annual spring open house at Arden: Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens features Shakespearean performances by the Modjeska Shakespeare Players, live music performances by The Orange Town Revival and docent-led tours of the iconic home and grounds. Guests can also taste one of the famous caramel and marshmallow Modjeska candies. Sweet! READ MORE

Undersea Discovery at Lakeshore Learning

Multiple Locations - FREE
Saturday, May 18
Kids can dive into ocean science in an afternoon of hands-on activities at Lakeshore Learning stores. Ocean-inspired activities at this free event include creating an undersea volcano, playing with sea foam, and making sand slime. READ MORE

Naomi Hirahara Presents: A Child’s Introduction to Asian American And Pacific Islander History

Pasadena - FREE
Saturday, May 18
Author Naomi Hirahara visits Vroman's to share her book A Child’s Introduction to Asian American And Pacific Islander History. The book is packed with remarkable stories, groundbreaking events, and inspirational people, that have made a lasting impact on the history and culture of the United States. READ MORE

Drop-In Workshops for Families: Pre-Cinema Optical Illusions

Mid-Wilshire
Saturday, May 18
Academy Museum visitors can learn about the different optical illusion devices created in the early days of cinema and then create their own! The Education team invites families to join museum educators every month to be inspired by the museum’s exhibitions and screenings to create, learn, and have fun! READ MORE

Monster Jam World Finals XXIII (SoFi Stadium)

Inglewood
Saturday, May 18
Four World Champions are crowned at the biggest Monster Jam event of the year, held at SoFi Stadium. Fans from all over the globe to see some of the best trucks and world-class drivers compete for a total of four championships in JCB Racing, BKT Freestyle, Lucas Oil High Jump, and Great Clips 2 Wheel Skills competitions. READ MORE

Migration Celebration

Playa Vista - FREE
Saturday, May 18
Migration Celebration is a neighborhood block party, with live birds and guided bird tours. Attendees can learn more about the Ballona Wetlands past, present, and future. Family activities include the Bob Baker Marionettes, Tongva music with Robert Dorame, and a chance to meet a Red-Tailed Hawk and other live birds,  plus crafts, scavenger hunts, games, and native plant sales. READ MORE

Lucky Diaz Performance and Storytime

Cheviot Hills - FREE
Saturday, May 18
Grammy award-winning musician and author Lucky Diaz visits Children's Book World for a live musical performance and storytime READ MORE

19th Annual Celebrating Words Festival

Pacoima - FREE
Saturday, May 18
Read all about it—for free!  Guests at the 19th annual Celebrating Words Festival can receive a free book! Highlights of the free literacy festival include mainstage performances, over a dozen creative art workshops, storytimes, art giveaways and a resource fair. READ MORE

Skateside Fest

Culver City - FREE
Saturday, May 18
Shred at Culver City's coolest skate party of the year. Skaters of all ages can take lessons, participate in a skateboard contest, enjoy DJs and live music, play games, and more. Skateboard and roller skating classes are for kids 5 and up. An RSVP is required to attend this free event, and VIP passes are available for purchase.  READ MORE

Street Food Cinema 2024

Arcadia
Saturday, May 18
Street Food Cinema goes on adventure with a screening of Up! at the LA Arboret--  squirrel!   READ MORE

Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival

Calabasas
Sunday, May 19
King Gillette Ranch plays host to an old-time bluegrass, folk song, folk dancing, and crafts festival. Instrumental and singing contestants perform on three stages, with performances by AJ Lee & Blue Summit, The Way Down Wanderers, Grupo Bella, Hillary Klug, Water Tower, and many others. The Family Stage hosts kid-friendly performers including Peter Alsop, The Hollow Trees, Happy Campers, and SMMUSD Student Mariachi Band and Student Folklorico Dancers. READ MORE

Kidical Mass

Santa Monica - FREE
Sunday, May 19
Kidical mass is a fun, safe group bike ride for kids and families. The rides are meant to be comfortable for families just starting out and biking on city streets for the first time . The rides don’t shy away from traffic; a ride like this is meant to help families feel develop comfort riding in the city by having a group to ride with. In May, riders are encouraged to wear green for mental health awareness month. READ MORE

I Love Myself Festival

Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw - FREE
Sunday, May 19
Highlights of the 2nd annual I Love Myself Festival at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza include a performance by GRAMMY Award-nominated multi-platinum R&B singer and songwriter Mario. The mental health awareness event features a full day of free programming for all ages. READ MORE

Villa Family Festival

Pacific Palisades - FREE
Sunday, May 19
Cultures from opposite sides of the world come together at this daylong family festival inspired by the exhibition Picture Worlds: Greek, Maya, Moche Pottery. Guests can move to traditional Greek folk music, enjoy the dances and sounds of diverse Peruvian cultures, create their own melodies with pre-Columbian instruments, explore the Maya calendar, and witness a ballgame that has roots going back 3,500 years. READ MORE

WeHo Mishka Festival

West Hollywood - FREE
Sunday May 19
The WEHO Mishka Festival highlights the culture of the people who came to the United States from a wide variety of republics of the Former Soviet Union. The Russian-speaking community represents at least 20% of West Hollywood's population. This festival showcases the contribution of the Russian-speaking community into the life of the city and our country. READ MORE

CicLAmini - Wilmington

Wilmington - FREE
Sunday, May 19
CicLAmini is a more pedestrian and neighborhood-oriented experience of a traditional CicLAvia open streets event. The latest CicLAmini ventures in to Wilmington, creating 2.25 mile stretch of car-free Avalon, M Street, and C Street. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Library Park Memorial Fountain
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Ventura County Fairgrounds
18th Street Arts Center Airport Campus
Arden: Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens
Lakeshore Learning - All Locations - including
Rotating locations, including the Autry Museum
Wilmington, including Wilmington Waterfront Park