Explore LA16 things to do in Los Angeles with kids this weekend
Guide dates: October 9–11, 2026. Recheck official links before leaving. Capacity, tickets, weather and organizer plans can change.
Los Angeles has a wonderful mix this weekend: citywide art after dark, explicitly sensory-friendly museum time, a free train festival, a fantasy book fair, family cultural celebrations and one very big cat convention. The ten picks from the approved weekend graphic are all here, plus six more verified options.
Sunday weather: Intermittent rain remains in the Los Angeles forecast. Outdoor organizers had not posted cancellations during the Friday morning check. Confirm the event and forecast before leaving, and keep an indoor backup in mind.
Quick picks
Friday, October 9
ArtNight Pasadena
Pasadena opens 23 arts and cultural venues for performances, exhibitions and hands-on activities. Family highlights include Bob Baker marionettes at City Hall, an Armory art-making workshop, teen screen printing at artWORKS and music across the city.
- When
- Friday, 6–10 p.m.
- Where
- Multiple Pasadena venues; City Hall hub at 100 N. Garfield Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101
- Cost
- Free; free shuttles connect venues
- Ages / fit
- All ages
- Booking
- No advance ticket requirement stated
Good to know: Each venue has its own program and capacity. The city provides accessibility contacts and Braille versions of the event brochure.
Trish Lundy and Veronica Bane at Vroman’s
Teen mystery readers can hear Trish Lundy discuss and sign The Worst is Yet to Come with Veronica Bane.
- When
- Friday, 7 p.m.
- Where
- Vroman’s Bookstore · 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101
- Cost
- No admission fee or required purchase stated; a book purchase is appreciated
- Ages / fit
- Young adult and teen readers
- Booking
- No ticket requirement shown
Good to know: A focused teen option while younger children explore other weekend events.
All weekend
CatCon 2026
CatCon fills the Pasadena Convention Center with kitten adoptions, workshops, meet and greets, cat-themed vendors, games and photo opportunities. Saturday’s schedule includes Bob Baker Marionettes performances at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- When
- Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Where
- Pasadena Convention Center · 300 E. Green St., Pasadena, CA 91101
- Cost
- Ticketed; children under 5 free. Current tiers and fees appear at checkout.
- Ages / fit
- All ages; children under 12 must be with an adult
- Booking
- Tickets remained on sale Friday morning; all sales are final and nonrefundable
Good to know: Attendees may not bring their own cats. Meet and greets are first come, first served and require event admission.
Fall Fantasy Book Faire 2026
The Autry lawn becomes a family fantasy world with authors, a curated book and maker marketplace, cosplay and themed activities.
- When
- Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Where
- Autry Lawn · 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027
- Cost
- $15 adults; $8 ages 11–17; ages 10 and under free; parking free
- Ages / fit
- Families
- Booking
- Reserve tickets through the organizer
Good to know: This is outdoors. The Autry notes that its cafe is temporarily closed, and food trucks are available only on select days. Check Sunday weather before leaving.
Storytime in the Nature Garden
Museum educators lead an interactive story followed by an outdoor garden exploration for young children and caregivers.
- When
- Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
- Where
- Natural History Museum Nature Gardens · 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007
- Cost
- Included with admission: $18 adults; $14 seniors and ages 13–17; $7 ages 3–12; ages 2 and under and members free
- Ages / fit
- Caregivers and young children; organizer calendar lists ages 0–5
- Booking
- Advance museum admission highly recommended
Good to know: The program is outdoors in the Nature Gardens. Check Sunday weather before choosing that session.
Saturday, October 10
Lil Bunches Kids Club
The Town Green hosts a high-energy Saturday morning program designed to bring families together through interactive entertainment.
- When
- Saturday, 9–10:30 a.m.
- Where
- The Vineyards at Porter Ranch · 20065 W. Rinaldi St., Porter Ranch, CA 91326
- Cost
- Free
- Ages / fit
- Children with a parent or guardian
- Booking
- Advance registration requirement not stated
Good to know: A standout toddler and young-child option in the San Fernando Valley.
Sensory Friendly Saturday at the GRAMMY Museum
Families can visit with fewer people, quieter sound levels and lower lighting during the museum’s dedicated sensory hour.
- When
- Saturday, 10–11 a.m.
- Where
- GRAMMY Museum · 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90015
- Cost
- $22.50 adults; $18 seniors and military; $15 students; youth 17 and under and members free
- Ages / fit
- Families; no narrower age restriction stated
- Booking
- Tickets available online or on arrival; advance purchase is the safer choice
Good to know: The sensory modifications are explicitly stated by the museum. This is not an inferred accessibility label.
Official sensory-friendly program · Official Saturday admission
A Celebration of 100 Years of Winnie the Pooh
Vroman’s celebrates a century of Winnie the Pooh with favorite stories, a birthday-card activity and a store scavenger hunt.
- When
- Saturday, 11 a.m.
- Where
- Vroman’s Bookstore · 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101
- Cost
- No admission fee or required purchase stated
- Ages / fit
- Children and families
- Booking
- No advance registration requirement shown
Good to know: Pair this shorter program with another Pasadena stop rather than treating it as a full-day outing.
Pasadena National Coming Out Day
The city’s 10th annual celebration includes music, community resources, giveaways while supplies last, a car display and crafts.
- When
- Saturday, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
- Where
- Memorial Park Band Shell · 85 E. Holly St., Pasadena, CA 91103
- Cost
- Free
- Ages / fit
- All ages
- Booking
- No advance registration requirement stated
Good to know: The event is presented by Pasadena Public Health, the library and Parks, Recreation and Community Services.
Barks and Boos
The Arboretum hosts adoptable pets, a dog agility course, pet portraits, vendors and a 2:30 p.m. dog costume contest.
- When
- Saturday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Where
- Los Angeles County Arboretum · 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007
- Cost
- $18 adults; $14 seniors and students; $8 ages 3–12; ages 2 and under free; $10 per dog
- Ages / fit
- Families and dog lovers
- Booking
- Registration required; nonmembers also purchase human admission
Good to know: Dogs must stay leashed and remain on paved paths and grass fields.
Drop-in Workshop for Families: Alebrijes
Families explore the Mexican folk-art tradition of fantastical animal-inspired creatures, then make a colorful alebrije together.
- When
- Saturday, 12:30–2:30 p.m.
- Where
- Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Shirley Temple Education Studio · 6067 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
- Cost
- Free with museum admission; youth 17 and under free with advance reservation
- Ages / fit
- All ages
- Booking
- First come, first served; museum admission reservation recommended
Good to know: This is the final date of the October 3–10 workshop run.
Latino Heritage Parade and Festival
Pasadena’s 28th annual celebration begins with a parade, followed by a festival in front of City Hall.
- When
- Saturday, 4–9 p.m.; parade at 4 p.m., festival at 5 p.m.
- Where
- Parade begins at Los Robles Avenue and Buckeye Street; festival at City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101
- Cost
- Free
- Ages / fit
- All ages
- Booking
- No advance registration requirement stated
Good to know: Confirm street closures and choose a transit or parking plan before leaving.
Sunday, October 11
La Feria de los Moles 2026
This Mexican food and culture festival brings mole makers, artisans, music, performances, seminars and a children’s area to Grand Park.
- When
- Sunday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Where
- Gloria Molina Grand Park · 200 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012
- Cost
- Free general admission; food and drinks extra; optional one-hour VIP tasting $50
- Ages / fit
- Family friendly
- Booking
- No ticket required for general admission; free raffle registration is optional
Good to know: Only service animals are permitted. The organizer lists ramps and preferred accessible spaces. Check Sunday weather before leaving.
Depot Day at Travel Town
Travel Town’s annual festival offers train-table play, model trains, demonstrations, live school music, food trucks and a train-themed Halloween costume parade and contest.
- When
- Sunday, 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
- Where
- Travel Town · 5200 Zoo Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90027
- Cost
- Free admission; food purchases extra
- Ages / fit
- Families and train fans
- Booking
- Open to the public; costume contest may carry separate member RSVP instructions
Good to know: Membership is optional, though members receive some food-truck discounts and other perks. Check Sunday weather before leaving.
Continuum: Honoring Belmar History and Black Santa Monica
This free cultural celebration pairs KCRW DJs and live music with conversations about Black Santa Monica history, a vendor village, art making, historical panels and a community flower activity.
- When
- Sunday, noon–5 p.m.
- Where
- Historic Belmar Park · 1840 4th St., Santa Monica, CA 90401
- Cost
- Free; food and vendor purchases extra
- Ages / fit
- All ages
- Booking
- Public event; no paid admission required
Good to know: This is outdoors. Review organizer guidance and Sunday weather before leaving.
Andell Family Sundays: Textile Alchemy
Families make art inspired by Textile Alchemy: The Art of Reiko Sudō and NUNO during a free drop-in workshop.
- When
- Sunday, 12:30–3:30 p.m.
- Where
- W.M. Keck Plaza at LACMA · 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
- Cost
- Workshop free; museum admission separate for gallery tours
- Ages / fit
- All ages
- Booking
- Drop in; no workshop reservation requirement stated
Good to know: The workshop is outside the education center. Museum admission is required for the separate noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. family tours. Check Sunday weather.
Planning snapshot
Free admission or participation: ArtNight Pasadena, Lil Bunches Kids Club, Winnie the Pooh at Vroman’s, Pasadena National Coming Out Day, the Latino Heritage Parade and Festival, La Feria de los Moles, Depot Day, Continuum and the Andell workshop. Food, purchases, parking or museum admission can still cost extra where noted.
Book first: CatCon, the Fall Fantasy Book Faire, GRAMMY Museum admission, Barks and Boos and Academy Museum admission. The Alebrijes workshop itself is first come, first served.
Supported sensory option: The GRAMMY Museum explicitly promises fewer people, quieter sound and lower lighting from 10–11 a.m. Saturday. No broader sensory-friendly label is applied to the other events.
Weather-sensitive Sunday plans: The book faire, Nature Garden storytime, Feria de los Moles, Depot Day, Continuum and Andell Family Sundays all include outdoor activity. Recheck each official page and the local forecast.
