Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial kick-off to summer and Los Angeles is bursting with family-friendly events to celebrate. From festive food fairs and barbecues to hands-on activities for kids, there’s no shortage of fun things to do with the family throughout L.A. — and one a quick drive away.
L.A. County Fair
11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Thurs., May 15 – 26 | Fairplex
This year’s LA County Fair theme is “Art Unleashed,” putting a spotlight on all things creative. The fair’s all-ages fun includes hands-on art activities, skating rink, petting zoo, concerts, carnival, barnyard races and more. Heritage Square features arts and crafts vendors and demos. More info.
Festival of Sail at LA Fleet Week
Four daily sails, plus free deck tours & hands-on activities 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fri., May 23 – 26 | West Harbor Promenade
Join the Los Angeles Maritime Institute (LAMI) for four days of tall ship sailing fun during their annual Festival of Sail at LA Fleet Week, Friday, May 23 through Monday, May 26 in the Downtown San Pedro Harbor.
The Festival of Sail features four sails each day – including Cannon Battles and Explore the Coast Bilingual, STEM-based Educational Sails – plus free deck tours and hands-on activities for kids and adults in the TallShip Village. It all takes place on the LA Waterfront, in association with the Sherry Griswold Foundation. More info.
Garden Grove Strawberry Festival
10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Fri., May 23 – 26 | Village Green Park
Enjoy carnival rides, games, food, contests, free concerts and all things strawberries at this annual community festival and parade. More info.
3rd Annual Long Beach BBQ Festival
12 p.m. – 9 p.m. Fri., May 23 – 24 | ShoreLine Aquatic Park
Join Axiom Kitchen and NoahS’s Arc Foundation for two smokin’ hot days of BBQ, music, entertainment, games, shopping, and fun in the sun. Indulge in mouthwatering ribs, juicy burgers, and tender pulled pork from the best BBQ vendors in town. Enjoy live music from local bands, and a surprise headliner while you savor your favorite BBQ delights.
Bring your friends and family for a weekend filled with good food, great company, and a whole lot of flavor. Don’t miss out on this saucy celebration of all things BBQ!
Proceeds from Axiom Kitchen’s sales will be donated to local charities. More info.
Little Women Ballet, Spring Immersive Site-Specific Experience
3 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Fri., May 23 – 25 | Heritage Square Museum
“Little Women Ballet” returns to Heritage Square Museum this spring with its popular immersive site-specific experiences through dance and storytelling with Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, as they recount their story of sisterhood, love, loss, and family with five unique performances.
Pioneering more ballets about women and their stories, Little Women, is an original ballet, manifesting the coming of age of sisters Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy as they navigate an ever-changing world as they learn to embrace their artistic gifts and share them with the world as a source of comfort. A delightful tale of family, friends, finding yourself, and growing up, Little Women will warm the hearts of audiences of all ages.
The Spring immersive site-specific experience features the season of renewal for audiences to enjoy being encapsulated into the beloved story of Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women.” Each of the site-specific performances at Heritage Square feature a new seasonal theme, music, décor, desserts and refreshments, and different components of the Little Women novel told through vignettes of the Little Women story presented in ballet form. Audiences will venture into this classic tale for an immersive ballet experience. Meet all the characters up close, go on an immersive walking tour of the Heritage Square Museum, enjoy spring-themed desserts and refreshments, and join the cast in Victorian dancing at the end of each performance.
When attendees arrive, each guest receives a goodie bag with items to be used throughout the experience, including a colored ribbon — Pink for Meg, Burgundy for Jo, Green for Beth, and Baby Blue for Amy — which match the dresses of each of the sisters and lets the guests know the route and narrator they will follow. Complementary spring beverages and desserts are provided, and the finale invites guests to join in on Victorian Folk dancing with the cast. Guests are also invited to a meet and greet, including complementary photos with the cast following each performance.
A combination of more than 20 dedicated professional ballet dancers ranging in age from 10-75, donned in 19th century costumes make up the cast. Several of the musical compositions used for the production are composed by Daniel Robbins, combined with classic Victorian pieces. Dr. Robbins is a noteworthy music educator, composer, orchestrator, and classic film music reconstructionist.
May 23 at 6:30 p.m., May 24 at 3 & 6:30 p.m. and May 25 at 3 & 6:30 p.m. More info.
The Original Farmers Market
Various times, May 24 – 25 | The Original Farmers Market
The market will kick festivities off with live U.S. Navy Band performances in honor of L.A. Fleet Week. The Harbor Side Brass quintet brings jazz and classic hits on Saturday, while 32nd Street Brass Band will transport you to the streets of New Orleans with traditional brass music, as well as hip hop and top 40 hits on Sunday. Both bands perform from noon to 1 p.m. on the Market Plaza.
Planning to grill for Memorial Day? Check out selections from Huntington Meats and Marconda’s Meats for your cookout, including steaks, ribs, burgers and pre-marinated carne asada. Pair them with fresh produce from produce vendors, Farm Fresh Produce and Farm Boy Produce.
If you prefer to skip the prep, Huntington Meats’ Thrill of the Grill popup returns Saturday on the Market Plaza with barbecue favorites like tri-tip, ribs, brisket, wings and burnt ends from 11 a.m. until sold out. Grab a plate with your choice of meat, sweet corn and mac and cheese.
Fiesta Days
7:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. May 24 – 26 | Memorial Park
La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce and Community Association presents the Annual Fiesta Days this Memorial Day Weekend. Saturday, May 24 features a french toast breakfast, vintage car show, farmers market, Tournament of Roses Association Open House and Family Bingo Night and Ice Cream Sundae Bar. On Sunday, May 25 Lanterman House hosts a summer picnic and ukulele rendevous, enjoy a family BBQ dinner and lie jazz at Memorial Park, followed by a fireworks show. On Monday, May 26 YMCA of the Foothills hosts their annual Fiesta Days run, which is followed by a Memorial Service and Parade. Then enjoy an afternoon of games, food and music in Memorial Park. More info.
Topanga Days
8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sat., May 24 – 26 | Topanga Community Center
The annual Memorial Day Weekend festival returns to Topanga Canyon for its 50th year to raise funds for the Topanga Community Center and celebrate the Topanga community.
Expect classic games like tug-o-war, sack races and musical chairs, live music all three days, food and vendors, and the eclectic parade (8 a.m.) and flag raising (12 p.m.) with musical performance by Inara George on Monday, May 26. More info.
Fiesta Hermosa
11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sat., May 24 – 26 | Downtown Hermosa Beach
This annual Memorial Day weekend festival has something for the whole family. The Makers Mercado features over 240 vendors, a carnival with food, games and rides, four stages of live music, food fair featuring local treats and covered seating. Plus a 21+ Wine Garden and The Garden, which will host its own musical performances and yard games. More info.
Memorial Weekend Carnival
11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sat, May 24 – 26 | Santa Anita Park
This three-day event features inflatable jumpers, carnival games and thrilling rides. Plus arts and crafts, pony rides and face painting. More info.
10th Annual MAINopoly: A Taste of Main Street
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Sun., May 25 | The Victorian
Throw on your top hats and monocles and make your way to Santa Monica’s Main Street for the 10th Annual MAINopoly: A Taste of Main Street, the ultimate foodie board game experience. Players can PASS GO, collect $200, and participate in an interactive culinary walking tour of Main Street’s finest eateries!
This all-ages event allows players to exchange fake “MAINopoly money” for food & drink tastings at over 20 participating locations and fill their game board for a chance to win a “Taste of Main Street” Prize Package valued at over $1,000. Visit the “Go to Jail” Beer Garden for music, tastings, photo ops, and more game-board inspired fun!
Participating locations include: Ashland Hill, Holey Grail Donuts, JuneShine, Library Alehouse, Jameson’s Pub, Rabano, Papille Gustative, Mud\Wtr and more.
Tickets start at $30 in advance for general admission and $60 for VIP with access to the “Go To Jail” Beer Garden and additional food & beverage tastings. A portion of all proceeds benefits the Main Street Business Improvement District to help fund community programming. More info.
Africa Day: A festival of music, dance, art and food
1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Sun., May 25 | The Fowler Museum at UCLA
Co-sponsored by the UCLA African Studies Center, this joyful annual festival of live music, dance, all day art-making in the Children’s Village, food and refreshments is open to all. More info.
Memorial Day Ceremony
10 a.m. Mon., May 26 | Alhambra Park
Commemorate Memorial Day with the City of Alhambra and American Legion Post 139 at the Alhambra Park Veterans Memorial. Enjoy live music and a continental breakfast starting at 10 a.m., followed by the Memorial Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Join the City of Alhambra as they honor and remember those who gave their lives in service to our country. More info.
Centennial Summer Kick Off
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mon., May 26 | Verdugo Aquatic Facility
This free, family-friendly event features pool games, music, and giveaways—perfect for all ages to enjoy a day in the sun. Admission is free, but registration is required for activity pool sessions. More info.
Memorial Day remembrances at Forest Lawn
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Mon., May 26 | Forest Lawn – Multiple Locations
Forest Lawn will honor fallen veterans with free Memorial Day remembrances at each of its six Southern California locations: Cathedral City, Covina Hills, Cypress, Glendale, Hollywood Hills, and Long Beach. The family-friendly, parkwide remembrances will bring generations together to commemorate the lives and valor of American veterans with patriotic music, wreath layings, presentations and retirings of the flag, keynote addresses, presidential proclamations, invocations, giveaways, arts & crafts, coffee, sweet treats and more. More info.
33rd Annual Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade
10 a.m. Mon., May 26 | Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade
Get ready for a spectacular tribute to heroes and heritage as the Canoga Park Community Center proudly hosts the 32nd Annual Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade. This heartfelt hometown event promises an unforgettable day of patriotic celebration, commencing with an opening ceremony at 10 a.m. and a vibrant parade starting at 11 a.m. along Sherman Way from Owensmouth Avenue to Cozycroft Street. This year’s parade honors the valiant sacrifices of Canoga Park High School graduates who served and fell in military conflicts from World War II onward. More info.
Camping with live entertainment
7 p.m. May 23, 24, 25 | two locations, San Diego
Kick off summer at Campland on the Bay and Mission Bay RV Resort with the return of the popular Campland Rocks live entertainment series, a packed schedule of family-friendly recreational activities, waterfront adventures, a giant water slide, dining specials and premium beachfront campsites.
Enjoy nightly performances from the Campland Rocks Live Entertainment Series at 7 p.m. on the Central Park Stage, featuring Black Rock Candy (rock) on Friday, May 23; 3 Car Garage (classic rock 70’s) on Saturday, May 24 and Barbwire (country) on Sunday, May 25. Activities throughout the weekend include dodgeball tournaments for various age groups, ping pong, pickleball tournaments and more.
Adventure-seekers can explore Mission Bay with watersports rentals, including pedal boats, kayaks, pontoon boats or they can rent ski boats, wave runners and stand-up paddle boards. Additionally, guests can rent beach cruisers, golf carts and surrey carts to easily explore the scenic surroundings by land. For guests who are new to camping or do not own an RV, Campland and Mission Bay RV Resort have a directory of local RV rental companies listed on their websites that will deliver an RV to your site, hooked up and ready to enjoy. RV arrangements must be made directly through the rental companies. Tent camping is also available at Campland and Mission Bay RV Resort. To book a reservation or to learn more about resort amenities, visit Campland.com and MissionBayRVResort.com.
