South Bay with Kids

Friday, September 18, 2026

Lion King under the stars, free beach movie, Jack O'Lanterns open

Fall kicks off this weekend. Rancho Palos Verdes screens The Lion King free at Eastview Park, Hermosa wraps Movies at the Beach with 10 Things on the sand, and Magic of the Jack O'Lanterns opens at South Coast Botanic Garden. Torrance also hosts the Ukulele Festival (kids free with a paying adult). Cards below. We left parking, food, and prices blank unless we could confirm them on an official page.

This weekend

This weekend

Magic of the Jack O'Lanterns (opens tonight)

When: Select nights Friday, September 18–Sunday, September 20 (season runs select nights through November 1; timed tickets)
City: Palos Verdes Peninsula
Address: South Coast Botanic Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd (use this address — apps may misroute)
Cost: Required2 adults + 2 kids: ticket calendar shows from about $25.99 incl. fees per ticket on many September nights → roughly $104 for four before add-ons. Confirm age tiers in the live cart. Parking cost not listed on the LA event page.
Parking: Official LA page does not list a parking fee. Use 26300 Crenshaw Blvd.
Food: Food and beverages on site (official). Cashless event.
Why: Mile-long trail of 10,000+ carved pumpkins plus Fun Zone bounce pad and slides. Season opens this weekend.

This weekend

Movie in the Park: The Lion King

When: Saturday, September 19 — pre-movie 6:00 p.m.; movie at dusk
City: Rancho Palos Verdes
Address: Eastview Park, 1700 Westmont Dr
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free. Complimentary popcorn and lawn games. No food truck onsite.
Parking: Official city notice does not list a parking fee.
Food: Bring a picnic or snacks — city notice says no food truck onsite. Complimentary popcorn.
Why: Free Lion King under the stars at a new Eastview Park location. Low chairs or blankets.

This weekend

Movies at the Beach: 10 Things I Hate About You

When: Saturday, September 19 — event 6:00 p.m.; movie ~7:45 p.m. twilight
City: Hermosa Beach
Address: Sand just south of the Hermosa Beach Pier
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free admission. Donations appreciated (Friends of the Parks).
Parking: Official page does not list parking rates. Pier parking gets tight — walk, bike, or arrive early.
Food: Bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks (official). No alcohol. Dogs not permitted on the beach.
Why: Last Movies at the Beach night of the season. Blankets and low-back chairs only.

This weekend

Los Angeles International Ukulele Festival

When: Friday–Sunday, September 18–20 (main day Saturday 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.)
City: Torrance
Address: Torrance Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Dr
Cost: $58 for a family of four · RequiredKids 17 & under free with a paying adult (official FAQ). Saturday performance pass ~$29 × 2 adults = $58; all-access workshops ~$59 × 2 = $118. Free marketplace + beginner intro classes open to the public. Parking free on site.
Parking: Free and plentiful on Torrance Cultural Arts Center grounds (official FAQ).
Food: Food vendors on site including vegetarian, drinks, coffee, snacks, shave ice (FAQ).
Why: 10th annual all-ages uke weekend. Kids free with an adult; marketplace is free to stroll.

This weekend

Discovery Zone at Madrona Marsh

When: Saturday, September 19, 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
City: Torrance
Address: Madrona Marsh Nature Center, 3201 Plaza Del Amo
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free hands-on program. No fee listed on the Friends events calendar.
Parking: Nature Center lot. Official page does not list a fee.
Food: Official page does not list food. Eat first or pack light.
Why: Touch feathers, tracks, shells, and simple science for young marsh explorers.

This weekend

Coastal Cleanup Day at Manhattan Beach Pier

When: Saturday, September 19, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (check-in from 8:45 a.m.)
City: Manhattan Beach
Address: Base of Manhattan Beach Pier, 2 Manhattan Beach Blvd
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free. Donations suggested to Roundhouse Aquarium. Statewide Coastal Cleanup Day site with Heal the Bay.
Parking: Official Roundhouse page does not list parking rates. Pier parking is limited — arrive early.
Food: Official page does not list food. Eat first.
Why: All-ages beach cleanup with Roundhouse Aquarium. Bring reusable gloves/bucket if you have them.

This weekend

Hermosa Beach Concert Series: Cubensis

When: Sunday, September 20, 3:00 p.m. (opener: The Lucky Effect; headliner: Cubensis)
City: Hermosa Beach
Address: Beach south of the Hermosa Beach Pier
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free. City Parks & Recreation series — last of the two post–Labor Day Sundays.
Parking: Official series page does not list parking rates. Pier parking is limited.
Food: Official page does not list food. Pack a picnic.
Why: Free afternoon Grateful Dead tribute on the sand. Easy Sunday with kids if they like live music.

Coming up

Coming up

Shark Lagoon Twilight Tuesday

When: Tuesday, September 22, 6:00–9:00 p.m. (also Oct 6 & 20)
City: Long Beach
Address: Aquarium of the Pacific Shark Lagoon, 100 Aquarium Way
Cost: $8 for a family of four2 adults + 2 kids: free entry with reservation required. Only Shark Lagoon is open. Plus $8 validated Aquarium parking if you drive.
Parking: Aquarium parking structure: $8 flat with Aquarium validation.
Food: Beverages and snacks for purchase (official).
Why: Free evening shark and ray touch experience. Tickets release one date at a time — reserve early.

Coming up

El Segundo Main Street Fair

When: Saturday, September 26, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
City: El Segundo
Address: Main Street, downtown El Segundo
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free to walk the fair. Kids games / food / crafts priced individually (amounts not listed on the Kiwanis page). Beer garden is the adult zone.
Parking: Official Kiwanis page does not list parking rates. Street closures on Main; park nearby and walk.
Food: Food court and local restaurant fair deals on site. Prices vary.
Why: Eight blocks of crafts, kids games, food, and live music. Kiwanis fundraiser for local kids.

Coming up

San Pedro Festival of the Arts

When: Saturday, September 26, 1:00–4:30 p.m.
City: San Pedro
Address: Peck Park Upper Green near Community Center, 560 N Western Ave
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free family dance festival. Picnic welcome.
Parking: Official festival page does not list parking rates.
Food: Bring a picnic (official). Vendor details not listed.
Why: 20th year — free afternoon of 20 dance companies on the grass. All ages.

Coming up

Baja Splash Cultural Festival

When: Saturday–Sunday, September 26–27, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
City: Long Beach
Address: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way
Cost: $178 for a family of four · Required2 adults (12+) + 2 kids (3–11): $49.95 + $49.95 + $34.95 + $34.95 = $169.80 entry. Under 3 free. Members free with reservation. Plus $8 validated Aquarium parking ≈ $177.80. Reservations required.
Parking: Aquarium parking structure: $8 flat with Aquarium validation.
Food: Aquarium cafes / nearby Pike & Shoreline Village; festival page does not break out food prices.
Why: Dance, live music, and bilingual programs celebrating cultures of México, Central and South America. Included with general admission.

Coming up

Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair

When: Saturday–Sunday, October 3–4, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
City: Manhattan Beach
Address: Live Oak Park, Dorsey Field & Joslyn Center
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free admission. Kid Country (pony rides, petting zoo, inflatables, shows) and free games are free per attractions page. Food and paid games extra.
Parking: Official site notes parking is challenging; accessible parking at Civic Center Lot (Highland & 15th, placard) first-come.
Food: Food vendors on site. Prices not listed.
Why: Classic free hometown fair with Kid Country all free to enjoy. Mark the calendar — tickets aren't needed, but crowds are.

Free this week

Free this week

Sensory Sensitive Saturday at Cabrillo

When: Saturday, September 19, 9:00–10:00 a.m.
City: San Pedro
Address: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen M. White Drive
Cost: $9 for a family of four2 adults + 2 kids: free entry (suggested donation $10 adult / $5 child — not required). Parking: cars $3/hr, $9 daily max, card only.
Parking: Cabrillo Beach lot: $3/hr, $9 daily max, credit/debit only.
Food: Picnic areas in Cabrillo Coastal Park. Official sensory listing does not list food vendors.
Why: Quieter hour for sensory-sensitive guests; sensory bags available at the welcome booth.

Free this week

Family Storytime (North Torrance Library)

When: Saturdays 10:30 a.m.
City: Torrance
Cost: FreeStanding Torrance Public Library schedule. Free.
Why: Songs and stories for the whole family.

Free this week

Sea Otter Awareness Week at Cabrillo

When: Sunday, September 20, 2:00–5:00 p.m. (also weekdays Sep 22–25 and Sat Sep 26)
City: San Pedro
Address: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen M. White Drive
Cost: $9 for a family of fourFree aquarium entry (suggested donation optional). Parking up to $9/day.
Parking: Cabrillo Beach lot: $3/hr, $9 daily max, card only.
Food: Official calendar does not list food.
Why: Sea otter and kelp-forest learning in the exhibit hall.

Watch

Watch

Magic of the Jack O'Lanterns — Low Sensory Night

When: Sunday, September 27, 2026 (timed tickets)
City: Palos Verdes Peninsula
Address: South Coast Botanic Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd
Cost: RequiredWatch list — same pumpkin trail with reduced sensory effects. Tickets sell; confirm cart pricing.
Why: Best night if bright lights/fog are a lot for your kid.

Watch

Festa Italiana Los Angeles

When: Saturday, October 10, 2026, 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
City: San Pedro
Cost: FreeFree entry; food and merch paid. Further out — watch list.
Why: Free Italian street festa with kids games and music.

Watch

San Pedro Día de los Muertos Festival

When: Sunday, October 25, 2026, 3:00–9:30 p.m.
City: San Pedro
Address: Downtown San Pedro, 396 W 6th St
Cost: FreeFree admission. Food vendors on site (prices unknown).
Why: Watch list — altars, folklórico/Aztec dance, family activities downtown.

Watch

ArtLab at Marine Mammal Care Center

When: Saturday, October 3, 2026, 1:00–3:00 p.m.
City: San Pedro
Address: Marine Mammal Care Center, 3601 S. Gaffey St
Cost: FreeFree; all supplies provided. All ages; kids with an adult. Same weekend as MB Hometown Fair.
Why: Science lesson + patient tour + art project with Angels Gate + MMCC.