South Bay with Kids

Friday, September 25, 2026

Main Street Fair Saturday, free San Pedro dance fest, pumpkins after dark

Street-fair Saturday is the big one this weekend. El Segundo closes Main Street for the Kiwanis fair, San Pedro puts twenty dance companies on the grass at Peck Park free, and Magic of the Jack O'Lanterns keeps glowing at South Coast Botanic Garden. Cards below. We left parking, food, and prices blank unless we could confirm them on an official page.

This weekend

This weekend

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 (eight blocks closed)
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free admission. Kid Activity Zone (inflatables, rides, petting zoo, pony rides) and food 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, a dedicated kids zone, food, and live music. Kiwanis fundraiser for local kids.

This weekend

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. Picnic welcome.
Parking: Official festival page does not list parking rates.
Food: Bring a picnic (official). Vendor details not listed.
Why: Free outdoor dance festival with about 20 companies on the grass. All ages.

This weekend

Magic of the Jack O'Lanterns

When: Select nights Friday, September 25–Sunday, September 27 (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 prices vary by night and tier. Live cart prices were not readable from the official LA pages this week — confirm in the ticket widget before you buy. Parking cost not listed on the LA event page (ignore Denver/Hudson Gardens parking copy on other MOTJ pages).
Parking: Official LA page does not list a parking fee for South Coast Botanic Garden. Use 26300 Crenshaw Blvd.
Food: Food and beverages on site (official). Cashless event. Optional s'mores area.
Why: Mile-long trail of carved glowing pumpkins plus Fun Zone bounce pad and slides. Still early in the season.

This weekend

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.

This weekend

Salt Marsh Open House at Cabrillo

When: Sunday, September 27, 1:00–3:00 p.m.
City: San Pedro
Address: Salinas de San Pedro / Cabrillo Beach area — Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen M. White Drive
Cost: $9 for a family of four2 adults + 2 kids: free program (aquarium suggested donation $10 adult / $5 child — not required). Parking: $3/hr, $9 daily max, card only → about $9 if you stay for the program.
Parking: Cabrillo Beach lot: $3/hr, $9 daily max, credit/debit only.
Food: Official calendar does not list food. Picnic areas in Cabrillo Coastal Park.
Why: Binoculars and magnifiers to explore the salt marsh. Calm outdoor nature for all ages (kids with an adult).

This weekend

South Bay Legends Memorial Free Surf Contest

When: Sunday, September 27, 2026 (contest day; registration closes Friday September 25 11:59 p.m.)
City: Manhattan Beach
Address: El Porto, 42nd Street
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free to enter (official). Shortboard, foam, and grom divisions including Push-In ages 1–8. Beach games all day noted by organizers.
Parking: Official signup page does not list parking rates. El Porto street parking gets tight.
Food: Official page does not list food. Pack snacks or eat nearby.
Why: Free all-ages memorial surf contest at El Porto with beach games. Great if your kids already surf or just want to watch.

This weekend

National Public Lands Day at White Point

When: Saturday, September 26, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (check-in 9:00 a.m.)
City: San Pedro
Address: White Point Nature Preserve, 1600 W. Paseo del Mar
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free volunteer morning. Pre-register on PVPLC VolunteerHub. Under 18 needs a guardian release; under 16 with an adult. Native plant sale 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and guided garden tour 11:00–11:30 a.m. same morning (free to attend; plants for purchase).
Parking: Free lot via Western Ave to Paseo del Mar; overflow oceanside / White Point–Royal Palms (PVPLC).
Food: Official listing does not list food. Eat first or pack light.
Why: Habitat care plus children’s activities on public lands day. Easy same-morning plant sale and garden tour add-on.

Coming up

Coming up

Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair

When: Saturday–Sunday, October 3–4, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. (parade Saturday 10:00 a.m.)
City: Manhattan Beach
Address: Live Oak Park, Dorsey Field & Joslyn Center / Valley Drive area
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free admission. Kid Country (petting zoo, inflatables, shows) 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: Nonprofit food booths on Dorsey/Live Oak fields. Prices not listed.
Why: Flagship free hometown fair with Kid Country. Mark the calendar — no tickets, but crowds are real.

Coming up

ArtLab: Día de los Muertos at Marine Mammal Care Center

When: Saturday, October 3, 1:00–3:00 p.m. (arrive before 1:00)
City: San Pedro
Address: Marine Mammal Care Center, 3601 S. Gaffey St
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free. Max 35; reserve on Eventbrite. All ages; kids with an adult. Supplies provided.
Parking: Official listing does not list parking rates.
Food: Official listing does not list food.
Why: Marine-mammal science lesson + patient tour + alebrije art. Same Saturday as the MB fair — pick one or go early to ArtLab.

Coming up

Downtown San Pedro Night Market

When: Thursday, October 1, 5:30–9:30 p.m.
City: San Pedro
Address: 300 W 6th St
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free admission. Food and shopping extra (prices unknown).
Parking: Official event page does not list parking rates.
Food: Local food vendors on site. Prices vary.
Why: Evening street market with music and vendors downtown. Easy weeknight out with kids.

Coming up

Festa Italiana Los Angeles

When: Saturday, October 10, 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. (live entertainment from about 3:00 p.m.)
City: San Pedro
Address: 6th St between S. Palos Verdes & S. Centre (nav: 222 W 6th St)
Cost: $10 for a family of four2 adults + 2 kids: free entry and entertainment. Food and merch paid. Topaz Garage on Centre (5th–6th) $10 flat Saturday 10:30 a.m.–midnight; street meters $0.50/half-hour before 6 p.m. → entry $0 + parking about $10 if you use the garage.
Parking: Street first-come; Topaz Building garage on Centre St $10 flat Sat 10:30 a.m.–midnight (official FAQ).
Food: 20+ Italian food vendors; kids games and photo experiences; beer garden for adults. Dogs on leash OK.
Why: Big free Italian street festa with kids activities. Strong October Saturday in San Pedro.

Coming up

Scaredown in Downtown Torrance

When: Saturday, October 3, 4:00–9:00 p.m.
City: Torrance
Address: Old Torrance (Discover Torrance lists 1313 Sartori Ave on the event page; Halloween guide shows 1266 Sartori — confirm before you go)
Cost: FreeDiscover Torrance lists trunk-or-treat, games, live bands/DJ, and marketplace. No admission price stated — treat as unknown.
Parking: Official listing does not list parking rates. Old Torrance street parking.
Food: Marketplace and food implied; prices unknown.
Why: Early Halloween downtown — trunk-or-treat and games for families. Same Saturday as MB Hometown Fair.

Free this week

Free this week

Friday Fun at Madrona Marsh

When: Friday, September 25, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (also Fridays ongoing, e.g. Oct 2)
City: Torrance
Address: Madrona Marsh Nature Center, 3201 Plaza del Amo
Cost: FreeFree. Pre-register Tuesday 10:00 a.m. the same week: (310) 782-3989; first 20.
Parking: Nature Center lot. Official page does not list a fee.
Food: Official page does not list food.
Why: Hands-on preschool nature (story, science, art, tour).
Ages: Ages 3–6 + parent/guardian

Free this week

Public Fish Dissection at Cabrillo

When: Saturday, September 26, 1:15–3:00 p.m. (demos about 1:15 and 2:15)
City: San Pedro
Address: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen M. White Drive
Cost: $9 for a family of fourFree demos; no registration. Aquarium suggested donation optional. Parking up to $9/day card only.
Parking: Cabrillo Beach lot: $3/hr, $9 daily max, card only.
Food: Official calendar does not list food.
Why: All-ages anatomy demos. Skip if your kids are squeamish.

Free this week

Family Science Sunday at Marine Mammal Care Center

When: Sunday, September 27 — sessions at 11:00 a.m., 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 p.m. (1 hour each)
City: San Pedro
Address: 3601 S. Gaffey St, Suite #8
Cost: $4 for a family of four · Required$1 booking fee per person = $4 for four. Free MMCC admission otherwise. Promo MMCARE if hardship.
Parking: Official page does not list parking rates.
Food: Official page does not list food.
Why: Ocean and marine-mammal science plus patient viewing.
Ages: Ages 8+ (adults accompany ages 13 and under)

Free this week

Oktoberfest Torrance bounce houses (Mom Said Yes)

When: Saturday, September 26, from 11:00 a.m.
City: Torrance
Address: 4525 Calle Mayor
Cost: FreeFree entry; bounce houses free. Beer-pong tournament is 21+ only — skip that part.
Parking: Free on site (official).
Food: Pretzels and beer cheese all day; pizza venue. Prices unknown.
Why: Daytime family slice of Oktoberfest with free bounce houses. Stay out of the 21+ tournament.

Free this week

Bird Walk at Madrona Marsh

When: Saturday, September 26, 9:00–11:00 a.m.
City: Torrance
Address: Madrona Marsh, 3201 Plaza del Amo
Cost: FreeFree. All ages; kids welcome with adults. Pre-reg optional: (310) 782-3989.
Parking: Nature Center lot. Official page does not list a fee.
Food: Official page does not list food.
Why: Beginner-friendly bird walk for mixed ages.

Watch

Watch

RPV Trunk or Treat

When: Saturday, October 17, 2026, 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
City: Rancho Palos Verdes
Address: Ken Dyda Civic Center, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd
Cost: FreeFree. Free parking plus shuttle from Point Vicente Interpretive Center.
Why: City trunk-or-treat with inflatables and parade. Tickets aren't needed — crowds will be.

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, vendors, Catrina contest downtown.

Watch

Hermosa Beach Pumpkins in the Park

When: Saturday, October 10, 2026, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
City: Hermosa Beach
Cost: FreeListed on the Hermosa city calendar for Oct 10, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Address and cost unconfirmed on a fetched official detail page this week — re-check city calendar before you go.
Why: Pumpkin decorating and costume parade historically — confirm city detail page.

Watch

Cabrillo Sea Scare: Monsters of Myth

When: Saturday, October 17, 2026, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
City: San Pedro
Address: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen M. White Drive
Cost: RequiredTicketed evening event (presale numbers seen elsewhere; confirm live on CMA before buying). Parking up to $9. Ages 3+ typical.
Why: Watch list — aquarium Halloween with trick-or-treat and haunted house. Confirm prices on CMA.