A packed weekend — Springfest carnival in Redondo, Blooms on the Steps in Culver City, Healthy Kids Day at the Santa Monica YMCA, a seed-ball workshop at the Getty Villa, Books & Cookies with Chudney Ross, the LA Times Festival of Books, and more. Lots of free stuff this weekend.
Bookmark this, drop it in your group chat, and enjoy your weekend.
Springfest Carnival — Teen Night
📍 Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach BlvdFree admissionFriday, April 17 · 5–10pm
Now in its 44th year, Springfest is the South Bay’s signature spring festival — four days of carnival rides, games, live music, food trucks, and a dedicated Kids Zone. Friday is Teen Night, with live performers competing in the Teen Talent Competition. Admission and entertainment are free; ride tickets and food are purchased separately. Wristbands for unlimited rides available in advance at nrbba.org/springfest.
Springfest Carnival — Live Music Day
📍 Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach BlvdFree admissionSaturday, April 18 · 11am–11pm
The biggest day of the festival. Over 20 carnival rides (Kiddie Favorites through thrill rides), live bands including Journey Jukebox, carnival games, artisan marketplace, student entrepreneur booths, and a Kids Zone. Admission, parking, and entertainment are free. One-day all-you-can-ride wristbands available.
Blooms on the Steps + Spring Artisan Marketplace
📍 The Culver Steps, 9300 Culver Blvd, Culver CityFreeSaturday, April 18 · 11am–5pm
Two events in one at downtown Culver City’s outdoor plaza. Blooms on the Steps brings fresh florals, live music, face painting, kids’ crafts (including a “Keep Growing” take-home planter), and spring photo ops on the sweeping architectural staircase. Alongside it, the Spring Artisan Marketplace fills the Town Plaza with 20+ local makers, curated goods, and live bands. No registration required — just show up.
YMCA Healthy Kids Day
📍 Santa Monica Family YMCA, 1332 6th St, Santa MonicaFreeSaturday, April 18 · 10am–1pm
The Y’s annual free community blowout kicks off the summer season with a youth band performance, dance show, face painting, bouncy houses, rock climbing, arts and crafts, and a dance floor. Sponsored by Peanuts and Gatorade. A great way for kids to meet other families and check out what the Y has to offer over summer. Free and open to all — no membership required.
Douglas Park Playground Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
📍 2439 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica CA 90403 Free Saturday, April 19 9-11am
It’s finally finished! Douglas Park unveils its shiny new makeover. Bring a picnic, and don’t feed the ducks.
Books & Cookies with Chudney Ross + Illustrator Loveis Wise
📍 Children’s Book World, 10580½ W. Pico Blvd, West LAFreeSaturday, April 18 · 10:30–11am
Chudney Ross brings her signature high-energy, interactive storytime to Children’s Book World, joined this week by illustrator Loveis Wise, who will read from their newest book Hello, Beautiful and talk about their artwork. Signed copies available for purchase. A genuinely special Saturday morning for little ones — Chudney’s story times are a beloved Westside institution.
Getty Villa Family Floralia Seed Ball Workshop
📍 Getty Villa, 17985 Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific PalisadesFree (parking fee applies)Timed-entry reservation at getty.eduSaturday, April 18 · 11am–3pm
A bilingual (Spanish and English) drop-in family workshop celebrating the ancient Roman season of Floralia. Families mix and mold seed balls filled with fragrant flowers and herbs from ancient Roman gardens, then stroll the Villa gardens before taking them home to grow. All materials provided. A beautiful and genuinely unusual thing to do with kids — one of the more memorable Westside activities going on this weekend.
AquaSpring Festival in the Park & Pool
📍 West Hollywood Park & Aquatic Center, 647 N. San Vicente BlvdFreeSaturday, April 18 · 11am–3pm
The City of West Hollywood’s annual spring festival fills the park with live music, arts and crafts, interactive outdoor games, and free recreational swim. The highlight for older kids: the 4th Annual Cardboard Boat Races at noon in the competition pool — two-person teams build a boat out of cardboard and duct tape (provided) and race to see who can paddle across and back. Free to watch, free to enter (pre-registration required to race). A crowd-pleaser every year.
Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Easy Mornings
📍 Gloria Molina Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave, Downtown LAFreeRSVP on EventbriteSaturday, April 18 · 10am–2pm
A calm, thoughtfully programmed morning in the park with puppetry, family yoga, storytelling, arts and crafts, and a live DJ. Designed as a gentle weekend start for families — “deepening relationships with self, community, and the park.” Free, all-ages, and a nice change of pace from the bigger festival energy elsewhere this weekend.
LA Times Festival of Books
📍 USC Campus, Exposition Park areaFree (outdoor events) · Tickets for indoor panelsSaturday & Sunday, April 18–19 · All day
LA’s biggest book festival, back on the USC campus for the weekend. Two children’s stages run family programming all day both days — past years have featured Dr. Becky Kennedy, Max Greenfield, Drew Daywalt, Lucky Diaz, and Blippi. There’s also a YA stage for older kids. All outdoor entertainment is free; indoor panels require a (free but limited) ticket. Hundreds of author booths, food, and a real festival atmosphere that kids love even if they don’t read yet.
K-Pop Party at Castle & Crown
📍 Castle & Crown, 2012 W. Burbank Blvd, Burbank$35/person (child + adult tickets required)Saturday, April 18 · 10am–12pm, 1–3pm, or 4–6pm
Castle & Crown’s fairytale indoor play space hosts a K-Pop Party with live “Huntrix”-style performers, a group dance lesson to “Golden,” K-Pop keychains, temporary tattoos, photo ops, and play time. Three sessions to choose from throughout the day. Best for ages 1–8. Reserve your session at castleandcrownus.com.
Kidchella at Club Joyful
📍 Club Joyful, 2121 Lincoln Blvd, VeniceSaturday, April 19 · Check clubjoyful.com for time + tickets
Club Joyful — Venice’s beloved family social hub and play space — is hosting Kidchella, their outdoor family music festival experience. Expect live music, dancing, crafts, and the signature Club Joyful community vibe that makes it one of the best family spaces on the Westside. Check clubjoyful.com or their Instagram @clubjoyful for exact times and registration details.
Touch-A-Truck LA
📍 Westfield Fashion Square parking lot, 14006 Riverside Dr, Sherman OaksGA from $20 · VIP availableSunday, April 19 · 9am–2pm (Quiet Hours 9am–12pm · Honking Hours 12–2pm)
The Junior League of LA’s annual Touch-A-Truck lets kids climb into, explore, and honk the horns of fire trucks, construction vehicles, buses, and more — while meeting the real people who drive them. Paw Patrol character photo ops, arts and crafts, food trucks on-site, and a dedicated quiet hour block (no honking) for sensory-sensitive kids. Proceeds support JLLA’s community programs. Tickets at losangeles.jl.org.
Earth Day Festival at Brookside Park
📍 Brookside Park, 360 N. Arroyo Blvd, PasadenaFreeSaturday, April 18 · 10am–2pm
Pasadena’s official Earth Day festival takes over Brookside Park (right next to the Rose Bowl) with interactive activities, expert chats, giveaways, and a live demonstration of goat grazing as wildfire prevention — a surprisingly compelling thing to watch with kids. City departments, One Arroyo Foundation, and Remainders Creative Reuse are all participating. All ages, free, and the park setting is gorgeous.
Springfest Carnival — Final Day
📍 Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach BlvdFree admissionSunday, April 19 · 11am–9pm
Last chance for the carnival if you didn’t make it Saturday. Rides, games, live music, food trucks, and the Kids Zone. Free to enter. Wristbands for unlimited rides available on-site.
🖼️ Pacific Palisades — Earth Day & Veg Fest
📍 Palisades Village Green, 15280 Sunset BlvdFreeSunday, April 19 · 11am–2pm
Resilient Palisades returns to the Village Green for a joyful community afternoon with vegan food vendors, a native plant sale, live music, kids’ activities, and local organizations focused on community rebuilding. This year’s return carries extra meaning for the neighborhood. A great Sunday option for Brentwood and Palisades families