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Free in May: 29 Things To Do with Kids in Los Angeles

Meet the horses after the (free) polo matches at Will Rogers State Park.
Meet the horses after the (free) polo matches at Will Rogers State Park.
5/4/23 - By Kylie Williams

Summer break for kids in Los Angeles is just around the corner, and so are the summer camp fees, family vacation expenses, and a TON of ice cream trips. Before the summer budget blows up, use the month of May to enjoy some of the fabulous free events all over the city. Whether it's free Memorial Day weekend celebrations, budget-friendly excursions, outdoor adventures, or checking out a new museum, here are free family things for kids in Los Angeles to do in May. 

Discover all the free activities and events near you in our Free Things To Do with Kids in Los Angeles Guide, which includes a roundup of all the Free Museum Days in Los Angeles, plus a list of 60+ Birthday Freebies for Kids. 

To get more free fun at home and in your town delivered to your inbox, sign up for our newsletters. 

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Free Cinco de Mayo Celebrations in Los Angeles

Anaheim 5 de Mayo Fiesta

Anaheim - Thursday - Sunday, May 4 - 7, 2023
Cinco de Mayo is celebrated every year at La Palma Park in the City of Anaheim. The fest is filled with live music, dance performances, carnival rides, games, and lots of delicious food. Food and games are cash only. ATMs are available.  READ MORE

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo at 2nd & PCH

Long Beach - Friday, May 5, 2023
2nd & PCH celebrates Cinco de Mayo with festivities along Seaport Way. Highlights include folklórico dancers, a mariachi band, photo opportunities, drinks by Beachwood Brewing and special crafts for visitors to shop. READ MORE

Carson Cinco de Mayo Celebration

Carson - Saturday, May 6, 2023
Carson's Cinco de Mayo Celebration features live music by Banda Vallarta Show, Vilma Diaz y La Sonora, Mariachi Santa Monica, and more. Throughout the event guests can enjoy live entertainment, a kids area, food and vendor booths, a car show and adult beverage garden. READ MORE

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

San Clemente - Saturday, May 6, 2023
Orange County's Spanish Village by the Sea puts on its annual festival celebrating el Cinco de Mayo with plenty of traditional music, food, face painting, and other family entertainment READ MORE

Historical Venice Cinco de Mayo Parade/Festival 2024

Venice - Saturday, May 6, 2023
Venice's Historic Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival celebrates Mexican American Heritage and the city’s cultural diversity. The event is free and family-friendly. READ MORE

Annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration (Monterey Park)

Monterey Park - Thursday, May 11, 2023
The City of Monterey Park’s Cinco de Mayo celebration highlights the sights, sounds, and magic of Mexico. READ MORE

Fiesta Hermosa

Hermosa Beach - Saturday - Monday, May 27 - 29, 2023
Hermosa Beach's annual blowout combines hundreds of artisans and craftspeople with opportunities to swim, bike, fish, or just relax on the beach. READ MORE
Spend a spring day in the zen garden at the Huntington. Photo courtesy of the Huntington
Spend a spring day in the zen garden at the Huntington. Photo courtesy of the Huntington

Free Garden and Museum Days in May

Free Day at The Huntington

San Marino - Thursday, May 4, 2023
To take advantage of the Huntington's free day program, you must reserve tickets in advance; see the website for full details. Reservations for the first Thursday are open the prior Thursday (last Thursday of the month) and are first come, first served.  READ MORE

Free First Fridays at Kidspace

Pasadena - Friday, May 12, 2023
Families can enjoy a free night at Kidspace on the first Friday of the month. This museum regularly introduces new exhibits and celebrations, such as Butterfly Season in early spring.  November's event is Día de los Muertos themed. READ MORE

Sunday Funday at the Wallis

Beverly Hills - Sunday, May 14, 2023
Broadway babies can enjoy free family entertainment at the Wallis, including musician Parker Bent, flamenco lessons, and the Broadway Babies! READ MORE

Museums of the Arroyo Day

Arroyo Seco - Sunday, May 21, 2023
The annual Museums of the Arroyo Day treats LA families to free admission at five local museums. READ MORE
Family Nature Club at Griffith Park is free for all. Photo courtesy of lazoo.org
Family Nature Club at Griffith Park is free for all. Photo courtesy of lazoo.org

Free Outdoor Events in Los Angeles

Free Skateboarding Clinic in Malibu

Malibu - Saturday, May 6, 2023
Girls ages 8-13 can learn to skateboard or sharpen their skills at this free clinic at Malibu Bluffs Park led by instructors from Champ Camp. READ MORE

Open House at the Placerita Nature Center

Newhall - Saturday, May 13, 2023
The Placerita Nature Center is hosting an open house event with free admission and parking! Kids can pan for "fool's gold," meet local wildlife at an animal presentation, and participate in a variety of crafts and games. READ MORE

Family Nature Club

Griffith Park - Saturday, May 27, 2023
The LA Zoo partners with the LA Department of Recreation & Parks for Family Nature Club. Kids spend the morning enjoying loosely structured outdoor play – exploring nature through art, building, observation, and imagination. READ MORE

Polo Matches at Will Rogers

Pacific Palisades - Every Saturday & Sunday in May
Catch a (free) polo match weekends this spring and summer at the Will Rogers polo field. Don't know what a chukker is? No need to know anything to enjoy a day of polo. Just bring a picnic and relax while watching magnificent horses pound up and down the field right in front of you. READ MORE

More Free Things To Do in Los Angeles in May

Star Wars Day Celebration in South El Monte

South El Monte - Thursday, May 4, 2023
May the 4th be with you at this special Star Wars celebration at the South El Monte Library. Kids ages 4-12 participate in easy origami, a Star Wars-themed storytime, and an art project. Parental or caregiver supervision is required.  READ MORE

Junior Ranger Program - Earth Day

Malibu - Saturday, May 6, 2023
Discover cool plants in the park at this ranger-led event that could result in becoming a Junior Ranger. Kids will see if they have what it takes to protect and respect nature and take the oath.  READ MORE

Kibō Nobori 2024 - Children's Day Festival

Little Tokyo - Saturday, May 6, 2023
Little Tokyo's third annual Kibō Nobori Children’s Day Festival is a free family-friendly event celebrating the Japanese holiday Kodomo No Hi. "Kodomo No Hi" means "Children's Day" in Japan and is a day to celebrate and wish for health and good fortune for all children. READ MORE

Pacific Islander Fest (Bowers)

Santa Ana - Sunday, May 7, 2023
The Bowers Museum's free family festival for May celebrates Pacific Islanders.  The full day of fun includes complimentary face painting, art projects, live performances, and more. READ MORE

Fire & Police Service Day (Burbank)

Burbank - Saturday, May 13, 2023
The Burbank Fire Department celebrates Fire Service Day with live demonstrations from Police and Fire, music, activities for kids, and fun for all. READ MORE

Culver City Car Show

Culver City - Saturday, May 13, 2023
The Annual Culver City Car Show features over hundreds of classic cars and hot rods, as well as live music, a range of food trucks, and vendors.  READ MORE

Monthly Kids Club at The Point

El Segundo - Thursday, May 18, 2023
The Point Kid's Club is held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from May through October. The themed events include live entertainment, face painting, balloon twisting, strolling characters, and more. In October, it's a Trick-or-Treat festival! READ MORE

Free Public Train Ride Day at OCME

Costa Mesa - Saturday & Sunday, May 20 & 21, 2023
Orange County Model Engineers offers free train rides to families on the third weekend of every month.  The club has a variety of bench cars that seat 4-6 people per bench. Each ride lasts 12-15 minutes on a 1.25 mile track. Catch views of the Costa Mesa Golf Course, local wildlife and birds, and the surrounding mountains.  READ MORE

Andrew & Polly Mini Concert

Rancho Park - Saturday, May 20, 2023
Kids can start thinking about Thanksgiving, at a Gratitude Gathering at Children's Book World with popular musicians Andrew & Polly! READ MORE

Pop-Up Kids Club Pajama Party

Long Beach - Wednesday, May 24, 2023
May's Kids Club event at 2nd & PCH is a pajama party! This free community event includes face painting, balloon twisting, crafts on Seaport Way by ABLE Arts Work, and performances by special guests followed by meet and greets.  Dressing in favorite PJs encouraged. .  READ MORE

Community Day of Play

Pasadena - Saturday, May 27, 2023
In celebration of its 10th anniversary, Southern California Children’s Museum hosts its first-ever free community play day. At Day of Play, everyone is invited to engage with the power of play through arts-based activities, musical performances, and social services information from community service tabling partners. READ MORE

Free Memorial Day Celebrations in Los Angeles

Memorial Day Observance - San Clemente

San Clemente - Monday, May 29, 2023
San Clemente's 2024 Memorial Day program features a keynote speaker, the presentation of wreaths and florals, the posting of the colors, taps bugler, and live music. This free program is held outdoors and is open to the public. READ MORE

2024 Summer Concerts in the Park at Conejo Community Park

Thousand Oaks - Monday, May 29, 2023
It may get a little chilly in the evenings, but the music at Conejo Community Park is hot!  READ MORE

LA Fleet Week

San Pedro - Friday - Monday, May 26 - 29, 2023
Your ship's come in—a whole bunch of 'em actually. Fleet Week returns to the Port of Los Angeles with pier-side ship tours, exhilarating aerial demonstrations and flyovers, live entertainment, live competitions, and neighborhood activations.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Oakwood Recreation and Park
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
Kidspace Children's Museum
Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
Multiple Museums, including The Gamble House
Malibu Creek State Park
Downtown Culver City
Southern California Children's Museum
LA Fleet Week EXPO (adjacent to Battleship IOWA)