40 family-friendly California events for kids — family concerts and theatre in LA, San Francisco, Orange County and San Diego, plus holiday lights, boat parades and fall festivals. Planning fall? See the California fall guide. Planning December? See the California winter & holiday guide.
This is brand-new — we are adding listings across California week by week. Know a great one (or run one yourself)? Tell us and we will add it.
Suggest a listing →LA Phil Symphonies for Youth at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Hollywood Bowl summer family nights, San Francisco Symphony Music for Families, SFJAZZ Family Matinees, Pacific Symphony Family Musical Mornings in Costa Mesa and San Diego Symphony family concerts at the Rady Shell — most run 45–60 minutes with pre-show instrument play.
Yes — the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, San Diego Bay Parade of Lights, Christmas in the Park in San Jose, Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival and San Diego Zoo Kids Free October are free; Palo Alto Children's Theatre shows are free or a few dollars.
Use the city and season filters above, then check the dates on each card. Your city's parks and recreation calendar and county library system also run frequent free children's programming that changes week to week.