LA Kids Weekend Events: Mar. 18-20
This month roared in with a bevy of events and there’s no sign of slowing down. Whether exploring tide pools and hunting down outdoor art is your thing or watching Shakespeare al fresco is more your jam—check out all the fun and unique things to do in LA this weekend with the kids below.
photo: iStock
Dino Train and STEAM Festival
Southern California Railway Museum is excited to announce the return Dino Train STEAM Festival, a unique, outdoor, socially-distanced, interactive experience created in partnership with PBS. Buddy the Dinosaur has been invited to the Museum to meet with his fans and highlight his favorite topics of Paleontology, Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Sat.-Sun. Event details.
Family-Friendly a Midsummer Nights Dream
All the magic of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in under an hour. Bring a basket and a blanket and enjoy a family friendly, 40-minute version of Shakespeare’s delightful rom-com, courtesy of Echo Theater Company’s The Theater Truck. Sat. Event details.
A Faery Hunt St Pattys Adventure
Did you know that faeries celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Come celebrate the holiday with the faery folk as we go on a gentle musical quest through the forest! Many children come in costume! Sat. Event details.
Matthew Thomas: Enlightenment
For over five decades, Matthew Thomas has developed a career as an artist and art professor, first in Los Angeles, and since 2011 in rural Thailand. His multimedia works are filled with complex patterns that express his progress toward enlightenment and provide a path for others to experience the same. His unique visual language of sacred geometric abstraction, which integrates a variety of symbolic shapes and colors, explores basic life principles and correlates with the five elements of earth, fire, water, wind, and sky. Fri.-Sun. Event details.
LA Marathon
Watch over 24,000 athletes from all 50 states and more than 63 countries set out from Dodger Stadium to accomplish a personal dream by reaching the finish line, 26.2 miles later, in Santa Monica. Sun. Event details.
Art of Costume Design in Film
This highly anticipated annual exhibition is back! The FIDM Museum is recognizing outstanding achievement in costume design from films released in 2021. For the past 30 years, we have been celebrating the imagination, tenacity, and accomplishments of film costume designers and their teams who bring movie characters to life. Fan favorites, including Academy Award® nominees from a variety of genres and studios, will be on display for visitors to enjoy in detail. This spring, come and experience the exhibition which has become a tradition for LA locals and movie lovers alike. Fri.-Sun. Event details.
Bond in Motion
Produced in collaboration with EON Productions and The Ian Fleming® Foundation, Bond in Motion is the first official exhibition in the United States to feature original vehicles from the James Bond film franchise. The exhibit celebrates the 60th anniversary of the 007 films, since Dr. No was released in 1962. The Bond in Motion exhibit offers visitors a rare up-close experience of the most iconic vehicles associated with the world’s most famous secret agent, 007. Fri.-Sun. Event details.
Angkor: the Lost Empire of Cambodia
The California Science Center proudly presents the world premiere of Angkor: The Lost Empire of Cambodia — an international touring exhibition featuring over 120 ancient artifacts, half of which are on tour for the first time. Journey back 900 years to discover engineering and cultural marvels and daily life in the Khmer empire. Use the tools of science to explore the rise, fall, and enduring legacy of what was once the most extensive metropolis in the world. Fri.-Sun. Event details.
Hide and Seek: Art Meets Nature
Embark on an artful adventure at South Coast Botanic Garden and explore 87 acres of lush habitat and manicured gardens. Hiding amid colorful blooms and luscious flowering trees are eight exquisite works of sculpture just waiting to be found. The sculptures have been carefully placed throughout the Garden as a way to encourage nature exploration with an artful game of hide and seek. The Garden’s vast nature space provides an exquisite opportunity for each sculpture to express its own artistic character. The interplay of nature and art will add a whole new level of appreciation for the Garden’s botanical collections. Fri.-Sun. Event details.
100 Years of Peggy Lee
Over the course of seven decades, Peggy Lee redefined the role of the female singer, paving the way for those who followed. In addition to accumulating more than 270 songwriting credits, 1,100 masters, 50 original albums, 800 radio performances, and 200 television appearances, Peggy Lee also conquered acting and film music composition. Lee was involved in every aspect of her performances, from producing to costume and lighting design, and her stage presence exhibited unmatched vocal control, poise and swagger. She was a creative powerhouse, directing her life and career on her own terms. She is often cited as an inspiration for contemporary female singers including Billie Eilish, k.d. lang, Diana Krall, Debbie Harry, Adele, and Katy Perry. Fri.-Sun. Event details.
Weekend Tide Pool Walks
Come along on a naturalist-led ramble on the rocks to see animals in their natural habitat. Outdoor clothing and sneakers advised. Young children must be accompanied by adults. Sat.-Sun. Event details.