SoCal kids & families, May 23-30: ‘Fancy Nancy,’ ‘Dino Quest,’ ‘Lion King,’ Memorial Day weekend and more
SoCal kids & families, May 23-30: ‘Fancy Nancy,’ ‘Dino Quest,’ ‘Lion King,’ Memorial Day weekend and more
Encourage your children to learn and grow with our curated list of fun, artsy and engaging events and activities in LA and OC this coming weekend and beyond
Welcome to a new edition of TV or Not TV’s curated guide to artsy, kid-centric and family-friendly events, activities and happenings all around LA and OC this weekend and beyond. I’m Matt Cooper, former listings coordinator for the Los Angeles Times’ Calendar.
Let’s have some fun!
‘Moana’ Segerstrom Center’s celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month continues and includes an outdoor screening of Disney’s animated 2016 fable featuring the voices of Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson. Segerstrom Center’s Argyros Plaza, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Pre-show activities, food trucks, etc., 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 24; movie, 8 p.m. Free with Plaza Pass; sign up at scfta.org
Circus Vargas’ ‘Jubilé’ Acrobats tumble, aerialists soar and clowns caper and cavort under the big top as the veteran troupe swings back through SoCal in this all-new show. Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura. 7:30 p.m. Fridays; 1, 4 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; 12:30, 3:30 and 7 p.m. Sundays; 7 p.m. Wednesday-Thursdays; May 24 thru June 3; also 2 and 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 27, and 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 3. $25-$80. (877) 468-3861. circusvargas.com
‘The Garfield Movie’ Chris Pratt is the latest actor to voice the lasagna-loving comic-strip cat in this 2024 animated tale. With Samuel L. Jackson, Hannah Waddingham and Snoop Dogg. Rated PG. Opens in wide release Friday, May 25. thegarfield-movie.com
‘Disney’s The Lion King 30th Anniversary: A Live-to-Film Concert Event’ Nathan Lane, Jeremy Irons and Jennifer Hudson are among the famous faces taking the stage for this immersive celebration of the original 1994 animated adventure. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 Highland Ave., Hollywood. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, May 24-25. $25-$199. (323) 850-2000. hollywoodbowl.com
‘Dino Quest’ RAWR! The dinosaurs are back in an updated version of this exhibit featuring hands-on activities including a fossil excavation site. Discovery Cube Orange County, 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily beginning Saturday, May 25. Included with museum admission ($17-$22). discoverycube.org
Topanga Days The 49th edition of this family-friendly country fair features live music on two stages, old-timey fun and games like sack races and a pie-eating contest, plus food trucks, vendor booths and more. Topanga Community Center, 1440 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday-Monday, May 25-27. $15-$55; ages 5 and under and active duty military, free. topangadays.com
‘Fancy Nancy, The Musical’ The little girl with the very big personality is back in the return of this tune-filled tale based on the children’s books; for ages 4 and up; younger than 4 not permitted, except for relaxed performances. Chance Theater’s Cripe Stage, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim. Opening night, 6 p.m. Sunday, May 26; 11 a.m., 1, 4 and 6 p.m. Saturdays; 1, 4 and 6 p.m. Saturdays; thru June 9; relaxed performances, 11 a.m. Saturday, June 1, and 1 p.m. Saturday, June 8. $31-$35 (pay-what-you-want previews, various times, May 24-26). chancetheater.com
LA County Fair Ride the rides, play the games, pet the animals and indulge in deep-fried you-name-it at the return of this month-long celebration. Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave. Pomona. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays plus Memorial Day, thru May 27. $10-$30; ages 5 and under, free; season passes, $19, $78; additional fees for rides and carnival games; concerts, various prices (includes fair admission unless purchased on the day of the show). lacountyfair.com
‘Wheels on the Bus’ Cart the wee ones on in for this interactive musical for toddlers, preschoolers and the grownups what brung them. Porticos Art Space, 2033 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena. 9 and 11 a.m. Saturdays-Sundays thru June 9, with two open-caption performances on June 9. $20; all attendees over the age of one must have tickets; floor seating on mats, limited bench seating available. (626) 356-7529. pasadenaplayhouse.org
Butterfly Pavilion This exhibit featuring hundreds of butterflies flitting about in an outdoor netted enclosure returns for another season. Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., Exposition Park, L.A. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily thru Aug. 25 (museum closed the first Tuesday of each month). $8 plus with museum admission ($8-$17; ages 2 and younger, free). nhm.org
‘IF’ A young girl learns she has the ability to see other people’s imaginary friends in this 2024 live-action/animated fantasy comedy directed by John Krasinski. With Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds and the voices of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr. and Steve Carell. 104 mins. Rated PG. if.movie
‘Cinderella’ Someday her prince will come — and that day is today! — in Storybook Theatre’s family-friendly musical based on the classic fairytale. Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. West, L.A. 1 p.m. Saturdays, thru June 1. $15. (323) 851-4839. theatrewest.org
‘Dining with the Sultan at Charles White Elementary School’ LACMA serves up a kid-sized companion to the exhibit “Dining with the Sultan: The Fine Art of Feasting.” Also included: monthly hands-on arts & crafts workshops (RSVP required). Charles White Elementary School, 2401 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays, thru Aug. 10. Free. lacma.org
‘Beauty and the Beast’ She’s swell, and he’s not so bad once you get to know him, in this kid-friendly stage show based on the classic fairy tale. Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica. 2 p.m. Saturdays, 12:30 p.m. Sundays thru July 28. $12.50, $15. (310) 394-9779. santamonicaplayhouse.com
‘Wild Things Are Happening: The Art of Maurice Sendak’ The beloved illustrator of such classic children’s books as “Where the Wild Things Are” is celebrated in this super-sized survey of paintings, drawings, toys and more; thru Sept. 1. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. Closed Monday. $8-$13; 2 and under, free; free on Thursdays. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org