Best Memorial Day Weekend Things To Do in Los Angeles

MommyPoppins.com by Toby B | May 24, 2023

Looking for the best things to do in Los Angeles this Memorial Day weekend? Here are some events and activities to add to your list for the holiday weekend.

Traditionally, Memorial Day Weekend is the start of the summer season, complete with days-long, large-scale festivals, and the Southland keeps coming back bigger and better. There are festivals and fairs galore in Topanga, La Cañada, Garden Grove, Corona, and Hermosa Beach. Summer 2023 is off to an epic start, and SoCal, our ship has sailed in. (To San Pedro for LA Fleet Week.)

And, of course, Memorial Day weekend closes with tributes to our fallen heroes. Ceremonies will be held at the Reagan Library and several Forest Lawn locations, along with observances in local cities. You can find them listed below.

Looking to get out of town on this long weekend? We’ve got epic California road trip ideas, the best family-friendly spa resorts near Los Angeles, the best spots to go camping near Los Angeles, and more—all in our Guide to Weekend Getaways and Day Trips from Los Angeles.

Camping in the City!

Irvine – Opens Friday, May 26

This summer, Pretend City presents Camping in the City! Little ones get to experience the wilderness with opportunities to hike Pretend City trails, follow and trace footprints of the critters who live in the City, and even sit around a campfire listening to stories and learning how to make s’mores. READ MORE

Circus Vargas Bonjour Paris (Ventura)

Ventura – Starts Friday, May 26

Circus Vargas Express is a high-energy, animal-free extravaganza under the Big Top, with death-defying stuntmen, flying aerialists, exhilarating acrobats, and uproarious clowns under the Big Top. For their latest show, Circus Vargas channels the “City of Lights” in their new production, Bonjour Paris READ MORE

Cinespia at Los Angeles State Historic Park

Chinatown – Friday & Saturday, May 26 & 27, 2023

Cinespia offers an additional location for viewing classic films under the stars: Los Angeles State Historic Park. Films screening Memorial Day weekend are Mrs. Doubtfire and 10 Things I Hate About You. READ MORE

LA Fleet Week

San Pedro – Friday – Monday, May 26 – 29, 2023
Free

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 family activities. READ MORE

La Cañada’s Fiesta Days

La Cañada – Friday – Monday, May 26 – 29, 2023

La Cañada’s weekend-long Memorial Day festivities celebrate their 50 year anniversary. Activities throughout the weekend include a French toast breakfast, vintage car show, a summer picnic and “ukulele rendezvous”, a family dinner with music, and fireworks. Monday’s activities include a 5k/10k run, a Memorial Day service, a grand parade down Foothill Boulevard, and music in the park. READ MORE

Garden Grove Strawberry Festival 2023

Garden Grove – Friday – Monday, May 26 – 29, 2023
Free admission

Garden Grove marks Memorial Day weekend for the 63rd year with its Strawberry Festival, the second largest city festival in the West. This year, the festival’s theme is “Celebrating Kindness.” READ MORE

Community Day of Play

Pasadena – Saturday, May 27, 2023
Free

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

Quakes Minor League Baseball – Fireworks Nights

Rancho Cucamonga – Saturday, May 27, 2023

Take me out to the (minor league base)ball game! For young baseball lovers, minor league games are a wonderful opportunity to see future (and sometimes even current) major league players, for a fraction of the ticket price. On select nights, the Quakes will light up the sky with a fireworks display after the game. READ MORE

Koroneburg Renaissance Festival

Corona – Starts Saturday, May 27, 2023

The Koroneburg Renaissance Festival returns for another season. With lots of audience-participation content, the Faire offers opportunities to learn about ye ol’ German 1450-1600 A.D. history. READ MORE

MAINopoly: Taste of Main Street

Santa Monica – Saturday, May 27, 2023

Pass GO and head to the 8th Annual MAINopoly: A Taste of Main Street. MAINopoly is a fun, interactive tasting event that mirrors the classic board game, offering a culinary walking tour of Main Street’s restaurants, ice cream stores, coffee shops and other businesses. READ MORE

LA Sanitation & Environment North Central Yard Open House

Lincoln Heights – Saturday, May 27, 2023
Free

The Bureau of Sanitation Open House might not seem like everyone’s idea of a fun Saturday, but to kids who are intrigued by garbage trucks it’s a real hoot. And you might even go home with a fruit or shade tree. READ MORE

Scottish Fair and Highland Games

Costa Mesa – Saturday & Sunday, May 27 & 28, 2023

Scotsfest returns for Memorial Day weekend in 2023! Scotsfest is a Scottish festival of Celtic entertainment, food, and Highland games. The two-day event showcases the best of the Scottish and Celtic heritage with sounds of bagpipes and drums, the smells of authentic Scottish foods, and the sights of the traditional tartan kilts. READ MORE

Fiesta Hermosa

Hermosa Beach – Saturday – Monday, May 27 – 29, 2023
Free admission

Hermosa Beach’s semi-annual blowout combines hundreds of artisans and craftspeople with opportunities to swim, bike, fish, or just relax on the beach. READ MORE

Topanga Days Country Fair

Topanga – Saturday – Monday, May 27 – 29, 2023

Topanga hosts its annual Memorial Day celebration which consists of music, artisan booths, great food, and a wide range of games, such as pie eating contests, an animal imitation contest, sack races, and a diaper derby. READ MORE

Valley Greek Festival

Northridge – Saturday – Monday, May 27 – 29, 2023

The San Fernando Valley’s annual Greek Festival is held on Memorial Day Weekend at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. The festival evokes the sights, sounds, and tastes that define the traditional Greek way of life. READ MORE

Night of Destruction at the Speedway (and Fireworks!)

Irwindale – Saturday, May 28

Get ready for a night of extreme family fun at the Irwindale Speedway. Arrive as early as 4pm to check out the vehicles and get autographs. The fun kicks off at 7pm with a jet car burndown, skid plate races, figure 8 races, and more—followed by a fireworks display! READ MORE

Best Memorial Day Weekend Things To Do in Los Angeles

Memorial Day Weekend Observances in Los Angeles

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