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.
Best Memorial Day Weekend Things To Do in 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
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
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
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
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
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
Santa Anita Memorial Weekend Carnival
Arcadia – Saturday – Monday, May 27 – 29
On Memorial Day weekend, Santa Anita Park Infield transforms into a giant carnival with fun for all ages, including thrilling rides, Inflatable jumpers, a range of carnival snacks, and carnival games. READ MORE
2023 Summer Concerts in the Park (Thousand Oaks)
Thousand Oaks – Monday, May 29, 2023
Free
Free
It may get a little chilly in the evenings, but the music at Conejo Community Park is hot! READ MORE
LA County Fair
Pomona – Closes Monday, May 29, 2023
The LA County Fair closes out its 2023 season on Memorial Day Weekend. READ MORE
Pay tribute to our fallen heroes. Memorial Day Ceremony photo courtesy of Forest Lawn
Memorial Day Weekend Observances in Los Angeles
Memorial Day Event at the Reagan Library
Simi Valley – Monday, May 29, 2023
Event is free, museum admission is not
Event is free, museum admission is not
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum commemorates Memorial Day, with an event honoring the fallen men and women who served in the United States Military. READ MORE
Memorial Day Ceremonies -Forest Lawn
Multiple locations – Monday, May 29, 2023
Free
Free
Forest Lawn welcomes community members to celebrate Memorial Day at six of its LA locations. The annual ceremony to honor fallen soldiers features music, moving speeches, and patriotism. READ MORE
Burbank Memorial Day Ceremony
Burbank – Monday, May 29, 2023
Free
Free
Veterans are honored in a ceremony at the McCambridge Park War Memorial. A pre-ceremony concert begins at 10:15am. The event then begins at 11am, with a ceremony that includes a flyover. READ MORE
Mission Viejo Memorial Day Ceremony
Mission Viejo – Monday, May 29, 2023
Free
Free
The City of Mission Viejo honors those who have served and given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. The ceremony includes guest speakers, a color guard, rifle salute, live vocals performances and taps. READ MORE
Memorial Day Service (South Pasadena)
South Pasadena – Monday, May 29, 2023
Free
Free
The City of South Pasadena observes Memorial Day with a service at the War Memorial Building. The color guard is presented by Boy Scout Troop 333. READ MORE
Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade
Canoga Park – Monday May 29, 2023
Free
Free
The Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade is back for its 31st year, celebrating the day with patriotic floats, equestrians, celebrities, antique cars, and marching bands making their way along Sherman Way, following a route from Owensmouth Ave. to Cozycroft. Among the featured participants, the146th Airlift Wing takes to the skies for a C-130J Flyover. READ MORE
