27 LA Events to Put on Your 2020 Bucket List

January

Thar she blows! January marks the start of whale watching season along the SoCal coast. 

Take a trip to the Santa Barbara Zoo. Not only are they open on New Year's Day, you can also visit on Jan. 26 when a "blizzard" dumps 80 tons of snow for sledding, snow angels and more.

February

On Sat., Feb. 1, take the fam to Chinatown for the annual LA Golden Dragon Parade, featuring close to two dozen floats, marching bands, entertainers and more.

The Art of the Brick arrives at the California Science Center this month. The free museum will showcase hundreds of elaborate LEGO sculptures made from more than one million LEGO bricks.

March

Keep meaning to make it to the The Butterfly Pavilion at the Natural History Museum? Make this the year you finally do—the seasonal exhibition opens this at the end of March.

Kids can experience their first Broadway show with Nickelodeon's The Spongebob Musical, at the Dolby Theatre from Mar. 24-Apr. 20. You might just love it as much as your little ones. After all, New York Magazine called the show "effervescent candy for the spirit."

April

Celebrate the art of puppetry and the magic of storytelling at the Skirball’s ninth annual Puppet Festival, featuring new and classic tales told with a variety of puppets, live music, and art making.

Have a literary moment at The LA Times Festival of Books, the largest books and storytelling event in the United States. 

Also this month? The Annenberg Community Beach House's Eggstravaganza, which takes place on the Saturday before Easter. 

May

Starting on the third Friday in May, Odd Nights returns to the Autry Museum. Pack a picnic and bring the fam for bounce houses, food trucks, live music and more!

LA Sanitation's Open House events begin in May and run through June at various locations. Kids will have the chance to climb aboard a garbage truck, learn about recycling and tour the facilities.  

June

Make this the summer you finally see a movie al fresco at one of our favorite outdoor venues. 

There's still time to see the the grunion run—head to San Pedro's Cabrillo Beach to check it out.

July

It's officially ice cream season! Visit Little Tokyo for the most Insta-worthy ice cream at Bae.

Check out LA's brand new SoFi stadium with tickets to a Taylor Swift and Friends concert Jul. 25 and 26. 

August

Enjoy a free concert at the Hollywood Bowl—here's how!

The Getty Museum's Garden Concerts for Kids begin this month. 

September

The last Sunday in September, Venice hosts the massive Abbot Kinney Festival. 

The Tarfest music and art festival returns to the La Brea Tar Pits in September.The free, one-day-only festival celebrates local artists, musicians and culture with DJ performances, live painting, art installations curated, kids activities and more.

October

There's no shortage of kid-friendly spooky fun during the month of October, but the newest offering, Night of the Jacks, is definitely worth the trip to King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas.

November

Get into the spirit of the season with a visit to the Los Angeles County Arboretum's annual Magical Lantern Festival.

December

All aboard! Hop on the mini train for a ride through an old West town, coal mine and more at the LA Live Steamers Railroad Museum, one of our favorite attractions for train-loving kids.