Updated for 2025
For some families, Labor Day signals the end of summer. For some families, summer ends when the kids return to school, so Labor Day means a nice long weekend. For all families, there are plenty of fun things to do on Monday, September 1st.
Originally created as a way to honor the achievements of American Workers, and to celebrate the many contributions workers have made to “…America’s strength, prosperity and well-being,” according to the US Department of Labor, Labor Day is now considered to be a chance to have fun with your family before the start of the Holiday season.
Some schools even give kids the day off the Friday before, making this Labor Day a 4-day weekend to enjoy.
Related: Looking for Fun Family Activities in Los Angeles Every Weekend? Check out our fantastic list of ideas, updated weekly!
Family Activities on Labor Day in Los Angeles
GAME ON! Science, Sports & Fun and IMAX Movies
California Science Center
700 Exposition Park Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90037
Any Day and Every Day is a great day to visit the California Science Center because there is so much to see and do! GAME ON! Science, Sports & Play is a “cutting-edge, 17,000 sq. ft. exhibition celebrating the transformative power of play and the joy of the human body in motion. Whether you’re trying a fun new activity or fine-tuning your skills, explore the science behind an exciting lineup of sports and learn how it can level up your game.”
Plus you’ll want to get tickets to see an IMAX movie while you’re at the Science Center. You can keep the theme going by viewing Superhuman Body 3D which takes a look at the “extraordinary ways our bodies work,” or learn about something else entirely when you view Antarctica 3D, for example.(Other IMAX films include Blue Whales 3D and The Blue Angels.) Admission to the Science Center is free and doesn’t require a reservation. There is a fee for IMAX tickets. Showtimes and tickets are available online.(Reminder – space shuttle Endeavour is not on display.)
Marina del Rey Labor Day Premier Brunch Cruise
Fisherman’s Village Marina
13755 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, CA
Commemorate the end of summer with a Marina del Rey Labor Day Premier Brunch Cruise. “Enjoy a brunch buffet stocked with classic American breakfast dishes, plenty of seasonal lunch entrées, and richly decadent desserts.” Families will also enjoy live music and scenic views. Plus, there are unlimited mimosas for the adults! Boarding time is 10:30 am for the two-hour cruise (11:00 am to 1:00 pm). Reservations are available online.
Related: Outdoor Concerts in SoCal
Be Like Blippi Pop-Up at Discovery Cube LA
11800 Foothill Blvd., Sylmar, CA 91342
Experience all the fun of Blippi with two unforgettable experiences! On 8/29, Blippi will make a special appearance LIVE! He’ll lead a fun-filled game of “Blippi Says”, teach us some Blippified dance moves, and host a lively sing and dance-along for the whole crowd for his brand new song “Curious Like Me”! Online RSVP required to see Blippi.
Then, extend the adventure with our immersive “Be Like Blippi Pop Up” experience—a colorful, interactive transformation of Discovery Cube LA featuring playful, Blippi?inspired zones filled with learning, games, and photo?worthy moments. Join us for one magical day with Blippi, and keep the excitement going through September 28! Included with General Admission or Membership.
Ocean Encounter
Discovery Cube Orange County
2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA 92705
Labor Day, Monday, September 1st is your last chance to explore Ocean Encounter at Discovery Cube Orange County. This “immersive journey dives deep into the mysteries of our blue planet and calls on you to help protect it.” This interactive exhibit gives families the opportunity to explore the five zones of the ocean, “encounter stunning marine life, learn how human activity impacts these fragile ecosystems, and explore how small changes on land can make big waves in ocean conservation. Ocean Encounter will include massive LED walls to showcase the journey of the ocean, giant inflatables, demo labs, and much more.” Ocean Encounter is included in general admission. Details, including ticket information, are available online.
Related: Outdoor Movies in SoCal
Block Party Prints!
Southern California Children’s Museum
459 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101
Visit the Southern California Children’s Museum on Labor Day for the kiddos to participate in Block Party Prints (available at 10:30 am and 2:00 pm each day.) “Little artists can explore color, shape, and pattern using wooden blocks and vibrant paints.” This is an all-ages event that is included in general admission. Details are available online.
Noah’s Ark at the Skirball
Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles 90049
Aboard this interactive exhibition, YOU make the timeless flood story come to life! During the last weeks of summer, build a storm, care for hundreds of handcrafted animals, and celebrate a safe return to land. Plus, on select days, enjoy activities for all ages on and off the Ark, including storytelling, music jams, and art making.
Related: Best Public Pools in LA
Rescue Exhibit at Discovery Cube Los Angeles
11800 Foothill Blvd., Sylmar, CA 91342
At the Rescue Exhibition, every visitor has the chance to become a first responder! Get hands-on with the tools and technology used in daring land, sea, and air rescue missions! Engage with 17 interactive stations to learn techniques in life-saving missions, survival strategies, and put your problem-solving skills to the test. Take control as a helicopter pilot, ride a jet ski simulator, navigate a smoke-filled room, and more! Available at Discovery Cube LA through September 1.
Marina del Rey WaterBus
Multiple locations
The Marina del Rey WaterBus concludes its summer season on Labor Day, Monday, September 1st. The WaterBus operates from eight stops in the Marina which makes it a fun way to take in all the sights and sounds of Marina del Rey. On Labor Day the WaterBus will be operating from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm. Tickets are available at each stop and are $1 per passenger, one way, cash only when purchased in person. (Tickets may be purchased online via debit/credit.) Be sure to check the website for a map of the route taken by the WaterBus.
Related: Splash Pads in SoCal
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum
1419 N. Topanga Canyon, Topanga, CA
Experience Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum. This annual event is Theatricum’s signature production. “The most magical outdoor setting in Los Angeles becomes an enchanted forest inhabited by lovers both fairy and human. Shakespeare conjures a world of wonder, magic, and romance where comical misunderstandings and the pain of unrequited love are resolved. All is reconciled through midsummer night revelries and the enduring power of nature.” The performance is scheduled for 6:00 pm on Monday, September 1st. Ticket information, as well as other performance dates, are available online.
Conquer the Bridge 16 – CANCELLED this year
Start/Finish line @ 5th St. and Harbor Blvd., San Pedro, CA
One way to spend Labor Day is by participating in the 16th Annual Conquer the Bridge event. The 5.3 mile event includes two trips over the Vincent Thomas Bridge. Participants may run or walk, and all finishers will receive a finishers medal. “The LAPD Harbor Area Booster Club will once again receive a portion of the proceeds from this race which benefits youth programs administered by the LAPD Harbor Division Cadet Program.” Details and registration information are available online.
Summer Concerts in the Park
Conejo Community Park
1175 Hendrix Ave., Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
Conejo Recreation and Park District invites families to enjoy a Summer Concert in the Park on Labor Day Monday, September 1st from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. “Experience the heart and soul of Southern rock as Skynyrd and Frynds bring the legendary sound of Lynyrd Skynyrd from the 1960’s and 70’s, to the summer concert series!” The evening will start with a live performance of the National Anthem sung by Marissa Margolis. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics, and then settle in for an evening of musical fun. Food trucks will also be on-site. (Note – Concerts are generally very well attended. Families are encouraged to arrive early to secure prime lawn seating.)
Dead Sea Scrolls
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum
40 Presidential Dr., Simi Valley, CA 93065
Labor Day is a good time to visit the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum to view the special exhibition, Dead Sea Scrolls. This traveling exhibition from the Israel Antiquities Authority provides visitors the opportunity to explore what many consider to be “one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century.” “Our cutting-edge gallery showcases how 21st-century technology is unlocking the secrets of these ancient texts. Discover how advanced imaging techniques, DNA analysis, and artificial intelligence are revolutionizing our understanding of the scrolls and the people who created them.” The exhibition is included in general admission. Tickets are available online. (The exhibition’s last day at the Reagan Library is Tuesday, September 2nd.)
Knott’s Summer Nights
Knott’s Berry Farm
8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, CA 90620
Labor Day is your last chance to enjoy Knott’s Summer Nights. Knott’s Summer Nights features “live music, unique summer food offerings, Instagram-able photo opportunities, interactive experiences and family-friendly games,” and more. Details and ticket information are available online.
Long Beach Greek Food and Music Festival
5761 E. Colorado St., Long Beach, CA 90814
The Long Beach Greek Food and Music Festival is happening Labor Day weekend, from Saturday, August 30th through Monday, September 1st (opening at 12 noon each day). The festivities at this annual event include live Greek music, shopping, dancing, cultural presentations, Greek food, and more. Details, including information about parking and a free shuttle service, are available online. Admission is $5.
Sonic Playground
GRAMMY Museum
800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
“Sonic Playground is a groundbreaking and interactive experience that transforms music-making into an engaging, hands-on adventure by merging creativity, education, and cutting-edge technology into one captivating space.” The second floor of the Museum has been transformed to feature 17 interactive experiences that give visitors the chance to explore their creativity. “From producing beats and mixing loops, to performing on stage with professional instruments, visitors can step into roles like singer, producer, or disc jockey and experience the joy of music creation.” Free youth admission for visitors 17 and younger. Details and tickets are available online.
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino, CA 91108
A visit to The Huntington is really a feast for your senses, offering so much to explore, including rare manuscripts, enchanting gardens, and stunning artwork, and luckily it’s open on Labor Day. The Library is “one of the world’s great independent research libraries in the fields of British and American history, literature, art, and the history of science” and its collection includes several first editions. The Gardens encompass about 130 acres and feature more than a dozen themed gardens, including the fun-to-explore Children’s Garden. Children of all ages are invited to “splash in water, play among topiary animals, make music with pebbles, dance under rainbows, discover fairy doors, and hold the magic of magnetic forces in their hands. This whimsical garden is the perfect space for youngsters to explore the green world and develop a lifelong appreciation for nature.” The Art Collections “focus on European art from the 15th to the early 20th century and American art from the late 17th to the late 20th century.” The collection includes 650 paintings and 440 works of sculpture.” Tickets are available online.
Tube-A-Palooza
Pretend City Children’s Museum
29 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92618
Monday, September 1st is your last chance to experience Tube-A-Palooza at Pretend City Children’s Museum. “Take your family on an exciting adventure through a world of tubes—big, small, twisty, and tall! This hands-on, STEAM-powered experience is packed for kids to build, explore, and discover through play.” Your child will have lots of fun while also learning about science, math, and problem-solving. Details and ticket information are available online.
Fierce! The Story of Cats
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007
Explore the diversity of cats in the exhibition, Fierce! The Story of Cats, which opened at the Natural History Museum back in July. Fierce! The Story of Cats is described as an “exciting, hands-on, immersive experience that brings you face-to-face with the world of cats. From sabertooths to household kitty cats, explore their unique behaviors, evolution, biology, and deep connection with humans.” The exhibition features mounted specimens, cultural objects inspired by cats, interactive displays, and more including “a special focus on iconic cats of Los Angeles.” Tickets are available online. (The exhibition will be on view through February 18th, 2026.)
Wired for Wonder
Kidspace Children’s Museum
480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91103
Monday, September 1st is your last chance to experience “Wired for Wonder – a multi-sensory maze for all ages.” Participants will be both a scientist and a subject, “examining how your brain interprets and integrates sensory input with emotion and memory. Wander the all ages maze to discover that perception is more than what your nose, eyes, ears, or hands detect.” The maze is open daily, Tuesday to Sunday. Tickets are available to experience Wired for Wonder as an add-on to your museum visit. Details are available online.
And while you’re at Kidspace, be sure to check out Kidspace Campout, a “celebration of the best iconic summer experiences from camping out, fishing, and singing around a campfire and creating camp crafts.” It’s summer camping and road trips done the Kidspace way, using lots of imagination. (Kidspace Campout is happening all summer long through Sunday, September 14th and activities are included in general admission.)
Cyberpunk: A Virtual Production Experience
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
6067 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is open on Labor Day, and if you haven’t been in a while, you may want to check out Cyberpunk: A Virtual Production Experience. “In this mixed reality (MR) experience, visitors use a virtual reality (VR) headset to encounter elements of our world mixed with a whole new virtual environment inspired by the Blade Runner movies.” Actor Rosa Bianca Salazar serves as your virtual guide, helping you to “discover the cutting-edge virtual production techniques that filmmakers use to extend the production set, build immersive new worlds, and create groundbreaking movies.” This experience (about 8 minutes long) is included in general Museum admission, and tickets for timed entry to the experience are available at the Museum’s Welcome Center. Details are available online.
Bamboozled: An Unexpected Bamboo Adventure
South Coast Botanic Garden
26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274
Enjoy some time outside with a visit to South Coast Botanic Garden to experience Bamboozled: An Unexpected Bamboo Adventure. This special exhibit features “eight monumental bird sculptures made from bamboo, each with a unique personality and story to tell. But Bamboozled is far more than an art exhibit, it transforms the Garden’s 87 acres into a whimsical, interactive journey. Guests will follow the clatter of bamboo wind chimes as they search for each sculpture, which are tucked throughout the Garden’s stunning landscape.” Guests can interact with many of the sculptures, including sitting inside the Great Horned Owl and running through the Scrub Jay. Families may opt to upgrade their Bamboozled experience with the “Secret Adventure Ticket” which includes an Adventure Kit including a special map, “behind-the-scenes insights, clues for further discovery, and a special tool to enhance the interactive experience.” Details and tickets are available online. (Note – families will be able to experience Bamboozled: An Unexpected Bamboo Adventure through Tuesday, September 30th.)
Wendy Kennar is a mother, writer, and former teacher who has lived her entire life in the same Los Angeles zip code. You can read more from Wendy at her website WendyKennar.com where she writes about books, boys, and bodies (living with an invisible disability).
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