Patch Parents: Best Things To Do With Kids In May In California

CALIFORNIA — Summer is around the corner! There are plenty of family-friendly things to do ahead of summer in California.

From the largest multicultural festival on the West Coast in Northern California to a new Lego Festival in Southern California, there are a variety of festive events to kick off your summer early in the Golden State. Other highlights include the 25th anniversary of Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park and the 70th anniversary of Disneyland Resort.

Here are some of the best things to do with kids in May in California.

Northern California

Celebrate the 25th anniversary of Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park. California's only horticultural-themed amusement park is celebrating its 25th season. The anniversary celebration, described as a "big block party," will run through May 26. The theme park is celebrating with character meet and greets, an all-new live show, a time capsule creation zone, nostalgic xxhibits, and specialty food and drinks.

Experience Carnaval San Francisco. Billed as the largest multicultural festival on the West Coast, Carnaval San Francisco celebrates the Latino, Caribbean and African Diasporic traditions of the Mission District and the San Francisco Bay Area. The two-day family festival takes place May 25-26 over 17 blocks of the Mission District. The free event will feature a parade, five music stages, five DJ block parties, 250 exhibitors, 50 food vendors and more.

See the oldest state-affiliated parade in California. The Dixon May Fair is May 8-11 in Dixon. The four-day fair celebrates the agricultural heritage and community spirit of the region. The highlight of the event is the Dixon May Fair Parade on May 10. This year's parade through downtown Dixon marks the 148th year of the procession, with floats, classic cars, school bands and more.

Central California

Celebrate Kids Day at the zoo. Kids Day takes place May 9 at Fresno Chaffee Zoo. The event will celebrate and recognize Fresno County Superintendent of Schools' students with disabilities. Kids Day will feature animals, entertainment, demonstrations, educational activities, crafts, food trucks and community resources.

Go to the fair. The Porterville Fair takes place May 14-18 in Porterville. The fair will include farm animals, games, live entertainment, rides, fair food and drinks, and more.

Find treasure in someone else's "junk." Glorious Junk Days is held twice a year in Clovis. The next event is on May 25 and includes more than 150 dealers offering a variety of antiques and collectibles, vintage and vintage-inspired things, repainted furniture and accessories, and handcrafted items.

Southern California

Celebrate Disneyland's 70th anniversary. Disneyland Resort is celebrating seven decades of making magic and special memories. The Anaheim-based park's 70th anniversary celebration kicks off May 16 and runs through the summer of 2026, featuring limited-time entertainment, colorful décor, themed food and beverages, collectible merchandise and more.

Celebrate spring with the return of Elmo's Springtacular. The springtime event will run on select dates through May 18 at the Chula Vista-based theme park. Elmo's Springtacular, which is included with park admission, will feature chalk art, a nature-themed scavenger hunt, and a special spring-themed story time. As part of the fun, The Octonauts will make their first-ever appearance at the park on May 3 and 4.

Experience the glitz and glamor of Tinseltown under the Big Top. Circus Vargas continues its tour throughout Southern California. The circus will stop through May 12 in San Clemente, and May 16 through June 9 in Buena Park. The two-hour family-friendly show features a variety of acts.

Indulge in all things boysenberry. The Knott's Boysenberry Festival was extended through May 18 at Knott's Berry Farm. The Buena Park theme park's annual food and wine festival celebrates the park's historic roots by highlighting the little berry that started it all — the boysenberry. The festival features food and drink offerings, local crafters, live music, musical stage shows, and other activities.

Meet Baby Shark and friends. SeaWorld and The Pinkfong Company, the entertainment company behind Baby Shark, have teamed up to celebrate 10 years of Baby Shark. The characters will be at the San Diego theme park through June 22. The limited-time celebration will feature Baby Shark-themed experiences, including live character meet and greets with Baby Shark and Pinkfong, as well as an all-new Baby Shark mini-live show, activities, food and merchandise.

Play at the Lego Festival. Legoland California Resort has a new festival. Lego Festival will take place through June 8 at the Carlsbad-based theme park. The festival, billed as one of the biggest family celebrations of play, will feature five interactive festival zones to spark imaginations, including music, dance, creative and chill out zones, as well as a gaming zone featuring Lego Fortnite. There will also be seven new Lego characters.

Rev your engines at Legoland. Legoland California Resort will celebrate the grand opening of its reimagined driving schools on May 21. Located in Fun Town across from the recently announced indoor coaster opening in 2026, the new tracks feature realistic road scenarios, intersections, roundabouts, and even a car wash equipped with interactive bubble triggers that activate as kids drive through, according to the theme park. Children ages 3-12 will have the opportunity to get their own Legoland driver's license after completing the new course.

Walk through a rainbow of color. The hillside of Carlsbad is alive with colorful blooms at The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch. The ranch features 55 acres of giant tecolote ranunculus, a flower known for its large, double-petaled blooms. The season runs through Mother's Day on May 11.

Patch Parents is written by Patch Editor Kristina Houck, a mom of three boys. Have a story idea? Email kristina.houck@patch.com.