May Holidays for Kids 2027: A Fun LA Idea for Every Day!
May in Los Angeles feels like a warm-up act for summer. The jacarandas start to bloom, strawberries are at their sweetest, and the school year is rounding the final corner. Mother's Day and Memorial Day get the headlines, but there are 29 other days on the calendar too.
So we filled them. This guide pairs a fun idea with every single day of May 2027, mixing quirky national days, real May holidays, and family outings around Los Angeles. Some ideas take ten minutes at the kitchen table. Others deserve a spot on the family calendar today.
Use the list as an after-school boredom buster, a weekend planner, or a way to make a regular Tuesday feel a little more special. You do not need to do all 31. (Honestly, please do not try.) Pick the ones that make your kids light up.
May Holidays 2027 at a Glance
Here are the biggest May holidays and LA dates to know before you start planning. We checked each 2027 date below against official sources.
Saturday, May 1: Free Comic Book Day is traditionally held on the first Saturday in May
Tuesday, May 4: Star Wars Day (May the Fourth be with you)
Wednesday, May 5: Cinco de Mayo and Kodomo no Hi (Japanese Children's Day)
Thursday, May 6: The LA County Fair opens in Pomona and runs through May 31
Sunday, May 9: Mother's Day
Saturday and Sunday, May 15 and 16: California Strawberry Festival in Ventura
Sunday, May 16, or Monday, May 17: Eid al-Adha (depending on the moon)
Saturday through Monday, May 29 to 31: Fiesta Hermosa in Hermosa Beach
Monday, May 31: Memorial Day (LAUSD schools are closed)
The school year is nearly done, too. LAUSD's 2026-27 calendar lists Memorial Day, May 31, as a no-school day and Friday, June 4, 2027, as the last day of school. See our LAUSD 2026-2027 calendar guide, and double-check your own district, since many LA-area schools follow different schedules.
Week 1: May 1 to 7
May 1 (Saturday): Free Comic Book Day + Mother Goose Day
Free Comic Book Day is traditionally the first Saturday in May, which lands on May 1 this year. Participating comic shops hand out free issues, and many host costume contests or artist signings. Confirm your local store is taking part before you go, since every shop plans its own day.
Need a shop? Our big list of comic book stores in and near Los Angeles has plenty of family-friendly picks. It is also Mother Goose Day, so little ones can act out "Hey Diddle Diddle" while the big kids read their new comics.
May 2 (Sunday): World Laughter Day + Brothers and Sisters Day
World Laughter Day falls on the first Sunday in May, and the rules are simple: laugh as much as possible. Hold a family joke-off, try to say a tongue twister three times fast, or play "don't laugh" with silly faces.
It is also Brothers and Sisters Day. Have siblings make each other a coupon book with offers like "I will let you pick the movie" or "I will not touch your stuff for one whole day."
May 3 (Monday): Teacher Appreciation Week Begins
Teacher Appreciation Week is usually celebrated during the first full week of May, which is May 3 to 7 this year. With the school year almost over, it is the perfect time to say thanks.
Kids can write a short note about their favorite moment in class, draw a picture, or bring in a single flower from the garden. A heartfelt note is often the gift teachers keep longest.
May 4 (Tuesday): Star Wars Day
May the Fourth be with you. Star Wars fans of all ages celebrate today with costumes, movie marathons, and some very questionable Yoda impressions. Start the morning with "Wookiee cookies" or pancakes shaped like BB-8.
Make pool-noodle lightsabers, build a cardboard X-wing, or design your own alien species and give it a home planet.
May 5 (Wednesday): Cinco de Mayo + Kodomo no Hi
Cinco de Mayo honors the Mexican army's 1862 victory at the Battle of Puebla, and LA celebrates it in a big way. Make tissue-paper flowers, try a simple papel picado craft, or cook tacos together. Our guide to family-friendly Cinco de Mayo events in Los Angeles is a good place to look for parades and performances.
Fiesta Broadway, often called the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in the country, takes place a little early this year. The official Fiesta Broadway site lists Sunday, April 25, 2027, on Broadway in downtown LA, free to the public.
May 5 is also Kodomo no Hi, Japan's Children's Day. Families fly carp-shaped koinobori windsocks to wish kids strength and good health. The Japanese American Cultural & Community Center in Little Tokyo has hosted a free Kodomo no Hi celebration in early May in recent years, with crafts, games, and performances. The 2027 date has not been announced yet, so check their website this spring.
May 6 (Thursday): LA County Fair Opens + National Nurses Day
Funnel cakes, farm animals, and carnival rides return to Pomona today. The LA County Fair is one of the biggest family outings of the spring, and it fills nearly the entire month.
Event: LA County Fair
Where: Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave.
Pomona, CA 91768
Dates: May 6 to 31, 2027
The fair is not necessarily open every day of its run, so check the official site for operating days, hours, and ticket prices before you go. Parent tip: Go early on a weekday if you can, bring sunscreen and refillable water bottles, and set a meeting spot in case anyone wanders off.
It is also National Nurses Day. Help kids make a thank-you card for a nurse in your family, at your pediatrician's office, or at a local hospital.
May 7 (Friday): Space Day
Space Day is celebrated on the first Friday in May, so tonight is all about the stars. Head up to Griffith Observatory, where admission to the building is free. It is open until 10 p.m. on Fridays, which makes it a great after-dinner outing.
Read our complete guide to Griffith Observatory for planning tips. At home, build a fruit solar system with a grapefruit sun and a peppercorn Mercury.
Week 2: May 8 to 14
May 8 (Saturday): Get Ready for Mother's Day + No Socks Day
Tomorrow is Mother's Day, so today is prep day. Partners and kids, this one is for you. Wrap gifts, make cards, and plan the breakfast menu so nobody is scrambling at 7 a.m.
Need ideas? Try our easy Mother's Day crafts for kids. It is also No Socks Day, so the whole crew can go barefoot in the grass while the paint dries.
May 9 (Sunday): Mother's Day
Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, grandmas, aunties, and mother figures who keep everything running. Breakfast in bed is a classic for a reason, even if it arrives with a little extra syrup on the tray.
Looking to start something new? Our list of heartwarming Mother's Day traditions to start with your family has sweet ideas, from a yearly photo to a memory jar. Prefer to eat out? See our picks for the best LA restaurants for Mother's Day brunch, and book early.
May 10 (Monday): Clean Up Your Room Day
After a weekend of celebrating, it is time to face the bedroom floor. Turn cleanup into a game: set a timer for 10 minutes, play a favorite song, and see how much everyone can put away before it ends.
Bonus challenge: each kid picks three toys they have outgrown to donate. It makes room for summer fun and teaches a little generosity along the way.
May 11 (Tuesday): Eat What You Want Day
Eat What You Want Day is the kind of holiday kids dream about. Let each child pick one meal today, within reason. Ice cream for breakfast once a year never hurt anyone. (Probably.)
Have kids help plan and shop for their chosen meal. You might be surprised when someone picks broccoli.
May 12 (Wednesday): Limerick Day
Limerick Day celebrates those silly five-line poems with a bouncy rhythm. Edward Lear, who made them famous, was born on May 12, 1812. Read a few of his nonsense poems out loud together.
Then challenge everyone to write a limerick about a family member or pet. "There once was a dog named Lou" is a strong start. Vote on the funniest at dinner.
May 13 (Thursday): Frog Jumping Day + National Apple Pie Day
Frog Jumping Day comes from Mark Twain's famous short story about a jumping frog contest in California. Fold origami jumping frogs and hold a family distance contest across the kitchen table.
Then reward the champions with apple pie, since today is National Apple Pie Day. Store-bought absolutely counts.
May 14 (Friday): Dance Like a Chicken Day
Yes, this is real. Dance Like a Chicken Day celebrates the famous "Chicken Dance" you probably remember from weddings and roller rinks. Put on the song and flap, cluck, and wiggle around the living room.
Film it for the grandparents, then keep the dance party going.
Week 3: May 15 to 21
May 15 (Saturday): California Strawberry Festival + Armed Forces Day
Strawberry shortcake, strawberry nachos, and pretty much anything else you can dip in chocolate: the California Strawberry Festival is a sweet weekend trip from LA.
Where: Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Blvd.
Ventura, CA 93001
Dates: Saturday and Sunday, May 15 and 16, 2027
Time: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Cost: Adults $15, seniors (62+) $10, youth (5 to 12) $8, kids 4 and under free
The festival includes Strawberryland for Kids, and tickets are sold at the gates (cash and cards accepted), per the official ticket page. The festival also notes free shuttles and nearby Amtrak and Metrolink access, so check their site for transit and parking before you head up the coast.
Today is also Armed Forces Day, which honors everyone currently serving, and National Chocolate Chip Day. Bake cookies and drop a few off for a military family you know.
May 16 (Sunday): Eid al-Adha + Love a Tree Day
Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, is expected on Sunday, May 16, or Monday, May 17, in 2027, depending on the sighting of the moon. Muslim families celebrate with prayers, new clothes, special meals, and sharing food with neighbors and people in need.
If your family celebrates, Eid Mubarak. If not, read a picture book about Eid together and talk about the tradition of sharing with others. It is also Love a Tree Day, so take a walk, find the biggest tree in your neighborhood, and try to hug it as a family.
May 17 (Monday): Pack Rat Day
Pack Rat Day is a cheeky reminder that we all hang on to too much stuff. Pull out the junk drawer, the art bin, or the overflowing shoe pile and sort it together.
Make three piles: keep, donate, and toss. Kids are surprisingly ruthless when they get to decide.
May 18 (Tuesday): International Museum Day
International Museum Day celebrates the role museums play in our communities, and LA has a treasure chest of them. Pick one your kids have never visited, whether it is about dinosaurs, art, cars, or space.
Our list of the best free museums in LA for kids makes it easy on the wallet. For more ideas, see our big guide to museums LA kids should explore.
May 19 (Wednesday): World Fair Play Day
Fair play is about playing by the rules, being a good sport, and cheering for the other team too. It is a great day for a family game night with an extra goal: everyone has to shake hands and say "good game" at the end.
Talk about how it feels to lose and how to win kindly.
May 20 (Thursday): World Bee Day + Pick Strawberries Day
World Bee Day celebrates the tiny pollinators that help grow so much of our food. Plant bee-friendly flowers like lavender, sage, or sunflowers in a pot, and watch for buzzing visitors.
Bees help strawberries grow, so it is fitting that today is also Pick Strawberries Day. Our guide to strawberry picking near Los Angeles lists farms worth the drive. Call ahead or check social media, since picking depends on the crop.
May 21 (Friday): Bike to Work Day (and Bike to School, Too)
National Bike to Work Day lands on the third Friday in May. If your kids can safely ride to school, today is a fun day to try it. If not, plan a family ride this weekend.
Check out our list of LA's best bike paths for families for flat, scenic routes. Parent tip: Do a quick helmet check before you go. It should sit level on the forehead and feel snug when your child shakes their head.
Week 4: May 22 to 28
May 22 (Saturday): Buy a Musical Instrument Day
Has your child been begging for a ukulele, a keyboard, or drums? (We are so sorry about the drums.) Buy a Musical Instrument Day is a good excuse to visit a local music store and let kids try a few.
Want to skip the purchase? Make homemade instruments instead. Rubber-band guitars, rice shakers, and pot-and-pan drum kits all count.
May 23 (Sunday): World Turtle Day
World Turtle Day celebrates turtles and tortoises and the effort to protect them. Read a turtle picture book together, or watch a documentary about sea turtle hatchlings racing to the ocean.
Want to see one up close? The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach has a sea turtle rehabilitation area. Our list of the best aquariums in Southern California has more ideas.
May 24 (Monday): National Escargot Day
We are not suggesting anyone eat snails for dinner, though adventurous eaters are welcome to try. Instead, take a garden snail safari after the sprinklers run or early in the morning.
Count how many snails you find, measure their trails, and draw what you see. Be gentle, wash hands afterward, and return every snail home.
May 25 (Tuesday): National Tap Dance Day + Towel Day
National Tap Dance Day honors the birthday of Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. Watch a few classic tap clips, then tape pennies to the bottom of old shoes and try your own shuffle-ball-change on the patio.
It is also Towel Day, a nod to a classic science fiction book. Our take: pack the beach towels for Memorial Day weekend. Our list of family-friendly beaches in and near Los Angeles will help you choose.
May 26 (Wednesday): Sally Ride Day + National Paper Airplane Day
Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, was born in Los Angeles on May 26, 1951. Celebrate by talking about her 1983 flight aboard the space shuttle Challenger and how she later worked to get more kids, especially girls, excited about science.
Then celebrate National Paper Airplane Day. Fold a few designs, test them in the hallway, and measure which one flies farthest. Add a paper clip to the nose and see what changes.
May 27 (Thursday): Sunscreen Day
Summer is just around the corner, and Sunscreen Day is a timely reminder. Check expiration dates, toss old bottles, and stock the beach bag before the long weekend.
Make it fun with a sunscreen song or a mirror check for missed spots. Our tips on how to stay sun-safe at the beach with kids cover hats, shade, and reapplying.
May 28 (Friday): Plan Your Memorial Day Weekend
The long weekend starts tonight. Gather the family and plan a mix of rest and adventure: one big outing, one lazy morning, and one backyard barbecue makes a nice balance.
Topanga Days, a community festival in Topanga Canyon, has traditionally been held on Memorial Day weekend with music, a parade, and a kids' fun zone. Dates for 2027 have not been announced yet, so check the Topanga Days website. Driving farther? Read our Memorial Day travel tips for families first.
Week 5: May 29 to 31
May 29 (Saturday): Fiesta Hermosa + Learn About Composting Day
Fiesta Hermosa, a beachside festival with music, a mini carnival, food, and makers, returns to Hermosa Beach for Memorial Day weekend.
Event: Fiesta Hermosa
Where: Hermosa Beach, CA
Dates: May 29 to 31, 2027
Check the official site closer to the date for hours, the event map, and parking and ADA information. Our Fiesta Hermosa guide has more planning tips.
It is also Learn About Composting Day. Start a small compost bin at home with fruit scraps and leaves, and let kids check on the worms.
May 30 (Sunday): Water a Flower Day
Give little gardeners a watering can and a job. Water the flowers, the potted herbs, and maybe each other if it is warm enough. Running through the sprinklers counts as gardening on a hot day.
Want a cool-off outing instead? Our list of splash pads in Los Angeles has free places to play. Check that the water is running before you go.
May 31 (Monday): Memorial Day
Memorial Day honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. LAUSD schools are closed. Many families visit a veterans cemetery, attend a local ceremony, or pause for the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time.
Talk with kids in simple, age-appropriate terms about what the day means. Then enjoy a family barbecue or beach day together. It is also the final day of the LA County Fair, so it is your last chance for a corn dog in Pomona.
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Takeaway
May holidays give families a reason to celebrate almost every day, from Star Wars lightsaber duels and paper airplane contests to strawberry festivals and Mother's Day breakfast in bed. Mix simple at-home ideas with a few special LA outings, and the last full month of the school year can feel playful instead of packed.
Bookmark this page, pick a handful of favorites, and save the rest for next year. We would love to hear which May holidays become new traditions in your house.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main May holidays in 2027?
The big ones are Star Wars Day (May 4), Cinco de Mayo (May 5), Mother's Day (Sunday, May 9), Armed Forces Day (May 15), Eid al-Adha (expected May 16 or 17), and Memorial Day (Monday, May 31). Teacher Appreciation Week is usually the first full week of May, which is May 3 to 7 this year.
When is Mother's Day 2027?
Mother's Day is always the second Sunday in May. In 2027, it falls on Sunday, May 9. Popular brunch spots in Los Angeles fill up fast, so make reservations a few weeks ahead.
When is Memorial Day 2027, and is school closed?
Memorial Day is Monday, May 31, 2027. LAUSD's 2026-27 calendar lists it as a no-school day, and the district's last day of school is Friday, June 4, 2027. Other districts set their own calendars, so check with your school.
When is the LA County Fair in 2027?
The official LA County Fair website lists May 6 to 31, 2027, at Fairplex in Pomona. Check the site for the days the fair is open, hours, and ticket prices before you go.
What fun national days in May are good for kids?
Kid favorites include Free Comic Book Day (traditionally the first Saturday in May), Star Wars Day (May 4), Frog Jumping Day (May 13), Dance Like a Chicken Day (May 14), National Chocolate Chip Day (May 15), World Bee Day (May 20), World Turtle Day (May 23), and National Paper Airplane Day (May 26).
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