Yes, it’s time to celebrate the mothers in our lives and the special people who also had our backs. But you don’t have to shell out big bucks for an expensive and crowded brunch. Here are some ideas that won’t cost you anything at all.
May 3 — Palmdale: If you’re feeling blue, head to the 3rd Bereaved Mothers Day Gathering for support and sharing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. sponsored by the Erick A Garcia You Are Enough Foundation. This is to honor the love of a child gone too soon, whether during pregnacy, infancy, childhood or adulthood. The event will include food, refreshments and a memorial activity. Location: 837 East Avenue Q-9, Palmdale. Please RSVP at eventbrite.com/e/3rd-bereaved-mothers-day-gathering-tickets-1987643473134
May 5 — North Hollywood: Make the mom in your life a special keepsake or jewelry box that you can decorate and take home, from an unfinished wooden box. All materials will be provided. This is at 2 p.m. at the Amelia Earhart Library, 5211 Tujunga Ave., North Hollywood. It’s a good idea to call and inquire if you need to sign up, or at least get there early.lapl.org/whats-on/events/painted-jewelry-box
May 6 — East Los Angeles: Enjoy a special Mother’s Day family tea party from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Learn about tea ceremonies in different cultures through books and a live presentation. Wear a fancy hat if you like, or just come. This is located in the Community Meeting Room of the East L.A. library. 4837 E. 3rd St., East Los Angeles. visit.lacountylibrary.org/event/16134962
May 8 — Los Angeles: Take part in a candle decorating event for Mother’s Day at Exposition Park. Visit the Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Regional Branch Library at 4 p.m. to decorate a Mother’s Day candle. Materials will be available. This is an adult activity and reservations are required. 3900 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles. lapl.org/whats-on/events/candle-decorating-mothers-day-diy
May 8-10 — Anaheim: Stop by for a photo opportunity at the Anaheim Mother’s Day Celebration Market 2026. It runs daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Ponderosa Park Family Resource Center. In addition to the Mother’s Day themed photo backdrops, there will be stuff to buy from local artisans and other vendors and special foods, including floral arrangements, candles, beauty products, jewelry and more. 320 East Orangewood Ave., Anaheim. eventbrite.com/e/anaheim-mothers-day-celebration-market-2026-tickets-1984179760075
May 9 — Corona: What says Mother’s Day more than martial arts? Check out Mother’s Day on the Mat — a special jiu-jitsu class at EDJ Academy. Moms and kids can train together at this special one-hour-long class starting at 10 a.m. No experience required. EDJ School of Jiu Jitsu, 210 Dupont St., Corona. Sign up here: eventbrite.com/e/mothers-day-on-the-mat-special-jiu-jitsu-class-at-edj-academy-tickets-1987362200841
May 9 — Costa Mesa: Visit the Macy’s store at South Coast Plaza for a special celebration from 1 to 5 p.m. Get a free Lego flower kit, Godiva chocolates, Starbucks drinks, macarons, mocktail “Mom-tinis” and more. While supplies last. There’s also free gift wrapping. 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa eventbrite.com/e/mothers-day-celebration-saturday-south-coast-plaza-tickets-1985947360014
May 9 — Garden Grove: Celebrate moms and other special people at the Mother’s Day Concert in the Park from 4 to 7 p.m. at Haster Basin Recreation Area. Bring your folding chairs and blankets and prepare to enjoy two live bands, kids activities, community vendors, food trucks and more. Bands scheduled include the Selena tribute band Anything for Salinas and the Taylor Swift tribute band, New Romantics. Well-behaved pets are welcome on short leashes. Get there early for a good view. You can park free at three places: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 12742 Lampson Ave.; Lampson Elementary School, 13321 Lampson Ave. (with free shuttle service); and CalOptima Health, 500 City Parkway West, Orange (with free shuttle). ocparks.com/news/celebrate-mothers-day-free-concert-haster-basin-recreation-area-may-9
May 9 — Newhall: Enjoy a special nature center open house at the Placerita Canyon State Park in the San Gabriel Mountain foothills from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be gold panning, animal presentations, native plants for sale, a treasure hunt and family crafts and games. Event parking is at the Disney Ranch Lot, 19802 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall, with free shuttle service. On Tuesdays through Sundays, the park offers oak woodlands, bird walks, a hummingbird garden, nature center, a seasonal stream and miles of trails, open from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. One trail is wheelchair-friendly. The park located at 19152 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall. placerita.org
May 9 — Sun Valley: Craft a beautiful fresh flower bouquet or potted succulent for your mother — or moms can do it for themselves. Also create a Mother’s Day card to bring along. This is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sun Valley branch library. Flowers, succulents, and potting containers and supplies are provided by Waste Management. Call the Sun Valley Branch at 818-764-1338 to learn more. Sun Valley Branch – Los Angeles Public Library, 7935 Vineland Ave. L.A. lapl.org/whats-on/events/flowers-mom
May 10 — Claremont: Mothers get in free to the beautiful 86-acre California Botanic Garden on May 10. California Botanic Garden is the largest dedicated exclusively to the state’s native plants and works to conserve native and rare species. Open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Click online to reserve your free tickets at calbg.org/event/milkweeds-monarchs-moms. (Only Mom is free). The Grow Native Nursery is also having a special event that day. 1500 N College Ave., Claremont. 909- 625-8767.
May 10 — Costa Mesa: Does Mom like art? The Orange County Museum of Art is always free to visit at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and there’s a 1 p.m. free guided tour on May 10. Meet in the atrium. This institution — now called the UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art — is on the Segerstrom Center for the Arts campus and was designed by award-winning architect Thom Mayne of Morphosis Studios. The collection includes thousands of pieces on rotating exhibit. Open Wednesdays-Sundays. 3333 Avenue of the Arts, Costa Mesa. Adjacent paid parking. ocma.art
May 10 — Long Beach: Enjoy live music from 1 to 5 p.m. on Mother’s Day at Shoreline Village. There will also be a flower wall display to take your own family photos and food and drink specials at the various restaurants. The folk-rock band Illunis plays on the waterfront 1-5 p.m. near the shops and restaurants. Snag a bench or maybe even bring your own chair and enjoy. 429 Shoreline Village Drive, Long Beach. shorelinevillage.com/mothers-day-shoreline-village-2026/
May 10 — Redlands: Enjoy some fresh air and live music for Mother’s Day at Mountain Grove Food Courts. Bring your chair and a blanket for music featuring Kennedy Rose from 5 to 7 p.m. At Citrus Plaza and Mountain Grove Shopping Centers, 27530 West Lugonia Ave., Redlands. eventbrite.com/e/live-music-for-mothers-day-at-mountain-grove-food-courts-tickets-1985176132251
May 10 — Simi Valley: Take your favorite mother on an easy hike Sunday — almost a stroll really — through the 13-acre Rocky Pointe Natural Park in Simi Valley, a beautiful area of sandstone rock outcroppings near neighborhoods and roads. The hike’s only two-thirds of a mile round-trip with little elevation gain, suitable for most people. You could encounter other hikers, horseback riders, trail runners and mountain bikers. You can bring your leashed pooch. Very little shade, so wear a hat and bring plenty of water. Wear sturdy footwear. Look for Kuehner Drive and Smith Road in Simi Valley. rsrpd.org/business_detail_T9_R67.php
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