The 8th annual month-long Festival of Children begins Friday, September 4, at South Coast Plaza, offering over 100 free family activities and events including live music and dance performances, celebrity appearances, and arts and crafts. The festival offers over 80 children’s charities a free opportunity to educate the community on current projects and outreach to potential donors, volunteers, and fellow organizations. Charities range from larger organizations such as the Girl Scouts of America, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Easter Seals of Southern California, to developing and local charities including Kids Konnected, Irvine Fine Arts, and Friends of Santa Ana Zoo. (877/492-KIDS, www.festivalofchildren.org)    JANE SHIOMI