6 pm: Family

The Pasadena POPS Orchestra’s “Children’s Carnival and Concert” will feature young pianists, a cellist and a young vocalist performing Saint-Saens’ “Carnival of the Animals,” Berlioz’s “Roman Carnival Overture,” selections from Bob Merrill’s musical “Carnival” and more. The carnival following the 45-minute performance will feature educational booths, refreshments and a musical instrument “petting zoo.”

* “Children’s Carnival and Concert,” Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Can~ada. Recommended for children ages 6 and up. $15; $10 for children 14 and under. (626) 792-POPS.

8 pm: Theater

“Rent,” Jonathan Larson’s bittersweet musical hit inspired by Puccini’s “La Boheme,” opened this week for a limited run through Aug. 16 at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

* “Rent,” Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays-Sundays, 2 p.m. Ends Aug. 16. $21-$52.50. (714) 740-7878, (213) 365-3500.

8:15 pm: Pop Music

In the summer of the teen tour, the echoes of screaming fans at Hanson’s recent Hollywood Bowl concert have barely died down, and now it’s time for another top adolescent attraction, the more R&B-minded; Backstreet Boys.

* The Backstreet Boys, with Aaron Carter, Universal Amphitheatre, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City. $29.50. (818) 622-4440.

11 am: Family

The Great American Train Show promises to bring out the child in everyone. More than 10,000 model trains will be on display at the Fairplex in Pomona for collectors, enthusiasts and the curious. There will also be a special train setup for kids to operate.

* Great American Train Show, Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., the Fairplex, White and McKinley avenues, Pomona. Adults, $5; children under 12, free. (630) 834-0652.

8 pm: Swing Music

Former Stray Cat Brian Setzer is purring again these days, as his once-quixotic goal of leading a big band has landed him at the center of the thriving swing revival scene.

* The Brian Setzer Orchestra, Greek Theatre, 2700 Vermont Canyon Road, Griffith Park. (213) 480-3232.

Noon: Family

The Pacific Asia Museum’s Different Drummers Festival will celebrate world percussion with children’s workshops in musical instrument making, Japanese taiko drumming, African storytelling, gourd decorating and printmaking. Featured artists will include the Adaawe women’s percussion ensemble, Kim Eung-Hwa’s L.A. Dance Academy, Cheremoya, Rasheed Ali and Rain People, the Taiko Center of Los Angeles, the East Indian Vibhav Pathak and the Tropical Percussioners steel drum ensemble.

* Different Drummers Festival, noon-7 p.m. Memorial Park, Raymond Avenue and Holly Street, Pasadena. Free. (626) 449-2742.

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Freebie: Beacon House Block Party for the family, San Pedro, 10 a.m.-dusk. Also Sunday. (310) 514-4940.