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The Dodgers home opener is less than a week away, the 2024 L.A. Marathon is in the books, and botanical gardens in bloom from La Cañada Flintridge to the South Bay. Spring has sprung in the city of angels, and that means a bountiful season of free to-dos.
Below, we’ve got two dozen solid ideas to mark on your calendar over the coming months, ranging from annual concert series and festivals to book fairs, open streets events, free museum days, art walks, and community celebrations. There’s a lot happening this spring you’ll want to see and do in Los Angeles. Let’s go over your options below.
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Spring Freebie Around Los Angeles
SoCal Museums Free-For-All (March 23) -> SoCal Museums annual free-for-all takes place on Saturday, March 23 and will see some thirty museums participating in the annual promo, including the Getty Center, LACMA, La Brea Tar Pits Museum, The GRAMMY Museum, and more. Free tickets can be reserved through each individual museum’s website, but some locations may fully book. Be sure to check in advance! More info here.
The Brewery Artwalk (March 23-24) -> The twice annual open studio weekend at the Brewery Art Complex returns for a two-day event featuring dozens of participating artists showcasing their works. Free to attend. Runs 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. More info here.
Listening by the Moonrise (March 24) -> Clockshop presents Reading and Listening by Moonrise to mark the closing of the underpinning by artist Rodrigo Valenzuela at Los Angeles State Historic Park, featuring performances by poet Cynthia Dewi Oka, musician Nailah Hunter, and DJ Xica Soul. More info here.
City of STEM + LA Maker Faire (April 6) -> City of STEM the biggest festival of science, technology, engineering and math in Los Angeles and Los Angeles Maker Faire, the region’s largest gathering of creative thinkers will both take place at LA Historic Park on April 6. The event features free STEM activities and special guests and participants like science influencer Tutor Tori, to PBS and major museums. More info here.
Corgi Beach Day (April 6) -> Corgis, costumes, cuteness. It’ll be there at the annual Corgi Beach Day, taking place at Huntington Dog Beach. Expect special vendors, food trucks, costumes, and plenty of photo ops, whether you’re there with your pup or just want to see the spectacle of it all. The event is free to attend. More info here.
Ivy Station Night Market Spring Fling (April 12) -> Ivy Station’s monthly Friday night market turns into a “spring fling” for April featuring over 25 local vendors mixed with food trucks, craft beer, games, and music. Runs 5 to 10 p.m.
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Spring Concert & Festival at Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Park (April 14) -> The Valley Cultural Center is co-producing a special night at Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Park featuring a “Beatles vs. Stones” cover band battle plus food trucks and special activities for kids. Runs 4 to 8 p.m. More info here.
College Night at The Getty Center (April 15) -> The Getty Center’s annual edition of College Night returns on April 15. The one-night affair features after-hours access The Getty’s galleries plus a pop-up installation by Jordan Eagles, DJ sets, hands-on activities, tours, and more. Must be 18+ to attend and a a college student with current I.D. More info here.
LA Times Festival of Books (April 20-21) -> The 29th Los Angeles Times Festival of Books returns to the campus of USC this April featuring over book and merchandise exhibitors, a number of outdoor stages and activity areas, expert panels, performances, demos, and more. More info here.
49th Annual Bunka Sai Festival (April 20-21) -> The 49th Annual Bunka Sai Festival comes to Torrance with a weekend of cultural activities that include performances, demos, tea ceremony and calligraphy lessons. More info here.
Grand Park Easy Mornings (April 20 & 27) -> Grand Park’s Easy Mornings programming returns this April with a pair of Saturday events featuring relaxing, family-friendly activities focused on deepening relationships with self, community, and the park. Both days run 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Bob Baker Day (April 21) -> The 10th annual Bob Baker Day brings a festive carnival atmosphere to Los Angeles State Historic Park, including music, games, and puppets from the Bob Baker Marionette Theater. The event is free to attend, but suggested donations of $20 are happily accepted to support the theater’s mission. Runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. RSVP is required. More info here.
FOLAR Earth Day Extravangza (April 21) -> Experience an Earth Day Extravaganza hosted by Friends of the Los Angeles River (FoLAR). This event offers a day packed with environmental themed festivities and community engagement along the Los Angeles River. Whether exploring the riverbanks, participating in cleanup efforts, or indulging in local food and music, there’s something for everyone at this lively Earth Day celebration. More info here.
CicLAvia (April 21 & May 19) L.A.’s signature open streets event series offers two date on the spring calendar, including a 5.75-mile course along Venice Blvd on April 21 pls a “mini” 2.25 course in Wilmington on May 19. More info here.
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Very Special Arts Festival Community Day (April 27) -> The Music Center’s Very Special Arts Festival is an annual free, inclusive event celebrating the artistic achievements of students with all abilities. The festival features student and professional performances, visual and performing arts workshops and a student art exhibit created around a theme that is introduced to the students each year. Runs 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. More info here.
The 14th Eclectic Music Festival & Art Crawl (April 27) -> The South Pasadena festival returns with dozens of diverse musical acts on stages and intimate venues all across town. An array of other activities are also on the dock including open galleries, beer and wine gardens, family friendly things to do, food trucks, an Artisans’ Alley marketplace and a South Pas Vintage Village. More info here.
Jackalope Pasadena (April 27-28) -> Jackalope brings its artisan market back to Central Park in Old Pasadena for a two-day event showcasing over 200 local vendors selling indie goods, clothing, jewelry, home decor, housewares, art, photography, and food. Outdoors. All-ages. Free to attend. Get more info here.
Active Streets (April 28) -> Formerly 626 Golden Streets the open streets initiative returns with a route from Mission street in South Pasadena to Mission Drive in San Gabriel, allowing bicyclists and pedestrians to navigate the roads car-free. There will be hubs featuring live entertainment, food and special activities along the way. Free to attend. Runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. More info here.
Fiesta Broadway (April 28) -> Four blocks of Broadway (between 1st and 5th) come alive for a Cinco de Mayo celebration featuring multiple concert stages, vendor booths, games, sports activities and a play area for kids. Runs 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. More info here.
Yes, KAWAII is Art -EXPRESS YOURSELF- at Japan House LA (starting May 2) -> The newest exhibition at Japan House LA debuts on May 2, offering an thoughtful look at the origins of the colorful kawaii style, its development and its profound cultural significance, transcending its perception as a fashion look or trend. Free to view, open daily through November 3. More info here.
Jazz at LACMA (starting May 3) -> The Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s annual Friday Night Jazz series returns on May 3, offering free weekly concerts at Smidt Welcome Plaza through November. And remember that LACMA is free to visit for L.A. County Residents (with I.D.) on weekdays after 3 p.m. More info here.
Museums of the Arroyo Day (May 5) -> Five museums and historic homes along the Arroyo Seco offer free admission for the annual Museums of The Arroyo Day, on Sunday, May 5. Participants include The Gamble House, Heritage Square, the L.A. Police Museum, the Lummis Home, and the Pasadena Museum of History. Free shuttles connect museums for those who want to visit multiple locations. Runs noon to 5 p.m., with last admission at 4 p.m. More info here.
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Summer of Salsa at LA Plaza (starting May 10) LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes brings back their annual salsa series starting on May 10 with a performance by Rumbankete. Concerts continue monthly through September, and all are free to attend. More info here.
Community & Unity People’s Kite Festival (May 11) Head to Los Angeles State Historic Park on for the 4th Annual Community & Unity People’s Kite Festival. Hosted by Clockshop, expect demos from kite masters, special workshops, curated snacks for purchase, and tons of colorful kites sailing through the sky. Free to attend, and donations welcome. Runs 2 to 6 p.m. More info here.
More Series to Keep on Your Radar
Need more? Some of L.A.’s best annual event series that pop up on at the tail-end of spring have yet to announce their schedules for 2024. Among those you might want to bookmark / keep in mind:
- The Music Center’s Dance DTLA
- Grand Performances
- Moonlight Movies on the Beach in Long Beach
- Off the 405 at The Getty
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