14 Cool L.A. Events in May Every Angeleno Should Have on Their Radar

Need stuff to do this May in Los Angeles? Got you covered.

We looked ahead on our calendar to highlight some of the best events happening in May 2015 around Los Angeles that you should probably have on your radar. After all, better to get your tickets now than wait till the last minute and find out your favorite event is sold out.

1. Free Comic Book Day

As the name implies, Free Comic Book Day is special day held annually on the first Saturday in May when participating comic book specialty shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their shops. Free comics, sales and live festivities will be in line at The Blastoff Comic Fest, Meltdown Comics, Golden Apple Comics, and dozens of other specialty shops all over the Southland.

2. Tote Bag Night at Dodger Stadium

Sure you could go see the Dodgers play the Diamondbacks on May 2 because they’re in first place in their division and playing some of the best baseball in the majors… but the real reason is to grab a Dodgers reusable tote bag that you rep the boys in blue with all year long when you do your grocery shopping. Even better is that you can purchase tickets for the game at discounted prices via our friends at Goldstar (starting at $20).

3. The Pancake and Booze Art Show

The Pancake and Booze Art Show is an L.A. based pop-up art show first established in 2009 where you can expect to see anywhere from 50 to 150 local artists on display, live music, live canvas and body painting performances, and best of all, free all-you-can-eat pancakes! Tickets are just $5. Will be held May 1-2 in the Arts District.

4. Cinco De Mayo in L.A.

If you’re keen on celebrating Cinco De Mayo this year, there’s always plenty of options in the city of angels. Fiesta Broadway is a mile-long street fair in Downtown L.A. complete with Mexican music, games, and cuisine that’s happening in late April. There’s also a celebration in El Pueblo on Olivera Street you can check out.

5. California Jazz and Wine Fest

On Sunday, May 17 head up to Thousand Oaks for an afternoon of chill music, premium wines, microbrews and delicious local food trucks. The event is put on by the Rotary club and a portion of the proceeds will go to music-education non-profits in the area. Tickets are just $30 if you buy via Goldstar!

6. Nightmare on Elm Street 3 at Elysian Park

This screening of the (surprisingly decent) third installment of the Elm Street series include prizes, merchandise, hair-raising cameos from the Great Horror Campout monsters and plenty of photo opportunities. I strongly advise purchasing the VIP package to the screening via Goldstar ($15) which includes a free soda and VIP reserved seating section, and VIP admission that lets you cut the line. Bonus!

Event is May 9. Doors open at 6:00pm, movie at 7:30pm

7. Movies at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Speaking of outdoor movies, the folks over at Cinespia have a full slate of screenings scheduled to play at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in May. Here’s the full list (including links for $14 tickets):

May 9: Animal House
May 16: Mulholland Dr.
May 23: Close Encounters of the Third Kind
May 24: Dazed and Confused (Sold Out)
May 30: Vertigo

And if outdoor movies are your thing, both Eat|See|Hear and Street Food Cinema are starting up their summer lineups in May as well!

8. A Super Saturday of Shoppping in Santa Monica

Ladies, be advised: Super Saturday is a day-long designer sale at the Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica airport. Shoppers will find super deals on luxe fashion, beauty, and home items (many for half of the suggested retail price). The best part is 100% of the proceeds from the event go to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Takes place May 16 from 12pm-5pm.

9. Disneyland 60th Anniversary

Ever feel the need to spend an entire 24 hours at Disneyland? Well, to celebrate the Magic Kingdom’s 60 anniversary the park will be open for 24 hours straight on May 22-23. The all-day/all-night celebration will begin at 6am on Friday, May 22 and will conclude 24 hours later at 6am. on Saturday, May 23.

10. The West Coast BBQ Classic

The fourth annual West Coast BBQ Classic takes place on the Queen Mary on May 9 from 11am-6pm. The event features 60 top bbq pit masters, live entertainment and $2 BBQ tastings.

11. Vegan Beer Fest

On May 16 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena come experienc best of the regions craft beer, vegan eats, and live music at the 6th Annual Los Angeles Vegan Beer and Food Festival. Entry gets you unlimited pours from 40 breweries featuring over 100 different beers. Pre-sale tickets are $50-$80 (jumps to $65-$95 if you buy on day of the event).

12. Echo Park Craft Fair

Mother’s Day weekend at Mack Sennett Studios is going to be craft-tastic with the return of the Echo Park Craft Fair. Check out creations from local artisans including handmade art, textiles, jewelry, ceramics, weavings and tons other of handmade, one-of-a-kind items. Held May 9 (10am-6pm) and May 10 (10a-5pm). Tickets are $8 per day or $12 for a weekend pass.

13. Priceless Art at Incognito

Santa Monica’s annual art benefit sale, Incognito, returns May 2 and provides a unique opportunity to get one-of-a-kind artwork from contemporary masters. Here’s the premise: hundred’s of pieces on display, none of them are labeled, all priced exactly the same. The artist’s identity is only revealed after the purchase, meaning if you have the right eye you might be able to spot an artwork that’s significantly more valuable than the sale price. Proceeds go to the Santa Monica Museum of Art.

14. CicLAvia Pasadena

L.A.’s massive open streets initiative comes to Old Town Pasadena on May 31 from 9am-4pm. Not sure what a CicLAvia is? We Like L.A.’s cycling czar Zachary Rynew profiled the CicLAvia organization and its history by way of introduction for the uninitiated.

What are you looking forward to doing in L.A. this May? Let us know in the comments below!