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The move into May is bringing some of our favorite seasonal events and series back into focus. Let’s take a look!
On tap for this April 28 to May 2 in Los Angeles, you’ll find Meet the Grunion at Marine Cabrillo Aquarium, a Spring Exhibitions Opening at The Skirball, the return of Friday night Jazz at LACMA, a Cinco de Mayo Mercado in San Gabriel, UCLA First Thursdays, the debut of the 2025 L.A. County Fair, and more.
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Things To Do This Week
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Dodgers Watch Party: Japanese Heritage Night – M FA > Swing over to Ovation Hollywood on Monday for a free watch party to celebrate Dodgers Japanese Heritage Night as the Boys in Blue take on the Marlins. The slate of entertainment includes live taiko drumming, a beer garden, cultural exhibits, and a special giveaway from Japan House LA. Party starts at 6 p.m. First pitch is 7:10 p.m. More info here.
Sound Bath & Lunch at JACCC’s Japanese Garden – M > The Japanese American Cultural & Community Center in Little Tokyo hosts a sound bath and lunch on Monday set in its tranquil Japanese garden, where lush greenery and a cascading waterfall create the perfect retreat. The experience begins with a 60-minute sound bath led by holistic practitioner Iris Esmerelda, designed to promote deep relaxation through healing vibrations. Afterward, guests can enjoy lunch in the garden with offerings like Tofu Katsu Sandos, Brown Butter Hojicha Cookies, and matcha drinks made with Uji tea leaves from Kyoto. Tickets are $35 per person. Food and beverages are available for purchase. More info here.
Meet the Grunion -> This Tuesday, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro hosts another edition of Meet the Grunion, a unique nighttime experience where you’ll learn about these silvery fish before heading to the beach to (hopefully) witness their fascinating mating ritual. As the waves roll in, the grunion briefly emerge onshore before disappearing back into the ocean—a true natural spectacle. Tickets cost $7 per adult and $3 for seniors and kids. Starts at 9 p.m. More info here.
Dance Revolution in DTLB – M FA > Every Tuesday through May, the Downtown Long Beach Alliance is hosting free dance classes and bringing you a wide variety of dance styles and instructors. No experience needed—just show up and groove! Runs 6 to 8 p.m. More info here.
Spring Exhibitions Opening at The Skirball -> – FA TP > This spring, the Skirball Cultural Center will have a pair of new exhibitions on offer: Jack Kirby: Heroes and Humanity and Away in the Catskills: Summers, Sour Cream, and Dirty Dancing. They’ll both debut during an evening affair this Wednesday, where the public can enjoy after-hours access to the galleries plus a DJ set, sips and snacks for purchase, and artists and curators on hand. The following day (Thursday), the exhibitions officially open to the public with a day of special spotlight tours. Best part? Both opening night and opening day are free to attend with registration. And if reservations are booked up for opening night, keep in mind that walk-ups are welcome too! More info here.
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The Getty Center Presents: Poetry in the Garden – FA > Live readings are back at The Getty Center’s Central Garden for this month as the annual Poetry in the Garden series returns with a new lineup of poets, spread over three dates in April. Artists will share original works inspired by the upcoming exhibition, What They Saw: Historical Photobooks by Women, 1843–1999. This Wednesday’s performance starts at 2 p.m. and features a reading by Solange Aguilar. More info here.
UCLA First Thursdays – FA > UCLA First Thursdays is back with a spring soiree this Thursday evening from 7 to 10 p.m. at Broxton Plaza. The event features an array of hands-on and activities and live performances from UCLA affiliated clubs and musical groups. Free to attend! More info here.
Autry After Hours: May Music Nights & Cowboy Cocktails -> On Thursday, head to the Autry to enjoy live music on the plaza, sip on cocktails and partake in fun games. Mike’s Country Dancing will be hosting a pair of line dancing sessions as well. Tickets cost $18 and also include after-hours museum access. More info here.
Jazz at LACMA – FA > The Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s annual Friday Night Jazz series returns on May 2, offering free weekly concerts at Smidt Welcome Plaza. The musical lineup kicks off with a performance by the Tony Austin Quartet. PLUS: Remember that LACMA is free to visit for L.A. County Residents (with I.D.) on weekdays after 3 p.m. Concert starts at 6 p.m. More info here.
First Fridays x Mercado MOCA – M FA TP > This Friday, the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA invites the public to celebrate Latinx and Chicanx culture with a full day filled with music, food, and a marketplace featuring 50+ local BIPOC vendors. Admission to the museum will also be free. Runs from 2 to 8 p.m. More info here.
Frogtown First Fridays – FA > Frogtown First Fridays is back to kick off the month of May. 16 particpating venues adjacent to the L.A. River Path will hosting activations, including galleries, restaurants and shops. Guests can see new art exhibits, enjoy free or low-cost art activities, giveaways, DJ’s and live music. Runs 5 to 10 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
NHM First Fridays – M > Natural History Museum’s signature monthly series returns this Friday with a season-long emphasis on experiencing sound they call AMPLIFIED. The event includes DJ sets in the nature garden, pop-up sound experiences throughout the museum, plus a discussion on the science behind healing sounds. First Fridays run 5 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $25. More info here.
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L.A. County Fair -> Starting this Friday, the L.A. County Fair returns to Pomona for its annual assortment of activities, musical performances, food and beverage offerings, rides, and more. After the Friday opener, the fair continues Thursday to Sunday through the rest of the month plus Monday, May 26. Single day, advance tickets start at $18.50-$27.50 for adults. More info here.
Half-O-Ween – M > We’re halfway to Halloween, so naturally Street Food Cinema thinks it’s the perfect time to host a scary movie night at Heritage Square Museum. This Friday, Half-O-Ween invites guests to enjoy graveyard carnival games, tours of historic Victorian homes, food trucks, and a costume contest, all leading up to a featured screening of The Craft. Then on Saturday it’s a repeat of the series but with Final Destination on the movie bill. Doors open for both nights at 5:30 p.m. GA tickets start at $37.36 (including fees). More info here.
Cinco de Mayo Mercado – FA > The City of San Gabriel celebrates Cinco de Mayo this Friday with an evening affair in the Mission District featuring live music, crafts, food, activities for kids and a beer and cocktail garden presented by Pez Cantina. Admission is free. Runs 5:30 to 8:55 p.m. More info here.
First Fridays in Chinatown – M FA > L.A.’s Chinatown stays open late on Friday for an evening of exploring the unique small businesses, restaurants, bars and contemporary art and culture spaces that make up the historic neighborhood. The May edition of First Fridays runs from 5 to 11 p.m. at Central Plaza and 6 to 10 p.m. at Chung King Plaza. Free to attend, as always. More info here.
First Fridays in Bixby Knolls – FA > The next edition of at First Fridays in Bixby Knolls will be a “Arte de Mayo” event celebrating the culture and creativity of Mexico, with activations at businesses and art venues along Atlantic Ave. Expect tasty eats, micheladas, live Mariachi performances and a special artist showcase. Runs 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
BeachLife Festival -> This Friday to Sunday, BeachLife Music Festival returns to Redondo Beach for a three-day extravaganza. Headliners include Alanis Morissette, Sublime, Lenny Kravitz and many more. Tickets start at $199 a person. More info here.
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Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Happy Hour Lands at Teleferic Barcelona -> Teleferic Barcelona brings happy hour to its Brentwood and Long Beach locations, offering deals Monday through Thursday from 2–4 p.m. Snack on Spanish favorites like ham croquetas and patatas bravas for just $4.50, fresh oysters for $2.50, and chicken empanadas for $7.50. Craving something heartier? Grab a small portion of their Paella Mixta for $13. Pair your bites with $8 craft cocktails, Spanish wines priced at $8–$12, or a refreshing glass of sangria for $6.50.
AAPI Heritage Month Menu at Be Bright Coffee -> Local favorite Be Bright Coffee kicks off Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a special limited-time menu launching May 1. Sip on creative drinks like the Vietnamase cà phê trứng (an Americano topped with egg cream and cocoa powder), a cozy misugaru latte featuring Korean roasted mixed grain powder, and a vibrant Filipino inspired pandan ube latte.
A New Dining Experience at Eataly -> Los Angeles’s Eataly is reimagining its La Pizza & La Pasta restaurant with a new regionally focused program spotlighting Italy’s most iconic cities. Through a series of limited-run menus, guests can experience the unique culinary traditions of Italy’s many regions, with each menu featured for eight weeks. The series kicks off April 28 with a celebration of Rome and the surrounding Lazio region. Highlights include Eataly’s takes on Roman classics: crispy supplì, fried artichokes served tableside with a creamy Cacio e Pepe sauce, indulgent pastas like Rigatoni alla Carbonara and Fettuccine “Alfredo” Burro e Parmigiano Reggiano® DOP, and crispy Polpette Fritte made from housemade pork and beef meatballs. More info here.
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