Posted by Los Angeles provides no limit of things to do, some awesome and some not so awesome. Since time is precious in this fast paced city, we decided to curate a list of things to do in Los Angeles every week end that’ll help you decide how you want to spend your limited supply of attention (not to mention dollars!).
This weekend (May 20 to May 22) includes a wine fest at Union Station, a bug fair at NHM , free rides on the Expo Line, a free concert at The Getty, a new pop-up park in Hollywood, the Beverly Hills Art Show, and LOTS more to choose from.
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So grab some friends or go at it alone, but most importantly have fun and enjoy yourself!
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Friday May 20th, 2016
1. A Brand New Pop-Up Park Opening Ceremony
Hollywood Pop! is a semi-permanent park like installation in Hollywood. On Friday a opening ceremony will be held featuring interactive stations, a photo booth, and refreshments by Sweetgreen. Come check out the colorful space it’s Instagram worthy!
2. Field of Dreams screens at Skirball
Skirball Cultural Center’s monthly outdoor screening series Take Me Out to the Movies continues this May with a special screening of Field of Dreams complete with DJ’d music, ballpark themed snacks like cracker jacks and hot dogs, plus full access to the Skirball galleries. We spot discount tickets over at Goldstar for this event!
3. Metro Offering Free Rides for Expo Line Extension Grand Opening!
Take a ride on the brand spanking new Metro this Friday and Saturday. The free rides will be on the entire Expo Line, from 7th St/Metro Center to Downtown Santa Monica, starting at noon on Friday.
4. BioBlitz Week + Festival at Paramount Ranch
Santa Monica Mountains is hosting a BioBlitz during the National Park Service’s centennial year with a week long of public biological survey events. There’s also a free BioBlitz Festival at Paramount Ranch this Friday!
5. 13th Annual Taste of Malibu
Taking place right off PCH at Duke’s Malibu this food event is presented by the Malibu Chamber of Commerce and features unlimited local wine and food tastings.
6. Sci-Fest
The third annual Sci-Fest will take over the ACME Theatre from May 5-29 for a series of one-act science fiction plays featuring familiar faces from fantasy and sci-fi franchises.
7. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon at the Million Dollar Theatre
Celebrate LA Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with a movie screening in a really cool place. Ang Lee’s Academy Award winning Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon will be screening in 35mm inside the dazzling Million Dollar Theatre in Downtown. Get more information and discount tickets via Goldstar.
8. The Gourmandise School of Sweets & Savories Free Demo: The Perfect Cookie
To celebrate the schools 5th year anniversary in Santa Monica The Gourmandise School will provide a free demo on how to bake the perfect cookie with classic flavors like chocolate chunk, and the school’s signature whole grain hazelnut chocolate cookie. All you need to do is rsvp.
9. Odd Nights At The Autry
Shop from over 200 vendors dine on over 20 gourmet food trucks and hang out at the beer garden and watch live local bands all at the free monthly Odd Nights At The Autry.
10. Free Shark Lagoon Nights At The Aquarium of the Pacific
Get up close with the ocean’s ultimate predators for FREE during Shark Lagoon Nights.
11. The Unauthorized Musical Parody of The Big Lebowski
Watch the Coen Brothers’ classic comedy The Big Lebowski in musical form starting this Thursday through July 22 at The Rockwell Table & Stage. Get more information and discount tickets via Goldstar.
12. Piatigorsky International Cello Festival
The International Cello Festival (May 13 – 22) brings out some of the best master cellists from around the world onto various Los Angeles spaces to share their talents through orchestral concerts, chamber music performances, master classes, and other events.
13. Orange County Greek Festival
The annual Greek fair will run all weekend, expect merchandise vendors, tons of food, drinks, live entertainment and carnival like activities. Taking place at St. John Greek Orthodox Church in Anaheim the fair cost $3.
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14. SUPERSTAR Screening with Molly Shannon In Person!
Watch SNL darling and Catholic schoolgirl Mary Katherine Gallagher in 35mm! A discussion with director Bruce McCulloch and actress Molly Shannon will follow. Plus a Catholic schoolgirl costume contest and a pop-up taco stand. yum.
15. SPLENDID and ELLA MOSS Warehouse Sale
SPLENDID and ELLA MOSS are hosting a warehouse sale at The Cooper Building. Shop up to 90% off retail prices for women, men, tween, toddler and baby. Taking place Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: The Cooper Building, 860 11th Floor S. Los Angeles Street LA, CA 90014
16. Sounds on South Lake
Join the city of Pasadena every Friday this month for Sounds on South Lake, a free outdoor music series featuring a variety of SoCal artist and big names in the music industry.
17. Captain America: Civil War in 3D at the El Capitan
Hollywood’s legendary El Capitan Theatre presents a special engagement of Marvel’s Captain America all weekend long with special pre-show entertainment. Get more information and discount tickets this weekend via Goldstar.
18. BB Dakota Sample Sale
Word on the street is that prices are as low as $5 at this sale, thats just insane! Get your shopping fix Thursday through Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Location: 1638 Pomona Ave Costa Mesa, California
19. Friday Night Jazz at LACMA
LACMA’s award winning Department of Music Program provides hundreds of free concerts and musical events every year for Angelenos to enjoy. This Friday their jazz series continues at the BP Grand Entrance.
Saturday May 21st, 2016
20. Street Food Cinema
Street Food Cinema has three screenings this weekend. Toy Story at Griffith Park, Mean Girls at Syd Kronenthal Park and Back to the Future at Westchester Park (discount tickets for this one via Goldstar).
21. 33rd Annual California Strawberry Festival Returns to Oxnard
The 33rd Annual California Strawberry Festival returns to Strawberry Meadows in Oxnard (May 21-22) for a weekend long event celebrating the strawberry! Expect a massive assortment of strawberry themed treats plus arts, crafts, live concerts, cooking demos, a pie eating contest, and even a Strawberryland for the kiddies.
22. The Rioja Wine and Tapas Festival
Spend a day at Union Station to celebrate Spain’s most prominent wine region Rioja! Drink from top winemakers and feast on a number of creative tapas. The festival will also have a Galleria of Jamon Iberico, a cheese cave, reserve wine tastings and seminars!
23. The 30th Annual Bug Fair at the Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum celebrates its 30th annual Bug Fair a two day festival (May 21-22) where all eyes are on creepy crawlers, expect plenty of activities for bug fans both young and old.
24. Beverly Hills artSHOW
Check out the free Beverly Hills artSHOW, this Saturday and Sunday in Beverly Gardens Park. This event brings together art enthusiasts and artists from all over the U.S. who sell, live paint and interact with guests throughout the show.
25. Eat|See|Hear
Eat|See|Hear is back with a screening of Labyrinth at Centennial Square at Pasadena City Hall. Be sure to check for discount tickets for this event via Goldstar.
26. This Modern Life: Design Event at Helms Bakery District
Consider this a “Design Field Day” a special one-day event celebrating design for the way we live. Expect trunk shows, workshops, pop up installations, panel discussions, food, music, design discounts and much more.
27. The Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival
The L.A. Jewish Film Festival (May 18-25) returns this year with exclusive L.A. premieres showcasing Jewish films.
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28. Sip Cocktails, See The Sights With The Historic Hollywood: Stars & Bars Gang!
Get a taste of Old Hollywood and sip on classic cocktails as an awesome guide share history tidbits, celebrity stories and more on Urban Adventures tour of Historic Hollywood. For more information and discount tickets for Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday check out our friends at Goldstar.
29. Musician Tom Waits Celebrated on Esotouric’s Once a Year LA Bus Tour
The “Crawling Down Cahuenga: Tom Waits” tour happens only once a year. Fans will get to walk in Waits’ shoes hearing stories about people he’s met, places he’s been and late night dives that helped shaped his music.
30. 16th Annual US Sumo Open
Thats right, we have had a Sumo wrestling open for 16 years now. Curious to see what the matches are like? Head to Long Beach this Saturday afternoon to find out.
31. Bowlero Los Angeles Grand Opening Party
From noon – 3 p.m. the family-friendly bowling spot invites all guests in for a complimentary game of bowling, shoe rental and a $5 arcade card to celebrate their grand opening. Bowlero is a swakny retro inspired bowling alley that features 32 lanes of electro-cool bowling, a 50-game arcade, and an upgraded A/V system that includes massive lane side video walls and state-of-the-art sound.
32. Saturdays Off the 405 at The Getty
Jenny Lee of Warpaint brings her solo project to The Getty for a free show in the Museum Courtyard. No tickets are required show starts at 6 p.m.
33. Grab A Partner And Compete In The Amazing Santa Monica Race
Part sightseeing, part scavenger hunt and 100% team work! This race will have you and your partner exploring Santa Monica Beach and the Venice Boardwalk searching for clues to solve the ultimate puzzle. For more information and discounted tickets check out our friends at Goldstar.
34. We Choose Art | A Feminist Perspective 2.0 Group Show
Judy Chicago, The Guerilla Girls, Cindy Sherman, Jenny Saville and Micol Hebron will be a part of We Choose Art | A Feminist Perspective 2.0 a group show at MuzeuMM in Culver City. The opening reception will also include three live artist performances.
35. Fur-Filled Block Party for Adopt & Shop
The free “fur-filled” event will feature a celebrity meet & greet with Justin Silver as well as light snacks and beverages, product sampling, giveaways, a photo booth, face painting, caricatures, and so much more kid friendly and pet activities.
36. 4th Annual Heritage of Aloha Festival
This FREE two day Hawaiian festival in Santa Fe Springs celebrates the vibrant culture through food, drinks, live entertainment, dancing, music, arts, shopping and much more.
37. The Gabba Gallery Presents: Four Solo Shows
The Gabba Gallery will host four shows in one evening. Artist include: Venice-based street artist Jules Muck, entertainment photographer Jeff Kravitz, painter Noah Emhurt and Australian artist Stormie Mills. Curated by Jason Ostro the opening reception includes music by DJ Jonathan Williams.
38. Venice Spring Fling 6
Head down to Venice beach for a free all-age music and arts festival in Windward Plaza Park. Expect an art show, live music, belly dancing, food and something called Dr. Bronner’s Magic Foam Experience.
39. 1st Annual Wasteland Car Show
A free post-apocalyptic theme (think Mad Max) car show is happening at Alpine Village in Torrance this Saturday. There’s even a after-party with performers, DJ’s, bands and more to celebrate the inaugural event.
40. Spring Awakening Festival 2016
The two day Native American Cultural Festival (may 21-22) takes place in Pasadena. It’s free and open to all ages, guest can enjoy Native American arts & crafts, artisans , nature groups, music, dance, food, and more.
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Sunday May 22nd, 2016
41. Lucky Peach Presents: Kimchi and Weiners
What better way to celebrate the release of Lucky Peach editor-in-chief Chris Ying’s book The Wurst of Lucky Peach but with a Korean BBQ-inspired sausage fest – naturally. Your ticket gets you a book, plus food by Hanjip, Tiger Beer, DJ set by Them Jeans and more.
42. Venice Art Week
Venice Art Week will conclude with a Venice Art Walk and Auctions hosted at Google this Sunday.
43. Sunday Funday: Boozy Brunch Bingo
Sip on bottomless mimosas and get ready to play some rambunctious bingo at The Love Song Bar in Downtown. It’s free to play and prizes are pretty cool, like concert tickets.
44. Waisted Afternoons Open Mic
The Silver Lake Lounge hosts a open mic where anything goes. From spoken word, comedy, music and even dance it’s a mixed bag. Take advantage of the happy hour (runs till 8 p.m.) while at this free show.
45. Dinosaurs: Unextinct at the L.A. Zoo
The L.A. Zoo will play host to some prehistoric residents. Come get up close and personal with 17 life-size animatronic dinosaurs some reaching almost 22 feet high and weighing close to 7,000 pounds. Additions to the new exhibit are a Fossil Dig, controllable Stegosaurus, climbable Pachyrhinosaurus, and a free 3-D augmented reality app. Tickets cost $5 the exhibit will run till October 31st.
46. SoCal Moms Great Big Family Play Day
The 3rd Annual SoCalMoms.com Great Big Family Play Day takes place at The Autry this Sunday. Expect a myriad of fun activities including a PB & J tasting, giveaways, a huge family cook out, a carnival and even panning for gold at the musueum just to name a few.
47. Early Bird BINGO Date Night
Head over to Pasadena for a unique BINGO night with mood music, cocktails and even a chance to get crowned as the King & Queen of Bingo.
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