Things To Do

28 Really Cool Things to do This April in Los Angeles (2019)

April 1, 2019 by We Like L.A. Staff
Huntington Library
Japanese Garden at the Huntington Library. Photo by Brian Champlin / We Like L.A.

Need stuff to do this month in Los Angeles? We looked ahead on our calendar to focus in on some of the best events happening in April 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.

April 2019 event highlights include the opening of the I Like Scary Movies, the L.A. Times Festival of Books, Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle, Monsterpalooza, Masters of Taste, the annual blessing of the animals in DTLA, Tea by the Sea, and more!

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Our complete rundown starts after the jump.

Enjoy!


Keep in mind for some of the ticketing options provided we utilize affiliate links and receive a commission if you purchase through our links (affiliates noted in parenthesis), however we retain complete editorial control of our content.

Things to do in L.A. for April 2019

1. I Like Scary Movies (starts April 4)

If Halloween and horror movies are your favorite topics then I Like Scary Movies Experience will be just what you’re looking for. Guests can expect to see, hear, feel, and smell recreations of iconic moments from IT (2017), Beetlejuice, The Shining, The Lost Boys, and A Nightmare on Elm Street. There won’t be costumed actors jumping out trying to startle but there will be multi-sensory surprises along your winding path. The pop up experience runs April 4 through June 16. -> More information

2. Huntington Library Shakespeare Day (April 6)

Huntington Library is hosting Shakespeare Day on April 6 for an afternoon honoring the Bard in the gardens. The event features family-friendly performances and interactive fun with members of LA Opera, A Noise Within, the Independent Shakespeare Company, and the Guild of St. George. -> More information

3. Renegrade Craft Los Angeles (April 6-7)

Renegade Craft Los Angeles takes over the Los Angeles State Historic Park April 6 – 7 with a massive spring marketplace. The fair features over 200 local and national makers and designers. The shopping experience will also include vinyl DJ sets, craft drinks, food trucks, and interactive features. -> More information

4. Foodie Con 2019 (April 6-7)

Foodie Con returns to the Magic Box at the Reef Saturday April 6 and Sunday April 7 for another year of food shopping, educational panels and delicious experiences with local food artisans. -> More information

5. Corgi Beach Day – Spring 2019 (April 6)

Corgi Beach Day (also known as “Corgchella”) comes to Huntington Dog Beach in Huntington Beach on Saturday April 6 from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. for a day in the sun to honor and hang out with hundreds of adorable pups. -> More information

6. Brewery Artwalk and Open Studios (April 6-7)

The Brewery Artwalk and Open Studios returns to Brewery Artist Lofts April 6-7 for its bi-annual open studio exhibit at the world’s largest art complex. -> More information

7. City of STEM Festival for Kids (April 6)

City of STEM comes to the Columbia Memorial Space Center on April 6 to launch the largest science program in Los Angeles. This kickoff event features free STEM activities and special guests, displays of dinosaurs and jet engines, planetarium shows, tech demos and VR experiences, mobile labs and museums, robot soccer, engineering workshops, and more. -> More information

8. Jazz Tracks at Union Station (April 6)

Jazz Tracks comes to Union Station on April 6 for another installment during Jazz History Month. Metro Art partners with KJazz 88.1 FM for a special evening of live jazz with an array of talented artists, headlined by acclaimed jazz trumpeter Christian Scott. The lineup also includes Ryan Cross’s jazz eclectic, Black Nile, and vocalist Sara Gazarek. -> More information

9. The Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire (April 6 to May 19)

The Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire returns April 6 through May 19 at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale for another year of fantasy and fun. From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, from April 7 through May 20, adults and kids alike can enjoy an afternoon of games, rides, mouthwatering food and artisan crafts. -> More information

10. Masters of Taste (April 7)

The fourth annual Masters of Taste returns to the field of Pasadena’s historic Rose Bowl on Sunday April 7 for food samplings from more than 40 Culinary Masters and restaurants. Remember you can use the promo code WELIKELA19 to get $15 off tickets for the event. -> More information

11. Earth Day L.A. 2019 at Grand Park (April 11)

Grand Park, The Music Center: Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power have joined forces in hosting Earth Day L.A. 2019 on April 11 in Downtown L.A. Earth Day highlights include performances, children’s recycle art project, e-waste collection, drought tolerant plant tours, plant giveaways and demonstrations of the newest additions in green technology. -> More information

12. Universal Studios Hollywood Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle Premiere Night (April 11-12)

Universal Studios Hollywood hosts a Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle Premiere Night April 11 – 12. Festivities begin with a walk down the red-carpet with plenty of photo-ops, followed by a catered diner. The main spectacle lies in the Hogwarts™ Castle, which will be covered with sinister curses and frightening creatures featuring the Dark Arts, a brand-new, striking presentation of light and music. -> More information

13. Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Returns (April 12-14)

The Toyota Grand Prix features live street racing, live music concerts, a lifestyle expo, kids kart racing, dancing contests, food trucks and more. -> More information

14. Monsterpalooza at the Pasadena Convention Center (April 12-14)

MONSTERPALOOZA 2019 returns to the Pasadena Convention Center April 12 – 14 to celebrate the art of monsters and movie magic. Over this three-day affair, attendees have the opportunity to meet the award-winning creature creators from feature films, television and the haunt industry, plus loads of panels, presentations, tutorials and exhibits to browse. -> More information

15. Vintage Fashion Show and Tea At Heritage Square (April 13)

The annual Vintage Fashion Show and Tea at the Heritage Square Museum returns April 13 for an afternoon of finger sandwiches, decadent desserts and tea in true “Romance Through the Ages” fashion. This event hosts a themed fashion show where narrators reveal the historic stories behind the styles as models strut down an outdoor runway, surrounded by beautifully restored Victorian homes. -> More information

16. L.A. Times Festival of Books (April 13-14)

The largest book festival in the world, the L.A. Times Festival of Books features over 500 authors, celebrities, chefs, musicians, and artists. Among the literary stars and celebrities scheduled to appear: Ali Abbas, Robin Abcarian, Hanif Abdurraqib, Stephanie Abraham, Elizabeth Acevedo, Kwame Alexander, and many more. -> More information

17. The Great L.A. River Cleanup (April 13, 20, 27)

Volunteer to clean up the L.A. River! On April 13, 20 and 27, thousands of volunteers scour different parts of the L.A. River, collecting trash and helping to improve the environment. -> More information

18. Kaleidoscope Experience (April 19-20)

Kaleidoscope Experience comes to the Globe Theatre April 19 – 20 for a two-day whimsical wonderland for adults. Event features include video games, rock shows. light shows, dance floors, magic, karaoke, art, meditation, food and drink. Attendees can also check out the interactive zones, such as the High Score Arcade, Hot Box Disco, Pillow Fort, Cosmic Temple, Rooms of Whimsy, The Rabbit Hole and more -> More information

19. Blessing of the Animals in DTLA (April 20)

The Olvera Street Merchants Association Foundation hosts  its annual Blessing of the Animals celebration on Saturday April 20 at the Pico House for a pet-friendly afternoon. Whether your pet lives on land, in water, or flies through the air, all creatures are welcome to receive a blessing for this sacred ceremony. -> More information

20. 420 Fest at The Wiltern (April 21)

The Wiltern’s annual 420 Fest returns for 2019 on April 21 for a cannabis-themed party and a screening of the classic movie Friday, directed by F. Gary Gary, and starring Ice Cube. In addition to the screening, 420 Fest features cannabis-heavy vendor booths, delicious munchies, 420-themed photo ops, and a vinyl DJ set by DJ Mr. Number. -> More information

21. Monterey Park Cherry Blossom Festival (April 27-28)

Monterey Park Cherry Blossom Festival comes to Barnes Park on April 27 – 28 for a cultural arts event centered around Japanese and Japanese American culture. The festival features performances like traditional Japanese dancing, the resounding beats of the taiko drums, and martial arts. Attendees can also participate in the ancient art of the tea ceremony and purchase hand-made crafts or food. -> More information

22. Grand Park’s Our L.A. Voices (April 27-28)

Grand Park’s “Out L.A. Voices” takes over for a weekend-long spring arts gathering on April 27 – 28 that showcases diverse and important artistic work from Los Angeles county. This free festival features both visual arts exhibits, as well as dance, musical, and theatrical performances. This year’s theme is “Origin Stories”, and explores and questions Los Angeles perspectives and culture. -> More information

23. Tea by the Sea April 2019-Point Fermin Lighthouse (April 27)

Tea by the Sea returns to the Point Fermin Lighthouse garden in San Pedro for a cup of tea with some ocean breeze on April 27. Highlights include tea and refreshments, garden tours, craft booths, self guided lighthouse tours, and more. -> More information

24. Simply diVine 2019 (April 27)

Simply diVine 2019 comes to the Hollywood Forever Cemetery on April 27 for a premier food and wine affair that celebrates and honors LGBT people. Enjoy bites of delicious food and drink from Los Angeles’ most popular eateries, wineries, distilleries, breweries and more. -> More information

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25. ColdXela Homebrewed Craft Beer Festival (April 27)

ColdXela Homebrewed Craft Beer Festival takes over Los Angeles Plaza de Cultura y Artes on April 27 for a beer festival for a good cause. This fest features over fifty homebrewers from all over Los Angeles County pouring many different styles of beer like IPA, Hazy IPA, Hefeweizen, Lager, to Belgian Saisons, Witbier and Golden Stout, and Cider. -> More information

26. Jackalope Pasadena: Spring 2019 (April 27-28)

Jackalope Pasadena: Spring 2019 comes to Central Park in Old Pasadena April 27 – 28 for an expansive indie artisan art fair. Shoppers can browse and purchase indie goods from over 200 makers who specialize in original fashion, jewelry design, paper goods, innovative home decor, housewares, art, photography, food, and more. -> More information

27. The 14th Annual Thai New Year Songkran Festival 2019 (April 28)

The 14th Annual Thai New Year Songkran Festival 2019 returns to Hollywood’s Thai Town neighborhood on April 28 for one of the largest, free festivals in the area. This vibrant festival features a Sidewalk Cafe with many Thai food choices for purchase and the Singha Beer Garden with live jazz music. -> More information

28. Skirball Puppet Festival: Fantastic Creatures (April 28)

Skirball Puppet Festival: Fantastic Creatures returns April 28 for a celebration for the art of puppetry and the magic of storytelling at the museum’s eighth annual Puppet Festival. This massive festival features both new and old tales, presented by a variety of puppets, in addition to live music, and art making. 2019’s program showcases animals (both real and imaginary), including performances and creations by North Carolina–based puppeteer and designer Hobey Ford, as well as local artists Yulya Dukhovny, the Los Angeles Guild of Puppetry, and the legendary Bob Baker Marionette Theater. -> More information


Be sure to check the We Like L.A. Events Calendar for updates on fun things happening around the city throughout April. You can also sign up for our daily/weekly newsletter if you want events sent straight to your inbox. 

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