42 Awesome Things to do this Weekend in L.A. You Need to Know About [4-21-17 to 4-23-17]

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!).

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This weekend in L.A. (Apr. 21 to Apr. 23) includes a March for Science, a Museum of Ice Cream opening, the L.A. Times Festival of Books, a reopening celebration for Los Angeles State Historic Park, the California Poppy Festival, and LOTS more to choose from.

Also remember you can always go to our L.A. events calendar page to get an updated rundown of what’s happening around the city.

Enjoy!

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Pershing Square Women's March
Pershing Square fills up for the Women’s March on Jan. 21, 2017. Photo by Brian Champlin / We Like L.A.

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Friday April 21st, 2017

1. The Los Angeles Master Chorale is hosting the 28th annual High School Choir Fest. Free performances will take place at the iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown L.A. The day begins at 11 a.m., with a concert from 16 members of the Los Angeles Master Chorale Chamber Ensemble, led by conductor Jenny Wong. FREE

2. The Great Horror Movie Nights at the Old Zoo in Griffith Park will screen Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The event will feature plenty of pre-show entertainment including games, prizes, and roaming scare-actors.  Discount tickets are available via Goldstar while supplies last. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

3. Interactive light and shadow installation THE WOODS invites viewers into a knee-high forest of twigs as moving lights automatically illuminate their path. The immersive installation only admits two people at a time and will run Thursday through Sunday.  FREE

4. The Groundlings: The Completely Different Late Show is a hilarious improv show by the cast of the Groundlings’ Main Company. Audience shout suggestions throughout the night for improvisational scenes performed by some of the best in the business. It’s also a testing ground for brand new material for the Groundlings’ main show. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

5. Grand Park is hosting a site specific installation called The Portals Project, an immersive experience where Angelenos get to connect and communicate to people around the global in real time from Amman, Berlin, Mexico City and more. Happening April 10-23. FREE

6. Spend a Night at the Aquarium of the Pacific and explore the aquarium after hours. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

7. Every Friday in April Greenbar Distillery in Downtown Los Angeles will host cocktail classes featuring seasonal and themed drinks. This week’s theme is Seasonal Produce Cocktails (Gin x Whiskey).

8. Metro Art Presents “Charles Phoenix: Southern Californialand” a slide show adventure exploring SoCal’s undiscovered valued mid-century architectural gems from the past and the present. FREE

9. Odd Nights heads to The Autry for their signature outdoors shopping experience. There will also be loads of shopping, live music and a full bar.

10. Ahmanson Theatre presents the much beloved Tony Award-winning Stephen Sondheim musical Into the Woods. The new rival of the classic will be performed by the acclaimed Fiasco Theater production. Happening throughout the weekend. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

11. Splendid, Ella Moss and 7 for All Mankind are joining forces with one epic warehouse sale happening in Vernon for one day only. Prices start at $5, we’ve been told this is the biggest sale yet! Shop from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location: 5500 South Boyle Ave, 1st Floor Vernon, CA 90058

12. Festival M.A.R.S., a ten-day festival featuring unique merging of music, fashion, art and dance, is coming to Downtown Los Angeles from April 14 to 23. Taking place at Art Share L.A. and Angel City Brewery, the fest will include performances from 35+ local and internationally established musicians and visual artists.

13. The 1st Annual L.A. Get Down Festival will celebrate hip hop and spoken word from April 18-30. Presented by Greenway Arts Alliance and Da Poetry Lounge the events will include legendary writers, poets, musical performances and leading workshops celebrating diversity.

14. Free admission days this Friday for: Long Beach Museum of Art

BONUS: If you live on the Eastside check out ‘Sprung on Spring’, the annual neighborhood party at Big Bar in Los Feliz

Saturday April 22nd, 2017

15. Los Angeles March for Science falls on Earth Day (April 22) From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Marchers will gather at Pershing Square to celebrate science and urge environmental, as well as human rights protection.

16. The newly renovated Los Angeles State Historic Park is having a grand reopening celebration this weekend featuring music, performances, family-friendly activities and food trucks. Starts on 10 a.m. on Saturday.

17. Celebrate the Ultimate Throwback with the 12th Annual Freestyle Festival in Long Beach. This one-day music festival will feature hit-makers from the 1980’s through 1990’s including Bell Biv Devoe, Lisa Lisa, The English Beat, Naughty by Nature and more. Check for discounted tickets while supplies last. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

18. The annual L.A. Times Festival of Books returns to USC (April 22-23) for a two-day festival featuring live readings from authors, cooking demonstrations, intimate conversations and forward-thinking panels on U.S.C.’s campus. FREE

19. Charles Bukowski’s Los Angeles Bus Tour put on by the folks at Esoteric Bus Adventures will take you to some of the literary giants favorite L.A. haunts, you’ll also see where he lived, worked and drank. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

20. Experience the food, culture and history of Downtown Los Angeles through a three hour foodie tour this Saturday and Sunday. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

21. Come enjoy a lively celebration of art and community in Santa Monica at the Bergamot Station Spring Fling. At this internationally renowned arts complex’s family-friendly event, you can check out more than 25 art exhibitions, listen to live music, shop from local vendors and grab a bite from local eateries.

22. Top comics Dane Cook, Kevin Nealon, Nikki Glaser, and special guests will be doing stand-up at L.A.’s legendary Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

23. Monterey Park Cherry Blossom Festival comes to Barnes Park April 22-23 for an arts event with entertainment, learning, and fun in honor of the Japanese American culture. FREE

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24. Celebrate Earth Day weekend with Renew- Reuse, Recycle, Restyle at Angel City Brewery. This annual bazaar features live music, a clothing drive, photo booth, food, and more. This year’s event is being produced in collaboration with Society of St. Vincent de Paul Los Angeles.

25. The poppies are poppin’ this year, and there’s no better time to place to learn about these brilliant wildflowers than at the California Poppy Festival (April 22-23). Held at the Lancaster Museum/Art Gallery, visitors can can pickup free wildflower maps and tips on the best viewing locations before heading out to the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve to see the incredible spectacle for themselves.

26. The Museum of Ice Cream is coming to Los Angeles from April 22 to May 29. Created as an art installation, tempting features include a “sprinkle pool” filled with nearly 100 million sprinkles made of antimicrobial plastic (no edible), a melted-popsicle jungle and a banana split made of 10,000 bananas.

27. Cliftons Living History Tour is a 45-minute guided excursion led by Kahlil Nelson. Take a peek into DTLA history and the fascinating rooms at the iconic food hall. Although tour reservations are free, donations are strongly encouraged.

28. The 10th annual Record Store Day is filled with loads of local events.  Stop by your local record store to buy special limited-edition vinyl and other releases, and for a chance to meet, see, and hear your favorite artists. There will also be cook-outs, body painting, parades and more!

29. Come celebrate Earth Day in Exposition Park during LASAN LA Sanitation’s earth-friendly day of fun! More than 50 exhibitors will be on hand with exhibits both educational and fun that will teach the whole family about sustainability and environmental awareness. FREE

30. Volunteer to clean up the L.A. River this weekend! Every year, thousands of volunteers scour various parts of the river, collecting trash and making an environmental difference. That could be you!!!

31. Celebrate Earth Day with nature-filled events at Descanso Gardens! On April 22 and 23, guests at this beautiful garden in La Cañada Flintridge will be treated to springtime programs focused on flowers, garden plants and a blingy trunk show.

32. Dapper Day at Disneyland, returning on April 22 and April 23, is your best excuse to step out in style at the happiest place on earth! Twice a year, in the spring and in the fall, the dapper-minded are encouraged to visit Disneyland dressed up in elegant ensembles while exploring the park during this very stylish weekend.

33. The Rockwell Table & Stage presents The Unauthorized Musical Parody of Mean Gurlz. Relive the catty girl-clique “The Plastics” through song and dance. The show has been selling out to great acclaim. Happening all weekend.  DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

34. The Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire is back at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale April 8 through May 21. Come to the fair for an afternoon of games, rides, mouthwatering food and artisan crafts.

35. Still Life, a drama written by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman), is now playing onstage at The MET Theatre. Happening Saturday and Sunday. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

36. West Elm is partnering with Artisanal LA to highlight 10 local artisans on Earth Day by showcasing their products at the West Elm Santa Monica location. In addition guests can partake in a food tasting, terrarium workshops and more!

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Sunday April 23rd, 2017

37. Taking place on the fourth Sunday of ever month the Topanga Vintage Market includes over 170 vintage, antiques, and collectibles vendors along side local artists, crafters, designers, musician performances and food trucks round out one of the best vintage markets in LA.  Parking is free, admission is $3, and kids under 12 are free. No pets are allowed.

38. Take in a few laughs at the end of the weekend at Cool Beans Comedy at the Ice House in Pasadena. FREE

39. Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust’s 25th annual community Yom HaShoah Day of Holocaust Commemoration event will take place at Pan Pacific Park. The full day of learning, commemoration and reflection, will include a Yiddish poetry reading and conversation with Holocaust survivor artists at noon. FREE

40. Cruise on over to Runway Playa Vista to check out 50+ American classic cars, awesome 50’s bands, artisan vendors and more. FREE

41. Friendship Buddies is a weekly stand-up comedy show at the Verdugo Bar in Glassell Park. Come hangout in the back patio, enjoy a cocktail, and LOL to outstanding stand-up comedians in Los Angeles. FREE

42. Free admission days this Sunday for: Museum of Latin American Art and Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)


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