Things To Do

33 Awesome Things To Do in L.A. This Weekend [5-22-15 to 5-24-15]

May 21, 2015 by Christina Champlin

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 weekend that’ll help you decide how you want to spend your limited supply of attention (not to mention dollars!).

This weekend includes 24 hours at Disneyland, Friday night fireworks at Dodger Stadium, a Goonies art show, a Harry Potter Marathon, a real-life Monopoly board, a beer festival at the race track and much, much more!

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So grab some friends or go at it alone, but most importantly have fun and enjoy yourself!

View of Downtown Los Angeles from Griffith Observatory

Credit: Maëlick via flickr

[REMINDER: In some cases We Like L.A. does receive revenue when visitors click on ticket links and make purchases, however we maintain complete editorial control over the events we suggest. Basically, it only makes it on to the website if we think it is cool!]


Friday May 22th, 2015

1. Tomorrowland at El Capitan

See Disney’s newest blockbuster starring George Clooney at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood that includes a pre-show live magic performance and a post-screening behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film. Screenings all weekend long. Get more information and tickets via Goldstar.

2. Dodgers Friday Night Fireworks

Head to Chavez Ravine for a Dodgers-Padres matchup on Friday night and stay after the game for a spectacular fireworks show. Get more info and discount tickets via our friends at Goldstar.

3. Disneyland Open For 24 Hours For 60th Anniversary

The happiest place on earth turns 60 this year and to celebrate both Disneyland and California Adventure Park will be open for 24 hours straight. Party until the break of dawn! The parks will be open starting at 6:00am. Friday and continue through 6 a.m. the next day. A new “Paint the Night” parade featuring your favorite Disney characters and over a million LED lights will debut with the addition of a new “Disneyland Forever” fireworks show. Neil Patrick Harris will also partake in the festivities, he’ll be hosting California Adventures new “World of Color” water and light show.

4. A Parody of The Hip-Hop Source Awardz

Watch UCB breath new life to the show in a parody with some of Upright Citizens Brigade’s top talent. Will Kanye jump in on someone else’s speech?  Who will stab who? And, whose hologram will appear? Anything can happen… it is the Source Awards after all.

5. Barnsdall Park’s Friday Night Wine Tasting

Barnsdall Art Park kicks off their popular weekly fundraiser. Perched on a hill with a gorgeous panoramic view of Hollywood guest will enjoy fine wine and art in the gardens of Frank Lloyd Wright’s newly restored architectural gem, Hollyhock House. Silver Lake Wine will curate fine selections of boutique, small production, artisanal wines for park-goers as well as local gourmet cheese shop, Say Cheese. Art workshops will be set up for children, KCRW’s DJ Dan Wilcox will spin tunes, and a host of specialty food trucks will be on the scene. Admission is $30 and all profits benefit Barnsdall Art Park Foundation programs and projects.

6. California Market Center Showroom Sample Sale Event

Open to the public once a month the California Market Center hosts a showroom sample sale event where 13 floors of participating showrooms open their doors from 9am-3pm to savvy patrons.

7. The Groundlings: The Completely Different Late Show

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. Get more information and tickets via Goldstar (prices starting at $6.50)

8. Odd Nights At The Autry

From the man who brought you Dodger Stadium Flea, Downtown Flea and Melrose Flea launches his next epic adventure, Odd Nights At The Autry. Curator Phillip Dane brings another community hot spot to life with a variety of over 200 vendors from 20 gourmet food trucks, beer garden, custom handmade treasures and live local bands. This vivid culture is perfect for all ages and families to bring a blanket, host an evening picnic while enjoying the great outdoors. This event AND parking is free!

9. Double Feature of Invasion of the Body Snatchers & Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Classic movies anyone? It’s a two for the price of one movie deal over at the The Samuel Goldwyn Theater. Show starts at 7:30pm. Get more info and tickets via Goldstar.

10. Joyrich Sample Sale

The Joyrich Sample Sale is happening Friday from 12 to 7pm and Saturday 10am to 7pm. Save 40% to 80% on tops, bottoms, jackets, and more.

Location: 233 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles 90036

11. ComedySportz: Fast & Funny Improv

ComedySportz is a fast-paced comedy show designed for the whole family. Watch as two teams battle for points and LOL’s at the National Comedy Theatre in Hollywood.  Tickets are priced between $15-$18 normally, but you can find half-price tickets (plus fees) via Goldstar for performances this Friday (8:00pm), Saturday (10:00pm) and Sunday (7:00pm).

12. The Last Book Review

Comedians Ever Mainard and Caitlin Bergh recruit a lineup of storytellers, comics and authors to share funny stories and essays at The Last Bookstore in DTLA.

13. Tease, If You Please Burlesque Show

This super sexy and seductive burlesque show aims to transport you back to the golden age of striptease and Gypsy Rose Lee. Staged at Bar Fedora inside downtown L.A.’s Au Lac, Tease, If You Please spotlights acts from some of the most creative dancers in the business. Miss Donna Hood, who performed alongside the one-and-only Dita Von Teese in Strip, Strip, Hooray!, produces this thoroughly modern, vintage-style show, hosted by stand-up comic and famed little person Selene Luna. Get more information and tickets via Goldstar (prices starting at $15).

Saturday May 23rd 2015

14. Harry Potter Marathon at the Aero Theater

Watch the epic saga of wizards and witches unfold in a screening of all 8 films presented by American Cinematheque. Takes place over two days at the Aero Theater in Santa Monica. Get more information and tickets via our friends at Goldstar.

15. California Gold Rush Beer Festival

Take in a day at the races enjoying the sunny weather and sipping on delicious brews from local area vendors. Tickets are just $20 via Goldstar ($35 normally) and include ten (10) 3oz. beer tastings.

16. CityRace Urban Adventure: Secrets of Old Pasadena

Solve puzzles, explore secluded walkways and get to know the historic ins and outs of Old Town Pasadena as you compete in an urban adventure hunt. Starts at 10:00am on Saturday. Get more information and tickets via Goldstar.

17. Valley Greek Festival

42 years and going strong the Valley Greek Festival will transport you to Greece through the music, dancing and tastes of the Mediterranean. Snack on a gooey piece of saganaki, take a shot of ouzo and do not miss dessert like the loukoumades, donut holes dipped heavily in honey! The Valley Greek Festival will take place at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church (9501 Balboa Boulevard, Northridge, CA 91325) admission is just $3 Saturday through Monday for both and parking is free.

18. Buy One, Get One Half Off at Amorino Gelato

This Memorial Day Weekend, Amorino Gelato in Beverly Hills is giving all of its guests gelato at half off a second cone or cup with the purchase of a regular priced cone or cup. Offer is valid this coming Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Amorino only uses the freshest ingredients like organic eggs and the highest grade whole milk. Absolutely no coloring agent or artificial flavours is used in their gelato made daily. Cheers to that!

19. Eat|See|Hear Screening Of Almost Famous

Eat|See|Hear will be screening Almost Famous at the Autry in Griffith Park. This is a very large, grassy lawn so get groovy and bring pillows, cushions and blankets. Parking is free across the street at the LA Zoo Parking lot. Tickets start at $12.

20. Paradise City: The Daily Dose

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Men it’s time to update your wardrobe and hey everything is on sale! California label Paradise City is having a sample sale with super crazy prices: tees for $10 and $30 for jackets. The sale runs from 11:00am to 5:00pm. Everything is 70% off AND it’s at Downtowns Daily Dose cafe so grab some food and caffeine.

21. Fiesta Hermosa

Since 1972, the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce has produced Fiesta Hermosa, the largest arts & crafts fair in Southern California. Over 300 artists and crafters are featured, a tasty ethnic food court, live music and even a kiddie carnival. If you are 21 and over you must stop by the Charity Beer & Wine Garden where many different brews of beer, a selection of wines, and icy coolers will be served by town “celebrities”, including the Mayor, city council members, non-profit and other civic organizations. The fiesta is happening Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

22. FREE Yogurtland

Over 2o Yogurtland locations all over Los Angeles and Orange County will be serving free helpings to any and all customers who stop by. It’s all part of an ongoing campaign created by Wescom Credit Union called #WescomKindness. The kindness campaign has already been doling out helpings of free food trucks all over LA and the OC.

23. Santa Monica Airport Outdoor Antique & Collectible Market

Treasure hunters this one’s for you! Shop authentic vintage fashions, vinyl records, watches, furniture, china, jewelry, paintings – literally like everything and anything you can think of it’s probably here. The rummaging takes place at the Santa Monica Airport, parking is free and admission is $4 for early admission and $5 after.

24. The Goonies 30th Anniversary Tribute Art Show

Celebrate 30 years of The Goonies with new original tribute art work! Opening reception starts at 7:00 pm at Nucleus gallery in Alhambra.

25. Topanga Days Country Fair

This Memorial Day weekend festival is a local tradition. Bohemians of all ages get together for some music, food, arts and Mother Earth. This is a pretty good people watching event as plenty of true ’60s hippies will be hanging out all weekend-long. Don’t miss the quirky DIY Memorial Day parade on Monday morning! Free shuttles along Topanga Canyon Boulevard will be available.

26. Take an Insider’s Tour Through East Hollywood’s Ethnic Neighborhoods

Thai Town, Little Armenia and Koreatown are filled with great food, shops and culture. For those interested in getting to know these neighborhoods this walking tour / tasting session is the perfect introduction. Tickets are normally priced at $79 but you can find some for as low as $47.50 (plus fees) via Goldstar.

Sunday May 24th 2015

27. MAINopoly: Taste of Main Street

Benefiting Summer SOULstice and Heal the Bay, MAINopoly is a fun interactive version of the classic board game where attendees exchange MAINopoly dollars for tastings at participating eateries, juiceries and coffee shops along Main Street in Santa Monica. Guests can Go Directly to the “GO TO JAIL VIP LOUNGE” and Beer Garden sponsored by Shock Top, with hosted drinks, food, snacks, music, photo booth, games and more. All participants are encouraged to dress in “Monopoly”-inspired or patriotic attire for Memorial Day. Tickets start at $25.

28. Bask Pool Party

Bask returns to The Standard this Memorial weekend. The pool party guarantees plenty of heavy music and a fun interesting crowd. Take in some sun and hide away for a catnap in one of the oversized waterbeds. But make sure to RSVP this part fills up fast.

29. Spring Awakening

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One of my favorite musicals of all time (YES I like musicals!) I have seen Spring Awakening three times since its debut in New York and can honestly say it’s one of the best. The eight time Tony Award winning musical took Broadway by storm when it debuted with Leah Michele in the original cast! An awesome electrifying rock score follows a group of teenagers as they navigate the confusing and often troubled waters of adolescence. Based on a play that caused a scandal in 19th-century Germany, it’s a bold and touching musical that captures through music the experience of youth transitioning to adulthood. Tickets start at $89 but our friends at Goldstar have them starting at $55.

Sultry Sweet Burlesque

30. Sultry Sweet Burlesque, the spirited dinner theater show at El Cid will be celebrating our country the only way they know. The girls gear up for some as they say “Red White & Boobs: A Memorial Day Tribute to the Troops.”

31. Immediate Family

Immediate Family is posited as a cross between Modern Family and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner with all the social, racial and political implications that sort of combo brings to mind.  Directed by two-time Emmy nominee and Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad (you know her as Claire Huxtable), Immediate Family has been called “timely, and important” by the Chicago Tribune. Get more info and tickets for upcoming performances via Goldstar.

32. Chris Burden: Ode to Santos Dumont At LACMA

After a decade of artist research and work Chris Burden: Ode to Santos Dumont will makes its debut at LACMA. This monumental performance sculpture, by the late artist pays homage to ingenuity, optimism, and the persistence of experimentation, failure, and innovation. Inspired by Alberto Santos-Dumont a french pioneer in aviation the kinetic airship sculpture is one of the last works of the American artist.

BONUS: Monday May 25th, 2015

33. Wavey Pool Party

Local fashion brand the Well and Steve Aoki’s music label Dim Mak is having a party! The casbah chic pool deck at the Hotel Figueroa is the place to be for fashion trendsetters and music mavens. Grab some food at their taco bar, down some $5 PBRs and take a dip in the heated pool. Pro Tip: Score early tickets at discounted price.


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