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Summer might be your prime time for events in SoCal, but don’t sleep on spring. As we enter April, there are a TON of great to-dos on our radar.
On tap for the month in come you’ll find Night of Ideas at the Wende, Easy Mornings at Grand Park, a Spring Exhibition Opening Celebration at the Hammer, KJazz Tracks at Union Station, College Night at the Getty, City of STEM Festival and LA Maker Faire, Masters of Taste at the Rose Bowl, Bob Baker Day at L.A. State Historic Park, and more.
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
INTO THE DREAM WORLD: A Nightmare on Elm Street Takeover (April 2) – M FA > Prepare for an immersive horror experience as Angel City Brewery transforms into an “Elm Street invasion.” This interactive event celebrates the 1984 slasher classic alongside a curated market of over 40 local horror vendors. Unlike a traditional screening, the film and several indie horror shorts will play across multiple screens throughout the brewery, allowing guests to roam, shop, and socialize. The night also features live Q&As with rising filmmakers, horror trivia with prizes, and a themed red carpet for photo opportunities. Event runs 5 to 11 p.m. 21+ only. More info here.
MONUMENTS First Friday at MOCA with BERG Collective (April 3) –FA> The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA offers free admission to MONUMENTS on the first Friday of every month, with extended hours from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. This April 3, MOCA partners with The BERG Collective for a special evening of DJ sets, a photo booth, cocktails, a food truck, and more from 4 to 8 p.m. Admission is free but tickets are required and capacity is limited, so reservations are recommended. More info here.
OC Japan Fair (April 3-5) -> The largest Japanese cultural festival in Southern California is back this April as OC Japan Fair pops up at the OC Fair & Event Center. Upgraded to feature more than 250 booths, the festival offers an immersive look into Japanese entertainment, pop culture, and culinary traditions. Attendees can enjoy live performances, participate in cultural activities, and explore a massive marketplace of food and sake. Tickets start at $19.98 for single day admission. Get more info here.
Los Angeles’ Night of Ideas (April 4) – FA > The Wende Museum in Culver City hosts an expanded all-day edition of Night of Ideas this April 4, running from 2 to 10:30 p.m. The afternoon kicks off with a family-friendly program featuring hands-on animation and climate workshops, a video games forum, and a performance by the Bob Baker Marionette Theater. Come evening, the program opens with an original musical composition by Victor Le Masne, Music Director of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, before unfolding into an ambitious interdisciplinary lineup spanning art, science, literature, journalism, technology, and performance. More info here.
Grand Performances Brazilian Block Party (April 4) – FA > Grand Performances kick off their 2026 programming with a high-energy celebration of Samba and Afro-Brazilian culture at the Town Plaza at The Culver Steps. The afternoon event features Viver Brasil, a Los Angeles-based institution renowned for its bold Afro-Brazilian dance theater. The festivities include two live performance sets and an interactive dance workshop suitable for all experience levels. DJ Potira, founder of the Soundbox Truck, will anchor the event with vibrant sets blending traditional Brazilian sounds like Pagode with contemporary global beats. Runs 4 to 7 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
NHM First Fridays (April 3) – M > The April edition of Natural History Museum’s First Fridays series will explore the topic of “Life, from Our Guts to the Galaxy,” highlighed by a deep-dive conversation into how life and Earth have co-evolved over billions of years. Guests can wander the galleries after hours, enjoy DJ sets among the dioramas, and catch live performances in the Mammal Halls, or purchase bites from onsite food trucks. Runs 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $30. More info here.
Meet The Grunion (April 3 & 19) -> Take a chance to experience one of California’s most unique natural spectacles at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium this Apri. This seasonal program offers a deep dive into the fascinating biology and “mating dance” of the California grunion—a fish that famously leaves the ocean to spawn on sandy beaches. The evening begins with an educational auditorium session and a “hatching experience” where you can watch baby grunion emerge from their eggs in real-time, followed by a staff-led guided walk to the shoreline for (hopefully) live observation. The event kicks off at 8 p.m. and is $10 for non-members. More info here.
The 5th Annual ‘Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Easy Mornings’ (April 4 & 18) -> Celebrate Earth Month with two relaxing Saturday mornings at Gloria Molina Grand Park, where Angelenos of all ages can unwind and recharge in the heart of Downtown L.A. Enjoy free activities, including special workshops, performances from the Bob Baker Marionette Theater, and yoga sessions. Both dates run 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Corgi Beach Day (April 4) – FA > Corgis, costumes, cuteness. It’ll be there at the annual Corgi Beach Day, taking place two block south of Huntington Beach Pier. Expect special vendors, food trucks, costumes, and plenty of photo ops, whether you’re there with your pup or just want to see the spectacle of it all. The event is free to attend. More info here.
L.A. Beer Fest (April 4) -> The 17th annual L.A. Beer Fest brings 80+ breweries together with a curated selection of local food trucks for a day of tastings, music, and fun, all at L.A. Center Studios. General admission starts at $67.45 per person (with fees and taxes included). More info here.
Renaissance Pleasure Faire (April 4 – May 17) -> Ren-Faire enthusiasts can expect over 200+ artisans, merchants, and vendors, plus costume contests, games, rides, a food court and more, all taking place at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area on Saturdays and Sundays through May 17. Adult single-day admission starts at $53. More info here.
Spring Exhibition Opening Celebration at the Hammer (April 4) – FA TP > Celebrate the opening of spring exhibitions at The Hammer with after-hours gallery access and tunes soundtracked by DJs from Chulita Vinyl Club in the courtyard. Explore four new shows, highlighted by Several Eternities in a Day: Form in the Age of Living Materials and Arthur Jafa’s 30-minute experimental film The White Album. Throughout the evening, enjoy interactive moments including a photobooth and a hands-on cyanotype art-making activity. Food and drinks will be available for purchase all night. The event is free and open to the public, and kicks off at 8 p.m. RSVP and get more info here.
Los Angeles Climate Week (April 8 – April 15) -> Los Angeles Climate Week brings eight days of community-led events, creativity, and action to the city, uniting voices across industries and neighborhoods around a shared vision for an equitable climate future. The packed slate of events includes special workshops, planting tutorials, meet-ups, and guided walks. Get more info on all the programming here.
Boots & Brews at Ivy Station (April 10) – FA M > Saddle up for a coastal country-themed evening for the April edition of the Ivy Station Night Market. “Boots & Brews” transforms the Ivy Station plaza into a lively western-inspired festival activation featuring a mechanical bull, line-dancing vibes, and over 30 local artisan vendors. Guests can “sip and shop” with craft beers from Los Angeles Ale Works or grab dinner from a variety of visiting food trucks and on-site restaurants. Runs 5 to 10 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
KJazz Tracks at Union Station (April 11) – FA M TP > Celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month with the return of KJazz Tracks, a free concert hosted by Union Station in partnership with LACMA and KJazz 88.1 FM. KJazz DJ José Rizo hosts a night of live performances headlined by New Orleans funk and blues legend Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen. The evening also features supporting sets from Emi Secrest and Merges, set against the backdrop of the station’s historic Ticket Concourse. Event rns 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. More info here.
Hokusai and the Great Wave: A Global Ripple Effect (April 11) – M > Discover the visionary mind behind the world’s most famous woodblock print at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles. This deep dive into the life of Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1850) explores his role not just as a master of ukiyo-e, but as a pioneering educator and a foundational influence on modern manga and animation. Guest experts from the International Hokusai Academy in Japan will lead a keynote lecture tracing how Hokusai’s “visual encyclopedia” sparked the Japonisme movement in Europe, inspiring legends like Van Gogh and Monet. Event starts at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $20, and a complimentary book. More info here.
Bob Baker Day (April 12) – M FA TP > The 11th annual Bob Baker Day brings a festive carnival atmosphere to Los Angeles State Historic Park, including music, games, and puppets from the Bob Baker Marionette Theater. The event is free to attend, but suggested donations of $25 are happily accepted to support the theater’s mission. Runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. RSVP is required. More info here.
Phone Charm Lab with Design Hive (April 12) – M FA > Join Design Hive for an interactive “maker” workshop at the California African American Museum, inspired by the vibrant installation Sadie Barnette: How to Fly. Participants will begin with a guided observation activity in the museum’s atrium, drawing inspiration from the colors, textures, and patterns of the artwork. Using these visual cues, you’ll design and assemble a custom phone charm or keychain with a variety of beads and materials. The session runs from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. More info here.
Montrose Craft Beer Fest (April 12) -> The Montrose Craft Beer Fest showcases brewers and breweries from the Los Angeles area. Guests can enjoy beers paired with delicious food samples, as well as various booths, lawn games and music. Tickets start at $60.52 presale. Even runs noon to 4 p.m. More info here.
College Night at The Getty (April 13) – FA > The Getty’s annual after-hours celebration for college students returns this April, offering an exclusive evening of art, music, and behind-the-scenes experiences. Expet live performances, hands-on workshops, and gallery tours designed specifically for the student community. Attendees can explore current exhibitions, including How to Be a Guerrilla Girl and Photography and the Black Arts Movement, while enjoying a festive atmosphere. It all runs from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tickets are free, but advance RSVP is required. More info here.
East West Players & JACCC Present Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Flower Drum Song (April 16 – May 31, 2026) -> East West Players closes out its Diamond Legacy season with the grand finale it deserves. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Flower Drum Song returns to the stage with a newly updated book by Tony Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang, directed by EWP Artistic Director Lily Tung Crystal. Set in 1960s San Francisco Chinatown, the story follows Mei-Li, a young Chinese opera artist fleeing communism who arrives in America and finds herself drawn into the dazzling world of Grant Avenue nightclubs. Hwang’s reworking allows Asian Americans to reclaim this cherished story at a moment when conversations about identity and cultural preservation feel more urgent than ever. Tickets start at $49. More info here.
Susumu Yokota’s Songs of Joy, Anger, Sorrow & Happiness (April 17) -> Spend an evening listening to albums from seminal Japanese electronic producer Susumu Yokota in a private Japanese garden with a glass of Japanese whiskey in hand. In collaboration with Lo Recordings, In Sheep’s Clothing and JACCC present a listening session dedicated to Skintone Edition, an archival project spanning 11 aliases, 30-plus albums, and countless EPs. Listening sessions and DJ sets are hosted by the In Sheep’s Clothing team, with Japanese whiskey, beer, and wine available throughout. Tickets are $15. More info here.
Somos NELA Block Party (April 17) – FA > The Somos NELA Block Party returns to Frogtown, doubling in size and extending its hours for 2026. Expect over 40 local vendors specializing in food, handmade crafts, and holistic healing. The event serves as a vibrant community hub, offering live music throughout the night, family-friendly activities, and essential community resources. Runs 5 to 9 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
MAFter Hours (April 17) – FA > Experience the Marciano Art Foundation after dark during the first-ever MAFter Hours. This special event offers a rare opportunity for visitors of all ages to explore the foundation’s expansive galleries and current exhibitions well into the evening. Guests are encouraged to visit the 2nd-floor Window Gallery and the 3rd-floor Ballroom Gallery around sunset to witness the dramatic shift in natural light as it interacts with the artwork. Runs 6 to 10 p.m. Free to attend, but you must reserve a timed slot in advance. More info here.
Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach (April 17-19) – M > The annual racing event brings three days of grand prix action to Downtown Long Beach accompanied by a lifestyle expo and a variety of fun activations. Tickets start at $58 for one-day access. More info here.
LA Times Festival of Books (April 18-19) – M FA > The 31st Los Angeles Times Festival of Books returns to the campus of USC this April featuring over book and merchandise exhibitors, a number of outdoor stages and activity areas, expert panels, performances, demos, and more. Admission to the festival is free to attend with some programing ticketed. More info here.
Parsons Dance: 40th Anniversary Tour (April 18-19) -> Celebrate four decades of athletic and high-energy contemporary dance as Parsons Dance come to BroadStage Santa Monica. Known for a joyous, “dance your heart out” style, this internationally acclaimed ensemble is a staple of American modern dance, praised for its breathtaking technique and accessible, bold choreography. The program features a mix of classic repertory and new works that showcase the company’s signature precision and dynamic movement. Tickets start at $52. More info here.
FOLAR Habitat Restoration Day & Earth Month Celebration (April 18) – FA > Experience an Earth Day Extravaganza hosted by Friends of the Los Angeles River (FoLAR). This event offers a day packed with environmental themed festivities and community engagement at the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Preserve Whether exploring the River Rover mobile museum, participating in cleanup efforts, or making native seed balls there’s something for everyone at this lively celebration. More info here.
Masters of Taste (April 19) – TP > We Like L.A.’s favorite food festival of the year is back this April as Masters of Taste returns to the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium for its eighth edition. The 2026 event is hosted by acclaimed chefs Thomas and Vanessa Tilaka Kalb of Pasadena’s Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery, and guests can expect unlimited tastings from over 100 “Culinary Masters,” handcrafted cocktails from 25+ spirit brands, local craft brews, and live entertainment—all situated directly on the stadium field. Tickets start at $170 for GA, and remember that 100% of the proceeds will directly benefit Union Station Homeless Services, a non-profit organization providing over 50 years of homeless services. Event runs from 3 to 7 p.m. More info here.
Wiggle Waggle Walk (April 19) – > The 27th Annual Wiggle Waggle Walk helps to raise funds for the Pasadena Humane Society’s mission to care for animals. This years fundraiser is more important than ever as PHS has taken in an enormous amount of animals during the fires in January. Registration starts at $50 per person. The three-mile route or one-mile morning loop around the Rose Bowl welcomes everyone including dogs and children. Before the walk dogs can take a run through the training course and humans can explore the vendor marketplace. More info here.
Earth Day at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (April 19) – M > NHM invites the public to spend a day enjoying hands-on activities, such as birding, nature photography, and more. Free with paid admission to the museum. More info here.
Pups & Putts (April 25) – M FA > Combine a round of mini-golf with the chance to meet your new best friend at Ivy Station. This family-friendly afternoon features a pop-up 18-hole putt-putt course installed directly on the central lawn. spcaLA will be also on-site with a selection of adoptable dogs looking for “fur-ever” homes. Runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
CicLAvia-West LA (April 26) – M FA > L.A.’s biggest and longest running open streets initiative heads to West LA this April with a car-free course connecting Westwood to Santa Monica. Expect multiple activity hubs plus plenty of room to walk/skate/run/pedal to your heart’s content. Runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair (April 25-26) M FA > Jackalope brings its artisan marketplace to Central Park in Old Pasadena for a two-day event showcasing over 200 local vendors selling indie goods, clothing, jewelry, home decor, housewares, art, photography, and food. Outdoors. All-ages. Free to attend. Get more info here.
City of STEM Festival and LA Maker Faire (April 26) – M FA TP > City of STEM and Los Angeles Maker Faire return to Exposition Park on April 26th for a massive outdoor celebration of science and creativity. Expect 200+ exhibitors from across California, hands-on activities, surprising experiments, unexpected demonstrations, and workshops designed to spark curiosity at every age. New additions this year include immersive experiences like live-action role play, Rubik’s Cube challenges, and mini RC lowriders driving the boulevard—plus live music, food trucks, and celebrity guest appearances. This bilingual event is FREE for all to attend and runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Get all the details here.
Cinco de Mayo Family Day at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes (April 26) – M FA > Explore California’s connection to the Battle of Puebla through performances, music, hands-on workshops, and more. Free to attend. More info here.
Skirball Puppet Festival (April 26) – > Spend the day with friendly monsters and eclectic creatures at this massive festival featuring puppets in all shapes and sizes, live music, and a chance to design your own puppet. Tickets cost $20 per adult and $13 per child. More info here.
Fiesta Broadway (April 26) – M FA > Three blocks of Broadway (between 1st and 4th) come alive for the largests Cinco de Mayo celebration in America featuring multiple concert stages, vendor booths, games, sports activities and a play area for kids. Runs 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. More info here.
TCM Classic Film Festival (April 30 – May 3) -> A four-day slate of classic films shown on the big screen at a range of historic Los Angels theaters. The festival will focus on grand illusions, fantastic worlds in cinema. Individual tickets start at $20. More info here.
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