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Beginning to look a bit like summer, eh? As we enter May in Los Angeles, we’re returning to a season of outdoor movies, outdoor concert series, and some awesome annual events.
In view for the month to come you’ll find L.A. TACO’s Taco Madness, Museums of the Arroyo Day, Summer of Salsa at LA Plaza, The Music Center’s On the Record: Vinyl Fair, 5th Annual Community & Unity People’s Kite Festival, the kickoff to the 2025 Street Food Cinema series, Latin Sounds at LACMA, and more.
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M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Spring Exhibitions Opening at The Skirball (beginning May 1) -> – FA TP > This spring, the Skirball Cultural Center will have a pair of new exhibitions on offer: Jack Kirby: Heroes and Humanity and Away in the Catskills: Summers, Sour Cream, and Dirty Dancing. They’ll both debut during an evening affair on April 30, where the public can enjoy after-hours access to the galleries plus a DJ set, sips and snacks for purchase, and artists and curators on hand. The following day (May 1), the exhibitions officially open to the public with a day of special spotlight tours. Best part? Both opening night and opening day are free to attend with registration. More info here.
UCLA First Thursdays (May 1) – FA > UCLA First Thursdays is back with a spring soiree this Thursday evening from 7 to 10 p.m. at Broxton Plaza. The event features an array of hands-on and activities and live performances from UCLA affiliated clubs and musical groups. Free to attend! More info here.
Autry After Hours: May Music Nights & Cowboy Cocktails (Every Thursday in May) -> Enjoy live music on the plaza, sip on cocktails and partake in some games. Some evenings even feature line dancing! Tickets cost $18 and also include after-hours museum access. More info here.
Jazz at LACMA (May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30) – FA > The Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s annual Friday Night Jazz series returns on May 2, offering free weekly concerts at Smidt Welcome Plaza. And remember that LACMA is free to visit for L.A. County Residents (with I.D.) on weekdays after 3 p.m. More info here.
First Fridays x Mercado MOCA (May 2) – M FA > The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA invites the public to celebrate Latinx and Chicanx culture with a full day filled with music, food, and a marketplace featuring 50+ local BIPOC vendors. Admission to the museum will also be free. Happening from 2-8 p.m. More info here.
NHM First Fridays (May 2) – M > Natural History Museum’s signature monthly series returns in May with an emphasis on experiencing sound they call AMPLIFIED. The event includes DJ sets in the nature garden, pop-up sound experiences throughout the museum, plus a discussion on the science behind healing sounds. First Fridays run 5 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $25. More info here.
Frogtown First Fridays (May 2) – FA > Frogtown First Fridays is back to kick off the month of May. 16 particpating venues adjacent to the L.A. River Path will hosting activations, including galleries, restaurants and shops. Guests can see new art exhibits, enjoy free or low-cost art activities, giveaways, DJ’s and live music. Runs 5 to 10 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
L.A. County Fair (May 2-26) -> The L.A. County Fair returns to Pomona for an enormous assortment of activities, musical performances, food and beverage offerings, and more. After the Friday opener, the fair continues Thursday to Sunday through the rest of the month, plus Monday, May 26. Single day, advance tickets start at $18.50-$27.50 for adults. More info here.
Half-O-Ween (May 2-3) – M > We’re halfway to Halloween, so naturally Street Food Cinema thinks it’s the perfect time to host a scary movie night at Heritage Square Museum. Over the first weekend in May, Half-O-Ween invites guests to enjoy graveyard carnival games, tours of historic Victorian homes, food trucks, and a costume contest. It starts on Friday with featured screening of The Craft. Then on Saturday it’s a repeat of the programming, but with Final Destination on the movie bill. Doors open for both nights at 5:30 p.m. GA tickets start at $37.36 (including fees). More info here.
BeachLife Festival (May 2-4) -> The two-day music festival takes place oceanside in Redondo Beach. Headliners include Alanis Morissette, Sublime, Lenny Kravitz and many more. Tickets start at $199 a person. More info here.
Cinco de Mayo Mercado (May 2) – FA > The City of San Gabriel celebrates Cinco de Mayo with an evening affair in the Mission District featuring live music, crafts, food, activities for kids and a beer and cocktail garden presented by Pez Cantina. Admission is free. Runs 5:30 to 8:55 p.m. More info here.
L.A. TACO’s Taco Madness (May 3) – M TP > The 16th edition of LA TACO’s signature taco battle is back at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes this May with a vendor lineup that includes Tacos Los Cholos, Borreguitas, Taquería Frontera, Macheen, Mariscos Jalisco, Evil Cooks, Ditroit, Carnitas Los Gabrieles, Mariscos Corona, Tacos El Toro, Asadero Chikali, and A Ti Restaurant. Reminder that tickets (starting at $21.90) grants entry, with food and drinks available for purchase from vendors once inside. Early admission is 4 p.m. Main event starts at 5 p.m. L.A. TACO members get in free! More info here.
Great Big Family Fun Day (May 3-4) -> There’s a kid-friendly festival hosted by SoCal Moms taking over the grounds of The Autry Museum in Griffith Park. Families can enjoy a day of storytelling, live musical performances, and family activities. Tickets range between $7-$33. More info here.
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In The Mix at LACMA (May 3, 10) – FA > On back to back Saturdays this May, Crenshaw Dairy Mart teams up with LACMA for a sonically-inspired series of film screenings on taking place at Smidt Welcome Plaza, each buffeted by an opening DJ set and a post-screening discussion with the directors. First on May 3, catch It Was All A Dream, accompanied by live performances and a post-screening conversation between dream hampton and the film’s composer, Stas THEE Boss. Then on May 10, watch Kumbia Net: Un Estilo Bien Diferente followed by a discussion with director Alvaro Parra. Both events are free to attend, and both start at 6 p.m. More info here.
A Current Affair (May 3-4) -> The pop-up vintage marketplace with a highly curated list of vendors from all over the state is taking over the Cooper Design Space in DTLA for a multi-decade shopping experience. Tickets range from $16.74-$47.61. More info here.
The Music Center’s Very Special Arts Festival: Family Day (May 3) – M FA > The Music Center’s Very Special Arts Festival is an annual free, inclusive event celebrating the artistic achievements of students with all abilities. The festival features student and professional performances, visual and performing arts workshops and a student art exhibit created around a theme that is introduced to the students each year. Runs 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. More info here.
Opening Celebration at The Fowler for Construction, Occupation (May 3) – FA > The Fowler’s newest exhibition showcases the work of 24 artists and collectives, each contributing art that demonstrate the power of community to shape cities through their art. An opening reception on May 3 will include remarks by guest co-curators Alex Ungprateeb Flynn, Juliana Caffé, and Yudi Rafael, plus a musical performance by Raphael Escobar. Opening night runs 6 to 9 p.m., then the exhibition remains on view through January 11, 2026. The Fowler is always free to visit. More info here.
UCLA Spring Showcase x Cinco de Mayo at The Rose Bowl (May 3) – FA > Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a free family festival at The Rose Bowl featuring a community marketplace, boxing in the Court of Champions, food and music at America’s Stadium and a special look inside UCLA Football’s preparations for the 2025 season. More info here.
JACCC’s Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day) Celebration (May 3) – M FA > Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) will host a special Children’s Day celebration in Isamu Noguchi Plaza. Expect performances, food and beverage vendors, activities and Children’s Day Garden Portraits from Toyo Miyatake Studio. More info here.
Artazan (May 3-4) -> Artazan comes to the Pasadena Convention Center for a two-day event exploring all things hand crafted. Over 200 exhibitors are participating from jewelry to woodwork, ceramics, clothing and food. Tickets cost $8. More info here.
Celebración de las Artes (May 4) – M FA TP > Celebrate the rich spirit of the arts with LA Opera Connects and Hispanics for LA Opera at a free, family-friendly afternoon at The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza. Enjoy live musical performances, shop a colorful artisan marketplace, and savor festive food and drinks from local vendors. More info here.
Museums of the Arroyo Day (May 4) – M FA TP > Six museums and historic homes along the Arroyo Seco offer free admission for the annual Museums of The Arroyo Day. Participants include The Gamble House, Heritage Square, the L.A. Police Museum, the Lummis Home, South Pasadena Historical Museum and the Pasadena Museum of History. Runs noon to 4 p.m. More info here.
Downtown Santa Monica Cinco de Mayo (May 4) – FA > Downtown Santa Monica celebrates Cinco de Mayo with special live entertainment and dining options along the 1200 block of the 3rd Street Promenade. Runs 3 to 6 p.m. More info here.
Summer of Salsa (May 9) – M FA > LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes’ Summer of Salsa returns for the first installment of 2025, offering monthly dance parties one Friday per month through September. Progressive dance orchestra Rumbankete kicks off the series on Friday, May 9. Free to attend. More info here.
LA Metro’s 9th Annual Older Adult Transportation Expo (May 9) – M FA > LA Metro is hosting their 9th Annual Older Adult Transportation Expo at the Pasadena Convention Center. The day-long program aims to educated older adults on the ins and outs of utilizing public transit through a series tailored travel training workshops, motivational speakers and a transportation exhibits. More info here.
Just Like Heaven (May 10) -> Just Like Heaven returns to Brookside at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena with a line up that includes Vampire Weekend, TV On The Radio, Toro Y Moi, Wild Nothing and other acts. Tickets start at $226. More info here.
4th Valley Asian Cultural Festival (May 10) – FA > Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the West Valley – Warner Center Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Asian Valley Cultural Festival at Pierce College in Woodland Hills. The event flyer promises food, music, dance, shopping, children’s activities, and more. Free admission. Runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. More info here.
Street Food Cinema (May 10 through September 6) -> You know summer is getting close when Street Food Cinema gets back in the swing of things. The longtime outdoor movie series is back starting in May with a weekly schedule (every Saturday) that includes stops at The Autry and L.A. State Historic Park. Upcoming films include Wicked (May 10, Anora (May 17), 9 to 5 (May 24) and To Wong Fu, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (May 31). Advanced GA tickets start at $22. Doors open for most events at 5:30 p.m. More info here.
11th Annual Taste of South Pasadena (May 13) – M > Sample food along Mission and Fair Oaks and enjoy live music in a family-friendly atmosphere during Taste of Pasadena. Presented by the Rotary Club of South Pasadena the event features over 30 food and drink stops including an additional VIP section with 15 wine, beer and spirits participants. Tickets start at $20 for youth, $40 for adults, and $80 for the VIP food and alcohol package. More info here.
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18th Annual Day of Black Docs (May 16-17) -> The Black Association of Documentary Filmmakers (BADWest) presents “Day of Black Docs” a screening event showcasing documentaries about the Black experience made by Black creatives. The screenings will also include moderated Q&As with the filmmakers. Tickets start at $21.05. More info here.
5th Annual Community & Unity People’s Kite Festival (May 17) – M FA TP > Head to Los Angeles State Historic Park for the 5th Annual Community & Unity People’s Kite Festival. Hosted by Clockshop at Los Angeles State Historic Park, expect demos from kite masters, special workshops, curated snacks for purchase, and tons of colorful kites sailing through the sky. Free to attend, and donations welcome. More info here.
The Music Center’s On the Record: Vinyl Fair (May 17) – M FA TP > On The Record: Vinyl Fair brings a one-day celebration of all things vinyl to The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza, including DJs, a sound bath lounge, a vinyl sampling station, and a lineup of 16 vinyl vendors. Free to attend. Runs 4 to 8 p.m. More info here.
Matinees on the Mountain (May 17) -> Ready for a movie day with a view? Mount Wilson Observatory kicks off its Matinees on the Mountain series with a screening of 2001: A Space Odyssey in their cozy 256-seat auditorium. Come early to explore the observatory, picnic on the grounds or grab lunch at the Cosmic Cafe before the show. The 2025 season will feature a mix of sci-fi classics, silent films, and family favorites, all screened high above the city. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for kids 12 and under. More info here.
NHM’s Bug Fair (May 17-18) – M > The Natural History Museum gets buggy with a weekend-long event highlighting exotic insect collections, bug-inspired goods, bug-tastic crafts and live animal demos. Admission is free with paid entrance to the museum. Get more info here.
Beverly Hills Art Show (May 17-18) – FA > Over 235 artists are expected to participate in the Beverly Hills Art Show this year. Taking place in Beverly Gardens Park the event is free to attend and includes a wine and beer garden, demonstrating artists, children’s activities, gourmet food trucks and several community exhibits. More info here.
Cruel World Festival (May 17) -> The music festival returns to Brookside Park in Pasadena with headliners New Order with a supporting lineup that includes Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, DEVO, Garbage and more. Tickets starting at $249. More info here.
Long Beach Pride (May 17-18) -> The 42nd Annual Long Beach Pride Festival will transform the Marina Green with an array of live music, scrumptious food, and special performances to be announced soon. This year’s theme is “The Power of Community.” Festival tickets start at $20. More info here.
AAPI Heritage Month Celebration x Third Street Promenade (May 17) – FA > Third Street Promenade is hosting an all-day block party celebrating AAPI Heritage Month, featuring a vendor marketplace, live performances, tasty treats, and giveaways. Runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Renaissance Pleasure Faire (now through May 18) -> 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 18. Adult single-day admission starts at $44. More info here.
CicLAmini Pico Union (May 18) – M FA > L.A.’s biggest and longest running open streets initiative heads to Pico Union with a scaled down version of their pedestrian-oriented experience featuring lots of activities and street games for all ages. Runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
L.A. Fleet Week (May 21-26) – FA > This year’s L.A. Fleet Week celebrates our nation’s sea services with a week of special performances and forums, an expo on the waterfront in San Pedro that includes live entertainment, ship tours, aerial demos, and more. Free to attend. Get the full schedule of events here.
WeHo Pride (May 22, 23, 30, 31 & June 1) – TP > WeHo Pride 2025 starts off on Harvey Milk Day, May 22, 2025, with the 3rd annual José Julio Sarria Drag Pageant. Following that, the June Pride month celebrations continue with WeHo Pride Weekend from Friday, May 23, 2025, through Sunday, June 1, 2025. This weekend includes various events such as a free Street Fair, the ticketed OUTLOUD at WeHo Pride music festival, the annual Dyke March and Women’s Freedom Festival, and the annual WeHo Pride Parade, among others. Additionally, entertainment venues in West Hollywood’s Rainbow District along historic Route 66 will host numerous special Pride events. More info here.
3rd Annual Long Beach BBQ Festival (May 23-24) -> The 3rd Annual Long Beach BBQ Festival hosted by Axiom Kitchen and NoahS’s Arc Foundation will once again take place at ShoreLine Aquatic Park. There will be plenty of barbecue, live music from local bands and games. General admission cost $20 does not include food or beverages, VIP $150 and come with special lounge areas, exclusive food and beverage tastings, VIP lines, whiskey tastings. More info here.
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LACMA Latin Sounds (May 24 to June 21) – FA > LACMA is bringing a series of Saturday evening, outdoor concerts at Hancock Park (adjacent to the museum campus) with world-renowned artists performing everything from Indigenous music to sounds from Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Mexico, Peru, and Los Angeles. Free to attend. Runs 5 to 7 p.m. May kicks off with performances by Echo Park Project and Soul Sauce. More info here.
Fiesta Hermosa (May 24-26) – FA > Memorial Day weekend in Hermosa Beach means one thing: Fiesta Hermosa! This May’s three-day festival features a marketplace with over 250 vendors, a wine garden, food fair, live music and a carnival. Admission is free. More info here.
Cinespia (May 24, 25, 31) -> Cinespia returns this season with movie screenings at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Kicking things off is The Big Lebowski on May 24, then Clueless on May 25 and then Blue Velvet on May 31. Tickets cost $29.99. More info here.
Topanga Days (May 24-26) – > The annual fundraiser festival for the Topanga Community Center returns over Memorial Day weekend for three days of games, food and live music, capped by a Memorial Day parade. Adult single day tickets for non-members start at $63.60 per person. More info here.
Concerts in the Dome (May 25) – TP > Mount Wilson Observatory kicks its 2025 season of concerts hosted inside the historic 100-inch telescope dome, where the acoustics are said to be some of the finest in the world. The first concert of the season features Peter Erskine & The Lounge Art Ensemble. There will be two musical performances, one at 3 p.m. and the other at 5 p.m. Tickets are $60. Get more info here.
MAINopoly (May 25) -> Board game meets food fest at the 10th annual MAINopoly, taking place on Main Street in Santa Monica. Advance GA tickets start at $34.06 per person, which get you an allotment of credits (MAINopoloy dollars) you use to pick up bites at restaurants up and down the block. Each spot you visit helps fill up your game board which offers a shot at prizes. More info here.
Downtown Burbank Arts Festival (May 31 – June 1) – FA > A huge vendor marketplace curated by Jackalope Arts takes over Downtown Burbank for a two-day event featuring 170+ indie sellers on hand offering curated goods include original fashion and jewelry design, paper goods, innovative home decor and housewares, art, photography, food, and more. Free to attend. Runs 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. More info here.
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