Things To Do

20 Cool L.A. Events in May Every Angeleno Should Have on Their Radar (2016)

April 23, 2016 by Brian Champlin

Need stuff to do this May in Los Angeles? Got you covered.

We looked ahead on our calendar to spotlight some of the best events happening in May 2016 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.

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May 2016 event highlights include the LA Bacon Fest, a Sci-Fest, a Rose Festival, the Hollywood Beer & Music Festival, the opening of L.A.’s outdoor movie season, Museum of the Arroyos Day, and LOTS more to choose from.

Complete rundown starts after the jump.

Enjoy!

Street Food Cinema 2014

Credit: Street Food Cinema


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.


1. LA Bacon Fest (May 1)

Now in its fourth year, the Los Angeles Bacon Festival is back this May for a pork filled affair at Los Angeles Center Studios in DTLA.

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2. Taste of Eastside Food Festival (May 1)

Top restaurants from Los Feliz, Atwater, Echo Park, Downtown and Silver Lake will all be on hand serving tasty treats to food loving guests at the 6th annual Taste of the Eastside food and drink festival coming May 1.

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3. Sci-Fi Fest (May 5-19)

The third annual Sci-Fest will take over theACME Theatre this May for a string of one-act science fiction plays featuring actors from familiar fantasy and sci-fi franchises. For 2016 the fest will also feature a newly added Green Screen program showcasing sci-fi themed pilots and screenplays currently in development.

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4. Pancakes & Booze Art Show (May 6-7)

The Pancakes & Booze Art Show returns to Los Angeles for a two-day event starting May 6 that’ll feature 150 artists, live painting, live music, body painting, a FREE photo booth, and yes, FREE pancakes!

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5. Depressed Cake Shop Bake Sale in Santa Monica (May 6-7)

Eat cake for a good cause! This two day pop-up at Streetcraft LA in Santa Monica is an extravagant bake sale with live musical entertainment, art and fashion vendors all coming together to help raise awareness for mental illness and funds to benefit the St. Joseph Center’s Mental Health programs in Venice.

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6. The BBQ + Beer Festival in Santa Clarita (May 6-7)

Check out 45 plus craft beers, live music, and lots of family friendly fun in the heart of the Antelope Valley. Oh, and PLENTY of delicious barbecue to sample.Keep in mind discount tickets may be available for this event while supplies last (via Goldstar).

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7. Pasadena’s First-Ever Home Brewer’s Fest (May 7)

On Saturday, May 7 head over to Bacchus’ Kitchen in Pasadena for the first ever Home Brewer’s Fest. Guests will be able to sample a variety of beers created by local Pasadena area home brewers, all paired with some delicious meats prepared straight from the grill.

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8. Street Food Cinema Kicks Off Their 2016 Schedule (May 7)

Street Food Cinema 2016 will feature over 50 different outdoor movie events from May 7 through October 29, each combining classic film screenings with live musical performances and tasty local area food trucks. Keep in mind discount tickets may be available while supplies last (via Goldstar) for many of the listed venues including Exposition Park, Will Rogers Historic State ParkVictory Park, and Glendale Central Park.

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9. Eat|See|Hear Begins Their Outdoor Screening Series (May 7)

Now in its 5th annual season, the Eat|See|Hear outdoor movie screening series returns to Los Angeles this May to kick of an entire summer of classic films, live music, and tasty food trucks.Enjoy live tunes, food and outdoor movies on a 52-foot wide inflatable screen that’s the largest west of the Mississippi. Keep in mind discount tickets may be available while supplies last (via Goldstar) for many of the listed venues including  Santa Monica High School AmphitheatreAutry Museum in Griffith ParkNorth Hollywood Recreation CenterCentennial Square at Pasadena City Hall, and La Cienega Park in Beverly Hills

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10. Free Free Hitchcock Double Feature at Peace Yoga Gallery (May 7)

Peace Yoga Gallery is hosting a free double feature screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s Rebecca (rated 100% on Rotten Tomatoes!) and The Birds. In addition, the organizers will offer a prepared raw food menu and beverages during the screenings.

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11. Friday the 13th on Friday the 13 at the Old Zoo (May 13)

The team behind the Great Horror Movie Nights (same folks who do Great Horror Campouts and the Haunted Hayrides) are hosting a spooky screening series beginning this March, and then continuing on once a month into May, all hosted at the Old Zoo in Griffith Park. The third and final screening in the series, to be held on Friday, May 13, 2016 will feature the iconic horror movie Friday The 13th. Keep in mind discount tickets may be available for this event while supplies last (via Goldstar).

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12. Cinespia 2016 Returns to The Hollywood Forever Cemetery (May 14)

On May 14 Cinespia returns for a landmark 15th season of bringing classic films to the famed Fairbanks Lawn at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery with some 4,000 moviegoers expected to attend per night.

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13. Bacon, Blues & Brews Fest in Lancaster (May 14)

Bacon, Blues & Brews, coming to Lancaster on May 14, will be feature dozens of restaurants and chefs from all over Antelope Valley offering sweet and savory samples of bacon and pork infused delicacies, all paired with craft brews from dozens of regional breweries while local blues bands keep guests entertained by playing tunes well into the night.

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14. The West Coast BBQ Classic Returns to The Queen Mary  (May 14)

On Saturday, May 14 the Queen Mary welcomes back the 5th annual West Coast BBQ Classic (WCBC) for a finger lickin’ afternoon full of barbecue grillin’. Barbecue experts and amateur grill masters will take part in the competition, and the winner will walk away with a $10,500 cash prize and the coveted title of West Coast BBQ Pitmaster Champion. Keep in mind discount tickets may be available for this event while supplies last (via Goldstar).

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15. Rose Festival at Descanso Gardens (May 14-15)

The third annual Rose Festival returns to Descanso Gardens for two fragrant days of celebrating one of America’s favorite flowers. Spend an afternoon participating in rose related actives such as a DIY floral station, guided walk of Descanso’s 5.5 acre Rose Garden, view a living floral art work created by artists and much more. Guest will also be introduced to rare and special roses in the gardens collection.

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16. Museum of The Arroyos Day (May 15)

On Sunday, May 15 six local museums and historical homes will open their doors free of charge for the annual Museums of the Arroyo Day.

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17. Field of Dreams screens at Skirball (May 20)

Skirball Cultural Center’s monthly outdoor screening series Take Me Out to the Movies continues this May with a special screening of Field of Dreams complete with DJ’d music, ballpark themed snacks like cracker jacks and hot dogs, plus full access to the Skirball galleries to explore Chasing Dreams, a celebration of baseball that highlights the role of the game’s biggest cultural influencers through a showcase of over 130 artifacts, original films, and interactive experiences.

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18. 33rd Annual California Strawberry Festival Returns to Oxnard (May 21-22)

The 33rd Annual California Strawberry Festival returns Strawberry Meadows of College Park in Oxnard on May 21-22 for a weekend long event packed with everything any strawberry lover could ever ask.

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19. The 58th Annual Garden Grove Strawberry Festival (May 27-30)

The Garden Grove Strawberry Festival returns to Village Green Park starting on May 27 for a ‘berry’ fun four-day event full of rides, parades, game booths, celebrities, music and, of course, plenty of strawberry themed treats.

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20. Hollywood Beer & Music Festival (May 28)

DJs, live music, food trucks and unlimited samples of more than 60 craft beers all in the heart of Hollywood. The festival will take place near Hollywood and Vine, set up both outside and inside the Avalon. More than 25 local and regional breweries will be participating in the event. Keep in mind discount tickets may be available for this event while supplies last (via Goldstar).

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What events are you looking forward to this May in Los Angeles? Let us know in the comments below!

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