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Scanning the list that we’ve just created we have to say… what an awesome way to start a new month!
In view for this May 2-4 in Los Angeles, you’ll find L.A. TACO’s Taco Madness at LA Plaza, a Very Special Arts Festival Community Day at The Music Center, Museums of the Arroyo Day, the May the 4th Be With You Party at Scum and Villainy, In The Mix at LACMA, Half-O-Ween at Heritage Square, the LA County Fair, a Cinco de Mayo Mercado in San Gabriel, and more.
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Make Metro Part of Your Weekend
L.A. TACO’s Taco Madness – M TP > The 16th edition of LA TACO’s signature taco battle is back at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes this Saturday 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) grant 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.
Go Metro: Take the A, B or D Lines to Union Station.
Things To Do This Weekend
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Cinco de Mayo Mercado – FA > The City of San Gabriel celebrates Cinco de Mayo this Friday 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.
NHM First Fridays – M > Natural History Museum’s signature monthly series returns this Friday with a season-long 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.
Jazz at LACMA – 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. The musical lineup kicks off with a performance by the Tony Austin Quartet. PLUS: Remember that LACMA is free to visit for L.A. County Residents (with I.D.) on weekdays after 3 p.m. Concert starts at 6 p.m. More info here.
Frogtown First Fridays – 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.
First Fridays x Mercado MOCA – M FA TP > This Friday, 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. Runs from 2 to 8 p.m. More info here.
First Fridays in Chinatown – M FA > L.A.’s Chinatown stays open late on Friday for an evening of exploring the unique small businesses, restaurants, bars and contemporary art and culture spaces that make up the historic neighborhood. The May edition of First Fridays runs from 5 to 11 p.m. at Central Plaza and 6 to 10 p.m. at Chung King Plaza. Free to attend, as always. More info here.
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First Fridays in Bixby Knolls – FA > The next edition of at First Fridays in Bixby Knolls will be a “Arte de Mayo” event celebrating the culture and creativity of Mexico, with activations at businesses and art venues along Atlantic Ave. Expect tasty eats, micheladas, live Mariachi performances and a special artist showcase. Runs 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
L.A. County Fair -> Starting this Friday, the L.A. County Fair returns to Pomona for its annual assortment of activities, musical performances, food and beverage offerings, rides, 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.
BeachLife Festival -> This Friday to Sunday, BeachLife Music Festival returns to Redondo Beach for a three-day extravaganza. Headliners include Alanis Morissette, Sublime, Lenny Kravitz and many more. Tickets start at $199 a person. More info here.
Half-O-Ween – 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. This Friday, Half-O-Ween invites guests to enjoy graveyard carnival games, tours of historic Victorian homes, food trucks, and a costume contest, all leading up to a featured screening of The Craft. Then on Saturday it’s a repeat of the series 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.
Very Special Arts Festival Community Day – M FA > The Music Center’s Very Special Arts Festival returns on Saturday with their annual free, inclusive event celebrating the artistic achievements of students with all abilities. The festival includes student and professional performances, visual and performing arts workshops and a student art exhibit. It all runs 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ALSO: Concurrent with this year’s event, you can hop over to Grand Park to check out the LAUSD Arts Fest, which runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the same day. More on all the events here.
JACCC’s Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day) Celebration – M FA > Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) will host a special Children’s Day celebration this Saturday in Isamu Noguchi Plaza. Expect performances, food and beverage vendors, activities and ticketed workshops. More info here.
In The Mix at LACMA – FA > This Saturday, Crenshaw Dairy Mart teams up with LACMA for the first in a pair of sonically-inspired film screenings taking place at Smidt Welcome Plaza, buffeted by an opening DJ set and a post-screening discussion with the directors. For the first installment of In The Mix, catch a screening of 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. Free to attend. Starts at 6 p.m. More info here.
Opening Celebration at The Fowler for Construction, Occupation – FA > The Fowler’s newest exhibition opens this Saturday, showcasing the work of 24 artists and collectives, each contributing works that demonstrate the power of community to shape cities through art. Saturday’s opening reception 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 – FA > Celebrate Cinco de Mayo this Saturday at The Rose Bowl with a free family festival 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.
Benny Boy Corgi Derby Day – FA > If you enjoy your Kentucky Derby viewing with a side of Corgis, make sure to head over to Benny Boy Brewing this Saturday. The second annual Corgi Derby Day invites guests to dress fancy, wear dandiest hats, and watch the cutest corgi’s race to find out who gets crowned this year’s champ. There will also be a vendor marketplace and food pop-ups, plus a live viewing of the Kentucky Derby. Event starts at 2 p.m. Free to attend. 21+ only. More info here.
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MAUM Market -> This Saturday, explore MAUM Market, an open-air market at ROW DTLA featuring over one 80 independent Asian small business owners showcasing jewelry, clothing, art to food products. Tickets cost $5 a person. More info here.
A Current Affair -> On Saturday and Sunday, A Current Affair’s pop-up vintage marketplace brings a highly curated list of vendors from all over the state to the Cooper Design Space in DTLA for a multi-decade shopping experience. Tickets range from $16.74-$47.61. More info here.
Great Big Family Fun Day -> The annual kid-friendly festival hosted by SoCal Moms takes over the grounds of The Autry Museum in Griffith Park this Saturday and Sunday. Families can enjoy a day of storytelling, live musical performances, and family activities. Tickets range between $7-$33. More info here.
Artazan -> This Saturday and Sunday, 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 – M FA TP > This Sunday, 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 as part of 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 – M FA TP > The annual Museums of The Arroyo Day returns this Sunday, offering free admission at six museums and historic homes along the Arroyo Seco. Participants include The Gamble House, Heritage Square, the L.A. Police Museum, the Lummis Home, the Pasadena Museum of History, and the South Pasadena Historical Museum. Free shuttles connect museums for those who want to visit multiple locations. Runs noon to 5 p.m., with last admission at 4 p.m. More info here.
Downtown Santa Monica Cinco de Mayo – FA > This Sunday, 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.
May the 4th Be With You Party at Scum and Villainy – M FA > Scum & Villainy Cantina’s annual intergalactic party brings a day/night of sci-fi fun to Hollywood this Sunday. Dress up as your favorite Star Wars character, mingle with fellow fans, enjoy themed drinks, music, and photo ops. There will be free waffle bar (till 10 a.m.) with cocktail purchase for those who come for the morning set. Bar opens bright and early at 6 a.m, Star Wars trivia starts at 10 a.m., and there will be a late night trivia session at 11 p.m. Free to attend. 21+ only More info here.
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Breathwork & Sound Bath at Compound -> This Sunday, step into a meditative art sanctuary in Long Beach’s Zaferia District, where Compound hosts breathwork and sound bath sessions inside its gallery, surrounded by towering metal sculptures from artist-in-residence Fay Ray. Tickets are offered on a sliding scale starting at $15. After your session, unwind further with coffee or lunch at Union, the on-site restaurant from Chef Eugene Santiago, serving a Southeast Asian–meets–Southern California menu. More info here.
Pasadena City College Flea – FA > The Pasadena City College Flea Market is free and open to the public every first Sunday of the month. Taking up multiple lots of the campus, vendors sell a variety of things including antiques and collectibles, to rummage sale-type items. More info here
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Estar Guars: A Cinco de Mayo & May the 4th Celebration -> Step into a galactic cantina and celebrate Estar Guars—where the Force meets the fiesta—at Marie’s Tek Tec, a new Latin-inspired tiki bar tucked behind Roxanne’s in Long Beach. From Saturday through Sunday, the space transforms into a fully themed Star Wars-style cantina featuring back-to-back screenings of Episodes I–III, a Latino-inspired cocktail menu nodding to iconic characters and moments, Star Wars-themed bites, and giveaways. Don’t miss the special appearance by Cholo Chewbacca—plus more surprises to be announced. More info here.
Cinco de Mayo at KA’TEEN -> Chef Wes Avila’s Yucatán-inspired hotspot inside tommie Hollywood brings the flavor all Cinco de Mayo weekend long with special brunch and dinner menus, festive dishes, and guest DJ sets. On Monday, May 5, the celebration continues starting at 4 p.m. with specialty cocktails, vibrant botanas and mariscos, plus live sounds by Patrik Khach. More info here.
Vago & Vibes Launches at Butterfly -> On Sunday, May 4, Butterfly—the rooftop bar from José Andrés Group atop The Shay in Culver City—debuts Vago x Vibes, a new monthly event series celebrating mezcal, music, and one-night-only menus. Each month, a fresh lineup of cocktails highlighting Vago Mezcal will be available for one night. The launch party kicks off with MEZCAL STRIKES BACK, an intergalactic-themed soirée featuring Star Wars-inspired cocktails and a live set by DJ Nobody. Alongside the themed sips, guests can still enjoy Butterfly’s signature food offerings, including guacamole served in a stone molcajete, atún pacífico ceviche, camarones al mojo de ajo negro, and carnitas tacos. More info here.
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