This week is packed with outdoor events: LA Fleet Week, the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival, Fiesta Hermosa, and Scottish Fest USA, among many others.
Autry After Hours: BBQ, Brews, and Blues
Autry Museum of the American West | 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles | May 21 | theautry.org
Enjoy live music and dancing on the plaza as well as a full cash bar highlighting local craft breweries and BBQ food trucks all night. This round will feature live performances by Shy But Flyy (Blues, jazz, and spoken-word artist) and Bobby Warren (L.A.’s resident Mississippi bluesman). General admission: $20.
St. Louis of France Catholic Church Parish Fiesta
St. Louis of France Catholic Church | 13935 E. Temple Ave., La Puente | May 21 | stlouisoffrancechurch-lapuente.org
Don’t miss the last day of this community event featuring delicious food, rides and entertainment.
Friday Nights at The Gamble House
The Gamble House | 4 Westmoreland Place, Pasadena | May 22 | visitpasadena.com
Pick out a cozy spot on The Gamble House lawn to enjoy a picnic (or try slices from Triple Beam Pizza), wine tasting, and live music from The Bad Look (jazz, funk, and blues). Normal Ice cream will also be serving scoops of their handmade treats. Then explore the first floor of the home with docents present in each room to answer questions. Tickets: $35 w/wine tasting (21+) or free w/out wine tasting for members, and $40 with wine tasting (21+) or $5 without wine tasting for nonmembers.
Jazz at LACMA: Brian Swartz Quintet
LACMA | 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles | May 22 | lacma.org
Trumpeter, vocalist, arranger and band leader Brian Swartz has released five jazz albums and performed with Michael Bublé, Patti LaBelle, Keb’ Mo’, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and on numerous TV and film studio dates. Admission: free.
Garden Grove Strawberry Festival
Village Green Park | 12732 Main St, Garden Grove | May 22-25 | strawberryfestival.org
The festival features strawberry‑themed foods, family‑friendly entertainment, carnival rides, live music, vendors, contests, and the Opening Ceremony with free Strawberry Cake. The Strawberry Festival Parade on Saturday will feature celebrities like Emilio Rivera, elected officials, marching bands, sports figures, and more as it travels through the streets of Garden Grove. Admission to the festival is free, and proceeds from the event will support local nonprofit organizations serving children, seniors, and the arts in Garden Grove.
LA Fleet Week
Port of LA | 425 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro | May 22-25 | lafleetweek.com
Free and open to the public, LA Fleet Week returns with a multi-day schedule packed with educational and entertaining activities. There will be free public tours of visiting active-duty military ships, including a Navy aircraft carrier. Most LA Fleet Week activities will take place at the LA Fleet Week EXPO in front of the Battleship USS IOWA Museum. The Expo will feature military and non-military equipment and displays, aircraft flyovers and weekend-long live entertainment. Various competitions between branches of the military will be featured throughout the weekend. New this year, the LA Fleet Week After Party at West Harbor will be held from 5-10 p.m. Enjoy a live DJ, beer garden, cocktails, food vendors, and waterside views Saturday and Sunday along the West Harbor Promenade.
‘WASHOKU | Nature and Culture in Japanese Cuisine’
Japan House LA | 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles | May 22 – Oct. 18 | japanhousela.com
This landmark exhibition explores the core elements, evolution, and cultural significance of washoku, a UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage.
Ceramic Painting Workshop
Hyatt Place Pasadena | 399 E. Green St., Pasadena | May 22-23 | eventbrite.com
Create your own hand-painted ceramic bowl or plate in this beginner-friendly workshop. All materials are included. Instructors will guide participants step by step. While you work on your design, enjoy traditional Turkish tea and sweet treats. Tickets start at $79.
Mosaic Lamp Making Workshop
Hyatt Place Pasadena | 399 E. Green St., Pasadena | May 22-23 | eventbrite.com
Learn how to make a Turkish mosaic lamp in this instructor-led class. In just 2.5 hours you’ll lay tiles to craft your own lamp and enjoy Turkish tea service, accompanied by treats and homemade Turkish shortbread cookies. Tickets start at $99.
‘Three Lives’
Sierra Madre Playhouse | 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre | May 22-24 | sierramadreplayhouse.org
“Three Lives” a critically acclaimed one-man show written, directed, and performed by Chinese-Vietnamese American artist Alex Xander Luu. Luu takes the stage alone, yet fills it with generations as he portrays a father, a son, and a grandson, tracing his family’s escape from Saigon in 1975 and their search for identity and belonging in America. This solo performance moves seamlessly between memory and movement, weaving together moments of chaos, humor, and quiet tenderness. Luu’s storytelling doesn’t just recount history, it addresses the weight of leaving home for a foreign country, the pressure to assimilate, and the unspoken bonds that shape us. Tickets: $12-$35.
OCLA Night Market
STC Rowland Legacy | 18991 Colima Road, Rowland Heights | May 22-24 | eventbrite.com
This night market is inspired by the festive atmosphere of traditional Japanese summer festivals. The three-day market will be filled with food, performances, and immersive experiences. All guests who register for the Natsu Festival through Eventbrite will have a chance to win a pair of Disney Park Hopper tickets.
Annual UCR Pow Wow
Riverside Sports Complex | 1000 W. Blaine St., Riverside | May 22-24 | nasp.ucr.edu
Over three days, enjoy dancers, drums, and birdsingers. Admission is free and open to the public.
Golden Afternoon at Main Street Magic
Heritage Museum of Orange County | 3101 W. Harvard St., Santa Ana | May 23 | eventbrite.com
Stroll the grounds of the historic Kellogg Mansion and discover more than 75 local and Disney inspired vendors. Meet Alice and Rapunzel, enjoy live performances, and experience all the whimsical Main Street vibes brought to life through music, creativity, and community. Sip on coffee, indulge in delicious food and pastries with plant based options available, and bring your furry friends along for the adventure. Tickets: $12.51.
Wellness Mercado Grande: East LA Community Wellness Festival
East Los Angeles Civic Center | 4801 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles | May 23 | eventbrite.com
This free community event will feature wellness activities, mental health resources, family-friendly experiences, food, music, and local organizations.
D23 x SFC: ‘Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest’
The Autry Museum | 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles | May 23 | streetfoodcinema.com
Jack, Will and Elizabeth are off on another adventure for the heart of Davy Jones. Original costumes for Elizabeth Swann and Will Turner, the Dead Man’s Chest, and Tia Dalma’s necklace—plus a few more surprises from the Archives’ collection—will be on view. There will also be photo ops and food trucks. General admission: $30.
Scottish Fest USA
OC Fair & Event Center | 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa | May 23-24 | scottishfest.com
Discover Scotland by feeling the thunder of bagpipes in competition, exploring the history of clans, cheering on Highland athletes, and sipping on whisky and enjoying music, dancing, craftsmanship, and Scottish flavors. A one-day adult pass is $30.
4th Annual Long Beach BBQ Festival
Rainbow Lagoon Park | 400 E. Shoreline Drive, Long Beach | May 23-24 | eventbrite.com
Get ready for BBQ, live music, celebrity chef demos, entertainment, shopping, a whiskey tasting experience, and fun by the water. General admission: $23.18.
Puro Rockero ‘Bajo Las Estrellas’
Pico Rivera Sports Arena | 11003 Sports Arena Drive, Pico Rivera | May 23 | eventbrite.com
Five live bands and five DJs will put on a full night of rock en Español, ska, ‘80s, cumbia and more. There will also be food trucks, curated vendors, photo ops, a mechanical bull, and more. Tickets: $28.52.
Culture Fest
Blossom Market Hall | 264 S Mission Drive, San Gabriel | May 23 | blossommarkethall.com
During this one-day event, you can purchase specially curated cultural food and drinks from Blossom Market Hall vendors. Onstage, there will be performances from various cultural groups. On the second floor, minority-owned small businesses will be selling cultural goods and so much more. The lineup includes Hālau Hula Ke ‘Alohi O ‘Ilikai: Academy of Polynesian Arts, Ballet de Sally Savedra and more.
WeHo Pride Arts Festival
Los Angeles LGBT Center | 1118 N. McCadden Place, Los Angeles | May 23-25 | wehopride.com
From poetry, live music, workshops, film, and more, all events are free to attend.
Fiesta Hermosa
Downtown Hermosa Beach | May 23-25 | fiestahermosa.net
Taking up the entire downtown area of Hermosa Beach, Fiesta Hermosa will feature five stages of music, a large carnival, brand activations, the Food Fair and Dessert Depot, more than 250 vendors in Makers Mercado, and The Garden featuring sponsored beverages as well as local tasty cocktails, beer and wine. Fiesta is open and free to enter for the public
Valley Greek Fest
Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church | 9501 Balboa Blvd., Northridge | May 23-25 | valleygreekfestival.com
Can’t make it to Santorini this summer? Head to the Valley for a slice of Greek culture featuring food, music, dancing, cooking demonstrations and more. Admission: $5.
Festival Nicaraguense
Quiet Cannon | 901 Via San Clemente, Montebello | May 24 | eventbrite.com
Enjoy a night of live music from Carlos Mejia Godoy, La Sonora Dinamita Cumbia 100 Colombiana, and La Cuneta Son Machin. Tickets: $44.52.
Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome
Mount Wilson Observatory | 100 Mt Wilson Circle Road, Mt Wilson | May 24 | mtwilson.edu
Set off on a musical adventure under the dome featuring Mendelssohn Trio in D minor and Fauré Piano Quartet No. 1 in C minor. A reception will be held outside the dome at 4 p.m. with light refreshments. Tickets: $65.
ONGOING
‘Carlota: Alhajero de Secretos’
The Los Angeles Theatre Center | 514 S. Spring St., Los Angeles | Through May 24 | latinotheaterco.org
Latino Theater Company welcomes the return of San Jose-based LGBTQ+ ensemble Teatro Alebrijes with “Carlota: Alhajero de Secretos” (Carlota: Jewelry Box of Secrets), a bold reimagining of Federico García Lorca’s “The House of Bernarda Alba.” Inside the home of Carlota and her three daughters, time seems to have stood still. But their cloistered world is suddenly shaken when the youngest daughter encounters a handsome stranger in town for his father’s funeral. What follows is a cascade of revelations as long-buried secrets emerge — like precious jewels hidden inside a jewelry box. (Performed in Spanish with English supertitles.) Tickets range from $10 for all Thursday performances to $48 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
‘The Sound of Music’
Pantages Theatre | 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles | Through May 24 | broadwayinhollywood.com
“The Sound of Music” has been one of our favorite things since Julie Andrews twirled onto our screens singing “The hills are alive with the sound of music.” Maria and the von Trapp family will take audiences on a journey about love, following your own path, the power of music, and resisting fascism. Tickets starts at $57.
LA Zoo Bloom
LA Zoo | 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles | Through May 25 | lazoo.org
The LA Zoo will be buzzing with activity all spring. LA Zoo Bloom is a season-long event featuring colorful photo ops, strolling characters, and the new conservation themed Mission Safari maze. Tickets: $22-$27.
‘For Want of a Horse’
Atwater Village Theatre | 3269 Casitas Ave., Los Angeles | Through May 25 | echotheatercompany.com
The Echo Theater Company presents the world premiere of a darkly comic, deeply human exploration of love, desire and unconventional relationships. Joey Stromberg stars as Calvin. Calvin is devoted to his wife, Bonnie, played by Jenny Soo. But, as Calvin confesses to his best friend, PJ, if he’s to move forward, he needs to open up their relationship to include his new romantic partner. One complication: that partner would be Q-Tip — and Q-Tip is a horse. Tickets range from $15 to $42.75.
‘Fractured Fables’
The Actors’ Gang Theater | 9070 Venice Blvd., Culver City | Through May 30 | theactorsgang.com
The Actors’ Gang presents Fractured Fables – for the entire family (ages 6 & up recommended) – written and adapted from Aesop and Brothers Grimm, among others, by Rynn Vogel and directed by Adam J. Jefferis. Audiences of ages 6 & up can expect a lively and engaging theatrical experience that celebrates creativity, mentorship, and the enduring power of storytelling. Tickets: $25 Saturdays and Sundays; seniors, students, educators are $20.
LA County Fair
Fairplex | 1101 W. McKinley Ave., La Verne | Through May 31 | lacountyfair.com
The LA County Fair is back with rides, art, contests, farm animals, delicious food and drinks, live music and a skating rink! Single day tickets are $18 but there are special prices and value passes available.
‘The Storyteller of East LA’
The Los Angeles Theatre Center | 514 S. Spring St., Los Angeles | Through May 31 | latinotheaterco.org
Dedicated to her mother, the newest work by Latino Theater Company resident playwright Evelina Fernández celebrates the sustaining power of love, compassion, storytelling, and the resilience of family. Lucy Rodriguez and Sal López star as Mercedes, a 90-year-old woman with dementia, and Serafina, the guardian angel with whom Mercy interacts in “The Other Place,” a liminal space existing somewhere between memory and reality. As Mercy’s health declines, her daughters Grace and Mary and granddaughter Lulu are forced to confront unresolved tensions and make difficult choices about her care. Their fragile caregiving arrangement is further strained when Mercy’s nighttime caregiver stops coming, afraid to leave home during ICE immigration raids. Daytime caregiver Josefa faces similar fears, even as she tries to ensure that Mercy’s care continues. The play blends intimate family drama with elements of magical realism to explore themes of memory loss, family dynamics and the complexities of caring for aging loved ones. Tickets range from $10 to previews and for all Thursday performances to $48 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, except students and seniors, who pay only $24.
‘Exit the King’
A Noise Within | 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena | Through May 31 | anoisewithin.org
It’s King Berenger’s last day on Earth, but he refuses to accept it. King Berenger has ruled with absolute power, so why should the rules of death apply to him? As the king stubbornly denies the inevitable, his crumbling kingdom is held together by an eccentric court: his formidable first wife, his devoted second wife, and a band of increasingly bewildered attendants. Absurd, witty and unexpectedly touching, this modern classic becomes a poignant and surprisingly joyful reminder that even kings must face their final curtain. Tickets start at $41.75. Student tickets start at $20.
‘Little Shop of Horrors’
Lineage Performing Arts Center | 920 E. Mountain Ave., Pasadena | Through June 7 | lineagepac.org
Lineage breathes new life into this sci-fi cult classic with dance. Tickets start at $38.62.
Photography and the Black Arts Movement
The Getty | 1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 403, Los Angeles | Through June 14 | getty.edu
“Photography and the Black Arts Movement brings together works by more than one hundred photographers, painters, graphic designers, and multimedia artists who used photographic images in their struggles against inequality,” says Timothy Potts, Maria Hummer-Tuttle and Robert Tuttle Director of the J. Paul Getty. Divided into eight sections, this exhibition brings together more than 150 artworks in a range of media, including video art, paintings, collages, contact sheets, newsletters, and magazines, giving a sense of the varied ways that photographic imagery circulated at the time.Admission to the Getty Center is always free, but a reservation is required for admission.
‘Brigadoon’
Pasadena Playhouse | 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena | Through June 14 | pasadenaplayhouse.org
Two American travelers lose their way in the Scottish Highlands and stumble upon Brigadoon—a mysterious village that appears for just one day every hundred years. With its lush score, live orchestra, sweeping choreography, and a newly adapted book, this beloved classic is a heart-stirring journey into a world where time stands still, and love defies all logic. Tickets start at $58.
‘Hymn’
Odyssey Theatre | 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles | Through June 14 | odysseytheatre.com
“Hymn” is a life-affirming new play by Olivier Award-winning playwright Lolita Chakrabarti (“Life of Pi,” “Hamnet”). Two middle-aged Black men form a deep bond against a background of R&B rhythms, boxing, and rounds of scotch in this soulful play about love, faith and male friendship. Tickets to all performances are $35. A $3 fee will be added to each ticket purchased with a credit card. Discounts are available for students and seniors.
DIAVOLO | Architecture in Motion: Escape
L’ESPACE DIAVOLO | 616 Moulton Ave., Los Angeles | Through June 14 | diavolo.org/escape
Founder and Creative Director Jacques Heim, choreographer of Cirque du Soleil’s long running Las Vegas production KÀ and creative director of the 16th Asian Games Opening Ceremony, continues his mission to explore the relationship between the human body and its environment. This 70-minute piece explores the conditions of the human struggle to break free from a chaotic world — featuring a company of 22 artists testing themselves against a variety of DIAVOLO’s most famous custom-made architectural structures. Pre-show and post-show interactive opportunities give audiences the opportunity to experience movement with the architecture pieces as well. Tickets start at $39.
‘Ascent’
Skylight Theatre | 1816-1/2 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles | Through June 14 | skylighttheatre.org
Based on the true story, “Ascent” tells about the life of Qian Xuesen, the brilliant aerospace engineer who helped launch America’s space age—until Cold War paranoia forever changed the future of both his new and native homelands. In this play and its production, two fascinating American stories are told – the true story of Qian Xuesen (spelled often as Tsien Hsue-shen), a father of American rocketry and co-founder of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, who became later known as the father of Chinese rocketry – giving that country nuclear capacity, and playwright Henry Ong, a beloved playwright and powerful figure in the Los Angeles theatre community for more than thirty-five years. General admission starts at $29.
‘The Physicists’
The Actors’ Gang Theater | 9070 Venice Blvd., Culver City | Through June 20 | theactorsgang.com
In Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s 1961 “The Physicists,” the world’s greatest physicist, Johann Wilhelm Möbius, is in an asylum and haunted by King Solomon. His friends are two equally deluded scientists – one who believes he is Einstein and the other Newton. As the play progresses, they are not as harmless as they appear as they plot the end of the world abetted by their psychiatrist, Mathilde von Zahnd. Like Peter Weiss’ “Marat/Sade,” also originally directed by Peter Brook, “The Physicists” asks where the line is between mad and dangerously insane. Tickets: $38; seniors, students and educators are $28.
‘Studio Ghibli’s Ponyo’
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures | 6067 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles | Through Jan. 10, 2027 | academymuseum.org
The Academy Museum presents Studio Ghibli’s Ponyo, celebrating the artistry of Studio Ghibli and the hand-drawn animation behind the 2008 film. The exhibition features over 100 original materials from Studio Ghibli, including art boards, posters, an animation desk, and hand drawings by Hayao Miyazaki, many on display in North America for the first time. Curated by Jessica Niebel with assistant curator Emily Rauber Rodriguez. The museum is open six days a week, closed on Tuesdays. Tickets $15–$25; film screenings $5–$10.
