Best Things To Do This Weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: May 3 - 5

Walking through a labyrinth has been a popular method of moving meditation for centuries. Join the worldwide celebration of this ancient habit by taking a walk at a labyrinth near you. There are more than 15 across the area participating, from Santa Monica to Simi Valley, Tustin to Torrance.

Get your Princess Leia braids ready and fire up your lightsaber for Star Wars activities for all ages around the city.

At the Academy Museum, you can meet a droid, participate in creating a community mural, and watch screenings of Return of the Jedi and Rogue One. You can also check out the original Dykstraflex camera system used to film the original trilogy (which will be on view until July 8).

At the Venice Library, a May the 4th celebration for kids and teens will feature a trivia game, Star Wars-themed crafts, snacks, and a raffle.

And in Pasadena, LEGO haven Bricks & Minifigs is opening a new location with appearances by Star Wars and The Mandalorian actor Ahmed Best, who will celebrate the release of his LEGO set. Plus, the winner of LEGO Masters Season 4 Christopher Lee will also be on site for meet and greets.

Sting, Incubus, and My Morning Jacket headline the fifth annual Beachlife Festival in Redondo Beach, which has become a hot addition to the Southern California summer fest scene. This year’s lineup also includes Trey Anastasio fresh off Phish’s stint at the Sphere, Local Natives, Seal, Devo, and more. Lots of fun local food and drink will be on hand with special experiences, too, including Gray Whale Gin’s immersive cocktail bar made from a VW bus, Grillo’s Pickles Speakeasy with special ticketed music events, and a series of DAOU wines pop-ups with chefs including Nyesha Arrington (Top Chef) and Ian Gresik (Drago Central).

Films that give a lens into the lives of people with disabilities are the focus of the ReelAbilities Film Festival, hosted by the City of L.A. Department on Disability. Stories like the sci-fi feature Unidentified Objects from director Juan Felipe Zuleta to documentary shorts like the rom-com Flirting (with Possibilities) from director Garrett Zuercher run the gamut of topics and communities covered. The fest also features conversations with filmmakers and a Sunday outdoor family fun day.

Community celebrations of Cinco de Mayo abound across the area, bringing live music, arts, crafts, and community together around the marking of Mexico’s victory in the 1862 Battle of Puebla (more on the history of Cinco de Mayo here). At the Rose Bowl, a youth soccer tournament, a crafts marketplace, and themed movie screenings (Coco and Beverly Hills Chihuahua) take over the Rose Bowl field.

Across town on the Santa Monica Promenade, you can expect performances by UCLA’s Mariachi de Uclatlán, Academia de Danza BFFM and recording artist Danny Muñoz. There are also special outdoor dining options from Casa Martin, Cabo Cantina, 1212 and Ugo Trattoria.

Bring your sketchbook out to the Homestead Museum and spend the afternoon sketching the historic houses and native plants at this City of Industry landmark. There’s also a workshop on making paper from plants with artist Danielle Giudici Wallis and a drum circle with the Sisters of One Drum.

Head out to the Mt. Wilson observatory for a talk from Mount Wilson Science Advisor, retired JPL Science Division expert, and "favorite raconteur" Tim Thompson about (small topic, no biggie) the history of the universe. He’ll focus on the findings of Mount Wilson astronomer Harlow Shapely, who set the stage for Edwin Hubble’s discoveries beyond the Milky Way. The audience will get to help make a scale model of the universe – and stick around for picnicking and stargazing!

Get up close and personal with the rescue horses of the Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center. Learn to groom and care for the mustangs and thoroughbreds that are part of a horse therapy program there.

In honor of AAPI Heritage Month, the Japanese American History Museum is hosting a screening of One Fighting Irishman, a documentary about the heroic efforts of Wayne Collins, who fought for the rights of Japanese Americans during World War II at Tule Lake. Star Trek actor George Takei narrates the film, directed by Sharon Yamato.

Inspired to delve further into the world of chocolate after taking a deep breath in the Ed Ruscha Chocolate Room at LACMA? Sign up to learn about the relationship of chocolate and the history of Oaxacan black mole, a sauce of chocolate, chilis, and spices in this unique cooking class.

Latino Central Coast winemakers take the spotlight at this festival of Latino food and culture on Cinco de Mayo. Taste wines from Esfuerzo Wines, Tierra y Vino, Camins 2 Dreams, and more. Plus, enjoy food from local favorites like El Partner Mariscos, Casa Coma, Birria Boys, and Santa Maria Public Market. The event benefits Athletes in the Making.

Top Chef alum and Playa Provisions restaurateur Brooke Williamson co-chairs this foodie event, benefitting No Kid Hungry. Over 40 chefs will share bites and lead cooking demonstrations. There are also games, raffles, and activities for kids.

If you’re looking for a solid Cinco de Mayo night out, we have you covered. The annual tacos and tequila bar crawl starts at Ashland Hill and features restaurants and bars along Santa Monica Main Street all night long.

If you haven’t been down to Costa Mesa’s year-old Mexican food hall Mercado Gonzalez yet, what better time than this weekend? They are bringing Lucha Libre fans a treat with a guest appearance by El Hijo de Santo (son of famed Lucha Libre wrestler El Santo), a Lucha Libre watch party, and food and drink specials like $12 margaritas and #13 cochinita pibil tacos.