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Arts & Entertainment

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

Laura Hertzfeld
Laura Hertzfeld
Published May 2, 2024 5:00 AM
An actor dressed as Darth Vader from 'Star Wars' is posing for the camera, holding a red lightsaber in front of his face with his hand raised.
Darth Vader at the European premiere of 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' in 2019.
(
Gareth Cattermole
/
Getty Images
)

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May the 4th be with you! There’s a big Star Wars celebration at the Academy Museum, and you can set your sights on the real stars up close as Mt. Wilson opens up its observatory for the summer. The ReelAbilities Film Fest honors the stories of people with disabilities and the Beachlife Festival brings some of the biggest names in music to Redondo.

Plus, celebrate Cinco de Mayo with fiestas and great Mexican eats all around the city, and take a thoughtful walk on World Labyrinth Day to explore the many mazes across L.A.

For more to explore, visit LAist.com, where you can learn about going (gasp!) car-free in L.A. and meet L.A. In a Minute host Evan Lovett.

Events

  • The image is a labyrinth garden. The shot is from above the garden, slightly tilted down to see the gardens unique cuts and colors in broad day light.
    Sat, May 4

    World Labyrinth Day

    • First United Methodist Church
      1008 11th St., Santa Monica
    • St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church
      280 Royal Ave., Simi Valley
    • Unity of Tustin
      14402 Prospect Ave., Tustin

    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.
  • You can buy LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga for PC, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation, but you can also stream it and hundreds of other titles with Xbox Game Pass.
    Sat, May 4

    'Star Wars' Day Events

    • Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
      6067 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire
    • Bricks & Minifigs
      350 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena
    • Abbot Kinney Memorial Branch Library
      501 S. Venice Blvd., Venice

    Get your Princess Leia braids ready and fire up your lightsaber for Star Wars activities for all ages around the city.
  • Image is a promo for the beach life festival this May 3rd-5th.
    Sun, May 5

    Beachlife Fest 2024

    • Beachlife Festival
      239 N Harbor Dr., Redondo Beach

    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.
  • Image is a promo for reel abilities film festival. The text is behind an orange background with a bottom purple outline of some of the cites in Los Angeles.
    Sat, May 4

    ReelAbilities Film Festival

    • California Plaza
      300 S Grand Ave., Downtown L.A.

    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.
  • Image is a Promo for Cinco de Mayo at the Rose Bowl. Behind the blue fronted text is a tan background.
    Sun, May 5

    Cinco de Mayo Events

    • Rose Bowl Stadium
      1001 Rose Bowl Dr., Pasadena
    • Third Street Promenade
      1351 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica

    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).
  • Image is a painting of a house. The painting has the house right in the middle of the image and with 3 tress in font the of the house all spread out. The house is white in front of blue/sky background.
    Sat, May 4

    An Afternoon In The Gardens

    • Workman & Temple Family Homestead Museum
      15415 Don Julian Rd., City of Industry

    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.
  • Promo image for Mount Wilson observatory event for Saturday the 4th. The image features a background of the sky with stars overlooking the land below with features mountains. There's also a image of a man (Tim Thompson) who is featured as the speaker for the event.
    Sat, May 4

    Mount Wilson And The Dawn Of Modern Cosmology

    • Mount Wilson Observatory
      Access via the Angeles Crest Highway (CA Hwy 2) from the 210 Freeway, La Cañada Flintridge

    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.

Outdoor Pick

  • Image is a collage of 9 different pictures of horses and parents/kids interacting with them. All smiling and having a good time.
    Sun, May 5

    Hug and Groom

    • Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center
      6956 Ellis Ave., Huntington Beach

    Get up close and personal with the rescue horses of the Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center.

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Viewing Pick

  • Promo image for the Japanese American history Museum promotion for the film 'One Fighting Irishman. Behind the text is a sketch of Wayne M. Collins. The image also features a blue half bottom on for the image
    Fri, May 3

    'One Fighting Irishman' Screening

    • Japanese American National Museum
      100 N. Central Ave., Downtown L.A.

    In honor of AAPI Heritage Month, the Japanese American History Museum is hosting a screening of One Fighting Irishman.

Dine & Drink Deals

Enjoy these tasty food and beverage deals this weekend!

  • Image is facing down at a bowl of fresh cut choclote sitting on top of a tray. The tray sits under out of focus coffee beans.
    Sat, May 4

    Cooking With LACMA: Maite Gomez Rejon

    • Los Angeles Cooking School
      8690 Washington Blvd., Culver City

    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.
  • Promo image for Sabor Del Valle Latino & Wine festival. The image is a red background with outline drawings of a wine bottle, wine glass and fork on the right side of the image, while the text is on the left side of the image
    Sun, May 5

    Sabor Del Valle Latino Food & Wine Festival

    • LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
      501 N. Main St., Chinatown

    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.
  • Image is showing a 4 tier shelf and on every shelf is packed with a white goodies bag that says 'Every kid, healthy food, every day. The bags also have an origami shaped carrot tied around the handles.
    Sat, May 4

    Los Angeles Taste Of The Nation

    • Media Park
      9070 W. Venice Blvd., Culver City

    Top Chef alum and Playa Provisions restaurateur Brooke Williamson co-chairs this foodie event, benefitting No Kid Hungry.

  • The image features 3 different types of tacos on top of a cutting board. The soft shelled tacos are all different variety's with meats and condiments, 3 orange peppers also surround the tacos.
    Sat, May 4

    Tacos And Tequila Bar Crawl

    • Ashland Hill
      2807 Main St., Santa Monica

    If you’re looking for a solid Cinco de Mayo night out, we have you covered.
  • The image is 2 rows of different color/variations of Lucha Libre masks hanging on a rod outside a street vendor.
    Sun, May 5

    Lucha Libre Watch Party

    • Mercado Gonzalez
      2300 Harbor Blvd. , Costa Mesa

    If you haven’t been down to Costa Mesa’s year-old Mexican food hall Mercado Gonzalez yet, what better time than this weekend?

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