Best Things To Do In Los Angeles and Southern California This Weekend: Mar. 1-3

The Frieze Art Fair returns to L.A. for its fifth edition, taking over the Santa Monica Airport to showcase galleries and artists from around the world. There’s no understating the sheer volume of art: In addition to the inside galleries – representing 95 galleries from 21 countries – there are also public artworks around the airport and the city and site-specific works to explore. Local galleries and museums are all taking advantage of the show, with their own Frieze-adjacent exhibits, talks, and events peppering the weekend. Don’t miss this year’s Focus section, which features up-and-coming U.S. galleries and artists responding to the word “ecology.”

Beloved British comedian and author Stephen Fry joins artist Landon Ross as part of Frieze Art Fair programming to talk about the issues of art and technology in this unique event at Honor Fraser Gallery. While you’re there, check out the new show SMALL V01CE, curated by Jesse Damiani, which explores our digital futures with pieces by a range of artists, including the collective New Mystics.

There’s no shortage of art this weekend. The Hollywood Roosevelt is hosting the annual Felix Art Fair, bringing together over 60 galleries in one place, including a living installation by Oscar Tuazon and food by Uncle Paulie’s Deli.

If buying a gallery piece is out of your budget at Frieze, head over to the LA Art Space Market on Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. Featuring a wide range of more than 50 visual artists and craftspeople, hands-on workshops, music, and more, there will be tons to look at, enjoy, and maybe even bring home.

A '90s-alt favorite, Lemonheads frontman Evan Dando is at the Bourbon Room this weekend, along with special guest singer-songwriter Willy Mason. It’ll be a treat to see them in such a cozy venue. And going along with our art theme this week – did you know Dando is also a painter?

Los Angeles plays host to the men's and women's HSBC SVNS world rugby tournaments this weekend across two pitches at the same venue – Dignity Health Sports Park – that will host games during the Olympics in 2028. You can also find food and music at the weekend-long event, where the USA teams will be competing at home for the first time against 11 other rugby sevens teams from around the world.

If spooky season is feeling a little too far away, get your dose of blood and gore this Friday at USC and on Saturday at the Getty Center when the two institutions host events around the history of blood in the medieval period. The collaborative symposium looks at the “cultural, religious, and symbolic significance of blood.” It complements the Blood: Medieval/Modern exhibit on view at the Getty Center until May 19 and the immersive installation Illuminations by artist Jordan Eagles, which incorporates blood “donated from members of the LGBTQI+ community who are on PrEP, and individuals who are HIV+ and undetectable.”

First Fridays are back in Chinatown this month! Food, music, art, and shopping come together to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. Galleries and stores are open late and the plaza floods with folks out and about for the night market on Chung King / Gin Ling Way. This month features guest DJs from KCHUNG Radio.

L.A. dance legend Debbie Allen hosts performances and art during the opening weekend of HERStory, celebrating Women’s History Month. The March 2 event features new artworks from a range of artists and live performances by Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Nigerian-born classical Opera singer Abiodun Koya, saxophonist Hailey Niswanger, and more. Sunday the space will become a market featuring women-owned creators and small businesses with live music, dance, and crafts.

Catch one of the last performances of IAMA Theater company’s well-reviewed production of the new play, Arrowhead. The farce is Catya McMullen’s “love letter to queerness” as she told the Los Angeles Blade, and the story centers on a lesbian who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant.

Join California native plant expert Roger Klemm on a hike hosted by Glendale Parks. Visitors will learn about the relationship between native plants and the insects that love them on an educational walk through Deukmejian Wilderness Park.

A broad selection of shorts and features by filmmakers of Asian descent and stories about Asian culture and heritage are on show at the Let Live Theater in Hollywood through Saturday. Highlights include a diverse shorts program and films on topics including the aftermath of the 2011 nuclear disaster in Fukushima.

Grilled cheese king Chef Eric Greenspan hosts an epic tasting afternoon at Santa Anita Racetrack this weekend, including everything from a short rib and pastrami version to the Elvis with peanut butter cream cheese, bacon, and banana – whaaat?! There’s also a J. Lo tribute act and craft beer pairings to brighten the day.

If fancy food is more your thing than fancy art, the first ever Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival will tickle your tastebuds, so come hungry. Featuring a who’s who of high-end L.A. chefs from Timothy Hollingsworth (Otium) to Antonia Lofaso (Top Chef, Scopa Italian Roots) to Justin Pichetrungsi (Anajak Thai) and more, the first-ever festival also features beer, wine, and spirits samples.

The annual Disneyland food and wine event is a great time to plan a trip to California Adventure – especially if you’re craving more than Dole Whips and Mickey popsicles. The festival features chefs and food producers from across California and is a really fun addition to any Disney trip. The festival starts this weekend and runs through April 22; admission is part of your park ticket.

Get your tequila on with master distiller Sergio Cruz at the Chestnut Club in Santa Monica this Saturday afternoon. The event includes several brands and a full tasting.