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Best things to do this weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: March 14-16
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Courtesy Rolex
)
Our Picks
If you’re lucky enough to be heading to the desert for two of Southern California’s most unique events — the Desert X art show and the Indian Wells tennis tournament — I wish you sunny weather and more Timothee + Kylie sightings. (They really need a celebrity portmanteau already!) If you’re staying in town, it’s a great weekend to be here for museums, theater, and of course, the L.A. Marathon.
Plus, a bunch of holidays — both real and one made up — converge for a variety of pre-St. Patrick’s Day, Ramadan, Purim, Holi and Pi Day eats and events.
For more to explore, visit LAist.com, where you can find out where to snag local artwork for under $100, where to eat if you’re going meatless for Lent, and how to find the coveted 99 Ranch answer to Trader Joe’s viral totes.
Events
Sunday, March 16, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
PopShift Holi Festival of Colors
1720 Warehouse
1720 E. 16th St.
Downtown L.A.
COST: FROM $30; MORE INFO
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Courtesy PopShift
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Part warehouse party, part art extravaganza, part DJ show and part traditional Holi celebration, PopShift’s annual festival of colors invites you to dance the night away, throw powdered colors all over and bask in the joyous tradition. While many Holi parties are held at the beach, this one brings the fun inside at 1720 Warehouse downtown — maybe a good plan if we get some rain! Remember to wear white so you can be turned into a rainbow by the end of the night.
March 8-30
Cosi Fan Tutte
L.A. Opera
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
135 N. Grand Ave.
Downtown L.A.
COST: FROM $49; MORE INFO
The L.A. Opera has been killing it on their Instagram lately. I particularly enjoyed this one, where they liken Mozart’s opera Cosi Fan Tutte to your favorite rom-coms. This production swaps Salzburg for a swanky modern country club set by Erhard Rom but doesn’t leave out the excellent mustaches. The comedy is led by L.A. Opera favorites Ana María Martínez and Rod Gilfry and is playing on select days through the end of the month.
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March 15-16
Rolex Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix 2025
Port of Los Angeles
Berth 46
3011 Miner St. San Pedro
COST: FROM $48; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Rolex
)
Come sail away at the Rolex L.A. Sail Grand Prix at the port all weekend long, where you can catch 12 national teams racing hydrofoil catamarans as well as take a tour of some of the boats. Put on your best sailor outfit and deck shoes and check out the action. Have no idea what SailGP is? Neither did I – here’s a great explainer.
Sunday, March 16
Free museum day
Multiple locations
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
The Getty Center in Los Angeles.
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Courtesy The Getty
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More than 30 local museums will offer free admission on Sunday, so head out and see some hidden gems, like the Wende in Culver City, or take a ride up to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. Big attractions like the Academy Museum, the Getty and LACMA are participating as well. Advance reservations are recommended.
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Saturday, March 15, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Blind Date With a Book
826LA
12515 Venice Blvd.Mar Vista
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Patrick Tomasso
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Unsplash
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Blind dates suck, but blind dates with a book are pretty great. Join the avid readers at 826LA for a live blind date with a book where you’ll get a mystery tome wrapped in paper — no more judging a book by its cover. The writing center will provide free books, a bookmaking station, a photo booth and more. Plus, a mini workshop by Sr. Civic Engagement Coordinator, Ariana Ponce Olivares.
Sunday, March 16, 8 p.m.
Let’s Get L.Aid Fire Benefit
The United Theater on Broadway
929 South Broadway
Downtown L.A.
COST: $69-$179; MORE INFO
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Musical comedy from the likes of “Weird" Al Yankovic, Al Jardine of The Beach Boys, Reggie Watts, Tim Heidecker, Margaret Cho, Alex Edelman, Bob the Drag Queen and more take the stage at the United Theater on Broadway to support wildfire relief efforts. Get ready for some L.A.-themed songs and surprises.
Friday, March 14, 9 p.m.
Irish Fest: Hollywood U2
Biergarten at Old World Huntington Beach
7561 Center Ave. #49
Huntington Beach
COST: FROM $20; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Hollywood U2
)
You thought you’d get a St. Patrick’s Day edition of Best Things to Do from me without a U2 cover band? Come now. As tribute bands go, Hollywood U2 is one of the best — their lead “Bono” even got called up with actual Bono at one of the band’s Forum shows. If you still haven’t found what you’re looking for for an Irish-themed weekend, we got you.
March 13-30
(Opening night special event: March 14; Talkback: March 15)
Here There Are Blueberries
The Wallis
9390 N Santa Monica Blvd.
Beverly Hills
COST: $54 - $98; MORE INFO
This very special play is like no other Holocaust story you’ve seen. The immersive show by the authors of The Laramie Project comes to The Wallis after successful runs off-Broadway and a 2022 national tour. It tells the story of a set of mysterious photographs of Nazis at Auschwitz sent to the Holocaust Museum archivist — and what happened next.
Outdoor Pick
Sunday, March 16
2025 L.A. Marathon
Starts at Dodger Stadium (MAP)
1000 Vin Scully Ave.
Elysian Park
COST: FREE TO CHEER; MORE INFO
The 39th L.A. Marathon.
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Sharon McNary
)
It’s too late to register to run, but it's never too late to cheer on the city's (and the world’s) best runners at the 40th annual Los Angeles Marathon. This year, the race raises money for wildfire relief and is also participating in Children’s Hospital of L.A.’s Make March Matter fundraiser, supporting critical, life-saving care for CHLA patients. Whether you’re running or cheering, marathon day is great fun. There are even free Salt & Straw scoops for runners at all L.A. locations.
Viewing Pick
March 15, 2:30 p.m.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Old Town Music Hall
140 Richmond St.
El Segundo
COST: FROM $10; MORE INFO
It’s not every day we get a Marilyn Monroe classic on the big screen and at one of the best old movie houses in town. Join author and historian Elisa Jordan as she hosts a screening of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes in El Segundo. It's a great excuse to check out the Old Town Music Hall, too.
Dine & Drink Deals
March 15-16, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Burger Day With George Motz
Santa Anita Park
285 W Huntington Dr.
Arcadia
COST: PACKAGES FROM $25; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Motz Burger
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This St. Patrick’s Weekend, head to Santa Anita Racetrack for burgers from Great American Burger Book author George Motz. On offer are a signature fried onion smash burger, craft brews and world-class thoroughbred racing all weekend.
Sunday, March 16, 11:30 a.m.
St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon
BPOE 400 W. Colorado Ave. Pasadena
COST: $65; MORE INFO
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Courtesy The Irish Center of Southern California
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Toast a Guinness with the U.S. Irish Consul General and visiting ministers from Ireland while enjoying a buffet lunch and Irish dance from Ken O'Malley & Cleary Irish Dance. Slainte!
Friday, March 14
MARU-HI Izakaya
244 S. San Pedro St.
Little Tokyo
COST: $10, MORE INFO
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Courtesy JACC
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Japanese izakaya culture comes to L.A. at the Isamu Noguchi Plaza in Little Tokyo for a low price where you can expect lots of food, music and Tokyo style.
Through March 29
Ramadan Iftar specials
MINT Desi Kitchen
25381 Alicia Pkwy.
Laguna Hills
COST: VARIES, MORE INFO
Delight in Iftar treats like pistachios, nuts, dates, and rosewater on the house during Ramadan at MINT Desi Kitchen. Sister restaurants SHOR Bazaar in Hawaiian Gardens and Khan Saab Desi Kitchen in Fullerton are also offering specials.
Friday, March 14
Pi Day at Pitfire Pizza
Multiple locations
COST: $3.14, MORE INFO
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Courtesy Pitfire Pizza
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On Friday, all Pitfire Pizza locations will celebrate Pi Day with $3.14 mini Margherita Pizzas with any purchase until 3:14 p.m. (dine-in only). Then, starting at 3:14 p.m., the first 314 guests at all locations have a chance to win one of 314 Pitfire prizes including gift cards, merch and more.
Friday, March 14
Pie for Pi Day
Superba
Multiple locations
COST: $3.14; MORE INFO
All Superba locations will offer $3.14 slices of blueberry pie until 3:14 p.m. (or until locations sell out).
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