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Best things to do this weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: April 25 - 27
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George Simian
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Courtesy Arts Open San Pedro
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Our Picks
Spring has most certainly sprung here this week. I just want to get right to all the fun events happening this weekend, because it’s a packed one, especially if you like music and art and books. And if you don’t like those things, well, how did you get on this list?
I usually spend the last weekend of April in New Orleans at Jazzfest, and while I am missing my annual infusion of Crawfish Monica, L.A. is coming through with every author you love (and maybe some you don’t) at the massive L.A. Times Festival of Books, a free concert with Andra Day in support of Eaton Fire victims, a chance to see incredible art in Pasadena and San Pedro, and much more.
For more to explore, visit LAist.com, where you can take a deep dive into East L.A. College’s annual arts show, explore the world of chicken raising if those egg prices are driving you nuts, and weigh in on who has the best fries in L.A.
And if you're interested in a way to both support LAist and have some fun, consider coming to the LAist Gala Dance Party on Saturday night at the Hollywood Palladium! All proceeds go to funding our independent, fact-based reporting. Click here for more info.
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Events
April 26-27
Arts Open San Pedro
Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles
112 E. 22nd St., San Pedro
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
San Pedro is a hidden gem for the arts in Los Angeles. If you’ve never been to Angels Gate Cultural Center or one of the other many spaces near the harbor, Arts Open San Pedro is a chance to see more than 100 artists over a two-day event, including live performances, studio tours, hands-on classes, trolley rides between venues and more.
April 26-27
L.A. Times Festival of Books
USC Campus, University Park
COST: FREE BUT SOME PANELS ARE TICKETED; MORE INFO
The L.A. Times Book Festival is back!
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Michael Blackshire
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L.A. Times vis Getty Images
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It'll be a reader’s heaven at USC Campus this weekend. Authors of all stripes are appearing at the L.A. Times Festival of Books, from children’s authors to cookbook favorites like Roy Choi to true crime chroniclers like Marcia Clark and Caitlin Rother. You can also see memoirists — including Wicked director John Chu and Amanda Knox — spicy romance writers, novelists like Amor Towles and Percival Everett, and everyone else who puts pen to paper. Some events are ticketed, so make sure to check out the schedule and RSVP.
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By the way, LAist will have two booths at the festival too. Stop by booths 154 and 722, and say hello!
Sunday, April 27
Preoccupied: Walking Book Club
Meet at the corner of 11th St. and Alta Ave., Santa Monica
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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@thepreoccupied
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Speaking of books, E.A. Hanks' memoir is on the agenda for Preoccupied’s “Walking Book Club” stroll through Santa Monica’s north of Montana neighborhood with the author herself. Marvel at the tawny streets of Hanks' Hollywood childhood and meet new friends while you’re at it. Maybe there’s a chance her dad — and by that I mean America’s dad, Tom Hanks — will even make an appearance?
April 26-28
Art Deco Centennial Celebration
Oviatt Penthouse
617 S. Olive St., Downtown L.A.
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
Don your best flapper getup and head downtown for a rare peek into the spectacular Art Deco Oviatt Penthouse, which is hosting a variety of Roaring ’20s-themed events, celebrating 100 years of the design aesthetic. The weekend includes an original exhibit of authentic period objects, plus an evening soiree complete with a 1920s cabaret performance and a French tea, coffee and crepe party on the terrace.
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April 25-27, 7 p.m.
Phish
Hollywood Bowl
2301 Highland Ave., Hollywood
COST: FROM $82.35; MORE INFO
Page McConnell, Trey Anastasio, and Jon Fishman of Phish perform at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
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Keith Griner
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Getty Images
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Didn’t make it to the Sphere last year? We have our own (better? Different? More outside?) concert venue right here in Hollywood, and the fresh air is definitely welcome at, ahem, a Phish show. Enjoy the contact high and jam with Trey and the boys for their near-annual Bowl extravaganza.
Saturday, April 26, 2 p.m. 5 p.m.
Songs for Neighborhood Dogs
Creature Comforts Tap Room & Brewery
1124 San Julian St., Arts District
COST: FREE WITH RSVP; MORE INFO
Creature Comforts (perfect name) is hosting a daytime party celebrating the release of Local Natives co-founder Kelcey Ayer's newest solo single, "Ghosts of Neighborhood Dogs." Appropriately, the event is also a fundraiser for MaeDay Rescue. Enjoy live music from Ayer, plus a performance from Kaycie Satterfield and a DJ set by Donny Dream. Also, there’s a special area for dogs and humans to hang out, and $1 from every beer goes to MaeDay Rescue. MaeDay rescue dogs will be available for adoption, too. Woof!
Sunday, April 27, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Kitten Shower
Kitten Rescue Sanctuary
3519 Casitas Ave., Atwater Village
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Kym Ellis
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Unsplash
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You think I’d leave the cats out? It’s kitten season, so find your new furry friend at the Kitten Rescue Sanctuary’s Kitten Shower. The space will host live bottle feeding demos, a silent auction, and of course, lots of kittens. Shower the kittens with the purr-fect gift from the shelter’s Amazon Wish List or Off The Leash Modern Pet Provisions Wish List.
April 25-26, 8 p.m.
Ben Folds and Pacific Symphony
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
COST: FROM $50; MORE INFO
Ben Folds rose to fame in the '90s with his band Ben Folds Five and songs like “Brick.” Today, he’s taking his alt-pop hits and newer music like 2023’s What Matters Most and giving them a classical twist. Folds recently worked on a to-be-released live album recorded with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center and has performed with symphonies on tour. This Friday and Saturday, he performs with the Pacific Symphony in Costa Mesa.
Saturday, April 26, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Ashes to Anthems Concert + Resource Fair
Memorial Park
85 E Holly St., Pasadena
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Grammy winner Andra Day takes the stage at the Ashes to Anthems concert supporting the Altadena community after the fires. Ashes to Anthems is billed as “a coming together” and features music as well as an expo with health resources, a financial assistance hub, children’s programming and more.
Saturday, April 26, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
ArtCenter College of Design Grad Show
Pasadena Convention Center
300 E Green St., Pasadena
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Check out the next generation of L.A. contemporary artists as the ArtCenter College of Design’s 327 graduating students showcase their work at the 2025 Grad Show. The free one-day public showcase includes all kinds of artwork, from multimedia installations to paintings and sculptures. The exhibition also features a special installation called "Resilience in the Ashes," a tree sculpture assembled from burnt branches recovered from alumnus Jeffrey Sugishita’s destroyed residence. Visitors are welcome to “contribute written thoughts and wishes to be placed on the tree as part of a collective expression of community healing and support.”
Outdoor Pick
Saturday, April 26, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Citywide Day of Service
Multiple locations across L.A.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
An aerial view of the city skyline.
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Jake Blucker
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Getty Images
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Join hundreds of your fellow Angelenos for a citywide Earth Day-inspired volunteer cleanup. Whether you live in Hollywood or Boyle Heights, Echo Park or the Valley, there’s a place and an opportunity to be part of Service Day L.A.
Viewing Pick
Saturday, April 26, 3:30 p.m.
Life of Pi
Vidiots
4884 Eagle Rock Blvd., Eagle Rock
COST: $13; MORE INFO
Life of Pi character Richard Parker became a household name after the majestic tiger took over the big screen in Ang Lee’s 2012 adaptation of the novel. CTG’s stage production of the story — where Richard Parker is an incredibly life-like puppet — opens May 6 at the Ahmanson and will be at the Segerstrom in Costa Mesa in June, but you can get ready by catching the film at Vidiots this Saturday. The screening will also include a raffle for free tickets to the live show.
Dine & Drink Deals
Saturday, April 26, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
California Wine Festival: Dana Point
Sea Terrace Community Park
Pacific Coast Highway and Niguel Road, Dana Point
COST: FROM $95; MORE INFO
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Zan
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More than 250 wines from 70 wineries are part of the California Wine Festival in Dana Point. The two-day affair also features gourmet food, ocean views and live entertainment at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa and the Sea Terrace Park.
April 26-27
L.A. Times Festival of Books: Cooking Stage
USC Campus, University Park
COST: FREE; MORE INFO (use the dropdown to choose the "Cooking Stage" location)
Demos from L.A. favorites Roy Choi (Kogi Tacos), Brooke Williamson (Playa Provisions), Christina Tosi (Milk Bar) and Nicole Rucke (my favorite west side bakery, Fat & Flour) are highlights of the L.A. Times Festival of Books cooking stage. Plus, on Saturday, Top Chef alums Tom Colicchio and Kristen Kish will appear together for a conversation about their latest books.
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