Friday
Start your weekend among the dinosaurs during the return of First Fridays at the Natural History Museum. Tonight's highlights include a look at the inspiration behind Hollywood props, a discussion about insect superheroes and live music from the Hood Internet.
Make your way up the 110 around midnight for the return of Sleepless: The Music Center After Hours. Watch as the cultural institution transforms into an interactive performance space with live music, dancing in the Founders Room and more. Though RSVPs are closed out for the free event, a limited number of walk-up spots will be available.
If you're shut out of Sleepless, head to the Teragram Ballroom instead for a set from Reggie Watts. The musical-comedy madman, who moonlights as James Corden's bandleader, is known for his freewheeling, beat-boxing and accent-shifting routine.
Saturday
With Fat Tuesday coming up next week, it's time to start celebrating Mardi Gras with these two events on Saturday. Make your way south to Long Beach Mardi Gras for the city's annual parade and festival. If that's too far from you, consider Mardi Gras at the Original Farmers Market, which includes New Orleans-style live music and food.
If you're still hungry, take a trip to Barker Hanger for the second evening of Taste of Night Market. This all-inclusive food fest is a more intimate take on the popular 626 Night Market, with food from Komodo Kitchen's Erwin Tjahyadi, Keizo Shimamoto and more, along with arts and crafts vendors.
Wrap up the night at the Museum of Neon Art Grand Opening. MONA's new Glendale home is finally opening its doors, and the museum is celebrating with a ticketed party; admission includes desserts, an open bar and an evening of musical performances.
Sunday
Satisfy your sweet tooth on Sunday at the return of LA Cookie Con. After a messy inaugural fest, the sweets show is making a welcome move to the LA Convention Center for two full days of pastry workshops and dessert tastings.
Meanwhile, at Dodger Stadium—no, baseball's not back quite yet—Cirque du Soleil wraps up its run of Kurios. The high-flying, steampunk-themed touring show is a dazzling, must-see experience, even if you think Cirque is best saved for a foggy weekend in Vegas.
The Year of the Monkey begins on Monday, so start celebrating Chinese New Year today with a pair of events. Pasadena's Pacific Asia Museum is hosting its Lunar New Year Festival, a free afternoon filled with lion and traditional folk dances, taiko drumming, a taekwondo presentation and flower arrangement demos.
Wrap up the evening in Chinatown for the Chinese New Year Midnight Temple Ceremony. Crowds gather at Thien Hau Temple to make offerings to the deities and awaken the spirits with firecrackers, incense and lion dancers.
Find more things to do this weekend by clicking each day or by heading over to our weekend calendar.