Various locations in L.A.

The term CicLAvia stems from a similar Spanish word for “bike way,” and in L.A. it’s become a shorthand for the temporary, festival-like closing of L.A.’s streets. The event (inspired by the first Ciclovías in Bogotá, Colombia) welcomes bikes, tricycles, skateboards, strollers and basically anything else without an engine to ride a rotating cast of car-free routes. You’ll inevitably always find a route each year around Downtown, but past events have taken it anywhere from the harbor to the San Gabriel Valley. Expect music, street performances and food trucks, as well as general whimsy and shenanigans along the way. Shop owners and restaurants along the CicLAvia route also tend to host specials. It goes without saying that you should bike or take the Metro to your desired spot along the route.

Netflix’s stand-up specials keep us cackling at home, but the streaming service’s ambitious comedy festival is nothing to laugh at. For its second iteration, Netflix is a Joke Fest is headed back here May 1 to 12, 2024 and upping the ante: We’ve counted over 500 shows slated for three dozen venues with sets from Ali Wong, Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Gaffigan, Chris Rock, Taylor Tomlinson and literally hundreds of others (we’ve highlighted 10 of the most unique offerings to help narrow things down). The event is a bit more of a marathon than a traditional festival: There’s not an all-encompassing festival pass, but you can buy individual tickets to shows throughout its run. The exception is Outside Joke, an outdoor event set up in a parking lot behind the Palladium. You’ll find a mix of music, drag and stand-up—hosted by the likes of Atsuko Okatsuka, Leslie Jones and Reggie Watts, among others—alongside a couple of carnival games plus food, drinks and merch. Unlike the 2022 version, which was free, you can access the area on a first-come, first-served basis if you have a ticket to any other Netflix is a Joke Fest show, or you can guarantee entry with a $25 day pass. Just a heads up that if you enter Outside Joke at the same time as doors open for a show at the Palladium, you may find yourself stuck in a security line that wraps around the block; otherwise the two venues have separate lines. Elsewhere, you’ll find shows staged at venues as big as the Hollywood Bowl and Greek Theatre (a

Everybody likes a good theme party, and this May, Main Street in Santa Monica is giving the people what they want. In an effort not only to entertain Westsiders but to support the area’s community programming, much of Main Street will transform into essentially an interactive Monopoly board game, allotting attendees “MAINopoly dollars” to be exchanged for food tastings across the street’s finest establishments. Trade a couple fake bucks for dishes from spots like Ashland Hill, Holey Grail Donuts, Jameson’s Pub, the Victorian and Pasjoli, or add on a couple of drinks in the “Go to Jail” VIP lounge and beer garden. Dressing up is encouraged, so polish up that Monopology moncole.

Sail over to Catalina Island for this music, DJ and wine event that was literally born out of the “It’s the %$#&*@ Catalina Wine Mixer” line in Step Brothers. The weekend begins with a screening of the Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly buddy comedy at the Avalon Theatre and continues the next day at Decanso Beach Club with wine (duh), lawn games and a mix of live music and DJ sets.

LA Pride may have moved out of West Hollywood, but that hasn’t stopped the city from holding its own colorful Pride celebration. WeHo Pride will take place May 31 through June 2 in and around West Hollywood Park. WeHo Pride features an all-weekend music fest dubbed OUTLOUD that includes performances from Kylie Minogue, Janelle Monáe and Diplo. That follows a free night of music on Friday from a to-be-announced lineup of performers. The weekend’s musical lineup coincides with the free WeHo Pride Street Fair along Santa Monica Boulevard, between Hancock and La Per, on Saturday and Sunday (noon–8pm). In addition, you’ll find the Women’s Freedom Festival (noon–6pm) and Dyke March (6–6:30pm) on Saturday, June 1. Then, on Sunday, June 2, WeHo Pride will hold a parade (which this year honors Cyndi Lauper as a Lifetime Ally Icon) that starts at Santa Monica Boulevard and North Crescent Heights Boulevard at noon, and heads west on Santa Monica to North La Peer Drive (just past the park).

One of the biggest pride events in the country, L.A. Pride attracts thousands to a what had typically been a two-day fest and parade in West Hollywood—but is now located a bit to the east. The parade portion will step off in Hollywood while the music fest heads to the edge of Chinatown for L.A. Pride in the Park. The atmosphere is good-natured and raucous; local color is provided by divas, drag queens and DJs. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to LA Pride

Say goodbye to dusty thoroughfares and violent porta-potties: Splash House takes the music festival concept off of sweltering desert land and places it poolside. Movers and shakers at this multi-location getdown are shuttled between the Saguaro, the Margaritaville and the Renaissance (with after-hours programming at the Palm Springs Air Museum) to lap up big-name dance acts and DJ sets. With the added comforts of AC rooms and critically acclaimed restaurant fare just steps away from the party scenes, the experience will make you question whether to bother with more punishing locales come next year’s festival season.

The first Rose Parade in 1890 was staged to show off California’s sun-kissed climate. The tradition is still going strong, complete with elaborate floral floats, musical performances and marching troupes (not to mention the crowning of the fresh-faced Rose Queen and her court), but the celebration now draws more than a million spectators who line the streets of Pasadena. The big Rose Bowl football game follows the parade. Later in the year, the event is spoofed with a day of costumed mayhem at the Doo Dah Parade. The parade—held on New Year’s Day—kicks off at 8am at the corner of Green Street and Orange Grove Boulevard before making its way east onto Colorado Boulevard. Near the end of the route, the parade turns north onto Sierra Madre Boulevard and concludes at Villa Street, where you can see the floats showcased.  Bleacher seats are available—about $120 in the TV zone and closer to $75 farther east—but you can grab a spot on the sidewalk for free. People traditionally camp out overnight, but if you’d rather show up the morning of, head east of Lake Avenue and you’ll have an easier time.

The desert-spanning biennial is back, with premieres of site-specific works from about a dozen artists. For its fifth iteration, Desert X will once again stage outdoor installations across about 40 miles of the Coachella Valley from March 8 to May 11, 2025.

Get ready: In 2028, Los Angeles will host the Summer Olympic Games. After initially vying for a bid in 2024, L.A. was awarded the ’28 Games back in 2017.