Memorial Day events in Los Angeles for 2024

L.A. has changed immeasurably since 1921, when this event was first staged as an agricultural fair. However, the perennially popular event still has farm-friendly appeal (livestock beauty contests, local produce) alongside the more modern acrobats, wine tastings, exhibitions and concerts.

Roam the stalls at this arts festival, sample the fine foods and listen to the music—and then take a dip in the nearby Pacific. A few logistical changes for the last few fests have streamlined the layout: You’ll still find on-the-street stalls and sidewalk vendors along Hermosa and Pier Avenues, but the live music has been moved to the beach while there’s a proper carnival and arts festival inland behind the Hermosa Beach Community Center.

Tucked away in picturesque Topanga Canyon, this Memorial Day weekend festival has become a favorite local tradition. Bohemian residents of all ages as well as curious onlookers converge to celebrate music, food, arts and Mother Earth. Expect plenty of vegan food vendors and healing arts, plus live music, arts and crafts and a quirky parade on Monday morning.

After years on the Central Coast, the annual event has more recently made a move significantly closer to L.A., at Bakersfield’s Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area. Sure, it’s still a bit of a trek, but where else can you find a sustainable, vegetarian festival dedicated to equal parts music, food, art, yoga and wellness? Skrillex, Labrinth, Lane 8, James Blake and M.I.A. top the 2024 lineup.

One of L.A.’s best free live music offerings, Jazz at LACMA has featured legit legends over its three-decade run at the museum. Seating for the program is available in the museum’s plaza on a first-come, first-served basis, though you’re welcome to picnic on the grass, too (you won’t really be able to see the show, but you’ll still hear it). You’ll find the series on Friday evenings in LACMA’s welcome plaza (just behind Urban Light) starting in April.

Every Sunday you can find dozens of food vendors at this market at ROW DTLA, with a mix of much-loved pop-ups and future foodie stars. Look out for this year’s new vendors, including Basket Taco Co, Battambong Barbecue and Taste of the Pacific.

Be prepared: The Lion King is turning 30, and to celebrate its anniversary a mix of Broadway and film stars (from both versions of the movie) will perform alongside a screening of the animated classic at the Hollywood Bowl. On May 24 and 25, a live orchestra will accompany a screening of 1994’s animated classic, The Lion King, with song performances by the cast of the original film: Nathan Lane (Timon), Ernie Sabella (Pumbaa), Jeremy Irons (Scar), Jason Weaver (the singing voice of young Simba); the 2019 remake: Billy Eichner (Timon); the Broadway edition: Bradley Gibson (Simba); and a guest appearance from Jennifer Hudson, who hasn’t been involved in any version of the musical, but come on, she’s Jennifer Hudson.

The krautrock and electronic pioneers sent museumgoers into a frenzy over their intimate shows in New York and London institutions about a decade back. Now, the proto-techno quartet is reviving that marathon format to stage nine shows at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Each one will focus on a different album, starting with Autobahn, while the final concert will pull from their entire catalog.

Chilean singer and multi-instrumentalist Norma Monserrat Bustamante Laferte, better known as Mon Laferte, serves up her warm blend of rock, blues, pop and cumbia.