Things to do in L.A. this weekend: March 6–8

Spend your Friday night amid dinosaurs and DJs. For two decades now, the Natural History Museum has been staying open late for its popular First Fridays series. And during this year’s 20th season, the KCRW-presented after-hours event is returning to its roots, filling the museum’s iconic diorama halls with live music from around the globe, DJ sets and dancing from February to May. A new discussion series, “Life, From Our Guts to the Galaxy: Rethinking the Living World,” will explore different topics each month. While you’re there, you can check out all the galleries and exhibitions, sip cocktails and order food from a revolving selection of local trucks. 

Support women-owned restaurants and dine at some of L.A.’s best spots during the return of this annual food fest in honor of Women’s History Month. Regarding Her's festival will offer themed menu specials, cooking classes, convos and collabs from women restaurateurs all month long. Highlights from this year’s lineup include La Festa Della Donna, a special International Women's Day celebration at Smorgasburg (Mar 8); the Echo Park Bop, a walking food and drink tour of 10 women-owned restaurants including Quarter Sheets, Bakers Bench, Bar Flores, Tsubaki, Little Fish and Valerie Confections (Mar 22); Maydan Market Monday (Mar 23); the return of All Day Baby via a biscuit pop-up (Mar 28); and a women-powered Lincoln Avenue Parking Lot Party Benefit for Altadena (Mar 29). You’ll also find other fun one-offs on the calendar, including a cacao tasting at the Chocolate Dispensary (Mar 12) and a “Sweetcute” ice cream social at the Very Best Cookie in the Whole Wide World (Mar 21). Check the website for the full lineup.

This lively Holi celebration—modeled after a music festival—takes over Redondo Beach’s Seaside Lagoon for an afternoon of colorful fun. Billed as the city’s biggest festival of colors, the event is back with a new, bigger music stage for Bollywood DJs, photo booths, food trucks, free swag and, of course, hours of color play and dancing.

Public radio station LAist’s (née KPCC) weekly show “FilmWeek” records its yearly preview of the Academy Awards in front of a live audience. Gain expert insight into the upcoming Oscars and hear critics debate who’s likely to take home a statuette. Host Larry Mantle will talk to the show’s in-house film critic cast. Watch clips on the big screen at the historic Alex Theatre, and hear the pros’ opinions on this year’s nominated films.

It’s a great month for the arts in L.A. Not only can you see a new section of Judy Baca’s The Great Wall of Los Angeles at Jeffrey Deitch and a film installation by director Alejandro G. Iñárritu at LACMA, but now the two creative minds are joining forces with Gustavo Dudamel for this edition of the LA Phil’s Green Umbrella New Music Series. A group of composers have joined forces to create an hour-long symphonic tribute to the Angelenos who shaped the city’s history, which will be paired with an original film by Iñárritu.

Kicking off at Dodger Stadium, this annual parade of physical endurance and community spirit winds its way through 26.2 miles of L.A. It used to wrap up in Santa Monica, but now the route loops back around West L.A. and toward Century City. More than 25,000 runners will participate, and even if you aren’t one of them, being a spectator can be an exhilarating experience as well. There’s also a concurrent charity half-marathon, which goes straight from Dodger Stadium to Avenue of the Stars.

RECOMMENDED: L.A. Marathon guide

The English major in me adored this play about the life and work of Sylvia Plath at the Geffen Playhouse, running through March 8. It functions as a ghost story of sorts, toggling between Sylvia’s life in the 1950s with her husband, fellow writer Ted Hughes, and the present-day couple—also writers—who are living in the same apartment. The play—a new work by rising playwright Beth Hyland—has interesting things to say about feminism, creativity, relationships, mental health and therapy speak, and it’s anchored by strong performances across the board from the four-person cast, particularly Marianna Gailus, who plays the titular character, and Midori Francis, who provides both pathos and humor.

Whether you follow awards season like it’s your favorite sport or you haven’t yet seen any of this year’s buzzworthy films, get ready for the upcoming Academy Awards at—where else?—the Academy Museum, which will be hosting a series of nominee spotlights in its 1,000-seat David Geffen Theater (which Time Out just named as one of the best cinemas in the world). For just $10, you can catch screenings of all the nominated animated short films (Mar 7), documentary shorts (Mar 8) and live action shorts (Mar 9). For a handful of other categories—animated feature film, international feature film, best picture and makeup and hairstyling—the filmmakers themselves will be on hand at panels to share clips and behind-the-scenes stories from their films.

The curvaceous, cavernous lobby of the Broad will become a sonic soundscape this Saturday night, when it serves as the stage for new commissions from electro-acoustic organist Sarah Davachi and electronic musician Robert Takahashi Novak. From 9:15 to 10pm, you can also explore the ground-floor special exhibition “Robert Therrien: This Is a Story,” which plays with scale and perception and serves as inspiration for the site-specific performances.

For a sweet taste of the East Coast this weekend, head to Levain Bakery. The New York import will be pairing its iconic, thick cookies with Hamptons-based Montauk General’s signature matcha for a limited-edition creation: cookie milk matcha. The beverage will balance the lifestyle brand’s bright, naturally sweet matcha with creamy notes of vanilla and toasted macadamia, thanks to milk steeped from Levain’s white chocolate macadamia cookies. You can try the drink—and pair with a cookie or two, of course—in Beverly Hills on Friday (130 S Beverly Dr), Venice on Saturday (1661 Abbot Kinney Blvd) or Larchmont on Sunday (227 N Larchmont Blvd), from 8am until they sell out.

Celebrate the whimsical world of Studio Ghibli at the Little Tokyo Flea Market this Sunday, when the first two floors and outdoor area of Little Tokyo Galleria will be transformed into a treasure trove of film merch, collectibles and fan-made creations. Shoppers can browse a curated selection of art, apparel and trinkets inspired by classics like Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro and Howl’s Moving Castle alongside the market’s signature mix of vintage goods, handmade jewelry and Japanese snacks—you’ll also find themed cookies, flash tattoos and photo ops. The free-to-enter pop-up sounds like a perfect afternoon for anime enthusiasts and curious shoppers alike.

A sound bath already represents peak relaxation, but Alice Moon doubles down on peace and tranquility in her Moon Soul Sound Baths by hosting them inside a mattress store. The result is part zen retreat, part self-care slumber party. Bring a pillow and get cozy in the showroom of Mattress Central in Atwater Village as Moon helps you unwind with singing bowls, chimes and an ocean drum. Note: Fresh sheets are provided for all attendees to lay on, and you’ll receive a sleep mask to wear and take home with you.

Take your pup to the Arboretum and grab a beer during this dog-friendly event at the Arcadia botanical garden. You can purchase bites from food trucks and craft beer from the Mt. Lowe Brewing Company, take a free portrait with your pup, let them try out the agility course and, if you’re looking for a new four-legged friend, meet adoptable pets from Pasadena Humane. The fundraiser benefits both the local animal shelter and the Arboretum Foundation. Note: Dogs must remain on leash at all times and are restricted to paved paths and grass fields.

Mark the annual gray whale migration from the shore with this festival, now in its 55th year, which offers a full weekend of marine-themed activities, educational exhibits, family-friendly entertainment, whale-watching excursions, marine conservation talks and a cardboard-boat-building contest and Dinghy Dash in Dana Point. Things kick off Friday with a sunset whale-welcoming ceremony by members of the local Acjachemen Nation, followed by a reception with live music and food trucks. This year, the Magical Migration Parade is back after a year off, which will be joined by the second annual Festival of Whales Carnival, complete with carnival rides, games, food and a beer garden with an ocean view. See the full lineup of events here.

For the past 15 years, the Farhang Foundation has hosted a Nowruz festival—marking Iranian New Year and the arrival of spring—in UCLA’s Dickson Court. Given the current state of affairs, that celebration has understandably been canceled, but in its place is this indoor concert at Royce Hall on International Women’s Day featuring two female singers—classical legend Maestra Parissa and rising soprano star Golda Zahra (especially significant because women have been forbidden from singing publicly in Iran since 1979). They’ll be accompanied by Iranshahr Orchestra, the first Iranian orchestra established outside of Iran, and will be performing works composed exclusively by Iranian composers.

This beautiful, free festival celebrates the history and whimsy of the kite. Watch as hundreds take to the sky—you can buy a kite on the pier or bring your own. The fest culminates with a kite-flying contest and group kite-flying session on the sand. There’s also typically a slew of non-kite-related activities taking place on the pier all day, including a hot-dog-on-a-stick-eating contest, a dance performance, face painting and live music.

Want to get away? Indulge your wanderlust and get a head start on planning your summer vacation at this travel trade show. Learn pro tips, trends and advice from travel celebrities like Phil Rosenthal (a.k.a. the co-owner of L.A.’s hottest new diner, Max and Helen’s), Peter Greenberg and Pauline Frommer, and discover the hottest new trip destinations. Take advantage of travel deals exclusive to the show, and enter giveaways for a chance at a free trip.

If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at paddling (or drumming), this annual festival dedicated to the 2,000-year-old Chinese tradition of dragon boat racing is the place to do it. Not feeling competitive? You can stake out a spot along the waterfront at Burton Chace Park to cheer on the teams. Expect lion dancers on the sidelines, food trucks serving Asian-inspired street food, and stalls selling arts and crafts from local makers.

The reopened Getty Villa will descend into the underworld with this exhibition, which looks at the ritual spells and religious writings ancient Egyptians employed to garner favor with Re and Osiris in the afterlife. See the Getty’s collection of rare Book of the Dead rare hieroglyphics-adorned and illustrated manuscripts, dating back to around 1000 BCE, which were last displayed in 2023. The show should dovetail nicely with the museum’s “Sculpted Portraits From Ancient Egypt,” which runs through January 2027.

Catch sets from up-and-coming performers, local legends and global talents during this free music series at the Getty, which features a pair of shows from a different band each weekend. The concerts kick off in February with Inuit soul musicians Pamyua and continue in March with gospel choir Jimetta Rose & the Voices of Creation and April with Persian poets Mahsa and Marjan Vahdat. Get there early to check out the museum’s exhibitions, then head to the Harold M. Williams Auditorium for the show.

Known for its engaging and exciting performances, American Contemporary Ballet will present a double bill of choreographer George Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco and La Source—it’s the first time the two ballets have been paired together in L.A. (and the latter, in particular, hasn’t been staged in full here in 40 years). Compare and contrast the differences between the two works, which are similar in structure but worlds apart, as the dancers of ACB perform to live music.

Treat your ears to a vibrant concert on a spring or summer night by attending MUSE/IQUE’s annual program. This concert series, held at cultural venues across L.A., features a mix of performances inspired by music movements and public figures, including tributes to Quincy Jones, Joni Mitchell, the world of Oz, the Harlem Renaissance, the American Sound and more. You can make a $75 donation to the performing arts nonprofit for a single event, or become a MUSE/IQUE member if you’re interested in multiple programs.

Support local makers at Santa Monica Place, when dozens of artisans sell their handcrafted goods, one-of-a-kind vintage finds and homemade treats at this family-friendly and pet-friendly market in the Center Plaza, which will be popping up every second Sunday throughout the year. 

Disneyland’s already the happiest place on earth, but throw in a massive parkwide food festival—and now it’s somehow even happier. Running nearly two full months, the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival takes over the state-themed park with eight different culinary marketplaces with themes such as garlic, local breweries and wineries, peppers and food-truck fare. Just be sure you don’t forget the rides in all of the culinary whirlwind—fan-favorite Soarin’ will temporarily bring back its California-themed version just for the occasion.

Perhaps the Los Angeles area’s most iconic flea market, this event around the exterior of the Rose Bowl is staggeringly colossal? The sheer size and scale of this flea market means that it encompasses multitudes: new and old, hand-crafted and salvaged, the cheap and the costly. On the second Sunday of each month, an odd mix of vendors populates the loop around the stadium: for every eye-catching artwork, there’s a ratty $5 T-shirt, and for each elegant craft there’s a competing “as seen on TV” demo. But you may have more luck in the rows and rows of old furniture, albums and vintage clothes and accessories that fill the adjacent parking lot.

Each March, holiday-themed theme park SkyPark at Santa’s Village swaps out Santa for Seamus the Leprechaun leading up to St. Patrick’s Day. Kitsch meets Irish with live trad music, entertainment, a hunt for gold coins, the Pot O’ Gold puppet show and more. Pair the festive fun with food and drink specials at SkyPark’s dining venues: Think Irish nachos and corned beef and cabbage at St. Nick’s Patio & Grille and a SkyPark Shamrock Shake at Kringle’s Coffee & Gifts.

Lord knows the characters in Aimee Mann’s songs are often hopelessly earthbound by plodding tempos and the singer’s trademark painfully honest, closet-sung vocals. But Mann is an appealing live performer, and she has a fantastic catalog of pop songs to draw from. Here, she’ll take the stage at the United Theater on Broadway (the show was relocated from soon-to-open venue Pacific Electric) to celebrate the 22 1/2-year anniversary of her fourth album, Lost in Space, with support from Jonathan Coulton.

Telling the story of Gorillaz, the animated band created by Blur’s Damon Albarn and British artist Jamie Hewlett, involves a bit of real-world history and a bunch of cartoon mythology. House of Kong manages to blend both of those into a truly transportive walkthrough that mixes an art-on-the-wall gallery show with a cartoon-come-to-life manifestation of one of this century’s most singular bands. The L.A.-by-way-of-London experience, which sets up in the Arts District’s Rolling Greens from February 26 to March 19, is an expertly assembled experience that’s brought to life through its tightly choreographed narration and music.

You can currently see a handful of his works at the Broad, but Takashi Murakami is the star of the show at a new solo exhibition at Perrotin Los Angeles, where 24 new paintings by the Japanese artist grace the walls. Known for marrying traditional Japanese painting with Western influences, Murakami found inspiration for this show from a visit to Monet’s Garden in Giverny, France, and here explores how the Japanese art form of ukiyo-e, or “floating world pictures,” later inspired artists including Monet, Degas and Van Gogh. Next door, limited-edition Murakami prints and merchandise are for sale at a pop-up Perrotin Store through February 28 (Tue–Sat 1–6pm).

Made up of a Melrose Avenue workshop and two galleries—including one designed by Frank Gehry—Gemini G.E.L. has been at the forefront of fine art printmaking for 60 years now, an accomplishment it’s celebrating in this show which doubles as a love letter to L.A. On display are innovative works by artists including David Hockney, Roy Lichtenstein, Ed Ruscha and Robert Rauschenberg—many of which haven’t been shown in decades—which are inspired by the atmosphere and streets of Los Angeles.

When Mexican director Alejandro G. Iñárritu made his debut feature, Amores Perros, over a million feet of film didn’t make it to the final cut (to put that into perspective, the finished two-and-a-half-hour movie used around 18,000 feet of film). Twenty five years later, some of these unearthed reels of celluloid now zip through a ground-floor gallery at LACMA as part of a multi-channel film installation. As much a piece of sculpture as it is film or video art, Sueño Perro assembles six 35mm projectors that pierce the hazy near-dark space with raw, nonlinear snippets of the movie, fed from a mesmerizing curtain of film stock speeding along sprockets. It’s an intense experience, both sonically (during the car crash that connects the feature’s storylines) and visually (dog fighting plays a pivotal role in the film, though you’ll see here some of the behind-the-scenes tricks that kept the production cruelty-free).

Celebrated Chicana artist Judy Baca’s half-mile-long The Great Wall of Los Angeles, a collaborative mural begun in the ’70s along the Tujunga Wash, has received all sorts of museum love in the past few years, including at a LACMA show where the muralist and her team painted new sections of the work during museum hours. Now, Baca and the Social and Public Art Resource Center are returning to Jeffrey Deitch Los Angeles to exhibit the newest segment of the mural—which documents activism and resistance in the 1970s—continuing their mission to give voice to the voiceless through art.

Step aboard the Queen Mary and into your own Agatha Christie novel at this new interactive murder mystery dinner from the team behind Murder & Mayhem on the Mary. Based on the ocean liner’s real-life “Last Great Cruise,” which set off from Southampton on Halloween 1967, the spooky yet silly experience combines a multi-course dinner with comedy, clues, live music and audience participation. 

You’ve probably seen the nostalgic black-and-white photos of Los Angeles on LA Explained’s Instagram account. And now you can see historical sites in person on its walking tour series, where, instead of just your typical tourist spots, you’ll also see often-overlooked landmarks, historic homes, architectural gems and hidden pathways and hear stories about the city’s history and rise of the film industry. The current lineup includes tours through Hancock Park and Windsor Square, Melrose Avenue, Whitley Heights and Sunset Boulevard, and some even include snacks and shopping at select spots on the itinerary.

Step back into the era of grunge, supermodels and the dawn of the internet at this free exhibition at the ASU FIDM Museum in DTLA. This retrospective explores the decade’s spirit of rebellion and experimentation, featuring high-fashion couture from icons like Vivienne Westwood and Gianni Versace alongside the flannel shirts, slip dresses and bold prints that defined everyday style. Through a curated mix of garments, vintage magazines and video footage, visitors can trace how 1990s innovation continues to shape contemporary trends.

First up on the Academy Museum’s 2026 calendar is a deep dive into Studio Ghibli’s Ponyo. One of Hayao Miyazaki’s most beloved films, Ponyo was notable for its focus on hand-drawn animation, with not only the characters but the backgrounds drawn frame-by-frame rather than using animation cels or CGI. Last year, Studio Ghibli donated original production materials to the Academy Collection, so this show will highlight those items, including art boards, posters, a Studio Ghibli animation desk and original drawings—some of which will be displayed in North America for the very first time—pairing them with immersive and interactive elements like an animation table and a play environment for kids.

Whether or not you follow soccer, you probably know by now that Los Angeles is hosting eight matches of the World Cup in summer 2026. In celebration of its arrival, this LACMA show will display Lyndon J. Barrois Sr.’s ode to the world’s most beloved sport. The artist’s miniature “sportraits” re-create classic moments in both women’s and men’s soccer using materials like gum wrappers, glue and paint—even if you’re not a sports fan, the playful sculptures and stop-motion animations will win you over.

The Pacific Asia Museum’s galleries have been closed for months in preparation for this immersive new exhibition, which is taking over the entire museum and marks a new, artist-centered shift to its programming. The ambitious show will use the visual language of mythology to take visitors on an immersive journey through the immigrant experience, combining objects from USC PAM’s 5,000-year-spanning historical collection with new media technology and works by over 20 contemporary artists, led by L.A.-based Korean American muralist Dave Young Kim. Highlights include a wrap-around video installation in a reconstructed airplane cabin and an AI feature that puts visitors in the shoes of an immigrant. Along the way, mythical creatures—dragons, cranes, guardian spirits and shapeshifters—nod to intergenerational legacies.

The masters of alfresco movie viewing are keeping outdoor screening season alive throughout winter with their Fireside Films series, which ensures you’ll stay cozy, with outdoor heaters and a complimentary hot beverage with each ticket. Enjoy a steady stream of modern classics (The Notebook, When Harry Met Sally…) local favorites (La La Land, Friday) and recent releases (Freakier Friday, Sinners) screened atop LEVEL DTLA throughout the winter months.

A display of over 30 mummified people and animals is back at the California Science Center. This time around, you can see a selection of specimens never before shown in Los Angeles. Mummies are, of course, most often associated with ancient Egypt, and while Egypt is represented here, you’ll also see mummified remains that were discovered in Germany, Hungarian, Peru—even the University of Maryland. Memorable artifacts include two “bundle” mummies making their West Coast debut, amulets and organ jars, an ancient Egyptian cat mummy and a shrunken sloth head. The museum’s IMAX theater will be screening the complementary Mummies 3D: Secrets of the Pharaohs.

Celebrate the history, diversity and wildlife of our fair city with the locally beloved Bob Baker Marionette Theater. This puppet-filled ode to L.A. first debuted in 1981 for the city’s bicentennial, and while it retains its retro charm, it’s been refreshed for 2026 with new animal puppets and updates that reflect Los Angeles today.

The beloved late singer, who’s ascended to music and fashion icon status since her untimely death in 1995, is the focus of a new show at the Grammy Museum. Co-curated by the singer’s sister, Suzette Quintanilla, the exhibition will peek behind the curtain of Selena’s life, artistry and career, exploring how her legacy continues as a symbol of empowerment for both young women and Latin communities. You can see the singer’s personal artifacts displayed for the first time outside of the Selena Museum in Corpus Christi, Texas, including her Grammy Award, cellphone, hand-drawn fashions and microphone, still marked with her signature red lipstick. In preparation for the opening, artist Mister Toledo recently created a mural of the singer outside the museum.

Anonymous feminist art collective the Guerrilla Girls—whose members gained notoriety for donning gorilla masks and fighting the patriarchy—is coming up on its 40th anniversary, and the Getty Center is marking the occasion with a behind-the-scenes look at the group. See photography, protest art and the group’s famed posters—sporting statistics, bold visuals and satirical humor—that showcase the tactics the members used to demand recognition for women and artists of color. The Guerrilla Girls have even created a newly commissioned work for the exhibition. And you can add your own mark on the “graffitti wall” installation, giving visitors a creative outlet for their complaints about the world today. 

Robert Therrien’s Under the Table has long been one of the most popular pieces in the Broad’s collection (you know the one—the giant table and chairs that you ask your friend to snap a photo of as you stand underneath). Well now the museum is hosting the largest-ever solo exhibition of the artist’s work, displaying more than 120 pieces, including many that have never been shown in museums before. Expect more huge housewares and striking works, plus some intimate drawings and surprises from the late L.A.-based artist. The specially ticketed show will fill the first-floor galleries through April 5, 2026.

Dealing with a difficult subject head-on, the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA’s new show, “Monuments”—co-presented by the museum and nonprofit the Brick (formerly LAXART)—juxtaposes both intact and vandalized Confederate monuments with contemporary artwork. The show looks at the recent wave of monument removals from a historic perspective and encourages discourse about challenging topics amid an ongoing national debate about the role of these statues and what they represent. Tickets for the special exhibition are $18, though if you book far enough ahead of time, you can take advantage of free admission on the first Friday of every month.

Don’t go in the water, but do go to the Academy Museum to see the largest exhibition ever dedicated to Steven Spielberg’s original summer blockbuster, Jaws—which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The museum was already home to the last surviving model shark from filming, but now you can go behind the scenes and see some 200 original objects from the film across multiple galleries. Some highlights: a re-creation of the Orca fishing boat, the dorsal fin used both in Jaws and its sequels, costumes worn by the central trio and a room full of vintage film posters and merch promoting the film. There are interactive elements, too: You can have your own Chief Brody dolly-zoom moment (and see the lens used to film the famous shot), play the iconic John Williams two-note score and control a replica of the mechanical shark.

The Natural History Museum’s taxidermy dioramas turn a century old this year, and to celebrate the museum is reviving an entire hall of displays that’ve been dark for decades. Expect some fresh approaches to these assembled snapshots of the wilderness, including alebrijes made of recycled materials, a crystalline depiction of pollution and a tech-driven display of the L.A. River.

More than 50 works on display at the Autry showcase how Indigenous artists have crafted visions of alternative futures in the face of enduring colonial trauma, with surreal spacescapes from Wendy Red Star, pop culture commentaries by Andy Everson and a site-specific space odyssey created by Virgil Ortiz.