Friday
Start your weekend with a dinner served by 20 acclaimed chefs at the All-Star Chef Classic. Head to LA Live for the Global Grand Tasting, which features the likes of Guelaguetza's Bricia Lopez, Animal's Vinny Dotolo and Jon Shook, Bäco Mercat's Josef Centeno and more.
Get to know Pasadena's underrated collection of museums at ArtNight Pasadena. Take advantage of free shuttle buses or hoof it between site-specific installations and local institutions such as the Norton Simon Museum, Pacific Asia Museum and Pasadena Museum of California Art—all of which are free tonight.
Stay away from the light during a screening of Poltergeist at the Old Zoo. Pack a picnic and bring a blanket for this Great Horror Movie Night series kickoff—just brace yourself for some ghastly surprises.
If you prefer your '80s pop culture more nostalgic than spine-tingling, head to NerdMelt for Retro Rad. Kyle Clark and Caitlin Durante dig into Gen X deep cuts to deem them "rad" or "bad"; this week, Hampton Yount and Jenny Zigrino join for the 1990 anti-drug PSA "Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue."
Saturday
Get a colorful start to your Saturday at the LA Festival of Colors. This Indian-inspired celebration in Norwalk ushers in springtime by encouraging revelers to hurl packets of technicolor powder into the air.
Trek a little bit farther down the 5 for the Burger x Observatory 5 Year Anniversary concert in Santa Ana. Today's lineup, part of a two-day fest at the Observatory, includes Slowdive, Black Lips, Thee Oh Sees and more.
Back in LA, spend a boozy afternoon at one of two beer fests. LA IPA Fest is bringing $5 half-pint pours from more than 60 craft breweries to Mohawk Bend. Meanwhile, Santa Anita Park is hosting its Big 'Cap Beer & Cider Festival; admission includes eight beer and cider tastings, which you can double with a VIP pass.
Make another visit to NerdMelt for a Futurama-themed Stonecutters LA. The typically Simpsons-inspired trivia show is switching things up with a day of prizes, screenings and Q&As with producer David X. Cohen and voice actor Maurice LaMarche.
Hungry? Fill up on oysters at Knuckle & Claw's 1st Anniversary. The Silver Lake seafood spot is serving up $1 oysters and $9 half bottles of champagne to celebrate.
Though St. Patrick's Day is still a week away, we should also mention that today marks the start of local celebrations, including the Hermosa Beach St. Patrick's Day Parade, Long Beach Irish Heritage Parade and Festival and Rock and Reilly’s Annual St. Paddy’s Day Block Party.
Sunday
Get to know the Arts District's newest gallery during the Hauser Wirth & Schimmel grand opening. The international art dealer has turned a former flour mill into a cultural complex, starting with its opening exhibition Revolution in the Making: Abstract Sculpture by Women, 1947–2016.
Grab some grub afterward at Sunday Funday at Wurstküche—unfortunately only at the Venice location and not the one down the street. Savor unlimited pours of any German beer on tap, sausage taster platters, fries and soft German pretzels for $45.
Usher in the early springtime bloom during the Cherry Blossom Festival at Descanso Gardens. This celebration of Japanese culture includes musical performances, origami classes, guided garden walks and Patina-catered food—and of course those beautiful flowering trees.
Close out your weekend at Good Looks, the free monthly stand-up show from Ian Karmel and Andrew Michaan. The show is taking a break from its usual Arts District home with a stop at UCB Franklin and performances from Maria Bamford, Guy Branum and more.
Find more things to do this weekend by clicking each day or by heading over to our weekend calendar.
