Various locations in L.A.

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 through May 11—making it the perfect pit stop if you’re making your way out to Coachella in April. This year’s works explore Indigenous futurism, activism and technology’s role in society, among other themes. Don’t miss Agnes Denes’s monumental The Living Pyramid.

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.

This annual film festival—now in its 41st year—simultaneously celebrates and launches the careers of Asian and Asian American filmmakers, showcasing both emerging and established voices. For this edition, you’ll find a mix of screenings and programs at venues in West Hollywood, Little Tokyo, and Monterey Park, including the Democracy Center at the Japanese American National Museum, Gardena Cinema, Landmark Theatres Sunset and the Directors Guild of America, where the fest will kick off with the world premiere of Surrender, starring Gilmore Girls’ Keiko Agena. In all, the lineup boasts 27 features and some 110 shorts. See the full schedule here. 

Kick off AAPI Heritage Month by celebrating the history and culture of Filipinos in L.A. at the second edition of Baryo HiFi, a free open-air street festival and artisan marketplace held on Beverly Boulevard, between Union Avenue and the Historic Filipinotown arch. Presented by the Historic Filipinotown Coalition in partnership with comedian Jo Koy, Nike, SoundCloud and more, Baryo HiFi is the first festival of its kind in L.A. You can expect Filipino food from citywide names like Dollar Hits, Lasita, the Park’s Finest and Same Same Dumpling, plus a lineup of Filipino DJs, dancers and other live performers. Baryo HiFi will also feature an art exhibition curated by local artist Kristofferson San Pablo and a curated selection of Filipino American pop-up shops selling candles, plants, apparel and more.

Explore the history of early Los Angeles life with free admission to six museums in Northeast L.A. and Pasadena. The annual Museums of the Arroyo Day is the perfect opportunity to brush up on historical architecture—the Gamble House, Heritage Square and the Lummis Home—and relics from L.A.’s past—the L.A. Police Museum and Pasadena Museum of History and South Pasadena Historical Museum. In addition to free entry, you’ll find shuttle service between all six museums (though visiting three stops at most is recommended for the best experience). Some of the sites are bike- and A Line-friendly as well. 

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 Sunny Blye, 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.

CicLAvia, but make it Glendale—that’s the basic premise of Let’s Go Glendale, the newest open-streets experience to hit L.A. On the last day of May, South Glendale Avenue from Chevy Chase to Lexington Drives will be transformed into a car-free space welcoming all to walk, roll, shop and stroll past local businesses and eateries. The free event, presented by Metro, will also feature a curated schedule of live music and activities. Dogs, as long as they’re on a leash, are welcome too.

Downtown Burbank shuts down its main thoroughfare to car traffic for this biannual arts festival, curated by indie artisan marketplace Jackalope. Over 170 local hand-selected artisans will fill San Fernando Boulevard from Magnolia Boulevard to Angeleno Avenue. Shop art and photography, original fashion and jewelry, paper goods, home decor, food and more. You’ll also find live art and activities for kids like terrarium- and slime-making workshops and face painting. And unlike some artisan markets, Jackalope offers free admission.

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.

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.