Things to do in L.A. this weekend: May 1–3

One of L.A.’s best free live-music offerings, Jazz at LACMA has featured legit legends over its 35-year 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) throughout the summer. We’re betting it’ll be even more popular than usual this year, with the new David Geffen Galleries in the background.

This can’t-miss festival for classic-film buffs showcases four days’ worth of beloved movies—from the iconic to forgotten gems—courtesy of Turner Classic Movies. This year’s “The World Comes to Hollywood”-themed lineup includes Modern Times, Gaslight, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Muppet Movie, Swingers and more. See these time-honored favorites on the big screen at a handful of Hollywood theaters—the TCL Chinese Theatre, Chinese 6 Theatres, El Capitan Theatre and Egyptian Theatre—the way they were meant to be seen. Check the fest’s website for a full lineup of screenings and special guest announcements. Note that standby tickets for individual screenings must be purchased on-site, after passholders are seated, and are cash-only.

Plenty of places may get in on the Star Wars-inspired fun for May the 4th (which falls on a Monday this year, so instead is being celebrated on May 3), but how many can boast an appearance from R2-D2 and BB8? Head to the Academy Museum and you can pose with the fan-favorite droids in the lobby for free (11am–2pm, 3–5pm); make your own Star Wars-inspired buttons, origami characters and porg puppets; listen to scientist talks; and even learn the ways of the Force. At 7pm, a (separately ticketed) screening of The Empire Strikes Back will feature special guest Billy Dee Williams—that’s sold out, but standby tickets should be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Los Angeles Ballet closes its 20th season with four performances of Giselle at the Ahmanson Theatre, marking the local company’s debut at the Music Center. This Romantic-era masterpiece, first performed in Paris in 1841, draws on supernatural themes and Eastern European folklore with its tale of a woman who dies of a broken heart, then returns as a spirit.

The former Lucha VaVoom has been essentially split into two, with this one helmed by longtime producer and burlesque and lucha scene mainstay Miss Rita. This early Cinco de Mayo edition will bring burlesque, Mexican wrestling, lowriders and a live band to Downtown’s Regent Theater—all hosted by comedians Jeff Davis and Chris Estrada.

Born out of a forested stage at Belgium’s Tomorrowland festival, this Insomniac-presented EDM event heads stateside with sets from Eric Prydz, Four Tet, Nina Kraviz and more across two days at L.A. State Historic Park.

The city of Santa Monica will become a playground for jazz during this inaugural music fest, which fulfills Grammy-winning bassist Stanley Clarke’s vision for a world-class jazz festival in Los Angeles and celebrates the centennials of Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Route 66. Fellow Grammy winner Kamasi Washington tops the bill on a week of performances by both world-renowned and emerging talent at venues across the city. May 3’s Sunday on the Promenade concert is a free affair with eight acts, including Elijah Fox and Genevieve Artadi (1–7pm). On May 8 is a tribute to Coltrane at the BroadStage, headlined by Isaiah Collier. The fest culminates in “A Day at the Park” at Tongva Park on May 9—a full afternoon of performances, with Washington wrapping up the fest.

Billie Eilish isn’t just a pop star, “It” girl and Oscar and Grammy winner—she’s also a perfumer, crafting a handful of fragrances in dramatic bottles that double as art pieces. Want to channel the smell of success? Get a sniff for yourself at this pop-up at Sephora at the Grove on Saturday, where you can take home complimentary samples of Eilish Fragrances—as well as an exclusive poster, while supplies last.

Calling all vintage lovers! Shop one-of-a-kind pieces from over 50 of the top local and national vintage retailers and private dealers at this pop-up market. A Current Affair is a major source for stylists, designers and anyone in search of everything from perfectly worn-in jeans to rare and collectible designer pieces. Shop an array of vintage clothing, accessories and jewelry dating all the way back to the Victorian era at the pop-up market’s West Hollywood Design District location.

This laid-back, Gen X-ish music fest will once again take over the Redondo Beach coastline for three days in May. Duran Duran, the Chainsmokers, the Offspring, Slightly Stoopid and James Taylor and His All-Star Band headline the 2026 edition, with additional sets from My Morning Jacket, Sheryl Crow, Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Grouplove, Peach Pit and more.

Dog lovers, this one’s for you. On May 3, Lumiere Cinema in Beverly Hills will host the second edition of Cannes Dogs 2, a dog-friendly afternoon celebrating pups and movies with the premiere of zine Cannes Dogs 2: The Poo Edition—which highlights the winners of the real Cannes film fest’s Palm Dog Award—plus a screening of the 2003 movie Quigley and the L.A. premiere of Stupid Co’s short film French Lessons. Each ticket includes a copy of the zine, making it part film event and part collectible drop. Think of it as the night out you and your pup deserve.

Get ready to get your groove on. The immersive Brassroots District: L.A. ’74 transports adventurous theatergoers (or is that concertgoers?) into a funk-tastic, pre-cellphone world of 1970s bands and record label battles—complete with original music performed live by a funk and soul band. Dressing for the period is highly encouraged for this part-musical, part-concert, part-immersive experience about a band on the cusp of releasing their first album. You can even sample the band’s music on the website in advance to get a taste of what’s in store at Jewel’s Catch One every Saturday and Sunday night through June—the show has been extended by popular demand.

The hour stands before another springtime, and the Renaissance Pleasure Faire is nigh. Good mistresses and masters, prepareth thy schedules and costumes for the return of the oldest Ren Faire in the country, a spectacle that cov’reth 20 Irwindale acres with Elizabethan libations and amusement: fully armored joust tournaments and tea parties with the queen along with beguiling stage acts, rides, games, delicious edibles and ales abound. The festivities will transpire each weekend at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area; procureth day or season passes in advance by visiting ye olde online box office. And no, we can’t stop talking like this.

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. 

This annual film festival—now in its 42nd year—both celebrates and launches the careers of Asian and Asian American filmmakers, showcasing emerging and established voices alike. 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, AMC Atlantic Times Square 14, Landmark Theatres Sunset, the Directors Guild of America, Far Bar and Hello Stranger, where the fest will kick off with a launch party. In all, the lineup boasts dozens of features and even more shorts. See the full schedule here. 

This chill fest—quite literally compared to the scorching desert outings—brings a few dozen acts to San Luis Obispo. This year’s lineup includes Chris Lake, the Backseat Lovers, Magdalena Bay, INJI and TOPS at Dairy Creek Golf Course.

The Los Angeles company literally balances athleticism and architecture in creative director Jacques Heim’s choreography, as his dancers climb, dangle, soar and perch on custom-made structures while they explore movement, space and time. Diavolo was founded in 1992, made the top 10 of America’s Got Talent in 2017 and now is presenting its latest show, Escape, in the troupe’s intimate black box performance space, so you can see the gravity-defying action up close. For the best sightlines, spring for VIP tickets, which will also get you a complimentary drink and priority access to ride one of the structures featured in the show yourself.

It’s a bird! it’s a plane! It’s…a celebration of Superman on the Warner Bros. lot! The studio is once again celebrating the anniversary of Superman’s debut in Action Comics #1 back in 1938. New to the festivities this year is a walk-through experience and immersive game-play attraction based on the recent James Gunn blockbuster, where visitors can step into the world of the superhero and fight evil with 3-D glasses and motion capture tech. After the hourlong experience, hang out in the Fortress of Solitude, where you’ll find mini-games, photo ops and props, and shop at a new Daily Planet-themed store. You can buy tickets for the stand-alone Superman Experience or add it on to the Warner Bros. tour.

Walk through a pavilion of fluttering tropical butterflies you can’t normally glimpse in Southern California, and peep a chamber with pupae and caterpillars at South Coast Botanic Garden’s seasonal exhibition. For an extra $6, you can pick up a nectar “lollipop” to attract and feed the butterflies yourself. Carve out some time to explore the beautiful gardens afterward.

Step into the soundtrack of your favorite ’80s movies at this brand-new show from For the Record, set inside CineVita’s huge mirrored Spiegeltent at Hollywood Park. Hear tracks from over 25 films, including Footloose, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Say Anything, Dirty Dancing, Top Gun, Valley Girl and Back to the Future, performed in the immersive setting by a cast of singers, musicians and dancers with Broadway and TV credits. 

This show aims to give Black queer culture in California—particularly in Los Angeles—the credit it’s due as a part of the decades-long fight for LGBTQ+ rights and recognition. Through historical materials, photographs, film and vintage newspapers, the exhibition recovers a history that’s been largely excluded from the record, introducing visitors to sites, protagonists and allies who played a role in the fight for democracy and free expression. 

Watch a slate of classics from the past couple of decades on one of the prettiest rooftops in Hollywood at this outdoor screenings series. All movies are piped in over sets of provided wireless headphones. Before showtime, make sure to hit up the bar or the on-site kitchen, Oasis, which will be serving up wagyu burgers and classic film concessions.

Nonprofit arts organization the Billboard Creative mounts this annual show around town, which turns the city into an open-air gallery. Billboards around L.A. will sport works by a diverse group of 20 artists working across different mediums, whose art will be seen by hundreds of thousands of commuters. This year’s “Sightlines: Art in Public View” iteration kicks off April 6 and runs through May 4. A mobile map shows you all of the entries’ locations and shares info about each artist. 

The multisensory nature of art is explored in this exhibition, which looks at the intertwined relationship between contemporary art and living materials through large-scale installations, painting, mixed-media sculpture, video and sound. Over 20 artists from North, Central and South America have employed mediums like stones, avocado, cacao, achiote, cochineal and clay in their works, inviting visitors to engage their senses of touch, smell and hearing when interacting with the art. 

Travel back to the LBC circa 1996 inside the Grammy Museum’s new celebration of Sublime. Three decades after the release of the legendary Long Beach ska-punk-reggae trio’s self-titled breakthrough—as well as the passing of singer and guitarist Bradley Nowell—the museum has assembled this nostalgic showcase of flyers, instruments and black-and-white performance photos. Highlights include handwritten lyrics to “Wrong Way,” archival live footage and Nowell’s sticker-covered acoustic guitar.

The masters of alfresco rooftop movie viewing, Rooftop Cinema Club is your snazzy, comfortable and less stressful alternative to other outdoor movie screenings. The series is known for its excellent film choices, comfy lawn chairs and a steady supply of snacks and booze. And instead of listening to the movie over loudspeakers, you’ll get a set of wireless headphones so you never have to miss a word. Enjoy a steady stream of modern classics (Inception, Pride & Prejudice) local favorites (La La Land, Friday) and recent releases (Sinners, The Housemaid), as well as the odd TV marathon, screened atop LEVEL DTLA. 

Artist Ralph Steadman—known for his unmistakable illustrations, cartoons and collaborations with Hunter S. Thompson—has imbued his work with political, satirical, environmental and spiritual threads throughout his six-decade-plus career. Now, on the eve of his 90th birthday, you can see 149 of Steadman’s works, including some influenced by Los Angeles, for free at the Torrance Art Museum—it’s the only Southern California stop on the show’s national tour. If you’re feeling inspired, you can embark on your own off-the-page adventure, thanks to the exhibition’s accompanying interactive Gonzo Art Trail (find details here).

You may have come across Danish artist Thomas Dambo’s massive troll sculptures—which he makes from reclaimed wood and hides in nature to encourage people to get out and enjoy the outdoors—on Instagram. But you don’t need to book a trip to Denmark to see the gentle giants. The 87 acres of Palos Verdes’s South Coast Botanic Garden are currently home to 12 of the whimsical figures, and you can glimpse them all with your general admission ticket. For $33, you can take a guided walking tour of the Twelvelings (with general admission included). To see the trolls in a different light, one night a month, the gardens will host the Canopy Club—an after-hours dance party in the woods with pop-up performances, food and drinks ($34–$50).

Nature lovers, rejoice! The Natural History Museum is bringing back its annual Butterfly Pavilion, which will be open March 22 through August 23 and house up to 30 butterfly and moth species, as well as an assortment of California plants. The seasonal outdoor exhibit allows for adults and children alike to witness nature up close—we’re talking walking amid hundreds of butterflies and having them land on your arms or shoulders. You’ll need to purchase a $10 add-on ticket on top of your museum ticket in order to explore the pavilion for a half-hour.

It’s a very Fast & Furious kind of year in L.A. between Universal Studio’s roller coaster and this 25th anniversary exhibition of the movie franchise. The Petersen Automotive Museum is showcasing movie vehicles, stunt cars and production prototypes in its second-floor galleries, including the 1993 Toyota Supra “Stunt #3” and 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse driven by Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) in the original film, Dominic Toretto’s (Vin Diesel) 1968 Dodge Charger R/T and 1993 Mazda RX-7, Suki’s (Devon Aoki) 2001 Honda S2000 and more.

For a few weeks, you can be in the room with the documents from the room where it happened when USC Fisher Museum of Art hosts the National Archives’ “Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation.” On view April 17 through May 3, this rare exhibition brings Founding-era treasures (including an 1823 engraving of the Declaration of Independence and a draft of the Constitution) to Los Angeles for America’s 250th anniversary. Free and open to the public, it’s a once-in-a-generation chance to view history up close.

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.

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).

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.

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, Hungary, 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 peeks 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. Though the exhibition is limited to a single gallery on the fourth floor, it’s packed with iconic items: 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.

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.