The best things to do in Los Angeles this week

L.A. cultural organizations will come together at the historic Wilshire Ebell Theatre to celebrate Women’s History Month with live performances, interactive art, dance, music and a marketplace. Bob Baker Marionette Theater, Chevalier’s Books, Self Help Graphics, the Ebell Chorale, Leigh Purtell Dance Theatre, Vox Femina and the Korean Cultural Center are just some of the highlights of the lineup, as well as an art show, vintage fashion, film-focused tours of the Ebell and a family-friendly musical about Rosie the Riveter. 

Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo—featuring iconic imagery, effects and, of course, performances by Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak—may have been under-appreciated at the time of its release, but it’s proved one of Hitchcock’s most beloved, tender and lasting films. Nevertheless, Stewart’s acrophobia will leave you thankful that you’re firmly planted in your seat. Revisit the classic at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, with Bernard Herrmann’s score performed live to film by the LA Phil.

Inspired by Taiwan’s world-famous Lantern Festival, San Gabriel’s Lunar Lantern Festival will once again bring colorful displays to the streets of the city’s Mission District. The free weekend celebration will also offer family-friendly activities, music and dance performances, street food vendors, artisanal craft booths and games. Kids can take home a free zodiac-animal-shaped lantern, courtesy of the Taiwan Tourism Administration. 

“Let’s hang out at the Pier” is something Santa Monica locals probably say next to never, but this monthly series is trying to change that. Every third Thursday from September to May, you’ll find everything from live music to storytelling to a classic car show on the Santa Monica Pier, all free to attend. 

We’ve been thoroughly enjoying the extra hour of sunlight, and the days are about to get even longer. Where better to welcome spring than the Griffith Observatory, overlooking the L.A. basin, amid the sounds of live music? On the equinox this Friday, head to the West Terrace at sunset for beautiful views and a performance by cellist-turned-rocker Kestrin Pantera.

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).

Dress your kid like a bona fide Angeleno—with vintage styles sourced from Depop sellers. Elemeno is teaming up with the online marketplace and Dr. Seuss for a first-of-its-kind, all-kids vintage pop-up market this weekend (1020 N La Brea Ave). Alongside a curated selection of vintage vendors, there’ll be interactive activity stations, a reading nook and a special appearance by the Lorax. You can even bring your kid’s favorite outfit from home for free customization at the Depop x Dr. Seuss heat press station.

Shop local at this free, pet-friendly celebration of small businesses, which is expanding and trading in its Mar Vista setting for the heart of Venice Beach: You’ll find live music, art, fashion and food under the famed Venice sign at Windward and Pacific Avenues. The festival brings together over 300 local brands and artists three times a year, attracting thousands of shoppers. This time around, there will be four stages for live music—with a TBA lineup of local musicians and surprise guests sponsored by the upcoming BeachLife Festival—as well as DJs, fitness and kids’ entertainment.

Melrose Trading Post, one of the city’s coolest weekend flea markets, is back with its second annual event, Melrose Fashion Week, which shines a light on local designers, sustainable fashion and the creative expression that thrives on Melrose. Head to MTP this Sunday morning for a community re-dye workshop with with Circular Fashion L.A. from 10am to 4pm. Then, at noon, runway shows will kick off, showcasing looks made from vintage, secondhand and upcycled materials by both Melrose designers and high school and college student designers. 

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.

A favorite of in-the-know shoppers, MAUM Market is returning to ROW DTLA on March 21. The market champions AAPI artists, creatives and entrepreneurs, and the result is a mindfully curated shopping experience. Find accessories, art, kids’ toys, beauty and wellness goodies, ceramics, stationery, clothing, jewelry, home wares and treats at the family-friendly and pet-friendly fair. Though it used to charge a nominal fee for tickets, entry is now free.

Griffith Park is made up of over 4,210 acres, so this little slice of greenery off the 134 Freeway near Glendale often gets overlooked as you drive by. You might not even have noticed that it’s named for silver screen star Bette Davis, who used to live across the street and ride horses nearby. In celebration of the actress’s life, the Friends of Griffith Park are hosting a morning of free activities for nature lovers. You can birdwatch by the L.A. River with the Feminist Bird Club of Los Angeles—herons, grebes and osprey are known to frequent the stretch—watch equestrian demonstrations, chat with a historian and explore the picnic area’s Miyawaki-inspired micro-forest.

It’s the best of both worlds: Indulge your nostalgia and take home free makeup at this pop-up experience at the Grove, celebrating the 20th anniversary of Hannah Montana (feel old yet?) ahead of a Disney+ special. The immersive experience allows fans to step inside a real-life re-creation of Hannah’s legendary closet, complete with interactive Maybelline beauty stations for stage-ready makeovers and Polaroid photo ops. Entry is free but first-come, first-served.

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.

Before the new season of The Bachelorette (which seems like it’s shaping up to be a hot mess), get rose-ready at this immersive pop-up at Nya Studios West. Get a sneak peek at The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Taylor Frankie Paul’s journey to find love, make a good first impression and experience one-on-one and group “dates” on Sunday, leading up to the premiere. And of course, you can expect lots of exclusive goodies and photo ops. Entry is free, but you’ll need to snag a timed ticket.

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.

The Wilco frontman’s freewheeling solo shows balance acoustic takes, deep cut requests and charming banter. He’s playing two consecutive nights—first at the Belasco, then the United Theater on Broadway (if you prefer a seated show)—as part of his Twilight Override Tour, in support of his folksy fifth solo album. Speaking of those requests, you can submit your own here.

Vibe Check prides itself on spotlighting the some of the country’s “youngest, freshest and chillest” comedians in showcases that have sold out in L.A., New York and Chicago. The lineup at this installment at the Lab at Hollywood Improv—Clay Horwitz, Learnmore Jonasi, Camille Corbett and Michael Turner, plus surprise guests—is made up of up-and-comers you may recognize from late-night TV, streamers or sketches on social media. They promise “unique perspectives and inclusively clever commentary”—all for only $14.

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 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); 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.

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. 

Whatever else it may or may not be, Beetlejuice is spectacularly weird. But Broadway’s musical reboot of Beetlejuice, Tim Burton’s 1988 film, is buggy—though it looks great. Check out our full review from its New York run.

Spring at Knott’s Berry Farm means a celebration of its namesake fruit, and come mid-March you’ll be able to stuff your face with all things boysenberry. Knott’s turns its theme park into a food fest of sorts, with dozens of boysenberry-infused items that you can try to work your way through, thanks to an event tasting card. (Of course, there’ll be boysenberry-themed merch, too, plus crafts from local artisans.) Expect both delicious and questionable boysenberry creations alike—think elote, sausage, tortillas, smoothies, Brussels sprouts, bao buns, wings, sangria, beer and wine. Park admission starts at $65, while a pass with three tasting items and parking costs $95. If you already have a season pass or an admission ticket, a six-item tasting card costs $55.

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.

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.

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.

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 and visually.

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.

Explore the Autry into the evening at the Griffith Park museum’s Thursday-night series that spotlights the city’s emerging and established artists, musicians, poets and writers. Programming ranges from free salsa lessons to DJ sets to old-timey radio plays. The museum galleries stay open late, too, plus drinks and food trucks are also on offer.

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 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.

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.

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.

This display of film and video art, billed will take over all six stories of the abandoned, historic Variety Arts Theater in Downtown L.A. (the theater served as the setting for this past Halloween’s immersive haunt Delusion). Over a century of visual storytelling will be explored, blurring the line between visual art and cinema. Contemporary video works by artists including Marina Abramović, Doug Aitken, Chris Burden, Cyprien Gaillard, Arthur Jafa and Precious Okoyomon will be juxtaposed with cinematic works by the likes of Walt Disney and Georges Méliès. Admission—and popcorn—are free.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Accompanying programming throughout the run of the show will include a conversation between the Guerrilla Girls and author Roxane Gay, a feminist Valentine’s Day mail art workshop, cocktail receptions with the exhibition curators, tours and more.

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.