The best things to do in Los Angeles this week

Let the wild rumpus start at this celebration of beloved children’s author and illustrator Maurice Sendak. The Skirball Cultural Center will be displaying more than 150 sketches, storyboards and paintings from the Where the Wild Things Are creator.

Bibliophiles flock to the USC campus for this L.A. Times-curated event, where you can roam stalls from booksellers and catch readings and panels from some of the most recognizable names in literature on April 20 and 21.

In addition to the 300-plus exhibitors, this year’s event includes an always-impressive lineup of more than 500 speakers: Jose Andres, Ed Begley Jr., Sophia Bush, Jon Favreau, Max Greenfield, Tiffany Haddish, Tamron Hall, Mark Harmon, RuPaul, Kerry Washington, Henry Winkler and more, plus a cooking stage with Nancy Silverton, QCP and Tiffani Thiessen, among others.

Pedal through Palms, Mar Vista and Venice during this Westside edition of the bike-friendly event, which will clear cars along 5.75 miles of Venice Boulevard.

In celebration of the late Bob Baker, the namesake puppet theater hosts this annual celebration at Los Angeles State Historic Park. The free fest, which runs from 10am to 5pm, features puppet performances throughout the day, plus an assortment of crafts and activities that typically includes everything from bubbles to balloons to music. This year’s event includes an appearance by David Arquette as Bozo the Clown, a kid’s talent show hosted by Kate Micucci, music from Very Be Careful and a kickoff with legendary puppeteer Sid Krofft.

Geek out with fellow TV nerds at PaleyFest, the annual weeklong festival of exclusive episodes, clips and panel discussions with the cast and creators of Curb Your Enthusiasm, Late Night with Seth Meyers, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and a 25th anniversary celebration of Family Guy.

Have a springtime picnic fill with vegan food food, vintage clothes and whimsical wares at L.A.’s Victorian village. Magic Market is bringing all things fairies and witches to Heritage Square, includ tarot and palm readings, a pet psychic, sound baths, yoga, breathwork and, of course, tours of the museum’s handsome old homes.

Ice Cube, WC, E-40, Too Short, Mack 10, Xzibit and Jay Rock headline 93.5 KDAY’s annual hip-hop concert.

Partake in a honey tasting, recycle old electronics and listen to special conservation-themed talks from zookeepers during this Earth Month series at the L.A. Zoo.

Gospel legend Mavis Staples has been on a roll ever since her 2010 collaboration with Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy, You Are Not Alone. Now, to celebrate her 85th birthday, she’s performing at the YouTube Theater with some of her incredibly talented musical collaborators, including Tweedy plus Black Pumas, Chris Stapleton, Grace Potter, Hozier, Jackson Browne, Keb’ Mo’, Michael McDonald, Nathaniel Rateliff, Norah Jones, Robert Randolph, Taj Mahal and the War and Treaty.

This must-visit for classic film buffs showcases four days of beloved movies—from the iconic to forgotten gems—courtesy of Turner Classic Movies. See these time-honored favorites on the big screen at a handful of Hollywood theaters, the way they were meant to be seen. This year’s lineup includes An American in Paris, Chinatown, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Double Indemnity, Footloose, Jailhouse Rock, Lawrence of Arabia, Pulp Fiction, Se7en, Spaceballs and more.

One of the most talented improv performers, period, see Schwartz (perhaps best known as Parks and Rec’s Jean Ralphio and now as the voice of Sonic) and a surprise assembly of friends take to the stage.

Nicknamed “Southern California’s Official Spring Brake,” this high-speed extravaganza takes place over a two-mile street circuit that includes plenty of straights and curves. Spectators should expect to spend the afternoon biting their nails. Concerts and a family fun zone where kids 3 to 6 years old can race in their own cars round the weekend out nicely.

Pick up litter along the L.A. River for a couple of hours and learn about its history along the way during this free cleanup event. L.A. Waterkeeper is inviting Angelenos to register for a meetup at North Atwater Park, where you’ll begin picking up debris and then walk away with some native seed bombs to support local pollinators.

This interactive performance series constitutes a literary cathouse, where male and female performers provide poetry readings behind closed curtains. The L.A. event includes a few regulars from the New York show, along with local burlesque performers.

No, the Academy Museum isn’t staying open past midnight—but it is celebrating films that have typically screened then. To complement the museum’s John Waters exhibition and Pink Flamingos’ place as a late-night mainstay, it’ll be screening some cult favorites this April and May, including Eraserhead, Up in Smoke, Donnie Darko and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Riki Lindhome, Zach Noe Towers, Ketra Long, Chinedu Unaka, Katie Hughes and CJ Sullivann top this outdoor comedy show in Glassell Park.

Peruse a craft fair and then attend a comedy show—because is there really a more-L.A. combo than that? Big Deck Energy sets up each month at Silver Lake’s Kombu Sushi, first with live music, custom prints and thrift finds during the craft portion, and then for a comedy show hosted by Hope Carew. And of course, given the location, you can grab sushi, snacks and drinks from Kombu.

If you’ve ever adopted a feline or canine friend, you know how important animal shelters are. So here’s your opportunity to help out those animals that haven’t found a home yet. The Pasadena Humane Society’s annual walk helps cover the costs of its inhabitants. All you need are your walking shoes—dogs optional—and maybe some friends or family, and you’re ready to embark on a route around the Rose Bowl. The event is technically free to spectate, but the PHS encourages you to start a team (registration starts at $50) or find sponsors to raise funds. Afterwards, you can look forward to photo ops, pet-friendly vendor booths and an agility course. If you can’t make it, you can still donate here.

We Angelenos go gaga for flea markets in this city like tourists for L.A. landmarks. Adding to the throng of artisanal havens, Phillip Dane continues one of the best with this monthly night market called Odd Nights at the Autry. Think of it as dance party meets happy hour meets shopping extravaganza. With live local bands, a full bar, more than 20 food trucks, a slew of vendors, a bunch of inflatables and more, you might want to start reserving third Fridays in your calendar.

“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 you’ll find everything from performances to storytelling to a classic car show on the Santa Monica Pier, all free to attend.