Things to do in Los Angeles on Saturday

Scoring an invite to Hollywood’s iconic, members-only magician clubhouse isn’t too tricky, but it does require a bit of research or networking. So why not make that process a whole lot easier and see some stellar magic at the same time? The Academy of Magic Arts and the Magic Castle are hosting three live shows of illusions and sleight of hand tricks at Downtown L.A.’s United Theater on Broadway this May, and each ticket purchase includes an invite to the Hollywood club (though you’ll still have to pay the door and dinner fee for that future visit).

This spectacular exhibition from the Icelandic–Danish artist brings a new series of optical installations to MOCA’s Little Tokyo location. Don’t let the reflective, colorful pieces fool you into thinking this is some run-of-the-mill “immersive” exhibit: Olafur Eliasson’s works invite you to admire the everyday miracles of physics that shape how we see the world. The towering, mirror-lined stacks that fill the entrance of “OPEN” bring the outside in, as the warehouse-style Geffen Contemporary’s skylights create infinite spaces and mini worlds out of the sun and sky. The surprisingly analog optics behind them can be truly sublime: Gently moving water has a pair of pieces appear as shimmery landscapes, mirrors turn tubing into floating rings that trail into a black void and a simple array of pendants produce colorful flares against a screen. These aren’t pieces you’re meant to disappear into; instead, they provide a lens for the enviornment around us. You’ll need a timed ticket ($18) to see “Olafur Eliasson: OPEN.” Look for reservations on the first Friday of the month, from 5 to 8pm, for free admission.

The masters of alfresco rooftop movie viewing have returned for another season of screenings to LEVEL in Downtown L.A. Known for excellent film choices and a steady supply of snacks and booze, Rooftop Cinema Club is your snazzy, comfortable and less stressful alternative to other outdoor movie screenings. You don’t even need to bring your own camping chair—Rooftop Cinema Club provides you with your very own comfy lawn chair (with optional blankets for purchase to up the coziness). 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. Find the full schedule on their site, or in our outdoor movie calendar.

What if there was a scare-free version of Halloween Horror Nights for fraidy cats (like me)? That’s the quickest way I can sum up Universal Fan Fest Nights, a new after-hours event at the L.A. theme park. The open-till-2am specially-ticketed series runs on select nights from April 25 to May 18 and brings together an unexpected mix of franchises for walk-throughs (Back to the Future, Dungeons & Dragons, Star Trek), character photo ops (One Piece, Wicked) and screenings (Jujutsu Kaisen). The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has a new castle projection show, “Hogwarts Always,” for the occasion, along with appearances from the platypus-esque Niffler and serpentine Occamy. And Super Nintendo World sees the debut of meet-and-greets with Yoshi.  The clear standout, though, is the Back to the Future experience, an interactive recreation of Hill Valley in 1955 on the very same section of the backlot where the 1985 film was shot. Hop aboard the studio tour tram and you’ll be whisked down to Courthouse Square, where you can roam around on foot as familiar scenes spontaneously play out around you (and actors may even chat you up in-character). It’s just an absolute delight, and I’d definitely encourage you to spend enough time down here to see every possible scene from Marty McFly, Doc Brown and the rest of the lead characters. Elsewhere, the Dungeons & Dragons walk-through looks mostly cool (particularly an excellent Xanathar puppet crafted by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop), though a bit...

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. When is the Renaissance Pleasure Faire near Los Angeles? The event takes place Saturdays and Sundays (10am–7pm) from April 5 to May 18, 2025, at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale. How much are tickets? Tickets cost $44 for adults, $39 for seniors (62+) and those with military IDs, $22 for kids ages 5 to 12 and are free for kids 4 and under. A season pass costs $250. Parking is $12, with a VIP option available for $25.

Nature lovers, rejoice! Spend a day at the Natural History Museum’s Butterfly Pavilion, which will be open March 23 through August 24 and be home to 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. Tip: The prime time for these unique butterfly flight experiences is typically between 10am and 11am each morning.

Watch a slate of classics from the past couple of decades on one of the prettiest rooftops—now called Oasis—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.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House—centerpiece of Barnsdall Art Park and Los Angeles’ only UNESCO World Heritage Site—just might be the most stunning backdrop for an art exhibition. And, in this case, the home is the subject itself, too. L.A.-based photographer Ireland captured the intricate details of the Hollyhock House in 21 photographs on display throughout the onetime residence.

Like a Halloween version of its Yuletide Cinemaland series, Street Food Cinema will turn Heritage Square Museum into a spooky, cinematic playground—and yes, we’re well aware we’re months from Halloween still. But Boo-ze, Bites & Frights returns in May with this “Half-o-ween” celebration, which pairs screenings of The Craft and Final Destination with carnival games, home tours and a handful of bars.

This laid-back, Gen X-ish music fest will once again take over the Redondo Beach coastline for three days in May. Lenny Kravitz, Sublime, Alanis Moriessette, Train, Cake, Pretenders, O.A.R., Mt. Joy and Jackson Browne top this year’s lineup.