Things to do in Los Angeles this Sunday

Forget blogs: Get out from behind your computer screen and into the world of printed lit at L.A. Zine Fest. The all-day event showcases over 175 exhibitors of zines and small press publications from across the country, bringing together the best of SoCal nerds for the exchange of art, ideas and more. Don't miss the fest's free readings and workshops.

Everybody likes a good theme party, and this Memorial Day Weekend, Main Street in Santa Monica is giving the people what they want. In an effort not only to entertain Westsiders, but also to raise funds for Summer SOULstice, Main Street between Pier Avenue and Strand Street will transform into an interactive Monopoly board game, allotting attendees special “MAINopoly dollars,” to be exchanged for food tastings across the street's finest establishments. Trade a couple fake bucks for fresh fish ceviche from Enterprise Fish Co, goat cheese tostada from Manchego and more. Fuel yourself with happy hour draft beers and cocktails, before cracking up in the event's official “Go to Jail” VIP lounge and beer garden. As with any balls-out theme party, guests are encouraged to dress in Monopoly-inspired attire. Nab your tickets in advance for $25—$5 cheaper than the day-of price.

The Los Angeles Times’ annual monthlong celebration of all things food finally returns, and this year there are more than 200 events to choose from. Whether you’re looking for film screenings, chef panels, cookbook dinners, vegan festivals, pizza festivals or food tours, this is the event for you. We suggest starting with these 10 standout events.

Forget the Museum of Ice Cream and 29 Rooms—the latest selfie-bait experience to hit L.A. trades cutesy for creepy, hurling you into some of the most beloved and recognizable horror films of all time. I Like Scary Movies, a 25,000-square-foot wonderland of terror-fueled photo ops, is a walkthrough experience that flips the script on the social-media "museum" craze and allows you to pose and interact with scenes and settings from IT, Beetlejuice, The Lost Boys, The Shining and Nightmare on Elm Street. Note: I Like Scary Movies runs every Thursday to Sunday in April and May, and Wednesday to Sunday in June, on the second floor of the Desmond building, at 5514 Wilshire Blvd.  

Brian, Nick, A.J., Kevin and Howie might be performing with all they have to give in their Las Vegas residency, but thankfully they’re decided to quit playing games with our hearts and show L.A. that no one else comes close: From April 10 to September 2, Downtown’s Grammy Museum will host a larger-than-life exhibit dedicated to the Backstreet Boys and their roughly three decades of making boy-band history. Set adrift on memory bliss as you stroll past merchandise, photos, costumes and other memorabilia, some original and the only one of its kind. You can stare for maybe a little too long at the open, pastel blouses the boys wore in the “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)” video—you know, the one with the rain where they're soaking wet? Yes, those shirts. You can see the “futuristic” hover boards BSB flew in on as they kicked off their Millennium world tour and appreciate fan art, not to mention some personal items from the five's private collections. How personal? Oh, just things like Howie's wedding album and A.J.'s baby shoes. No big deal. There’s even a hologram station, so you can dance and pose along with BSB, plus a “confessional booth” where you’ll get chances to record a video—during the call you can let them know you’ve always been the perfect fan. If sometimes you wish you could turn back time to the ’90s, impossible as it may seem, this is the exhibit for you.

Everybody likes a good theme party, and this Memorial Day Weekend, Main Street in Santa Monica is giving the people what they want. In an effort not only to entertain Westsiders, but also to raise funds for Summer SOULstice, Main Street between Pier Avenue and Strand Street will transform into an interactive Monopoly board game, allotting attendees special “MAINopoly dollars,” to be exchanged for food tastings across the street's finest establishments. Trade a couple fake bucks for fresh fish ceviche from Enterprise Fish Co, goat cheese tostada from Manchego and more. Fuel yourself with happy hour draft beers and cocktails, before cracking up in the event's official “Go to Jail” VIP lounge and beer garden. As with any balls-out theme party, guests are encouraged to dress in Monopoly-inspired attire. Nab your tickets in advance for $25—$5 cheaper than the day-of price.

Celebrate gender swapping culture and couture at this colossal convention from drag juggernaut RuPaul and World of Wonder. Meet queens, pop culture personalities and the winners of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and catch a keynote speech by RuPaul, panels on drag and disco and more.

Forget the Museum of Ice Cream and 29 Rooms—the latest selfie-bait experience to hit L.A. trades cutesy for creepy, hurling you into some of the most beloved and recognizable horror films of all time. I Like Scary Movies, a 25,000-square-foot wonderland of terror-fueled photo ops, is a walkthrough experience that flips the script on the social-media "museum" craze and allows you to pose and interact with scenes and settings from IT, Beetlejuice, The Lost Boys, The Shining and Nightmare on Elm Street. Note: I Like Scary Movies runs every Thursday to Sunday in April and May, and Wednesday to Sunday in June, on the second floor of the Desmond building, at 5514 Wilshire Blvd.  

While there are several festivals enticing families over Memorial Day weekend, this is the only option that will (figuratively) transport its 15,000 attendees to New Orleans. The two-day annual Cajun & Blues Festival in scenic Simi Valley will satisfy different musical tastes with both a Cajun/zydeco stage as well as a blues Stage. Snack on food options straight out of Louisiana like jambalaya and alligator sausage, and take part in a bead-filled Mardi Gras parade each day. As a cherry (or rather crawfish) on top, the proceeds will go to charitable, educational and humanitarian causes.

This 10-day event brings a sense of purpose and engagement to a series of programs, performances, workshops and an art exhibition, with artists including Shepard Fairey, Geoff McFetridge, Andrea Bowers, James Jean, Swoon and more. WeRise, based at 1262 Palmetto Street, tackles the critical need for early intervention, treatment and care for mental wellbeing.  

Forget blogs: Get out from behind your computer screen and into the world of printed lit at L.A. Zine Fest. The all-day event showcases over 175 exhibitors of zines and small press publications from across the country, bringing together the best of SoCal nerds for the exchange of art, ideas and more. Don't miss the fest's free readings and workshops.

Roam the 400 stalls at this arts festival, sample the fine foods and listen to the music—and then take a dip in the nearby Pacific. Look out for the Fiesta over both Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.