March 2025 events calendar for Los Angeles

Kick off your weekend with dinosaurs and DJs at the Natural History Museum’s First Fridays series. From March through June, you’ll find a KCRW-presented evening of music and hands-on learning, allowing visitors of all ages to stay late for a night at the museum. Each month offers a different lineup of musical guests and DJs, art installations, guided museum tours and scientist-led talks in the new NHM Commons. This month’s “Healing Sounds” edition explores the science and art of sound healing, with performances by VÉRITÉ and Kelcey Ayer, plus soothing sound baths in the Sensory Lounge.

The recent World Series champions kick off a new season by taking on the Detroit Tigers at Dodger Stadium, with new pitcher Blake Snell starting Thursday. At Friday’s game, the team and coaches will receive their World Series rings in a special ceremony, and those showing up on Saturday can snag an Orel Hershiser jersey.

Before the Music Center’s joyous summer dance series kicks off in June, Dance DTLA is hosting its first-ever springtime edition: a one-night-only event at Walt Disney Concert Hall conceived as a celebration of community, resilience and healing in the wake of the wildfires. MC Maya Jupiter will host a night of free lessons from L.A. dance instructors followed by dance sessions both indoors in BP Hall and outdoors in the Blue Ribbon Garden, where DJs will be spinning global beats—from salsa to funk to Afrobeats—that highlight the city’s cultural diversity. No dance experience necessary!

Over a dozen local and out-of-town performers are taking to the streets during this musical fundraiser, with proceeds going to L.A. musicians who were displaced by the wildfires. Catch acts including Dustbowl Revival, Ronee Blakley, the Living Sisters, Ilana Katz Katz, Ruby Friedman Orchestra and Hollywood Highsteppers playing 20- or 30-minute sets along the 1800 block of Sunset in Echo Park. Shows will take place outside of the Echo, the erstwhile Sage, Masa, Sticky Rice, Shoe Palace and both in front of and on the patio of bookstore Stories. Although the performances are free to watch, you can donate to Sweet Relief Musicians Fund here, and a QR code will be posted at each busking location.

Search for Easter eggs on one of the most iconic grass fields imaginable: the Rose Bowl. The Pasadena stadium hosts its annual Easter celebration—almost a month early this time around—with more than 80,000 eggs laid out on the field for kids (up to 12 years old) to find, plus a springtime family festival with free activities, games, and arts and crafts just outside the field.

Cutting-edge dance company American Contemporary Ballet is debuting not one but two shows concurrently this month: Jazz re-creates a sultry underground jazz club set to songs by the likes of Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, while Homecoming is billed as ACB’s “biggest and most original ballet,” channeling a high school dance complete with cheerleaders and a marching band. Both are the creations of choreographer Lincoln Jones. All ACB shows are performed to live music and and are followed by a reception with the artists and musicians.

Support women-owned restaurants and dine at some of L.A.’s best spots during the return of this annual food fest during Women’s History Month. Regarding Her's festival will offer themed menu specials, convos and collabs from women restaurateurs all month long. Highlights from this year include a women-owned residency Sundays at the Hollywood Farmers’ Market, the annual Regarding Her Chef Dinner, featuring female chefs from Rossoblu, Anajak Thai, Botanica, Heritage, Osteria Mozza and Redbird (March 11) and a tamale-making class from James Beard Award winners hosted at Casa Vega (March 23). Check the website for the full lineup.

Swing by the USC campus to see a weekend’s worth of funny films and panels with stand-ups, writers and filmmakers presented by the film school—which, fun fact, was the first in the U.S. to have a dedicated comedy program. This year’s lineup includes an advance screening of Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd’s eagerly anticipated team-up Friendship, as well as the new Hulu series Deli Boys and Andy Kaufman documentary Thank You Very Much. Panels will delve into topics like writing comedy for late-night and whether comedy can be automated, and the fest will end by honoring director and USC alum Jason Reitman. The best part: All events are free with RSVP; you’ll find them in the Eileen Norris Cinema Theatre and Ray Stark Family Theatre (on the northwest corner of the campus, just past the Shrine off Jefferson Boulevard).

Start your Sunday with doughnuts, coffee and over 200 cool cars. Donut, the automotive entertainment brand with a sense of humor and a 9 million-strong YouTube following, is hosting its second annual cruise-in at the Petersen Automotive Museum. Free spectator tickets are sold out, but general admission—which gets you entry to the museum, an exclusive poster and free parking—is still available, as are show car tickets, if you want to show off your own ride.

Storytelling “speakeasy” Strong Words returns to the back room of Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken’s Mexican restaurant with a 90-minute program of stories and music performed by Southern California wordsmiths and artists. Mezcal, tequila and food from Socalo provide the perfect accompaniment. Tickets to the performance portion are just $10.

Level 8’s Miami-meets-Copacabana rooftop bar, Golden Hour, is going all out this month, celebrating the spirit of Brazil through music, dance, cuisine and performances that bring the country’s Carnival celebration to Los Angeles. The poolside carousel bar will be decked out with lights, golden pineapples and chandeliers, and executive chef Richard Archuleta will be serving up a bold menu of flame-grilled steak, pork belly and mushroom skewers, churrasco cheesesteaks and griddled mortadella and picanha. Finish with something sweet: a churro from the interactive station. If you’re coming with a group, you can live large and book a cabana, complete with a pitcher of cocktails, for a 90-minute slot. Stop by for an opening-night party on March 1, where capoeira martial artists, samba and fire dancers, a live band and Brazilian DJs will all make an appearance.

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 about a dozen different culinary marketplaces under 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.

Under-the-radar varietals get their day in the sun at this festival dedicated to unique wines. Forget chardonnay and pinot noir—surprise your palate with sips of wine varieties made from unknown grapes (think semillon, sinsault and teroldego) grown by winemakers across the state. Sample offerings from over 50 California wineries, and if you like what you taste, you can order as many bottles as you like at the fest and have them all delivered to you after the fact for one $15 delivery fee. 

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.

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 the hottest TV shows. Now in its 42nd year, the Paley Center for Media-hosted festival is headed back to the Dolby Theatre with a lineup that includes panels for Severance, Cobra Kai, Agatha All Along, Matlock, The Handmaid’s Tale, Hacks and Poker Face, plus one for a trio of Amy Sherman-Palladino shows: Gilmore Girls, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and the upcoming Étoile.

Want to feel old? Franz Ferdinand’s “Take Me Out” was released over decades ago now. You’ll surely hear that earworm as the lively Scottish band embarks on its latest tour, including a stop at the Wiltern, where they’ll also play songs from The Human Fear—their first new album in seven years.

This annual celebration of the short story—part of a public radio series hosted by author Meg Wolitzer—features Hollywood talent coming together at the Getty to bring classic and contemporary literary works to life. This year’s theme, “Lost and Found,” focuses on moving stories of nostalgia, heartache and hope. Hear actors like Colton Dunn (Superstore), Brendan Hunt (Ted Lasso), Jason Alexander (Seinfeld), Melora Hardin (The Office), Michael Urie (Shrinking) and more breathe life into words from writers like Jonathan Lethem and Jess Walter. Check the website for the full lineups for each showtime.

The largest native plant garden in California is hosting a free, family-friendly event to teach about the beauty, variety and resiliency of native plants and how to protect them. Dozens of regional nonprofits, landscapers and agencies will be on hand as resources, plus there’ll be live music, storytime, crafts and more. Another reason to make the trek to Claremont: In a slow season for wildflowers, the botanical garden is one of the only reliable places to spot some at the moment. Find lupines, firecracker penstemons, California redbuds, buttercups, poppies and more along the picturesque trails.

Corey Helford Gallery regularly hosts fun shows highlighting the artistry of pop-culture subjects, and the lastest exhibit is no exception. Presented in partnership with Mattel Creations, “Toys as Art” celebrates eight decades of Mattel and the impact of its brands, from Barbie to Fisher-Price. See original toy-inspired artwork by over 80 artists from around the world—if you’ve got a cool million lying around, you can even take home a life-size Hot Wheels toy car. Free Saturday programming includes L.A. artist and cartoonist Gary Baseman signing his new UNO deck (March 22, 2pm), a panel of artists discussing toys and their creative processes (March 29, 2pm) and an inner-child workshop led by Case Kenny of Instagram fame (April 5, 2pm). 

Channel the good old days of elementary-school P.E. with Recess Kickball League. The community-building league got its start in Brooklyn during the pandemic as a safe way to see friends and has since expanded to L.A. and become a cross-country institution. Adidas is teaming up with RKL for its championship game this weekend in Culver City. Come watch the action, hear live music and shop at a BIPOC vendor market.

The desert-spanning biennial is back, with premieres of site-specific works from about a dozen artists. For its fifth iteration, Desert X will once again stage outdoor installations across about 40 miles of the Coachella Valley from March 8 to May 11, 2025.

The Boy Who Lived lives on in a wizardly spectacle. As though it had cast a Shrinking Charm on itself, the formerly two-part epic is now a single show, albeit a long one—and one that our New York critic awarded five stars.

The Culver Hotel is embracing Culver City’s cinematic history with a new series of screenings celebrating the golden age of cinema. To mark the centennial of both MGM and the hotel, you can catch a classic MGM film at the Culver Theater, then head across the street for a themed gathering at the hotel’s Velvet Lounge, complete with cocktails and bites inspired by the evening’s featured presentation.

The last Holi celebration of the month takes over Redondo Beach’s Seaside Lagoon for a full weekend of colorful fun. Billed as the city’s biggest Holi festival, the event is back with a new, bigger music stage for Bollywood DJs, photo booths, food trucks, free beverages courtesy of Sprite and, of course, hours of color play.

Right on the heels of the release of his new film, Mickey 17, director Bong Joon Ho steps into the spotlight at the Academy Museum’s latest “Director’s Spotlight” exhibition (past subjects have included Spike Lee and Agnès Varda). The first-ever museum show dedicated to the Oscar-winning South Korean filmmaker will trace Ho’s career, creative process and cinematic influences. See over 100 storyboards, research materials, posters, concept art, creature models, props and on-set photos from the director’s archive and personal collection. On opening day, March 23, catch screenings of Okja (2pm) and Parasite (7:30pm) in the David Geffen Theater—Ho himself will be there in person.

Historic women-founded nonprofit the Ebell of Los Angeles closes out four weeks of Women’s History Month programming with this guided tour. Meet at Union Station to begin a 1.2-mile walk in the footsteps of L.A.’s first female police officers, lawyers and mayor, and learn all about the visionary women who shaped our city. From there, the tour will travel through Chinatown and end at Plaza de Los Ángeles.

The iconic Hollywood Roosevelt hotel is honoring the spirit of L.A. with poolside screenings of some favorite films featuring the city. Tickets are super reasonable ($12), and all proceeds from sales will go toward wildfire relief efforts, specifically Baby2Baby, which provides essential resources to families in need. And don’t worry if it’s a chilly night: Towels, blankets and heaters are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Find the series running every Thursday night through the end of June.

This concert will change your life: The Shins, Iron & Wine, Frou Frou, Colin Hay, Thievery Corporation, Remy Zero, Cary Brothers, Bonnie Somerville and Zero 7 collaborator Sophie Barker will play through songs from the Garden State soundtrack. The 20th anniversary show at the Greek benefits the Midnight Mission.

Spend an afternoon underneath Torrance’s cherry blossoms as dancers and Japanese folk musicians perform at this annual Pan-Asian celebration. Amid the pink and white blooms, you’ll also find a craft fair with everything from ceramics to intricate textiles handcrafted by local artisans, plus food from South Bay vendors.

The South Bay shopping center is welcoming spring with a celebration of sustainability and renewal, hosting a series of free eco-friendly activities, workshops and exhibitions into April. On March 22, you can take part in a 5K fun run for World Water Day. On April 5, you’ll find a springtime market with pop-up vendors, a wellness bar and live music. And on Earth Day, April 22, guests will receive free wildflower seeds to plant, as well as free treats from gourmet cotton candy company the Jolly Sheep.

This springtime spinoff in Insomniac’s Wonderland series adds a whimsical, carnival-like atmosphere to the house, techno, dubstep, trance and bass-heavy festival. Go down the rabbit hole with multiple themed stages, where the likes of deadmau5, Zeds Dead, Illenium, Excision, Louis the Child, Seven Lions, Odd Mob and more will perform.

The beloved puppet theater’s new show is actually a throwback to its beginnings. Something to Crow About was first created in 1959 for the Laguna Beach Festival of Art and gave Bob Baker Marionette Theater its signature style before the theater officially opened in 1963. The satirical show, which has been revitalized, uses farm animal characters to tell a story about Broadway. Note: Bob Baker is offering comp tickets to fire-affected families throughout opening weekend.

Perhaps the Los Angeles area’s most iconic flea market, this event around the exterior of the Rose Bowl is staggeringly colossal—but what else would you expect from a 90,000-seat stadium? The sheer size and scale of this flea market means that it encompasses multitudes: new and old, handcrafted and salvaged, the cheap and the costly. On the second Sunday of each month, treasure hunt among the odd mix of vendors that populates the loop around the stadium—and don’t miss the rows and rows of old furniture, albums and vintage clothes and accessories that fill the adjacent parking lot.

Treat your ears to a vibrant concert on a spring or summer night this year by attending MUSE/IQUE’s annual program. This monthly series of performances, held at cultural venues across L.A., features a mix of performances inspired by music movements and public figures, including tributes to Ray Charles, immigrant film composers, the Memphis sound, Etta James and more. The best way to attend is to become a MUSE/IQUE member; you could make a $75 donation to the performing arts nonprofit for a single event (with the exception of September’s free open house), but if you’re interested in more than just one, it’s cheaper per event to become a full-fledged member.

Think men could do a bit of a better job listening when it comes to dating? This Bachelorette-style game show runs with that conceit as its one rule: The four men competing for a date can’t speak. Instead, they’ll nod and doodle while host Allison Goldberg searches their phones and dials their moms. You can usually find Love Isn’t Blind staged monthly (and you can even apply to participate in it); look out for the next edition at Hollywood’s Bourbon Room on March 29.

After popping up at D23 and Long Beach shopping center 2nd & PCH, themed mini-golf experience Pixar Putt has landed at its most logical home: the Pixar Place Hotel, close to California Adventure and its Pixar Pier. Putt your way through 18 themed holes and step into the stories of Pixar favorites including Toy Story, The Incredibles, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, Coco, A Bug’s Life, Wall-E and Inside Out. Opening weekend is sold out, but don’t worry: The course will remain open through June 1.

Feeling like you and your four-legged friend are attached at the hip? Spend even more quality time together during this dog-friendly series at Palos Verdes’ South Coast Botanic Garden. One Sunday a month (usually the last), you can roam the gardens’ 87 acres with your fur baby. Nearly all of the paths are open to pups, except for the rose garden and a couple of other small areas. You’ll find plenty of water stations set up across the grounds, as well as an optional obedience class for purchase. You—the human—will need a reservation, while your best friend—the pup—will need to remain on their leash at all times, including in the parking lot.

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, writers. Programming ranges from a sound bath to alfresco music to a meet-and-greet with the world’s first Indigenous droid.

L.A.’s star-studded lecture series returns—both virtually and in person—with a lineup of writers, artists, performers, scientists and business leaders who will graciously blow your mind. For both online and IRL events, you’ll often have the option of purchasing a signed copy of the speaker’s book, as well.

Austrian-born Helmut Lang walked away from fashion 20 years ago to focus solely on art. Now, thanks to the MAK Center for Art and Architecture, his first solo institutional exhibition is opening in Los Angeles—in the historic Schindler House, no less. Curated by Desert X founding artistic director and Frieze Projects curator Neville Wakefield, the show consists of a series of fist-like freestanding sculptures made with found or discarded materials that “both imagine the future and materialize the past.”

On the 50th anniversary of the Norton Simon Museum, look back to when Simon took over management of the Pasadena Art Museum in 1975, then ahead to the museum’s exciting future at this retrospective exhibition. See rare photos from the museum’s archives, and learn about the history of its major acquisitions, exhibitions, building and gardens—which are currently undergoing a transformation.

The Los Angeles–based conceptual artist and now-retired CalArts educator is back with his first L.A. solo exhibition since 2019, debuting new works from his Numbers and Trees series. The colorful and complex works combine Plexiglas, watercolors and his signature numeric grid systems to depict the baobab trees Gaines photographed on a recent trip to Tanzania. The show opens February 19 with a conversation between the artist and LACMA’s Naima J. Keith, followed by an opening reception (6–8pm). The event is free, but reservations are recommended.

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.

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.

See over 50 garments from Diane von Furstenberg, best known for her iconic wrap dress, during this career-spanning exhibition at the Skirball. Alongside artwork and fabric swatches, the show will also focus on her philanthropic work as well as how her life was shaped as the daughter of a Holocaust survivor.

Pasadena’s USC Pacific Asia Museum hosts this exhibition based on the Getty’s scientific research into Cai Guo-Qiang’s gunpowder art. The show fills up nearly the entire museum with a vast selection of the artist’s work alongside scientific imagery exploring the nature of gunpowder and Cai’s process in using it.

Study the technical and cultural background of colorful clay vessels, textiles, bark-paper pages and sculptures in the Indigenous Americas—and how their significance has been downplayed among colonialist histories—during this LACMA exhibition.

It’s more than just the low clearance: This exhibition at the Petersen explores the custom paint, engraving, upholstery and, of course, the gravity-defying suspension of the lowrider scene. In addition to iconic cars, the exhibit spotlights influential artists in the Chicano lowrider art scene. Even if you have no interest in cars, this colorful showcase of 20-plus lowered cars and bikes is excellent: The candy-colored paint jobs are dazzling, and the craftsmanship of the customizations—many vehicles are on display with their engines and undercarriages visible—is remarkable. You’ll learn a little bit of history here, how the “low and slow” movement is rooted in the postwar Mexican American zoot suit counterculture, but largely this is an excuse to ogle some L.A. automotive icons.