Things to do in Los Angeles today

This AAPI Heritage Month, celebrate the history and culture of Filipinos in L.A. at the third edition of Baryo HiFi, a free open-air street festival and artisan marketplace held on Beverly Boulevard, between Union Avenue and the Historic Filipinotown arch—the first event of its kind in L.A. You can expect Filipino food, plus a lineup of Filipino DJs, dancers and other live performers. Baryo HiFi will also feature a karaoke competition, dubbed “The Boice.” And check out the curated selection of Filipino American pop-up shops selling candles, plants, apparel, food, sauces and more.

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.

L.A. native and artist Gary Baseman is bringing his unmistakable style to “Off the Menu,” his first solo exhibition in the city in over a dozen years. The show is a love letter to L.A. dining, featuring 40 of the artist’s “action” drawings that he’s doodled on menus while dining at local restaurants, from Musso and Frank to Canter’s. And it couldn’t be held in a more fitting place: the iconic Johnie’s Coffee Shop, right across from the Academy Museum. The exhibition’s opening (May 8, 3–6pm) will coincide with the Metro D Line expansion’s opening—it’s just steps from the Wilshire/Fairfax station. On May 9, there will be an opening reception (6–9pm), and the show will remain open through June 14. The classic diner hasn’t been open to the public in over 25 years, so don’t miss your chance to step inside.

To promote its upcoming horror film The Backrooms, A24 has launched a free, immersive pop-up experience in Burbank that brings the viral “liminal space” creepypasta to life. Visitors can “noclip” out of reality to explore eerie, yellow-wallpapered rooms and fluorescent-lit hallways inspired by Kane Parsons’ popular web series. The activation, which includes surreal touches and some fun surprises, is open from May 13 to 17, and while admission is free, fans should sign up for a time slot before the engagement ends.

L.A. has changed immeasurably since 1921, when this event was first staged as an agricultural fair. However, the perennially popular event still has farm-friendly appeal (livestock beauty contests, local produce) alongside the more modern wine tastings, exhibitions, art installations, concerts (this year’s headliners include War, Brad Paisley, Ramon Ayala and a comedy show by Jeff Dunham), roller-skating rink and carnival rides. This year’s theme, “Play Your Way,” celebrates recreation, imagination and letting loose, transforming its grounds into the county’s biggest playground. RECOMMENDED: A guide to the L.A. County Fair

For dinner and a movie, all in one, just follow the food trucks. During the spring, summer and fall, Street Food Cinema throws together a series of outdoor parties that include screenings of some of our favorite movies, paired with an assortment of gourmet food trucks and even a live music performance from a cool local band. The screenings are held in venues across L.A. into October and alternate from week to week, so make sure to check the schedule. Some of the outdoor venues are dog-friendly, allowing you to bring your four-legged cinema lover along. See more of this season’s outdoor movie screenings in L.A.

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 Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire? The event takes place Saturdays and Sundays (10am–7pm) from April 4 to May 17, 2026, at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale. How much are tickets? Tickets cost $53 for adults, $48 for seniors (62+) and military with ID, $28 for kids ages 5 to 12 and are free for kids 4 and under. A season pass costs $275. Parking is $15, with a VIP option available for $30.

The Venice Art Exhibition (formerly Venice Art Walk) returns for its 47th year to benefit the Venice Family Clinic with an auction and a free opportunity to glimpse the Venice and wider L.A. art scene. From May 8 to 17, pop into 910 Abbot Kinney to see (and potentially bid on) pieces from Ed Ruscha, Helen Pashgian, Kenny Scharf, Ed Templeton and this year’s signature artist, sculptor Alison Saar.

Ponyo loves Sosuke! And we love this exhibition at the Academy Museum dedicated to the wholesome Hayao Miyazaki film. Studio Ghibli donated more than 100 objects to the Academy Collection, and you’ll find everything from an animation desk to colorful art boards to dozens of frame-by-frame pencil drawings of the scene when Sosuke first finds Ponyo. Though you may recognize a couple of items from the museum’s debut Hayao Miyazaki retrospective, the vast majority of Ponyo pieces are new—and some have never been displayed in North America before. It’s also a colorful and super kid-friendly exhibition; you can watch clips of the gorgeously hand-drawn movie, recreate the wave-running scene and even make your own stop-motion animation. You’ll find it on the museum’s second floor, inside the first few galleries of the “Stories of Cinema’ space.

Every spring and fall since 1973, artists have descended upon the Beverly Gardens Park to showcase their work to browsers and buyers at this arts festival (once called the Affaire in the Gardens). This year will feature 250 artists exhibiting paintings, sculptures, watercolors, photography and much more. Set on four blocks along the grassy stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard between Rodeo and Rexford Drives, the event will include something for everyone, with free kids’ activities, food trucks, and beer and wine gardens with live music.