Events
Golda Zahra at the Beverly Canon Gardens
May 24. Award-winning classical singer Golda Zahra brings her golden voice to The Beverly Canon Gardens for a free community concert under the stars. Joined by a six-piece ensemble, Golda will perform an enchanting set of vocal classics, jazz standards, Broadway favorites, and more. Guests are encouraged to arrive early with blankets and low chairs for seating on the lawn (first-come, first-served) and are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy during the show. Saturday, May 24 at 6:30 p.m. Beverly Canon Gardens is adjacent to The Maybourne Hotel at 241 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills. goldazahra.com
Fiesta Hermosa
May 24-26. Soak up the sun and seaside charm at Hermosa Beach’s iconic Memorial Day weekend tradition. Fiesta Hermosa returns with art-filled vendor booths lining Hermosa and Pier Avenues, five stages of live music including beachside performances and a lively inland carnival complete with rides, games and a wine garden near Pier and Monterey. With food vendors, shopping and ocean breezes, it’s the ultimate kickoff to summer.
Day and hours: Saturday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Monday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; carnival open until 8 p.m. (6 p.m. Monday)
Address: Hermosa and Pier Avenues, Hermosa Beach
fiestahermosa.net
MAINopoly: A Taste of Main Street
May 25. Santa Monica’s board game-themed festival returns for its 10th year with a playful twist on dining and community spirit. With “MAINopoly dollars” in hand, guests can sample bites from Main Street’s best spots—think Ashland Hill, Holey Grail Donuts, Sunny Blue and Jameson’s Pub—while exploring interactive installations, snapping themed selfies and hitting the “Go to Jail” VIP lounge and beer garden. The best part? It’s all in support of local initiatives. Costumes encouraged; monocles optional.
Sunday, 1–6 p.m. Main Street (between Bay and Pier Ave.), Santa Monica. mainstreetsm.com/mainopoly
SLS Takeover Santa Monica
May 23. Street League Skateboarding drops into the Santa Monica Pier for a high-energy mashup of pro skating and street food. Watch top-tier skaters compete on a custom-built course while snacking on local favorites like Villa’s Tacos, Prince Street Pizza, Miya Miya, Uncle Paulie’s and 27 Club Coffee. With the ocean as backdrop, the vibes are as California as they come. Free to attend with food for purchase; preferred seating available. Friday, 2 p.m.
Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica. streetleague.com
Cinespia Cemetery Screenings
Starts May 24. Outdoor film season is back as Cinespia returns to the iconic Hollywood Forever Cemetery with its signature summer series. Known for its cult classics and dreamy atmosphere, this year’s kickoff lineup features The Big Lebowski (May 24), Clueless (May 25) and Blue Velvet (May 31). Expect picnics under the stars, DJ sets, themed photo booths and a moviegoing experience like no other—yes, you can bring your own drinks. Saturdays, doors typically open 6:45 p.m. 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. cinespia.org
Swimsuits & Cowboy Boots at Desert 5 Spot
May 25. Kick off summer with a rooftop honky-tonk bash as Desert 5 Spot reboots its weekly Wild West Sundays on Memorial Day weekend. Expect a lively cowboy cookout, themed cocktails, a pop-up trading post featuring local vendors and country tunes from DJ Short Shorts alongside a live Fleetwood Mac tribute. No cover required—just bring your boots and your best sunset swagger. Sunday, 2–8 p.m. 6516 Selma Ave., Hollywood. Reserve Now
Food + Drinks
Abernethy’s x Chef Adolfo Perez
Now Open. The Music Center welcomes Chef Adolfo Perez as its next Emerging Chef-in-Residence at Abernethy’s, bringing the soul of Cilantro Mexican Grill to Downtown LA. Known for his heartfelt take on Mexican cuisine, Chef Adolfo reimagines fan favorites like his “surf & turf” burrito as steak and shrimp fajitas, shrimp tacos as ceviche and shredded beef tacos as crisp taquitos—elevating streetwise classics into refined plates. With brunch and dinner service available, this new chapter gives diners a flavorful glimpse into the chef’s roots and evolving artistry.
Wednesday–Sunday, hours vary. 220 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. abernethysla.com
Garden Party Saturdays at The Culver Hotel
Begins May 25. Kicking off its seasonal Garden Party series this Memorial Day Weekend, The Culver Hotel transforms its charming patio into a sun-drenched social escape weekend through Labor Day. Sip Kikori yuzu-spiked Arnold Palmers and shareable summer punches, while sampling vintage birdcage-served bites like tuna on crispy rice, scallop crudoa nd coconut ceviche. A live DJ sets the vibe and guests can craft custom bouquets at The Floral Boutique’s pop-up flower bar. Even pups are welcome, with “barcuterie” boards of fruits, Gruyère and crunchy treats. Saturdays, 3–6 p.m. 9400 Culver Blvd., Culver City.
theculverhotel.com
Graze Breakfast Club’s Weekly Brunch Pop-Up
May 24. The popular eatery is launching its new weekly brunch pop-up this weekend in Studio City, bringing bold global flavors to your weekend routine. They will serve up shakshuka, chilaquiles verde, kanji rice bowls with grilled Spam and sourdough pancakes, alongside wine, cocktails and specialty coffee. Enjoy the scene with rotating DJs, tarot readings, flower trucks and even flash tattoo artists—all walk-in only. Saturday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Vintage Wine + Eats, 12023 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. More Information
Descanso LA Features New Flavors
Now Serving. The celebrated new Mid-Wilshire flagship location is showcasing its fresh new menu from Chef Sergio Lopez. Guests can expect an assortment of street-style flavors from Central West Mexico, including standout dishes like pato con mole negro with blue corn tortillas and the chipotle shrimp salad with elote asado and habanero-pickled onions. The new Late Night menu (Friday–Saturday, 10 p.m.–midnight) turns up the heat with ceviche tostadas, pork belly aguachile, carne asada potatoes and carnitas alambre, plus craft cocktails from the full bar. Open daily, hours vary. Address: 5453 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles
descansorestaurant.com
Smorgasburg LA
Open. ROW DTLA transforms into a bustling hub of culinary creativity and local shopping, with over 70 vendors slinging everything from Afro-Caribbean cuisine by withBee and Lebanese street food by Teta to ice cream tacos from Sad Girl Creamery. Beyond the bites, visitors can sip at the family-friendly beer garden and browse goods from vintage ad prints to handcrafted gemstone jewelry. Entry is free, as is the first two hours of parking. Every Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. 777 S. Alameda Street, Los Angeles. la.smorgasburg.com
Arts + Culture
Gershwin & Strauss
May 23-25. Jean-Yves Thibaudet brings his lifelong connection to Gershwin’s Concerto in F to the stage with joyful, jazz-tinged elegance, while conductor Teddy Abrams leads the LA Phil through Strauss’ Also sprach Zarathustra—a cinematic masterpiece beyond its 2001: A Space Odyssey fame. Rounding out the program on Saturday and Sunday is Caroline Shaw’s The Observatory, inspired by the view from Griffith Park and composed with a cosmic lens. Friday-Saturday at 8 p.m. Sunday at 2 p.m. 111 S. Grand Ave, Los Angeles. laphil.com
Kendrick Lamar + SZA
May 23-24. Fresh off a legendary performance at the Forum that sent shockwaves through the culture, Kendrick Lamar returns to Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium for a two-night victory lap on his Grand National Tour. Joined by R&B icon SZA, the shows promise genre-defining moments, lyrical firepower and hometown glory. Friday–Saturday, at 7 p.m.
1001 S. Stadium Drive, Inglewood. sofistadium.com
Celebrating the World of Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer with Barbie
May 23. Go behind the scenes of one of cinema’s most dazzling visual feats with this special program at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Kicking off the new exhibit Barbie to Anna Karenina: The Cinematic Worlds of Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer, the event spotlights the Oscar-nominated production designer and set decorator duo with a conversation exploring their decades-long collaboration—from Pride & Prejudice to Barbie. The night culminates in a screening of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, where their pink-saturated, dreamhouse vision comes to life on the big screen. Friday, 7:30 p.m. 6067 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. academymuseum.org
Dublab x GCM: Music for AAPI Heritage Month
May 23. Grand Central Market and dublab team up for a live celebration of sound, culture and community during AAPI Heritage Month. Enjoy an evening of live musical performances and DJ sets by T-Kay, Mary Nagakawa and an experimental trio featuring Patrick Shiroishi, Dylan Fujioka and Dustin Wong. Throughout May, exclusive sonic mixes by T-Kay and Shiroishi will also echo through the Market, offering layered soundscapes rooted in Asian American identity. Saturday, 4–8 p.m. 317 S. Broadway, Los Angeles grandcentralmarket.com
L.A. Fleet Week
May 23-26. Celebrate Memorial Day weekend with L.A. Fleet Week, honoring our nation’s sea services with ship tours, military displays, aerial demos and live entertainment along the San Pedro waterfront. The free, family-friendly includes interactive exhibits, educational forums and performances that salute the men and women of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Thursday–Monday, various times. Los Angeles World Cruise Center, 100 Swinford St., San Pedro. lafleetweek.com
Photo credit: Santa Monica’s Monopoly courtesy of Mainopoly and SpinPR. Beach festivities celebration courtesy of Fiesta Hermosa. Chef Adolfo Perez courtesy of Abernethy’s. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
