Los Angeles

Weekend roundup

February 12-15

Events

Beads, Barks & Beignets: Mardi Gras Takes Over The Original Farmers Market

Feb. 14-17. Brass bands echo through the aisles, beads fly over the Market Plaza and costumed pups steal the spotlight at the Original Farmers Market. The annual celebration blends New Orleans flair with L.A. charm, anchored by Saturday’s Mutti Gras Pet Parade at noon, where dogs strut in full regalia before a cheering crowd. Kings and Queens are crowned across small, medium and large categories, earning prizes from The Dog Bakery, while live zydeco and NOLA-style bands keep the rhythm going through Fat Tuesday.
Saturday and Sunday at noon; Fat Tuesday programming continues into the evening at 6-8:30 p.m. 6333 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles. farmersmarketla.com

NBA All-Star Weekend

Feb. 13-15. The league’s biggest weekend lands across Los Angeles, with competitions, celebrity matchups and youth programs unfolding at the Kia Forum, Intuit Dome and the Los Angeles Convention Center. Top NBA players share the spotlight with rising talent and celebrity competitors including Keegan-Michael Key, GloRilla, Jeremy Lin and Simu Liu. At the center of the fan experience is NBA Crossover, a multi-day festival blending interactive basketball challenges, brand activations and live entertainment. Various times and ticketed events throughout the weekend, for the full lineup and schedule, visit nbaevents.nba.com

Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Love Notes

Feb. 14. Old-school radio vibes take over Gloria Molina Grand Park for a free, all-ages Valentine’s celebration in Downtown. DJs spin vinyl as classic cars line the park, while guests craft cards, arrange bouquets, browse handmade goods and grab a complimentary sweet treat. The evening ends with a drone show lighting up the skyline, described as a love letter to the county. Call 213-204-1666 to put a song on the air for someone you love, adding a personal note to the public playlist. Saturday evening. 200 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. grandparkla.org

GUESS JEANS x Vanna Kitty’s VDAY 

Feb. 13. A hands-on Valentine’s pop-up lands on Melrose as GUESS JEANS teams with Vanna Kitty for an in-store experience at the new flagship store. Guests can customize denim with exclusive graphics and patches, craft bespoke Valentine’s cards using vintage stamps and stickers and pick up temporary tattoos, candy and collectible stickers. DJ Sophie Gray sets the tone as the evening opens into the weekend. The limited collection will be available in-store only. Friday, 4–7 p.m. 8700 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles.
More Information


Food + Drinks

Pearls, Prix Fixe & Playful Romance at Mother of Pearl

Feb. 13-14. Tucked inside Mother of Pearl at Level 8, a $78 prix fixe dinner sets the tone for a weekend built around love in all its forms. The room leans theatrical—glowing pearls overhead, saturated colors, a cocktail program that arrives as polished as the setting itself. Friday leans into Galentine’s energy, with tables set for friends ready to raise a glass and settle in for the night. By Saturday, the lighting softens and the room pivots to a more intimate rhythm, built for couples and unhurried conversation. Reservations are encouraged. Friday and Saturday, hours vary. Level 8, 1254 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles. motherofpearldtla.com

BOA’s Valentine’s Feast Turns Up the Indulgence

Feb. 14. A luxe prix fixe lands at BOA Steakhouse across all locations, offering a $145 per person set menu built around modern steakhouse signatures. The lineup includes yellowtail crudo, sweet corn agnolotti and chicken parmesan, finishing with a dark chocolate mousse topped with whipped cream and gold flakes. For those looking to elevate the evening further, optional add-ons include caviar cones, lobster tail and a Japanese wagyu flight. Locations and hours vary. For more information visit boasteak.com

Katsuya Century City Celebrates Love

Feb. 13-14. Chef-driven specials take center stage for Valentine’s weekend at Katsuya, where upscale shareables and premium sushi are designed for passing across the table. Expect expertly sliced sashimi, signature rolls and indulgent add-ons, paired with celebratory cocktails that keep the energy high. The mood leans lively and modern, making it an easy choice for a stylish date night. Friday–Saturday, 5-9 p.m. 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. westfield.com

Dine LA Extended at Connie & Ted’s

Until Feb. 13. A steady presence in West Hollywood’s dining scene, Connie & Ted’s is extending its Dine LA menus, giving guests a few extra days to settle in. Helmed by Michelin-starred chef-owner Michael Cimarusti alongside Executive Chef Sam Baxter, the restaurant offers a three-course lunch for $35 and a three-course dinner for $55. Menu highlights include 1/2 dozen fresh oysters, manila clams, mussels and linguica sausage, Ed’s Portuguese fish stew with Alaskan cod and their signature lobster roll—served hot with drawn butter or cold with mayonnaise, alongside fries or coleslaw. Friday, lunch 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. and dinner 5 p.m.–close. 8171 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. connieandteds.com

Food Spotlight: Yangmani 

Open. South Koreatown’s Korean barbecue scene gets a spirited entry at Yangmani, a spot known for elevating offal cuts alongside classic beef and pork selections on its tabletop grills. Diners arrive early in the evening to claim one of the coveted seats, where skewers of brisket, pork belly, beef tongue, pork jowl and more sizzle over open coals while a spread of banchan refreshes the palate. The experience leans slightly more adventurous than your standard K-BBQ rotation, inviting seasoned grilled-meat fans to dig into nuanced textures and deep, smoky flavors. Hours vary. 414 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles. More Information

Arts + Culture

Gustavo Dudamel, Beethoven & Cate Blanchett at Walt Disney Concert Hall

Feb. 12-15. Revolution, resistance and artistic conviction anchor this sweeping program led by Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The evening draws from the spirit of the Enlightenment, pairing Beethoven’s defiant Egmont with a contemporary reimagining shaped for today’s udience. Beethoven’s score, originally written for Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s play about a Dutch nobleman executed for standing against tyranny, is reframed by playwright Jeremy O. Harris, with Cate Blanchett as narrator. Thursday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Friday at 11 a.m. Sunday at 2 p.m. 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. laphil.com

Love Inside Out With Veronica Swift & Pacific Jazz Orchestra

Feb. 14. Genre lines blur when Veronica Swift steps onto the stage at The Soraya for her first solo concert at the venue, backed by the Pacific Jazz Orchestra. Pop, rock, soul, jazz and Broadway all filter through a voice that pivots effortlessly from torch song intimacy to full-throated anthem. This Valentine’s Day program moves through new love, old heartbreak and everything in between, leaning into ballads that linger and songs that land with force. Saturday at 8 p.m. 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge. thesoraya.org

The Los Angeles A Cappella Festival Takes Over the South Bay

Feb. 13-15. Three days of harmonies and high notes converge at the Hermosa Beach Community Theatre as the Los Angeles A Cappella Festival returns to the South Bay. The weekend centers on a scholastic competition that draws student groups from across the region, their sets judged on precision, blend and stagecraft. Beyond the spotlight, professional singers lead masterclasses on arranging, vocal percussion and performance technique, while a community showcase rounds out the lineup with open, collaborative energy. Friday–Sunday, times vary per show. 710 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach. Get Tickets Now

Lunar New Year at the USC Pacific Asia Museum

Feb. 15. An afternoon of pan-Asian performances and community celebration marks the Lunar New Year at the USC Pacific Asia Museum—and doubles as the museum’s grand reopening. The courtyard fills with lion dances, martial arts demonstrations, Korean classical music and family-friendly storytimes, while art-making stations and food trucks line the perimeter. The centerpiece of the event is the “Mythical Creatures: The Stories We Carry,” a new immersive exhibition tracing migration, folklore and identity through interactive installations. Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. usc.edu

Couples Dancing courtesy of Gloria Molina. All mages are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.

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