Events
Red Bull Soapbox Race Returns to Downtown LA With Hollywood-Themed Chaos
May 16. After an eight-year hiatus, Red Bull’s globally known Soapbox Race returns to Los Angeles, transforming Gloria Molina Grand Park into a cinematic downhill racecourse packed with homemade carts, obstacles and over-the-top showmanship. Thirty teams selected from more than 400 applicants will compete in gravity-powered creations through a Hollywood-inspired route featuring paparazzi red carpets, popcorn pits and movie-themed challenges. Dodgers star Kiké Hernández joins as Grand Marshal alongside racing legend Dale Earnhardt Jr., adding to a day built around creativity, speed and spectacle. Saturday, gates open at 11 a.m. 200 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. redbull.com
Beverly Hills Art Show
May 16-17. Four blocks of Beverly Gardens Park transform into an open-air art showcase as the Beverly Hills Art Show returns with 250 artists from California and beyond. Spanning painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, glasswork, jewelry, mixed media and more, the free event highlights original works ranging from traditional to contemporary styles, all presented by the artists themselves. Guests can also explore live music, wine and beer gardens, food trucks, artist demonstrations, children’s activities and community exhibits throughout the weekend.
Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. beverlyhills.org
Baryo HiFi Returns to Historic Filipinotown
May 16. A free open-air block party returns to Historic Filipinotown for the third edition of Baryo HiFi, celebrating Filipino culture through music, food, art and community. The all-ages festival transforms Beverly Boulevard into a lively gathering space filled with Filipino DJs, dancers, live performers, karaoke competitions and a curated marketplace featuring Filipino-owned brands selling apparel, candles, plants, sauces and more. Rooted in AAPI Heritage Month, the one-day event highlights the creativity and cultural energy of Los Angeles’ Filipino community. Free. Saturday, 3-8 p.m. Beverly Blvd., between N. Union and Historic Filipino Town. Get Tickets Now
Venice Beach Half Marathon
Now Open. A scenic coastal race takes over Venice for the second annual Venice Beach Half Marathon and 5K, combining fitness, local culture and fundraising for neighborhood schools. The route winds past Ocean Front Walk, Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Muscle Beach, the Venice Canals and the iconic Venice sign, with live bands, DJs, themed entertainment stops and even a singing gondolier along the way. Family-friendly options include a 1-Mile Junior Jog & Family Walk and a kids’ Grunion Run, followed by a post-race festival and beer garden celebration near Windward Circle. Sunday, 7-11:30 a.m. 3100-2700 Ocean Front Walk, Los Angeles. runvenicebeach.com
Food + Drinks
EEEEEATSCON LA Returns With Exclusive Restaurant Collabs and Unlimited Bites
May 16-17. A two-day food festival brings together some of Los Angeles’ most talked-about restaurants alongside standout spots from across the country for a weekend of one-off collaborations, hard-to-find dishes and nonstop eating. The lineup includes names like Henrietta, Bistro Na’s, Jitlada x Two Hommés, Tacos Los Cholos x Cowy Burger, Miya Miya and New York favorite Caffe Panna, alongside live music, performances and conversations with restaurant critics. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options will also be available throughout the event, with additional perks and exclusive experiences offered for Chase cardholders. 3021 Airport Ave. Suite 203, Santa Monica. eeeeeatscon.com
BADMAASH x Prime Pizza’s Introduces Limited-Edition Butter Chicken Pizza
Now Open. Two Fairfax staples come together for a limited-time collaboration as BADMAASH and Prime Pizza launch a butter chicken pizza inspired by their longtime neighborhood connection. Available for a two-week run in May, the square pie layers BADMAASH’s signature butter chicken with mozzarella, bell peppers, pickled onions and fresh parsley, blending South Asian flavors with Prime Pizza’s classic New York-style approach. The collaboration continues Prime Pizza’s streak of culture-driven crossover pies while highlighting BADMAASH’s evolving influence on Los Angeles’ Indian food scene. First day is this Thursday at 11 a.m. Locations vary, check website for details. primepizza.com
Yi Mei’s Viral Taiwanese Breakfast Rice Rolls
Open. A longtime Taiwanese breakfast staple continues drawing crowds in Southern California with its freshly made rice rolls, one of the most talked-about items on the menu at Yi Mei, “The Original Taiwanese Breakfast Since 1978.” Wrapped with sticky rice and filled with ingredients like chinese donut, egg, pork floss and pickled vegetables, the handheld breakfast favorite has become a viral sensation for its mix of crunch, chew and savory depth. Beyond the rice rolls, Yi Mei’s menu also features dan bing egg crepes, scallion pancakes, beef sandwiches, xiao long bao, salty soy milk and fresh soy drinks, bringing the flavors of a traditional Taiwanese breakfast house into a casual, everyday setting. Open Daily, 7 a.m.–4 p.m. 416 E. Las Tunas Drive #A, San Gabriel. yimeideli.com
OTOTO Sake Week
Until May 17. A full week of walk-in-only events turns OTOTO into a deep dive into Japanese drinking culture, with nightly programming dedicated to sake, shochu and curated pairings. The lineup includes a wine-versus-sake pairing competition, guest pours from visiting brewers Taka Yamauchi and Kotaro Saito, chu-hai nights with Kyushu-inspired snacks, rare bottle tastings and a book launch featuring bottles brought directly from Japan and unavailable in the U.S. The week closes with a staff-curated menu of favorite pours, offering a rotating experience for sake enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike. Now-Sunday, starts at 5 p.m. 1360 Allison Ave., Los Angeles. More Information
Arts + Culture
Last Call: Guac
Until May 17. Following a sold-out run last fall, GUAC returns for an encore engagement, bringing audiences back into the deeply personal story of Manuel Oliver, whose son Joaquín “Guac” Oliver was killed in the Parkland school shooting. Blending humor, heartbreak and activism, the one-man theatrical work channels memories of Joaquín’s colorful personality—from pizza cravings to air guitar moments—while tracing a father’s transformation into a relentless advocate for change. The production delivers an emotional and intimate portrait of loss, resilience and the ongoing fight against gun violence. Showtimes vary. Washington Blvd., Culver City. Get Tickets Now
Zipangu Brings a Massive J-Pop Celebration to the Rose Bowl
May 16. A new all-ages music festival puts J-pop center stage as Zipangu arrives at Brookside at the Rose Bowl for a one-day showcase of Japan’s most dynamic artists. Framed around the spirit of ongaku-dō, or the “Way of Music,” the event features performances from Ado, ATARASHII GAKKO!, CHANMINA and more, delivering a rare stateside look at a genre and fan culture that seldom tours at this scale in the U.S. Expect nonstop sets, high-energy performances and a crowd fully immersed in contemporary Japanese music culture. Saturday at 3 p.m. 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena. Get Tickets Now
Venice Family Clinic Art Walk + Auction
May 14-17. What began nearly five decades ago as the Venice Art Walk returns as the Venice Family Clinic Art Exhibition + Auction, the longest-running charity art exhibition in Los Angeles. The ten-day event showcases a wide-ranging collection of works from established and emerging artists across the Los Angeles creative community, alongside this year’s Signature Artist, Alison Saar. Beyond celebrating contemporary art, the exhibition directly supports Venice Family Clinic’s healthcare programs and services for more than 45,000 people across the Westside, Inglewood and the South Bay. Thursday-Sunday at 11 a.m. 910 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Los Angeles. venicefamilyclinic.org
Long Beach Pride
May 16-17. A laid-back day of live blues returns to the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum as the Topanga Blues Festival brings together legendary performers, smoky barbecue, raffles and canyon-side atmosphere for a full afternoon of music. The lineup includes a rare West Coast appearance from Mississippi blues icon Bobby Rush, alongside sets from Kirk Fletcher, Earl Thomas, Anthony Cullins and acoustic blues artist Celso Salim, delivering everything from stripped-down storytelling blues to full electric soul performances in one of Los Angeles’ most scenic outdoor venues. Saturday and Sunday at noon. 386 E. Shoreline Drive, Long Beach. longbeachpride.com
Photo Credit: All images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
