As spring unfolds in Los Angeles, the city bursts with an array of exciting events and activities, making this a perfect time for Angelenos to celebrate the season.
From exhibitions to festivals, the vibrant heart of spring promises something for everyone.
The upcoming weeks are loaded with notable events, including a grand exhibition opening celebration at the Skirball Cultural Center and the annual Museums of the Arroyo Day featuring free admissions.
Participatory events such as the Community and Unity Kite Festival and the Santa Monica Pier Art Show also grace the calendar, alongside perennial favorites like Fiesta Hermosa, CicLAmini, and the LA Times Festival of Books.
Best of all, these events are all Metro-accessible, meaning visitors can say goodbye to parking woes and traffic frustrations.
Mark your calendars for the 15th Eclectic Music Festival & Art Crawl on April 26.
This lively festival in South Pasadena showcases a diverse lineup of musical acts, with performances happening across various stages and intimate venues throughout the town.
In addition to music, festival-goers can enjoy open galleries, beer and wine gardens, and a selection of food trucks.
To attend, simply take the A Line to South Pasadena station.
The highly anticipated LA Times Festival of Books follows on April 26-27.
This year marks the 30th iteration of the festival, held at the campus of USC.
It’s an exciting opportunity to explore book and merchandise exhibitors, enjoy outdoor stages featuring various activities, and attend panels and performances from renowned authors and experts.
While general admission is free, some programming may require tickets.
To get there, hop on the E Line to Expo Park / USC station.
On April 27, head to Fiesta Broadway, an extravagant Cinco de Mayo celebration held across four blocks of Broadway from 1st to 4th Street.
Here, attendees can immerse themselves in Lucha Libre matches, vibrant music, vendor booths, and engaging games and activities perfect for families.
The celebration runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with easy access via the A or E Lines to Historic Broadway Station or the B or D Lines to Civic Center / Grand Park Station.
Spring exhibitions will open at The Skirball Cultural Center on April 30 and May 1, presenting two exciting exhibits: ‘Jack Kirby: Heroes and Humanity’ and ‘Away in the Catskills: Summers, Sour Cream, and Dirty Dancing.’
On April 30, guests can enjoy an exclusive opening night with extended gallery hours, a DJ set, refreshments for purchase, and opportunities to meet artists and curators.
Admission is free for both the opening night and the official opening day on May 1, complete with special guided tours.
Travelers can take Line 761 to Sepulveda / Skirball Center Drive to reach the venue.
Cinco de Mayo celebrations continue on May 2 with a lively Mercado in San Gabriel.
Taking place in the Mission District, the festivities will feature live music, craft activities, delicious food options, and a beer and cocktail garden courtesy of Pez Cantina, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Admission is free, with Metro transit available via Line 487 to Ramona / Main.
The Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) will host a celebratory event for Children’s Day on May 3 in Isamu Noguchi Plaza.
Families can anticipate a delightfully engaging day filled with performances, food vendors, and ticketed workshops.
Metro-goers can visit this cultural celebration by taking the A or E Line to Little Tokyo Station.
Also on May 3, don’t miss the Music Center’s Very Special Arts Festival Community Day, which celebrates the artistic achievements of students of all abilities.
This inclusive festival features student and professional performances, visual arts workshops, and an art exhibit centered around a yearly theme from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
It’s easily reachable via the A or E Lines to Grand Ave Arts / Bunker Hill Station or the B or D Lines to Civic Center / Grand Park Station.
On May 4, the Museums of the Arroyo Day invites visitors to explore six historic sites and museums along the Arroyo Seco.
This free event offers admission to The Gamble House, Heritage Square, the L.A. Police Museum, the Lummis Home, the Pasadena Museum of History, and the South Pasadena Historical Museum.
Shuttles will be provided to help connect the different locations from noon to 5 p.m., with the last entry at 4 p.m.
To access the museums, take the A Line to Heritage Square station.
The month of May continues with the Summer of Salsa at LA Plaza, which kicks off on May 9.
This event features monthly dance parties every Friday through September, with Rumbankete’s progressive dance orchestra performing the inaugural set alongside DJ Robby.
Entry to the event is free, and attendees can take the A, B, or D Lines to Union Station.
On May 10, the 4th Annual Valley Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Festival will be held at Pierce College, showcasing Asian-owned businesses in the West San Fernando Valley.
This one-day festival promotes cultural pride through food, music, dance performances, shopping, and wonderful activities for children.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free to attend, with Metro access available via Line 164 to Victory / Mason.
The 5th Annual Community & Unity People’s Kite Festival will be hosted at Los Angeles State Historic Park on May 17.
Visitors can engage in kite-making workshops, watch demos by kite masters, and enjoy delightful snacks available for purchase.
This free event runs from 2 to 6 p.m., and attendees can arrive via the A Line to Chinatown station.
The Beverly Hills Art Show is set for May 17-18, displaying the works of over 230 artists at Beverly Gardens Park.
The event includes a wine and beer garden, live demonstrations from artists, children’s activities, gourmet food trucks, and community exhibits—all free to the public.
For access, Metro riders can take Line 4 to Santa Monica / Crescent.
On May 18, CicLAmini will see a pop-up open streets event launch along Pico Blvd, spanning a 1.4-mile course and connecting hubs at Pico/Normandie and Pico/Union.
Participants can stroll, skate, or bike through the car-free streets, enjoying various activities along the way.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., accessible via Lines 30 or 206 to Normandie / Pico or via Line 30 to Pico / Union.
Fiesta Hermosa will take over Hermosa Beach from May 24-26, a three-day event filled with entertainment, shopping from over 250 vendors, live music, and carnival fun.
Like many events this season, entry is free, with transport options including Line 232 to Pacific Coast Hwy at 16th St.
Finally, wrap up spring with the Downtown Burbank Summer Arts Festival on May 31 and June 1.
This event features over 170 indie sellers showcasing their curated designs including fashion, home decor, art, and photography from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
As always, admission is free, with Metro access via Line 92 to Magnolia / San Fernando or Lines 154/165/294 to 1st / Magnolia.
In addition to these exciting events, several recurring free activities are also available across Los Angeles.
Among them are Poetry in the Garden at The Getty, Sketch Parties at Benny Boy Brewing, the Green Screen Series at NHM Commons, Evening Concerts at Fowler Out Loud, and more artistic experiences in notable venues like Hauser & Wirth DTLA and the Los Angeles City Hall Observation Deck.
Dance Downtown Revolution is another recurrent event, held every Tuesday through May in Downtown Long Beach.
To keep up with all the latest on free activities and events as spring winds down, consider subscribing to the We Like L.A. newsletter, which offers a curated selection of daily happenings sent straight to your inbox.
With exciting events blooming across Los Angeles, spring offers a wonderful opportunity to experience local culture, art, and community connection.
Don’t miss out—take advantage of the free festivities and accessible transportation to dive into the vibrant life of L.A. this season.
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