28 Awesome Things to Do in May in Los Angeles
Summer is around the corner, and May is ushering in the start of endless fun with Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, and More! Check out the 28 things to do in May in Los Angeles if you’re looking for only good vibes all month long.
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Celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month (Ongoing May)
Here are a few events to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month:
- May 1st to 10th: The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival will be screening at venues all over the city. So get out and see something new.
- May 19th: An AAPI dedicated to Smorgasburg LA with Live Music, Family Programming, and, of course, Food Stalls. The free event is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Row DTLA.
- All Month Long: Enjoy an Ode to Rice Cocktail at Big Bar in Los Feliz ($16). It’s made with Genmaicha-infused Kikori Whiskey from Ann Soh Woods and Yuzu Sesame Syrup. Huy Nang Pham, beverage director of Suehiro DTLA, created the beverage, especially for AAPI Heritage Month. She will also be guest bartending at Big Bar on May 28th from 6 to 9 p.m.
Attend First Fridays at the Natural History Museum (May 3rd)
Party with the dinosaurs after dark during the First Fridays event at the Natural History Museum. This month’s theme is The Plant Clones are Coming and includes Live Music from JaRon Marshall, Signature Cocktails, and curated Family Fun.
Tickets are $20 or FREE for members. Get them here. The event begins at 5 p.m.
Enjoy Free Jazz Fridays at LACMA (Fridays in May beginning on May 3rd)
Sway to the sounds of FREE Jazz every Friday in May and continuing through November on the plaza of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art beginning at 6 p.m. Check the calendar to confirm who’s playing.
May the 4th Be with You (May 3rd to May 7th)
Celebrate Star Wars with events throughout Los Angeles:
- The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will present a Star Wars-inspired May the 4th Celebration: Across the Galaxy. Events begin at 10:30 a.m., and costumes are encouraged. Tickets, which begin at $25 for adults, can be purchased on the museum’s website.
- Experience all nine films of the Star Wars Skywalker Saga with a May 4th Marathon beginning at 10 a.m. at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. Tickets are $135 and include an inclusive poster, all-you-can-eat popcorn, food, and more! If that’s a little too much Skywalker for you, there will also be daily showtimes for Star Wars Episode I, The Phantom Menace. Tickets are available at www.elcapitantheatre.com.
Don your Hat for Derby Day (May 4th)
The Kentucky Derby is on Saturday, May 4th and I’m always in it for hattery over horse racing. Baltaire in Brentwood is serving up a Julip-centric Brunch complete with Contests and a Photo-Booth. Meanwhile Redbird in DTLA is hosting their annual Derby Party with Triple Crown Cocktails and Bluegrass Music from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The main race is at 3:45 p.m. Reserve here.
Party it up on Cinco de Mayo (May 5th)
Cinco de Mayo falls on a Sunday this year, which means many restaurants are beginning their events on May 3rd. So, there’s no excuse for going full-on fiesta to celebrate Mexico’s victory over the French in Puebla back in 1862.
On May 5th, enjoy something historical with the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta in the birthplace of Los Angeles on Olvera Street. The day begins as early as 10 a.m. with Guided Tours that trace the early history of the city. There will also be musical guests, shopping, and a kids’ area. Happy Hour Drink Specials run from 3 to 6 p.m.
Also, be sure to visit KA’TEEN in Hollywood from Saturday, May 4th, through Sunday, May 5th, for Specialty Dishes like Duck Mole, DJ Music, and even Fire Dancers on Saturday night. Reserve on Resy.
Visit the L.A. County Fair (May 3rd-27th)
The L.A. County Fair is back in Pomona with Rides, Concerts, and all things Carnival. Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Thursday to Sunday (except May 3rd) and you can purchase tickets beginning at $10 on their website or $30 at the door (for adults).
The restaurant Farmer Boys is also offering a deal with the code FAIRFB24 to shave a few bucks off.
Enjoy 50% off Sushi Roku Santa Monica (May 6th to May 9th)
Sushi Roku Santa Monica is turning 25 this year and celebrating with 50% off all food items across the menu. They will also have a Live DJ every Thursday night throughout May to keep the party going.
Share a Toast with Nick Offerman (May 10th)
Immersive experiences are all the rage, and this one is no exception – except it’s FREE! Join Nick Offerman in Venice, CA, for a Whiskey Odyssey with Lagavulin. The event is open to the public by invitation only using AnyRoad and will be held at 57 Windward Avenue in Venice Beach from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, May 10th. Space is limited.
Show Mom some Love on Mother’s Day (May 12th)
Mother’s Day falls on Sunday, May 12th, and nothing says I love you more than a day of pampering.
Start with a meal at the San Antonio Winery, whose restaurant, The 1917 Wine Bar + Bistro, is open from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for Dining or Wine Tasting from May 10th through the 12th.
Follow that up with a trip to Burke Williams Day Spa, which offers affordable luxury with locations all over the city and specialty Massage and Facial Packages for Mother’s Day.
See more ideas in this dedicated Mother’s Day article.
Play a Game of MAINopoly (May 19th)
The 9th Annual MAINopoly: Taste of Main Street is back in Santa Monica on Sunday, May 19th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
All ages are welcome to this culinary walking tour of Santa Monica, complete with an Official Gameboard and Tastings at over 20 restaurants and bars, including Pasjoli, Holey Grail Donuts, and Jinya Ramen Bar. If you finish the game, you have a chance to win $1,000! Tickets begin at $30 and are available on Eventbrite.
Enjoy Movies Outside (Ongoing)
Participate in some of these food+film screenings where it really starts to feel like summer.
- Cinespia is your home for film screenings under the stars starting on May 10th with Mamma Mia for Mother’s Day at L.A. Historic Park. Doors open at 7:15 p.m. Also on the list for this month is Almost Famous at the Rose Bowl Stadium on May 25th and Seven at the Hollywood Forever Cemetary on May 26th. Tickets are available on the website.
- D23 and Street Food Cinema present The Little Mermaid for its 35th anniversary at Hansen Dam Aquatic Center. You can even swim along with the fish on the screen! Tickets are $30 with this link and include access to Food Trucks. The event is June 8th, but I’m sharing this in May so you don’t miss being part of this world. Here’s the full Street Food Cinema Schedule for your perusal.
Art & Culture Openings (Ongoing May)
Add the following things to your calendar almost any day in May. Stay tuned for more as the month progresses.
- The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will present Hollywoodland: Jewish Founders and the Making of a Movie Capital as the museum’s first permanent exhibition beginning May 19th, 2024. It tells the early story of Tinseltown and how Jewish émigrés helped shape the city’s landscape forever. Tickets are available on the website.
- Topsy Turvey, by Artistic Director Tim Robbins, opens May 9th at The Actors Gang. It has a limited run through June. Tickets begin at $25 during previews, and Thursday nights are Pay What You Can.
Visit the “Pico de Mayo” Street Fair (May 26th)
The Pico Union Project is a combination community outreach organization and arts venue in the Pico-Union area of Los Angeles. They are celebrating 10 years of service to the community with a special street fair and fundraiser, Sunday, May 26th, from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The afternoon includes their weekly “Vida Sana” free food distribution as well as Complimentary Bites from L.A. hot spots like Guelaguetza, Jitlada, La Pupusa, and more. Performances include The Bob Baker Marionette Theater and Grammy-award-winning artists. Attendees include Mayor Karen Bass, among other city representatives. Tickets begin at $250 and can be purchased here. All the proceeds will go to the Pico Union Project.
Celebrate Memorial Day
Memorial Day on May 27th brings with it a day of remembrance and the unofficial start of summer. Show your spirit with weekend Concerts at the Hollywood Bowl or The Newport Beach Wine Festival.
Taste the Best Hamburgers in Los Angeles
International Hamburger Day falls on May 28th, and May is also Burger Month, so there’s no better excuse to go out and eat! Among the best in Los Angeles is The Window, with locations in Venice and Silverlake, Burgers Never Say Die in Silverlake, and of course, In-N-Out, with locations all over.
Love reading and learning of all the places in LA!
The 1917 Bistro looks terrific as the Burke Williams Day Spa 🙂
Wish I was in LA
Thank you for always reading! You’ll need to visit.
May in Los Angeles is filled with excitement, from Dine L.A. to Cinco de Mayo and Mother’s Day. If you’re looking for fun things to do, check out the 28 awesome ideas on this blog, including trying new restaurants during Dine L.A., attending the First Fridays event at the Natural History Museum, and enjoying free jazz at LACMA on Fridays. Don’t miss the chance to celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a few special events.