From a holiday based around a pun to a celebration of all things drag, May is chock-full of good stuff to do.
Star Wars Day
May 4
Bust out your Jedi robes for this unofficial homage to a galaxy far, far away at Disneyland. Snap pics with Kylo Ren, Chewbacca, Darth Vader, and Rey before participating in the Parade of the Lightsabers and an epic nighttime lightsaber battle. As always, May the Fourth be with you.
Yallwest
May 5
If it’s your dream to write the next Harry Potter, post up at this all-day mega-fest dedicated to young adult lit. Authors like Veronica Roth, Ransom Riggs, and Tomi Adeyemi are on hand at Santa Monica High School for panels, signings, and more.
Tacos N’ Beer Fest
May 5
Science says the best way to spend Cinco de Mayo is by eating lots of tacos and drinking lots of beer. Head to Pershing Square, where you’ll be able to do both while enjoying live mariachi music and a mechanical bull. Considering the number of margaritas and micheladas you’re bound to consume, leave your car at home and Metro right to the action.
Beyond the Streets
May 6-July 6
Graffiti historian Roger Gastman—who helped orchestrate MOCA’s record-setting Art in the Streets show in 2011—takes over a 40,000-square-foot warehouse on the edge of Chinatown for a totally bonkers street art experience. See works from more than 100 artists, including marquee names like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Jenny Holzer, plus live performances and lectures.
Hamilton
May 8-27
Maybe you skipped Lin-Manuel Miranda’s historical hip-hop smash at the Pantages last year. Or maybe you saw it three times. Either way, don’t throw away your shot (yup) to catch it again at Costa Mesa’s Segerstrom Center for the Arts—because you can never be in the room where it happens (not sorry) too many times.
RuPaul’s DragCon
May 11-13
Put the phrase “Yas, kween!” to good use at the L.A. Convention Center, where you can kiki with your favorite Drag Race contestants, master the art of the wig, and watch Look Queens battle Dance Queens on the runway. Between events, peruse everything from wholesale rhinestones to art dolls from more than 300 exhibitors.
Cinespia
May 12, 19, 26 & 27
Parking’s a nightmare, but Cinespia’s programming at Hollywood Forever Cemetery is too good to pass up. Kick off summer screening season with a showing of The Never Ending Story followed by Drive, Almost Famous, and Casablanca. As usual, BYO games and picnics are encouraged.
An Evening with David Sedaris
May 12
If you think tearing up at home—from laughter or otherwise—while reading David Sedaris is embarrassing, try doing it in the middle of a packed auditorium. The renowned essayist returns to the Soraya in Northridge to read wildly varied anecdotes from his memoirs and diaries.
Tiny Porch Concerts
May 13
Expand your outdoor concert horizons with wine in hand at Malibu’s Peter Strauss Ranch amphitheater, which hosted Johnny Cash way back when. Bring a picnic and your (low back) lawn chairs to its summer concert series, beginning with a performance from the Eagle Rock Gospel Singers.
K.A.M.P.
May 20
There’s kindergarten macaroni art, and then there’s the Hammer’s Kids Art Museum Project. Little ones participate in workshops run by architects, musicians, painters, and other local art pros before plopping into beanbag chairs for story time with Jimmy Kimmel, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell and Bill Hader.
Museums of the Arroyo Day
May 20
Mid-Wilshire holds the Museum Row crown, but Northeast L.A. and Pasadena have plenty to offer. Try to knock out six art institutions in five hours when the Autry, the Gamble House, the Heritage Square Museum, the Los Angeles Police Museum, the Lummis Home and Gardens, and the Pasadena Museum of History open their doors for free.
Cajun & Blues Music Festival
May 26-27
It’s not exactly the Big Easy, but the Simi Valley is a helluva lot quicker to get to when you’re craving a bit of New Orleans. Zydeco bands, Mardi Gras parades, and jambalaya are on tap at this Creole-style celebration, plus a few less traditional performances—Eddie Money is headlining, and yes, he’s got both of your tickets to paradise.
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