April 2019
Noir film festival
April 1 – 7, 2019
Noir City screens classic films that are stylish, cynical, and melodramatic at the Egyptian Theatre.
Berry festival
April 1 – 28, 2019
Knott’s Berry Farm was among the first farms to grow boysenberries, which they celebrate during Knott’s Boysenberry Festival with berry-inspired dishes, drinks, a beer & wine garden, entertainment, and family activities. Reviews.
Discount attractions
April 1 – 30, 2019
These discount ticket prices include all taxes and fees.
- Harbor cruise in San Pedro
- Aquarium of the Pacific
- Kayak or paddleboard in Newport Beach
Modern dance
Award-winning Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performs with unmatched athleticism and exuberance at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
Scrapbook Expo
Scrapbookers will find classes, vendors, and crop parties at the Stamp & Scrapbook Expo at the Fairplex.
Comedian Craig Ferguson
April 4 & 7, 2019
Wild and witty Craig Ferguson of the “Late Late Show” and “Celebrity Name Game” does stand-up comedy.
Comedy festival
Los Angeles Comedy Festival includes live stand-up performances, short films, and a web series, at 916 N. Formosa Avenue. Held in April and November.
Wilson Phillips
Grammy nominated Wilson Phillips sings new songs and hits like “Hold On” at The Canyon in Agoura Hills.
Design festival
Billed as America’s largest design event, Dwell on Design showcases modern design materials, furniture and accessories, home technology, kitchen and bath, and garden and outdoor materials, with speakers and classes at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Public tickets are cheapest on Saturday (students all days).
Spring festival
Carnaval Primavera has food vendors, arts & crafts booths, a free health fair, a children’s mask contest, entertainment onstage, and a carnival. Free.
Beer festival
April 6, 2019
A ticket to L.A. Beer Festival includes samples of 200 beers from 80 breweries, live bands, DJ dance music, a dueling piano bar, and food truck vendors outdoors at Los Angeles Center Studios. Held in April & Oct.
Festival of Colors
Get a ticket that includes packets of brightly colored cornstarch to throw at each other during Festival of Colors, which promises “interactive dance, live mantra bands, DJs, yoga teachers, cuisine, free hugs, and lotsa love” at Woodley Park in Van Nuys.
Halloween event
Get a free ticket and wear a costume to the Spook Show, which features 100 curated vendors, musicians, artists, and Halloween enthusiasts outside Halloween Club at 14447 Firestone Boulevard in La Mirada.
Country music
Coastal Country Jam offers barbecue, beach bars, and big country music stars at Huntington State Beach. Held in April and June.
Ventura street fair & tasting
Formerly called Champagne on Main, Spring Wine Walk & Street Fair [website has sound] is a free street fair with live music (11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.) and a $50 wine walk including beer & champagne (3 to 6 p.m.) on Main Street. For $20 more, add the VIP chocolate lounge.
Native plant tour
Take a self-guided tour of 45 public and private gardens landscaped mostly with native plants during Theodore Payne Native Plant Garden Tour. No pets.
Food convention
Foodie Con is a consumer show featuring food and beverage vendors, product tastings, workshops, and cooking demos for all ages at the Reef.
Craft market
Renegade Craft Fair has independent craft makers, food trucks, and DJ music at Los Angeles State Historic Park. Free.
Indoor art show
Twice a year, 100 artists invite you to visit their loft studios during Brewery Artwalk in the former Pabst Brewery at 2100 N. Main Street. Held in April and Oct. Free.
Scandinavian Festival
Enjoy authentic food, music, singing, dancing, games, and crafts from Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Iceland at the Scandinavian Festival on the campus of California Lutheran University.
Music festival with beer & tacos
Sabroso Craft Beer, Taco & Music Festival “is a day filled with craft beer, tasty gourmet tacos, Lucha Libre style wrestling, and live music” at Doheny State Beach for age 21+. Limited parking.
Renaissance fair
Watch knights joust on horseback, mingle with costumed minstrels and troubadours, shop for art and food, and enjoy kids’ games and activities at The Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire at Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area. Children age 4 and younger are free.
Ukrainian Easter eggs
April 7, 2019
Learn how to make beautiful Easter eggs, see crafts on display, and taste Ukrainian food at Ukrainian Pysanka Festival at the Ukrainian Culture Center. Free.
Tasting event
Masters of Taste offers you “delicious, unlimited tastings from L.A.’s top master chefs and restaurants, and even distilling alcohol and homebrewing advice, craft cocktail bars, wineries, and local breweries” plus live entertainment on the field of Rose Bowl Stadium for age 21+.
Jazz
April 7, 2019
South Carolina quintet Ranky Tanky plays music rooted in Gullah culture at The Broad Stage. Gullah is a unique mix of African and English from descendants of enslaved Africans isolated on the southeast coast.
Beer festival
Taste beer and restaurant food at Montrose Food & Brewfest at 2200 Honolulu Avenue in Montrose for age 21+.
Earth Day downtown
April 11, 2019
Discover how to live green at Earth Day LA, which offers performances, children’s recycled art projects, drought tolerant plant tours, plant giveaways, e-waste collection, and demonstrations of green technology in Grand Park. Free.
Wine dinner at the zoo
April 11, 2019
The monthly $150 Sustainable Wine Dinner Series features wine from a local winery, a gourmet dinner, a talk by a zoo professional, and an up-close animal encounter at the Los Angeles Zoo for age 21+.
Taste of the Valley
April 11, 2019
The Taste of the Valley features tastes from 45 restaurants and 100 wineries plus cider and spirits outdoors at Westfield Topanga for age 21+.
Classic Film Festival
Watch classic movies on the big screen in some of the world’s most iconic venues during Classic Film Festival, sometimes joined by the people who made them.
Magic in Malibu
April 12, 2019
“Blending art and illusion with his captivating style,” magician Vitaly Beckman wins high praise for his show An Evening of Wonders at Pepperdine University.
Art books
April 12 – 14, 2019
Browse artists’ books, art catalogs, monographs, periodicals, and zines from 300 exhibitors at the L.A. Art Book Fair at Geffen Contemporary at MOCA. Free.
Monster festival
Celebrate the art of monsters and movie magic at Monsterpalooza, featuring a monster museum with life-sized creatures, horror films, celebrity guests, and 250 exhibitors at the Pasadena Convention Center.
Car race
Join 200,000 watching turbocharged cars tear down city streets at up to 185 m.p.h. in multiple races during Grand Prix of Long Beach, which also offers a family zone, cars on display, and evening concerts at Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center.
Science fair
Family-friendly Imaginology has exhibits, hands-on activities, and competitions that relate to science, technology, engineering, artwork, animals, and math at OC Fair & Event Center. Free.
Coachella music festival
April 12 – 21, 2019
Watch 200 musicians perform at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, with food vendors, art installations, and camping at Empire Polo Club.
Earth Day in Whittier
April 13, 2019
Enjoy music and dance performances, make eco-friendly arts & crafts, and learn about environmental issues during Earth Day at 1955 Workman Mill Road. Free.
Chalk Festival
Watch artists transform concrete into colorful, temporary art at the Chalk Festival, with music and vendors in Heritage Plaza (at the corner of San Bernardino Road & Citrus Avenue) in Covina. Free.
Neighborhood BBQ
The Western BBQ has non-profit food vendors, local entertainers, a craft fair, a reptile show, pony rides, kids’ activities, and even pot-bellied pigs at Maxwell Park. Free.
Tamale festival
Riverside Tamale Festival promises fine food, a beer & margarita garden, live music, folklorico dancing, and a children’s area at White Park.
Pole-dancing competition
Watch amateurs compete on both days, and professionals on Saturday evening at the Pacific Pole Championships at The Los Angeles Theatre Center.
Book festival
Shop from hundreds of booksellers and publishers, see photos and film screenings, attend author readings and panel discussions, watch chef demos, and hear live music at the Festival of Books at the University of Southern California. Free entry.
Sleep on a battleship
A $175 ticket to Bunk Up on the Battleship Iowa includes dinner in the mess hall, a tour of the ship including areas not open to the public, a bunk (bring bedding and a flashlight), breakfast, and a Q&A session with actual veterans, for age 16+.
Vintage sale at Disney
Shop for vintage clothing, accessories, and home decor at the Dapper Day Expo, with live bands, dance lessons, and entertainment at the Disneyland Hotel. Held in April and November.
Cowboy festival
Y’all head to Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival to hear loads of folk and bluegrass music, chow on cowboy grub, and shop from Western vendors. The main event is Saturday & Sunday at William S. Hart Regional Park.
Flower show in San Diego
Billed as the largest tented flower show in the nation, Coronado Flower Show surrounds a gazebo with bands playing, a food & wine pavilion, and a beer & wine garden in Spreckels Park. (Hours: Saturday 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Shakespeare tragedy
Othello is the story of a general in the Venetian army, his new wife, and a manipulative man trying to drive them apart, at A Noise Within.
Sexy poetry
April 14, 2019
Inspired by 19th-century bordellos of Paris and New Orleans, The Poetry Brothel presents poets in an immersive and lush, speakeasy-style environment with a bar and cabaret entertainment at El Cid for age 21+.
Car show
April 14, 2019
See 400 pre-1976 street rods, custom, and classic vehicles on display at Orange Plaza Car Show, with 40 vendors and restaurants nearby in Old Towne. Free.
Taste of South Pasadena
Get a taste of 12 wineries (5 to 7:30 p.m. at Canoe House) and 28 restaurants (6 to 9 p.m. at Fair Oaks Avenue & Mission Street) during the Rotary Club’s Taste of South Pasadena.
Evenings at the Autry
April 19, 2019
Bring a blanket or chair to Odd Nights at the Autry, where you’ll find food trucks, live music, and “the coolest SoCal vendors for crafts, vintage items, home goods, and oddities.” Your ticket includes Imagination Gallery & Montgomery Gallery until 9 p.m. Children age 12 and younger are free. Free parking.
Blessing of the Animals
Carry or walk your pet in the procession of farm animals and pets at Blessing of the Animals, which has lively music and colorful dancers at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, on Main Street (from Arcadia to Cesar Chavez). See schedule. Free.
Dog festival
Pawsapalooza offers “pet products and services, live music, delicious food and drink (for humans), and a festive family-friendly celebration of the human-animal bond” at West Hollywood Park. Free.
Free national park day
Admission is free at national parks on Free Entrance Days in the National Parks (including Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon). Expect more people and less parking than usual.
Easter egg hunts
Los Angeles
Orange County
Easter restaurants
OpenTable lists restaurants that offer special menus for brunch, lunch, and dinner on Easter weekend.
Easter festival
April 21, 2019
Buy a ticket online to participate in EasterFest, which includes egg hunts, bounce houses, face painting, arts and crafts, games, food, drinks, popcorn, and music at Grand Hope Park.
Easter brunch cruise
Take an Easter Champagne Brunch Cruise that includes two hours of views, a classic breakfast buffet, champagne, entertainment, and a visit from the Easter Bunny.
All-American musical
Singin’ in the Rain is a song and dance classic about actors in the early days of Hollywood, including the title number complete with an onstage rainstorm at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.
Home & garden tour
Tour the Boddy House on the grounds of Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge during Pasadena Showcase House of Design for age 12+. Restaurant and shops are onsite, and parking is offsite with a shuttle. Closed Mondays. Details.
Magic Bar
April 22 – 30, 2019
Magic Bar is a “sleight-of-hand saloon” that serves you close-up magic in an intimate bar located inside Woodly Proper restaurant for age 21+. Reviews.
Parody of “Friends”
April 25, 2019
Featuring characters from the TV show and all of their mannerisms, Friends! The Musical Parody celebrates the wacky misadventures of your favorite group of 20-something New Yorkers with original music at City National Grove of Anaheim.
Undersea adventure
April 25 – 26, 2019
A National Geographic photographer presents “his award-winning images and his engaging take on the ocean’s charismatic creatures” during National Geo Live: Wild Seas, Secret Shores at The Broad Stage.
Boat show on the coast
Gaze longingly at 200 new sailboats and powerboats moored at the Newport Boat Show [sound], and shop from exhibitors shoreside at Lido Marina Village. Free offsite parking and shuttle bus.
Orange County film festival
Watch 350 films and attend evening galas during the Newport Beach Film Festival at theaters in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach.
Pet show
Watch dogs perform stunts, see police K-9 demonstrations, check out birds and reptiles, and shop from hundreds of vendors at America’s Family Pet Expo at OC Fair & Event Center. Do not bring pets.
Sailboat race
Watch 100 sailboats head out to sea on the two-day Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race when they depart from Balboa Pier. Free.
Country music festival
Hear 50 top country singers at Stagecoach, an all-ages outdoor music concert that has a dance hall, games, BBQ, restaurants, and bars at Empire Polo Club.
Giant concert: Freestyle Festival
April 27, 2019
Freestyle Festival offers an impressive lineup of artists (Taylor Dayne, Lisa Lisa, Jody Watley, Trinere, Sweet Sensation, Cynthia/Johnny O, Sugar Hill Gang, Grand Master Melle Mel, Scorpio & 30 Years Of Slick Rick) at Microsoft Theater.
Earth Day in Van Nuys
April 27, 2019
L.A. Sanitation presents Earth Day LA, with games, entertainment, eco mascots, 75 green exhibitors, garbage trucks and other city vehicles for kids to explore, and free food at Woodley Park, 6350 Woodley Avenue in Van Nuys. Free.
Music walk
The family-friendly Eclectic Music Festival and Art Walk features 60 acts on 14 stages, craft vendors, an art walk, food trucks, and a beer and wine garden in downtown South Pasadena, on and near Mission Street (from Edison Lane to Santa Fe Lane). Free.
Tea at the lighthouse
April 27, 2019
Take a tour of Point Fermin Lighthouse, visit the gardens, shop from artisans, and have tea (10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.) during Tea by the Sea in San Pedro. Donations.
Beer tasting
April 27, 2019
Try unlimited tastes of beer from 50 Orange County breweries at OC Brewers Guild Invitational, with educational beer seminars and live music at Garden Grove Elks Lodge for age 21+.
Poppy festival
Celebrate the state flower at California Poppy Festival, which has live music and dance on two stages, arts & crafts, food vendors, a farmer’s market, animal attractions, health exhibits, and a Sunday car show at Sgt. Steve Owen Memorial Park.
Arts festival
Our L.A. Voices brings dance, music, and theatrical performances to Grand Park, with visual artwork for sale. Free.
Japanese festival
Cherry Blossom Festival features Japanese dancing, taiko drumming, martial arts, a tea ceremony, children’s activities, Asian food, and craft vendors at Barnes Park. Free.
Pasadena art fair
Shop from 200 artisans and food trucks at Jackalope Pasadena in Central Park. Held in April, August, and November. Free.
Yoga event
Wanderlust 108 combines three events in one: a 5K run/walk, 75 minutes of yoga with DJ music, and 30 minutes of guided meditation, plus other activities at Santa Monica Pier. Optional lunch. April 28.
Earth Day in Long Beach
Earth Day Celebration includes special programming and exhibits about climate change and protecting our environment at the Aquarium of the Pacific.
Cinco de Mayo
April 28, 2019
Billed as America’s largest Cinco de Mayo festival, Fiesta Broadway features Latin American food, live entertainment, and carnival games for 200,000 attendees on Broadway and other streets near Los Angeles City Hall. Free.
Food festival
April 28, 2019
Taste of the Eastside is an all-ages food and drink festival featuring unlimited tastes from 32 Eastside restaurants, drinks for sale, designer vendors, live music, and DJs at Los Angeles River Center and Gardens.
Thai New Year festival
Buy Thai food, hear jazz in the beer garden, and watch folk dancing, Thai boxing, and cultural demonstrations at Thai New Year Songkran Festival on Hollywood Boulevard (from Western Avenue to Normandie Avenue). Free
Puppet festival
April 28, 2019
Buy tickets in advance for the Skirball Puppet Festival, which features stories told using an array of puppets (from shadow puppets to giant pageant puppets), live music, and art making at Skirball Cultural Center.
Dutch day
Wear orange (and sunscreen) to Dutch King’s Day LA at Long Beach POA Park for a taste of Dutch popular music, games, entertainment, and food.
Taste of Huntington Beach
April 28, 2019
A ticket to Taste of Huntington Beach gets you tastes from 50 local restaurants and catering companies, unlimited sips from wineries and breweries, and live music at Huntington Beach Sports Complex. Reviews. Children age 3 and younger are free.
