The Best Memorial Day Weekend Events in Los Angeles 2018

If you are staying in town for a relaxing weekend but still want something exciting to do during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, look no further! This Memorial Day weekend in Los Angeles, from Friday, May 25 to Monday, May 28, features plenty of things to do, films to see, and food to eat. Highlights include Barnsdall Friday Night Wine Tasting, Beyond the Streets, Lebowski Fest, Topanga Days, Fiesta Hermosa, Eat Drink Vegan, and the L.A. Zine Fest. Enjoy your long weekend!

Beauty and the Beast in Concert – Hollywood Bowl
Friday May 25 2018 – Sunday, May 26 2018
The animated classic Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” will be given new life for two special evenings at the on Friday, May 25 and Saturday, May 26, where Zooey Deschanel as Belle, Kelsey Grammer performing “Be Our Guest” as Lumiere, Taye Diggs singing as Gaston, Rebel Wilson singing the role of LeFou, Jane Krakowski performing the title song as Mrs. Potts, and Anthony Evans as Beast singing “Evermore” written for the live-action film, headline an all-star cast of performers singing the songs from the Oscar® and Grammy®-winning score as the film plays on the Bowl’s movie screen accompanied by a full live orchestra.

Lebowski Fest – The Wiltern
Friday, May 25 2018 – Saturday, May 26 2018
Celebrate 20 years of The Big Lebowski! Music by Kyle Gass Band (of Tenacious D) and special guests including Jack Kehler (Dude’s Landlord), Jerry Haleva (Saddam), Luis Colina (Angry Corvette Owner), Lu Elrod (Family Waitress), Jim Hoosier (Liam) & Ajgie Kirkland (Eagles Cab Driver) plus an appearance by Karl Hungus’s screen-used car from Logjammin!

Barnsdall Fridays – Barnsdall Art Park
Friday, May 25
Wine tasting and picnicking return to Barnsdall Art Park for the tenth year in a row, with evening tastings of boutique wines and music from KCRW DJs perched atop a hill with incredible city views. Opening night will be held in conjunction with LA Times Food Bowl featuring a Q&A with food critic Jonathan Gold and James Beard winner, Chef Daniel Humm. The NoMad Truck will be on-site for the event.

The Queen Mary
All weekend long!
The Queen Mary is proud to offer free admission to active service members of the armed forces, retired military personnel, and veterans.  Special discounts will be available for their family members. Discover a world of excitement, mystery, and adventure as you explore the numerous decks aboard the last true great ocean liner of the 20th century.  Experience the fascinating and rich history of the Queen Mary and learn the incredible true story how her involvement played a pivotal role in the world including guiding the Allied Forces to victory in WWII. Nicknamed the “Grey Ghost” after receiving a hauntingly stark paint job, the ship’s impressive speed and size made it an ideal troop hauler often carrying as many as 15,000 men in a single voyage. During her tour of duty, the Queen Mary set various world records for speed and cargo adding another layer to her already impressive tapestry of work.

Beyond the Streets – Werkartz
Friday, May 25 – Sunday, May 27
Beyond the Streets is a fully immersive exhibition of street and graffiti art comprised of over 30 artist in a massive 40,000+ square feet exhibits. Artist are an eclectic mix of street and beyond including Retna, Shepard Fairey, Kenny Scharf Dennis Hopper and Jenny Holzer. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase.

Eat Drink Vegan – Rose Bowl
Saturday, May 26
The festival features over 100 highly curated restaurants & food vendors, 250+ beverages, and a plant-based marketplace that showcases everything from clothing & candles to packaged foods & skin care.

Fiesta Hermosa – Hermosa Beach
Saturday May 26 2018 – Monday May 28 2018
Fiesta Hermosa attendees can choose from a wide selection of cuisine in the food court, which also boasts a new clean uniform look to vendors and general seating area. The AB InBev-sponsored Charity Beer & Wine Garden offers beer, wine and beeritas with proceeds benefiting a number of local charities. There is live music on two main stages as well as a new satellite stage situated outside Java Man. A full schedule is available under music lovers.

L.A. Zine Fest – Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau
Sunday, May 27 2018
The 2018 L.A. Zine Fest will take place on Sunday, May 27, 2018 from 11 a.m. to 6 pm. in the Conference Center at the Pasadena Convention Center. (It’s a smaller space than the huge exhibit halls you might be familiar with. This year’s Fest will feature 200 zinesters, plus readings, talks, and workshops; zine libraries; the Wonderspace (free, hands-on activities); Playdate (independent arcade games); rad book bikes from F.L.O.W and AntenaMóvil, exhibitor art curated by Pengu Labs; a photo booth by The Kitty Cult; and MORE.

Topanga Days Country Fair – Topanga Community Club
Saturday, May 26 2018 – Monday, May 28 2018
Tucked away in picturesque Topanga Canyon, this Memorial Day weekend festival has become a favorite local tradition. Bohemian locals of all ages as well as curious onlookers converge to celebrate music, food, arts and Mother Earth. Some complain that the masses have commercialized this neighborhood event, but there are still plenty of true ’60s hippies, vegan food vendors and healing arts to make you think you’re in Woodstock. Let the kids enjoy their own arts and crafts section, dance to local bands and don’t miss the quirky DIY Memorial Day parade on Monday morning. Parking troubles are alleviated by a free shuttle along Topanga Canyon Boulevard. No pets are allowed, but you’ll definitely be able to connect with your spirit animal.

Santa Anita Carnival – Santa Anita Park
Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27
There will be a different kind of speed on display at scenic Santa Anita Park when the race track turns into the Santa Anita Carnival just in time for Memorial Day weekend fun. Bring out the entire family and enjoy a wide selection of thrilling rides, challenging midway games, delicious carnival snacks and much more. This ticket snags you an unlimited ride wristband, giving you the chance to get dizzy and make your stomach drop over and over. As an added bonus, the ponies will have a full slate of races, making this a weekend to remember!

The Rarest Experience Beer Festival – Stout
Saturday, May 26
is intimate, outdoor festival showcases over 30 extremely rare beers – collected and cellared secretly for years. Sourced from the private collections of our multiple Stout Burger locations, and direct from our brewery friends around the world, these beers aren’t just limited- you literally can’t find some of them anywhere else on Earth.

Street Food Cinema: Girls Trip – Los Angeles State Historic Park
Saturday, May 26
When four lifelong friends travel to New Orleans for the annual Essence Festival, sisterhoods are rekindled, wild sides are rediscovered, and there’s enough dancing, drinking, brawling, and romancing to make the Big Easy blush.

Eat|See|Hear Outdoor Movie: Easy Rider – Autry Museum in Griffith Park
Saturday, May 26
“Dude means nice guy. Dude means a regular sort of person.”
Wyatt (Peter Fonda) and Billy (Dennis Hopper), two Harley-riding hippies, complete a drug deal in Southern California and decide to travel cross-country in search of spiritual truth. On their journey, they experience bigotry and hatred from the inhabitants of small-town America and also meet with other travelers seeking alternative lifestyles. After a terrifying drug experience in New Orleans, the two travelers wonder if they will ever find a way to live peacefully in America.

Cinespia presents Almost Famous – Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Saturday, May 26
Go Backstage with rock gods, wild parties, and mind-blowing music when ALMOST FAMOUS comes to Cinespia. A fifteen-year-old boy (Patrick Fugit) enters the world of musicians and the band-aids who love them when he gets a chance to write an article for Rolling Stone. A rollicking road trip that made a whole era feel new again, ALMOST FAMOUS perfectly captures the fun, free spirit of life on tour in the 70s. Join us for this daring coming-of-age film with a superstar cast including Frances McDormand, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Billy Crudup. and Kate Hudson as the free spirit Penny Lane (don’t you dare call her a groupie). This moving tribute to teenage dreams, rock and roll and true love is based on director Cameron Crowe’s real life experience on the road. The perfect night for an L.A. picnic with incredible DJ sets, a free photo booth, beer and wine and special surprises, it’s sure to be a rocking good time for music lovers and tiny dancers alike.

San Fernando Valley’s 45th Annual Greek Festival – Northridge
Saturday, May 26 – Sunday, May 27
Can’t get to Greece this year? Take a “Staycation” at The Valley Greek Festival! The San Fernando Valley’s 45th annual Greek Festival is taking place on Memorial Day Weekend, May 26 through 28, 2018 at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. The festival evokes the sights, sounds and tastes that define the traditional Greek way of life. Enjoy the hospitality of the Valley’s Greek community and experience the simple pleasures of life in a Greek village.

Blood Bath 2018 – MiniBar Hollywood
MiniBar will partner with Salt’s Cure for Blood Bath 2018 an epic competition for LA’s best Bloody Mary. 25 bars will compete including Redbird, Cole’s, Kali and Little Dom’s. Salt’s Cure will feed guests with griddle cakes, fish tacos and other small plates. Tickets are $35.

MAINopoly: A Taste of Main Street – Santa Monica
Sunday, May 27
Experience Main Street’s best restaurants, coffee shops, ice cream shops and more at the 5th Annual MAINopoly: Taste Of Main Street, benefiting Heal the Bay and Summer SOULstice & The Main Street Business Improvement Association. Enjoy tastings at 20 participating locations and get your board stamped for a play on the classic game. Enjoy a walking tour of Main Street and visit every spot on the board for your chance to win a “Taste of Main Street” Prize Package. MAINopoly-themed attire is encouraged!

103rd Annual Forest Lawn Memorial Day – Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills
Monday, May 28
Forest Lawn offers veterans and the public a FREE day of observance, speakers, salutes, giveaways, ice cream, and refreshments at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills.

Baldoria – Little Tokyo
Monday, May 28
celebrates its second anniversary on Monday with $2 Margherita Pizzas all day and night (dine-in only) and $2 shots of any spirit.

And, don’t forget, LACMA is free for the Memorial Day holiday! Have a great weekend!

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