Pasadena Restaurant Week
May 6-11
Various restaurants, Pasadena
http://www.pasadenarestaurantweek.com/
Between May 6-11, over 40 different restaurants in Pasadena will offer prix-fixe lunches and/or dinners. In addition, some locations will offer other discounts, prizes, and more. See the full list of participating restaurants by clicking the link to the website above.
Häagen-Dazs Free Cone Day
4:00 pm – 8:00 pm, May 8
Häagen-Dazs, Nationwide
http://www.haagendazs.us/FreeConeDay/
Get one FREE ice cream cone this Tuesday evening at any participating Häagen-Dazs store.
DomCon LA 2018
12:00 pm – 10:00 pm, May 9
11:00 am – 12:00 am, May 10
11:00 am – 2:00 am, May 11
10:00 am – 2:00 am, May 12
11:00 am – 12:00 am, May 13
Los Angeles Hilton LAX, Los Angeles
http://domconla.com/
A conference for all things BDSM returns to Los Angeles this weekend. This conference will feature dozens of vendors, classes, workshops, parties, socials, shows, and more. Registration widely ranges depending on what events you want to attend, from $10 up to $125. No one under 18 may attend.
Taste of Pacific City
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, May 10
Pacific City, Huntington Beach
http://www.gopacificcity.com/taste-of-pacific-city/
Sample food from Pacific City in Huntington Beach this Thursday night. This tasting consists of two zones of food: one for restaurants, the other for non-restaurant food such as treats, drinks, street food, etc. Admission costs $40 for one zone of your choice starting at 7pm, or $75 to access both zones starting at 6pm. All attendees receive unlimited food samples for the duration of the event while supplies last.
Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk (Second Thursdays)
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm, May 10
Downtown Los Angeles
http://downtownartwalk.org/
This free monthly event takes place over many blocks in Downtown Los Angeles. Many galleries will open late, and some parking lots will contain more art, vendors, food trucks, entertainment, and more. Unless you know business owners, free parking barely exists in Downtown LA, although some meters only operate until 8pm. First-time visitors should attend with someone who has gone here prior.
Gator By The Bay 2018
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm, May 10
3:30 pm – 10:30 pm, May 11
10:30 am – 8:30 pm, May 12
10:30 am – 7:30 pm, May 13
Spanish Landing Park, San Diego
http://www.gatorbythebay.com/
This all-ages Zydeco, Blues, & Crawfish festival runs all this weekend, starting on Thursday night. Enjoy plenty of live entertainment, music, dancing, dance lessons, cooking demos, arts & crafts, Cajun food, and more. Ticket prices vary depending on the method of attendance, starting as low as $15 and running all the way up to $200 for the full package.
BBQ & Beer Festival
4:00 pm – 9:30 pm, May 11
12:00 pm – 7:00 pm, May 12
Central Park, Santa Clarita
http://bbqandbeerfestival.com/
Barbecue and beers collide this weekend in Santa Clarita. Friday night represents the beer festival that costs $40 to get in and includes unlimited beer tasters while supplies last. All food comes at cost, so guests should bring cash to pay for food. No one under 21 may attend on Friday. Saturday represents the family-friendly barbecue festival that costs $10 to enter, but all food and drinks sell separately that day.
AdultCon #29
4:00 pm – 9:00 pm, May 11
1:00 pm – 9:00 pm, May 12
1:00 pm – 6:00 pm, May 13
Los Angeles Convention Center, Downtown Los Angeles
http://www.adultcon.com/indexa.html
Adult entertainment fans will not want to miss AdultCon this weekend. This expo allows guests to purchase adult entertainment paraphernalia, meet & take photos with porn stars, browse accessories, and more. For an 18 & over event, these types of expos rarely contain live nudity, as all the talent cover up their private parts in some way. For those not totally into the porn industry, AdultCon also features vendors and speakers geared towards couples and sexuality, as to not make this an event that only men would attend. General admission costs $40 and includes a $5 token that guests can redeem at vendors or to take a photo with a model/star. For just $10 more, upgrade to VIP to gain admission to both days plus some extra perks, listed on the website. Parking costs $20 per vehicle, so find a way to carpool to alleviate that cost.
Agent Orange @ The World Famous Doll Hut
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, May 11
The World Famous Doll Hut, Anaheim
http://www.facebook.com/events/178070986314342/
Get your weekly dose of punk rock this Friday night in Anaheim. Tickets to this show cost $17 presale or $20 at the door. No one under 21 may enter.
2018 Tour of Long Beach
6:00 am – 4:00 pm, May 12
Marina Green Park, Long Beach
http://www.touroflongbeach.com/
Join hundreds of locals on a bike ride through Long Beach this Saturday morning, including the mayor and more city officials. This race for charity features different levels of riding for all skill levels, starting with the 100-mile ride, all the way down to the 4-mile family ride. Following the bike rides, a free all-day all-ages festival will take place with more activities to partake in. Registration, which closes Thursday night, varies in cost based on the ride length, while the family ride comes at no cost.
Fullerton Airport Day 2018
9:00 am – 2:00 pm, May 12
Fullerton Municipal Airport, Fullerton
http://www.cityoffullerton.com/gov/departments/public_works/airport/airport_day.asp
At this free and all-ages event, visitors can check out all things aviation at the Fullerton Municipal Airport.
1 Shop Auto’s 5th Annual Classics & Hot Rods Show
9:00 am – 3:00 pm, May 12
Walmart Supercenter, Lakewood
http://1shopauto.com/classicsandhotrodsshow.html
Bring out your friends & family to this free and all-ages car show this Saturday in Lakewood.
17th Annual Stanton Spring Car Show & Kids Fair
9:00 am – 3:00 pm, May 12
Stanton Park, Stanton
http://ci.stanton.ca.us/Departments/Community-Services/Special-Events
Enjoy a free and all-ages car show and fair this Saturday in Stanton.
15th Annual Culver City Car Show
9:00 am – 4:00 pm, May 12
Veteran’s Memorial Park, Culver City
http://www.culvercitycarshow.com/
Check out a free and all-ages car show in Culver City this Saturday to see hundreds of classic and custom cars, as well as browse dozens of automotive vendors and the local shops and restaurants.
2018 San Diego Chocolate Festival
9:00 am – 4:30 pm, May 12
San Diego Botanic Garden, Encinitas
http://www.sdbgarden.org/chocolate.htm
Enjoy plenty of chocolate tastings, demos, and more this Saturday at the San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas. Guests pay the admission of the garden to enter ($12 general admission, discounts available for seniors, students, military, and children), then pay for tasting tickets to receive any of the chocolate or food. The garden will host activities for children to play with, while other guests can check out plant sales or other merchandise perfect for Mother’s Day.
2018 Fantasia Comic Con
9:00 am – 6:00 pm, May 12-13
Riverside County Fairgrounds, Indio
http://fantasiacon.com/
Palm Desert gets their very own comic convention this weekend in Indio. Check out two days of comics, artists, vendors, merchandise, seminars, autograph signings, cosplay contests, video game tournaments, film/television screenings, and lots more. Tickets range from $15 to $30 depending on your age and when you want to attend.
57th Annual Sunset Beach Art Festival
9:00 am – 6:00 pm, May 12-13
Pacific Ave, Sunset Beach
http://www.sunsetbeachca.org/specialevent.htm
Find the perfect Mother’s Day gift or any other great gift this weekend in Sunset Beach. Completely free to attend for all ages, the grassy area along Pacific Avenue gets filled with booths from local arts & crafts vendors all selling accessories, apparel, merchandise, and various other goodies. Local bands will play throughout the day, and a few food trucks will make their way down here to serve their wonderful eats.
Extreme Dimensions 12th Annual Charity Car Show
10:00 am – 3:00 pm, May 12
Extreme Dimensions, Fullerton
http://extremedimensions.com/
http://www.facebook.com/events/369437320195316/
Enjoy a free and all-ages car show in Fullerton this Saturday, loaded with classic cars on display, as well as plenty of vendors and gourmet food trucks.
9th Annual Irvine Korean Cultural Festival
10:00 am – 5:00 pm, May 12
Irvine Civic Center, Irvine
http://irvinekoreanfestival.com/
This free and all-ages event showcases Korean culture with food, drinks, music, entertainment, arts & crafts, and more.
41st Annual Spring Arts & Crafts Fair
10:00 am – 5:00 pm, May 12-13
Bernardo Winery, Rancho Bernardo, San Diego
http://bernardowinery.com/
Free to attend for all ages, check out this arts & crafts fair going on in San Diego complete with food, arts & crafts, vendors, live entertainment, and more.
9th Annual Unique LA Spring Show
10:00 am – 5:00 pm, May 12-13
The California Market Center, Downtown Los Angeles
http://www.uniquemarkets.com/markets-la
The largest independent design show in the country, attendees get the rare chance to meet and shop directly from hundreds of hand-selected designers and artists. The exciting two-day shopping event makes it easy for you to buy local and support LA’s economy, discover great design and deals, join in community, and have a blast. The $15 admission allows for unlimited reentry for both days, and anyone buying presale online will receive a free tote bag. Guests over 21 can receive free cocktails, while all guests may receive other free drinks, like teas and waters. The show will also feature some of LA’s most popular restaurants and food trucks serving their delicious food. Parking directly at the venue costs $6, while nearby parking lots will range from $3-5.
10th Annual Echo Park Craft Fair
10:00 am – 6:00 pm, May 12-13
Mack Sennett Studios, Echo Park
http://echoparkcraftfair.com/
Check out the finest in food, design, arts & crafts, and more at this craft fair in Echo Park this weekend. Admission to this all-ages fair costs $10 for one day or $16 for both days.
5th Annual Holi Festival of Colors – Oceanside
11:00 am – 3:00 pm, May 12
Pier Amphitheatre, Oceanside
http://www.festivalofcolorsusa.com/
Want to get covered in color without the necessity of moving for five kilometers? Check out the annual Festival of Colors this Saturday. As simply a celebration with color, guests will enjoy live music the entire time, all while mingling and showing off colors. Color throwing occurs every two hours starting at noon. Admission costs $5, and guests can purchase colors at the festival.
JANM Free Family Days: Celebrate Japanese American History
11:00 am – 4:00 pm, May 12
Japanese American National Museum, Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles
http://www.janm.org/events/
Learn about Japanese American history at this free and all-ages cultural educational event this Saturday in Little Tokyo.
13th Annual Silverado Chili Cook-Off & Cinco de Mayo Festival
11:00 am – 5:00 pm, May 12
Circle S Ranch, Silverado
http://smrpd.org/
Sample lots of chili and enjoy a cultural festival this Saturday afternoon in the hills of Silverado. Packed with food, music, entertainment, arts & crafts, and more, visitors will surely find something to say occupied here. Free to attend, guests should bring cash to pay for any food or drinks here.
2nd Annual East LA Comic Con
11:00 am – 7:00 pm, May 12
El Gallo Plaza, East Los Angeles
http://eastlacomiccon.com/
East LA gets their very own free and all-ages comic convention this Saturday afternoon. Check out comics, artists, vendors, merchandise, cosplay contests, video game tournaments, film/television screenings, and more.
3rd Annual Like Totally 80’s Festival
11:00 am – 9:00 pm, May 12
Huntington State Beach, Huntington Beach
http://www.liketotallyfestival.com/
An all-ages concert featuring 80’s pop bands moves to Huntington Beach this Saturday. Tickets to this concert cost $40 each.
22nd Annual North Park Festival of the Arts + Craft Beer Block
11:00 am – 10:00 pm, May 12
University Ave & 30th Street, San Diego
http://northparkfestivalofarts.com/
This Saturday, San Diego’s North Park hosts a grand street festival comprised of more festivals within the festival! At this all-day festival, guests will experience six stages of live music, live DJ’s, food, food trucks, drinks, dancing, art, and more. Within the festival, guests 21 and over can participate in two different drink tastings. For $40 admission, guests can enter the craft beer block and receive thirteen 4oz beer tastings from any of the over 30 participating breweries. Any guest may park for free all day in the parking structure located at 29th & University. In addition, catch Stone Brewing’s beer garden in front of Bar Pink, which will run from noon to 6pm. This one has no admission – guests pay for the beers they want to drink.
18th Annual US Sumo Open
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm, May 12
Walter Pyramid, Long Beach
http://www.usasumo.com/us-sumo-open/2018-us-sumo-open/
Watch sumo wrestling matches in Long Beach this Saturday afternoon. Tickets to this all-ages event start at $25 depending on where you want to sit.
4th Annual Reader Tacotopia
12:00 pm – 6:00 pm, May 12
Golden Hill Park, San Diego
http://www.readertacotopia.com/
Sample tacos from over 30 of San Diego County’s top restaurants, vote for your favorite taco, and enjoy live music and a cash bar at this tasting event this Saturday afternoon in San Diego. General admission costs $40 presale or $50 at the door, and starts at 1pm. VIP admission costs $55 presale or $65 at the door, and includes two drink tickets. All guests have access to unlimited food samples while supplies last. No one under 21 may attend.
2018 Avenue Amps & Ales
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm, May 12
Memorial Park, Chula Vista
http://thirdavenuevillage.com/avenue-amps-ales/
A beer festival comes to Chula Vista this Saturday afternoon. General admission costs $40 and starts at 2pm. VIP admission costs $55 and starts at 1pm. All attendees receive unlimited beer pours for the duration of the event while supplies last. No one under 21 may attend.
San Diego Paella & Wine Festival
1:00 pm – 6:00 pm, May 12
Embarcadero Marina Park South, San Diego
http://paellawinefest.com/
Enjoy paella and wines down by the coast this Saturday afternoon. General admission costs $45 presale or $90 at the door. Non-alcoholic admission costs $40. VIP admission costs $125 and includes access to a VIP area. All attendees receive unlimited food and drink samples while supplies last.
3rd Annual Beach Cities Beer & Wine Festival
2:30 pm – 6:30 pm, May 13
Bay Club, Redondo Beach
http://smackfestevents.com/
Sample dozens of beers and wines from local breweries and vineyards this Saturday in Redondo Beach. Visitors will also find food, music, and more. Admission costs $45 and includes unlimited beer and wine tasters while supplies last. Guests should bring cash for food and parking. No one under 21 may attend.
2018 Vegan Street Fair – San Diego Nights
5:00 pm – 12:00 am May 12
Anthem Vegan, North Park, San Diego
http://www.veganstreetfair.com/
The vegans have their day in North Park this Saturday night. This event takes place on El Cajon Blvd in & around Anthem Vegan, closing it to traffic. Dozens of vendors will set up booths in this event, serving up vegan food samples to all visitors. Entry to the fair costs nothing, while most vendors will sell food for under $3.
Foam Glow 5k – Los Angeles
5:30 pm – 9:30 pm, May 12
Fairplex, Pomona
http://www.foamglow.com/
Tired of the same 5k run everywhere? If you have had your fill of bubble runs and glow runs, try your hand at the Foam Glow. Participants wear all white and run through colored foam in this nighttime 5k race complete with flashing neon lights and loud dance music. Registration costs $50, and all levels of runners may participate. Space will fill up fast, so register early, and try to carpool to this event.
Art Crawl Experience
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm, May 12
Center Street Promenade, Downtown Anaheim
http://downtownanaheim.com/events/ace/
Downtown Anaheim will see a variety of activities and exhibits this Saturday night. Visitors can expect to find tons of art exhibits, live music, food, food trucks, drinks, yoga, dance, and more. Visitors may park for free in the parking structure located at S Clementine Street and W Oak Street.
DTLA Beer & Music Festival
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm, May 12
Pershing Square, Los Angeles
http://www.dtlabeerfest.com/
A corporate beer festival comes to Los Angeles this Saturday night. General admission costs $35 and starts at 7pm while VIP admission costs $50 and starts at 6pm. All attendees receive unlimited beer samples while supplies last. Food comes sold separately. No one under 21 may attend.
Night Nation Run – San Diego
6:00 pm – 12:00 am, May 12
Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar
http://nightnationrun.com/san-diego/
People always seem to want to find any way possible to make running less boring. Introducing Night Nation Run, a glow run that now involves EDM. Run a course complete with lights, glow sticks, lasers, EDM, and more. Registration costs $30 presale or $60 once presale registration runs out, and includes a t-shirt, a glow necklace, a goodie bag, and access to the after-party with more EDM.
Mother’s Day
May 13
Worldwide
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother%27s_Day
Mother’s Day arrives this Sunday. Take note that many restaurants and flower shops will have excess business this weekend.
A Punk, A Camera, and An Empty Stomach 