Naja’s Place 10th Annual IPA Festival
2:00 pm – 12:00 am, May 16-23
Naja’s Place, Redondo Beach
http://www.najasplace.com/
http://www.facebook.com/events/2023780541215170/
For eight days straight, Naja’s Place in Redondo Beach will tap nothing but IPA’s from all over. Come get hopped up at Naja’s Place this week.
The Briefs – Live Southern California
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, May 21, Alex’s Bar, Long Beach http://www.alexsbar.com/event/1669992-briefs-long-beach/
8:00 pm – 11:00 pm,, May 22, Slide Bar, Fullerton http://www.facebook.com/events/1058553600963905/
The Briefs will perform in Southern California this week, and they will headline these two shows. They will also perform at other shows this week – read further below to see the other shows they will perform in. No one under 21 may enter these shows.
2018 Space Tech Expo USA
8:30 am – 6:00 pm, May 22
8:30 am – 5:30 pm, May 23
8:30 am – 3:00 pm, May 24
Pasadena Convention Center, Pasadena
http://www.spacetechexpo.com/
Check out America’s engineering meeting place for space technology. This exhibition draws thousands of industry leaders, decision makers, engineers, and buyers to meet manufacturers and the supply chain for civil, military, and commercial space. Interested attendees can register for FREE to check out the main expo of this event.
Coast of Pacific Beach Restaurant Walk
4:00 pm – 9:00 pm, May 22
Along Mission & Garnet, Pacific Beach, San Diego
http://www.pacificbeach.org/event/coast-of-pb-restaurant-walk/
Walk along the coast of Pacific Beach while sampling food & drinks from participating restaurants. Tickets cost $25 presale or $30 on the day of the event, and provides unlimited tastings for the duration of the event while supplies last.
I Love Poke Festival 2018
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, May 22
Bali Hai Restaurant, Point Loma, San Diego
http://onoyum.com/
Sample the best in island cuisine at this tasting event in San Diego. Over 20 different chefs/restaurants will attend to serve food samples to attendees, while ten local chefs will compete in a poke competition, allowing attendees to sample their food too. Tickets to this all-ages tasting event cost $75, which includes unlimited food samples while supplies last. All attendees must take care of their own parking and transportation.
2018 Lightning In A Bottle
May 23-28
San Antonio Recreation Area, Bradley
http://lightninginabottle.org/
If I could pick one word to describe Lightning In A Bottle, I would pick hippie. Lightning In A Bottle brings people together from all over the world to celebrate earth and life with music, art, dance, yoga, speakers, workshops, and more. Expect to encounter thousands of people with a hippie mindset, like Woodstock but more controlled. Ticket prices vary depending on the mode of attendance, and they offer a presale discount, so check the prices on their site, and if you like what you see, purchase a ticket online to save some green.
21st Annual Taste of Duarte
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm, May 23
Westminster Gardens, Duarte
http://www.tasteofduarte.com/
Sample foods from various restaurants in Duarte this Wednesday night. $50 gets you unlimited tasting samples for the duration of the event while supplies last.
3rd Annual Burgers Bourbon + Beer
7:00 pm – 9:30 pm, May 23
The Victorian, Santa Monica
http://www.lamag.com/bbb/
Indulge on all the burgers, beer, and bourbon that you can handle (while supplies last) this Wednesday night in Santa Monica for $70 per person. No one under 21 may attend.
Taste of Brea 2018
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm, May 24
Downtown Brea
http://tasteofbrea.com/
This free and all-ages event will see over 30 restaurants from the area providing samples of their food to visitors. Visitors may freely walk into the event area for free, but must purchase a $25 wristband to redeem for food or drinks. In addition to all the food, visitors will find live music, a kids zone, arts & crafts, and more.
7th Annual Taste of Boyle Heights
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, May 24
Casa Del Mexicano, Boyle Heights
http://elacc.org/event/taste-boyle-heights/
Sample the local flavors of Boyle Heights this Thursday night in Boyle Heights. Admission costs $150 and includes unlimited food and drinks while supplies last, plus a tote bag with various goodies inside.
Angelic Upstarts – Live in Southern California
8:00 pm – 12:00 am, May 24, The Echoplex, Echo Park http://www.spacelandpresents.com/event/1669892-angelic-upstarts-briefs-los-angeles/
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, May 25, The Observatory, Santa Ana http://www.observatoryoc.com/shows/8121105/gbh-angelic-upstarts-bad-co-project-crim
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, May 26, Alex’s Bar, Long Beach http://www.alexsbar.com/event/1671875-angelic-upstarts-long-beach/
Angelic Upstarts will perform at a handful of shows in Southern California this week. Ticket prices and age limits for each show will vary by location, so check with the venue for details.
Gamex 2018
12:00 pm, May 25 – 6:00 pm, May 28
Hilton LAX, Los Angeles
http://www.strategicon.net/
This weekend-long expo will feature all sorts of board games, card games, miniatures, role-playing, collectibles, computer games and more. Registration varies, ranging from $5 all the way up to $500, so see the website for a breakdown of the prices to attend.
60th Annual Garden Grove Strawberry Festival
1:00 pm – 10:00 pm, May 25
10:00 am – 10:00 pm, May 26-27
10:00 am – 9:00 pm, May 28
Village Green, Garden Grove
http://strawberryfestival.org/
This free annual all-ages city fair features rides, games, vendors, food, contests, live entertainment, a parade, and more. Despite its name, the festival does not liberally give out strawberries or sell it – it just uses strawberries as its theme. Guests may go on rides with all-day wristbands, which cost $30 each, or just $25 on Friday.
Muscle Beach Memorial Day Weekend Spectacular
May 26-28
Muscle Beach, Venice Beach
http://www.musclebeachvenice.com/
Various strength and strongman events will take place in Venice Beach this weekend. Visitors of all ages may spectate the events for free.
Junior Volleyball Association’s 2nd Annual West Coast Cup
8:00 am – 6:00 pm, May 26-28
Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach
http://www.jvaonline.org/events/jva-west-coast-cup
A volleyball competition will take place in Downtown Long Beach this weekend. Spectator admission ranges from $8 to $20, or $6 to $15 for students.
86th Annual Scottish Fest USA
9:00 am – 6:00 pm, May 26-27
OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa
http://www.scottishfest.com/
This annual all-ages Scottish festival features hundreds of bagpipers & drummers, Scottish & Irish food & vendors, Scottish clans, Highland dancing, Scottish athletes, and more. Admission costs $18 with discounts available for military, seniors, and children. Parking costs $8 per vehicle.
Anime Pasadena 2018
10:00 am – 5:00 pm, May 26
Pasadena Convention Center, Pasadena
http://www.animepasadena.com/
Pasadena gets their own anime convention this Saturday, courtesy of Nerdbot, who put on their own convention here last year. Admission costs $17 presale or $20 at the door, and gets you in to check out all the vendors, artists, cosplay, games, live entertainment, speakers, demos, and more.
10th Annual Santee Street Fair & Craft Beer Festival
10:00 am – 6:00 pm, May 26
Riverview Pkwy & Town Center Pkwy, Santee
http://santeestreetfair.com/
Thousands of visitors will roam the streets of Santee this weekend during their annual street fair, now combined with a craft beer garden. Free for all-ages to attend, the fair will contain live music, entertainment, food, drinks, games, arts & crafts, rides, vendors, and so much more. Pricing for the beer festival varies depending on how many tasters a person wants, ranging from $10 to $30.
Classic Not Plastic 2018
10:00 am – 6:00 pm, May 26-27
Various locations, Long Beach
http://www.classicnotplastic.net/
A scooter/moped rally will take place in Long Beach this weekend. Consult with the website for the full schedule of events and rides.
Fiesta Hermosa 2018
10:00 am – 6:00 pm, May 26-28
Downtown Hermosa Beach
http://fiestahermosa.net/
Fiesta Hermosa returns to the streets of Downtown Hermosa Beach this weekend. Free to park and attend, this street fair will have food, drinks, music, arts & crafts, games, rides, vendors, and more. You cannot park AT the event – for those driving, you must park at the Northrop Grumman Building at Marine & Aviation in Redondo Beach, and a free shuttle will carry you to and from the fest and parking lot.
California Gold Rush Beer Festival 2018
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm, May 26
Santa Anita Park, Arcadia
http://www.santaanita.com/events/california-gold-rush/
Beer and horse-racing mix up at the Santa Anita Park this Saturday afternoon. For $35 admission, you get eight 3oz beer tasters, four 3oz sour ale tasters, and the souvenir cup to take home. No one under 21 may enter this event.
Santa Anita Carnival 2018
12:00 pm – 7:00 pm, May 26-28
Santa Anita Park, Arcadia
http://www.santaanita.com/events/santa-anita-carnival/
Santa Anita Park opens their gates to the public for this FREE weekend-long festival for people of all ages. Visitors will find food, drinks, treats, rides, games, and more.
Eat Drink Vegan – 9th Annual Los Angeles Vegan Beer & Food Festival
12:00 pm – 9:00 pm, May 26
Rose Bowl, Pasadena
http://eatdrinkvegan.com/
Taste the best of Southern California’s vegan foods and craft beers this Saturday afternoon at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. General admission costs $60 presale and starts at 2pm. Children’s admission costs $25. VIP admission costs $120 presale and starts at 12pm. All attendees will receive unlimited beer pours for the duration of the festival. All food comes at additional costs, so bring cash. Arrive early, and plan to pay for parking. The fest takes place outdoors, so prepare accordingly with sunscreen and clothes for hot weather.
3rd Annual Catalina Island Chili Cook-Off
1:00 pm – 6:00 pm, May 26
South Beach, Avalon, Catalina Island
http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/event/3rd-annual-catalina-island-chili-cook
A chili cooking competition takes place on Catalina Island this Saturday. Admission costs $20 but does not include food.
Blacklight Run – Anaheim
4:00 pm – 12:00 am, May 26
Angel Stadium, Anaheim
http://blacklightrun.com/
The fun run madness continues with this nightly run through Anaheim this Saturday night. This run takes place at night, and requires participants to wear all white while getting splattered with neon powder throughout the blacklight-filled course. By the end of the run, all participants will glow with many different colors and enjoy seeing a sea of glowing runners at the afterparty. Registration costs $50 and comes with an event t-shirt, a glow pack to throw at other runners AFTER you have crossed the finish line, and a goodie bag full of items from the event sponsors.
Newport Beach Beerfest
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm, May 26
Newport Dunes Waterfront, Newport Beach
http://www.newportbeachbeerfest.com/
If you want to get drunk in Newport Beach this Saturday night, do it here at this beer tasting event. General admission costs $35 and starts at 7pm, while VIP admission costs $50, starts at 6pm, and includes access to a VIP area with exclusive beers. No one under 21 may attend.
2018 Vista Village Strawberry Festival
7:00 am – 7:00 pm, May 27
Historic Downtown Vista
http://vistastrawberryfest.com/
http://www.facebook.com/VistaStrawberryFestival
At this free festival, guests of all-ages can experience a plethora of activities all day in Vista, formerly the Strawberry Capital of the World. The day starts with a 5K run, and when the run ends, the main festival begins. The multitude of activities include a beer garden, pie-eating contests, cooking contest, golf/putting contest, homebrew contest, video contest, strawberry costume contest, demos, live entertainment, car show, rides, games, food, and so much more. Visit the website for a full schedule and list of activities, plus directions on where to park.
22nd Annual Redlands Firefighters Car Show
8:00 am – 6:00 pm, May 27
State Street, Downtown Redlands
http://www.redlandsfirefighterscarshow.com/
Check out a free and all-ages car show on the streets of Downtown Redlands this Sunday.
7th Annual LA Zine Fest
10:00 am – 6:00 pm, May 27
Pasadena Convention Center, Pasadena
http://lazinefest.com/
This free and all-ages expo will feature hundreds of local and/or independent authors and publishers sharing their magazines, comics, and other DIY material. Workshops and speakers will engage attendees with more material.
Patchwork Indie Arts & Crafts Festival
11:00 am – 5:00 pm, May 27
2nd & Sycamore, Santa Ana
http://dearhandmadelife.com/patchwork-show/upcoming-shows/
This semi-annual arts & crafts fair consists of a series of Sunday fests at different locations. As with any typical arts & crafts fair, Patchwork will feature many traditional forms of art and merchandise, but also mixes in alternative art – thinking outside the box, or Rebel Art. Featuring clothing, accessories, home goods, jewelry, pet items, and more, this FREE fest caters to a wide & diverse crowd. Food trucks will serve guests during the fest. Always remember to carry cash, since most vendors only accept cash. Guests should park in the neighborhood south of the festival.
5th Annual MAINopoly: Taste of Main Street
1:00 pm – 6:00 pm, May 27
Main Street & Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica
http://mainopolysm.com/
Sample the flavors of Santa Monica’s Main Street during this Monopoly-themed tasting event this Sunday afternoon. Admission varies in price depending on how much you plan to consume, starting at $25.
D.O.A. & M.D.C. @ The Karman Bar
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, May 27
The Karman Bar, Laguna Niguel
http://www.facebook.com/events/583666791993499/
Release some inner aggression at this hardcore punk show this Sunday night in Laguna Niguel. The cover for this show costs $15. No one under 21 may enter.
20th Annual City of Laguna Hills Memorial Day Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and Kids Run
5:30 am – 11:30 am, May 28
Laguna Hills Mall, Laguna Hills
http://www.lagunahillshalfmarathon.com/
Celebrate this Memorial Day with a run down in sunny Orange County. Register for any of various distances, and head to the starting line by 7am for the race start. Registration fees vary based on the distance, with the half marathon costing $75.