Getty Central Garden. Photo by Brian Champlin

On your mark… get set… let’s go! Though the L.A. Marathon will dominate the city this Sunday (keep advised for street closures), there’s plenty of other reasons to run around the city this weekend.

In view this March 6-8 in Los Angeles you’ll find First Fridays at NHM, the Marina del Rey Dragon Boat Festival, the International Women’s Day Dance Festival, Sounds of LA at The Getty, Bark & Brews, the Festival of the Kite in Redondo Beach, a Mythical Creatures celebration at UPAM, and more.

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Things To Do This Weekend

M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick

NHM First Fridays: Life at the City Scale – M > Celebrate 20 years of First Fridays at the Natural History Museum with a night dedicated to urban ecosystems. The evening features a headlining performance by THAO at 9 p.m. and an opening set by Al Menne in the North American Mammal Hall, while Artform’s Collective of Vinyl Selectors spins in the African Mammal Hall. A signature discussion at 6:30 p.m. explores how cities function as complex habitats, featuring experts from NHM and UCLA. Tickets are $30 for the public ($20 for members), with a $75 Silver Package available that includes reserved seating and parking. Runs 6 to 10 p.m. More info here.

First Fridays: MONUMENTS at MOCA Geffen – M FA > Experience the large-scale exhibition MONUMENTS with free admission at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA during their monthly First Friday event. Expect extended evening hours and free Talking Tours at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 6 p.m. to provide deeper context on the works. Then From 6 to 8 p.m., enjoy a live set on the plaza by multi-disciplinary music curator and artist Ashley Younniä. While tickets are free, capacity is strictly limited and advance reservations are highly recommended to guarantee entry. More info here.

First Fridays in Chinatown – M FA > Every first Friday of the month, L.A.’s Chinatown stays open late for an evening of exploring the unique small businesses and contemporary art and culture spaces that make up the historic neighborhood. West Plaza and Chungking Road activate with local pop-up vendors, DJ-spun music, and extended hours at neighborhood art galleries from 6 to 10 p.m. There is also a concurrent Damnoen Saduak Night Market which pops up on weekends at Chinatown Central Plaza from 5 to 11 p.m. Plenty to do and see (and taste!), and all open to the public. Make sure you follow the Chinatown First Fridays Instagram page for more info.

Gorillaz House of Kong Exhibition – > Following its acclaimed London debut, Gorillaz have brought House of Kong to Downtown L.A. for a limited four-week immersive run at Rolling Greens DTLA. The exhibition invites fans inside the band’s animated universe, tracing the misadventures, music, and virtual innovation of Murdoc, 2D, Russel, and Noodle. You can also shop merch from the band’s discography and one-of-a-kind collectibles at a gift shop that serves as the gateway into the larger House of Kong experience. House of Kong will run through March 19. Tickets start at $39.50. More info here.

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What A Wonderful World: An Audiovisual Poem – FA > The Julia Stoschek Foundation has taken over all six floors of the Variety Arts Theater with What A Wonderful World: An Audiovisual Poem, marking the first U.S. presentation of the renowned collection. The immersive exhibition blurs the boundaries between art and cinema, pairing major video works by artists like Marina Abramović, Doug Aitken, Paul McCarthy, and Wolfgang Tillmans with silent and classic films by pioneers including Alice Guy-Blaché, Georges Méliès, Luis Buñuel, and Walt Disney, turning viewers into active participants in a sensory journey. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to midnight, it’s free to attend—with complimentary popcorn. Runs through March 20. More info here.

The Weird Guy & His Friends -> Leap into the avant-garde at the Philosophical Research Society this Friday with a curated night of experimental shorts, headlined by the premiere of Sandy Honig’s silent film The Weird Guy. The eclectic lineup features a mix of live-action, stop-motion, and hand-painted animation from filmmakers like Maegan Houang and Wes Andre Goodrich. From a Vietnamese-American hoarder facing a black hole in In Full Bloom to the psychedelic landscapes of Terror Fervor, the evening promises the “weird and wonderful.” A Q&A with the creators follows the screening. Tickets are $14.64. Starts at 7:30 p.m. More info here.

Noche de Estrellas at AoP -> Dance among the sea stars at the Aquarium of the Pacific for Noche de Estrellas this Friday, an after-hours festival celebrating Latin culture. The night features live music from Sonsoles and the Mariachi Divas, alongside DJ Quinto Sol and Danza Azteca Cultural Ketzaliztli performances. Explore all galleries—including the Shark Lagoon where you can touch sharks—until 11 p.m. General admission is $24.95 (free for members and kids under three), with food and drinks like rock en español-themed cocktails available for purchase. Runs 7 to 11 p.m. More info here.

10th Annual International Women’s Day Dance Festival -> This Friday to Sunday, celebrate a decade of artistry with MashUp Contemporary Dance Company during their three-day citywide festival. The weekend kicks off this Friday at the West Hollywood Library with an International Dance Film Festival hosted by Linda Recessionista, featuring six selected global films and an awards ceremony for local honorees Boróka Nagy and Vanessa Hernández Cruz. Following the screening, the celebration moves to Zinqué for a 9 p.m. kick-off party. The festivities continue through the weekend with live performances at Stomping Ground LA and a full day of classes at The Pickle Factory. Get festival passes and more info here.

Marina del Rey Dragon Boat Festival – FA > The Marina del Rey Dragon Boat Festival returns on Saturday with a full day of racing and festivities at the harbor. Watch over 40 teams compete in thrilling dragon boat races, enjoy live music, explore arts and crafts, and grab a bite from food trucks. The event also features a welcome ceremony and an awards ceremony at Burton Chace Park. Runs 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. More info here.

Mr. Wash Presents: Artists in Space – FA > Compton artist and criminal justice advocate Mr. Wash opens his studio doors this Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. to celebrate the release of Artists in Space. The afternoon brings a BBQ, studio tour, new works on view, and a conversation between Wash, Patrisse Cullors, and Evan Pricco, Co-Publisher and Founder of The Unibrow. Copies of the book will be available for purchase, with all proceeds supporting the Art By Wash Studio & Community Center. More info here.

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SoFi Stadium Wine Tasting -> SoFi Stadium trades game day for grape day with its “Sip & Stroll” on Saturday, a guided wine tasting and behind-the-scenes stadium tour presented by The Hilt Wines. Guests work through a curated flight from acclaimed wineries The Hilt and The Paring, paired with gourmet bites, while getting exclusive access to restricted areas of the stadium including NFL team interview rooms, private premium clubs, luxury suites, and The Hilt Wine Bar. Tickets are $149 per person. More info here.

Bark & Brews -> Barks & Brews is back at the LA Arboretum on Saturday, presented by Fera Pets. Meet adoptable pets from Pasadena Humane, savor bites and beer from The Mt. Lowe Brewing Company. Your dog is also invited to join the fun, an admission for your four legged friend cost $10, and humans need to purchase admission to the arboretum. Dog fees support Pasadena Humane and LA Arboretum Foundation. More info here. More info here.

Sounds of LA Concerts at The Getty -> This Saturday and Sunday, the Getty Center hosts back-to-back free concerts featuring Jimetta Rose & The Voices of Creation. The Los Angeles-based ensemble weaves gospel choir traditions with jazz, soul, and funk into performances built around harmony, joy, and shared expression. More info here.

Festival of the Kite in Redondo Beach – FA TP > The 51st Festival of the Kite returns is Sunday offering a colorful day of activations to the Redondo Beach Pier, including contests with category-specific kite flying prizes, DJ’d tunes, live music, and even a hot dog on a stick eating contest. Runs noon to 5 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.

Mythical Creatures Celebration at UPAM – M FA > This Sunday, immerse yourself in folklore at the USC Pacific Asia Museum for a day inspired by the Mythical Creatures: The Stories We Carry exhibition. This family-friendly celebration features a live lion performance, storytelling by the Pakistan Arts Council, and drop-in workshops where you can “Sculpt Your Own Composite Creature” or try “Creatures in Ink.” In collaboration with the Southern California Children’s Museum, the event offers a unique look at pan-Asian mythology through both ancient artifacts and contemporary art. Admission and parking are free all day. Starts at 11 a.m. More info here.

Julia Keefe Indigenous Jazz Ensemble -> Experience the “charismatic and purposeful” sounds of the BroadStage this Sunday as the Julia Keefe Indigenous Jazz Ensemble takes the stage. Led by the pioneering Nez Perce vocalist and composer Julia Keefe, this powerhouse group of Native musicians honors the deep, often overlooked roots of Indigenous artists in jazz history. The program blends the legacies of legends like Mildred Bailey and Jim Pepper with bold, modern compositions from contemporary Indigenous voices. The main event starts at 7:30 p.m., and you can arrive 45 minutes early for a free pre-show performance on The Plaza by the SMC Applied Music Program. More info here.

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Dining & Drinking

(picks by Christina Champlin)

gotts-roadside-los-angeles-soft-serve-windowThe soft serve window at Gott’s Roadside at the Farmers Market. Photo credit Wonho Photography.

Gott’s Roadside Opens at the Original Farmers Market (March 6) -> Napa Valley cult favorite Gott’s Roadside is planting its first Los Angeles flag at the Original Farmers Market at 3rd & Fairfax. Founded in 1999 by brothers Joel and Duncan Gott in St. Helena, the beloved roadside institution built its reputation on premium, locally sourced ingredients and an elevated take on American classics, and the LA menu delivers exactly that. Chef Jennifer Rebman’s menu spans imaginative burgers like the Green Chile and Kimchi varieties, fan-favorite Chicken Tenders, a comforting French Dip with house-braised beef and Gruyère, and seasonal standouts like the Lobster BLT. Seafood lovers can dig into Ahi Poke Crispy Tacos, Asado Fish Tacos, and an Ahi Burger with ginger wasabi mayo. Ingredients are sourced from California purveyors including Cream Co. Meats, Red Bird Farms, and Larder Baking Co. Exclusive to this location: a dedicated soft-serve window serving Strauss organic vanilla, chocolate, and swirl with old-fashioned toppings. Round it out with house-made lemonades, hand-spun organic shakes, and a California-centric wine list featuring Rombauer, Turley, Caymus, and Opus One. More info here.

Heiwa Brewery Set Meal at Tonchin (Through March 8) -> Tonchin teams up with LA-based Japanese craft brewery Heiwa for a week of curated menus, nightly specials, and free beer tastings. The $40 set meal is the move: a shishito starter, chicken karaage, and a pair of Kinko buns, paired with your choice of Heiwa beer: pale ale, white ale, or sansho. More info here.

Paradise Lost Takeover at Thunderbolt (March 8) -> New York’s Paradise Lost rolls into Silver Lake for one night only, taking over Thunderbolt in Westlake with signature Tiki drinks and unholy mayhem all powered by Planetary Rum. Sunday, 5 to 9 p.m. Walk-ins only. More info here.

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