Discover regional events in Southern California – plus local festivals, creative cultural gatherings, and exhibitions.

In March, see gritty images of 1970s New York graffiti, and explore the nuances of light and shadow. Madonna performs in Palm Springs, while iconic vintage rides star at Luna Luna. April brings music from Yo Yo Ma, the LA Times’ Festival of Books, and fascinating blue rag paper art. In May enjoy the ongoing laughter at the WeHo Comedy Store, entertainment at the Joshua Tree Music Festival, and WeHo Pride from May 22.

 

Things to do in Southern California: Worth the Detour

 

Graffiti Archive: 1972/3
March  1-April 13, 2024, Los Angeles

An exhibition of over 200 photographs by Gordon Matta-Clark, capturing the graffiti of the early 70s in New York. Plus vintage artworks from artists whose work appears in Matta-Clark’s images, including two dozen large-scale paintings and drawings.

Palm Springs Art Festival 
March 9-10, 2024, Palm Springs

40th Annual: Celebrating Palm Springs’  dynamic arts scene, local and regional artists exhibit their original artwork. Enjoy fine art and fine crafts in clay, glass, jewelry, paintings, photography, sculpture, wood, and more.

Madonna: The Celebration Tour 
March 13, 2024, Greater Palm Springs

Highlighting music from the past 40+ years, join Madonna’s artistic journey through the decades, with respect to the city of New York where her career in music began.

Superman in Concert
March 15, 2024, West Hollywood

Live-to-picture, Hollywood Bowl conductor Thomas Wilkins leads LA Phil in John Williams’ Superman score as the iconic film screens, starring Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, and Marlon Brando.

Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy
March 16, 2024, Los Angeles

View vintage rides and relics from the world’s first art amusement park — lost since 1987 and crafted by some of the the world’s best-known contemporary artists. Includes Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Ferris Wheel, Keith Haring’s Carousel and immersive pavilions by David Hockney and Salvador Dali.

The Irish Film Festival
March 16-17, 2024, Los Angeles

An immersive journey into Ireland’s fabled storytelling tradition, featuring an impressive lineup of eight feature films including work by emerging artists as well as critically acclaimed films.

Illuminating Shadows
March 16-April 12, 2024, Los Angeles

Exploration of light and shadow in contemporary forms, featuring the works of TIME Magazine’s trailblazing photographer Ben Martin, Victoria Kovalenchikova, and Ruxandra Cristina Bocin-Dumitriu.

Los Angeles Marathon
March 17, 2024, Los Angeles

39th Annual: Presented by ASICS, the marathon course starts at Dodger Stadium and finishes on the Avenue of the Stars in Century City. As well as meeting personal goals, runners are supporting The McCourt Foundation’s mission to find cures for neurological disease.

Yo Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott
April 3, 2024, West Hollywood

Renowned cellist Yo Yo Ma explores music-making described as “as a way not only to share and express meaning, but also as a model for the cultural collaboration he considers essential to a strong society.” With pianist Kathryn Stott.

Festival of Books
April 20-21, 2024, Los Angeles

Bibliophiles’ indulgence  at USC, University of California, curated by the LA Times. Features 250+ exhibitors with bookstalls, readings  and speakers. Book it in!

Drawing on Blue
April 28, 2024, West Hollywood

Artworks on blue paper made from rags – this fascinating exhibition explores the properties of the paper and its use by European artists in the 15th-18th centuries.

Headliners of the OR Late Night: Netflix is a Joke Festival – Mystery Lineup
May 5, 2024, West Hollywood

Mystery guests entertain in inimitable style in the Original Room where the Comedy Store began on April 7, 1972,

Joshua Tree Music Festival
May 16 -19, 2024, Greater Palm Springs

Staged twice a year, music lovers gather for this intimate outdoor festival. First up in May, Fantastic Negrito, Moon Hooch, Telmary and Habasana, Madison McFerrin, Q Varo, and many more.

WeHo Pride Weekend
May 22 -June 30, 2024, West Hollywood

One of the largest and dynamic Pride celebrations in the world, kicking off on May 22 .

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Full Calendars of Events

• Death Valley National Park
• Joshua Tree National Park
• Los Angeles
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• Palm Springs
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• West Hollywood
  • (Pair your West Hollywood travel with West Hollywood itineraries from Slow Down See More)