Fun things to do in Southern California

A curated list of the best upcoming events in Southern California.

“Adam Parker Smith”

FREE! Through July 7 Adam Parker Smith creates whimsical, lighthearted sculptures and wall pieces that lean toward the surreal. Visitors to this exhibit can see one of Smith’s works on the museum’s front lawn: Called simply David, it’s a reimagining of the famed Bernini piece, made of the same materials (white Carrara marble on a stone pedestal) but compressed into a cubic meter—a playful, apartment-ready version of the original. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, San Luis Obispo. 

“John Waters: Pope of Trash”

Through August 4 Filmmaker/actor/provocateur John Waters’ gonzo films were screened strictly for the fringe until Hairspray made him a household name in 1988. That film would go on to become a Broadway hit, earning more than half a dozen Tony Awards 20 years ago. Since then, Waters has been broadly embraced as America’s weird uncle. The Academy Museum is presenting a complete retrospective of his career, including props, scripts, and behind-the-scenes photographs. Adults, $25. Academy Museum, Los Angeles. 

“Ed Ruscha/Now Then”

Through October 6 Ed Ruscha has been creating art in Los Angeles for more than 60 years. Initially a student of commercial art, his photographs and paintings are shown in some of the world’s most respected art institutions. More than 500 of his works are in LACMA’s permanent collection, and this exhibit will display several of them, including Chocolate Room. While this may sound like a clever name, the idea is simple: The walls are covered in screen-printed chocolate. Adult admission starts at $20; free for L.A. County residents 17 and under; free for county residents Monday through Friday after 3 p.m. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles.

“Louis Prima: Rediscovering a Musical Icon”

FREE! Through October 13 Whether it was as one half of a Las Vegas performing duo with his wife, Keely Smith, or as King Louie in the 1967 film The Jungle Book, trumpeter, singer, bandleader, and voice actor Louis Prima always knew how to deliver the perfect punch line. The self-proclaimed “wild man” had numerous radio hits including “Sing, Sing, Sing” and “Jump, Jive an’ Wail.” This retrospective on Prima’s career emphasizes his New Orleans roots and features a collection of personal items and one-of-a-kind memorabilia. Italian American Museum, Los Angeles.

Southern California Spring Garden Show

FREE! April 25–28 Nurseries, horticultural societies, and other vendors offer rare and collectible plants for sale at this botanical bonanza. Other highlights include a 25-foot-tall floral centerpiece, stylish and sustainable home and garden vignettes, a horticulturalist-led tour of South Coast Plaza’s collection of specimen palm trees, and the Fleurs de Villes floral mannequin installation (debuts April 24). Crate & Barrel/Macy’s Home Store wings at South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa. 

Morro Bay Kite Festival

FREE! April 26–28 Enormous, extravagant kites fill the sky during this annual event in Morro Bay, home to some of the world’s best kite-flying wind (according to the pros). The weekend kicks off with LED-lit kite-flying sessions on Friday evening, followed by kite giveaways and candy drops (where kites are loaded with candy, which then drops to the ground for kids to collect) at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday. A full day of kite-flying closes out the festival on Sunday. Morro Rock Beach, Morro Bay. 

The Santa Barbara Youth Symphony

FREE! May 5 With 2.5-hour rehearsals every Sunday throughout the school year, Santa Barbara Youth Symphony musicians undergo a thorough immersion in the repertoire and expectations of some of the most complex music performed in the world’s most respected halls. This concert will feature works by Bériot and Mendelssohn. Lobero Theatre, Santa Barbara.

Gator by the Bay: Zydeco, Blues & Crawfish Festival

May 9–12 This 4-day family-friendly Mardi Gras–type party features the bayou’s best, from andouille sausage and more than 10,000 pounds of crawfish to 7 stages where musicians play zydeco, blues, Cajun, swing, salsa, rockabilly, and New Orleans jazz. Laissez le bon temps rouler! Adult tickets start at $50; children under 17 are free. Spanish Landing Park, San Diego.

Swan Lake

May 16–19 This production of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, under the choreography of Nadezhda Kalinina, presents the timeless romantic tale for a family-friendly audience with a full-scale production that includes more than 150 hand-sewn costumes. Tickets start at $40. May 16 at California Center for the Arts, Escondido; May 17 and 18 at Civic Theater, San Diego; May 19 at Terrace Theater, Long Beach.

Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival

May 17–19 This 3-day affair combines hot air ballooning with wine and beer tasting and live music. Balloons take flight at 6 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday and the last notes (from the likes of Stone Temple Pilots, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and George Thorogood and the Destroyers) ring out around 10 p.m. each night. You’ll also find 200 vendors, a food court, and evening balloon glows. Online presale tickets are $60 for Friday and $85 for Saturday; online parking passes start at $35; balloon rides, $350 (includes admission). Lake Skinner Recreation Area, Temecula.

“Hollywoodland: Jewish Founders and the Making of a Movie Capital”

Opens May 19 There’s a long tradition of European Jewish expats finding a home in Hollywood. Production innovators Carl Laemmle (co-founder of Universal Pictures) and Louis B. Mayer (the second M in MGM) were among those early titans whose names still carry weight more than 100 years later. This exhibit celebrates their art and highlights the immigrant stories driving U.S. film history. Adults, $25. Closed Tuesdays. Academy Museum, Los Angeles.

Valley Center Western Days

FREE! May 31–June 1 The small town of Valley Center in northern San Diego County was known as Bear Valley in the 1860s, thanks mostly to a grizzly bear that tormented residents for a while. Since 1950, the town celebrates its Western roots with a festival, including a chili cook-off, pie-eating contest, beer garden, car show, parade, and live music. This year introduces a tamale festival and farmers market. 28305 Lilac Road, Valley Center.

SoCal Wienerfest

FREE! June 1 While dachshunds may not have a greyhound’s aerodynamics, you’ll be surprised by how fast they can run. This annual festival gives these pups a chance to show off their agility and sniff some familiar-looking friends while their humans mingle. With races, contests, vendors, raffle prizes, photo ops, and merchandise, the event also promotes rescue organizations and adoptions of local pups. Huntington Dog Beach, Huntington Beach.

Ojai Music Festival

June 6–9 The 78th festival, helmed this year by accomplished pianist Mitsuko Uchida, promises the hits (think Haydn and Mozart) as well as works by some of our best living composers (Esa-Pekka Salonen and John Zorn) in an idyllic setting with an engaged audience. Tickets start at $25; some events, talks, and screenings are free. Libbey Bowl, Ojai.

San Clemente Car Show

FREE! June 8 Less than half a mile from the San Clemente Pier, this 28th annual car show sets up row after row of muscle, hot rod, and vintage cars, with a particular nod to beachy Volkswagen vans and indestructible woodies. More than 15,000 people are expected to attend, enjoying food, music, family activities, and a plethora of beautiful automobiles. Parking is limited but you can catch a free ride on the San Clemente trolley. Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente.

San Diego County Fair

June 12–July 7 This annual event has been running continually at the Del Mar Fairgrounds since 1936—prior to that, it was held in National City in1880 and moved from place to place until settling at Del Mar. With rides and carnival games, all kinds of food, live music and other entertainment, competitions, and vendors, there’s no shortage of things to do at this nostalgic family-friendly affair, whose theme this year is “Let’s Go Retro.” Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Adult admission starts at $16. Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar.

Hollywood Carnival Parade of the Bands

FREE! June 22 Anyone who has witnessed this musical procession knows that it’s a loud and raucous party. Flatbed trucks are loaded with dancers, percussionists, and enough speakers to rattle windows several blocks away. As the groups parade down Hollywood Boulevard, the party moves with them for blocks and blocks. Grab a spot on the curb and prepare for a wild time. Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood.

Pageant of the Masters

July 6–August 30 More often than not, the fashion in Laguna Beach is louder than the waves on the town’s 7 miles of beach. One can only imagine the plumage on display when the Pageant of the Masters tackles the theme of fashion in art at its annual tradition of “living paintings.” Featuring scenes from royal court attire to more contemporary pieces by designer Edith Head and painter David Hockney, the show will be more than enough reason to look sharp. Tickets start at $40 (children under age 4 not admitted). Pageant of the Masters, Laguna Beach. 

California Mid-State Fair

July 17–28 For many people, the Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego county fairs are just too big. In Paso Robles, you’ll find all the hallmarks of a solid county fair—all kinds of food and refreshments,  watermelon-eating contests, and tractor parades—without the overwhelming crowds. It’s the “biggest little fair anywhere,” and if the race for toddlers and the barn dance are a little too low-key, more than 3 dozen midway rides will give you something to scream about. Adults, $15. Paso Robles Event Center, Paso Robles.

Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo

July 20–21 Entertainer Bill Pickett, who died in 1932, was one of the most prominent Black horse wranglers of all time. Now celebrating its 40th year, this rodeo honors his legacy with a focus on Black cowboys and cowgirls, wowing with bareback riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing, and bull riding, and carries the torch for an underappreciated subculture of American history. Adults, $40 in advance and $45 at the gate; arena seats are $75. Industry Hills Expo Center, City of Industry.

Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival

FREE! July 27 Dragon boat history stretches back more than 2,000 years. It’s said that villagers in China celebrated the fifth day of the Chinese calendar’s fifth lunar month by paddling canoe-like vessels carved with dragons—an important creature in Chinese mythology—in the hopes that they would be granted a good harvest. Today, Long Beach hosts one of the state’s largest dragon boat competitions. Dozens of teams compete, each with approximately 18 paddlers per boat, plus a drummer whose rhythmic pulse drives the rowers’ motions. Marine Stadium, Long Beach.

A Taste of Camarillo

July 28 Nestled between central California’s vineyards and sprawling Los Angeles, Camarillo is a charming town with a rich agricultural history. More than 30 of the area’s finest restaurants will be on hand at this 37th annual festival, and more than 100 wineries and about a dozen breweries will help participants cool down in the summer heat. Live music, shopping, and dance lessons round out the event. Tickets, $135. Camarillo Ranch, Camarillo.

FREE! indicates free admission to the event, but additional fees may be required. Be sure to designate a driver if you plan to drink alcohol.