Another fresh weekend of events is here across Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books returns to USC, the Acura Grand Prix races into Long Beach, Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour takes over The Shrine in Exposition Park, and a neighborhood celebration brings together Leimert Park. There is something for everyone this weekend, and Metro can get you there without burning gas or dealing with the parking headache. Here’s what’s happening.
All Weekend
LA Times Festival of Books brings Lionel Richie, Sarah Jessica Parker and Larry David to USC
The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books returns to the University of Southern California in Exposition Park this weekend with a star-studded lineup of special guests. Lionel Richie, Sarah Jessica Parker and Larry David are among the headliners, with free general admission panels and ticketed events running across both days. VIP passes are also available.
When: Saturday and Sunday, Where: University of Southern California Campus, Expo Park, Tickets: Free for select panels, starting at $11 for ticketed events
Go Metro: Take the E Line to Expo Park/USC or Expo/Vermont Stations and walk to USC
The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach transforms downtown Long Beach into a three-day racing festival featuring IndyCar, top sports cars, Formula Drift and SUPER trucks on a thrilling street course. Off the track, the event delivers a Lifestyle Expo, Family Fun Zone, food trucks, concerts and a car show featuring Ferraris, Porsches, Lotus and more.
When: Friday through Sunday, Where: Long Beach Convention Center, downtown Long Beach, Tickets: Starting at $56
Go Metro: Take the A Line to Downtown Long Beach Station or First Street Station — the Grand Prix activity is impossible to miss from either stop.
Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour lands at The Shrine in Exposition Park this weekend with exhibitions, entertainment and interactive elements for fans of all ages. Saturday features a screening of Dragon Ball Super: Broly, while Dragon Ball battles run throughout both days of the free event.
When: Saturday and Sunday, Where: The Shrine, Expo Park, Admission: Free
Go Metro: Take the E Line to Expo Park/USC Station and walk about 10 minutes to The Shrine.
L.A. Zoo Bloom opens for the season with colorful photo ops and new safari maze in Griffith Park
L.A. Zoo Bloom kicks off its season-long run this weekend at the L.A. Zoo in Griffith Park. The event features colorful photo opportunities, strolling characters, and the brand-new conservation-themed Mission Safari maze for visitors of all ages.
When: Now through May 25, Where: L.A. Zoo, Griffith Park, Tickets: $22 for children, $27 for adults
Go Metro: Take Bus Line 296 to the L.A. Zoo stop in Griffith Park.
Friday, April 17
Metro Art Poster Signing: Hawaiian Gardens Through the Eyes of Artist Felix Quintana
Collect your FREE signed artwork poster celebrating LA neighborhood, Hawaiian Gardens, at City of Hawaiian Gardens Anniversary Carnival Youth Night at Furgeson Elementary School for a special signing pop-up featuring Metro Art-commissioned artist Felix Quintana. In the spirit of classic travel destination posters, Metro Art commissions artists to capture the unique magic of these wonderfully diverse places.
When: 6-8 p.m., Where: Furgeson Elementary School on 2215 Elaine Ave, Hawaiian Gardens, Admission: Free
Go Metro: Take Bus Line 62 to Carson/Juan to Hawaiian Garden and walk about 10 minutes to the school
Saturday, April 18
Metro Bike Share Adventure: Koreatown Park-to-Park Ride explores neighborhood parks this Saturday
Metro Bike Share hosts a free community ride through Koreatown, connecting Seoul International Park, Normandie Recreation Center and Harold A. Henry Park on an approximately five-mile route through city streets with mild hills. Riders meet at Seoul International Park for a brief intro to the Metro Bike Share system and road safety before hitting the road. Helmets are provided for Metro Bike Share riders and personal bikes are welcome — helmets required either way. Free Metro and Walk ‘n Rollers swag is included for all participants.
Metro Bike Share bikes are available to riders 16 and older. The first 15 registered riders receive a free bike and helmet — personal bikes are welcome if Metro Bike Share bikes are sold out.
When: 10 a.m., Where: Seoul International Park, 3250 San Marino St., Koreatown, Admission: Free
Go Metro: Take the D Line to Wilshire/Normandie Station and walk about 15 minutes to Seoul International Park.
Little Delicious Tokyo celebrates food, culture and community at Little Tokyo/Arts District Station
Little Delicious Tokyo returns Saturday to the Little Tokyo/Arts District Station for a celebration of the neighborhood’s rich food history and cultural heritage. This year’s event honors the Little Tokyo Historical Society as it marks 20 years of preserving and sharing the legacy of one of Los Angeles’ most iconic neighborhoods.
When: 1 p.m., Where: Little Tokyo/Arts District Station, Little Tokyo, Tickets: $45
Go Metro: Take the A or E Line to Little Tokyo/Arts District Station — the event is right at the station.
Leimert Park Community Brunch serves up free food and family fun this Saturday
The Leimert Park Community Brunch brings the neighborhood together Saturday morning for free breakfast, wellness activities, a kids corner and a reptile petting zoo. It’s a free, family-friendly morning out in one of Los Angeles’ most vibrant cultural neighborhoods.
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Where: Garthwaite Avenue and Stocker Street, Leimert Park Admission: Free
Go Metro: Take the K Line to Leimert Park Station and walk about 12 minutes to the event.
DTLB Live brings free live music, local vendors and family fun to downtown Long Beach
DTLB Live returns to the Promenade for its free monthly event series on the third Saturday of the month, featuring live music, local craft vendors and family-friendly activities. This edition is an EZ Sip event, with bars and restaurants lining the Promenade selling drinks that attendees can enjoy throughout the event area.
When: 4-8 p.m., Where: The Promenade, Broadway and Third Street, downtown Long Beach, Admission: Free
Go Metro: Take the A Line to Downtown Long Beach Station and walk to the Promenade on Broadway and Third Street.
Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Easy Mornings offers free family fun in downtown Los Angeles
Gloria Molina Grand Park kicks off Saturday morning with Easy Mornings, a free family-friendly event featuring puppetry, storytelling, family yoga, arts and crafts and live DJ entertainment. The relaxed outdoor gathering is designed for curious little minds and focuses on deepening connections with self, community and the park.
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Where: Gloria Molina Grand Park, downtown Los Angeles, Admission: Free
Go Metro: Take the B or D Line to Civic Center/Grand Park Station or the A or E Line to Bunker Hill/Grand Avenue Arts Station and walk to the park.
Sunday, April 19
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County celebrates Earth Day with a full day of family-friendly activities in Exposition Park. Live performances, screenings of Green Screen: Our Planet on Film, hands-on workshops and local exhibitors explore ecosystems of the past alongside today’s environmental challenges for visitors of all ages.
When: 9:30 a.m., Where: Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Exposition Park, Tickets: $7 for children, $18 for adults
Go Metro: Take the E Line to Expo Park/USC Station and walk a short distance to the Natural History Museum.
LAFC host San Jose Quakes at BMO Stadium
When: 4 p.m., Where: BMO Stadium, Expo Park, Tickets: lafc.com
Go Metro: Take E Line to Expo Park/USC Station or J Line to 37th St/USC Station and walk about 10 minutes to BMO Stadium.
Go Metro Forecast
A cold low-pressure system spinning through the Great Basin is sending gusty winds our way to close out the week, but don’t let that spoil your weekend plans, plenty of warm and sunny weather is on the way.
Friday is the day to watch. A Santa Ana wind event is expected to peak mid-morning through mid-afternoon, with gusty northeast winds targeting the usual hot spots across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Wind advisories are expected. On the bright side, those offshore winds will push temperatures into the upper 70s to mid-80s across coastal and valley areas, so it will feel more like summer than spring.
Winds ease significantly heading into Saturday, and that’s when the best weather of the week arrives. Skies turn sunny and temperatures climb into the upper 80s in the warmest valleys, with mid-80s across most inland areas. A lovely spring weekend overall.
Sunday brings a slight cool-down as onshore flow returns ahead of another system moving down from the Pacific Northwest, but valley highs should still reach the 80s, with downtown Los Angeles and other inland coastal spots sitting in the mid- to upper 70s.
Go Metro This Weekend
To plan a transit trip, you can use Google Maps, Apple Maps, the Transit or Moovit apps or the trip planner on metro.net.
Know of a great Metro-accessible event happening in L.A.? We want to hear about it! Send us your suggestions for future weekend roundups at bryantke@metro.net or tag us on social media @metrolosangeles.
To keep up with real-time updates on our buses, rails and elevators just head to alerts.metro.net
Check back next week for another weekend roundup!
Follow us for more things to do: Instagram @metrolosangeles
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