



Memorial Day is fast approaching, which means that summer is just around the corner.
The holiday meant to commemorate the military personnel who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty often kicks off with parades and services across Southern California. If you’re looking for more ways to celebrate the holiday weekend, there will be additional events that are family-friendly, outdoors and stacked with live entertainment.
From a strawberry festival and Afrobeat party to beach activities and more, here are ways to celebrate Memorial Day weekend.
LA County Fair
The fair will be open through Monday before saying goodbye until next year. It has been a staple in L.A. for over 100 years. It began as an agricultural event and has maintained its family-friendly appeal while still holding traditional beauty and livestock contests alongside modern touches such as wine tastings, exhibitions, carnival rides and deep-fried foods. The fair also hosts live music and will feature separate ticketed performances by Cheap Trick today and Chris Janson on Saturday and Sunday.
Where: Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona
When: 11 a.m.- 11 p.m. daily through Monday
Admission: $18.50-$27.50 general, $15.50 for kids 6-12 and adults over 65 at the box office or via lacountyfair.com
Afrobeats Day Party
If your Memorial Day weekend calls for dancing, good vibes and global sounds, the Afrobeats Day Party in Beverly Hills might be your place to be. Held at the Sofitel Hotel, this outdoor event promises a mix of Afrobeat, dancehall, reggae, Amapiano and more, curated by Blaq Pages and friends. The crowd is 21 or older, and early arrival is recommended to beat the lines and get a spot. VIP table reservations are available for those wanting bottle service.
Where: Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, 8555 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles
When: 3 p.m. Sunday
Admission: Prices vary; tickets and table reservations available at Eventbrite.com.
Topanga Canyon Country Fair
This annual Memorial Day fair in picturesque surroundings has become a favorite among locals, and this year it will honor local firefighters. Residents of all ages are invited to celebrate with live music, vegan food and healing arts programming, all in the name of Mother Earth. The fair, which has a Woodstocklike feel, also hosts kid-friendly fun including three-legged races, water balloon basketball, tug-of-war, a DIY parade and more. Performers include psychedelic surf rockers Allah-Las, The English Beat and Chevy Metal. Parking can get tight, but there is a free shuttle along Topanga Canyon Boulevard.
Where: Topanga Community Club, 1440 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Los Angeles
When: 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. Saturday through Monday
Admission: Single-day tickets are $64, a two-day pass is $127, three-day pass is $148, fun zone is $21-$48 at topangadays.com.
Garden Grove Strawberry Festival
The fest celebrates the region’s rich agricultural history with strawberries at its center. Every year, it features live music, carnival rides, a 5K run, costume contests and strawberry-themed treats, including a giant strawberry cake-cutting ceremony.
Where: Village Green Park, 12732 Main St., Garden Grove
When: 1-10 p.m. today, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday
Admission: Free
‘Jack Kirby: Heroes and Humanity’
If an indoor activity sounds good to you, this exhibit invites you explore the life and legacy of one of comic book history’s most influential figures. The Skirball honors the co-creator behind figures like Captain America, the X-Men and Black Panther. Through original artwork, rare prints and personal memorabilia, the show highlights Kirby’s experience as a Jewish American, a World War II veteran and an artist whose stories were unapologetically political from the start. The exhibition is small but packs a powerful look at how heroism on the page was often rooted in real-life struggle.
Where: Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles
When: Noon-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays,10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays
Admission: Included with museum entry starting at $18; more info at skirball.org.
Tunes at the Dunes
Family-friendly fun returns to the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina with a beachfront gathering including live music, food trucks, a full bar, beach activities, an inflatable water park and more. Performers this weekend include David Rosales, Showbiz Guys and Cali Conscious. While the shows begin at 5 p.m., attendees are invited to come early and bring their floats and beach chairs to enjoy activities and food starting at 2 p.m. Parking can get pretty crowded on a holiday weekend, so early arrival is highly recommended.
Public restrooms and an outdoor shower are available.
Where: 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach
When: 5-8 p.m. daily through Sunday
Admission: Free
Habitat Restoration Day at the Los Angeles River
If you’re looking to give back over the holiday weekend, consider spending a morning at the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve. Organized by Friends of the L.A. River, this hands-on event invites volunteers to help remove invasive plants — an effort that not only improves the local ecosystem but reduces fire risk. Along the way, participants can learn more about L.A.’s watershed and the environmental challenges unique to the region.
Where: 6100 Woodley Ave., Los Angeles
When: Volunteer shifts at 8 and 10 a.m. Saturday
Admission: Free with registration at support.folar.org
Concert in the Dome
You can take in an afternoon performance by jazz musicians in the dome of the Mount Wilson Observatory, 5,710 feet up in the San Gabriel Mountains above Pasadena. The show will include Peter Erskine, voted Best Jazz Drummer of the Year 10 times by the readers of Modern Drummer magazine; Bob Sheppard, a saxophonist and professor of jazz studies at USC; and Darek Oles, a bassist and Poland native who has performed with Pat Metheny, Bennie Maupin, Alan Pasqua and others. Guests will need to be able to climb 53 steps to reach the dome, and children under 12 aren’t permitted.
Where: 100 Mount Wilson Circle Road, Mount Wilson
When: 3 and 5 p.m. Sunday
Admission: $60 at mtwilson.edu
Fiesta Hermosa
Hermosa Beach’s signature Memorial Day weekend tradition is back with artist booths, food vendors and live music stretching through the heart of town. Fiesta Hermosa is a casual, coastal blend of small-town charm and beachside bustle. You can wander the stalls along Hermosa and Pier avenues, pop into the Garden (a 21-or-older area with drinks and a $5 cover) or hit the beachside stage for live music. There’s also a family-friendly carnival happening a bit inland at Pier and Monterey, running into the evening Saturday and Sunday.
Where: Hermosa and Pier avenues, Hermosa Beach
When: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday. Carnival hours vary.
Admission: Free. Food, drinks, games and access to the Garden cost extra. More information at fiestahermosa.net.