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Best Things to Do in SoCal and LA This Week: April 20-26, 2026

Every week, Arts & Culture Producer Nic Cha Kim highlights a few events across the SoCal region. This week, celebrate Cinco de Mayo and the Festival of Nations, dive with Orcas, shop for ceramics, and boldly go where no art has gone before.

Dive deep with Orcas

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County presents Orcas: Our Shared Future, an immersive exploration of one of the ocean’s most intelligent and socially complex species. Through life-size models and installations, the exhibition connects orcas, people, and the oceans we share. Also view sculptures, masks, and prints by Indigenous artists of the Pacific Northwest Coast, weaving science and culture in a thoughtful and unforgettable underwater experience that encourages Angelenos to consider their role in protecting marine ecosystems.

Orcas: Our Shared Future, Large green block letters "ORCAS"
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 Exposition Blvd
Los Angeles , CA 90007
Sunday, April 26, 9:30 AM
$12

Passport not required

Celebrate the rich cultures and heritage of Southern California at the Festival of Nations and Parade in the city of La Palma. From cultural performances to carnival rides to interactive experiences, this free family-friendly event transforms the city into a joyful spotlight of traditions from around the world.

Festival Of Nations, infographic with event information and clip art of banners flowers and rollercoasters
Central Park
7821 Walker St
La Palma, CA 90623
Saturday, April 25, 11:30 AM

Sip and sculpt

Craft Contemporary presents CLAY LA, their signature ceramic marketplace and fundraiser. Returning for the 9th year, this annual gathering brings together a dynamic mix of emerging and established artists and offers a rare opportunity to meet local makers from across Los Angeles. Set in the museum’s outdoor courtyard, the evening pairs live music with a vibrant showcase of creativity and craftsmanship all while supporting the museum's mission and programs.

CLAY LA
Craft Contemporary
5814 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Friday, April 24, 6:01 PM
$20

Where art and tech collide

Step into the future at Flux Festival, a boundary-pushing program of talks, experimental screenings, sensory exhibits, and live performances celebrating the moving image and sound at the forefront of art and technology. Curated by Meg Grey Wells, Jonathan Wells, and Holly Willis, this two-day festival transforms BLUM Gallery into an immersive digital playground featuring artists and filmmakers experimenting at the cutting edge of media. The line-up includes Andrew Thomas Huang, Tina Tarighian, and Lauren Lee McCarthy. To learn more about artist Lauren Lee McCarthy, watch the Artbound short, Rethinking NFTs Through Art.

Flux Festival flyer
Blum Gallery
2727 S La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90034
Saturday, April 25, 2:00 PM
$30-125

¡Viva LA!

Celebrate culture and history at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes’s Cinco de Mayo Family Day by bringing the spirit of Mexico to the heart of Los Angeles. From live performances from Mariachi Lindas Mexicanas to tortilla press printmaking to planting your own chile poblano seeds, this free event encourages visitors to explore the rich history of Puebla and honor the legacy of the Battle of Puebla.

Adult and child working on a craft
La Plaza De Cultura y Artes
501 N Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Sunday, April 26, 12:00 PM
Free

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