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Best Things to Do in SoCal and LA This Week: May 11-17, 2026

Every week, I highlight a few events across the SoCal region. This week, celebrate Filipino and Korean culture, attend an artwalk by the sea, get lit by sculpture, and have fun with bugs.

Fun with bugs

The 40th annual Bug Fair at Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County is back for a two-day celebration of all things creepy-crawly. This festival invites you to explore the incredible world of our multi-legged friends through interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, and a marketplace of bug-inspired goods. From exotic insect collections to hands-on encounters, screenings, and cooking demonstrations, Bug Fair is your chance to get up close to the tiny creatures that share our world.

Bug Fair, cartoon bugs
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 Exposition Blvd
Los Angeles , CA 90007
Saturday, May 16, 9:00 AM
$18

Bright ideas

David Kordansky Gallery presents ROYGBIV, a new solo exhibition of sculptures by artist Evan Holloway. Known for his playful sculptural forms, Holloway returns to one of his most iconic motifs: large-scale aluminum heads outfitted with a glowing lightbulb nose. Rendered in the full spectrum of visible color, these works explore perception and the enduring power of a form the artist has revisited for over two decades. Eccentric yet familiar, ROYGBIV invites viewers to consider how meaning evolves through repetition and reinvention.

a scale head sculpture, a part of ROYGBIV
David Kordansky Gallery
5130 W Edgewood Pl
Los Angeles, CA 90019
Saturday, May 16, 6:00 PM - June 20
Free

Artwalk by the sea

A beloved coastal tradition, the 31st Annual Balboa Island Artwalk transforms the South Bayfront Promenade into an open-air gallery for a day. Stroll along the scenic path as 90 artists showcase a mix of paintings, sculpture, blown glass, jewelry, and photography. With over a mile of art and live music, this is a chance to discover new artists and connect with local makers.

31st Annual BALBOA ISLAND ARTWALK, art paintings set up on easels next to the ocean docks
South Bayfront Promenade
500 S Bay Front
Newport Beach, CA 92662
Sunday, May 17, 9:00 AM
Free

Korean cinema classics

The Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles presents Frames of Korea Through Films, a special cinematheque series showcasing 6 classic Korean films. Starting with Aimless Bullet, a cornerstone of Korean cinema directed by Hyun-mok Yu, this 1961 film offers a portrait of post-war Korean society, setting the tone for the curated series presented in collaboration with the Korean Film Archive. Spanning decades of cinematic history, the series pairs landmark films with expert commentary offering insights into the historical context and cinematic significance of the films.

Frames of Korea Through Films: Aimless Bullet / 오발탄  flyer
The Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles
5505 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles , CA 90036
Wednesday, May 13, 6:30 PM
Free

A Filipino block party

Baryo HiFi 2026 takes over Historic Filipinotown for a one-day block party celebrating Filipino creativity. This gathering blends live performances with a curated marketplace of Filipino-owned brands, streetwear, and small businesses alongside food that evokes the nostalgia of home. Equal parts cultural celebration and neighborhood gathering, Baryo HiFi brings together emerging artists for a day rooted in connection and joy.

Baryo HiFi 2026 flyer
Historic Filipinotown Eastern Gateway
1557 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Saturday, May 16, 3:00 PM
Free

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