{"id":601264,"date":"2026-02-19T14:58:29","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T14:58:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/601264\/"},"modified":"2026-02-19T14:58:29","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T14:58:29","slug":"best-things-to-do-this-weekend-in-la-and-socal-feb-20-22","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/601264\/","title":{"rendered":"Best things to do this weekend in LA and SoCal: Feb. 20-22"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s no excuse not to head out to one of the city\u2019s many excellent museums this weekend, as nearly 30 of them are free for all on Sunday. Some do require a reservation, so get clicking and plan your day here<\/a>. If you\u2019d rather be outside, the L.A. Bakery Walk<\/a> is way overbooked, but who says you can\u2019t plot your own epic doughnut walk across L.A.?<\/p>\n

And get ready for summer \u2014 the Hollywood Bowl just announced its full season<\/a>, which includes a special farewell to L.A. Phil Conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the Blue Note Jazz Fest lineup and much more.<\/p>\n

A little sooner on the calendar (i.e., this weekend), Licorice Pizza<\/a> has your listings, including a free Nikka Costa show in West Hollywood, Lady Gaga\u2019s return to the Forum on Sunday, plus Lizzo settles in for her residency at the Blue Note. On Saturday, you can see Los Tigres del Norte at the Intuit Dome, the Pains of Being Pure At Heart at the Echoplex, Christopher Owens of Girls at Sid the Cat and Lights at the El Rey Theatre (she\u2019s also playing Sunday). And the future is coming on, as Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett\u2019s cartoon supergroup Gorillaz take over the Hollywood Palladium to play their much-anticipated ninth album, The Mountain, in its entirety on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere on LAist, you can read up on all the facts about the next L.A. mayoral race<\/a>, learn how farmers\u2019 markets are tackling food insecurity<\/a>, and get tickets for FilmWeek\u2019s March 7 Oscar preview<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Let us help you find the most interesting things to do<\/p>\n

Sign up for the Best Things To Do newsletter, our twice weekly roundup of L.A.’s most interesting events.<\/p>\n

Events
\nScanner unwrapping<\/b><\/p>\n

Friday, February 20, 10 a.m.<\/b>
Bunny Museum\u00a0<\/b>
2605 Lake Ave., Altadena<\/b>
COST: FREE; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re not familiar with Scanner, it’s a very large (read: 14-feet-tall, 1,100-pound) bunny created by Chinese artist Jessie Zhao. And it’s about to sit, appropriately, outside the Bunny Museum in Altadena. Monrovia\u2019s Walter Zucco donated Scanner after last year\u2019s wildfires burned the museum to the ground, and it’s sure to bring joy to the community. You can say you were there at the beginning if you head to the unwrapping ceremony! Make sure to do the Bunny Bump!<\/p>\n

LGBTQ+ Figure Skaters<\/b><\/p>\n

Friday, February 20<\/b>
Junior High Los Angeles\u00a0<\/b>
603 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale\u00a0<\/b>
COST: FREE; MORE INFO\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

(<\/p>\n

Courtesy Junior High Los Angeles<\/p>\n

)<\/p>\n

While Heated Rivalry has put all eyes on ice hockey\u2019s relationship with the LGBTQ+ community, figure skating has long been seen as a haven for out athletes. But that hasn\u2019t exactly been the case. Reporters Ari Saperstein and Chris Schleicher \u2014 who’s also a former USA national team skater \u2014 will talk about their work covering the hidden history of queerness in figure skating. Perfect timing if you\u2019re watching the Olympics and keeping up with all the skating drama on and off the ice!<\/p>\n

California Pen Show\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Thursday through Sunday, February 19-22<\/b>
Torrance Marriott Redondo Beach\u00a0<\/b>
3635 Fashion Way, Torrance<\/b>
COST: FROM $20; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

Fear not: The internet and computers have not taken away the mighty pen! The California Pen Show is happening this weekend, and it includes classes for folks new to fountain pens, intros to journaling, tutorials on advanced calligraphy techniques and more. Spill some ink.<\/p>\n

Amores Perros with Alejandro Innaritu\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Sunday, February 22<\/b>
LACMA \/ Academy Museum Theater<\/b>
6067 Wilshire Blvd., Miracle Mile\u00a0<\/b>
COST: $10, SOLD OUT BUT ADDITIONAL TICKETS MAY BE RELEASED AT 9 A.M. DAY-OF; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

To celebrate the opening of LACMA\u2019s exhibition SUE\u00d1O PERRO: A Film Installation by Alejandro G. I\u00f1\u00e1rritu<\/a>, the museum will host the Oscar-winning director for a screening of his directorial debut, Amores Perros, on its 25th anniversary in a new 4K restoration. Museum director Michael Govan will join for the Q&A.<\/p>\n

Highly Favored: Los Angeles LGBT Center\u2019s Black History Month Celebration<\/b><\/p>\n

Saturday, February 21, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.<\/b>
The Village at Ed Gould Plaza<\/b>
1125 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood<\/b>
COST: FREE; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

(<\/p>\n

Courtesy Los Angeles LGBT Center<\/p>\n

)<\/p>\n

Celebrate Black History Month with this free, joy-filled dance party on the plaza at Hollywood\u2019s LGBT Center. Centered on queer Black joy, the party honors Pose actress Hailie Sahar and filmmaker Elegance Bratton (Move Ya Body: The Birth of House).<\/p>\n

LA Galaxy home opener<\/b><\/p>\n

Sunday, February 22, 4 p.m.\u00a0<\/b>
Dignity Health Sports Park<\/b>
18400 Avalon Blvd., Carson<\/b>
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Joseph Paintsil dribbles the ball during a game between Chicago Fire FC and Los Angeles Galaxy.<\/p>\n

(<\/p>\n

Liza Morales<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

ISI Photos via Getty Images<\/p>\n

)<\/p>\n

The World Cup is still a few months away, but the 2026 MLS season kicks off with the L.A. Galaxy\u2019s home opener against NYCFC. The rivals will have a few familiar faces on either side, including L.A. Galaxy legend Todd Dunivant, who is now NYCFC\u2019s Sporting Director, and NYCFC homegrown midfielder Justin Haak, who has joined the Galaxy.<\/p>\n

Echoes of Gen X: The Art of The Fillmore (1980s\u20132000s)<\/b><\/p>\n

Through April 11, opening night Saturday, February 21, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. <\/b>
Gabba Gallery<\/b>
235 S. Broadway, Downtown L.A.\u00a0<\/b>
COST: FREE; MORE INFO<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

(<\/p>\n

Courtesy Gabba Gallery<\/p>\n

)<\/p>\n

Be still, my Gen X, former SF-resident and regular-at-the-Fillmore heart. I have a small collection of these myself, but this sprawling show of band posters from the legendary Fillmore club is a trip down musical memory lane. Expect an excellent soundtrack at the opening event, or catch the show any time from now through April 11.<\/p>\n

Venice Mardi Gras parade<\/b><\/p>\n

Sunday, February 22<\/b>
The Waterfront\u00a0<\/b>
Venice Beach\u00a0<\/b>
COST: FREE; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

Laissez les bons temps rouler at the annual Venice Mardi Gras Parade! Don your weirdest, most colorful attire, grab some beads, then head to the boardwalk for gumbo, live music and a party atmosphere!<\/p>\n

Common Grounds: Exploring Coffee Through Art & Flavor<\/b><\/p>\n

Saturday, February 21, 10:30 a.m.<\/b>
Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center<\/b>
241 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim<\/b>
COST: $28; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Try new types of coffee paired with pastries, all curated by third-generation roaster Amy Tang. The Muzeo Museum is hosting this Lunar New Year\u2013inspired coffee salon that celebrates creativity, renewal and community.<\/p>\n