Weekend Guide
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Weekend Guide

Weekend Guide

Los Angeles magazine's guide to having a great weekend

Gary Smith
May 29, 2026

Los Angeles is packed with culture, music and immersive experiences this weekend, from major art world gatherings to waterfront dance parties and cinematic deep dives. MOCA Gala 2026 brings together some of the biggest names in contemporary art, while the Getty Villa revisits Homer’s The Odyssey ahead of its Hollywood revival. On the Westside, Pier Play transforms Santa Monica into a music-filled wellness playground, and the Autry Museum debuts a new exhibition exploring life, liberty and Los Angeles through a distinctly Angeleno lens. Film lovers can also descend into the beautifully bleak with American Cinematheque’s Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair, featuring restoration premieres, anniversary screenings and appearances from acclaimed directors and actors.

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MOCA Gala 2026 — May 30

The Museum of Contemporary Art hosts its annual MOCA Gala this Friday at The Geffen Contemporary, bringing together artists, collectors and cultural heavyweights for one of the city’s biggest art world evenings. This year’s fundraiser honors acclaimed artists Kara Walker and Paul McCarthy alongside longtime trustee and philanthropist Eugenio López Alonso, with proceeds supporting the museum’s exhibitions, programming and operations.

The Odyssey Remix: Epic Tale, Modern Takes at Getty Villa — May 30

Ahead of Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated adaptation of The Odyssey, the Getty Villa is diving back into Homer’s legendary epic with a full day of programming inspired by the ancient tale. The Odyssey Remix: Epic Tale, Modern Takes brings together talks, performances and interactive events that reexamine the classic story through a contemporary lens while celebrating the enduring influence of one of literature’s most iconic adventures.

Pier Play 2026 — May 30

Santa Monica Pier transforms into a waterfront playground this weekend as Pier Play returns with a packed lineup of music, wellness and interactive experiences. Presented by RASA, the event features live sets from artists including AMÉMÉ, AWEN, Xinobi, Notre Dame and Darina Chuz alongside food and drinks, carnival-style games, learn-to-DJ sessions and a variety of beauty and lifestyle activations spread across the pier.

The Autry Museum of The American West: Life, Liberty and Los Angeles — May 30

The Autry Museum of the American West opens its newest exhibition, Life, Liberty and Los Angeles, this Friday, exploring the meaning of America’s founding ideals through the lens of Los Angeles history and culture. The exhibition examines how concepts like freedom, equality and opportunity have shaped the city across generations, offering visitors an immersive and distinctly Angeleno perspective on the promises outlined in the Declaration of Independence.

American Cinematheque – Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair — May 31

American Cinematheque’s Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair returns with a sprawling lineup of films dedicated to some of the darkest and most emotionally devastating stories ever put on screen. Taking over the Aero, Egyptian and Los Feliz theatres, the festival features 48 films, including restoration premieres, anniversary screenings and appearances from notable guests such as Isabelle Huppert, Ari Aster, Denis Villeneuve, Werner Herzog, Haley Joel Osment and Gregg Araki.

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