Here is a sampling of upcoming things to do in the San Gabriel Valley area.
Spring Jubilee – County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation: Celebration of springtime with activities that include egg hunts, crafts, games, performances and food tasting, through April 19. Events: 5-8 p.m. April 11 at Adventure Park (10130 S. Gunn Ave., Whittier; 562-698-7645); and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. April 12 at Hacienda Heights Community Center (1234 Valencia Ave.; 626-333-3250. Free admission. No registration required to attend. Complete list of County of Los Angeles parks and recreation centers holding events (hours, activities and programs vary): parks.lacounty.gov/spring/
Los Angeles Master Chorale – Sacred Spaces: The chorale presents its new community series, 7:30 p.m. April 11. Tickets $25 and up. Saint Andrew Church, 311 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. Check the website for the program. lamasterchorale.org/
Laugh Factory Covina: George Perez, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. April 11, and also 7 and 9:30 p.m. April 12. Bobby D presents “Smile Now Laugh Later” with G-Money and J. Valentino, 4 and 7 p.m. April 13. Minimum age: 18. Check the website for lineup (subject to change) and ticket prices (regular and VIP). Two-item minimum for all shows. Location, 104 N. Citrus Ave., Covina. 626-339-0093. https://www.tixr.com/groups/laughfactorycovina
The Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire: Immerse yourself in the time of Queen Elizabeth I’s reign and have some fun with cosplay of the time period, speaking the lingo, shopping in the marketplace, listening to music and laughing at performances, Saturday-Sunday through May 18. Hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Theme weekends: “Pirate and Marketplace” (April 12-13); “Cottagecore” (April 19-20); “Renncon” (April 26-27). (renfair.com/socal/special-events). Fun dress code for all weekends: period “faire” costume (optional). Admission $44; $22 ages 5-12. No pets allowed. There is a mandatory car entry fee, $12, to the Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area (renfair.com/socal/directions-weather/). Parking is free, first-come, first served; VIP parking $25 (must be purchased in advance online; VIP parking cost does not include the mandatory car entry fee). Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, 15501 E. Arrow Highway, Irwindale. 626-969-4750. renfair.com/socal
City of Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival: The city celebrates cowboy culture plus Santa Clarita Valley’s ties to cowboy/western films made in the area — and, of course, movie star William S. Hart — with three music stages (cowboy, country, folk, bluegrass performances), living history areas, line dance lessons, a pioneer activities corner, food and vendors, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 12-13. The 2025 event has special concerts and events, most off-site, that require a purchased ticket and reservation; see details: cowboyfestival.org/schedule/. Free festival general admission on April 12-13. Frequently asked questions: cowboyfestival.org/frequently-asked-questions/. Use the festival’s free shuttle site for parking: 22400 13th St. (at Railroad Avenue), Santa Clarita (shuttle hours: 9:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. April 12; 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. April 13. Location of the festival, William S. Hart Park, 24151 Newhall Ave., Newhall. cowboyfestival.org/
City of Azusa Outdoor Recreation and Eco-Fair: The 4th annual event begins with an Arbor Day tree planting ceremony, and using the theme “Canyon to Coast,” activities, educational booths, demonstrations, live music, giveaways and food noon-3 p.m. April 12. Free admission. Memorial Park, 320 N. Orange Ave., Azusa. www.facebook.com/azusacity/
Vroman’s Bookstore: Mark Whicker (“Don Drysdale – Up and In – The Life of a Dodgers Legend”) and Bill Plunkett (“L.A. Story – Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers and a Season for the Ages”) discuss and sign their books, 7 p.m. April 14 (details, tinyurl.com/2yfaywpn). Anna-Marie McLemore discusses and signs “The Influencers,” 7 p.m. April 15. Jason Bailey discusses and signs “Gandolfini – Jim, Tony and the Life of a Legend,” 7 p.m. April 17. Location, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 626-449-5320. www.facebook.com/vromansbookstore. vromansbookstore.com
California African American Museum: Opening on April 15: “Ode to ‘Dena: Black Artistic Legacies of Altadena,” through Oct. 12 (caamuseum.org/exhibitions/2025/ode-to-dena-black-artistic-legacies-of-altadena). New exhibit: “J. Yolande Daniels: To a Future Space-Time,” through Sept. 6 (caamuseum.org/exhibitions/2025/j-yolande-daniels-to-a-future-space-time). Ongoing special exhibits: “Repossessions,” through Aug. 3 (caamuseum.org/exhibitions/2025/repossessions). “Really Free: The Radical Art of Nellie Mae Rowe,” through Aug. 17 (caamuseum.org/exhibitions/2025/really-free-the-radical-art-of-nellie-mae-rowe). Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday; closed on Monday (caamuseum.org/visit/hours-directions). Free admission. Parking $20 before 5 p.m.; $24 after 5 p.m. (parking lot entrance at West 39th and South Figueroa streets. Museum location, corner of Exposition Boulevard and South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles (in Exposition Park). 213-744-7432. www.facebook.com/CAAMinLA/. www.caamuseum.org
Bonnie Fang Foundation’s Nurses Rock 5K/10K Walk-Run: The 5th annual event — a kick-off to National Nurses Week, May 6-12 — is a scholarship fundraiser for nursing students in California and Nevada, 7 a.m. May 3. Registration is open now. Location, Frank G. Bonelli Regional County Park, 120 E. Via Verde Drive, San Dimas. 949-230-1791. Bonnie Fang Foundation: helphopehonor.org/. www.facebook.com/bffnurses. runsignup.combffnursesrock
Titanic – A Voyage Through Time: An interactive virtual reality journey that presents where the wreckage of the ship lies now and what the ship looked like in 1912 from a passenger’s perspective. Minimum age: 8; best for ages 11 and up. The experience is presented by Fever and developed with Musealia. Tickets are sold by time and date. The Beverly Center, Eighth Floor, 8500 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. Frequently asked questions: titanicexperiencevr.com/los-angeles/#faqs. titanicexperiencevr.com/los-angeles
Ongoing special events
Natural History Museum Los Angeles County: The “Butterfly Pavilion,” the seasonal outdoor exhibit runs through Aug. 24; reservations required by timed ticket (30-minute time slots; $10; must also purchase museum admission; details tinyurl.com/4asy4c62). Hours: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Sunday (but closed on the first Tuesday of the month and some holidays). Admission $18; $14 ages 62 and older and ages 13-17; $7 ages 3-12; free for ages 2 and younger, but a ticket is required. Location, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles. nhmlac.org
Wildflower Hotline – Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants: The Sun Valley-based foundation presents its 2025 hotline on the best locations for viewing spring wildflowers in Southern and Central California. The weekly reports are released on Friday through May (depending upon this year’s bloom season). The reports are also available to read on the foundation’s website. 818-768-1802, Ext. 7. theodorepayne.org/learn/wildflower-hotline/
Ongoing things to do
TOPS weight loss meeting: The first meeting is free for non-members of this Take Off Pounds Sensibly group, 10 a.m. Fridays. Meeting at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, classroom building, 1359 E. Covina Blvd., Covina. For more information, patalmeida44@gmail.com
Friends of the Pasadena Public Library Bookstore: The store has used books for sale, especially for children. Altadena residents receive 50% off all purchases and a free book with every purchase. Ask about free books for schools that were impacted by the Eaton fire. Proceeds from sales help to fund Pasadena Public Library program including One City One Story and Summer Reading. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and Saturday. Closed on Friday and Sunday. In addition, ask about volunteering at the bookstore. Jefferson Branch Library, 1500 E. Villa St., Pasadena. friendsppl.org/
Armory Center for the Arts: “Going Up the Hill – A Community Art Experience,” an “ongoing, ever-changing, collaborative installation” as a response to the January wildfires, through May 11 (armoryarts.org/exhibitions/2025/going-up-the-hill) See contemporary art exhibitions and learn about community-based art education. Gallery hours: 2-6 p.m. Friday, and 1-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Free admission. Donations appreciated. Location, 145 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. For more information, 626-792-5101. armoryarts.org
Descanso Gardens: “What’s in Bloom in April” (depending on the weather): https://www.descansogardens.org/gardens-and-collections/whats-in-bloom/. Hours: 9-5 daily. Admission $15; $11 ages 65 and older and students with ID; $5 ages 5-12. Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. 818-949-4200. descansogardens.org. www.facebook.com/DescansoGardensLA
Duarte Historical Museum: Hours: 1-3 p.m. Wednesdays; 1-4 p.m. Saturdays (except closed on Saturday on holiday weekends). Free admission. Location, 777 Encanto Parkway, Duarte. 626-357-9419. ranchodeduarte.org
Forest Lawn Museum – Glendale: Permanent exhibits: forestlawn.com/museum/. Free admission. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Location, 1712 S. Glendale Ave. forestlawn.com
The Huntington: Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Monday (closed on Tuesday). Reservations required on Friday-Sunday. Admission is by timed entry (no walk-ins): $29; $24 ages 65 and older and students ages 12-18 with ID; $13 ages 4-11. Location, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. huntington.org
Kidspace Children’s Museum: Museum hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Timed tickets are required. Admission $15.50 ages 1-61; $13.50 ages 62 and older. Location, 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena. 626-449-9144. kidspacemuseum.org
Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden: Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily (last entry is 4:30 p.m.). Admission $15; $11 ages 62 and older and students with ID; $5 ages 5-12. Admission may be purchased online. Location, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. 626-821-3222. arboretum.org/visit/hours-and-admission. arboretum.org
Los Angeles County Museum of Art: Ongoing special exhibits: “Ritual Expressions: African Adornment from the Permanent Collection,” through July 6. “Digital Witness: Revolutions in Design, Photography, and Film,” through July 13. “Imagining Black Diasporas: 21st Century Art and Poetics,” through Aug. 3. “We Live in Painting: The Nature of Color in Mesoamerican Art,” through Sept. 1. More exhibits: www.lacma.org/art/exhibitions/current. Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and Thursday; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Plan your visit information here: tinyurl.com/mr3uwzs3. Admission $23; $19 ages 65 and older and students ages 18 and older with a valid ID; free for ages 17 and younger (reserving/purchasing an advance, timed-entry online is recommended; these prices are for residents of Los Angeles County with an ID). Location, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. 323-857-6010. www.lacma.org
Monrovia Historical Museum: Discover Monrovia’s history. Docent-led tours are available. Hours: 1-4 p.m. Thursday and Sunday. Free admission. Location, 742 E. Lemon Ave. For more information, 626-357-9537. monroviahistoricalmuseum.org. Updates: www.facebook.com/monroviahistoricalmuseum
Petersen Automotive Museum: Ongoing special exhibits: “Best in Low: Lowrider Icons of the Street and Show,” through April 2025. “Super/Hyper: The Ultimate Automobiles” and “Alternating Currents: The Fall and Rise of Electric Vehicles” and “Modern Concepts: Future Visions from the Recent Past” (all three through July 2025). “People’s Champ – The Impact of Ken Block,” check for closing date for this exhibit, www.petersen.org/ken-block-exhibit). Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Admission $21; $19 ages 62 and older; $13 ages 12-17; $12 ages 4-11 (a valid ID is required for ages 12 and older; www.petersen.org/tickets). Location, 6060 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. 323-930-2277. www.petersen.org
John Rowland Mansion: The historic home is open for showings at noon and 1 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month. Park at the Hacienda La Puente School District lot. Location, 16021 Gale Ave., City of Industry. 909-241-7961. lpvhistoricalsociety.org
Rubel Castle: The castle is an elaborate folk-art medieval castle in the foothills of Glendora, with 5-story tall towers solidly built out of junk and river rocks by the late Michael Rubel and his friends. The castle offers eight guided tours each month; by appointment-only. Admission $20 for adults; $10 ages 8-18; cash-only. The property is not Americans with Disabilities Act accessible (see website for details). Location, 844 N. Live Oak Ave., Glendora. Glendora Historical Society voicemail, 626-963-0419. rubeltours.org
Norton Simon Museum: Ongoing special exhibit: “Retrospect: 50 Years at the Norton Simon Museum,” once known as the Pasadena Art Museum the exhibit celebrates its golden anniversary with “significant and lesser-know stories,” through Jan. 12, 2026 (www.nortonsimon.org/exhibitions/current). Hours: noon-5 p.m. Thursday; noon-7 p.m. Friday-Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday-Monday. Admission $20; $15 seniors; free for students with ID and ages 18 and younger. Location, 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 626-449-6840. nortonsimon.org
USC Pacific Asia Museum: Ongoing special exhibit: “Cai Guo-Qiang: A Material Odyssey,” is based on the artist’s gunpowder painting and drawings, through the lens of scientific research conducted by the Getty Conservation Institute and the Getty Research Institute, through June 15. The exhibition fills most of the museum’s galleries with a selection of the artist’s work, as well as scientific imagery that explores the nature of gunpowder, its influence on his work, and how his process has evolved through the last four decades. Museum hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Timed tickets for the special exhibit are required; some walk-up admission may be available: (pacificasiamuseum.usc.edu/exhibitions/cai-guo-qiang-a-material-odyssey/). Admission $20; $15 ages 65 and older and students with ID; free for ages 17 and younger. Location, 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. 626-787-2380. pacificasiamuseum.usc.edu. https://pacificasiamuseum.usc.edu/visit-us/
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