The Best Things to Do in Los Angeles this Weekend: April 17 - April 19, 2026

From cultural events to superstar concerts and world-class sports, Discover LA is your go-to source for what's happening in Los Angeles. Be sure to follow @discoverla on Instagram to find out even more about what to do in LA. Read on for the best things to do in LA this weekend, including:

• Western Conference Quarterfinals: Lakers vs. Rockets - Crypto.com Arena
• Los Angeles Times Festival of Books - University of Southern California
• Falstaff - Dorothy Chandler Pavilion 
• Earth Day Festival - Natural History Museum
• David Geffen Galleries Opening - LACMA

Find more events and nearby hotels at the DiscoverLA.com Events Calendar.

Come for the show, stay for the weekend!

Tina- The Tina Turner Musical heads to the Hollywood Pantages Theatre for a brief run from April 14 through April 19. 
 

Swiss-British darkwave duo Lebanon Hanover plays two nights at The Vermont, on April 16 and 17. Friday’s show is already sold out, but tickets still remain for Thursday night’s concert, with opener Geneva Jacuzzi. 
 

Former Hole bassist Melissa Auf der Maur stops by Philosophical Research Society on Saturday, April 18, to read from and discuss her memoir Even Good Girls Will Cry. Catch in afternoon or evening.

 

Gwar, the long-running hard rock band and performance art collective who was the subject of an exhibition at Beyond the Streets last year, bring their Gor Gor Strikes Back tour to The Belasco on Saturday, April 18. 
 

The Lakers go up against Houston Rockets at Crypto on Saturday, April 18 for the Western Conference quarterfinals. Tipoff is at 5:30 p.m. 

Mike Williamson (Secret Sixteen), Josh Miller (Killer Movies) and Bret Berg (Museum of Home Video) lead fans of 1980s swords and sorcery films into a 12-hour marathon through the genre at Brain Dead on Saturday, April 18. You’ll see six films, none of which will be identified before they screen. The movie marathon begins at 2 p.m. 
 

Drama, the house-tinged synthpop duo who played The Wiltern in early March, return to Los Angeles on Saturday, April 18, for a DJ set at The Spotlight, before heading out to play The Do Lab’s tent at Coachella the following day. 
 

Craig Colclough stars and James Conlon conducts LA Opera’s production of Verdi’s comedy Falstaff. Opening night at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion is Saturday, April 18, where the beloved opera will run through May 10. 
 

Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour heads to The Shrine on Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19, with exhibitions, entertainment and interactive elements for fans of all ages. The event is free to attend and will include a screening of Dragon Ball Super: Broly on Saturday and Dragon Ball battles throughout the weekend. 
 

Get ready to sweat on Saturday night, when Mutate presents British techno and hardstyle DJ/producer Rebekah alongside a live performance from Godtripper at Exchange LA. 
 

Lionel Richie, Sarah Jessica Parker and Larry David are amongst the special guests at this year's Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. General admission to the event, happening on April 18 and 19 at the University of Southern California, is free, but you will need to reserve a spot for specific panels. Some events will require a separate, purchased ticket and VIP passes are available. 

LAFC plays an MLS regular season game against San Jose Quakes at home on Sunday, April 19. Kickoff at BMO Stadium is at 4 p.m.
 

On Sunday, April 19, Los Angeles County Museum of Art will celebrate the opening of the David Geffen Galleries with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, as well as the first day of two weeks of priority access to the new additions for museum members. 
 

Philosophical Research Society’s 7th House begins a three month film series, Out There: Far-Out Intergalactic Animation on Sunday, April 19, with a salute to French animation master René Laloux. Alongside the director’s influential 1973 film Fantastic Planet, viewers will also see his 1982 collaboration of Jean Giraud (Mœbius), The Time Masters. 
 

Celebrate Earth Day on Sunday, April 19, with a day full of family-friendly activities at the Natural History Museum including live performances, screenings of Green Screen: Our Planet on Film, workshops and local exhibitors. 
 

For the best guide to what's happening in Los Angeles, visit the Discover LA Events Calendar and book your stay today!