On Saturday, June 6, the Natural History Museum (NHM) will host Pride in Bloom, a vibrant, all-ages celebration that will transform the museum through fun, glamour, and natural science. This marks the fourth installment in the museum’s Partners in Commons series, which invites community partners to share their work and reach audiences at NHM Commons, the museum’s newest wing and community hub.

Co-created with Drag Arts Lab and sponsored by the Los Angeles Public Library, the event features the return of “Natural HERstory: A Drag Musical,” led by the iconic entertainer Pickle. Pickle is the Executive Director of Drag Arts Lab, an organization that expands and elevates the art of drag in LA County. She has partnered with institutions like LACMA and the Academy Museum and currently runs the LA chapter of Drag Story Hour. In the musical, she and other performers explore themes of transformation and resilience, reimagining nature’s wonders through “dino discos,” “vogueing birds,” and “arthropod eleganza.”

TIMED PROGRAMS, 12 – 5 PM:

1 PM, 3 PM | Performance | NHM Commons Theater

Natural HERstory: A Drag Musical

Watch the magic unfold as Drag Arts Lab, Inc. takes the stage, reimagining nature’s transformations through the art of drag. Spaces are limited; wristbands for the shows will be released one hour prior to each showtime on a first-come, first-served basis.

12 PM–5 PM | Scavenger Hunt | Theater Lobby

Pride Flag Scavenger Hunt

Learn a brief history of the Pride flag and find all the colors to connect the symbolic meaning of the Pride Flag’s colors to the Museum’s collections! Physical copies will be available in the Theater lobby (while supplies last).

12 PM–5 PM | Activity | NHM Commons Plaza

Self-Expression Station

Express yourself with fun and easy activities for all ages (while supplies last)

12 PM–5 PM | Activity | NHM Commons Plaza

Mini-Resource Fair

Come to our mini-resource fair. Learn more about who we partner with and how they support their communities. Featuring the Los Angeles Public Library, Rainbow Labs, Allies for Every Child, Great Autos, and The Friends of Ballona Wetlands.

WHERE:

NHM Commons

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

900 Exposition Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA 90007

WHEN:

Saturday, June 6, 12 PM–5 PM

Cost: Free with paid admission | Free for Members

Link: https://nhm.org/calendar/pride-bloom

Credit: Natural History Museum

CALIFORNIA WATERMELON FESTIVAL

“A Sweet Slice of California”

Featuring watermelon dishes, live music, arts & crafts, rides, games, the always popular Kids Zone, and for the first time a rodeo!

Hansen Dam Recreation Area Soccer Fields – June 6 & 7, 2026

Vesper Public Relations, April 2026. Los Angeles, CA—A San Fernando Valley tradition, the California Watermelon Festival offers “a sweet slice of California” and celebrates the beginning of summer with a vibrant California harvest.

The California Watermelon Festival takes place Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 10:00 am- 10:00 pm & Sunday, June 7, 2026, from 10:00 am-8:00 pm at the Hansen Dam Recreation Area Soccer Fields, an area equal to four football fields.

The California Watermelon Festival continues to grow, offering a wider range of experiences. This year, attendees can enjoy unique watermelon-inspired dishes and an expanded Kids Zone. A complimentary slice of watermelon will be given upon entry to each paid ticket (while supplies last), and freshly sliced watermelon will be available for purchase, either plain or with chamoy. Whole watermelon will also be sold on-site.

This year, the California Watermelon Festival will host a real- life rodeo, a high-stakes sport and deeply rooted tradition in the American Southwest, evolving from the working skills of 19th-century vaqueros and cowboys. Known for its adrenaline-fueled, dangerous, and “roughstock” events, the rodeo is considered a cornerstone of Western culture that celebrates resilience, camaraderie, and, in many cases, a Mexican-American heritage. The California Watermelon Festival is proud to include this important aspect of Southern California culture.

The event will feature live bands and DJs, as well as demonstrations from graffiti artists. There will be watermelon carving stations, a car show and a pinup girl contest. For social media influencers, there’s a variety of watermelon themed signage, props along with our fun mascots, Wedgie & Melony that will definitely enhance your social media experience.

We invite you to bring a big appetite to enjoy unique watermelon-inspired dishes created by some of today’s most adventurous chefs experimenting with the many flavors of summer.

Watermelon inspired dishes include: Tacos, Pupusas, Cannoli, Cheese cake, Bread, Corndogs, deep fried Watermelon, Micheladas, Gummy Candy, Waffles, Soda, Crepes, Sushi, Funnel Cake and Italian Ice.

Kids Zone features: Live singing and dancing performances of popular princess’ and classic children songs. Arts & Crafts (make watermelon themed friendship bracelets), Watermelon Eating Contest, Costume Contest, Bubble Show, Face painting, Kids Slime and Carnival Rides, agriculture area with Petting zoo and Pony rides. Kids Zone Schedule here: https://watermelonfest.org/fun/#kids

Says Edward Campos, Festival Owner – “We’ve gone all out to make this year’s Watermelon Festival not only fun for the whole family, but we want you and your family to come back each year, making the Watermelon Festival San Fernando Valleys launch into summer fun for generations to come.”

The California Watermelon Festival would like to thank its sponsors: California Ford, Imagination Works Graphics and Printing, Los Tóxicos Mariscos, Party City, Telemundo 52, T Mobil, Tajin, Hamer Toyota, Budweiser and Luilab.

Safety Rules:
Dogs (except certified service dogs), bicycles, rollerblades, tables, boom boxes, chairs, and ice chests/coolers are NOT permitted on festival grounds. In compliance with the Los Angeles County Health Department, non-Festival food & drinks are not permitted within the festival grounds. The festival is also a smoke-free environment. The California Watermelon Festival is not responsible for lost or stolen items, but will maintain a lost and found at the information booth near the entrance.

About the California Watermelon Festival:
The California Watermelon Festival started in the early 1960s in Sunland-Tujunga Park, CA. At that time, it was called the Lions Club Sunland-Tujunga Watermelon Festival. It was hosted at Sunland-Tujunga Park until the park became too small for the event. Eventually, management moved it to the Pasadena Rose Bowl for one year and Santa Anita Park for another year. Ultimately, the event relocated to Hansen Dam Soccer Fields, which offers a cooler, more centralized location accessible from Antelope Valley, San Fernando Valley, and Los Angeles County. After moving to Hansen Dam Soccer Fields, the festival was renamed the California Watermelon Festival. The objective of the California Watermelon Festival is to create a fun, family-friendly two-day celebration of watermelon with food, games, and visuals.

About Edward Campos, California Watermelon Festival Owner:
Festival Owner Edward Campos is a San Fernando Valley native, a UCLA graduate, and a business owner who currently resides in Sylmar, CA. Campos founded Imagination Works Graphics and Printing, which has been designing and printing for businesses in the Los Angeles area for over 20 years. His company has serviced Modelo Beer, Jack Daniels, Magic Mountain, Party City, Pepsi Cola, KC Lights, and the City of San Fernando. In the last 10 years, Campos has made the California Watermelon Festival one of the most successful festivals in Los Angeles.

EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE:
 The California Watermelon Festival will be at Hansen Dam Recreation Area Soccer Field, 11480 Foothill Blvd, Sylmar, CA 91342.
 Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Watermelon Festival website. On-site parking is $15, payable by card only.
 Adult tickets are required for attendees ages 12 and older.
 Child tickets are required for attendees ages 5-11. *Free attendance for kids under 5.*
 Must be 21 or over to purchase beer or wine. ID must be shown.
 Tickets grant attendees entry into the festival and include a complimentary slice of fresh watermelon.
 Live Music –Top 40s, 80s, rock en español, cumbia, swing, country and banda.
 An enhanced Kids Zone.
 For the first time, a rodeo, a high-stakes sport and deeply rooted tradition in the American Southwest.
 Watermelon food vendors offering a bounty of flavors to eat and drink.
 Food booths accept cash and credit cards unless otherwise indicated. ATMs will be available on-site.

Buy tickets online and skip the line at the gate!
https://watermelonfest.org/

Free Admission and Open House at Pasadena’s Cat Café

June 6, 2026   11am – 6pm

Tail Towns Carnival of Cats is a free, family-friendly event and a must for cat lovers everywhere. 

Feline fans ages 6 and older can play, party and purr with 30-40 free roaming rescue cats at the Pasadena cat café’s annual open house. 

Tail Town’s adoption lounge will be open for guests for free visits to meet the adoptable rescue cats and play shortened versions of Tail Town’s monthly events such as Kitty Bingo, Cat Trivia, Cat Cornhole and Meow N Paint. Guests can also have their fortunes read by the Tarot Nerd and play carnival-style games along with refreshments, cat socialization, adoptions and more. 

Guests can also gain insight into Tail Town Cats’ work with cat and kitten adoption; to date, the cafe has adopted more than 500 animals into their forever homes. 

A VIP Experience is available for ($25 per person) which includes a swag bag filled with goodies and a fast pass to chill with the cats in the lounge.

Also onsite will be pet store Off The Leash offering samples and nutrition tips, Phantosmia Soaps, Whisker Dreams with a special Tail Town editor coloring pages, plus resident artists Srimoyee Acharya and Sophie Shimazu and other vendors.

WHY:

According to Tail Town’s executive director Gwendolyn Mathers the event is to celebrate and educate. “We open our doors to allow the community to visit our lounge for free and get a glimpse at the amazing and loving work we do with cats.”

PHOTO OPPS:

* Great visuals with the cats and guests

* Interviews acting executive director Gwendolyn Mathers and guests

* Games (Kitty Bingo, Cat Trivia, Cat Cornhole, Meow N Paint) with the cats (and potentially made more problematic by cats) starting at noon on the top of every hour

* One of Tail Town’s Big Head Cats will pose with guests for photos

WHERE:

1780 E. Washington Blvd, Pasadena (just west of Allen Ave). 

210 to Hill, north to Washington Blvd, east to Tail Town Cat Cafe

WHO:

Tail Town Cats is a nonprofit that works to prevent cruelty to animals and provide education to the public on animal welfare. Tail Town Cats operates the Tail Town Cat Café and Adoption Center in Pasadena, Calif., and over the past three years, Tail Town has adopted more than 500 rescued animals. 

Tail Town Cat Café and Adoption Lounge, a partner of Kitten Rescue, offers a chill experience for those looking to adopt or a fun place for cat lovers to relax and socialize. The women-owned and operated facility provides adoption-ready cats with an open, 2,000 square foot space where up to 40 cats can roam freely as well as a playful home for cats to interact with potential adopters, those looking for a kitty fix for cat cuddling or seeking a great spot to work remotely.

Tail Town offers regular visiting hours, fun afterhours activities and opportunities for cat-themed corporate, gallery, private parties and events. All things Tail Town are at www.tailtowncats.com.

Villa Family Festival: Ancient Egypt

Sunday, Jun 7, 2026

Drop-in 10am–5pm

Getty Villa

Celebrate the stories, symbols, and spirit of ancient Egypt at this lively, family-friendly festival. Enjoy live Egyptian music that evokes the sounds of historic Cairo, alongside DJ sets, hands-on art workshops, and interactive experiences that bring the past to life in creative and unexpected ways. From crafting your own “Book of Life” to weighing your “heart” on a larger-than-life scale, visitors of all ages are invited to explore, create, and discover together in a day filled with music, imagination, and fun. See the full schedule here.

Ariat at Victoria Gardens is hosting a grand opening welcome party on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 10 a.m. The first 100 guests at the Ariat store will receive a free pair of Ariat jeans, plus get a denim tote gift with any purchase $200+, while supplies last. While you wait in line, enjoy a morning coffee bar and warm churros. The celebration doesn’t stop there — bring your new boots to the dance floor right outside the store with live music and line dancing all afternoon!

Full schedule:

• Morning
  • Complimentary Churros: 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
  • Coffee Bar: 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
  • Live acoustic music with duo Britley and Matt (in-store): 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Afternoon
  • Afternoon Cocktail and Beer Service: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Outdoor line dancing and DJ with Tina Michelle & the Rhinestone Cowgirls: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • High-energy live music with Ellis Bryant (in-store): 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Promotions:

• Free pair of jeans for the first 100 guests 
• Denim tote gift with $200+ purchase, while supplies last

New Ariat store at Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Photo credit: Sam Frawley.

WHERE:

Ariat at Victoria Gardens

12505 North Mainstreet, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739

WHEN:

Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

RSVP:

No RSVP required. The event is free to attend and open to the public. 

For more information and a full list of events, visit shopvictoriagardens.com/events and follow on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates. 

Credit: Victoria Gardens and Ariat International.

Something larger-than-life is making its move in Laguna Beach at the end of this month. In partnership with the Laguna Beach Arts Commission and the City of Laguna Beach, the Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters will bring a rare public spectacle to the streets as monumental chess set pieces parade to City Hall before becoming a new summer art installation for the community to enjoy.

On Friday, May 29 at 8:30 a.m., three oversized chess sculptures from the Pageant’s celebrated “Indian Chess Set” will make a grand public procession from the Festival of Arts grounds to Laguna Beach City Hall, creating a playful visual moment as towering pieces roll through town in a real-life artistic “opening move.”  Laguna Beach Mayor Mark Orgill will join the 8:30 a.m. procession and help kick off the unique community art moment. The Pageant’s giant chess pieces are expected to arrive at City Hall at approximately 8:45 a.m., where they will be installed for public display through July 24, 2026.

The immersive installation features a King standing more than 13 feet tall, accompanied by a Bishop and Knight each standing more than six feet high. Hand-built and sculpted by Pageant artisans Dickson Janda and Alexandria Trudgen, the pieces were originally created for the 2025 Pageant of the Masters and inspired by an intricate 19th-century ivory chess set from the Norton Simon Museum.

Following the procession, the giant chess pieces will remain on display on the front lawn of Laguna Beach City Hall through July 24, inviting residents and visitors to stop by, take photos, and experience a piece of Pageant history in a new setting. Guests are also encouraged to participate in a social media photo opportunity by snapping a picture with the chess pieces and tagging @FestivalPageant and @LagunaBeachCulturalArts for a chance to win a four-pack of tickets to the 2026 Pageant of the Masters. The contest will start May 29, 2026 and end June 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PST.

“This is a fun and unique way to bring art into the community while giving people a rare opportunity to experience the scale and artistry behind the Pageant re-creations beyond the stage,” said Sharbie Higuichi, Festival of Arts Marketing, Merchandising, and PR Director. “We love the idea of transforming the front lawn of City Hall into a place where public art can surprise people and create moments of curiosity and connection.”

For the first time, these monumental sculptures are making a rare move beyond the Pageant stage and into the heart of the community, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the artistry and craftsmanship behind one of Laguna Beach’s most beloved traditions up close. The installation arrives as excitement builds for this summer’s Pageant of the Masters production, The Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T.), opening July 9, 2026. Celebrating legendary artists and masterpieces across history, this year’s production explores the timeless question: who truly deserves the title of “greatest of all time?”

This is a program of the Arts Commission and funded by the lodging establishments and the City of Laguna Beach. Laguna Beach City Hall is located at 505 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA 92651. The public and press are both invited to see the chess pieces “moving” from the Festival of Arts grounds through Laguna Beach to City Hall, starting at 8:30 a.m. 

The Pageant of the Masters production of “The Greatest of All Time” will run nightly July 9 – September 4, 2026. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.foapom.com or call (800) 487-3378. To stay up to date on all things Pageant of the Masters and Fine Arts Show visit www.foapom.com or follow @FestivalPageant on social media. To support the Festival of Arts, please visit www.foapom.com/supportnow.

Credit: Festival of Arts.

Anchors aweigh!  Hoist the sails and step back in time aboard the Mystic Whaler, a 110-foot, two-masted schooner modeled after 19th-century coastal vessel, that will set sail on 

May 20, 2026, and make its voyage up the Santa Barbara Channel along the California Coast to the Ventura Harbor.  This majestic tall ship will drop anchor early afternoon at Ventura Harbor Village C Dock (near Ventura Boat Rentals, in front of Brophy Bros. and On the Alley restaurants). www.VenturaHarborVillage.com

Dockside Tours at Ventura Harbor Village will also give visitors a chance to set foot on deck and explore the storied ship, meet the crew, and learn the ropes of schooner life.  Lovers of the sea can also hear captivating sea stories and discover how the Mystic Whaler keeps maritime traditions alive, while enjoying Ventura Harbor Village’s vibrant waterfront. Visits aboard the tall ship are free, with a suggested donation for adults

$5 (kids are free). All activities are weather pending, and the schedule is subject to change.

Public Dockside Tours at “C” Dock at Ventura Harbor Village:

Wednesday, May 20          Arrival at C Dock early afternoon (in front of Brophy’s and On the Alley Restaurants)

Thursday, May 21              Deck Tour (2 – 6 PM)

Friday, May 22                    Deck Tour  (12 – 6 PM)

Saturday, May 23               Deck Tour (12 – 6 PM)

Sunday, May 24                  Deck Tour (12 – 6 PM)

Monday, May 25                Deck Tour  (12 – 6 PM)

Thursday, May 28              Deck Tour  (2 – 6 PM)

Friday, May 29                    Deck Tour  (12 – 6 PM)

Saturday, May 30               Deck Tour  (12 – 6 PM)

Sunday, May 31                  Deck Tour  (12 – 6 PM)

Monday, June 1                  Depart from C Dock (8:30am)

The seafaring beauty blends maritime history with modern adventures and offering family fun activities on select days from 10 -11 AM: “Plankton Pals” May 23 and 30 (Science based) and “Ship in a Bag” May 24 & 31 (Nautical Activity) as part of the Ventura Harbor experience. Reservations for the special activities are required to participate at https://www.mysticoceanadventures.org

Operated by the nonprofit Mystic Ocean Adventures (MOA) with a passion for preserving maritime heritage, Mystic Whaler is more than a ship, it’s a floating classroom and an environmental advocate. Mysitc Ocean Adventures’ mission is to utilize adventure through sailing and the sea to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) comprehension, environmental stewardship, teamwork, self-confidence, and nautical skills for the communities of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties with a special focus on youth.

The arrival of this magnificent vessel coincides with Ventura Harbor Village’s ongoing Spring seaside events/activities throughout May 2026, including a stellar lineup of seaside music on Ventura Harbor Village’s Promenade Stage and Channel Islands Courtyard.  Live bands perform from 1- 4 pm on Friday, May 22, Saturday and Sunday May 23- 24, Monday Memorial Day May 25, and Saturday and Sunday, May 30 and 31, 2026  On Friday, May 22, celebrate Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month with Ventura Harbor Village offering a free “Gyotaku” fish printing craft from 1-4 pm honoring a traditional Japanese art form dating back over 100 years, used by fishermen to record their catches.  Ventura Harbor Village’s Boatyard Pub Seafood & Spirits and Margarita Villa Mexican Restaurant also offer live music weekends.  

Plan and make a day of it to wine and waterside at many of these Ventura Harbor Village restaurants and eateries. https://www.venturaharborvillage.com/dine/

For more information about the Tall Ship Mystic Whaler deck tour information visit https://www.mysticoceanadventures.org For the latest updates regarding the Tall Ship Mystic Whaler and other spring events, visit  https://www.venturaharborvillage.com/events/ 

Visitors from near and far are encouraged to take photos at the Village’s docks and share their Instagram-worthy Tall Ship Mystic Whaler photos by using #SeaTallShip and tag @VenturaHarbor on Instagram!

About Mystic Ocean Adventures (MOA) Tall Ship Mystic Whaler:

Rich in history and seaside lore, the Tall Ship Mystic Whaler, designed by V.B. Crockett, was built in Tarpon Springs, Florida in 1967, and is representative of a late 19^th Century cargo two-masted schooner.  Following a significant overhaul in 1995, Tall Ship Mystic Whaler then operated on the East Coast for 26 years and provided educational programs/charters throughout Long Island Sound, Connecticut, and the Chesapeake Bay.  The schooner then started a three-month journey to California in October 2021 and was donated to Central Coast Ocean Adventures Foundation in January 2022. The organization’s mission is to utilize adventure through sailing and the sea to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) comprehension, environmental stewardship, teamwork, self-confidence, and nautical skills for the communities of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties with a special focus on youth ages 10-18 years old.

About Ventura Harbor Village:

Nestled along the scenic California Central Coast, Ventura Harbor offers breathtaking views and a vibrant maritime atmosphere. Ventura Harbor Village is the perfect Springtime waterfront destination. For more information about activities and live music at Ventura Harbor Village contact 805-477-0470, visit VenturaHarborVillage.com or join in the conversation on social media with @VenturaHarbor.