Shows and events
Katie Sagal

Los Angeles Memorial Day Weekend 2020 - 10+ Fun Things to Do in May

Kick off the start of summer by taking advantage of some of the fun things to do in Los Angeles this Memorial Day Weekend. From attending a wine tasting ocean-side, to getting in some classic theme park fun, planning a memorable, fun-packed trip in LA is easy. If you’re looking for Los Angeles Memorial Day Weekend 2020 ideas, check out some of these local activities and events in Los Angeles in May, including...

  • Spend a day at Universal Studios Hollywood
  • Shark Frenzy at Pacific Park
  • Go on a whale watch cruise
  • Loop the loop at Knott's Berry Farm
  • Check out LEGOLAND California
  • and more...

Save on Attraction Admission

Regular admission to a number of these attractions is included on the Go Los Angeles pass. Choose as you go from dozens of Los Angeles attractions & activities and save up to 55% off combined admission vs paying at the gate. See all available passes and Los Angeles attractions – Learn more. Please note, some of these special May and Memorial Day weekend events may be separately ticketed and not included on the Go Los Angeles pass.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Image of Blonde, Hair, Person, Head, Face, Glove, Adult, Female, Woman, Happy, Laughing, Photography, Portrait, Image Credit: Universal Studios Hollywood
The most exciting thing to do this Memorial Day Weekend is to pay a visit to the region's best amusement park / working movie production studio - Universal Studios! Go behind the scenes and see where all the movie magic happens with a comprehensive studio tour. You'll love learning industry secrets and perhaps passing a few stars on their way to work! Then, spend the next few hours enjoying the amazing attractions that Universal has to offer, from Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and TRANSFORMERSTM: The Ride-3D to The Wizarding World of Harry PotterTM and The Walking Dead Attraction (new!). Getting In: Universal Studios Hollywood tickets are included with the 3-, 5-, and 7-Day Go Los Angeles passes.

Ride the Shark Frenzy at Pacific Park

Image of Boat, Vehicle, Water, Amusement Park, Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier is LA’s only admission free amusement park, which offers 12 amusement rides, 14 midway games, an oceanfront food plaza and beachside shopping. What better way to kick off the summer season than hopping on rides and indulging in some theme park classic fare? This Memorial Day weekend take your turn on your favorite theme park rides or spend the day staying cool at a water park for a little family-friendly fun. Shark Frenzy is Pacific Park's new spin on the classic Tilt-a-Whirl ride. Getting In: Pacific Park Santa Monica tickets are included in the Go Los Angeles pass.

Knott's Berry Farm

Image of Amusement Park, Fun, Roller Coaster, Knott's Berry Farm is the country's first theme park, so it has a lot of heritage, but it also boasts a lot of new rides, too! Enjoy coasters, slides, and other exhilarating rides as you explore the park. It's a great way to spend an afternoon enjoying the early summer sun! Getting In: Knott's Berry Farm tickets are included with the Go Los Angeles pass.

Six Flags Magic Mountain

Image of Amusement Park, Fun, Roller Coaster, Person, Adult, Male, Man, Classic theme park lovers won't want to miss out on L.A.'s outpost of the famous Six Flags franchise - Six Flags Magic Mountain. With nearly 20 world-class roller coasters and 100+ rides, games, and other attractions, you'll never run out of fun to pursue at this exciting park! For something different, check out the new Twisted Colossus ride at Six Flags Magic Mountain, a thrill-ride haven for adrenaline-seeking daredevils. Getting In: Six Flags Magic Mountain tickets are included with the Go Los Angeles pass.

LEGOLAND California

Image of People, Person, Child, Female, Girl, Boy, Male, Head, Face, Happy, Smile, For the younger crowd, head to LEGOLAND® California where kids will love the Star WarsTM displays and have a blast interacting with LEGO® friends in Heartlake City. See their favorite toys brought to life as they explore this distinctive park, featuring plenty of fun rides and attractions geared towards children 12 and under. Getting In: LEGOLAND California tickets are included with the Go Los Angeles pass.

Watch the Sun Set Over the Ocean

Image of Water, Waterfront, Pier, Person, Port, By Evanthomas1 at English Wikipedia [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Can it get any more Californian than this? Visit one of Los Angeles' many beautiful beaches and enjoy a picnic or bonfire as you wait for the gorgeous sunset that's sure to come on this early summer night. Some beaches that offer fire pits include Huntington City Beach, Point Mugu State Park, and Cabrillo Beach (which also boasts a delightful aquarium). And while you'll most likely have to pay for parking at any beach, your other costs are confined to picnic supplies and beverages, making this a really budget-friendly Memorial Day activity. Getting In: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium tickets are included with the Go Los Angeles pass.

Go on a Whale Watch

Image of Vehicle, Yacht, Boat, Person, Take your L.A. Memorial Day Weekend out to sea and gain a newfound appreciation for the diverse sea life right off the coast of California when you spot whales, dolphins, and more in their natural habitats on a Whale Watch cruise. Embark on a journey hosted by local experts in the whale-spotting business. This cruise will escort you out to a nearby marine sanctuary, where you can see a wide variety of ocean creatures and especially whales, including grey whales, giant blue whales, orcas, Minke whales, and the ever-popular humpback whales. Getting In: Whale Watch tickets are included with the Go Los Angeles pass.

Enjoy Some Wine Tastings

Image of Alcohol, Beverage, Liquor, Wine, Bottle, Wine Bottle, Smoke Pipe, A fan of some great artisan wines? Pop by Barnsdall Park to participate in their Friday-night wine tastings. It's practically a summer tradition in Los Angeles, and tickets pretty moderately priced. Visit the event website for more details and to purchase tickets. This is a perfect event for adults and couples and is much more affordable for those on a budget. Getting In: Wine Tasting is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go Los Angeles pass.

Take in a Movie -- Outdoors!

There are few things that say summer as much as outdoor movie showings. In addition to being a ton of fun, they're really inexpensive, and often, free! This Memorial Day in Los Angeles, there are several different venues hosting a wide variety of popular films, from Crazy, Stupid, Love to Save the Last dance. Venues include the Autry Museum (in Griffith Park), Will Rogers State Historic Park, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, and more. Getting In: Movies are separately ticketed and are not included with the Go Los Angeles pass.

Roam Local Festivals

For the festival lovers out there and those of you who delight in exploring a new city like a local, there are a lot of great Los Angeles area Memorial Day Weekend events to enjoy. From the artsy (and free!) Fiesta Hermosa (May 23 - 25, 2020) to the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival, there are options to suit every taste. Getting In: Festivals are separately ticketed and are not included with the Go Los Angeles pass.

Eat Locally

MAINopoly: A Taste of Main Street is a party in Santa Monica in which Main Street transforms into an interactive Monopoly board game. "MAINopoly dollars" will be exchanged for food tastings in the area. There's even a "Go Directly to Jail" VIP lounge for attendees to enjoy a cocktail. Guests are also encouraged to dress in Monopoly-inspired attire. Getting In: MAINopoly is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go Los Angeles pass.

Remember to Save on Attractions & Activities

There you go - plenty of fun ideas for things to do in Los Angeles in May to help you plan your Memorial Day weekend itinerary. Remember, many of these great ideas are included on the Go Los Angeles pass, where you can save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. We really hope you consider adding a few of these popular options to your upcoming plans. Enjoy!

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