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

Ride the Shark Frenzy at Pacific 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
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
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
For the younger crowd, head to LEGOLAND® California where kids will love the Star Wars™ 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
![By Evanthomas1 at English Wikipedia [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](https://assets.gocity.com/files/ufrfmb316/files/featured_images/Manhattan_Pier-600x386.jpg)
Go on a Whale Watch
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
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!