30th Annual Bug Fair: Wings, lots of wee legs, antennae, multiple eyes? Check, check, check, and check. It's one of the most buzzed-about -- get it? -- insect extravaganzas anywhere, and it is at the Natural History Museum on Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22. In fact, it is billed as "the biggest bug fair in North America," which is quite something to chitter about (or the bug-related noise of your choosing). Bug sales, bug experts, and, yes, the sampling of bug cuisine are just a few of the many scurry-worthy to-dos.
California Strawberry Festival: The Golden State is home to oodles of food fests focused on fruity goodness, but this Oxnard affair wears a berry-lined crown. It's out-sized, it's juicy, it features everything from tarts to pies to strawberry nachos -- pause for exclamation points: !!! -- and it has a whole carnival scene to boot. Tickets, shuttles, and what you can eat/do there can be found by peeking under the crust. Dates? May 21 and 22
Moroccan Artisan Festival: If you've been dreaming of an across-the-globe trip, but can't quite do it this summer, get down to Pershing Square through Saturday, May 21 for flavorful cuisine, authentic tunes, and a host of handmade items created by artists from the North African nation. The first-ever happening is a joint partnership between the Kingdom of Morroco and LA.
Temecula Balloon & Wine Festival: Whether you like chard, pinot, or cabernet, there's no debating the fact that this springtime wine country bash is just about its most famous. The three-day schedule bears that out -- May 20 through 22 -- as do the multiple concerts (Phil Vassar, Neon Trees) and the multiple chances to taste regional vinos and bites created by a caboodle of award-boasting chefs. Finding your parking, or a room, is key, so sail your balloon in this direction.
Rain Room Returns: Just when you thought you could stow your galoshes, one of the headline-makingest installations to ever grace the Los Angeles County Museum of Art is back. It's the artwork that rains inside a room, that's inside, yes, but when you step into it? A sensor senses you and the rain stops. It's been so popular that LACMA has extended its stay more than once; the next extension opens on May 19. Tickets? They're a must (though galoshes/umbrellas are not).
