ON-GOING LOCAL ACTIVITIES

Tuesdays & Wednesdays Children's Storytime
Storytime geared to preschool children. Puppets, stories and crafts. Parental supervision required. Lloyd W. Taber Library, 4533 Admiralty Way. Tues 10:30 a.m.; Wed 6:30 p.m. Free. 310-821-3415

Wednesdays Sunset Sailing Series
Enjoy sunset during Marina del Rey’s largest sailing event from waterfront restaurants, Fisherman’s Village and North Jetty as scores of sailors compete. Each Wednesday, from Apr 16 - Sep 3. 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. 310-823-4567. more

Fridays Venice Farmer's Market
Fresh flowers, fruits and vegetables straight from the grower. 501 Venice Blvd. at Venice Way. 7-11 a.m. 310-399-6690. more

First Fridays on Abbot Kinney Boulevard
On the 1st Friday of each month, the shops on Abbot Kinney Blvd are open until 10 p.m. Browse, shop and enjoy the entertainment, refreshments, discounts and specials.

Saturdays & Sundays Fisherman's Village Music Series
Live R&B, Jazz, Latin, Pop, Blues concerts; 1-4 p.m., weather permitting. Free. Hotline: 310-823-5411.

Monthly Ballona Wetlands
Restored wetlands offer opportunities to learn about local birds and native plants. Free. more

 

Musical Mystery Dinner Shows
Mysteries en Brochette presents Musical Mystery Dinner Shows on alternate Saturday nights. Each event includes a four-course dinner. Currently rotating four different scripts, each with the music of its era: “Hollywood’s Fatal Premiere”, “Deadly Disco Cruise”, “Sock Hop Reunion”, and “Who Killed the Radio Show?”. Come join the fun and laughter! Marina del Rey Hotel, 13534 Bali Way, Marina del Rey). Reservations 310-399-1507. more

THIS YEAR'S EVENTS

 

Venice Garden & Home Tour
May 3
Self-guided tour of Venice homes & gardens; shuttle service & docents available. Las Doradas Children's Center at 804 Broadway, Venice; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost: $60 advance, $70 at door, children under 12 yrs. free. 310-821-1857. more

Marina del Rey Boat Show
Usually 3rd or 4th week in May
Bigger-than-ever show will feature hundreds of newest & largest recreational boats, from million-dollar yachts, incredible sailboats & personal watercraft, to marine accessories. Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way. Weekdays 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Weekends 10 a.m.-7 p.m.. Cost: $10 adult; 12 & under free. 949-757-5959. more

Venice Annual Art Walk
May 17 & 18
Walking tours of local artist studios & exhibitions. Food fair, art auction & family entertainment. 1010 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Cost: $50 (12 yrs. & under free). 310-392-9255. more

Venice Championships Bodybuilding and Figure Contest
May 25 & 26
Bodybuilding competition on Venice Beach. 1800 Ocean Front Walk. 10 a.m. Free. 310-399-2775. more

Porsche Club of America LA Region Concours
June 8
Enjoy Porsches of all kinds on display at this annual car show. Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way. 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Free. 818-888-7224. more

Marina del Rey Annual Fourth of July Fireworks
July 4
Fireworks shot over Marina's main channel. Burton Chace Park & Fisherman's Village are popular viewing spots, but any waterview seat is a good one! Free. 9 p.m. Arrive early. 310-305-9545. more

Mr. And Ms. Muscle Beach
July 4
Bodybuilding, figure, swimsuit competitions. 1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice Beach. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 310-399-2775. more

Westchester Annual Fourth Of July Parade
July 4
Chamber of Commerce parade; floats, elephant, marching bands, community groups. Starts in Westchester Park at noon & follows along Loyola Blvd. to Loyola Marymount University. Free. 310-645-5151.

Marina del Rey Summer Concerts
Jul 10 - Aug 30
This popular series of free outdoor concerts is held in one of the most spectacular waterfront settings in Los Angeles, Burton W. Chace Park. Attracting stellar musical talent, four classical music concerts featuring the 75-member Marina del Rey Summer Symphony alternate with four exciting pop concerts on select Thursday and Saturday evenings. Concerts begin at 7 p.m. and last about two hours. Audiences are encouraged to bring low folding chairs or blankets for first come seating and picnicking. 13650 Mindanao Way. Paid parking. Concert schedules will be available at the Marina del Rey Visitor Center. Info 310-305-9545. more

Venice Beach Carnevale
July 2008
Lively costume celebration honoring the art, artists and soul of Venice. More than two dozen outdoor musical and dance performances. Food, fire-spinners, belly dancers, live theatre, and a day-long costume contest where the best dressed are awarded prizes by Venice's own local merchants. more

Old Fashioned Day in the Park
July 27
Vintage yachts, antique & classic cars & motorcycles. Watch vintage steam engines, ship models & modelers do their work. Steam launches to give free rides in the harbor. Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way; Free. 626-335-8843. more

Festival of the Chariots
August 3
Hare Krishna-themed parade, Indian music, dance, vegetarian feast. Parade begins at 10 a.m. at Santa Monica Civic Center to Ocean Front Walk, Venice. Free. 310-837-8147.

Gillis Volleyball Invitational
August 9 & 10
Players compete in zany volleyball tournament beach bash, dressed in quirky, kooky costumes; Dockweiler Beach, 6200 Vista del Mar, Playa del Rey; 8 a.m.-dark. Free. 800-470-5166. more

Sweet & Hot Jazz Festival
August 28 - September 1
Annual Labor Day weekend tribute to sounds of '20s to 40's; swing, jazz, blues bands dancing, memorabilia & records. 818-461-9260. more

Venice Bodybuilding & Figure Championships
September 1
Venice Beach crowns their best and bulkiest body builders. Competition begins at 10 a.m.; finals 2 p.m. 1800 Ocean Front Walk. Free. 310-399-2775. more

City of Los Angeles Triathlon
September 7
1.5K swim at 7 a.m. at Venice Beach, north of Venice Pier between Washington Blvd. & Venice Boulevard, followed by 40K bike race & 10K run, which winds through Hollywood & ends in Downtown LA. 714-978-1528. more

Coastal Clean Up Day
Usually 2nd Saturday
End of summer volunteer local beach & marina clean up day. Sponsored by Heal the Bay. 800-HEALBAY. more

Venice Music Festival
September 21
Event starts at 11 a.m. with a champagne gourmet food brunch & trio playing Latin music. 1-6 p.m., concerts including Latin & African bands, food, beverages, silent auction. Benefits Venice area housing projects. 733-743 Palms Blvd., Venice. Reservations: 310-399-4100 x 106. more

Abbot Kinney Boulevard Street Festival
Usually last Sunday in September
One of the best community fairs in Los Angeles, hundreds of booths, arts, crafts, two stages, live music, food. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. more

Discover Marina del Rey Day
October 5
Live music, food, community booths, sailboat races, U.S. Coast Guard, L.A. County Fire and Lifeguard demonstrations, children's inflatable activities and games ($5 bracelet). Free. Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way. 11a.m.-4p.m. more

Los Angeles Carnival
Usually 2nd weekend in October
Caribbean street festival, parade, dance, games, music, Caribbean food. Westchester Park, 7000 W. Manchester Ave. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Parade begins at 88th St./Liberator Ave. & ends at Westchester Park. Free. 310-410-0174.

Marina del Rey Boat Parade
First weekend in December
Festively decorated boats illuminate the main channel in one of the Marina's most visually exciting events. Actual show preceded by a short fireworks display in the Main Channel at 5:55 p.m. Best viewing: Burton Chace Park & Fisherman's Village. 310-670-7130. more

Tour of the Tall Ships
Usually 2nd week in December
Tour the Tall Ships to learn more about how 18th century sailors lived & how they navigated across miles of open ocean. Enjoy dockside tours, adventure sails, battle sails, and the lighted boat parade sail. Berthed at Fisherman's Village & open to the public. For details & pricing call 800-200-5239. more

Venice Canals Holiday Boat Parade
December 14
Join all the fun at the Venice Canals as this creative image of Italy expresses their holiday spirit with a brilliantly lit display of small boats, canoes, kayaks and costumes. 4 p.m. From Washington Boulevard (in the Venice Beach vicinity), one way turn onto Dell Ave. Canals are along Dell Ave.

Luminarias
Usually 3rd Sunday in December
Fun-filled evening with candles lit in sand-filled paper bags, creating a glow over the historic 1834 Centinela Adobe Complex. Music program, Christmas tree & ornamental display. Tours start at 6:30 p.m. 310-677-2067.

New Year's Eve Fireworks
December 31
Fireworks shot from the south jetty light up the sky over Marina del Rey on New Year's Eve. Beginning at 11:59 p.m. & 30 seconds, one firework will be shot into the air each second, counting down to midnight when a five-minute fireworks show will burst across the night sky. Fireworks can be seen from almost anywhere in the marina. Free. 310-305-9545. more