This month you have five full weekends to explore the richness of Los Angeles. And if you’re Norwegian, it’s an even more special month since we celebrate Norway’s Constitution Day on May 17. What areas of the world will you explore? Mexico, Greece, Africa, China, Israel, Scotland, India, France, or Norway? Or you can mix it up at an international children’s film festival. Seize the opportunity to try something new this month!

* WEEKEND OF MAY 2 & 3 *

REDCAT International Children’s Film Festival, Walt Disney Concert Hall Complex, Saturday & Sunday until May 17. The 10th annual REDCAT International Children’s Film Festival features three weekends of adventurous short-film programs to appeal to moviegoers of all ages. Magical, exhilarating works made by acclaimed filmmakers and up-and-coming auteurs showcases work from around the globe—including Iran, Brazil, Sweden, Russia, Taiwan, Pakistan, Korea, The Netherlands, Ukraine—to inspire the whole family. Festival highlights include the latest in both live action and animated shorts. See website for full schedule and ticket information.

Renaissance Pleasure Faire, Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, Irwindale, Saturdays & Sundays until May 17. Travel back to the 16th century and experience the glory of life during the Renaissance era. The faire provides “a cornucopia of diversity where we are unified in inviting our guests to enjoy an environment we have created to escape from the stresses and demands of the modern day.” There will be artisans of all media, entertainment galore, food trucks and booths, games and rides (including pony and camel rides), a Kids Kingdom (with games, crafts, story-telling, song, shows, and characters), and a gnome quest!

Cinco de Mayo Celebration, El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument, Downtown, Saturday & Sunday, 10am-10pm.  El Pueblo hosts traditional Mexican dance and music, in honor of Mexico’s victory over the French in 1862. The party has been going on at this site every Cinco de Mayo for 140 years.

Greece: Ancient Pottery (Family Art Workshop), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Participate in a free family art workshop in a real art studio. We’ve attended one of these art workshops and can attest to the value and fun of them. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured.

Andell Family Sundays—For Royalty and Ceremony: African Textiles, LACMA, Sunday, 12:30pm-3:30pm. Also May 10, 17, 24, and 31. Check out the intricate beading, elaborate feather work, and complex symbolism that show status and ceremony in the exhibition African Textiles and Adornment: Selections from the Marcel and Zaira Mis Collections. Make your own textile art in workshops.

Family Jam: Family Meditation and Concert, Fowler Museum Courtyard at UCLA, Sunday, 2pm-4pm. Join acclaimed Chinese musicians from the Bridges East and West Music Festival for a serene concert and meditation for all ages. Experience the transforming qualities of tai-chi with Professor Shibin Zhou, contemplate an artwork in the Intersections gallery, and see how artists from the India-based Sahmat Collective shared works of art to promote peace. Then, create a fan to keep you cool during the hot summer months.

* WEEKEND OF MAY 9 & 10 *

REDCAT International Children’s Film Festival, Walt Disney Concert Hall Complex, Saturday & Sunday until May 17. This is the second weekend of the 10th annual REDCAT International Children’s Film Festival which features adventurous short-film programs that appeal to moviegoers of all ages. Magical, exhilarating works made by acclaimed filmmakers and up-and-coming auteurs showcases work from around the globe—including Iran, Brazil, Sweden, Russia, Taiwan, Pakistan, Korea, The Netherlands, Ukraine—to inspire the whole family. Festival highlights include the latest in both live action and animated shorts. See website for full schedule and ticket information.

World City Series: Kùlú Mèlé, W.M. Keck Children’s Amphitheatre at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Saturday, 11am and 12:30pm. Enjoy music and dance by Kùlú Mèlé African Dance and Drum Ensemble. This Philadelphia-based group is known for infusing African dance with urban American flair. Their World City performance will feature their Afro-Cuban repertoire with rhythms such as rumba and dances, one with roots in the Yoruba religion and another by way of Congo. Free visual arts workshops, designed by Music Center Teaching Artists, are available during each World City engagement. See website for ticket reservation information.

China: Paper Flower Cutting (Family Art Workshop), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Participate in a free family art workshop in a real art studio. We’ve attended one of these art workshops and can attest to the value and fun of them. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured.

Andell Family Sundays—For Royalty and Ceremony: African Textiles, LACMA, Sunday, 12:30pm-3:30pm. Also May 17, 24, and 31. Check out the intricate beading, elaborate feather work, and complex symbolism that show status and ceremony in the exhibition African Textiles and Adornment: Selections from the Marcel and Zaira Mis Collections. Make your own textile art in workshops.

* WEEKEND OF MAY 16 & 17 *

REDCAT International Children’s Film Festival, Walt Disney Concert Hall Complex, Saturday & Sunday. This is the final weekend of the 10th annual REDCAT International Children’s Film Festival which features adventurous short-film programs that appeal to moviegoers of all ages. Magical, exhilarating works made by acclaimed filmmakers and up-and-coming auteurs showcases work from around the globe—including Iran, Brazil, Sweden, Russia, Taiwan, Pakistan, Korea, The Netherlands, Ukraine—to inspire the whole family. Festival highlights include the latest in both live action and animated shorts. See website for full schedule and ticket information.

Norwegian Constitution Day Festivities at Nansen Field, Rolling Hills Estates, Sunday, 11am. This is a true Norwegian celebration hosted by the Norwegian Church Abroad. It is a relaxing, laid-back event on a huge open field. The field opens at 9:30am and the festivities kick off at 11 o’clock with a Norwegian 17th of May church service, a flag raising, and a 17th of May speech. Then there’s a parade led by a marching band followed by the sale of traditional Norwegian 17th of May foods such as hot dogs, hamburgers, Solo, waffles, and ice cream. There are also vendor stalls with Norwegian goods and plenty of games and prizes for the kids. Read about one of our earlier celebrations at Nansen Field here.

Norway’s National Day Celebration, Norway’s Church Abroad, San Pedro, Sunday, 5pm. The Church always hosts a traditional Norwegian “17. mai” celebration on the actual day at 17:00. So this year you can get a lot of Norwegian in on one day. Typical Norwegian foods will be served—pølser, rundstykker, bløtkaker, marsipankaker, brus, and coffee. There will also be games for kids of all ages and ice cream prizes for all. And of course, it wouldn’t be a typical 17. mai celebration without speeches and a parade around the neighborhood. And of course the store is open so you can stock up on Scandinavian goodies.

Celebrate Israel Festival, Cheviot Hills Recreation Center, West Los Angeles, Sunday, 11am-6pm. Come celebrate Israel’s 67th Independence Day. This year’s theme is Jerusalem of Gold and attendees will have the opportunity to visit various sites of Jerusalem, learn about the Old City, participate in various hands-on projects, and experience the city’s magic. The day’s activities and events include musical performances (main event is Shlomi Shabat); an artists pavilion showcasing local Jewish and Israeli artists with their jewelry, crafts, gifts, and home decor; a kids zone and a teen area; a technology pavilion to see latest Israeli innovation and hear Ted-style presentation; and an amusement park with rides.

USA: Land Art (Family Art Workshop), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Participate in a free family art workshop in a real art studio. We’ve attended one of these art workshops and can attest to the value and fun of them. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured.

Andell Family Sundays—For Royalty and Ceremony: African Textiles, LACMA, Sunday, 12:30pm-3:30pm. Also May 24 and 31.Check out the intricate beading, elaborate feather work, and complex symbolism that show status and ceremony in the exhibition African Textiles and Adornment: Selections from the Marcel and Zaira Mis Collections. Make your own textile art in workshops.

* MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND MAY 23 & 24 *

Scottish Fest, Orange County Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa, Saturday & Sunday, 9am-6pm. Enjoy a festival of Celtic entertainment and food. There will be competitions in Piping & Drumming, Highland Dancing, and Scottish Athletics as well as a full schedule of entertainment.

42nd Annual Valley Greek Festival, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Northridge, Saturday, Sunday, & Monday, 1pm-9pm. Enjoy a cultural experience for all ages with live music, dancing, gourmet food, homemade pastries, cooking demonstrations, children’s activities, a Greek market, and a variety of shopping boutiques.

India: Rangoli Art (Family Art Workshop), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Participate in a free family art workshop in a real art studio. We’ve attended one of these art workshops and can attest to the value and fun of them. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured.

Andell Family Sundays—For Royalty and Ceremony: African Textiles, LACMA, Sunday, 12:30pm-3:30pm. Check out the intricate beading, elaborate feather work, and complex symbolism that show status and ceremony in the exhibition African Textiles and Adornment: Selections from the Marcel and Zaira Mis Collections. Make your own textile art in workshops.

* WEEKEND OF MAY 30 & 31 *

France: Matisse-Inspired Paper Cut-Outs (Family Art Workshop), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Participate in a free family art workshop in a real art studio. We’ve attended one of these art workshops and can attest to the value and fun of them. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured.

Andell Family Sundays—For Royalty and Ceremony: African Textiles, LACMA, Sunday, 12:30pm-3:30pm. Check out the intricate beading, elaborate feather work, and complex symbolism that show status and ceremony in the exhibition African Textiles and Adornment: Selections from the Marcel and Zaira Mis Collections. Make your own textile art in workshops.