A Big List of Things to Do This September in L.A. [2024]

September is a bridge month. Summer vibes in Los Angeles tend to carry on past Labor Day. Yet at the same time, the avalanche of Halloween-centric to-dos floods in as we approach October. So let’s cover it all!

Over the next few weeks in L.A. you’ll find a Birthday Celebration for the Santa Monica Pier, PST Art, CicLAmini in Lincoln Heights, the Frogtown ArtWalk, Dark Harbor at the Queen Mary, Westchester Arts & Music Block Party, LA Opera on the Beach, L.A. Time Food Bowl, Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival and Jazz Festival, and much more.

Things To Do This September

M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick

MASQ! (August 30 to September 2) – M > Heritage Square Museum transforms into a Venice Carnevale on the evening of a masked ball where a vengeful phantom appears, seeking justice. Presented by the Downtown Repertory Theater Company, known for sold out experience Fangs! and Witch!, this years production MASQ! will include unique individual experiences as you meet the people of La Serenissima and traverse a world of haunted mansions and an abandoned church. Tickets cost $87.21. More info here.

Americana at the Park (September 1, 8, 15, 22,29) – M FA > Santa Monica’s Americana in the Park series is back with McCabe’s Guitar Shop for the whole month of September, offering free concerts on Sundays at Gandara Park. Starting things out, Dustbowl Revival will headline the September 1 event, with on-site food trucks and activities for both adults and kids. Each date runs 4 to 7 p.m., and is free to attend. More info here.

Cinespia (September 1,7,14,21) -> Cinespia returns to the Hollywood Forever Cemetery this month with movie screenings that include Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Chicago, Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, and Purple Rain. Tickets cost $22-$32. More info here.

Getty and The Classical Theatre of Harlem Present Memnon (September 5-28) – > The Getty Villa’s Outdoor Outdoor Classical Theater returns in September with Memnon, the tale of a powerful Ethiopian king who journeys to the city of Troy to engage in battle during the Trojans’ darkest hour. Written by Will Power directed by Carl Cofield and co-produced by the Classical Theatre of Harlem. Free to attend with advance reservation. Tickets are $45 person. Get more info here.

Autry After Hours (September 5, 12, 19, 26) -> The Autry continues its series of Thursday evening events this September with after-hours museum access and live talks, plus special activations for each night that range from poetry readings and workshops to fashion tours and book signings. Admission is $18 for adults. Runs 6 to 9 p.m. More info here.

Halloween Horror Nights (September 5- November 3) – M > Universal Studios’ fall horror takeover features the signature Terror Tram, plus a litany of scare zones, lives shows, and a bevy of different haunted houses, including The Weekend themed haunted house, A Quite Place and Insidious The Further. GA tickets start at $77. Get more info here.

Santa Monica Pier’s 115th Birthday Celebration (September 6) – M FA TP > Santa Monica Pier’s 115th Birthday Celebration will include live performances, food specials, kids activities, a beer garden, and an outdoor screening of the movie Barbie in partnership with Street Food Cinema. Free to attend. More info here.

Frogtown First Fridays “All About Animals”(September 6) – FA > Elysian Valley Arts Collective is back with Frogtown First Fridays, and this time it’s “All About Animals.” Stroll through the car-free event and explore 15 venues hosting art exhibits, free or low-cost family activities, arts & crafts, workshops, live music, and booths from animal welfare organizations and pet care businesses. More info here.

KCRW Summer Nights (September 6, 13,20,21) – M FA > KCRW’s summer of free programming promises another exciting month of music events popping up at iconic venues and cultural institutions around Los Angeles. For September, check out an activation at Descanso Gardens, The Autry Museum of American West, and two nights at The Lawn at Century Park. Get more info here.

Bergamot Station 30th Anniversary (September 7) – M FA TP > Bergamot Station Arts Center hosts a day long 30th anniversary celebration featuring multiple performances, art exhibition openings, food, drink, and more. Free for all and family friendly. No ticket necessary. More info here.

Main Street Block Party (September 7) – FA > Main Street, Santa Monica will close the streets to cars for a lively community festival, featuring al fresco dining, a Y2K beer garden, live music, local vendors, and kids’ activities. Don’t forget to bring your dogs to the party because Day of the Dog returns this year with a wild and free, pet-friendly festival filled with pool parties, dog surfing, foam parties, pup yoga, weiner races and more. General admission to the black party is free, beer garden tickets cost $15. More info here.

A Night in the Park at Johnny Carson Park in Burbank (September 7) – FA > The Burbank Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with Valley Cultural Foundation and the Burbank Cultural Arts Commission presents Fall Festival – A Night in the Park at Johnny Carson Park in Burbank, featuring live concert, food trucks, art vendors, and a movie screening.

Metro Art Presents: The Last Repair Shop (September 7) – M FA> Los Angeles Union Station and Metro Art team up to host a special screening of the Academy Award-winning documentary The Last Repair Shop. Stick around after the film for live performances and a moderated conversation with cast members. More info here.

Viva Long Beach (September 7) -> Viva Long Beach showcases the diverse culture and vibrant spirit of Long Beach while celebrating Latine Heritage Month. Free and open to all, the event features live music with headliners Boogaalo, dancing, food and shopping. More info here.

LA Tequila Festival (September 7) -> The 7th annual LA Tequila Festival will transform LA Center Studios into a tequila and mezcal paradise with a selection of over 85 brands to sample plus. General admission tickets cost $103.22 and include unlimited tastings. Elevate your experience with VIP admission at $177.91, which includes early entry, VIP sections and complimentary food. Proceeds from this event benefit the Andrés y María Cárdenas Family Foundation, dedicated to providing scholarships to at-risk students in the Sylmar area.

Marina del Rey Movie Nights (September 7, 14, 21, 28) – FA >Marina del Rey Movie Nights at Burton Chace Park screens popular movies like Mean Girls on September 7, 50 First Dates on September 14, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on September 21 and Sixteen Candles on September 28. More info here.

Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome (September 8) -> Mount Wilson Observatory continues its 2024 season of classical concerts hosted inside the historic 100-inch telescope dome, where the acoustics are said to be some of the finest in the world. There will be two musical performances, one at 3 p.m. and the other at 5 p.m. Tickets are $60. More info here

Los Angeles Kids Book Festival (September 8)- M FA > The 2nd Annual Los Angeles Kids Book Festival returns to West Hollywood Park. Meet authors and illustrators, partake in arts and crafts, enjoy live performances, face painting, ballon twisting and an epic foam party. More info here.

L.A. Story at Hauser & Wirth West Hollywood (September 12 through January 4, 2025) –FA> Hauser & Wirth’s West Hollywood gallery presents L.A. Story, a group exhibition inspired by Steve Martin’s 1991 comedy. Featuring artists like David Hockney, Ed Ruscha, and Mark Bradford, the show offers a surreal homage to L.A.’s iconic scenes and locations, from swimming pools to cityscapes. More info here.

Ivy Station Night Market (September 13) – M FA > Ivy Station’s Friday night market returns with an Oktoberfest themed version of their monthly activation, including live Bavarian music, 30+ local vendors, food trucks, German inspired beers, food and games. Runs 5 to 10 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.

Breath(e): Toward Climate and Social Justice at The Hammer (September 13) – M FA > The Hammer’s opening reception for Breath(e): Toward Climate and Social Justice features late night gallery access plus music in the courtyard. The party kicks off at 8 p.m. Free to attend. Exhibition remains on view through January 5, 2025. More info here.

Oktoberfest at LA Ale Works (September 13 & 21 ) -> on September 13, LA Ale Works in Culver City will throw an Oktoberfest with beer releases, live music, games and food. Sign up for the pretzel eating contest, or a Keg holding contest, there’s even a Best Stein beauty competition. On September 21, the Hawthorne brewery location will throw a family friendly Oktoberfest with German beer, a Ballonist for kids, live music, plenty of games.

Summer of Salsa (September 13) – M FA > The LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes Summer of Salsa series continues this month with Friday night party highlighting some of the city’s best salsa and Cuban bands in the process. Doors open at 6 p.m., and music starts at 7 p.m. Always free to attend. More info here.

Mezcal Por Siempre (September 14) -> The first U.S. festival dedicated to traditional mezcal takes over L.A. River Studios on September 14. Curated by Ivan Vazquez, chef and owner of Madre!, the event features unlimited samples from over 50 mezcal producers across Mexico—many making their U.S. debut. Enjoy panels with mezcaleros, an after-party with live entertainment, and food available for purchase throughout the day. Tickets are $81.88. More info here.

Santa Monica Place Fall into Wellness (September 14-15) – FA > Santa Monica Place is kicking off its first-ever Fall Into Wellness event with a weekend of free fitness classes, mini massages, and product sampling in a family-friendly setting. Saturday is all about the kids, with fun activities like Stroller Stride by Fit4Mom Santa Monica and Mommy & Me Yoga by Cayton Children’s Museum. Sunday is for everyone, featuring Yoga with CorePower Yoga, RUN X LIFT with Barry’s Santa Monica, and Box & Sculpt by BoxUnion Santa Monica. More info here.

Corridos From The ‘Hood at the Compton Art & History Museum (September 14) – FA > Compton Art & History Museum hosts an opening reception for their newest exhibition, “Corridos From The ‘Hood.” Runs 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. More info here.

Roaring Nights at the LA Zoo (September 14) -> The L.A. Zoo’s annual Roaring Nights returns for September with an 80’s themed 21+ evening of music, dancing, food, drinks, a painting party and animal encounters, plus after-hours access to Zoo exhibits. Runs 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets cost $25 a person. More info here.

PST Art (September 15) – TP > PST Art (previously Pacific Standard Time) officially returns for the fall, banding together 70+ museums and cultural institutions with works by over 800 artists, all under the theme of “Arts & Science Collide.” Participants include many Metro-accessible locations, including The Getty, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, USC Pacific Asia Museum. See the full list of participants here.

POPtoberfest (September 15) – M > Pacific Opera Project in Highland Park hosts an Oktoberfest celebration with an evening of bites, brews, and live tunes. Expect traditional costumes, stein-holding contests, and a live Oompah band bringing the party vibes. Along with Oktoberfest classics like “Ein Prosit” and “Rosamunde,” you’ll also enjoy a mix of crowd-pleasing hits from operas, musicals, and more. Tickets are $28 and include one drink ticket. More info here.

CicLAmini Lincoln Heights (September 15) – M FA > CicLAvia hops over to Lincoln Heights with a 1.16 mile, car-free course along Broadway inviting attendees to walk, skate, bike, play, and explore the area. This “mini” version of L.A.’s signature open streets event will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free to attend as always. More info here.

Fiestas Patrias at LA Plaza (September 15) – M FA > Fiestas Patrias commemorates the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence (September 16, 1810) and is among the most significant celebrations in Mexican and Mexican-American culture. Locally, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes hosts a family-friendly festival to mark the occasion featuring workshops, arts, crafts and guest performers. Free to attend. Starts at noon. More info here.

Sunday Sessions at Gloria Molina Grand Park (September 15) M FA-> Grand Park’s summer house music series returns in September with an afternoon of beats curated by by Los Angeles-based music brand Soul Source. Expect a beer garden with cocktails for purchase, plenty of space to picnic, and plenty of good vibes. Runs 3 to 8 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.

Spider Pavilion at NHM (September 15- November 24) -> Explore the secret lives of spiders at the Natural History Museum’s Spider Pavilion, a unique seasonal attraction happening from September 15 to November 24. Walk among hundreds of orb weavers and their intricate webs, then peek into enclosed habitats showcasing a variety of spider species, including tarantulas and jumping spiders. Admission is just $10 with a timed ticket (required in addition to museum admission) or free for members.

Black Bar Social at The Music Center (September 17) – M FA TP > Each month at The Music Center, a featured artist or culture maker will pose a question and curate an experience to spark curiosity, imagination and conversation about the evolving cultural landscape of a vibrant Los Angeles. For September, Mashinka Firunts Hakopian leads an evening that blends ancestral knowledge and new technologies. Put simply, they’re gong to teach an AI to divine the future using an Amerindian technique that reads the patterns in coffee grounds. Free to attend. Runs 6 to 9 p.m. More info here.

Knott’s Scary Farm (September 19 – November 2) -> Knott’s Scary Farm returns with their signature lineup of haunted attractions, mazes and thousands of monsters ready to scare the living daylight out of you and your crew. Tickets start at $59.99. More info here. 

Salsa Night at Ivy Station (September 20) – FA > Ivy Station in Culver City hosts another evening of salsa featuring an into lesson by dance instructor Pepe Gonzalez (6:30 to 7 p.m.) followed by a live set from Fermin Fusion Salsa from 7 to 8:45 p.m. Free. Outdoors. Open to the public. More info here.

L.A. Times Food Bowl (September 20-22) -> The Los Angeles Times Food Bowl is back this year with a three-day night market with some of the most celebrated restaurants offering tastings right in the heart of Paramount Studios. Tickets start at $176.17 per person. Get more info here. 

Los Angeles Haunted Hayride (September 20 through November 2) -> The signature Halloween experience held in Griffith Park is back for 2024. The whole thing takes place in Midnight Falls, a fictional horror-town filled with roaming monsters. Check out the haunted mortuary and hop on the signature Hayride, this year the wagons get an update with built-in comfy seats. Tickets start at $36.99. More info here.

Hola México Film Festival (September 20-27) -> The 2024 Hola México Film Festival is the largest Mexican Film Festival outside of México. Presented by Toyota Camry, the lineup features screenings at Regal Cinemas LA LIVE, The Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, and LA Plaza De Cultura Y Artes. TBA on full slate of events and tickets tiers. More info here.

The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor (September 20 through November 2) -> After a four-year hiatus, Dark Harbor makes its return to the iconic Queen Mary in Long Beach with terrifying characters, haunted mazes, live entertainment, ghostly experiences, sinister eats and secret speakeasies hidden inside and around Dark Harbor’s mazes and attractions. More info here.

LA Opera Live Broadcast of Madame Butterfly on Santa Monica Pier & El Cariso Community Regional Park (September 21) – M FA > Enjoy an enchanting evening under the stars when the LA Opera presents a live broadcast of Madame Butterfly. Grab a few blankets and lawn chairs, pack a picnic, and enjoy outdoor screenings at Santa Monica Pier or El Cariso Community Regional Park in Sylmar. This event is free and welcomes guests of all ages. Show starts at 6 p.m. More info here.

Westchester Arts & Music Block Party (September 21) – FA TP > The Westchester Arts & Music (WAM) Block Party is a day-long community event benefiting local non-profits. Free to attend and family friendly. The party features live music, dance, art, garden tours, kids activities, food trucks and a beer and wine garden. More info here. 

Frogtown Artwalk (September 21) – FA– > The Frogtown Art Walk returns for fall with a full roster of art and activations along the L.A. River Path. Expect studio tours, food, kids crafts, and pop-up installations. Runs 4 to 10 p.m. More info here.

Future Sounds of Jazz Festival – (September 21) > BroadStage’s Future Sounds of Jazz Festival offers a packed day of jazz music curated by Stanley Clarke paired with food, beverages, and specialty vendors. The lineup of artists includes performances by Judith Hill; Gretchen Parlato with Gerald Clayton, Alan Hampton, Clarence Penn; The Gemini Project: Isaiah Collier and Jeremiah Collier; A Keith Jarrett Celebration by Cameron Graves, Connie Han, Jahari Stampley, and Ruslan Sirota, and MANY more. GA passes start at $75 per person. Event starts at 2 p.m. More info here.

Dino Fest at Natural History Museum (September 21) – M > Dino Fest returns to NHMLA for a day of celebrating the prehistoric giants that once ruled the earth. Expect to see rare specimens from NHM’s permanent collections, partake in hands-on activities, shop dino-themed merch, and more. Dino Fest is free with paid admission to the museum. More info here. 

FitspoLA @ The Bloc (September 21) – M FA > The FitspoLA series continues at the Bloc in DTLA with another free fitness class co-presented by UCLA Health. Participants can expect an hour-long yoga flow focusing on dynamic movements to increase flexibility, restore balance and strengthen core muscles. Free to attend, but pre-registration required. Parking validation for attendees $12. Starts at 10 a.m. More info here.

The Other Art Fair (September 26-29) -> This four-day event at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica showcases a curated selection of over 140 independent artists. Spy art for sale while enjoying live DJ sets, activations, installations, and a cash bar. Opening night tickets (Thursday) are $55, and individual tix for Friday to Sunday run $24. Get more info here.

Reign of Terror Haunted House (September 27 through November 2) -> This award-winning haunted house and walkthrough experience located in Thousand Oaks is now in its 24th season. The 2024 edition features 142 rooms in 11 different, inter-connected sections within 32,000 square feet of floor space. Standards tickets start at $42. More info here.

Urban Death at Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre (September 27 through November 1) -> Zombie Joe’s annual tradition of Urban Death is back with a brand new series of terrifying vignettes, bookended by walks through a creepy maze. Runs on Fridays and Saturdays, plus a few more select dates during the show’s final week at the end of October. Advance tickets are $23 online, or it’s $28 at door. Get more info here.

Red Bull BC One Cypher USA (September 27-28) -> Red Bull’s legendary one-on-one breaking competition, Red Bull BC One, is coming to Los Angeles for the U.S. National Finals. After regional competitions, the top breakers in the country will gather in the city for a weekend of action. It starts with Red Bull BC One Camp USA on Friday, September 27, offering workshops and panels led by world-class breakers. The main event, the Red Bull BC One USA National Cypher, will go down on Saturday, September 28, at Venice Beach. More info here.

Nights of the Jack (September 27 through November 2) -> The annual 1-mile trail of Halloween lights and jack o’lanterns at King Gillette Ranch continues on select dates through October 31. In addition to the signature walk, expect live pumpkin carving demos, face painting, a souvenir shop, and a “spookeasy” offering adult beverages for sale. Admission runs $34.99-$44.99 depending on which day of the week you attend. More info here.

Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival + Jazz Festival (September 28-29)- M FA TP > Two signature annual events are back at Watts Towers on the last weekend of September, with the Day of the Drum Festival on September 28 and the Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival on September 29. Full details are TBD at the moment but like last year you can probably expect guided towers, a drum pavilion, access to Noah Purifoy and Charles Mingus galleries, gardening activities, a food court, and arts and crafts vendors. Free admission both days. More info here.

Maria Bamford at BroadStage -> Santa Monica’s BroadStage is dipping their toes into standup with their first ever stand-up comedy presentation on September 27, and who better to take the spotlight than Maria Bamford, the veteran comedian who Judd Apatow once called “the funniest woman in the world.” More info here.

We Place Life at the Center / Situamos la vida en el centro at the Vincent Price Art Museum (September 28) – FA > Vincent Price Art Museum hosts an opening reception for We Place Life at the Center / Situamos la vida en el centro. The exhibition tackles issues of environmental justice and climate crisis solutions, centered around the work of Los Angeles-based Colombian artist Carolina Caycedo. On view through March 2, 2025. More info here.

Los Angeles Libros Festival (September 28) – M FA > The 6th annual Los Angeles Libros Festival brings a family-friendly, bilingual book festival to Central Library. Guests can enjoy bilingual storytelling, musical performances, workshops and more. Hosted by writer and journalist Gustavo Arellano, the fest features over 30 events, 22 authors and illustrators, and representation from 11 countries. Best of all, it’s free and open to everyone.

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