Los Angeles provides no limit of things to do, some awesome and some not so awesome.
Since time is precious in this fast paced city we curate a list of things to do in Los Angeles for every weekend that’ll help you decide how you want to spend your limited supply of attention (not to mention dollars!).
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This weekend (October 13 – October 15) includes the LA Korean Festival, a late-night party at Skriball, the DTLA Oyster Fest, the Sherman Oaks Street Fair, the Pasadena ARTWalk, a Japanese Garden Festival, and MUCH more.
Also remember you can always go to our L.A. events calendar page to get an updated rundown of what’s happening around the city.
Enjoy!
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Friday October 13th, 2017
1. Skirball After Hours presents Late-Night! Música y Arte a late-night gallery party featuring live music by Mark de Clive-Lowe, a DJ set by Chulita Vinyl Club, food trucks, a cash bar, and more. FREE
2. ArtNight Pasadena returns with art, music and entertainment at over 18 local cultural institutions, venues and shops. FREE
3. Multi-sensory, walk-through experience Creep LA returns to the Music Box in DTLA October 5 through November 12. Inspired by the Amazon Prime Exclusive Series Lore the experience is fully engaging, multi-sensory and super-scary, featuring some of pop culture’s most legendary horror myths. Happening Thursdays through Sundays.
4. The 44th annual L.A. Korean Festival on October 12-15 will provide a showcase of Korean culture through food, performances, music, and exhibitions. FREE
5. The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor will transform into a seaport of the damned for the Halloween season with terrifying mazes and monsters at every turn like the Iron Master and Graceful Gale. This year they’ll reveal their newest member of the crew, his name is Chef and he’s got a carnivorous kitchen staff with a big appetite. Happening Thursday and through the weekend. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
6. Eat|See|Hear returns with Front Porch Cinema, a free movie night below the stars every Friday on Santa Monica Pier from September 29 through October 27. The fall film series will also feature music, drinks, and bites before each screening. This week they’ll screen Hidden Figures. FREE
7. Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch at Platform LA happening October 6-30 in DTLA features a fun spooky space for families to celebrate Halloween. Highlights include; an interactive pumpkin village; straw maze; a giant rocking horse ride; Mr. Bones’ Super Slide; a Jumpin’ Pumpkin and more. Happening Thursday and through the weekend.
8. Throughout the month of October, Westbound will host double-feature screenings of cult classic Halloween flicks on their back patio on Sunday nights as well as on Friday the 13th and Halloween. Screenings begin at 6 and 8 p.m. This Friday they’ll host a double screening of the 1980’s classic Friday the 13th.
9. Wicked Lit is a spooky immersive theatre experience taking horror literature and turning them into plays at the Mountain View Mausoleum & Cemetery. It happens every Thursday through Sunday from September 28 through November 9. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
10. Metro Art presents “L.A. Documentaries at Union Station,” a celebration of the city of Angels through true stories on film. Kicking off the series is “Roller Dreams” this Friday in the Historic Ticketing Hall. FREE
11. The Vista Theatre will fittingly screen Friday the 13th on Friday the 13th.
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12. Turn Me Loose, a comedic drama about the life of comedian and civil rights activist Dick Gregory, starts a one-month run at the Wallis this Friday. The production stars Emmy award winner Joe Morton and is directed by John Gould Rubin.
13. Climb aboard the 17th Annual Ghost Train in Griffith Park on October 13-31 and ride on their iconic train into a spooky setting of animatronics, projections and pyrotechnic. The ride is family friendly with no blood, gore or actors jumping out to scare you like most Halloween experiences.
14. L.A.’s legendary Groundlings Theatre troupe presents its latest main stage show, Groundlings of the Corn. Expect an evening of sketches, improv and LOL moments. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
15. Head over to Torrance for one of the most well-known Oktoberfest celebrations in the L.A. area! Alpine Village Oktoberfest runs September 8 through October 28 every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy traditional Bavarian food, beer, dancing, and more.
16. The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride returns to The Old Zoo in Griffith Park from September 29 to October 31. This years theme is “Clown” and features four different freaky zones, a slew of demonic clowns, a corn maze and more. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
17. Silent Classic Horror Festival will host a month long fright fest. This week the 1922 film Nosferatu will be screened at Old Town Music Hall located in El Segundo. The festival takes place every Friday through Sunday.
18. 260 Sample Sale LA returns with a Rent The Runway sample sale at their Beverly Hills store October 11-15. Offering up to 90% off on gently used designer apparel and accessories, brands on sale include: ML Monique Lhuillier; Marchesa Notte; kate spade new york; Nicholas; Opening Ceremony; Derek Lam 10 Crosby, and more.
19. Boo at the L.A. Zoo returns for a spooktacular season. Highlights include a “Nocturnal Adventure” maze, “Animals and Boo” creepy crawler encounters, pumpkin-carving demos and other family-oriented fun.
20. The folks at Rooftop Cinema Club are back with two screenings at their rooftop locations. Wonder Woman at LEVEL in Downtown Los Angeles and Friday 13th at Montalban in Hollywood.
Saturday October 14th, 2017
21. San Antonio Winery in DTLA celebrates 100 Years in Los Angeles this Saturday with a party. Highlights include a grape stomp, live music, a wine & beer garden and a stellar line up of food trucks.
22. The Paley Center for Media will kick off their latest exhibit, Cartoon Network: 25 Years of Drawing on Creativity with a party suitable for kids and adults. The event will feature an augmented reality experience, Powderpuff Girl sculptures, free activities for kids as well as refreshments.
23. Downtown LA Oyster Fest returns to Grand Central Market on October 14-15 for a delicious celebration of LA’s favorite oceanic appetizer. The culinary event will gather oyster farmers from across the country in one place for a day of tastings, workshops and delicous creations like oyster “Po Boy” pizza; fried curry oysters and more.
24. The Japanese Garden Festival returns to Descanso Gardens on October 14-15 for a celebration that includes tours, music, displays, crafting, and more.
25. The Sivley family is back for their 46th year of hosting the award winning, Beware the Dark Realm a haunted house experience in the city of Santa Clarita. Haunt kicks off this Satruday and will run every Friday and Saturday thorough the month. FREE
26. Stroll the streets of Old Pasadena while enjoying local art, free museum admission, live entertainment and more when The 12th Annual Pasadena ARTWalk returns this Saturday. FREE
27. Spend the evening along the Los Angeles River during Noches del Rio a benefit concert supporting FOLAR. Nic Harcourt will host the night and Ozomatli will perform an intimate show.
28. Off the 405 is a free outdoor concert series taking place at the Getty Center, showcasing some of today’s hottest bands while highlighting site specific installations by emerging artist. FREE
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29. Climb aboard the Esotouric Bus and dive into a world of bizarre murders and dark history during the Echo Park Book of the Dead bus tour. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
30. The 3rd annual Archaeology Day will take place at the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area’s visitor center in Calabasas. Learn how to dig like an archaeologist, throw a spear, watch flintknapping (making stone tools) and more. FREE
31. OFF THE HOOK returns this year to the Santa Monica Pier with a tasty day of seafood centric dishes, live music, a beer garden and more.
32. Pico Block Party: TRANSLATION is a celebratory afternoon taking place at 18th Street Arts Center in Santa Monica. The family-friendly festival will give tours, offer workshops and feature live music, dance performances, a feminist card reading and more. FREE
33. Visit the Los Angeles Central Library in DTLA for the lecture “Pocho Gastronomy is the Future of Mexican Cuisine in America” with acclaimed food journalist Bill Esparza. He’ll share stories about Mexican cuisine in Los Angeles, with a focus on Boyle Heights, Huntington Park and Pacoima, and the city’s styles of Mexican cookery. FREE
34. Taste of Italy will transform historic DTLA into the streets of Italy highlighting the city’s best Italian restaurant. In addition, guests can enjoy vendors selling specialty products, cooking demos by celebrity chefs, live entertainment and over 100 world-class wines.
35. More than 40 artists will open up their studios for a massive art walk during Santa Fe Art Colony Open Studios on October 14-15. Meet with artists, see them work in their natural habitat and even buy directly from their studios. FREE
36. The 3rd annual Long Beach Oktoberfest will take over The Pike Outlets featuring unlimited beer tastings, a mug-holding competition, traditional German oom-pah music and much more. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
37. LA’s Best Vegan Taco Competition comes to Cafe Gratitude in Larchmont Village. The competition will boast eight chefs, two winners, live music, and a whole lot of tacos.
38. Get ready to shriek, because Urban Death: Tour of Terror is back at Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group in North Hollywood. This haunted theater attraction features a terrifying performance and a maze of inexplicable horrors, unfathomable monstrosities, and the disturbing spirits that walk among us. Happening every Friday and Saturday this month. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
39. Knott’s Scary Farm is back with their signature haunted attractions, mazes and thousands of monsters ready to scare the living day light out of you and your crew. Be sure to check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
40. Street Food Cinema will host two screenings this Saturday: Casper at Syd Kronenthal Park and Wonder Woman at Marriot Golf Course in Manhattan Beach.
41. Halloween Horror Nights taking place at Universal Studios Hollywood will immerse guests in a three-dimensional world of terror featuring a new slate of mazes, scare zones and a newly designed “Terror Tram” experience. Themes include American Horror Story, The Shining, SAW, Insidious and more.
42. The Original Farmers Market located at The Grove will celebrate the fall season with a two day festival on October 14-15. Family fun activities include checking out Alaskan racing pigs, a petting zoo, kid-sized tractor pull competitions, a pie-eating contests and more.
43. The folks at Rooftop Cinema Club are back with two screenings at their rooftop locations. Baby Driver at LEVEL in Downtown Los Angeles and Texas Chainsaw Massacre at Montalban in Hollywood
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Sunday October 15th, 2017
44. The 27th annual Sherman Oaks Street Fair returns to the San Fernando Valley for one of the largest-single day events in L.A.!!! Chord Overstreet of Glee fame will headline the music stage and 150 vendors, a carnival, car show, pet expo, rides, food trucks and more will round out the event. FREE
45. Le Salon de Musiques presents a stage free chamber musical experience with champagne and high tea to follow at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion this Sunday. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
46. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month and the good folks over at YesICAN will host a Bowling with Stormtroopers event at Winnetka Bowl in the San Fernando Valley. Come out and donate to the cause. $20 gets you two games, shoes, lunch and a chance to hangout with your favorite Star Wars characters, curtesy of the SoCal Garrison of the 501st Stormtrooper Legion.
47. This Sunday, The San Fernando will pay tribute to the late Tom Petty with a night of cover songs by local musicians.
48. Throughout the month of October, Westbound will host double-feature screenings of cult classic Halloween flicks on their back patio every Sunday night as well as on Friday the 13th and Halloween. Screenings begin at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. This Sunday they’ll host screenings of The Addams Family and Beetlejuice.
49. LA Weekly’s Brunch at the Races returns for another year of endless signature bites from over 30 of L.A.’s most popular brunch spots. Taking place at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, expect over 30 restaurants, live music, cocktail samples and access to the first horse racing of the season. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
50. There’s a Great Pumpkin Hunt happening at the South Coast Botanic Garden from October 1 through November 30 everyday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Highlights include an imaginative scavenger hunt, light hiking, a pumpkin shop and access to the gorgeous 87-acre grounds. Great for families. Halloween costumes are welcome.
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