Things To Do This Weekend in L.A. [9-22-2023 to 9-24-2023]

Santa Monica Pier at Sunset. Photo by Christina Champlin / We Like L.A.

Forget the cloudiness. Forget the gloom. This weekend we’re going to light things up with a BUNCH of great events to check.

From September 22-24 in Los Angeles, you’ll find The Other Art Fair in Santa Monica, the L.A. Haunted Hayride in Griffith Park, a Hispanic Heritage Festival in Inglewood, San Pedro Festival of the Arts, an opera simulcast on the Santa Monica Pier, Illuminate the Night on the L.A. River, Abbot Kinney Festival in Venice, Burbank Pride, Dino Fest at NHM, and more. Full rundown starts below!

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Make Metro Part of Your Weekend

City of Inglewood Hispanic Heritage Festival -> This Saturday, the City of Inglewood hosts an Hispanic Heritage Festival spanning a portion of Market St. in Downtown featuring live bands, mariachi, local vendors, a classic car show, and plenty of food options. Runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and free to attend. More info here.

Go Metro: Take the K Line to Downtown Inglewood station.

More Things To Do This Weekend

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


The Other Art FairTP > 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 $50-$55, and individual tix (Friday to Sunday) run $25-$30. Get more info here.

Knott’s Scary Farm -> Starting this Thursday to Sunday, 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. The haunt continues on select nights through October 31. Tickets start at $59.99 More info here

Notte Italiana: An Eataly After Hours Experience -> On Friday, from 9 p.m. to midnight, celebrate the end of summer at Eataly’s very first after-hours storewide festival. The event will feature tasting stations with an array of delicious bites, summer cocktails, wines, craft beer, and live entertainment. Tickets for this event range from $95 to $115. More info here

Halloween Horror NightsM > This Thursday to Sunday , Universal Studios’ fall horror takeover continues, featuring the signature Terror Tram, plus a litany of scare zones, lives shows, and a bevy of different haunted houses, including The Exorcist: Believer and Universal Monsters: Unmasked. GA tickets start at $74, but VIP and express packages can push the price point well over $300 depending on the offer. Get more info here.

Hispanic Heritage Month Concerts at Ovation Hollywood M FA > Every Friday from September 15 to October 13, Ovation Hollywood celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with live music in the central courtyard featuring a lineup of artists from a variety of genres, including Latin Jazz, Mariachi, and pop. All events run from 4 to 7 p.m. and are free to attend. More info here.

Lucha VaVOOM -> Lucha VaVOOM returns to The Mayan Theatre in downtown L.A. on Friday for a special event celebrating wrestling star Cassandro. “The Queen of the Ring,” tribute show honors Cassandro, a luchador and queer icon, who will be in attendance. The event also features the premiere of the new film “Cassandro” on Prime Video, depicting the star’s courageous battle against homophobia. Tickets to the show range $45-$90. More info here

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Los Angeles Haunted Hayride -> The signature Halloween experience held in Griffith Park is back for 2023, beginning this Friday to Sunday. Fictional horror-town Midnight Falls is once again your setting, filled with roaming monsters, a haunted mortuary and of course the iconic Hayride. Tickets start at $29.99. The scares continue on select dates through October 31. More info here.

L.A. Times Food Bowl Night Market -> Night Market returns to the Paramount Pictures Studios Backlot for a three-day outdoor food and drink festival, running this Friday to Sunday, and featuring a who’s who of local restaurants and vendors including, Anajak Thai, CevicheStop, Maple Block Meat, Belles Beach House, Tacos 1986, Wanderlust Creamery, Ronan, Genghis Cohen, Osteria Momma, Lunetta, Girl & The Goat, Evil Cooks, Holbox, and MANY more. GA tickets start at $150 per person. More info here.

Goldenvoice Night MarketM FA TP > Goldenvoice takes over Grand Central Market this Friday with an evening of DJ sets, flea market vendors, and (most importantly!) ticket giveaways to 200+ concerts. The event runs 8 p.m. to midnight and is free to attend. More info here.

Masters of Musical WhistlingFA > This Friday to Sunday, 60 musical whistlers from 10 countries gather to meet and compete with popular and classical songs to vie for the title of World Champion Whistler. at biennial Masters of Musical Whistling International Festival and Competitionin. The competition will be held at the Barnsdall Gallery Theater with some events ticketed (including Friday’s Concert of the Masters) while others (including competition portions on Saturday and Sunday) are free to attend. Check the full programming schedule and get more info here.

BeachLife Ranch – > Beach vibes meet country music this Friday to Sunday as BeachLife Ranch takes over Redondo Beach with performances by Jack Johnson, The Avett Brothers, The Doobie Brothers, Brad Paisley and more. Tickets start at $189. More info here.

Earth Edition, A Festival of Eco-Consciousness -> The Festival of Eco-Consciousness at CalArts invites guests to immerse themselves in an Earth-optimistic atmosphere. Explore the futuristic Lumisphere’s dream domes and partake in activities like goat yoga, Indigenous storytelling, live music, art installations. Tickets range from $15 to $100. The festival continues through September 24. More info here.

Illuminate the Night FA TP > On Saturday, Elysian Arts Collective will host an evening of festivities that highlight the Taylor Yard Bicycle & Pedestrian Bridge with exhibits and performances, light installations along the LA River Bike Path in Frogtown and a literary lounge showcasing Los Angeles poets and more to be announced. Free to attend. More info here.

Blue Bunny Glam Your Fam Photoshoot -> In celebration of the official last day of summer this Saturday, Blue Bunny invites everyone to a complimentary ‘Glam Your Fam’ photoshoot event at The Grove in Los Angeles. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., near the statue on Level 1, attendees can have their pictures taken by the renowned Tom Tuong from Tom’s One Hour Photo Lab, capturing the essence of the ’90s against nostalgic backdrops. First 50 arrivals get free disposable cameras, and Blue Bunny’s Minibars, Twist Cones, and Mini Swirls will be offered to all who stop by. More info here.

Kankyō Ongaku: An Evening of Environmental Music -> Spend Saturday evening on an auditory journey in the heart of Little Tokyo during Kankyō Ongaku. Explore venues inside the Japanese American Culture and Community Center, including the Aratani Theatre, Japanese Garden, and Isamu Noguchi Plaza, where DJs and live musicians create music inspired by their surroundings. Tickets are $20, with complimentary admission for seniors (62+). More info here.

Westchester Arts & Music Block PartyFA TP > This Saturday’s 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

LA Opera Live Broadcast of Don Giovanni on Santa Monica Pier & La Mirada ParkFA TP > Enjoy an enchanting evening under the stars when the LA Opera presents a live (and free to attend) simulcast of Don Giovanni at two locations this Saturday. Grab a few blankets and lawn chairs, pack a picnic, and enjoy outdoor screenings at Santa Monica Pier or La Mirada Community Regional Park. This event is free and welcomes guests of all ages. Show starts at 6 p.m. More info here.

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San Pedro Festival of the Arts FA > The San Pedro Festival of the Arts pops up at Peck Park this Saturday for an afternoon of performances from over a dozen local dance companies, showcasing a variety of styles. Free to attend. Runs 1 to 4:15 p.m. More info here.

L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade -> On Saturday, this culinary event unites acclaimed chefs and mixologists in Los Angeles to stand alongside the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) in the battle against childhood cancer. Hosted by Chef Suzanne Goin, business partner Caroline Styne, and Chef David Lentz, this family-friendly afternoon will be filled with delicious food from over 50 of the most recognized and decorated chefs in L.A. and beyond with cocktail experiences to match. GA tickets cost $255 ($125 tax-deductible). More info here.

POP in WeHo FA > Pacific Opera Project brings free performance of Hansel & Gretel to Kings Road Park in West Hollywood on three separate weekends this month, including this Saturday and Sunday. All shows are free to attend and all begin at 4 p.m. Picnics encouraged! More info here.

Torrance Beer Run -> The Torrance Beer Run presented by Discover Torrance returns September 23-30 with a self-paced tour of 12 breweries in the area. Participants can collect stamps in their Beer Run Passport at each stop to redeem limited edition 2023 Torrance Beer Run Hat at Smog City Brewing Co. or HopSaint Brewing Co., and a pair of bottle opener sunglasses at the CA Welcome Center in Del Amo Fashion Center. No running is actually required but drink responsibly. More info here.

L.A. International Ukulele Festival -> The L.A. International Ukulele Festival returns to the Torrance Cultural Arts Center, Saturday and Sunday. The family-friendly event celebrates the four-stringed wonder with classes, workshops, and performances for all skill levels. There’s even a Ukulele Marketplace for unique instruments and accessories. Tickets range from $20 to $47 (main concert performance not included). More info here.

Burbank PrideFA > Burbank Pride presents the second annual “Family Pride in the Park” on Saturday, from noon to 6 p.m. This family-friendly event takes place at McCambridge Park and celebrates Burbank’s LGBTQIA+ community with local performers like XOMG POP!, Wisteria Theater Company, and Sister Sister. The event will also have food trucks, vendors, kids’ activities, and community resources. More info here.

Dino Fest at Natural History MuseumM TP > Dino Fest returns to NHMLA this Sunday 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 ($7-$18) to the museum. More info here

Abbot Kinney FestivalFA > After a four year hiatus The Abbot Kinney Festival returns this Sunday, taking over a 3/4 mile of Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice Beach with over 300 vendors, live music, beer gardens, food trucks, kids zones and more. Admission is free. Runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. More info here.

Topanga Vintage Market -> Every fourth Sunday of the month, the Topanga Vintage Market brings together some 200 sellers offering everything from antiques to vintage clothing and local artisan goods. Runs 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. $5 to get in. More info here.

Americana at the Park M FA > Santa Monica’s Americana in the Park series is back for the whole month of September, offering free concerts on Sundays at Gandara Park. This weekend features an afternoon of roots eclectic folk rock with Steve Postell’s Night Train Music Club. McCabe’s Guitar will host a special pop-up show too! Runs 4 to 7 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.

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Community Launch: Take Me to Your RiverFA > This Sunday, the multi-disciplinary arts orgization Clockshop hosts a community launch for Take Me to Your River: A Cultural Atlas of the LA River, a three-year collective history and cultural mapping project of the Northeast LA neighborhoods that surround the Los Angeles River. The program runs 1 to 4 p.m. in Elysian Valley, and is free to attend. More info here.

Dining & Drinking

(picks by Christina Champlin)

Bar-Next-Door-Interior-Stan Lee
The interior of Bar Next Door. Photo by Stan Lee.

Negroni Week -> Negroni Week, running from September 18-24, celebrates the iconic cocktail while supporting a great cause. Bars and restaurants worldwide will contribute a portion of Negroni sales to Slow Food, a grassroots organization founded in 1989 to preserve local food cultures. Now in its 11th year, the campaign has raised over $4 million for charitable causes. Numerous Los Angeles establishments are taking part, including We Like L.A.’s personal favorites like woman-owned Bar Next Door in West Hollywood and Big Bar in Los Feliz, who are offering three Negroni variations. Southern inspired Thunderbolt in Historic Filipinotown, ranked No. 10 in the 50 Best Bars in North America, is also participating. Visit the official Negroni Week website for more details and a full list of participants.

$10 Ramen at bushi by JINYA -> bushi by JINYA is hosting a Last Hurrah of Summer $10 ramen deal. The offer runs till the end of the month, available exclusively at Glendora Market, the San Gabriel Valley’s largest food hall.

DineLA Takeover at Smorgasburg -> Head to ROW DTLA this Sunday for a DineLA Takeover at Smorgasburg, featuring exclusive deals and mouthwatering creations from a variety of vendors. Enjoy delectable combos priced at $15 and $25, with a selection of special items available at $35 and $45. 


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