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You gotta love the diversity of to-dos that Los Angeles has to offer. And this weekend, we’ve got the perfect weather to match wherever your sense of fun wants to take you.
In view from September 20-22 in L.A., catch the L.A. Times Food Bowl, the return of The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, KCRW Summer Nights at Century Park, L.A. Opera on the Beach (and at the park!), Future Sounds lf Jazz Festival at BroadStage, Cinderella in the Park in WeHo, Oktoberfest at Angel City Brewery, a Yard Sale at Heritage Square, and more. We’ll dive into all the options in the space below.
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Make Metro Part of Your Weekend
LéaLA – M FA > This Thursday to Sunday, the University of Guadalajara USA Foundation’s LéaLA returns to LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes for 2024 with a four-day literary festival promoting reading and books in Spanish and celebrating culture and the arts for the Latino community. Expect a packed lineup of children’s workshops, performances, readings, and presentations, all free to attend.
Go Metro: Take the A, B or D Lines to Union Station.
Things To Do This Weekend
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
La Fermière Pop Up -> The family-owned French yogurt and dessert company is coming to Los Angeles, offering unique experiences, rare dessert flavors not commonly found in the U.S., and the chance to purchase exclusive merchandise. The event runs from Thursday, September 19, through Sunday, September 22, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Silver Lake. More info here.
L.A. Times Food Bowl -> The Los Angeles Times Food Bowl is back this year with a three-day night market (Friday-Sunday) 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.
Olafur Eliasson: OPEN – MOCA Geffen – M TP > For their part in PST Art, MOCA Geffen is bringing the work of Icelandic–Danish artist Olafur Eliasson to Los Angeles for his first solo exhibition in the city. The exhibition includes a series of site-specific installations showcasing a “dazzling array of sensory experiences that harness the laws of geometric optics to address feelings and concepts of embodiment, perception, and participation.” OPEN will be on view Tuesday-Sunday through July 6, 2025. Adults tickets are $18, and reservations are required. More info here.
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride -> 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. The season opens this Friday and runs through November 2. Tickets start at $36.99. More info here.
Hola México Film Festival -> 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. Films range from documentaries, comedies to horror and dramas. Opening night is Friday, September 20, the festival will run through September 27. More info here.
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The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor -> After a four-year hiatus, Dark Harbor makes its return to the iconic Queen Mary on Friday with terrifying characters, haunted mazes, live entertainment, ghostly experiences, sinister eats and secret speakeasies hidden inside and around Dark Harbor’s mazes and attractions. Tickets start at $39.99. The experience runs from September 20 through November 2. More info here.
KCRW Summer Nights – FA TP > This weekend, KCRW’s summer of free programming comes to a close with two events on The Lawn at Century Park. On Friday, catch after-hours Jazz focused party with a accompanying set by DJ LeRoy Downs. Then on Saturday, grammy-winner LATROIT performs House Classics live with DC6 Singers Collective. Both events starts at 6 p.m. Get more info here.
Aloha Market – FA > Mana Up is bringing a taste of Hawaiʻi to Los Angeles with a three-day immersive pop-up shopping experience on Abbot Kinney in Venice Beach. The public can explore over 50 of Hawaiʻi’s top local makers and artisans, enjoy activations, and score free goodies and tastings. Happening Friday through Sunday. More info here.
Salsa Night at Ivy Station – M FA > Ivy Station in Culver City hosts another Friday 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.
Dance MDR – FA > Every Friday night in September, shimmy over to Burton Chace Park for an evening of dance featuring beginner lessons from top L.A.’s dance teachers plus DJ spun tunes to get into the groove. This week, the series continues with a night of line dancing. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., dancing starts at 7 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
LA Opera Live Broadcast of Madame Butterfly on Santa Monica Pier & El Cariso Community Regional Park – FA TP > This Saturday, 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 – FA TP > On Saturday, The Westchester Arts & Music (WAM) Block Party offers 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.
Future Sounds of Jazz Festival – > BroadStage kicks off their 2024-25 season this Saturday with the Future Sounds of Jazz Festival. Expect 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.
Frogtown ArtWalk – FA TP > The Frogtown ArtWalk returns on Saturday for fall celebration marked by 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.
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Sinks: Places We Call Home at Cal State LA – FA > This Saturday, Luckman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State LA hosts an opening reception for Sinks: Places We Call Home, which is presented as part of the PST ART: Art & Science Collide initiative. The exhibtion explores environmental injustices created by manufacturing sites in two communities located in proximity Self Help Graphics. The opening reception is free to attend and runs 5 to 8 p.m. Works remain on view through February 15, 2025. More info here.
NELA Earthquake Preparedness Fair – FA > Feeling a little jittery from some of the quakes L.A. has experienced in the past month? Looking to be proactive? Head to Highland Park this Saturday for a free fair where you can learn what to include in your emergency plan and supply kit or practice shutting off your gas and water. Plus, if you really need to know what a 7.5 earthquake feels like, there will even be an earthquake simulator on hand. Runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. More info here.
Dino Fest at Natural History Museum – M > This Saturday, 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 – M FA > The FitspoLA series continues at the Bloc in DTLA on Saturday 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.
Cinderella in the Park – FA > This Saturday and Sunday, the City of West Hollywood and Pacific Opera Project team up to host a free mashup opera of the timeless fairytale Cinderella. The performances take place at Kings Road Park, and start at 4 p.m. on both days. Free to attend, but seating is first-come, first-served. More info here.
Yard Sale at Heritage Square – M TP > This weekend, Heritage Square Museum is opening up their grounds for a big old yard sale fundraiser featuring antique clothing, furniture, accessories, decorative items, and jewelry all ranging in prices from $1-$400. A $5 entry fee gets you in for the sale, but that also you access to the museum. You can even bring a picnic! Runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Get more info here.
Oktoberfest at Angel City Brewery – M FA > On Sunday, Angel City Brewery celebrates Oktoberfest fest with special offerings and activities, including pretzels from Röckenwagner, plenty of German-style beers on tap, a live Oompa Band, plus competitions for stein-hoisting and yodeling. The event runs noon to 6 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Good Drawing Is No Accident at The Hammer – FA > As part of the related programming for The Hammer’s Breath(e): Toward Climate and Social Justice, artist and designer Richard T. Walsh stops by on Sunday to lead a workshop on drawing in the garden, teaching participants how to translate seeing into mark making. The session is free to attend, designed for up to 20 people. Slots will be offered on a first come, first served basis. Starts at 2 p.m. Get more info here.
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Americana in the Park – M FA > Santa Monica’s Americana in the Park is back for 2024 on Sundays at Gandara Park. This weekend, the series continues with an afternoon of jazz headlined by The Azar Lawrence Experience. Along with the music, expect along various craft activities for all ages and food trucks with bites for purchase. Runs 4 to 7 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Queer Cookout -> This Sunday, Cuties LA is hosting an end-of-summer Queer Cookout at High Tide in Little Tokyo from noon to 5 p.m. Enjoy a delicious lineup of local queer and trans food and drink vendors, including Thicc Burger, Perhaps Japanese, and Aunties LA. The event will feature fun games, music, and full service from the High Tide bar. The space is also 420-friendly. Tickets are $7.56, and the event is 21+.
Upscale A5 Wagyu & Seafood Buffet in DTLA -> Chubby Group has reimagined their Downtown LA steakhouse, Niku X, into an upscale dining experience with unlimited A5 Wagyu cuts, premium seafood, and over 50 curated dishes. The A5 Wagyu and seafood buffet starts at $99 per guest, while the full-service option, featuring chef-exclusive dishes like grilled king crab legs, a sashimi platter, and Tomahawk steak, is priced at $139. Guests can visit stations for freshly sliced meats or raw seafood to grill tableside. Unlike typical buffets, Niku X offers breathtaking city views and an upscale, refined atmosphere. An all-you-can-drink package is also available for an extra $19.99.
2 for 1 Wine Tasting Deal for the Deaf Community -> In honor of International Week of Deaf People, this Sunday, Fuil Wines will be pouring its new summer releases at Buvette Wine Bar in Sherman Oaks from noon to 3 p.m. Owners and winemakers Carolina and Matt Espiro Jaeger will be pouring their flagship Viognier, Bán (a Chablis-style white blend), and the award-winning Solas Nua, a chilled Rhône red blend. The wine tasting is $15 per person, and anyone ordering in ASL will receive 2-for-1 tastings. Food will be available for purchase from Buvette’s kitchen. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended. More info here.
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