Labor Day events in Los Angeles

Everyone’s favorite NPR member station has a hand in a slew of summer concert slates at public plazas and beloved museums, including a Labor Day weekend event at Orange County’s Bowers Museum and a members-only party at Descanso Gardens.

Each summer, Bard fanatics watch their favorite works come to life in the dell above the historic Old Zoo in Griffith Park. Independent Shakespeare Co. puts on lively productions each week, inviting audiences to take a seat on the grass (read: bring a picnic blanket) and enjoy performances like this month’s headliner, a departure from Shakespeare: Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus.

The late-night snacker’s greatest fantasy is just a car ride away. One of America’s largest Asian food markets spans the course of Santa Anita Park’s front Paddock Gardens during the summer. Come hungry and come caffeinated—this lively market, complete with over 250 Asian street food and booze peddlers, live music, artists, games, and beyond, won’t put itself to bed until 11pm.

Film buffs, unite. This lesser-known cinephile festival is celebrating more than six decades of showing rare and unusual fare—you won’t find Casablanca on the program, but rather classic titles you most likely have never encountered before. Enjoy a four-day program of features and shorts shown at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills, interspersed by Q&As with special guests. Collectors can shop for posters and other cinematic and TV memorabilia at the Dealer’s Room. 

Now one of L.A.’s most treasured summer traditions, Barnsdall Park’s wine tastings regularly attract sell-out crowds. Perched atop Olive Hill on the west lawn of the historic Hollyhock House (which you can tour during the evening for an additional $36), the Barnsdall Friday fund raisers include fine selections of boutique wines provided by Silverlake Wine with a spectacular sunset and 360-degree views of the city. Bring along a blanket and a picnic basket, or just nosh on the variety of food trucks parked up there. Though there used to be lots of kids running around, the event lawn is now 21-and-up—perfect for a date night. Proceeds support the park’s art programs and historic renovations.

Cool off this Labor Day weekend at the Gelato Festival World Masters, which gathers 10 of the most talented gelato chefs from across the country to compete with custom flavors at Ovation Hollywood. Swing by from 10am to 7pm on August 30 and 31 to taste gelato made fresh on-site in the world’s largest mobile frozen dessert laboratory. Every ticket-holding guest gets the opportunity to participate in all festival programming, including tastings, gelato-making demos and games for the whole family—though you’ll have to pay extra to taste the competition flavors and vote for your favorite. The gelato artisan with the most votes wins a medal and continues the journey toward the industry’s ultimate stage, next year’s World Finals.

Facebook Marketplace is popping up IRL, taking over the weekly Melrose Trading Post as the first stop of its cross-country #FacebookRoadTrip. Over the past few years, the social media site has surprisingly become a hub for home goods, hiding all sorts of treasures in its listings. But now the digital world is going delightfully analog, jumping off your screen so you can browse hidden gems and meet L.A. sellers in person. As always, admission to the Melrose market is $6, but once you’re inside, you can score free vintage pieces, styling sessions, portraits, treats from Sad Girl Creamery, and exclusive L.A. swag—plus complimentary coffee from Stereoscope down the street.

One of L.A.’s best free live-music offerings, Jazz at LACMA has featured legit legends over its three-decade run at the museum. Seating for the program is available in the museum’s plaza on a first-come, first-served basis, though you’re welcome to picnic on the grass, too (you won’t really be able to see the show, but you’ll still hear it). You’ll find the series on Friday evenings in LACMA’s welcome plaza (just behind Urban Light) throughout the summer.

Every Sunday you can find dozens of food vendors at this market at ROW DTLA, with a mix of much-loved pop-ups and future foodie stars. Labor Day weekend marks the last opportunity to take advantage of Ice Cream Alley, a seasonal assembly of sweets vendors.

The masters of alfresco rooftop movie viewing have returned for another season of screenings in Downtown L.A. Labor Day weekend screenings include When Harry Met Sally, The Godfather, Pride and Prejudice, La La Land and Crazy, Stupid, Love.