Best art walk events in Los Angeles

Food trucks, open galleries and late-night shop hours—it's the triumvirate of L.A. street fest staples in full force at First Fridays. The monthly Abbot Kinney celebration brings out locals and distant Angelenos alike for bites and sales in the fashionable Venice 'hood. Show up early to find a parking spot, otherwise you'll waste time circling for spots when you could've been lining up for that cheesy goodness from the perennial-favorite Grilled Cheese Truck.

Downtown San Pedro is a burgeoning art mecca. With galleries lining the streets, particularly those between 4th and 7th and Pacific Avenue to Palos Verdes Street, it makes for a natural spot to do an art walk. Every first Thursday of the month, the art galleries and local restaurants participate in 1st Thursday ArtWalk, which changes in theme and participation every month but you can expect lots of art, gallery tours, restaurant deals and food trucks. Thre is also an ArtWalk tour, which has a different itinerary each month. The art walk is open from 6 to 9pm the first Thursday of every month.

NELAart consists of about 40 galleries and studios in Northeast Los Angeles, which open their doors to visitors on the second Saturday of every month. NELAart Second Saturday Gallery Night has been doing down for more than 10 years and is a great way to see the comprehensive art and culture happening in Northeast L.A. The event takes place from 7 to 10pm the second Saturday of the month.

This art walk has all the usual suspects: galleries and studios open late, food, vendors, and live music. But a highlight to the monthly event is the competition, where attendees can submit an original art piece (entries are due to Hellada Gallery by 5pm the day of). The winner of the monthly contest receives a $75 prize. The art walk takes place in the East Village Arts District in Long Beach, around Linden Avenue, 1st Street, Broadway, 4th Street and Elm on the second Saturday of every month.

First Fridays is not only an art walk, with vendors, art work and live music abound, but it's an entertainment hub. At past events there have been spoken word performances, dances, juggling ice cream men and jump rope masters. The event takes place in Bixby Knolls from Atlantic Avenue to Bixby Road to San Antonio Drive. It is open from 6:30 to 9:30pm on the first Friday of the month.

This seasonal artwalk, produced by 11:11 A Creative Collective, features live music, art installations, more than 200 vendors, food trucks and local restaurant specials. More block party style than some other art walks, this is a strictly summertime activity, with it going down on the third Thursday of June, July and August at the Downtown Historic Canoga Park. The event takes place from 6 to 10pm.