September 2026 events calendar for Los Angeles

Ready or not, spooky season is slowly stalking its way ever closer. The clearest sign? Universal Studios Hollywood has already been transformed for Halloween Horror Nights. This year, walk through haunted houses dedicated to Stranger Things 5, Hellraiser, Evil Dead Burn and Ozzy Osbourne. Also making its debut is a Sinners attraction, where guests will be transported back to Club Juke in 1930s Mississippi and have to survive the night while dodging vampires Remmick, Bert and Joan—as well as the warring Smoke and Stack. Over on the Studio Tour—ahem, Terror Tram—you can expect to encounter Art the Clown dressed as Santa Claus. Halloween Horror Nights will run on select evenings from September 3 to November 1. 

Fresh off a wildly successful first edition of her Daisy Chain Fields music festival, Olivia Rodrigo is stepping into the spotlight at the Grammy Museum, where a new exhibition is devoted to the pop star. Running through February 22, 2027, “Olivia Rodrigo: the cure unraveled” will feature an exclusive look at the handcrafted hospital sets, costumes, props, stop-motion animatronics and original artwork from the singer’s music video for single “the cure,” off her new album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love. An expanded career-retrospective version will land later in this fall, so stay tuned.

One of L.A.’s best free live-music offerings, Jazz at LACMA has featured legit legends over its 35-year 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. We’re betting it’ll be even more popular than usual this year, with the new David Geffen Galleries in the background.

Each fall for the past 20 years, the Getty Villa’s Outdoor Classical Theater series has brought a dramatic work to life—often with a unique spin—in the museum’s outdoor, ancient-Greece-style amphitheater. This time around, the Latino Theater Company takes on the tale of the heroine Antigone, setting Sophocles’s story instead in Tenochtitlan, Mexico, and incorporating Aztec mythology. Enjoy the ocean breeze while you dine on concessions like esquites, tortas, tamales and Mexican wedding cookies, then settle in for the show.

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 $37), the Barnsdall Friday fundraisers include fine selections of boutique wines provided by Silverlake Wine set against a spectacular sunset, DJ sets and 360-degree views of the city. Bring along a blanket and a picnic basket, or just nosh on food from the variety of 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—an especially crucial cause now, as the park is once again facing proposed budget cuts from the city.

An evolution of the long-running Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk, the newly dubbed DTLA Artnight finds dozens of Downtown businesses opening their doors to art lovers on the first Thursday of every month, when over 25 galleries will debut new exhibitions. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure kind of experience, but if you start at Emerging Gallery (125 E 4th St), you can pick up a map of all the participating spots. MOCA is even joining the fun as the cultural event expands from the Historic Core to Grand Avenue. Head to the museum for a free exhibition tour at 5pm.

Over two September weekends, this Lincoln Heights beer and cider brewery is bringing Oktoberfest to Northeast L.A. with a celebration full of German-style beers, stein holding contests and sausages. Saturday programming includes live music and keg bowling (free with the purchase of a stein pour), while Sunday attendees will be able to watch a weenie dog race at 2pm and sing karaoke backed by a live band later on in the evening. Revelers in dirndls and lederhosen will get $1 off steins.

Frogtown is full of free, family-friendly programming, from its First Fridays to its Artwalk, the Elysian Valley neighborhood’s artist-centric biennial. Luckily, this is an even-numbered year, which means the event is back in action. Walk along the river—or ride a free pedi-cab—and check out artwork by over 70 local artists in their studios and pop-up exhibitions. There will also be stages with live music and dance performances, food trucks and local vendors along the route. And new this time around is the L.A. River Art Parade, where you can dress up and show off your own creativity (6:30pm, sign up here). Note: Parking is notoriously tricky in Frogtown, so biking and rideshare are encouraged.

Billing itself as “Orange County’s biggest party since 1977,” the Old World Oktoberfest promises enough beers, brats and bands to make you feel like you’re in Munich—albeit with better ocean views. Every Wednesday through Sunday between September 12 and November 8, this re-created Bavarian village will offer a sausage-filled menu, oompah and German bands, a biergarten, dancing and more. While Old World’s Oktoberfest is 21-plus with a cover charge on Friday and Saturday evenings, it’s open to families and revelers of all ages on Saturday afternoons and other nights. (Entry is free on Wednesday and Thursday nights, as well as Saturday afternoons, just book ahead online.)

He’s why birds suddenly appear—oops, wrong Carpenter. This one may be why birds fall dead from the sky, as L.A. will see when the Academy Museum’s John Carpenter: Prince of Darkness series opens September 26, bringing the horror maestro’s pulsing synth scores, practical monsters and beautifully bleak worldview to the big screen through October 25. The retrospective includes The Thing, Halloween, They Live, Big Trouble in Little China, Christine, The Fog and Prince of Darkness in 35mm, among others. And Carpenter himself will make an appearance on four nights! Basically, consider this your excuse to spend a month being gloriously creeped out at the movies.

This celebrated immersive horror theater event is returning to its roots at the Beckett Manion in West Adams for its longest and most interactive play yet, running from September 17 through Halloween till November 8. This year’s theme, “Den of the Mosquito,” is set in a New Orleans brothel in the 1920s, with a cast of mobsters, monsters and vampire prostitutes. You’ll play an agent with a secret organization, and the event promises more interactivity and split paths than ever, perfect for those who want to be part of the story. Tickets don’t come cheap (they start at $143), and the team is warning to expect the most limited ticket availability in Delusion history, but for true Halloween devotees, it might be worth it: Delusion regularly ranks among the best haunted houses in the city. 

Jackalope Arts and Pasadena’s Playhouse Village are teaming up once again for the City of Roses’ art walk, which features over 180 hand-selected artisans. Shoppers can browse fine art, photography, fashion and jewelry design, paper goods and home decor along Green Street from Los Robles to El Molino, then refuel with food from local vendors. Adding to the fun, you’ll also find live music, drawing workshops and face-painting for kids, and tarot readings for the grown-ups.

The only thing better than a haunted attraction is a haunted attraction on a giant boat—which has its own haunted history. You’ll find all the usual horrors here—think fog, mazes and countless monsters roaming around. What sets Dark Harbor apart is its use of its surroundings; the dark, cramped confines of the Queen Mary are already pretty spooky even without monsters—just be prepared to climb a lot of skinny staircases. For its 13th anniversary, the event dives further into the ocean liner’s lore with reimagined mazes set both on shore and in the ship’s swimming pool and corridors. New this year is the “Shipwrecked: Brace for Impact” maze, as well as carnival rides Alien Abduction and blacklight bumper cars. When you tire of the terror, sip spirits at secret speakeasies or catch spooky live entertainment.

Santa Monica’s Americana in the Park again sees the city teaming up with the much-loved local McCabe’s Guitar Shop and KCRW for a free concert that explores the spectrum of Americana music, from traditional roots and blues to jazz and folk. This year, local musicians including Albert Lee, Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca, Abby Posner & the Big Fall and Jason Luckett will all play the Sunday-afternoon showcase at Gandara Park (right next to Bergamot Station and the E Line). And, as with any respectable L.A. event, the Bob Baker Marionette Theater will also make an appearance. You can bring a picnic, and local food trucks will also be on hand, as well as a pop-up McCabe’s.

In addition to its robust theater lineup, Topanga Canyon’s Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is also hosting an alfresco salon series each Thursday in September. The lineup of music and cultural performances includes original works by L.A. composers (Sept 3), the debut of a musical-in-development about beer (Sept 10), a cabaret tribute to Marvin Gaye (Sept 17) and an evening dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr. (Sept 24). 

This women-run wine festival—which is officially of drinking age itself this year, as it turns 21—is back, moving from Long Beach to a more central location: the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank. Expect hundreds of wines, brews and spirits from all over the world. Food trucks, live music, games and artisan pop-up boutiques will also be on hand on the expansive grounds. Each GA ticket includes entry to the fest, unlimited drink tastings and a souvenir wine glass. VIP ticket sales benefit the event’s nonprofit partners: the Los Angeles Boys & Girls Club and AHEAD With Horses. Note: On-site parking is only available if purchased in advance. Otherwise, you’ll have to park at Providence High School (511 S Buena Vista St) and take a free shuttle over. That said, designated, ride-sharing or public transport are highly recommended.

Far from those kid-friendly rides through a pumpkin patch, this hayride unleashes all sorts of demons and bogeys on Griffith Park, which is transformed into the mid-’80s fictitious town of Midnight Falls. The Griffith Park tradition, which has been running for 18 years now, centers on a relatively lengthy hayride. The premise: A witch has summoned spirits of the underworld who’ve hidden themselves among Halloween decorations in the town’s foothills. This year’s event introduces a new, Sunset Strip–themed maze, “Fallen Angel,” and sees the return of Elvira’s Trick or Treat Mayhem, the Scary-Go-Round, Hellbilly Halloween and axe-throwing. A welcome addition this year: alcohol, served at themed bars throughout the event.

Cielo Farms is a scenic, Tuscan-style estate with a wine bar where you can sip and watch the sun set in the Santa Monica Mountains. It hosts comedy nights once in a while, and recently it’s branched out into live music with Cielo Sessions, boasting a curated lineup of local bands alongside wine, food and golden-hour vineyard views. For the next installment, expect a special performance from two Grammy-winning musicians, producer Sam Barsh and drummer Daru Jones, followed by a vinyl DJ set from Mayer Hawthorne.

Oktoberfest is coming to the zoo—because beer gardens have always needed more giraffes. The brand-new Zootoberfest takes over the L.A. Zoo September 19 and 20 with German-inspired food, giant pretzels, specialty beers, root beer floats, live Oktoberfest bands, lawn games, a braid bar, themed photo ops and plenty of fall vibes. Admission to the family-friendly celebration is included with your general admission zoo ticket. Food and drinks are available for purchase, so come for the animals, stay for the pretzels.

This Denver-originated Halloween attraction returns to SoCal with over 10,000 thousand hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns lining a mile-long pathway at the beautiful South Coast Botanic Garden in Palos Verdes. This year’s event adds a whimsical circus scene, a Día de los Muertos tribute and an under-the-sea display. Pumpkin light shows, bounce pads, inflatables and festive food complete the family-friendly experience.

If you’re in the mood for a night out but don’t want to sacrifice sleep, you’re in luck: Earlybirds Club—a dance party that provides a safe space for middle-age-ish women, nonbinary and trans people—is returning to L.A. this month for with a soundtrack of ’80s, ’90s and 2000s pop, hip-hop, new wave and R&B. The parties start early (6pm) and end early (10pm), “because people our age have sh*t to do in the morning,” explain cofounders and friends Laura Baginski and Susie Lee. Plus, 10% of ticket proceeds benefit a hand-picked nonprofit.

Forget the usual museum stroll—let’s dance! LACMA is celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival with a traditional lion dance accompanied by live music from the Immortals Lion Dance crew. The free performance takes place Sunday, September 20, at the David Geffen Galleries’ Plaza Level, as part of the museum’s free Third Weekends program and in celebration of its exhibition “Fashioning Chinese Women.” No ticket required: Just show up and prepare to make your museum visit a considerably livelier one.

Wine always tastes a little better when you don’t have to stare at a parking lot through the window. On September 12, the 24th annual Two Harbors Wine Fest returns to Catalina Island with an afternoon of pours from local and international wineries, live music, complimentary bites and a silent auction, all set right on the beach. The 21-and-over event is a solid excuse to swap city noise for ocean breezes—plus a boat ride home that will feel just a bit livelier than the trip over.

Listen to classical and jazz in a dome more than a mile above L.A. during this mountaintop concert series curated by artistic director Cécilia Tsan. The Mount Wilson Observatory is once again hosting monthly concerts this summer inside the dome of its 100-inch Hooker telescope—which was the largest telescope in the world for much of the first half of the 20th century. Tickets cost $65 (that also includes access to the exhibit at the observatory), and it’s highly recommended that you buy them in advance since seating is limited. Note: You’ll need to be able to climb 53 steps to reach the dome, and children under 12 aren’t permitted. 

On the heels of two guest appearances at the Hollywood Bowl this season and even a surprise performance at D23, L.A.’s own Beck Hansen headlines a comparatively intimate evening at the Greek Theatre. The alt-rock and anti-folk hero has a brand-new album (his first in seven years), Ride Lonesome, so expect to hear new tracks along with perennial favorites (looking at you, “Loser”).

See the marionette theater’s family-friendly take on Halloween during the two-month return of its Hallowe’en Spooktacular—a refurbished production of its long-running “boo-sical revue” where you can see over 100 silly and spooky puppets take the stage. A newer addition is the Día de los Muertos sequence that pays tribute to the holiday. Once October arrives, each show will include a costume parade, so dressing up is encouraged.

Kaskade sends his beachfront festival back to SoCal with sets from Cassian, Matroda, BUNT., D.O.D, Me N Ü, Lavern, Bobby Harvey and Esse at Huntington State Beach.

In between his Broadway debut in Cabaret and his upcoming feature-film acting debut in Street Fighter, masked outlaw-slash-country crooner Orville Peck rides into town to make his Hollywood Bowl debut. His Roy Orbison–esque voice is a natural fit for the iconic amphitheater. He’ll be joined by Lucius and Deloyd Elze.

Comedian and horror buff Jon Schnitzer has created immersive horror experiences for none other than Tim Burton and Barack Obama, and now he’s bringing his signature show, Something Spooky, to its biggest audience yet at Dynasty Typewriter fresh off a sold-out run at Hollywood Fringe. Expect an evening of both laughs and screams as the host regales the audience with a scary story from his family history. 

Glendale’s Alex Film Society heads outside of its namesake theater for the summer with this series of classic screenings at Brand Park.

Right in time for Halloween season, the Academy Museum seeks to answer the question “Why do horror films matter so deeply to so many?” in this immersive look at the genre whose cultural cachet is always increasing. Knowingly employing horror tropes and exploring the lasting appeal of scary movies, the show will be divided into six subcategories of horror—gothic, psychological, science, slasher, religion and ghosts. Expect re-creations of iconic settings where visitors will encounter creatures, monsters and objects from their favorite horror flicks and, in typical Academy fashion, a behind-the-scenes look at the storytelling and production processes of films from the original Frankenstein to The Shining to Get Out.

Encounter free-roaming monsters, stage shows and 10 terrifying mazes—this year’s new additions are “Inked,” which brings 1930s cartoon characters to life, and the excavation-themed “Unearthed”—as well as a menu of eerie eats and sinister sweets, five scare zones and the theme park’s thrill rides during Knott’s Scary Farm, SoCal’s original and longest-running Halloween theme park event. Also new this year are two shows: Voodoo: Bayou's Edge and Occultum, featuring magicians from the legendary Magic Castle.

Environmental nonprofit TreePeople—tucked away in Coldwater Canyon Park—hosts these monthly Friday-night hikes, which kick off with live music through a partnership with outdoor arts series Living Earth. For September, Japan-based multi-instrumentalist Manami—known for her sound installations created with handmade instruments and percussion—will provide the ambient soundtrack, best enjoyed on a blanket with some warm tea. Afterward, hit the trails for a stroll in the moonlight. If you’re a hiking novice, don’t worry: Hikers of all ages and abilities are welcome.

On select Saturday afternoons in the summer, the historic Mount Wilson Observatory screens a decades-spanning lineup of sci-fi and astronomy-inspired shorts and feature-length films. Unlike the San Gabriel Mountains site’s concert series and stargazing sessions, Matinees on the Mountain doesn’t take place inside the dome of the 100-inch telescope. Instead, screenings take place inside the 256-seat auditorium inside the astronomical museum, the same venue used for the site’s Talks & Telescopes lectures.

Swim, bike and run for a good cause along Malibu’s iconic coastline at this spectator-friendly triathlon. If you’re not feeling quite up for a 1/2-mile swim, 16-mile bike ride and 4-mile run (or even longer distances for the Olympic race), you can always just spend a day at the beach cheering on the athletes. A kids’ triathlon will take place the day before, on September 19. This year’s event will again support the Challenged Athletes Foundation and Boys and Girls Club of Malibu. 

When he’s not busy penning songs with Taylor Swift, playing guitar in Fun or racking up Grammys, you can catch Antonoff fronting his ’80s-inspired indie pop moniker, Bleachers. Catch them at the Troubadour for five nights of intimate shows.

Five photographers who pushed their medium in new directions in the second half of the 20th century present their unique takes on the city in this Getty Center show. Influenced by techniques including social documentary practices, staged scenes and fashion, the photographs of Laura Aguilar, Reynaldo Rivera, George Rodriguez, Patssi Valdez and Ricardo Valverde expanded Chicano and Chicana representation in Los Angeles.

See a free salsa concert on one Friday each month during this summer series at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes. This year’s lineup includes El Presidente de la Salsa, La Verdad, Rush Hour Orquesta and Conjunto Oye—all featuring Super DJ Robby. Each night kicks off with a free salsa dance class at 6pm, courtesy of Dancing 101 with Roberto. Bring chairs, blankets and your dancing shoes.

Want to peer through the eyepiece of Mt. Wilson’s historic telescopes? Your best and most economical bet just might be one of the Talks & Telescopes events. These monthly Saturday-night astronomy lectures are followed up with a few hours of stargazing on portable telescopes on the grounds, as well as the 60- and 100-inch telescopes, for only $50 (a fraction of the price of the observatory’s late-night stargazing sessions).

L.A. old-timers: Remember rolling out a blanket on the beach and listening to tunes float over from the Santa Monica Pier? The Twilight concert series and its various incarnations may be gone, but live music is returning to the beachfront there, thanks to Coachella promoter Goldenvoice. The inaugural Ocean Way Festival—which will, notably, offer zero on-site parking and instead opt for a transit-friendly strategy—will set up two stages on the sand just east of the pier on September 26 and 27. There’s a noticeable generational divide to the mostly-chill-vibes lineup, so it makes sense that both single-day and two-day tickets will be available. The Killers, Jack White, Sublime and Alvvays lead the rock-leaning Saturday lineup, while Olivia Dean, Khruangbin, Durand Jones & the Indications and Hiatus Kaiyote top the slightly more soulful Sunday bill.

Who the fuck is Madeline—but more importantly, who will play Madeline when Lily Allen performs the West End Girl track live at the Greek on September 21? The British singer brings her instantly iconic breakup album to the iconic Griffith Park venue as part of her North American tour, giving fans the chance to laugh and cry with her under the stars. Maybe after an afternoon of tennis?

“Love Letters to L.A.” is the theme of this year’s block party at the Autry Museum of the American West, a celebration of “everything that makes L.A. unique and amazing.” Buck around on a mechanical bull, go for a ride on the Ferris wheel, watch trick ropers and so much more during this annual open house. Expect music, carnival games, food trucks, museum tours, plein air painting, documentary screenings, a horse-grooming workshop, a car show and a marketplace, too. New this year is a prehistoric Dino Land experience for kids. While you’re at the museum, check out the exhibition “Life, Liberty, and Los Angeles.” Block Party tickets are normally $20, but at the time of writing, they’re only $2–$4.75 online.

At this amazing annual art festival, more than 500 artists create temporary masterpieces in chalk on the sidewalks of Pasadena, prompting thousands of onlookers to watch where they walk. Eventually awards are presented in a number of different categories, and then it’s all washed away for good—nothing good can last, right? Though the event is typically held over Father’s Day weekend, this year it’s moved to September and is located in Brookside Park, next to the Kidspace Children’s Museum. 

Well, well, well, what have we here? The Nightmare Before Christmas’s bug-stuffed sack is once again taking over the Halloween duties at Disneyland Resort for Oogie Boogie Bash, an after-hours, specially ticketed seasonal event at Disney California Adventure Park on select nights from mid-August through October. You’ll find trick-or-treating trails, kid-friendly shows, the maze-like Villains Grove and, new this year, Madame Leota's Swinging Wake—A Haunted Mansion Street Party. And the perks of the after-hours event aren’t just Halloween-y: You’ll be able to venture through and hop on rides in most areas of the park (with considerably shorter wait times), including at Avengers Campus (the Guardians of the Galaxy ride will flip to its Monsters After Dark edition). While tickets usually sell out immediately, there are actually still some available this year for select dates ($139–$189).

Discover the next big thing at the 16th L.A. edition of this art fair, which is less stuffy and more accessible than most (meaning you can actually find original art for under $500). It places an emphasis on experiencing art, offering immersive installations, performances and DJs. For this latest installment, the Other Art Fair moves to Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar, which it will fill with work by 160 independent artists—63% of them women-identifying and 46% L.A.-based. Highlights this time around include an artist-designed playable mini golf course and a satirical site-specific installation, TP Catalog — On Loan from The British Museum. 

Gotta go fast—to an art show. SEGA and iam8bit are celebrating Sonic the Hedgehog with 35 Years of Speed: The Sonic Art Exhibit, a free Los Angeles exhibition featuring original work from more than 30 artists inspired by the world’s most famous blue hedgehog. The two-day pop-up takes over streetwear brand ARK/8’s La Brea store on September 26 and 27, giving Sonic fans plenty of time to admire the artwork and relive three and a half decades of supersonic nostalgia. Admission is free, RSVPs encouraged, emerald level status not guaranteed.

Go beyond low-quality celebrity-owned agave spirits with this daylong festival dedicated to mezcal de campesinos held at Los Angeles River Center and Gardens. Organized by Madre (home to the largest mezcal selection in the country), Mezcal Por Siempre will bring together visiting mezcaleros from all over Mexico—most of whom don’t normally import their product to the United States. Each $82 ticket nets guests unlimited mezcal samples from visiting producers, plus access to cultural programming including ballet folklórico performances, live music and art installations. Food from local-favorite vendors will also be available for purchase. 

Santa Monica has really been stepping it up lately in the community programming department. Case in point: Tongva Twilight, a brand-new summer series offering free live music and films on Saturday nights, produced by Rum & Humble. Expect a lineup of big band ska, salsa, yacht rock and New Orleans funk, as well as music-themed films and free popcorn on select nights. Pack a picnic and enjoy an evening of entertainment with an ocean backdrop.

In celebration of the late Bob Baker’s legacy, his namesake puppet theater hosts this annual celebration at Los Angeles State Historic Park. The free fest and outdoor carnival features puppet performances throughout the day, plus an assortment of other entertainment, vendors, crafts and family-friendly activities. For the first time this year, there will be a doggie costume contest you can enter your pup into. Though it usually takes place in April, this year’s event has been pushed to September due to spring rain. 

Walk across the grounds of the scenic King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas as the Santa Monica Mountains hideaway is illuminated with thousands of hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns. Night of the Jack returns with a reimagined mile-long trail this year, plus food trucks and a “Spookeasy,” too. For 2026, the family-friendly event is also introducing Jack’s Carnival, with around a dozen kid-friendly rides and games, plus new lantern art, photo ops, projection mapping and a new display in the illuminated field. Timed tickets are required each night. As is the case with all similar experiences, they’re not cheap and fluctuate ($34.50–$57) depending on the day of the week and time of night. 

It’s been almost a decade since 24K Magic, but its foot-tapping facsimile of ’70s funk, ’80s disco-pop and ’90s R&B still hasn’t lost its sheen, and we’re betting that Mars’s party tunes will still have enough funk to get you uptown—or to SoFi Stadium, where Mars is stopping for four nights in October on his Romantic Tour. The outing marks the singer’s first global headline tour since his 24K Magic World Tour (though L.A. was treated to a couple of shows in summer 2024 when he christened Intuit Dome as its first performer). Opening the shows will be Raye and Mars’s Silk Sonic collaborator, Anderson .Paak, who’ll perform as DJ Pee .Wee. 

Face your fears and head to the Natural History Museum’s Spider Pavilion, where you can observe several hundred orbweaver spiders in a living exhibit just outside of the museum. Scared the spiders might be hard to spot in the wild? Fret not. In previous iterations, we’ve spotted ones about the size of an adult’s palm. Gulp. (But don’t worry: The scariest ones—from tarantulas to wolf spiders—are in enclosed habitats.) 

The Hollywood Bowl is getting a serious dose of South Central L.A. For emajendat, visual artist Lauren Halsey will turn the amphitheater into a technicolor fever dream, complete with a custom stage set and a lineup that’s basically a who’s who of adventurous music. Erykah Badu and the Alchemist headline, bringing their soulful R&B and dusty hip-hop production to the Bowl ahead of their forthcoming collaborative album, while Anderson .Paak spins as DJ Pee .Wee, Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea joins in, and Charles Gaines Collective teams up with L.A. jazz outfit Black Nile and Devin Daniels. Catch the maximalist spectacle on September 29; talk about it for weeks afterward.

Morrissey and mariachi—honestly, it was only a matter of time. The LA Phil and co-producers Mariachi Tierra Mia bring the Smiths’ melancholy Manchester anthems to the Ford amphitheater on September 27, with some of L.A.’s best mariachi musicians putting their spin on favorites from the band’s catalog. The concert will celebrate the Smiths’ particularly enduring and unexpected connection with Mexico, where their music has remained wildly beloved decades after the band called it quits. It’ll be a very Los Angeles way to have your heart broken.

All right, all right, all right. Revisit McConaughey’s big-screen debut as Vidiots hosts an entire day dedicated to director Richard Linklater’s cult classic Dazed and Confused for the fourth year running. The 1993 film will screen at 3:45pm and 7pm, while the theater’s microcinema will transform into the Emporium pool hall with vintage pinball on freeplay, courtesy of neighbor Walt’s Bar. Also on offer: munchies, wine and beers on tap, vinyl sets from KCRW DJs, 16mm psychedelic celluloid mini-shows between screenings, giveaways and good vibes. The day will conclude with a late-night screening of the Who’s pinball rock opera, Tommy, at 9:45pm.

You may have come across Danish artist Thomas Dambo’s massive troll sculptures—which he makes from reclaimed wood and hides in nature to encourage people to get out and enjoy the outdoors—on Instagram. But you don’t need to book a trip to Denmark to see the gentle giants. The 87 acres of Palos Verdes’s South Coast Botanic Garden are currently home to 12 of the whimsical figures, and you can glimpse them all with your general admission ticket. For $33, you can take a guided walking tour of the Twelvelings on weekend afternoons.

Watch a slate of classics from the past couple of decades on one of the prettiest rooftops in Hollywood at this outdoor screenings series. All movies are piped in over sets of provided wireless headphones. Before showtime, make sure to hit up the bar or the on-site kitchen, Oasis, which will be serving up wagyu burgers and classic film concessions.

While you won’t find much Alice in the Wonderland series of festivals, you will find a whimsical, carnival-like atmosphere drenched in Day-Glo and pulsating lasers. The multiple stages at Glen Helen Regional Park are musical platforms just as much as they’re art installations, with names like Mystic Wild and the Rave Cave. This year’s lineup includes the likes of deadmau5, James Hype, Illenium, SVDDEN DEATH, Malaa, Deorro and a DJ set by T-Pain.

Whether he’s playing White Stripes songs or ripping through the raucous blues of his solo efforts, Jack White absolutely delivers in his live sets. After popping up as the surprise performer during the first weekend of Coachella, he announced a new fall tour. He’ll be returning to the Hollywood Palladium for two nights following a date at the Fox Theater Pomona.

Watch the nuns-and-Nazis musical and yodel along to the subtitles at the Hollywood Bowl’s sing-along celebration of the Julie Andrews classic. Lederhosen and wimples are optional, but they will get you in the mood for the Technicolor film, as will the choral warm-up before the screening.

For dinner and a movie, all in one, just follow the food trucks. During the spring, summer and fall, Street Food Cinema throws together a series of outdoor parties that include screenings of some of our favorite movies, paired with an assortment of gourmet food trucks and even a live music performance from a cool local band. The screenings are held in venues across L.A. into October and alternate from week to week, so make sure to check the schedule. Some of the outdoor venues are dog-friendly, allowing you to bring your four-legged cinema lover along.

See more of this season’s outdoor movie screenings in L.A.

Eddie Vedder’s Ohana Festival once again lands at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point—and as usual, Vedder pulls double duty with both a solo set and with Pearl Jam frontman. The 2026 edition runs from September 25 to 27 and also includes sets from Maná, Billy Idol, Bad Religion, Tyler Childers, Alabama Shakes, Jon Batiste, Fontaines D.C., Pixies, Courtney Barnett, Rilo Kiley and the Format.

The fest’s name comes from the Hawaiian concept of family, and as such the beachfront festival will give back to its own community by donating a portion of proceeds to the San Onofre Parks Foundation and the Doheny State Beach Foundation, among others.

The beloved Bob Baker Marionette Theater is staging free, family-friendly performances at Barnsdall Art Park on the west lawn outside the Hollyhock House on select Sunday mornings. Spread out a blanket and enjoy a 30-minute “Fiesta” puppet show at 9:30am or 11am, followed by free art activities for all.

Slow down and soak in the magic of the woods during these guided, moonlit forest walks at the Arboretum, inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin yoku, which is said to boost immune strength, reduce stress and improve cognitive function. Each after-hours meditative walk starts just before sunset and wraps up underneath the full moon with herbal tea.

Millennial nostalgia shows no signs of slowing: Rilo Kiley is back together and wrapping up its reunion tour in only-in-L.A. fashion. Yep, L.A.’s own indie darlings, led by Jenny Lewis, are in the spotlight again after over a decade apart. The “Sometimes When You’re On You’re Really F**king On” tour kicked off in SoCal last year, and just ahead of Rilo Kiley’s Ohana Festival set this fall, they’ll play one final headlining show at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Beachwood Sparks opens.

Explore the Huntington’s Chinese Garden by moonlight during this after-hours stroll, where all of the area’s pavilions, courtyards and pathways will be lit up. While you’re there, you can listen to live music or pick up something for dinner at the Jade Court Cafe, Freshwater Pavilion or the Terrace of Shared Delights.

We’ve found this event to be an absolute delight—if not a little crowded. A few tips: If the permanent dining areas are too congested, check out a pop-up one near the roomy event space above the west side of the garden. Also, the line for the lantern launch—where you can write remembrances and well-wishes onto a paper lantern that’ll float across the central pond—seems to spike toward the middle of the event, so consider hitting it up on either end of the evening. Some of the pathways in the Chinese Garden are a bit narrow, and particularly crowded during the event, but overall you should still be able to find plenty of places to take a tranquil stroll.

Perhaps the Los Angeles area’s most iconic flea market, this event around the exterior of the Rose Bowl is staggeringly colossal? The sheer size and scale of this flea market means that it encompasses multitudes: new and old, hand-crafted and salvaged, the cheap and the costly. On the second Sunday of each month, an odd mix of vendors populates the loop around the stadium: for every eye-catching artwork, there’s a ratty $5 T-shirt, and for each elegant craft there’s a competing “as seen on TV” demo. But you may have more luck in the rows and rows of old furniture, albums and vintage clothes and accessories that fill the adjacent parking lot.

Take a seat under the arch at the former Hollywood & Highland for this free series of movie screenings, held on the last Friday of the month from May through September. RSVP ahead of time, then pick up a cozy blanket from the Ovation Hollywood booth, as well as free popcorn and discounted treats from the TCL Chinese Theatre concessions stand.

For more than 50 years, this venue has drawn theater aficionados to its storied, open-air stage for engaging productions in a magical setting. The 299-seat amphitheater in Topanga Canyon hosts audiences of all ages for plays from a wide range of genres, from Shakespearean classics to folk tales. This season, catch William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as well as a stage version of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, Noël Coward’s Waiting in the Wings and The People of Pompeii, a new dark comedy Bernardo Cubría wrote in the aftermath of the 2025 wildfires.

Culver City’s E Line–adjacent mixed-use development presents this free series of screenings, held on the lawn right next to the Metro stop. This summer’s slate includes a dog-friendly screening of Legally Blonde, a romance book swap tied to Pride & Prejudice and a bike-friendly showing of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. Tickets are free and include complimentary popcorn and two hours of parking validation.

Presented in partnership with the Trust for Public Land, concert series In a Landscape swaps out traditional concert halls for the great outdoors, and it’s coming to Los Angeles for the first time this September. Classical pianist Hunter Noack will perform on a 1912 Steinway Model D piano in Griffith Park’s Bronson Canyon, with the Hollywood Sign in the background. Rather than traditional concert seating, you’ll get wireless headphones and be able to wander freely through the beautiful landscape. Tickets for this singular, immersive musical experience are currently on sale, with subsidized admission and free tickets available for those who need it through the organization's Good Neighbor Program.

Wander through a 1929 Spanish-style villa at this dreamy indoor-outdoor market. The historic Toluca Lake home has been transformed into Villa Blanca Lifestyle, a venue that hosts biweekly Sunday-afternoon markets, among other events. The ground-floor rooms and courtyard are filled with local vendors selling everything from accessories to live poetry to candle flower bouquets. To eat, there’s sourdough pizza, cookies, cupcakes and coffee to enjoy as you wander.

Catch free outdoor movies at Burton Chace Park. Bring a low-back chair to claim a first-come, first-served space. Tickets aren’t required, but RSVPs are appreciated to stay up to date on any changes.

Step into the story of a lovely lady in Studio City when the iconic Brady Bunch house—recently named a Historic-Cultural Monument by the city—opens its doors to the public for a fan’s fever dream. The home’s interiors have been renovated—thanks to HGTV’s A Very Brady Renovation—and meticulously decorated by the owner for a fully immersive experience. Walk up the carpeted staircase to check out the kids’ memorabilia-filled bedrooms; ogle the groovy green and orange kitchen; step into the wood-paneled study; snoop in Alice’s boudoir and more. The experience offers an interactive journey through TV history, and the intimate self-guided tours are limited to a handful of people at a time. Ticket proceeds benefit local dog rescue nonprofit Wags and Walks. The only caveat? They don’t come cheap—the $189 price tag will likely only attract avid Brady fans (though to be fair, the current price is $100 cheaper than the original ticket price of $290).

The inimitable artist, musician and activist—and John Lennon’s other half—is the subject of the Broad’s new show, Ono’s first-ever solo museum exhibition in Southern California. Organized in collaboration with the Tate Modern in London, “Music of the Mind” is perhaps the Broad’s most participatory exhibition to date. Many of the works from the artist’s seven-decade long career invite audience engagement, all working toward a common goal of peace and connection. Hammer a nail into the wall (and hold your ears intermittently throughout the rest of your walk-through) in a re-creation of the piece that occasioned Ono and Lennon’s meeting; grab a blue marker and add your mark to a blank room anchored by a wooden boat; and listen to recordings of Ono’s music. You can even crawl into a black bag and strike a pose for Bag Piece (though no one took the plunge during my visit).

In conjunction with the show, the museum has transformed the olive trees on the outdoor East West Bank Plaza into Wish Trees for Los Angeles, where visitors can tie their own wishes on the branches. Also on display is Acorn Event (1968) and Bed Peace (1969), anti-war works of activism Ono and Lennon worked on together, as well as additional performance art pieces captured on video. The minimalist exhibition is thought-provoking and mind-expanding—though it probably won’t change whatever opinion of Ono, whether positive or negative, you hold before the show. 

Tickets for the special exhibition are $21 and available at thebroad.org. But every Thursday evening from 5 to 8pm, you can visit for free (the show will also be free all day on Juneteenth and the Fourth of July).

Borrowed from Woody Guthrie’s egalitarian folk anthem, the title of this exhibition at the Huntington offers a pretty literal teaser of what you can expect to see: lots of relics tied to land, specifically American land. But that lens provides an insightful and profound perspective on 250 years of ambition, achievement, struggle, exclusion and belonging in the United States.

There are some truly remarkable documents on display here: two annotated early printings of the Declaration of Independence; hand-drawn estate plans from George Washington and Thomas Jefferson; manuscripts and notes from Walt Whitman, Langston Hughes and Octavia E. Butler; and Guthrie’s original lyrics sheet for “This Land is Your Land,” paired with one of his acoustic guitars with a faded proclamation that “this machine kills fascists” scratched into the back.

The theme of land embraces botany, national park brochures and surveys of the Colorado River, but also considers the impacts of America’s territorial takeovers, spotlights artwork made along the Mexican border and tells the story of a Japanese family in Los Angeles forced out of their flower farm and into an internment camp during WWII. The most humbling piece on display just might be the one that first greets you: the cross section of an oak tree that stood on the grounds of the Huntington for 250 years.

Just in time for silver screen starlet Marilyn Monroe’s 100th birthday, the Academy Museum is presenting a centennial celebration dedicated to the woman and her work, offering a look at the actress beyond her blond bombshell persona. In addition to posters, portraits, letters and rarely seen personal items—including decor from Monroe’s Brentwood home and the star’s makeup products—highlights from the exhibition include screen-worn costumes. Particularly noteworthy are the scandalous-at-the-time beaded dresses from Some Like It Hot and the rarely exhibited famous pink dress Monroe wore in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes—which is a show-stopper in a glitzy room of its own.

Tucked into the back corner of the galleries, you can watch a compilation of the star’s onscreen work in CinemaScope—including the iconic subway grate scene. As a whole, the show provides a thoughtful look at Norma Jeane Baker’s transformation into Marilyn Monroe, her trials and tribulations, and why her star will never fade.

It doesn’t matter if you win by an inch or a mile—or if you’re more of a fan of the street racing and respect era or heists and hackers phase of Fast & Furious: There’s plenty of familiar motorized might to behold at this Petersen Automotive Museum exhibition honoring the high-adrenaline film franchise. You’ll find roughly 20 screen-used cars and production prototypes—including ones on loan from Vin Diesel’s private collection, as well as from the late Paul Walker—on display in the second floor of the Miracle Mile museum.

It’s a very Fast & Furious kind of year in L.A. between Universal Studios’ roller coaster and this 25th anniversary exhibition. While the Petersen’s exhibition is certainly encyclopedic (the selections here span the entirety of the franchise, with a particular focus on the first three films), it’s not overly academic: Brief labels will let you know the story behind the stunt car you’re staring at, but this is ultimately an opportunity to ogle American muscle cars and custom Japanese imports (as well as the franchise’s melodramatic quotes about family). Highlights on display include the 1993 Toyota Supra “Stunt #3” and 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse driven by Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) in the original film, Dominic Toretto’s (Vin Diesel) 1968 Dodge Charger R/T and 1993 Mazda RX-7, and Suki’s (Devon Aoki) very pink 2001 Honda S2000.

Do you get a little thrill every time you go to the Beverly Hills Hotel? You have architect Paul R. Williams to thank, even if you might not know the name. This exhibition at the USC Fisher Museum of Art aims to fix that. “Paul R. Williams: An Architect Considered” specifically spotlights the visionary architect’s multifamily housing projects through original drawings, photographs and plans, juxtaposed with new commissions by contemporary artists and architects. The message is clear: Williams didn’t just shape Los Angeles; he imagined a more livable version of it, one gorgeous building at a time. Complementary Williams exhibitions at LACMA and the Getty Center will open later in the year.

The Skirball’s Jack Kirby exhibition may be over, but the museum has followed it up with this expansive look at how comics came to dominate pop culture. Many of the creators of the medium were immigrants and outsiders—including Jewish Americans—who poured their experiences with struggle, aspiration and reinvention into their work. From the Great Depression through Y2K, comics reflected the national moment and in the process actually helped shape American identity. On display, you’ll find original artwork and artifacts relating to beloved comic book characters, from superheroes like Superman and Black Panther to comedic classics like Little Lulu, Archie and Alfred E. Neuman. The exhibition does a great job of tracing the entire history of the medium in an accessible and engaging way, and should satisfy both comic book lovers and history buffs alike.

This L.A.-centric exhibition looks at the Declaration of Independence’s promise of life, liberty and happiness, and how that promise has been fulfilled—or not—throughout the city’s development. Told via the stories of diverse Angelenos alongside historical and contemporary objects, media and art, the show “invites you to step into a conversation that has been shaping Los Angeles for over two hundred years.” 

This show aims to give Black queer culture in California—particularly in Los Angeles—the credit it’s due as a part of the decades-long fight for LGBTQ+ rights and recognition. Through historical materials, photographs, film and vintage newspapers, the exhibition recovers a history that’s been largely excluded from the record, introducing visitors to sites, protagonists and allies who played a role in the fight for democracy and free expression. 

The reopened Getty Villa will descend into the underworld with this exhibition, which looks at the ritual spells and religious writings ancient Egyptians employed to garner favor with Re and Osiris in the afterlife. See the Getty’s collection of rare Book of the Dead hieroglyphics-adorned and illustrated manuscripts, dating back to around 1000 BCE, which were last displayed in 2023. The show should dovetail nicely with the museum’s “Sculpted Portraits From Ancient Egypt,” which runs through January 2027.

Ponyo loves Sosuke! And we love this exhibition at the Academy Museum dedicated to the wholesome Hayao Miyazaki film. Studio Ghibli donated more than 100 objects to the Academy Collection, and you’ll find everything from an animation desk to colorful art boards to dozens of frame-by-frame pencil drawings of the scene when Sosuke first finds Ponyo. Though you may recognize a couple of items from the museum’s debut Hayao Miyazaki retrospective, the vast majority of Ponyo pieces are new—and some have never been displayed in North America before. It’s also a colorful and super kid-friendly exhibition; you can watch clips of the gorgeously hand-drawn movie, recreate the wave-running scene and even make your own stop-motion animation. You’ll find it on the museum’s second floor, inside the first few galleries of the “Stories of Cinema’ space.

Walk through a pavilion of fluttering tropical butterflies you can’t normally glimpse in Southern California, and peep a chamber with pupae and caterpillars at South Coast Botanic Garden’s seasonal exhibition. For an extra $6, you can pick up a nectar “lollipop” to attract and feed the butterflies yourself. Carve out some time to explore the beautiful gardens afterward.

Feeling like you and your four-legged friend are attached at the hip? Spend even more quality time together during this dog-friendly series at Palos Verdes’ South Coast Botanic Garden. One Sunday a month, you can roam the gardens’ 87 acres with your fur baby. Nearly all of the paths are open to pups, except for the rose garden and a couple of other small areas. You’ll find plenty of water stations set up across the grounds, as well as an optional obedience class for purchase. You—the human—will need a reservation, while your best friend—the pup—will need to remain on their leash at all times, including in the parking lot.

The Natural History Museum’s taxidermy dioramas turn a century old this year, and to celebrate the museum is reviving an entire hall of displays that’ve been dark for decades. Expect some fresh approaches to these assembled snapshots of the wilderness, including alebrijes made of recycled materials, a crystalline depiction of pollution and a tech-driven display of the L.A. River.

Right on the heels of the release of his new film, Mickey 17, director Bong Joon Ho steps into the spotlight at the Academy Museum’s latest “Director’s Spotlight” exhibition (past subjects have included Spike Lee and Agnès Varda). The first-ever museum show dedicated to the Oscar-winning South Korean filmmaker will trace Ho’s career, creative process and cinematic influences. See over 100 storyboards, research materials, posters, concept art, creature models, props and on-set photos from the director’s archive and personal collection.