Things to do in L.A. this weekend
We pick out the best things to do in L.A. this weekend, including our favorite concerts, culture and cuisine
We don’t know about you, but our mind is always focused on the weekend. It can never come soon enough—which is why we’re already thinking about where to go for brunch. Whether you’re looking to spend the night at a concert or getting away completely, you’ll find plenty of things to do in L.A. this weekend.
We curate an L.A. weekend itinerary of the city’s best concerts, culture and cuisine, every week, just for you.
The 22 best things to do in L.A. this weekend
Long Beach Beer Week
The new 10-day festival will feature pours from more than 40 LBC breweries, brewpubs and beer-forward restaurants, not to mention events across the city, like tap takeovers, brewer meet-and-greets, demos, pairing dinners, beer yoga and more.
Hello Kitty Friends Around the World Tour
Is mid-2019 a little late to be getting into the Insta-room game? It sure is. But will we make an exception for Hello Kitty? Absolutey.
Odd Nights at the Autry
With live local bands, beer gardens, cocktail lounges, a full bar, 20 gourmet food trucks, a slew of vendors, face painting and more, you might want to start reserving third Fridays in your calendar.
Welcome to the West Music Festival
Ice Cube, Too Short, Roddy Rich, King Lil G, DJ Quik and others top this hip-hop fest in Ontario. Nipsey Hussle headlined the fest’s inaugural outing, so this second edition will pay tribute to the late rapper’s legacy.
Night Voyage Comedy Show
Take a traditional stand-up show, throw in live music and follow it up with a till-2am-party, and you’ve got the basic gist of Night Voyage, hosted by Nick Skardarasy and Neel Ghosh.
Ty Segall
For this summer residency, Segall will play through a different fuzzed-out album every Friday night at the Teragram Ballroom.
Museum Day
In the spirit of Smithsonian Museums, which offer free admission every day, Museum Day is an annual event hosted by Smithsonian magazine in which participating museums across the country open their doors to anyone presenting a Museum Day ticket… for free.
“Nineteen Nineteen”
Travel back a hundred years as the Huntington Library marks its centennial with an in-depth examination of the year 1919.
LA’s Best Vegan Tacos
Whether you’re a die-hard vegan or you’re just into your veggies and down for some good old-fashioned competition, you’ll want to swing by this meatless taco tasting.
Decades Celebration
Two of our favorite L.A. music institutions team up for decades-celebrating concert. Nonprofit radio station dublab and Echo Park music hub Bedrock LA mark their respective 20th and 10th anniversaries with a property-wide party at Bedrock that includes sets from Shlohmo, Los Retros, the Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra, Pacoima Techno, Peanut Butter Wolf and more.
Silence at Descanso
Artistic directors Christopher Rountree and Anna Bulbrook have curated a series of unbounded musical performances at specific sites across the Descanso Gardens grounds.
We Still Believe
The Black Madonna, leading feminist producer of the electronic underground, tops this outdoor show at Chinatown Central Plaza, with additional DJ sets from Mike Servito, Surround, Heidi Lawden, Masha and more.
Cinespia Cemetery Screenings
Close out Cinespia’s summer season (don’t worry, Halloween screenings are on the way) with Moulin Rouge and fireworks at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
Street Food Cinema
The outdoor screening series continues with movies at a pair of parks each Saturday night.
“Every Living Thing: Animals in Japanese Art”
See both centuries-old and contemporary depictions of lions, dogs, horses, oxen, cats, fish, insects, birds, dragons and phoenixes in this wonderful assembly of Japanese art. The exhibition also coincides with the opening of Thomas Joshua Cooper: The World’s Edge and Betye Saar: Call and Response.
Barnsdall Art and Craft Fair
Peruse gifts for sale from Barnsdall’s students and faculty at this free fair next to the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Hollyhock House. Expect handcrafted jewelry, ceramics, cards, prints, paintings, drawings and photos alongside treats from local vendors. The event is free to enter, though you can purchase a $5 raffle ticket, which supports the Barnsdall Art Center.
Caitlin Gill
The word “raw” gets misused in comedy to describe an act that is either ribald or politically incorrect. But Gill’s act feels raw in its refreshing lack of affectation or veneer. Swing by her album release party with Open Mike Eagle, Meatball the Drag Queen and more.
LA County Fair
L.A. has changed immeasurably since 1921, when this event was first staged as an agricultural fair. However, the perennially popular event still has farm-friendly appeal (livestock beauty contests, local produce) alongside the more modern acrobats, wine tastings, exhibitions and concerts. RECOMMENDED: A guide to the L.A. County Fair
‘Light the Barricades’
Three lightbox-inspired walls created by artists Candy Chang and James A. Reeves will set up at three locations: Grand Park, the Natural History Museum and the Annenberg Community Beach House.
Halloween Horror Nights
Confront familiar foes at Universal Studios’ annual Halloween festivities, where big-budget scares meet iconic horror movie characters.
Creep Los Angeles
Annual haunted experience Creep L.A. is sending up social-media–driven experiences this year with Haus of Creep, a satirical and frightful take on the pop-ups that’ve consumed L.A. over the past couple of years.
Second Home Serpentine Pavilion by SelgasCano
A criss-cross of airy rainbow tunnels have made their home at the La Brea Tar Pits this summer.
More things to do in L.A. this weekend
Things to do on Friday
Kick back, relax and get the weekend started with the best things to do this Friday night.
Things to do on Saturday
Let the brunching commence with our guide to the best things to do this Saturday.
Things to do on Sunday
End the weekend on a high note, whether on the beach or back at the brunch table, with the best things to do this Sunday.
More weekend ideas
The best brunch restaurants in Los Angeles
If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, isn’t that reason enough to get serious about weekend brunch?
Best hikes in L.A.
Whether you’re more cityscape gawker or ocean gazer, we’ve got the trek for you.
The best beaches in Los Angeles
From Venice and Santa Monica to Manhattan Beach and Playa Vista, here are the top spots to sunbathe, surf and play.