Gillian Glover

There are plenty of things to do in our November events calendar before you need to start thawing that turkey—or, you know, just tapping a button to secure your fully cooked dinner order. Balance the upcoming holidays with equal parts generosity (try one of these volunteer opportunities) and gluttony (gorge on the best pies in Los Angeles). So bundle up for an early peek at Christmas lights or some festive screenings, and take advantage of all there is to do in our November 2025 events calendar. RECOMMENDED: Full events calendar for 2025

“Dessert is truly the frosting of life.” Valerie Gordon is discussing the appeal of sweet treats—something she knows better than most. The chocolatier, baker, chef and entrepreneur behind Valerie Confections has been keeping L.A.’s sweet tooth satisfied for over 20 years now with her signature toffees, caramels and petit fours—plus her re-creation of the iconic Blum’s coffee crunch cake. And there’s just something about dessert—more so than other food groups—that’s joyful by nature. “The glorious thing about dessert is that it’s entirely unnecessary,” Gordon explains. “It’s generally tied to celebration. And so we have a lot of emotional ties to dessert. ‘This cake reminds me of the one I used to get with my mom.’ It’s extremely tied to moments that are memorable. So, you think about when you always have dessert: It’s birthdays. It’s graduations. It’s anniversaries. It’s a special dinner. It’s that treat that you got with your new girlfriend who’s now your wife.” There are lots of things about the holiday season that bring joy, but seasonal desserts are up there. After all, what’s Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie? And Gordon’s holiday treats are legendary in L.A., from her famous peppermint bark to evergreen- and menorah-printed truffles to an eggnog version of her petit fours that taste like a sip of the boozy beverage. Even if you haven’t visited Gordon’s Echo Park cafe—where you can also get brunch—or her newer Glendale headquarters, you might have seen her sharing her exp

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 what new restaurants we want to try or where we can drive for the day. Whether you’re looking to scope out the latest museum exhibitions or watch a movie outdoors, 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. This weekend, the city lights up—literally—with tons of amazing things to do. Enchant LA, the largest Christmas-lights maze in the world, makes its debut at Santa Anita Park. And it’s already time to start shopping for gifts: Luckily markets full of unique goods from local makers are popping up in Pasadena, Altadena, Mar Vista and Hermosa Beach, as well as at the Huntington. Meanwhile, Melrose Avenue is shutting down car traffic from Fairfax to Vermont on Sunday for a Stranger Things–themed edition of CicLAvia. The day before, the Great Los Angeles Walk traverses Wilshire Boulevard starting at Pershing Square, which is also welcoming back its annual outdoor ice rink this weekend. And Sabrina Carpenter plays her last of six L.A. shows Sunday.

If we could write the rules of living in Los Angeles this would be our No. 1, always at the top of our list: When you live in this city, there’s no excuse for boredom just because it’s a weeknight. There are hundreds of things to do in Los Angeles each week, whether you hit the beach at sunset or go for a morning bike ride, or catch a concert or a comedy show—and that’s really only scratching the surface. Well, we don’t make the rules, but we will provide you with plenty of ideas for your next free weeknight right here. Now go out and tackle these things to do in L.A. this week. We curate an itinerary of the city’s best concerts, culture and cuisine, every week, just for you. This week, the city lights up—literally—with tons of amazing things to do. On Monday, the Grove hosts its holiday lighting celebration, complete with live music, snowfall, a drone show and a fireworks finale. Union Station is also lighting up for the holidays, and Enchant LA, the largest Christmas lights maze in the world, apparently, makes its debut in Arcadia. And it’s already time to start shopping for gifts: Luckily markets full of unique goods from local makers are popping up in Pasadena, Altadena, Mar Vista and Hermosa Beach, as well as at the Huntington. But first, Sabrina Carpenter continues her run of L.A. shows. at Crypto.com Arena.

’Tis the season for Christmas shows, festive holiday lights and, most of all, shopping, shopping and more shopping. Back to tempt your wallets this winter are a number of holiday markets and craft fairs featuring local, handmade goods for extra-special gifting. Find everything from apothecary goods and handwoven handbags to artisan jewelry, candles, prints and more. Even if you’re not sure what to get family and friends on your gift list this season, these Christmas events are a treasure trove of inspiration—you’ll likely walk away with more goodies than you ever knew you needed. Support small businesses and head to the best holiday markets in Los Angeles to shop IRL. RECOMMENDED: See more Christmas in Los Angeles

You’ve probably had to fend off this tired question before from out-of-town friends: How can we get in the holiday spirit here on the West Coast when it’s warm in December? Well, first of all, it’s cold—by L.A. standards, at least. But second, there’s also plenty of holiday cheer if you know where to see Christmas lights in Los Angeles. In between a deluge of Christmas events, festive movie screenings and frantic shopping trips, take the time to check out these twinkling neighborhoods and ticketed events. Just make sure to bring along an extra sweatshirt and some patience: Not even Christmas lights can escape L.A. traffic. RECOMMENDED: Christmas in Los Angeles We’ve updated this story after our staff visited some standout ticketed events last season—including Enchanted, L.A. Zoo Lights and Astra Lumina—and added some photos from recent trips to a trio of neighborhoods, including the Venice Canals, Torrance’s Seaside and El Segundo’s Candy Cane Lane. The entries have been updated with 2025 information, including how some displays were affected by January’s wildfires.

Sure, you won’t find snow-covered trees and below-zero temperatures in L.A., but there are still plenty of Christmas events and holiday activities to get you in the festive mood—even when it’s 70 and sunny in December. With outdoor movie screenings, illuminated walks in botanical gardens, holiday plays, festive takeovers of theme parks and Christmas lights all over town, our list of the city’s best events and things to do this season will help make L.A. feel like a winter wonderland. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Christmas in Los Angeles

Halloween is behind us, but November keeps the fall festivities going with lots of free Day of the Dead celebrations throughout SoCal right at the start of the month. Open-streets events, indie craft fairs, art gallery shows, free live music and more should keep us busy until the city’s holiday happenings kick off. And while many of those ticketed, there are lots of free light displays to check out that will have you singing, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.”

If you’re sticking around for the holiday, it helps to know what’s open on Thanksgiving day (aside from these restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinner, of course). Whether you’re looking for somewhere to spend the day solo or just need something to do with your family that’s not in your living room, there are a surprising amount of options available to fill your day. In addition to a few of the Christmas lights displays that kick off around Thanksgiving, you’ll find that some of the most notable L.A. attractions also keep their doors open. The list below offers a variety of options—kid-friendly, daytime and nighttime, near and far—to either help celebrate Thanksgiving or feel miles away from it all. RECOMMENDED: See more of Thanksgiving in L.A.

If you’re doing it right, Thanksgiving in Los Angeles means feasting on turkey and the best pies in the city—or finding volunteer opportunities in your community. But what other things can you do for Thanksgiving? Enjoy the long holiday weekend with a variety of events and these things to do on Thanksgiving in L.A., from turkey trots to illuminated garden walks to a famed parade. (We’ve made sure to specify which events are actually open on Thanksgiving itself and which ones are running the rest of the weekend.) RECOMMENDED: See more Thanksgiving in Los Angeles

Looking for the best things to do in Los Angeles? We have you covered with the very best that L.A. has to offer. I’m a Los Angeles native and have lived here all my life, and take it from me: There’s always more to discover and explore. Whether you’re a culture vulture, an outdoorsy type or simply a lover of our fine city, you’ll find more than enough here to keep you busy. Even lifelong Angelenos can find something new to add to their to-do list, between the city’s landmark attractions, an ever-changing inventory of the best restaurants in Los Angeles, essential L.A. museums and even some off-the-beaten-path secrets. How many of the best things to do in Los Angeles will you try? Updated November 2025: We’re barely past Halloween and Day of the Dead, but the town’s attention has already turned to Thanksgiving and Christmas. On that note, I’ve added a bunch of festive fun back into the list—think outdoor ice rinks, holiday decor at theme parks, and dazzling light displays aplenty. This month also brings a host of local craft fairs, where you can buy unique gifts for everyone on your list. And if you’re not quite into holiday mode yet, the Saturday before Thanksgiving the Great Los Angeles Walk returns with a free trek along Wilshire Boulevard to celebrate its 20th outing, and the Broad unveils a new special exhibition of the work of sculptor Robert Therrien the same day. Quick Picks: Best Things to Do in Los Angeles Griffith Observatory — Iconic attraction with a planetarium

While fall foliage is sparse in L.A., there’s no shortage of Halloween spirit. It’s October, so it’s the perfect time to head to an Oktoberfest, haunted house, pumpkin patch or spooky movie screening. If Halloween isn’t really your holiday, then celebrate the end of summertime and enjoy one of the best hikes in L.A. sans the seasonal crowds. Regardless, you’ll find something to do in L.A. in our October events calendar. RECOMMENDED: Full events calendar for 2025 and 2026

The Queen of Christmas—well, her likeness anyway—has taken over the Skybar at Mondrian this holiday season, filling the swanky poolside bar with lots of “All I want for Christmas” spirit. Sure to be a hit with both Carey fans and Christmas lovers of all candy-cane stripes, the pop-up winter wonderland boasts wall-to-wall holiday décor inspired by the singer, interactive photo ops, album backdrop re-creations, festive food, holiday cocktails and, of course, lots of merch. And forget letters to Santa—here you’ll find a dedicated “Letters to Mariah Carey” station, and “All I Want for Christmas Is You” will be played every 30 minutes. Your ticket gets you a welcome cocktail and 90-minute access to the immersive experience.

The ground floor of Vintage Land will be decked out for the holidays December 13 and 14. The home of Los Feliz Flea will host a vintage market and artisan pop-ups by over 100 vendors, where you can find unique, handcrafted items perfect for gift-giving. Grab a hot cocoa or coffee to keep warm, and shop the day away amid live holiday music. Admission and parking are both free, and the market is pet-friendly. And if you need a break from shopping, you can test your gaming skills at Vintage Land’s pickleball court.

Westlake Village re-creates a traditional European Christmas market with Holidays in the Village, where you’ll find artisan vendors selling gift-worthy goods, as well as bakers, chocolatiers, carolers and more. You can shop into the evening, when the stalls come alive with holiday lights. Refuel with a freshly baked croissant or Aebleskiver paired with a mug of Glühwein, hot cocoa or Kinderpunsch. It’s also family-friendly: At last year’s event, kids got to mingle with Kris Kringle and the Grinch, take train and Ferris wheel rides, and hunt down teddy bears in a scavenger hunt. 

Modern-day living got you down? Travel back to the Victorian era with this holiday celebration at the Arboretum, taking place over three consecutive weekends. The front lawn of the 1880s Queen Anne Cottage, which you can step inside during a walk-through tour, will host visits with Santa, Victorian dancers and carolers, themed refreshments and a marketplace. Grab a hot cocoa or hot toddy and browse goods from local makers and artists.

Prog-rock around the Christmas tree this Thanksgiving weekend. Trans-Siberian Orchestra will be performing its “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve: The Best of TSO” show at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Expect rocking versions of your favorite carols—many of them instrumentals—as well as pyrotechnics and a laser light show that will ensure you leave the show feeling pumped about the holidays.

LA Compost’s annual autumnal event gives “smashing pumpkins” a whole new—and very literal—meaning. Now that Halloween is over, you likely have at least one pumpkin rotting on your doorstep. Did you know that trashing it and sending it to the landfill releases methane, which contributes to global warming? Instead of adding your jack-o’-lantern to the 1.3 billion pounds of yearly pumpkin waste, bring it (as long as its free of paint, glitter or anything else nonorganic) to one of these composting parties to help nourish the earth. Check here for the different locations and to sign up.

Have a drink at seven of the Sunset Strip’s best haunts over the span of one night during this Halloween bar crawl. Register and pick up your wristband and map at Saddle Ranch Chop House, and you’ll be granted no-cover bar access and themed drink specials at some of the liveliest hot spots in West Hollywood: the historic Andaz hotel, Hotel Ziggy, the Naughty Pig, Skybar at Mondrian (which is throwing its own Halloween parties), State Social House and Wokcano.

Last year, L.A. joined the ranks of other cities across the country that host Porchfests—local performance art festivals that stage live shows on literal porches. Admittedly the concept is a little trickier here than it is in smaller towns, given how sprawling Los Angeles is. But the L.A. organizers have a fix, creating walkable hubs in East Hollywood, Los Feliz and Silver Lake—Mar Vista and Culver City are even getting in on the action this year. This second annual fest will double in size, with 46 stages hosting 170 different acts. See shows by local musicians, storytellers, stand-up comics, clowns and comedians on stages, stoops, lawns, porches and patios—even in front of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House. Oh, and did we mention it’s completely free?

Despite being a lifelong L.A. resident, it wasn’t until a recent mini engagement trip that I finally ventured to San Diego and stayed at The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows.  Its website describes the hotel as “a landmark of San Diego”, and everyone I chatted with—and even in Carlsbad during a lunch stop on the way—waxed lyrical about the Lafayette Hotel: each person seemed to have their own story about it, and it’s clearly a destination for tourists and locals alike.  The property was built back in 1946—it was the only hotel to be constructed in the U.S. during World War II—and it originally opened as Imig Manor, named for local entrepreneur Larry Imig, who imagined it as a “city within a city”. The hotel spent a few years as a glamorous Old Hollywood hideaway, hosting lavish parties and welcoming stars like Ava Gardner, Lana Turner, Lucille Ball and John Wayne—in fact, Bob Hope was the first guest to sign the hotel registry. Then, in 1955, Conrad Hilton bought the property and renamed it the Lafayette Hotel, which kept it in business until it was purchased by Consortium Holdings, who, in 2023, restored the hotel to its former destination-worthy glory. Why stay at The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows? A better question would be, why ever leave? You know you’re at a good hotel when you have to talk yourself into leaving to explore your destination city. You could spend a two-day stay entirely on property and never be bored: there’s a retro 24-hour diner, a moody

For the Record, a live production company known for transforming the soundtracks of favorite filmmakers into immersive musicals, is back with its most impressive display yet: CineVita, the world’s largest Spiegeltent, is FTR’s new home in Hollywood Park, next to SoFi Stadium. After its opening in February, it’s bringing back Tarantino Live, which celebrates 30 years of Pulp Fiction and re-creates memorable musical moments from the director’s films including Kill Bill, Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained.

Walk in James Dean’s footsteps as the Griffith Observatory hosts two special anniversary screenings of Rebel Without a Cause—right where key scenes from the movie were filmed. The anniversary aspect here is twofold: First, the Griffith Observatory is celebrating its 90th anniversary and has been marking the occasion all year long with special public programming and events. 2025 also marks 70 years since Rebel’s theatrical release. See the film in the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon theater and enjoy after-hours access to the observatory, which is typically closed on Mondays.

Scribble might just be the coolest venue you’ve never heard of. The Highland Park spot is a nonprofit community/counseling center that also hosts classes, workshops, comedy and intimate concerts from under-the-radar bands. And it’s celebrating its 2nd birthday this weekend with a very affordable fundraiser (tickets are $17 including fees). Comedian and author Jamie Loftus will introduce sets by DJ Douggpound (editor for Tim and Eric), rapper Open Mike Eagle and comedian Whitmer Thomas, who’ll bring new and original jokes and jams with him.

If you consider the coolest streets in Los Angeles, an embarrassment of riches comes to mind. We have it all, from beautiful drives with designer stores dripping in luxury to grittier boulevards filled with the hippest brands to legendary thoroughfares immortalized on film and in music, all with a wealth of acclaimed dining options. But this year, Time Out has awarded the honor of coolest street in Los Angeles—and the 25th-coolest street in the world—to Pacific Coast Highway. While it’s part of the 656-mile State Route 1, the name “Pacific Coast Highway” technically only refers to the stretch of SR-1 from Dana Point to Oxnard, which takes you past Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades and Malibu. For the purposes of this list, we’ve chosen the iconic stretch of PCH near the Malibu Pier—which now marks the eastern border of what was spared by the fires. The area is quintessentially Southern California: surfer vibes and high-end shops mingle against postcard-worthy oceanfront hillsides for a singularly “California cool” experience. And months of limited access along PCH only reinforced our affection for PCH—as did the resilience and sense of community its local businesses have shown in the face of such daunting hardships. In January, when the Palisades Fire broke out and destroyed nearly everything in its path, the wildfire made its way from Pacific Palisades to Malibu, burning down hundreds of homes and local restaurants, including neighborhood seafood spot Reel Inn and iconic PCH

The Force is strong in L.A. this week. Eight years after work started on the one-billion-dollar Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, the highly anticipated addition to the city’s thriving cultural scene will open its doors in fall 2026. The museum announced today that the official opening date of the institution filmmaker George Lucas is touting as “a temple to the people’s art” will be September 22, 2026. There’s still no information available about ticketing, the opening celebration or any free museum days, but to be honest, we’re thrilled just to have a firm date at this point, since, after delays due to factors including pandemic-related supply-chain issues, the estimated opening date had been pushed back from 2021 to 2022 to 2023 to 2025 to, finally, 2026. By now you’re likely familiar with the verdant spaceship that’s landed in Exposition Park between the Natural History Museum and the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. The curvaceous building topped with solar panels and gardens adds something decidedly different—and otherworldly—to L.A.’s architectural scene and has been piquing Angelenos’ interest for years now.   Photograph: Roberto Gomez, courtesy USC School of Cinematic Arts. © 2025 JAKS Productions Situated on 11 acres, once it’s completed the five-story, 300,000-square-foot museum will feature not only 35 galleries but two state-of-the-art theaters, as well as classrooms, a library, dining options and a gift shop. Outside, the lush landscaping is a draw unto itself—the green s

Halloween is tomorrow, and while the scariest thing for Dodger fans might be tuning in to Game 6 of the World Series, the largest costume party in Los Angeles is proceeding as planned: That’s right, the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval is upon us once again. Every year on Halloween night, WeHo welcomes countless costumed attendees—like, up to half a million—to a mile-long street party on Santa Monica Boulevard filled with food trucks, a performance stage and an absolutely electric atmosphere. After taking three years off, the All Hallow’s Eve tradition made its triumphant return in 2023, and it’s been going strong since. Carnaval’s annual appearance also means it’s bringing lots of road closures along with it. Here’s a quick rundown on everything you need to know about this year’s return of the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval. When is the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval? The event takes place on Halloween night (Friday, October 31, 2025) from 6 to 11pm, though you can expect to find plenty of after-parties along the route. Where does it take place? Along—and literally on—Santa Monica Boulevard from Doheny Drive to La Cienega Boulevard. What street closures will be in effect? Oct 31 at 12:01am–Nov 1 at 7am N San Vicente Blvd between Santa Monica Blvd and Melrose Ave All alleyways between Santa Monica Blvd and Melrose Ave In addition, West Hollywood Park, including its dog parks, basketball court and parking garage, will be closed during this span. Oct 31 at 10am–Nov 1 a

If you’re a fan of Halloween, chances are you’ve visited the Haunted Hayride in Griffith Park—now in its 17th year—sometime before. But if you’ve been this fall, you will have seen a new but familiar face plastered throughout the event: Elvira. That’s right, the Mistress of the Dark is the new mascot of the hayride’s fictional town of Midnight Falls, breathing fresh life into the haunted house. The iconic character and the ’80s-themed Halloween attraction are a match made in heaven (er, hell). I sat down to talk with actress Cassandra Peterson—a.k.a. Elvira—to get her thoughts on the Haunted Hayride, L.A.’s relationship with Halloween and her favorite spooky spots. Peterson actually birthed the character of horror hostess Elvira right here in L.A., on the corner of Melrose and Gower. Known for her signature makeup, low-cut black gown and beehive hairdo, she rose to fame presenting B-movies on the TV show Movie Macabre in Los Angeles in the early ’80s. The character went on to become a beloved pop culture icon that spawned films, comics, pinball machines, a cookbook and endless merchandise—making her a quintessential symbol of Halloween and all things spooky. For decades, Elvira put on a stage show at Knott’s Scary Farm each Halloween season, only leaving the gig in 2017. This makes her new partnership with the Haunted Hayride—and producer Thirteenth Floor Entertainment—all the more notable. She loves how central the Hayride is for those living in L.A. “This is such a cool thi

After a particularly difficult summer, Downtown L.A. will show off its status as a vibrant cultural hub on October 25 with Grand Ave Arts: All Access, a joyful celebration of the city’s artistic and musical offerings. When you tally all of the world-renowned cultural institutions that call Grand Avenue home—from the Center Theatre Group’s two Downtown theaters to world-class museums the Broad and MOCA to the historic Los Angeles Central Library, most located within a few blocks of one another—it’s truly astounding (and puts any outdated claims that L.A. doesn’t have culture to shame). In all, 14 of these organizations will take part in the annual event, which runs from 11am to 4pm this Saturday on Grand between Temple and 6th Streets. Between all of the free workshops, performances, tours and exhibits that are on offer during Grand Ave Arts, it can be a bit overwhelming when deciding what to do. But, luckily for you, we’ve scoured the lineup and picked out five things that you shouldn’t miss this weekend.   Photograph: Michelle Shiers 1. A preview of Dataland Downtown L.A. will soon be home to the world’s very first AI art museum. Scheduled to open next spring, Dataland will embrace the somewhat-controversial concept of AI-generated art and explore the potential of human-machine collaboration and creativity. The museum was founded by L.A.-based Turkish American media artist Refik Anadol and his wife, Efsun Erkılıç—you might have seen Anadol’s spellbinding projections on the

The way I see it, there are two types of people: those who jump at the chance to go to Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights, and those who are horrified by the very thought. For years, I fell into the latter camp. Despite having lived mere minutes from the theme park my whole life and being an annual passholder for years, I had somehow avoided making my way through the backlot full of mazes and jump scares come Halloween time. But just over a week ago (because the beginning of September is now the unofficial start of Halloween season), I decided to face my fear of fear. My fiancé is obsessed with all things horror and Halloween, so the peer pressure is real. While I don’t love dressing up, I can appreciate creepy things and the aesthetics of Halloween. But there’s a line. For example, I’ve done the Haunted Hayride several times, but I only gave that a chance because when you’re being carted around behind a tractor, you can literally avert your eyes and hide your head if anyone tries to scare you. Mazes are a different story, and the idea of people jumping out at me, blocking my path and trailing me seemed, by design, nightmarish. So if you feel my pain—maybe you’re someone who loves Halloween but has avoided Horror Nights, or someone who gets dragged by your friends to scary events each fall—read on. Walking through the entrance on opening night, I wanted to turn around and back out while I still could. I knew my scaredy-cat vibes were just the kind that attract scare a

Metro’s A Line is already the longest light rail in the country, and this Friday, it’s getting even longer. After years of planning, permitting and construction, the public-transit extension into the San Gabriel Valley officially opens September 19 with new stops in Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne and Pomona. The line now stretches nearly 58 miles, offering easier commutes, fewer cars on the 210 and hopefully lighter traffic for communities long underserved by rail. RECOMMENDED: A beginner’s guide to Metro in L.A. The $1.5-billion project is no small feat. Overseen by the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority, the new stations are part of a 9.1-mile build that has been underway since 2020. (A stop in Claremont is still in the works, though an expansion to Montclair is now up in the air.) Though 1/5 of the population of L.A. County resides in the San Gabriel Valley, it’s the first time these four cities will be connected by rail since 1951, when the Pacific Electric Railway ceased operations in the midst of freeway construction. Starting Friday, the full A Line will feature connect 48 stations running from Long Beach through downtown L.A., up through Northeast Los Angeles and Pasadena, and into the San Gabriel Valley. Service will also be more frequent: Trains during peak weekday hours will run every eight minutes, every 10 minutes during off-peak hours on weekdays and daytime hours on weekends, and every 20 minutes late at night. A free community event will follow a press c

Shark Week might have already passed, but shark season is just getting started at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, which is debuting its first large-scale show dedicated to a single film this Sunday—“Jaws: The Exhibition.” Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s suspenseful shark-starring masterpiece, the exhibition transports you to Amity Island, walking you through the pre-production, filming, plot and lasting cultural impact of the original summer blockbuster. Since its opening, the Academy Museum has displayed an important piece of Jaws history: The last remaining full-scale model of Bruce, the famously problematic mechanical shark used during filming, is the largest object in the museum’s collection and hangs epically above the escalators. But with the new exhibition, he’s now supplemented by over 200 original items—props, storyboards, script pages, cameras, costumes and more—used in the production of the film. Some of these came from the studio or Spielberg’s own personal collection, while others were preserved by crew members or private collectors since 1975. Located in the fourth-floor Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg Gallery, “Jaws: The Exhibition” tells the story of the film in six sections. The highlight is the immersive “Into the Deep” gallery, which takes you out on the water with a re-creation of the Orca, the fishing boat Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss and Robert Shaw set sail on. You’ll also see the underwater cage and spear used in the film

Amid the devastation of January’s wildfires, there were a couple of small victories. While the fire was spreading through Pacific Palisades, the Getty Villa and, less than a five-minute drive away, the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine were able to protect their perimeters and come out largely intact. Still, the Villa remained closed for 5 ½ months of cleanup efforts, and even when it reopened, the Lake Shrine remained closed. Until now, that is. Around 7 ½ months after the Palisades Fire broke out, the property’s peaceful meditation gardens have finally reopened, offering a beacon of hope and peace the city could certainly use right now. I first visited the Lake Shrine a couple of years ago and had a lovely, memorable afternoon. Recently I made my way back to check out the newly reopened gardens and speak with minister-in-charge Brother Satyananda. The drive down Sunset Boulevard through the Palisades is a sobering experience—once you pass Chautauqua Boulevard, the destruction takes your breath away—but after parking at the Lake Shrine lot on the top of the hill and descending the steps into the meditation gardens, I couldn’t help but smile. They looked pretty much exactly like I remembered—a little lush paradise in the midst of so much damage. And there is indeed a lake: Lake Santa Ynez, which is the only spring-fed lake in the city of Los Angeles. Run by the Self-Realization Fellowship—a non-denominational religious organization founded by Paramahansa Yogananda (auth

Many of us think of Labor Day weekend as the end of summer (though fall doesn’t technically begin until September 22). But in Los Angeles, we know better. We’re in the midst of a heat wave, and we’re still in for weeks of sunny days and balmy, warm nights where we can keep summer alive. In the meantime, if you’re in need of ideas for the best way to spend your long weekend, we’ve got you covered with 18 picks, from alfresco films to pop-up markets, free concerts to stadium shows. Here are our top things to do this Labor Day weekend. 1. Watch a movie outdoorsFri–Mon Outdoor movie season isn’t slowing down yet—in fact, some series keep the fun going all year long—but this weekend is particularly full of fun films. On Friday, Dive-In Movie Nights presents Moana poolside at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown; the Huntington is showing Paddington 2 as part of its family-friendly Summer Movie Nights; and ​​Friday Movie Nights hosts a free screening of The Goonies at Ovation Hollywood. In DTLA, Rooftop Cinema Club has a reliably great lineup throughout the weekend: Amélie, When Harry Met Sally…, The Godfather, Pride & Prejudice, Crazy, Stupid, Love and La La Land. Meanwhile, Cinespia hosts The Princess Bride on Saturday and The Silence of the Lambs on Sunday; the Montalbán is showing Scream and Before Sunrise; and if there are any 1D fans in the house, Street Food Cinema will present One Direction: This Is Us at the Autry.   Photograph: Courtesy Smorgasburg 2. Cool off with

Ask the coolest person you know from Los Angeles if they’ve ever been to the Magic Castle, and you’ll get one of two responses: a longing “no” or a “yes” followed by them excitedly detailing the most magical night of their lives. Yes, even though L.A. can come off as jaded, there’s one thing we can’t resist—a mysterious Victorian mansion on a hill, with a strict dress code and a highly exclusive door policy. You see, you can’t buy a ticket to the Magic Castle. The club, opened in 1963, is the headquarters of the Academy of Magical Arts, and to get in for a meal and a show, you either need to be a magician, or to know one. (There are a few workarounds, including booking a stay at the adjoining Magic Castle Hotel or even signing up for a competitive blood drive to good-deed your way in.) But those not in L.A. are in luck. For its next trick, the Magic Castle has teamed up with Princess Cruises to offer a coveted peek behind the curtain and cast its spell over the ocean. After Magic Castle Enterprises launched its first-ever partnership with the cruise line’s Sun Princess ship, the two have reimagined a new, themed immersive space that brings the experience of visiting the Magic Castle to those sailing on new sister ship Star Princess. I got to preview what’s in store from the experience—and take a private tour of the castle with the president of Magic Castle Enterprises and granddaughter of the original founder, Erika Larsen (which ended up being one of the coolest things I’ve

Those who claim L.A. lacks culture clearly haven’t been to Grand Avenue. The Downtown thoroughfare serves as a cultural corridor rich in art museums, music venues and welcoming public spaces. As the Music Center’s CEO and president, Rachel S. Moore, says, “Only on Grand Avenue can you move from the soaring notes of a symphony to the pulse of a dance party and experience the range from timeless works of art to the cutting edge of human-machine collaborations—all within a single, walkable mile.” And one day a year, you can visit more than a dozen of these arts and culture destinations for free. Grand Ave Arts: All Access, now in its ninth year, will return on October 25, offering special access to and programming in the officially designated “Grand Avenue Cultural District” for five hours, from 11am to 4pm. Expect performances, workshops, tours, family-friendly activities and more. This year, 13 arts organizations on Grand between Temple and Sixth Streets are participating in the cultural open house: The Broad, Center Theatre Group, Colburn School, Gloria Molina Grand Park, LA Opera, the LA Phil, Los Angeles Central Library, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Metro Art (the transit agency now has a station just off Grand atop Bunker Hill), MOCA, the Music Center, REDCAT and the upcoming DATALAND. Photograph: Michelle Shiers Among the programming highlights are a singing workshop at the Colburn school and the chance for kids to conduct a live band; free LA Opera recitals at the Dorot