Gillian Glover

The L.A. Marathon map looks a little bit like Waze’s rush-hour directions—take the main drag for a bit, veer onto this side street, then loop back around. If you’re a runner, you probably know every inch of the course by now. But if you’re spectating, you’ll probably want to brush up on the L.A. Marathon 2026 route. The 26.2-mile race (held on Sunday, March 8) is by far the biggest L.A. event in March—it crosses nearly the entire east-west span of the city, with stretches through Downtown L.A., Echo Park, Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Brentwood. So make sure to study the route map below—don’t forget to pay attention to L.A. Marathon road closures—and maybe find a few go-to L.A. attractions along the way (you know, in case you need a bathroom break). RECOMMENDED: Full guide to L.A. Marathon 2026 Where does the L.A. Marathon route start? The starting line for the race begins by Dodger Stadium, in a secured area of the parking lot past the center field fence.  Where does the L.A. Marathon route end? The finish line for the L.A. Marathon is on Avenue of the Stars just below Santa Monica Boulevard, by Westfield Century City. There you’ll find a DJ, bleacher seating and first-come, first-served seating on double-decker buses—plus a finish festival across the street in Century Park. Wait, didn’t the L.A. Marathon used to go all the way to the beach? Yep, that’s right, the old stadium-to-the-sea route used to wrap up right on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. But that chan

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, plan on dining out—a lot. Winter Dine L.A. Restaurant Week and Pasadena Cheeseburger Week are both in full swing, with special menu items and deals at both new and tried-and-true restaurants. And Lunar New Year celebrations continue with Monterey Park’s massive annual festival and a night market at Koreatown Plaza—both free. Speaking of free: You can enjoy free scoops at Jeni’s (thanks to Bridgerton’s season premiere) and catch a complimentary concert curated by KCRW at the Airliner, both this Thursday.

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 January 2026: The holidays—and L.A.’s rainy stretch—are over, and this month, we’re excited to revisit some of our favorite waterfall hikes and beaches during L.A.’s brisk, sunny version of winter. You’ll also find some snowy options, if you’re willing to take a bit of a drive. January also kicks off the city’s Lunar New Year celebrations and sees the return of Winter Dine L.A.—the perfect excuse to check out all those restaurants on your “must try” list. Quick Picks: Best Things to Do in Los Angeles Griffith Observatory — Iconic attraction with a planetarium, astronomy exhibits and the best views of L.A. (Free, planetarium $10, parking $10/hour) The Huntington — Unparalleled botanical gardens, art and library collections in a former private estate. ($34) Universal Studios Hollywood — Theme

L.A. covers a mind-bogglingly massive volume of land (and, for that matter, ocean too). So it’s no surprise that Los Angeles packs in an enormous number of world-class attractions. If you’re a tourist looking for things to do, you’ll have no problem finding vacation inspiration, from Hollywood tours to a day at one of the city’s best beaches. Even locals might very well find ways to fall in love with the city all over again in our extensive list of the best Los Angeles attractions. RECOMMENDED:📽️ The best studio tours in Los Angeles Quick Picks: Best Los Angeles Attractions Best place to see (real) stars: Griffith Observatory (Free, planetarium $10, parking $10/hour) Best spot to stop and smell the flowers: The Huntington ($29–$34, parking free) Best for thrill rides: Universal Studios Hollywood (Tickets start at $109) Best mix of classical music and cutting-edge architecture: Walt Disney Concert Hall (Ticket prices vary, parking $10) Best place for moviemaking magic: Academy Museum of Motion Pictures ($25, film screenings $5–$10) Best spot for the perfect beach day: Zuma Beach (Free street parking, paid lot) This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

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 weekend, just for you. This weekend, you can celebrate Lunar New Year early with a free block party in North Hollywood presented by MAUM Market. If you need a laugh, UCB is celebrating its 20th anniversary in L.A. with a daylong marathon of shows (some of them free!), and KCRW is hosting a fundraiser at the Comedy Store, with Robby Hoffman headlining. It’s also the start of winter Dine L.A. Restaurant Week and Pasadena Cheeseburger Week, giving you lots of excuses to get out and eat at both new and tried-and-true restaurants. And if you’re thirsty, wine fest Uncorked is returning to Union Station. There are also a pair of poignant events commemorating the one-year anniversary of the wildfires—one at the Heal the Bay Aquarium in Santa Monica and the other in Pasadena, where the community will gather to plant poppy seeds.

As the Lunar New Year approaches, celebrate Chinese New Year 2026 in Los Angeles with these events and things to do. Need to feed your belly for an auspicious year ahead? Slurp some of the city’s best noodle dishes and cheap eats or check out our dim sum guide below. Whether you’re celebrating a long-running family tradition or experiencing the holiday for the first time, join the Chinese New Year festivities for a year of good luck and fortune. When is Lunar New Year 2026? Lunar New Year—and the Year of the Fire Horse—begins on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, and continues for 15 days, through March 3. Many local events marking the holiday take place in January and early February, though.

With the holidays behind us, January sparks images of a long plod through gray skies and chilly temperatures for most of the country—but not so here in L.A. Sure, it’s chilly, relatively speaking, but the weather is still perfect enough to tackle most of our favorite things to do outside, even with a slight uptick in precipitation. In fact, take advantage of those clear, post-rain days with one of the best hikes in L.A. Or head to one of the city’s best beaches while it’s still deserted for the season. Start the year off right with the city’s best activities and things to do in our January events calendar. RECOMMENDED: Full events calendar for 2026

Who says L.A. lacks culture? Not only do we boast an impressive array of amazing museums, but almost every single one offers free admission, either on select days or all the time. Aesthetes and culture vultures can get their fix for free at the spots below, which even with their affordable price point removed from the equation would still rank among the best things to do in the city. Whether you prefer the greatest hits at LACMA or off-the-beaten-path museums, it’s easy to plan a free museum visit (especially if you have a library card)—as long as you keep some key dates and times in mind. Here are the best free museums in Los Angeles, whether they offer free admission year-round or on select free days.  RECOMMENDED: See the full list of free things to do in L.A.

There’s this charmingly corny old PBS special, Things That Aren’t Here Anymore, that reminisces about when seemingly everything in L.A. used to cost a nickel. As Los Angeles has gotten frustratingly more expensive in recent years, I’ve found myself slipping into that same nostalgic trap: Remember when dollar tacos actually cost a dollar? Or when Griffith Observatory parking was free? But then I stop and think about this city’s wealth of free museums and its miles of public coastline, and I remember that there are plenty of incredible free things to do in L.A.—perhaps even more so here than in any other nearby city I can think of. Sure, we may live in a celebrity-driven town where indulging at the best restaurants and bars, working out and pampering ourselves are the norm, but we still jump at the chance for free things (or nominally priced items, like L.A.’s best cheap eats). Read on for the best free things to do and places to visit across L.A., for tourists and locals alike. In addition to this all-the-time list, lots of fun, free events are always popping up. Make sure to check out our monthly selection of free things to do. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Los Angeles

If you’re looking to explore the many free attractions in L.A.—including museums, iconic landmarks and lesser-known sites—we’ve listed the best places to visit on a budget. Whether you’re looking to get outdoors and hike or explore a new neighborhood, read on for must-see L.A. attractions (including a few of our favorite free museums). You can even get some post-eating and drinking ideas for your next wallet-friendly date night or cheap eats outing. RECOMMENDED: More free things to do in L.A.

Photograph: Jesse Hsu for Time OutErnest H. Harrison Dr. Ernest H. Harrison is a busy man. Not only has he led the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles as its music director, conductor and head of education and outreach since 2019, but he’s also a poet and musician—with a doctorate in choral music—who regularly makes time to teach about music and social justice at universities including Loyola Marymount University and the University of Southern California. The Gay Men’s Chorus has been a fixture in Los Angeles’s cultural scene since 1979, combining artistic excellence with a message of love and acceptance. Today, the over 300 members continue to further GMCLA’s purpose of “changing hearts and minds” by raising their voices together as one. And Harrison is the perfect steward to lead that legacy into the future. When I caught up with Harrison, it was the week before the chorus was scheduled to perform at the annual Hollywood Christmas Parade. The group was also in the midst of rehearsals for its upcoming holiday concert, an annual Los Angeles tradition that features a changing setlist of carols, showtunes and pop songs, complete with innovative arrangements and fun choreography. This month, the members will again take the stage at Beverly Hills’ Saban Theatre for “Holiday Legends,” with performances on December 13 and 14. (RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 15 finalist Salina EsTitties, who joined the chorus a decade ago, will be appearing as a guest artist.) And next year, the group is em

Don’t let the hilltop mansions and ritzy Rodeo Drive stores fool you: Los Angeles doesn’t have to be an expensive destination. Indeed, there are plenty of cheap things to do in L.A. if you know where to look. In fact, we’d say there are even more free things to do than ones that are merely just cheap—so if that’s not inexpensive enough, consider the city’s wealth of free attractions. But for the purposes of this story, we see cheap as a bang-for-your-buck kind of quality, something where you feel like you’re getting away with a great deal. So we’ve combed through some of the best museums, botanical gardens and parks to find destinations that largely keep things under $15. (Looking for reasonably priced food? We have an entirely separate story dedicated to cheap eats.) RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Los Angeles

This South Bay Lunar New Year celebration offers live entertainment, dancers, arts and crafts, food trucks and more at Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles. The free, family-friendly event typically boasts a petting zoo, too, where visitors can get close to roosters, sheep, goats and pigs—maybe even horses in honor of the Year of the Horse. Parking is also free; head to 22nd and Miner streets to park and catch a free ride to the event from the San Pedro Downtown Trolley. 

If you’ll follow wherever Gilmore Girls leads, then you’re going to need to embark on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour this holiday season. For the final couple weeks of the year, the Burbank backlot is again supplementing its regular tour with the “Holidays Made Here” addition, which decks out the Stars Hollow section in festive decor, including the gazebo and Luke’s Diner, where you can sip coffee or cocoa from “Luke” actor Scott Patterson’s own brand—oh, and did we mention Patterson himself will be appearing in person each afternoon? In honor of the show’s 25th anniversary this year, this year’s event is bigger and better than ever. The studio has kicked things up a notch with new re-created sets, merch, a food passport add-on option and a nightly holiday light show. Miss Patty’s School of Ballet—where those famed town meetings took place—has been rebuilt, and a string of new storefronts and dining spots are open to explore, shop at and dine inside. Get a banana split or “boyfriend shake” (team Jess all the way) at Taylor’s Olde Fashioned Soda Shoppe; pick up some more sweet treats at Weston Bakery; shop sweaters emblazoned with quotes of dialogue at the new knitting shop; and step into an old-school video shop with Rory’s photo in the window as “citizen of the month.” Holidays Made Here runs as part of all studio tours from December 18, 2025, to January 4, 2026 (it’s closed on Christmas Day). There’s also an event-only ticket option this year; while it’s the same price ($76),

The city’s coolest indie concert promoter finally has its own venue. Sid the Cat Auditorium opened in South Pasadena at the end of 2025 to sold-out crowds, an exciting addition to the charming suburb. The club, which can fit 500, is located in a former elementary school that dates back to 1885. Concerts by under-the-radar bands take place in the school’s original auditorium, giving nostalgic recital vibes. Sid the Cat’s founders are known for adding a personal, tangible touch to the live music scene, even crafting custom matchbooks and artist trading cards to enhance the experience at their intimate concerts. In a classroom down the hall, you’ll find drinks and DJ sets at Sid’s Bar, which is open to all, not just concertgoers. And the cherry on top: There’s a big, free adjoining parking lot (because, you know, schools). 

Willy Wonka meets Louis Vuitton at ButterLove&Hardwork, a whimsical new chocolate shop that’s taken up residency at the Kimpton La Peer Hotel. You’ve probably seen pastry chef Chris Ford’s chocolate Breakables on Instagram, which you smash open with a mallet to get to the treats inside. Now he’s opened a proof of concept in West Hollywood that will run through early 2026. Inside the stylish space straight out of Twin Peaks, you can shop Ford’s seasonal showstoppers and nostalgic treats that let you be a kid again—you can even lick the spoon. The prices are relatively reasonable, too, starting at $15 for milk chocolate puffs. There’s also a gourmet vending machine, plus coffee and pastries in the morning, including crisp cube “Chrissants,” Ford’s namesake creation. 

Not only does the Huntington boast superlative library holdings, artwork and botanical gardens, but its gift shop is objectively wonderful too. The store is divided into 10 different themed sections, stocked with everything from tea-party accoutrements to housewares decked out in William Morris floral designs to gifts for literature lovers. You can even purchase seed packets that will help you re-create the gardens’ blooms at your home. While a visit to the Huntington is always a good idea, you don’t need to pay for admission to visit the gift shop.

Holiday light shows are popping up all over the city, but a free light installation is always welcome. Grand Illuminations—which features a custom 25-foot-tall LED light tree and dynamic display Lumiverse—returns for the second year on December 3 with a lighting ceremony, live music, a holiday market and refreshments from noon–7pm. The stars are the Electric Dandelions, 28-foot-tall kinetic sculptures that look like fireworks in action, which were designed by L.A.-based art collective Liquid PXL and debuted at Burning Man in 2016, popping up in the U.K., East Coast and various festivals before arriving at the Yard at Cal Plaza. The lights will stay on all holiday season, through January 4, till 10pm nightly.

This serene entry into the holiday-lights-at-botanic-gardens category finds the native-plant-focused California Botanic Garden lit up with twinkling strands and luminarias—lanterns made from candles in paper bags. Illuminated pathways lead to live music stages, which will be hosting three performances each night, ranging from jazz to Native American flute music. A food truck, sweet treats and hot drinks will also be on offer each night. New this year are expanded pathways and, on the first weekend only, a Night Market where you can buy plants and crafts from nature-focused vendors.

The city of West Hollywood is once again throwing its hat into the outdoor ice-skating scene by transforming West Hollywood Park into a rink and a Winter Village with photo ops and a general store, where you can buy snacks and hot chocolate. Schedule your visit around a handful of theme nights: For the rink’s first weekend open, you can shop a festive outdoor market featuring local artists and vendors December 6 and 7 (11am–5pm). December 13 brings a WeHo Winter Wonderland and Chappell Roan-themed Pink Pony Club Skate, while Drag on Ice takes over the rink December 14. A 90-minute skating session will cost you $22. 

Those eager to get a run in on Thanksgiving morning but not eager to drive Downtown can register for Drumstick Dash, which takes place in the Valley and touts itself as the city’s largest Thanksgiving 5K/10K run. Runners, joggers and walkers will make their way through the NoHo Arts District starting at 8:30am to a soundtrack of cheering bystanders and spinning DJs. Kids can get in on the fun, too, with the Lil’ Gobblers Race at 7:45am, and early birds can compete in the dance contest (7am) or costume contest (7:15pm). It all kicks off at the intersection of Lankershim and Chandler Boulevards in North Hollywood. All proceeds will help Hope the Mission provide meals to the homeless.  

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.

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.

Anyone who doesn’t think of Los Angeles as an arts capital of the world at this point just isn’t paying attention. Not only do we have museums boasting Modernist masters and impressive Impressionists, but most of these world-class institutions offer a way to visit for free. Some offer free admission for L.A. County residents on weekday afternoons; some let visitors come for free one day a month or one day a week. But many museums—including objectively some of the very best in the city—are free all of the time. This week, we refreshed and reorganized our guide to L.A.’s best free museums with all of the most up-to-date details on when and how to check them out for free. And one museum continues to gravitate to the top: The Broad. Even though, compared to most of the entries on our list, the Broad is a relative newcomer—it opened the doors of its distinctive honeycomb-like building in 2015—it quickly made a splash both among the art world and on social media (remember when a selfie in the Infinity Mirror Room was the biggest flex in town?). But to the Broad’s credit, it has always backed up all the buzz with both style and substance. When determining our rankings of the best free museums, we balanced the level of free accessibility with the caliber of art and scope of each museum’s artistic and cultural programming. The Broad ticks all these boxes and then some. When philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad opened their namesake museum a decade ago, it was envisioned as a gift to L

While L.A. is poised to be the sports epicenter of the world for the next few years, there’s a lot more to look forward to than the World Cup in 2026. The city’s arts and culture scene is thriving: Between major exhibition openings at the best museums across the county, the completion of long-awaited expansions and renovations, and the opening of two brand-new museums on the horizon, Los Angeles is poised to become the talk of the art world. From the debuts of the world’s first AI arts museum and the eagerly anticipated Lucas Museum (fingers crossed!) to SoCal’s first solo exhibition dedicated to Yoko Ono, here are 22 things we’re excited to check out in L.A. museums during 2026. (It’s also worth noting that many of the best exhibitions from 2025 are continuing into next year, including the Hammer Museum’s biennial “Made in L.A.” showcase, the Broad’s display of Robert Therrien’s large-scale sculptures and “Monuments” at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA—our pick for the best exhibition of 2025.)  Psst: You can see nearly all of our picks below without having to pay for admission if you brush up on L.A.’s free museum days first. Photograph: Courtesy of Provident Fine Art LA Art ShowLos Angeles Convention Center, Jan 7–11Though the LA Art Show is, obviously, an art show as opposed to a traditional exhibition, the largest and longest-running art fair will gather over 90 exhibitors at the Convention Center for a veritable art extravaganza at the start of the year. Notable for th

This Wednesday is New Year’s Eve, and we’ve been hard at work researching the best events—from fireworks to parties to free festivities—where you can go to bid a “good riddance” to 2025. Between pyrotechnic-filled celebrations at theme parks, Downtown music festivals, cocktail parties, comedy shows and even ice skating, there’s something here to fit every need, whether you’re looking to stay out all night or be in bed before the clock strikes midnight (though it’s still TBD how some of these events may be affected by the rain predicted in this week’s forecast). Whatever your perfect celebration looks like, we’ll help you make it a memorable New Year’s. Hello, 2026! (Please be good…) 1. Celebrate at a massive free block party Going out for New Year’s Eve can become one of the priciest dates of the year, but thankfully DTLA’s Gloria Molina Grand Park continues to offer an affordable and family-friendly option for the holiday. Flanked by the Music Center and City Hall, every inch of this three-block green space and three surrounding blocks will be covered in culture, including City Hall, which will be used as a 22-story canvas for a countdown projection enhanced with vibrant visuals. During this year’s event, which will pay tribute to the resilience L.A. showed throughout 2025, crowds will groove to a soundtrack of DJ-driven tunes and live bands—including rapper Ruby Ibarra, Ceci Bastida and Bardo—across a pair of stages while hitting up a selection of 30 local food trucks (but

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

Want to see some of the biggest names in hip-hop, for free, while giving back to the community? You’re in luck. Each holiday season for the last 12 years running, record label Top Dawg Entertainment hosts a charity concert in Watts, featuring performances by the dozen artists on its roster. That means this year, SZA, ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Doechii, Isaiah Rashad, SiR, Ray Vaughn, Ab-Soul, Zacari and Kal Banx will all be taking the stage. The concert will take place this Thursday, December 18, at Nickerson Gardens—the largest public housing complex in Los Angeles. And while admission is indeed free, the concert doubles as a toy drive, meaning you’ll need to bring along an unwrapped gift—whether it’s a toy, clothes, shoes or other donation—for the residents there. Top Dawg Entertainment is the brainchild of Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, who grew up at Watts’ Nickerson Gardens himself. Tiffith founded TDE in 2004 as a neighborhood record label, focusing on local talent that included none other than Kendrick Lamar, who was signed to the label from 2005–2022 and received a Pulitzer Prize—the first in the hip-hop world—during that time. Tiffith and TDE have continued to give back to the community through the years, and in 2024, he was immortalized when an intersection in Watts was named after him. Back to the show. Besides the artist on the lineup, you can usually expect special guests to show up. This year’s guests have yet to be announced, but in the past they’ve included the likes

Thanksgiving is behind us—and the countdown to Christmas begins! There are little markers in L.A. that let us know that one of the most exciting times of the year is soon approaching: Christmas lights being lit, holiday music on the radio…and the annual Hollywood Christmas Parade. Every year, thousands of Angelenos don their most festive apparel (still too tight from Thanksgiving dinner) and head to the Hollywood Walk of Fame as it’s transformed into a winter sort-of-wonderland. Here’s everything you need to know about the Hollywood Christmas Parade, one of the first major Christmas events of the season. When is the Hollywood Christmas Parade 2025? The Hollywood Christmas Parade always takes place the Sunday after Thanksgiving. That means this year’s 93rd annual parade is taking place on Sunday, November 30, 2025, from 6–8pm. Pre-parade entertainment starts at 5:30pm, and grandstand bleacher seating opens at 4pm. How can I watch the parade? Reserved grandstand seating in front of the TCL Chinese Theatre and Hollywood Roosevelt was going for $120, but all those tickets are actually already sold out. Luckily, curbside viewing along the parade route after Highland Avenue is free if you stake out a spot early enough. If you just want to watch on TV, all of the action usually airs closer to Christmas on the CW and KTLA (this year’s air date is still to come). Where does the parade start? The 3.2-mile U-shaped parade route begins at Hollywood Boulevard and Orange Drive, in front of

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