Gillian Glover

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, three productions of The Nutcracker are back onstage, Walt Disney Concert Hall hosts its annual Holiday Sing-Along, and the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles performs its Holiday Legends extravaganza at the Saban Theatre. Still need to do some shopping? Hit up the Downtown Burbank Winter Arts Festival, curated by Jackalope, the Unique Los Angeles Holiday Market, Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum’s Holiday Family Faire, the Warner Music Experience Holiday Store or the Chocolate Dispensary’s Holiday Market. Over on the Westside, the city of Santa Monica is wrapping up its 150th birthday celebration with a huge, free block party at Third Street Promenade, which will intersect with the annual SANTA Monica Pub Crawl, and Saturday marks the return of the festive, free Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade.

The holidays are upon us, and we’re guessing your wallet is already feeling the strain, between Black Friday and picking out presents for everyone on your list. And while L.A. is brimming with Christmas spirit, tickets for some of the city’s festive traditions might put a dent in your end-of-year budget. Luckily there are lots of Christmas lights displays that will dazzle you for free, as well as holiday markets that don’t charge admission (though good luck not spending some dough once you’re inside). If you’re feeling a bit like Scrooge this month, you can hide out from the holidays at some of the city’s best museums, which are hosting exciting new exhibitions that, if you play your cards right, won’t cost you a thing to see. 

After endless, premature teases from retailers, the holidays are here for real, and they’ve taken over our December events calendar. Dive into the spirit of giving with a stop at one of the best gift shops in L.A., or behold one of the city’s best Christmas lights displays. If you’re sticking around town this year and feeling a little lonely, maybe consider embracing it with some me-time at one of these secluded getaways. Whatever your plans are—even if you’re feeling like a bit of a grinch—you’ll find plenty of activities to take advantage of in our December events calendar. RECOMMENDED: Full events calendar for 2025 and 2026

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, snag a reservation for 8 Nights at Birdie G’s before the excellent restaurant shuts its doors later this month. Two productions of The Nutcracker are back onstage, and Walt Disney Concert Hall hosts its annual Holiday Sing-Along. Still need to do some shopping? Hit up the Downtown Burbank Winter Arts Festival, curated by Jackalope, the Unique Los Angeles Holiday Market or Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum’s Holiday Family Faire.

We love Christmas lights. But we don’t love having to shell out double digits for tickets and parking at some of L.A.’s most popular Christmas events. Thankfully, there are still a handful of free things to do in L.A. this holiday season to make things feel a bit more affordably festive. Stick to these free picks—whether it’s a walk through a Venice neighborhood or a sing-along with one of the city’s finest choruses—and you might even end up with some extra cash for a holiday cocktail. RECOMMENDED: How to celebrate Christmas in Los Angeles

’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

Still have some Christmas shopping to do? You probably won’t be able to order that perfect gift online without spending a fortune on rush shipping, and ordering from Amazon just doesn’t have that personal touch. But good news: Shopping at these local boutiques, full of curated goodies and covetable objects, does away with the need for shipping! Tick off the remaining people on your gift list and leave with your treasures in hand at these 30 shops. Then you can get back to enjoying festive holiday events and Christmas lights guilt-free. Updated December 2025: We’ve added the Huntington Store—which is brimming with seasonal decor and gift options this time of year—to our list of the best gift shops, as well as two new openings from this year: pop-up chocolate shop ButterLove&Hardwork and Build-A-Bear x Hello Kitty and Friends Workshop at Westfield Century City. RECOMMENDED: The best shops in Los Angeles

Planning your travels for the new year? You should absolutely factor in those long-standing bucket list entries, but if you’re looking for some fresh inspiration, 2026 promises a world of brand-new travel experiences.  From sleeping over in an open-air museum to journeying through ancient landscapes on e-bikes, ziplining over glorious wildlife reserves and partying through a solar eclipse – yes, really – there’s a shedload of off-the-beaten-track, out-of-the-box stuff happening over the next 12 months. Scroll on for our handpicked selection of the 26 coolest, weirdest and most exciting things to do in 2026.  RECOMMENDED:🎶 The biggest and best music festivals in 2026🛍️ The coolest streets in the world🏘️ The coolest neighbourhoods in the world🌃 The best cities in the world right now Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out Travel newsletter for all the latest travel news and best stuff happening across the world.

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 December 2025: The forecast is in the 80s as I write this, but nevertheless, L.A. is in the midst of holiday season and all the festivities that accompany it. On that note, you’ll find a bunch of festive fun on the list—think outdoor ice rinks, holiday decor at theme parks, local craft fairs and dazzling light displays aplenty. New to this month’s list are the return of Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena and a full lineup of Christmas plays and concerts, including at Walt Disney Concert Hall—which feels extra meaningful right now given the recent passing of architect Frank Gehry. If you simply must see some snow this month, I’ve also included the best ski resorts closest to the city. After Christmas, finish out the month—and year—with literal fireworks this New Year’s Eve. Quick Picks: Best Thi

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

Christmas events in Los Angeles are back in full swing—from holiday markets to light shows—and there’s no better way to get in the spirit than with a ticket to one of these festive plays or concerts. Now through December, performing arts companies are bringing lively holiday cheer to L.A. theaters across the city—think theatrical renditions of A Christmas Carol, a memorable Nochebuena with live mariachi-infused ballet and imaginative takes on The Nutcracker. You may even get to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy after the show (a major win for the kiddos). Whether you’re looking for an epic Secret Santa gift or a festive experience with family and friends, the best Christmas shows in Los Angeles are a great way to celebrate the season. RECOMMENDED: Find more things to do in our December events calendar

Okay, L.A., we can all collectively exhale. 2025 is (almost) over—and what a year it’s been. Between the wildfires and ICE raids, Downtown curfews and downpours, everyone in Los Angeles deserves an award just for making it through the year. But that being said, it certainly wasn’t all bad. There were many moments of heartwarming solidarity, rallying around community, hard-won victories and even some lighthearted fun this year that reminded us just how much we love Los Angeles. As your tireless Time Out editors, we spent countless hours in 2025 scoping out excellent art exhibitions at the city’s best museums, tracking the best events to share in our calendars, making sense of the ever-changing Metro and LAX expansion plans and keeping an eye on the most anticipated openings on the horizon, from the upcoming Lucas Museum to LACMA’s David Geffen Galleries. Amid all of that and then some—trying out immersive dinners and a controversial diner, sniffing corpse flowers, laughing with the city’s up-and-coming comedians, finding joy with local luminaries and keeping you up to date on Olympics news—these are the 11 events, artworks and timely oddities that have stuck in our minds all year long. On the dining front, though the year was marked by a number of notable closures, it did boast quite a few standout new restaurants and bars, including a select few that our former food and drink editor Patricia Kelly Yeo awarded five stars: Restaurant Ki, Somni, Broken Spanish Comedor and Kojima

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.

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.

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

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