Mark Peikert

Getting seats to the best Broadway shows usually requires quite a bit of advance planning. But what if you haven't planned, and you urgently need to see a show tomorrow or even tonight? Don't panic: There are plenty of options for last-minute tickets, especially if you’re willing to put in some legwork. It partly depends on what you're willing to pay and how much risk you're willing to take—and, of course, on plain old luck. If everything goes your way, you might even luck into cheap Broadway tickets, great seats or a chance to see hit shows that you would never have been able to get into earlier. Here is our insider guide to buying last-minute Broadway tickets. The day before the show: Enter the digital lottery Many Broadway shows—including Aladdin, The Book of Mormon and Hadestown—conduct digital lotteries for cheap tickets on the day before each performance. In most cases, you enter the lottery online, then wait until later the same day to find out by email if you've won; if you do, you'll need to reply to the ticket offer within an hour or you'll lose your chance. A few shows, such as Wicked, do their drawings on the morning of the show itself; others have drawings once a week, notably the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child $40 ticket lottery and the $10 Hamilton lottery, both of which happen on Fridays and cover the week ahead. For a full list of shows that offer lotteries, consult Broadway on a Budget or Playbill's Broadway and Off Broadway listings. The morning of the s

Ariana Grande will finally tour again next year, and fans in Los Angeles are in for something special: The Oscar-nominated Wicked star is bringing her Eternal Sunshine Tour to L.A. for five nights of arena magic—split between the Crypto.com Arena and Kia Forum—that promise to feel both intimate and gigantic.  This is her first tour since the 2019 Sweetener World Tour, and it’s in support of her seventh album, Eternal Sunshine, and its deluxe edition, Brighter Days Ahead. The tour kicks off June 6, 2026, in Oakland before Los Angeles gets a five-night run that feels like a homecoming. Is it too early to call it the highlight of the summer?

Los Angeles is about to become the city of smooches and snapshots this Valentine’s season, thanks to a playful new pop-up at The Photobooth Museum by Photomatica. Just in time for February, one of the museum’s vintage booths has been decked out as a full-on kissing booth, creating a retro-romantic backdrop for anyone who wants it. RECOMMENDED: Valentine’s Day 2025 in Los Angeles The idea arrives on the heels of last year's viral edition in San Francisco, and organizers promise the L.A. iteration is “bigger and better than ever,” with Valentine’s Day-themed backdrops throughout the museum so no two photostrips look the same. Inside the special kiss booth, the walls are lined with photo strips of patrons locking lips, while other booths provide different, new Valentine's Day themes for more classic photo ops. Part of what makes the experience so irresistible is its analog charm. In a city that lives on flawless selfies (and filters), these vintage machines offer something tactile and candid. In San Francisco, visitors told NPR that squeezing into a booth together felt deeply personal, a space where couples could be spontaneous and unselfconscious as they snapped strips they plan to keep on fridges or memory boards long after Valentine’s Day. Admission to the museum itself is free, though reservations are required, which means the only cost is whatever photostrips or keychains you decide to take home. Classic photo strips are $7 to $7.50 and the classic keepsake keychains will a

The Other Art Fair Los Angeles returns to Art Week 2026 with a brand-new Culver City home and a surprisingly competitive twist. Running February 26 through March 1 at 3Labs, the fair brings its signature mix of accessible, boundary-pushing contemporary art back to the city, this time with 155 independent artists and a heavy emphasis on discovery. Sixty-five percent of the lineup is new to the fair, including 45 percent local artists, reinforcing its reputation as a launchpad for fresh voices rather than a predictable circuit of art-world fixtures. That commitment to new talent is central to what has made The Other Art Fair a mainstay of L.A.’s art calendar. Instead of spotlighting the same blue-chip names year after year, the fair leans into experimentation and direct connection between artists and buyers, making it as much about conversation as commerce. For collectors, that often means the chance to find work that feels personal, timely and unexpected. RECOMMENDED: 22 art exhibitions in L.A. to look forward to in 2026 Among the artists included this year are Vanessa Valero, whose fiber-based sculptures explore memory and time, alongside Xan Padron, Alec Cumming and Los Angeles-based talents Kiara Aileen Machado, Michael Bove and Carrie Cramer. The breadth of work spans painting, sculpture, photography and mixed media, with an emphasis on pieces that feel conceptually ambitious and approachable for first-time buyers. This year’s edition also carries a deeper sense of communi

Casa MX, a contemporary Mexican restaurant inspired by Mexico City and the ritual of gathering at home, has officially opened in Coral Gables, bringing a warm, house-driven approach to modern Mexican dining to Miami. Located at 2345 SW 37th Ave inside a former home, Casa MX debuted on January 24 with a concept rooted in hospitality, comfort and shared experience. The restaurant blends small plates and large-format entrees with craft cocktails centered on agave spirits, all set within an inviting, residential-style space designed for lingering—from long lunches that turn into afternoon coffee to nights that stretch into cocktails. Plus, free parking! RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Miami to book right now The independently owned restaurant is led by Mario Bernal, a veteran operator whose resumé includes The Hotel Victor, The Setai, Rosa Mexicano, Barcelona Wine Bar and, most recently, a decade with José Andrés Group. For Bernal, Casa MX reflects the rhythms of Mexican home life, where meals anchor daily routines and the table serves as the emotional center of the house. Photograph: Salar Creative Leading the kitchen is executive chef Kevin Acosta, whose menu draws from the multicultural layers of Mexican cuisine as experienced in Mexico City, where Indigenous traditions, global influences and regional styles converge. The result is a menu that feels expressive yet familiar, balancing vibrant flavors with comfort-driven cooking. Highlights include citrus-forward ceviches

Las Vegas is already looking ahead to 2026 and, if the city’s wedding officials are right, the year is shaping up to be a banner one for couples eager to tie the knot with a little numerical flair. The self-proclaimed Wedding Capital of the World has released its predictions for the most popular wedding dates of 2026, drawing on decades of data from the Clark County Clerk’s Office to identify which days are most likely to draw thousands of couples to chapels, resorts and desert backdrops across Southern Nevada. The list blends so-called “magic dates” built around repeating numbers and palindromes with romantic holidays and playful cultural moments, underscoring why Las Vegas remains the go-to destination for both spontaneous elopements and meticulously planned celebrations. RECOMMENDED: The best Las Vegas attractions February kicks things off with a cluster of highly sought-after dates, including 2/2/26, 2/6/26 and 2/26/26, along with Friday the 13th and Valentine’s Day. March continues the trend with 3/3/26, Pi Day on 3/14 and St. Patrick’s Day on March 17. April brings April Fool’s Day, April 20 and April 25, while May highlights include May the Fourth and Cinco de Mayo. June is packed with numerically satisfying options like 6/2/26 and two palindromes in 6/6/26 and 6/26/26, and July adds Independence Day and 7/11 to the mix. August’s standout is 8/8/26, a date where every number is divisible by two, followed by Halloween, Veterans Day and 11/11, as well as another Friday t

The Empire State Building is leaning hard into its reputation as the world’s most romantic building this Valentine’s Day, unveiling a slate of over-the-top experiences designed to turn February 14 into a towering love story. The iconic skyscraper is rolling out everything from private candlelit dinners to movie screenings, sunrise dates and proposal-ready moments, all staged within its world-famous Observatory Experience. The centerpiece is Empire for Two, a date night that gives one lucky couple private access to the building’s interactive exhibits and Observation Decks. The experience culminates in an intimate dinner for two on the 102nd Floor, complete with a specially decorated setting, a professional musician, vintage Dom Pérignon and a three-course chef’s tasting menu by STATE Grill and Bar, paired with wines selected by the building’s sommelier. With sweeping views of the city in every direction, the $14,000 package is aimed squarely at couples who believe romance should come with a side of altitude (and have the cash to pay for it). For those seeking something less extravagant, there will be Paint n’ Pour classes on February 12, 13 and 15, where couples and Galentine’s Day crews alike can sip curated drinks while painting ESB-inspired canvases. Tickets are $150 per person. RECOMMENDED: Valentine’s Day in NYC guide The building is also leaning into its cinematic legacy with special Valentine’s Day screenings of Sleepless in Seattle ($135 per person), the ’90s romcom th

Ora aqui está uma nova reviravolta: os norte-americanos podem em breve ver diminuir as suas opções de viagem, porque há outros países a barrar a sua entrada em resposta às restrições de viagem alargadas impostas pelos EUA, segundo a Travel + Leisure. RECOMENDADO: Os passaportes mais poderosos do mundo em 2026 Depois de os EUA terem alargado a sua proibição de viagens a dezenas de países, vários estados anunciaram que turistas, pessoas em viagens de negócios e requerentes de visto norte-americanos podem deixar de ser bem-vindos ou passar a enfrentar regras de entrada muito mais rigorosas. O Mali e o Burkina Faso, dois países vizinhos da África Ocidental, anunciaram que vão mesmo suspender totalmente a entrada de cidadãos dos EUA com base na “reciprocidade” em relação à política de Washington. O Níger já tinha declarado uma interrupção permanente na emissão de vistos para americanos. Os três países estão classificados pelo Departamento de Estado dos EUA com um aviso de Nível 4, que alerta potenciais viajantes para riscos como terrorismo, crime, raptos e outros. É uma viragem marcante que baralha a narrativa habitual das proibições de viagem. Em vez de ser uma via de sentido único, em que apenas certos estrangeiros são impedidos de entrar nos EUA, os países visados pelas restrições norte-americanas estão a responder. Estas decisões surgem na sequência de uma mudança mais ampla na política. A partir de 1 de Janeiro de 2026, a proibição de viagens de Washington passou a abranger u

If you needed another excuse to plan a national park road trip, here it is: a new international study has crowned five U.S. mountain landscapes among the most beautiful on the planet. The rankings come from travel insurance company JustCover, which analyzed how quickly and how long people visually fixated on images of 56 mountain ranges across the globe. And nearly half of the global top 10 are American entries. RECOMMENDED: The world’s most beautiful hiking trails While Canada’s Rocky Mountains claimed the number one spot overall with a near-perfect score of 99.3 out of 100, the U.S. dominated much of the rest of the list, proving that some of the world’s most mesmerizing scenery lives right in our own backyard. Leading the American pack is El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, which ranked second worldwide. With its sheer 3,000-foot granite face rising from Yosemite Valley, El Capitan is one of the most recognizable rock formations on Earth and, according to the study, one of the hardest to look away from. Its 84.9 score reflects not just its scale, but the way light, shadow and texture play across its surface throughout the day, captivating climbers, photographers and casual visitors alike. Further down the list, Colorado’s Maroon Bells landed in sixth place globally. Famous for their near-perfect symmetry and fiery fall colors, the twin peaks are already among the most photographed mountains in North America, and now have the data to back up the hype. Wyoming also made a

This year, Harry Styles is once more making Madison Square Garden into Harry's House. Days after announcing his next studio album, Styles has shared that he will return to the road for the first time since his Love On Tour ended in 2023. Together, Together will be a seven-city global residency tour that takes him from Amsterdam to Sydney with one unmistakable epicenter: New York’s Madison Square Garden. RECOMMENDED: The 8 best concerts and music events worth travelling for in 2026 The 30-show residency will be the centerpiece of a sprawling 50-date tour that lasts from May through December, and it’s the only U.S. stop on the list. The Garden shows, which run from August 26 through October 31, dwarf his record-setting 15-night stint at the same arena in 2022. Styles announced Together, Together the same week he confirmed release plans for his fourth studio album, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally., set to drop March 6, with its lead single “Aperture” out now. But while Together, Together feels like a world tour, it isn’t one in the conventional sense. Instead of hitting dozens of cities in quick succession, Styles will plant roots in seven global hubs, inviting fans from across continents to converge on long, extended residencies. Amsterdam’s Johan Cruijff ArenA will host six nights in May; London’s iconic Wembley Stadium will see six shows in June; and São Paulo and Mexico City each get their own multi-night stops before the Garden takeover. The tour then finishes with b

Miami is about to get a major jolt of endorphins. Faces of Fitness, the sprawling fitness, health and wellness festival dubbed the “Lollapalooza of fitness,” is expanding from Chicago to South Florida for the first time, landing in Coconut Grove’s Regatta Park on October 24 and 25. Part music festival, part mega workout, Faces of Fitness Miami will deliver a two-day, open-air celebration of movement that combines high-energy classes, celebrity instructors and live music. After drawing massive crowds in Chicago, the festival’s Miami debut is shaping up to be one of the season’s most ambitious lifestyle events. RECOMMENDED: Miami's best gyms and classes to work out, feel good and make friends Faces of Fitness Miami will showcase more than 16 of the city’s top studios, each bringing its signature classes to multiple outdoor stages set against the waterfront. Announced brands include Barry’s, TREMBLE Pilates, Anatomy and Mimi Yoga, with programming spanning strength, cardio, sculpt, yoga and recovery.  The instructor lineup is equally buzzy. Organizers promise more than 20 Miami-based fitness headliners alongside a slate of national and global celebrity trainers. Among the early standouts is Dani Coleman, Jennifer Aniston’s personal trainer and a lead instructor for Pvolve, as well as high-profile talent from Peloton, lululemon and Celsius. More names will be announced in the coming months. What truly sets Faces of Fitness apart, though, is how it weaves music into the experience

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka is about to bring one of Japan’s most quietly obsessive ramen cults to the West Loop, opening a new outpost at 160 N. Halsted in mid-to-late February. For Chicago ramen fans, that’s a big deal: Santouka’s reputation rests on a single-minded devotion to broth, built through decades of refinement that began far from the city’s industrial-chic dining corridors. The 43-seat restaurant will be Santouka’s second Chicagoland location, following its popular stall inside Mitsuwa Marketplace in Arlington Heights, and its 18th in the U.S. Globally, the brand now spans more than 50 locations across seven countries, but the West Loop debut places Santouka squarely into Chicago’s most competitive dining neighborhood. Photograph: Courtesy of Hokkaido Ramen Santouka At the heart of the menu is Santouka’s signature tonkotsu pork bone broth, slow-simmered until creamy and deeply savory without tipping into heaviness. Diners can choose from the brand’s core ramen lineup: shio, shoyu, miso, spicy miso and the cult-favorite Tokusen Toroniku ramen. A selection of curated toppings allows guests to customize their bowls, while tsukemen dipping noodles offer a more textural way to experience the carefully built flavors. Photograph: Courtesy of Hokkaido Ramen Santouka But Santouka isn’t positioning itself as ramen-only. The West Loop menu will also feature a range of Japanese comfort dishes, including crispy karaage, handmade gyoza, takoyaki and tonkatsu, giving diners plen

You reviewed, and Yelp answered. New York has officially claimed the top spot on Yelp’s newly released 2026 Top 100 Places to Eat list, with Manhattan’s Ci Siamo crowned the number one restaurant in the country. RECOMMENDED: Ci Siamo finally opens in Manhattan West tonight Helmed by executive chef Hillary Sterling, Ci Siamo has become one of the most consistently thrilling Italian tables in New York since opening in Hudson Yards. Its wood-fired hearth anchors both the room and the menu, sending out blistered focaccia, charred vegetables and deeply savory pastas that manage to feel rustic and refined all at once. Sterling’s cooking nods to Italian tradition while embracing a distinctly New York sense of scale and confidence, which may help explain why Ci Siamo resonated so strongly with Yelp users nationwide. The accolade also reflects broader trends shaping how and where Americans are choosing to dine right now. Yelp’s editors point to a rise in so-called “nonna-stalgia” or “grandma-core” dining: an appetite for slow-cooked, comforting, family-style food that feels like an antidote to the city’s relentless pace.  Ci Siamo isn’t the only New York restaurant earning national love this year, though. Four other NYC spots landed on the list, underscoring the city’s range and restless appetite for reinvention. Brooklyn’s L’Industrie Pizzeria came in at number 27, continuing its reign as one of the borough’s most beloved slice destinations thanks to its crisp, airy crusts and meticu

Los Angeles fashion fans have reason to celebrate this February: "Obsessed: Fashion and Nostalgia in the ’90s" opens February 20 at DTLA's ASU FIDM Museum. Free and open to the public, the exhibition runs through June 27, inviting visitors to explore a decade that forever reshaped style, on the runway and on magazine covers. RECOMMENDED: L.A. is full of free museums, but this one is the very best, according to Time Out The show takes a deep dive into an era when analog culture collided with the dawn of the internet, capturing a moment of creative innovation that continues to influence fashion today. The era's heavy-hitter high-fashion couture from designers such as Vivienne Westwood, Jean Paul Gaultier, Anna Sui, Franco Moschino and Gianni Versace will be featured alongside streetwear and casual staples. The exhibition examines how ’90s trends—from grunge flannels and slip dresses to bold prints and platform shoes—still inspire contemporary designers and pop culture aesthetics. What the exhibit hopes to demonstrate is the way that the '90s were less about trends and more about experimentation, rebellion and an embrace of individuality, especially when it came to style. As the Internet emerged, fashion became both more accessible and more expressive, creating a dialogue between high fashion and street style.  Visitors can expect carefully arranged displays featuring fashion designs, photographs, magazines, video footage and other artifacts that illustrate the interplay between