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This Saturday, millions of people will take to the streets across the country as part of No Kings. Here in Los Angeles, no less than thirty individual rallies are planned, with the biggest set for the afternoon in Downtown. Rest assured, by the time 2 p.m. rolls around, Grand Park is going to be a scene.
If plan to attend you already know why and the reasons don’t need repeating. If, on the other hand, you’ve discounted these protests as “paid for” or “deranged” then there’s nothing to say here that will change your mind. But if by some chance you’re completely tuned out or sitting on the fence, maybe you’ll watch democracy in action this weekend and wonder if all the faces and signs and costumes and chants have a point. Maybe you’ll even join in.
In any case, it’s worth calling out because the end result could be the largest single day protest in modern U.S. history. And given that context, maybe now is the time to reconsider where you stand.
Things To Do This Weekend
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Fall 2025 Skirball Exhibition Opening – FA > This Thursday, the Skirball Cultural Center is hosting a free day of special activities to celebrate three new fall exhibitions: Draw Them In, Paint Them Out: Trenton Doyle Hancock Confronts Philip Guston; Glass Sukkah: This Home Is Not a House; and TORN Project by Susan Lerner. Visit from noon to 5 p.m. for daytime activities including tours and artist talks with Trenton Doyle Hancock, Therman Statom, and Susan Lerner. Or, enjoy an evening viewing from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Mingle with artists and curators while exploring the new exhibitions. It’s all free to attend, but reservations are required. More info here.
Scarium Family Night at AoP -> Dive into some spooky family fun at the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Scarium Family Night this Friday. From 6 to 9 p.m., the whole family can explore the aquarium after hours with a self-guided scavenger hunt, touch sharks and jellies, and enjoy safe trick-or-treating with provided goodie bags. Don’t miss the costume contest, a live DJ, and a terrifyingly talented vampire magician. Tickets start at $28.95. Children 3 and under are free. More info here.
A Crushing Love at The Hammer – FA > This fall, the UCLA Film & Television Archive is offering a robust slate of 29 features, 19 shorts, and TV classics, all screened at the Billy Wilder Theater. On Friday, the series kicks off with a screening of A Crushing Love, Sylvia Morales’ sequel to the groundbreaking CHICANA (1979). The doc will be screened alongside a selection of short films. Starts at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free and seating is first-come, first-served. More info here.
Urban Death Tour of Terror at Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre -> Continuing this Friday and Saturday, Zombie Joe’s annual tradition of Urban Death is back with a brand new series of terrifying vignettes, bookended by walks through a creepy maze. The haunt will run every Friday and Saturday through November 1. Advance tickets are $24 online, or it’s $28 at door. Get more info here.
Reign of Terror Haunted House -> The award-winning Reign of Terror Haunted House in Thousand Oaks is back now for its 25th season. This year’s haunt features 142 rooms in 11 different, inter-connected sections within 32,000 square feet of floor space. Standards tickets start at $42.99. The experience runs this Friday to Sunday, then continues select dates through November 2. More info here.
Taste of Soul – M FA > Experience the flavors and culture of South Los Angeles at Taste of Soul this Saturday. This free family festival on Crenshaw Blvd. between Barack Obama Blvd. and Stocker Avenue draws over 350,000 attendees, showcasing the neighborhood’s best with 150+ vendors. Enjoy soulful cuisine, live performances, and community all in one day. Runs 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. More info here.
L.A. Archives Bazaar – FA > Attention SoCal history hounds! L.A. as Subject’s Los Angeles Archives Bazaar returns this Saturday, offering its annual treasure trove of historical treasures to explore as you engage with experts from dozens of institutions and archives. The 2025 event takes place at Golden Eagle Ballroom at Cal State University Los Angeles and is free and open to the public. More info here.
South Pasadena Arts Crawl – M FA > South Pasadena’s neighborhood night on the town is back this Saturday with art exhibitions, interactive activities, music and more. Plus, the nearby Rialto Theatre will be hosting a centennial celebration as part of the Arts Crawl, adding more special programming to the mix including a live performance on the lawn just north of The South Pasadena Preservation Foundation Historical Museum. The Arts Crawl runs from 3 to 9 p.m. More info here.
Beverly Hills Art Show – FA > The fall edition of the bi-annual Beverly Hills Art Show comes to Beverly Gardens Park this Saturday and Sunday with over 200 artists expected to participate, showcasing work in painting, sculpture, watercolor, photography, mixed media, ceramics, glass, jewelry, drawing and printmaking. Runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Free to attend. More info here.
Culver City Art Walk and Roll Festival – M FA > This Saturday, a four-block stretch of Washington Blvd will close to traffic for a day-long event featuring gallery visits, artists, live music, wine and beer gardens, a kids zone, interactive art experiences, and more. Free and open to the public. More info here.
Delirium Musicum -> This Saturday at BroadStage Santa Monica, Delirium Musicum takes the Main Stage for a genre-defying night of chamber music and orchestral performance, all led by visionary violinist Etienne Gara. Tickets start at $47. Show begins at 7:30 p.m. More info here.
Fall Festival at the Original Farmers Market – FA > The annual Fall Festival at the Original Farmers Market offers two days of a petting zoo, pumpkin patch, fall-themed games, live music, kids crafts, and photo opps. Free to attend. Starts at 11 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday. More info here.
Boo At The Zoo -> On back-to-back weekends heading into Halloween, swing over to the Los Angeles Zoo for Boo at the Zoo, a family-friendly assortment of seasonal activities, including animal pumpkin feedings, themed photo ops, and trick-or-treating stations. Entry is included with zoo admission, which starts at $27 for adults and $22 for kids. More info here.
Spooky Studio Ghibli Market -> Get ready for some spooky studio magic at the Ghouls, Spirits & Tattoo Babes: Spooky Studio Ghibli Market this Sunday. Hosted by Tats n Babes at Junior High LA in Glendale, this event features walk-in tattoos from nine artists, piercings, and tooth gems. Rock your best costume to win a $100 tattoo in the contest, shop unique vendors, and enjoy Japanese food and sweet treats. Tickets are $8 presale or $10 at the door. Runs noon to 7 p.m. More info here.
OFF THE HOOK Seafood Fest -> OFF THE HOOK Seafood Festival returns to the Santa Monica Pier this Sunday for a massive culinary celebration. Enjoy all-inclusive tastings from over 25 top restaurants—including oysters, lobster, and sushi—alongside craft beer, wine, and cocktails. Groove to a Yacht Rock party with The Windbreakers, and feel good knowing a portion of ticket sales benefits Heal the Bay. GA tickets start at $80. Event runs 3 to 7 p.m. More info here.
Sherman Oaks Street Fair – FA > This Sunday, the Sherman Oaks Street Fair brings a day of live performance, carnival games, and vendors to a half-mile stretch of Venture Blvd from Van Nuys to Kester. It’s once again expected to be one of the largest events held in the San Fernando Valley, as it annually draws more than 100,000 attendees. Free to attend. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
ALMA Backyard Farms Brunch (First & Third Sundays) -> ALMA Backyard Farms in Compton hosts a community brunch every first and third Sunday, set amid their lush urban farm. This month, they’ve invited Park’s Finest to serve up their signature Filipino barbecue trays, designed to feed two for $45. Brunch runs from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., with the farm stand open from 8 a.m. to noon for fresh, locally grown produce. More info here.
Tóp Tép at Paisita (October 18) -> Vietnamese pop-up Tóp Tép heads to Venice on Saturday, for a one-night takeover at Paisita. Helmed by Thao Pham and Nam Nguyen, the Hanoi-inspired pop-up will serve inventive Vietnamese street food, including their signature honey butter bánh mì skewers, fried spring rolls and avocado ice cream starting at 5 p.m. Tickets are available in advance on Tock.
Deli Dinner Collaboration (October 20) -> Vegan Jewish deli Mort and Betty’s teams up with vegan butcher Maciel’s for a one-night-only dinner on Monday, October 20. The inventive, all plant-based menu features dishes like stuffed cabbage enchiladas, pumpkin dulce cheesecake and a chorizo and corn knish. Reserve your seat and pre-order through Eventbrite.
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