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Hyped for the weekend? Let’s justify that excitement.
On tap this September 25-27 in Los Angeles, you’ll find The Other Art Fair, the Autry’s Annual Block Party, Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival + Jazz Festival, A Night of Chicano Surf Punk, Los Angeles Libros Festival, 35 Years of Speed: The Sonic Art Exhibit, the Pasadena Chalk Festival, and more.
Things To Do This Weekend
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
The Other Art Fair -> Beginning this Thursday, The Other Art Fair is back at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica with a four-day event showcasing a curated selection of over 160 independent artists. Spy art for sale while enjoying live DJ sets, activations, installations, and a cash bar. Advance tickets are $60 for opening night (Thursday) are GA tix for Friday to Sunday run $25. Get more info here.
Reign of Terror Haunted House -> Beginning this Friday, the annual Reign of Terror Haunted House in Thousand Oaks is back this fall with 18 dates on the docket from September 25 through November 1. The award-winning walk-through attraction spanning 12 interconnected haunted areas across 145+ rooms. The updated layout introduces “The Hotel” as its 12th attraction alongside revamped sections like the Funhouse and the Bayou, complete with fresh special effects, new live scares, and a complimentary photo opportunity at the exit. Admission includes entry to all 12 attractions with free parking on site, and timed-entry ticketing requires guests to select a 30-minute arrival window. Tickets start at $44.99. More info here.
Dance MDR: Disco Night – FA > L.A. County’s Dance MDR series hosts a Disco Night this Friday at Burton Chace Park. The outdoor evening features beginner disco dance lessons led by instructor Andy Vaca alongside open dance sets spun by DJ One in a Million. Additional activities include a photo booth, local food vendors, and a community art project organized by The Music Center. Admission is free, and doors open at 6:30 PM. More info here.
Hola México Film Festival -> Starting Friday, the Hola México Film Festival presents the 18th annual edition of its flagship event—the largest festival of contemporary Mexican cinema outside of Mexico—screening across key venues including The Montalbán Theatre. Program highlights include the opening night presentation of Loco México Mágico and a special concert documentary screening of Zoé’s Memorex + Rexsexex y Más, alongside showcase selections from the festival’s “Tomorrow’s Filmmakers Today” professional development program. Festival passes and single-screening tickets vary in price. The festival runs from Friday, September 25 through Saturday, October 3, 2026, with opening night on September 25 and special events scheduled throughout the week. More info here.
Bike-In Movie Night: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – M FA > Ivy Station hosts a Bike-In Movie Night this Friday featuring an outdoor screening of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Attendees who ride their bikes can utilize a complimentary secure bike valet hosted by Walk ‘n Rollers and be entered into a drawing for an e-bike subscription. The event offers free popcorn, with movie candy and meals available for purchase from local Ivy Station eateries. Low beach chairs or lawn blankets are recommended. Free 2-hour parking validation is provided. Admission is free. Program runs 6:30 to 10 p.m. More info here.
Los Angeles Libros Festival – M FA > The 8th annual Los Angeles Libros Festival is back at Central Library this Saturday with a free bilingual book festival for the whole family. Organized in partnership with LA librería and REFORMA Los Angeles Chapter, the daylong event features Spanish-language and bilingual storytelling, live musical performances, author talks, hands-on workshops, and community booths. Admission is free and open to the public. Runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More info here.
LATINAFest at the Metro ! Arte, Libros y Cultura – M FA > The Metro station at Wilshire & Fairfax will host a pop-up LATINAFest event this Saturday. The community celebration features Ballet Folklórico performances, poetry readings, children’s author book signings, and local food vendors showcasing Latinx heritage and creativity. Admission is free and open to the public. Runs noon to 5 p.m. More info here.
Reading and Listening by the Moonrise – M > This Saturday, Clockshop’s Listening by Moonrise series pops up at David Horvitz’s 7th Ave Garden. The seasonal full-moon series exploring nighttime ecologies through spoken word, transmission arts, and experimental sound. Curated by interdisciplinary writer Vanessa Holyoak, the evening features performances and readings by Hans Kuzmich, Jenny Lin, and the artistic duo Relational (Dana Berman Duff and Shirley Tse) in conversation with the natural and electromagnetic fields of the space. Admission is free with advance RSVP required. Runs 7 to 9 p.m. More info here.
Playhouse Village Party in the Park – FA > This Saturday, Playhouse Village Park hosts Party in the Park: 90s Concert & Celebration, honoring 30 years of the Playhouse Village Association. The family-friendly event features live 1990s hits performed by tribute band Hit Me 90s alongside themed arts and crafts. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from local legacy restaurant El Portal. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged. Admission is free, with no advance RSVP required. Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Autry’s Annual Block Party -> The Autry Museum’s annual fall block party returns this Saturday with a theme of “Love Letters to L.A.” The event will celebrate the culture and heritage of Los Angeles with a carnival setup featuring a Ferris wheel, bounce houses, games, a mechanical bull, food trucks, and classic car displays. Entertainment includes live performances by The Midnight Cowgirls and Las Chorizeras, cultural dance sets, horse grooming workshops, plein air painting, and screenings of L.A. Story. Admission is free for Autry members and priced at 1988 opening-day rates for general attendees ($4.75 for GA) Runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More info here.
A Night of Chicano Surf Punk and Classic Indie Rock – M FA > Sounds of LA County comes to the East LA Civic Center this Saturday for a A Night of Chicano Surf Punk and Classic Indie Rock, presented by LA County Parks and NextFestLA. The finale of the September Encore Series features a lineup curated by The Citie, including post-punk act Floats, dream-pop group Lucys, indie-punk outfit En-Vitro, and alt-folk project Násmar. Admission is free and open to the public. Runs 5 to 8 p.m. More info here.
CAAM Creates with Design Hive – M FA > On Saturday, California African American Museum hosts a special session inspired by the Free and Queer exhibition. This hands-on maker workshop invites participants of all ages to design personalized fabric pennants celebrating self-expression, community, and Black queer joy. Guided by creative education studio Design Hive, attendees drop in to craft embellished keepsakes using colorful textiles, patterns, and symbols. Admission is free, with RSVP encouraged and walk-ins welcome. Runs 2 to 3:30 p.m. More info here.
Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival + Jazz Festival – M FA TP > Two signature annual events are back at Watts Towers on the last weekend of September, with the Day of the Drum Festival on Saturday and the Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival on Sunday. Expect guided towers, a drum pavilion, access to Noah Purifoy and Charles Mingus galleries, gardening activities, a food court, and arts and crafts vendors. Free admission both days. More info here.
35 Years of Speed: The Sonic Art Exhibit – FA > This Saturday and Sunday over at iam8bit gallery, catch 35 Years of Speed: The Sonic Art Exhibit hosted by ARK/8. The exhibit features newly commissioned pieces from over 30 artists alongside archival artwork from SEGA. Highlights include an artist meet and greet with Kazuyuki Hoshino, creator of Amy and Metal Sonic, on Saturday from 2 to 3 p.m. Admission is free with no advance RSVP required. The exhibit is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days. More info here.
Pasadena Chalk Festival – FA > The 33rd annual Pasadena Chalk Festival comes to Brookside Park this Saturday and Sunday for a two-day event featuring 500 street artists transforming pavement into colorful murals. Attendees can observe artists at work while enjoying local food trucks, vendor booths, a silent auction, an art gallery, and live music from DJ Cadillac G. Proceeds benefit youth arts education through the Light Bringer Project. Admission and parking are free. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 6 :30 p.m. Sunday is 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. More info here.
Picture This! at the Lyric Hyperion – FA > On Sunday, Lyric Hyperion Theater hosts a free installment of Picture This!, a live comedy concept co-created by Brandie Posey and Sam Varela. Stand-up comedians perform sets while animators, cartoonists, and illustrators draw them live in real time, projecting the improvised visual banter for the audience. Presented in partnership with Animation Block Party, admission is free with an advance RSVP. Runs 7 to 9 p.m. More info here.
Salt Marsh Open House – FA > On Sunday, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium hosts another Salt Marsh Open House at the Salinas de San Pedro wetland habitat. Aquarium educators and volunteers guide visitors through observing native flora and fauna using binoculars and magnifying glasses. Guests can watch changing tides and birdlife in a family-friendly setting. Reservations are requested for groups of 15 or more. Admission is free. Runs 1 to 3 p.m. More info here.
Dodgers Vendor Market – FA > Common Space Brewery in Hawthorne hosts the Dodgers Vendor Market this Sunday, an outdoor pop-up gathering for fans gearing up for the MLB postseason. The dog-friendly, family-oriented event features 5+ local vendors selling Los Angeles Dodgers apparel, gear, and merchandise alongside craft beer, street-style elote, and barbecue. Admission is free. Sunday, Runs noon to 5 p.m. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Luke’s Celebrates National Lobster Day (September 24-25) -> Luke’s Lobster marks National Lobster Day with a $20 quarter-pound lobster roll, down from the usual $27, at select locations including Santa Monica. Served the Luke’s Way with wild-caught chilled lobster meat, mayo, lemon butter, and Luke’s Secret Seasoning on a toasted, buttered split-top bun, with a side of chips. Available Thursday and Friday only. More info here.
6th Annual Oktoberfest at Lawless Brewing Co. (September 26-27 ) -> Lawless Brewing Co. in North Hollywood throws open the doors for its 6th Annual Oktoberfest, a free two-day community celebration with award-winning craft beer, N/A beer, Bavarian food trucks, and pretzels from Shappy’s Pretzels. Compete in Stein Holding Contests or rally a team for the Fest-Lympics, featuring sack racing, sausage toss, and keg roll. Family and dog friendly Oktoberfest costumes are highly encouraged.
Black Restaurant Week (Through September 27) -> Founded six years ago to highlight Black, African, and Caribbean cuisine nationwide, Black Restaurant Week is in its final days in Los Angeles. Local participants include familiar favorites like Lucia, Bludso’s, and Harold’s, alongside numerous spots worth discovering for the first time. More info here.
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