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The fall season is officially upon us. Now let’s see what the Southland has cooking.
This September 28 to October 2 in L.A., you’ll find Jazz Eclectic Five Year Anniversary, New Exhibitions at Hauser & Wirth in DTLA, Night of the Jack in Calabasas, the San Gabriel Dumpling & Beer Fest, Día del Sonidero at LA Plaza, and more.
Things To Do This Week
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Hola México Film Festival -> Continuing all this week, 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 through this Saturday. More info here.
Jazz Eclectic Five Year Anniversary – M TP > Bar Lis at The Hollywood Grande celebrates five years of Jazz Eclectic LA this Tuesday. The weekly rooftop jazz residency features bassist Ryan Cross and his ensemble delivering three sets of live music with surprise guest artists throughout the night. Admission is free with mandatory RSVP. Table reservations are also available for a minimum spend. Show starts at 8 p.m. More info here.
Lectures on Tap -> On Tuesday, the latest edition of Lectures on Tap pops up at Benny Boy Brewing, with the topic of Inside the Medicine of Formula 1: Stakes, Safety, & Speed. UCLA emergency physician and F1 trackside doctor Dr. Neil A. Ray explores the medical infrastructure, split-second trauma care, and safety protocols behind high-speed motorsport racing. Tickets start at $39. Program runs 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. More info here.
New Exhibitions at Hauser & Wirth – M FA > This Wednesday, Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles opens two exhibitions: Glenn Ligon: Sit So Your Back Isn’t Against The Door (featuring Coloring Book paintings together for the first time in 25 years) and Jack Whitten: The Numinous. An opening-night panel with Ligon, Mirsini Amidon, and Dr. Kellie Jones explores abstraction and Black identity, followed by a Courtyard reception with DJ As Is. Admission is free with reservation. The opening program begins at 6 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Night of the Jack -> Night of the Jack is back at King Gillette Ranch on select dates through November 1, including this Thursday to Sunday. The immersive, family-friendly Halloween experience features thousands of hand-carved illuminated pumpkins, glowing lantern displays, and projection mapping. The 2026 season introduces an all-new trail layout, a carnival with rides and games, food trucks, and “The Spookeasy” cocktail lounge for adults. Tickets start at $29.35. More info here.
World of Japanese Synth-Pop, New Wave & Art Rock: A Listening Party – M > On Friday, the JACCC and In Sheep’s Clothing team up for an outdoor listening session features vinyl selections spun by DJ Passionfruit (Tana Yonas) highlighting influential post-YMO tracks and experimental Japanese artists. Attendees can purchase curated Japanese whiskey, beer, wine, and ramen from Sabaku Sessions. Restricted to ages 21 and older. Tickets are $15. Runs 7 to 10 p.m. More info here.
Dumpling & Beer Fest -> This Friday, catch the annual Dumpling & Beer Fest in San Gabriel, a community street festival pairing regional dumpling vendors with craft beer. The event features live entertainment, family activities, and cultural programs. Guests ages 21 and older can purchase tickets to the Beer Garden for unlimited craft pours, including access to a new VIP lounge. General festival admission is free. Runs 6 to 10 p.m. More info here.
Día del Sonidero – M FA > LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes hosts Día del Sonidero this Friday, an evening celebrating the history and rhythms of Mexico City’s barrio DJs. The gathering highlights sonidero culture and its role in popularizing Colombian cumbia and Latin American dance styles, featuring performances by Sonidero “La Rumba,” Sonido Son Antillano, Sonido Canex, and additional regional collectives. Vinyl shop Latin Gold Records will also host a pop-up on site. Admission is free with RSVP. Starts at 6 p.m.. More info here.
First Fridays in Frogtown – FA > Frogtown Arts hosts their final First Fridays event of 2026, bringing community arts programming to 16 participating venues along the LA River. The neighborhood-wide fall crawl features local art exhibits, craft vendors, live music, and food pop-ups. Highlights at Frogtown Brewery include vintage apparel, hand-poured candles, house plants, and gourmet culinary stands. Admission is free. Public transit or ridesharing to and from the neighborhood is strongly encouraged. Runs 6 to 10 p.m. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
LOQUI y Amigos (October 2) -> LOQUI’s collaboration series rolls into Filipinotown this Thursday for a SideWok Party with Woon from 5 to 9 p.m. The debut dish is a Wok-Fired Carne Asada Taco, featuring LOQUI’s carne asada marinated in Woon’s Stir Fry Sauce and Wok Legend’s Seasoning Salt, topped with Asian slaw and Woon Mama’s Way Hot Sauce, and finished with LOQUI’s charred chile crema. Extras include chips and guacamole with Woon’s Chili Crisp, a slushie Shochu Margarita, a complimentary fruit cart, mariachi from 7 to 8 p.m., and a DJ all night. The Wok-Fired Carne Asada Taco continues at LOQUI Arts District from October 3 through 6. More info here.
Wined Down Wednesday at Flavors From Afar (Wednesdays) -> Flavors From Afar has evolved into a Pan African Bistro and Wine Bar in Hollywood, with a focused menu celebrating culinary traditions from across Africa alongside a new African natural wine program. Wednesdays are the move: $10 glasses all day, a flight of four for $25, and 25% off bottles, with charcuterie, cheese, and crudité on offer and Afrobeats setting the mood from 5 to 10 p.m. Reservations on OpenTable, walk-ins welcome. More info here.
Monday Burger Night at Belle’s (Mondays) -> Belle’s Bagels in Highland Park runs a weekly Burger Night every Monday. For $25, a martini, a six-ounce burger, and fries. Simple as that.
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