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August to-dos? Yeah, we’ve got a few of those.
On tap for the coming month in Los Angeles you’ll find a Summer Night Market at Mandarin Plaza, TAPE LA at Barnsdall Art Park, JazzPOP 2026 at the Hammer, Sunday Sessions at Grand Park, the 2026 Natsumatsuri Family Festival, FoLAR’s Fifth Annual River Fest, Fiesta La Ballona, Echo Park Rising, the 7th Annual Leimert Park Jazz Festival, and more.
Things To Do This August
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Summer Night Market at Mandarin Plaza (August 1) – M FA > Steep LA brings back their Summer Night Market at Mandarin Plaza to in Chinatown to kick off August. Expect a specially curated tea cocktail collab with Suntory Global Spirits, a selection of stylish local vendors to peruse, and tunes from DJ Mar. The market starts at 5 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Fourth Annual Afro-Latino Culture Fest (August 1) – M FA > LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes hosts the Fourth Annual Afro-Latino Culture Fest, an open-air festival celebrating Afro-Latino and Afro-Caribbean traditions. Presented in partnership with the Afro-Latino Education and Arts Collective, the event features live music, DJ sets, artisan vendors, food, family activities, and a 21+ cocktail bar. Guests can bring blankets and low lawn chairs. Admission is free with recommended RSVP. Starts at 4 p.m. More info here.
Getty Garden Concerts for Kids (August 1-16) – FA > This August, the Getty Center’s annual Garden Concerts for Kids series returns to the Central Garden evert Saturday and Sunday from August 1 -16. The outdoor family music series features performances by Dan + Claudia Zanes with Tyree Austin, bilingual singer-songwriter Flor Bromley, and folk musician Elizabeth Mitchell celebrating 20 years of her landmark album. Attendees are encouraged to bring picnics and blankets for lawn seating. Admission to the Getty is free based on advanced, timed reservations. All concerts begin at 4 p.m. More info here.
Joint Seafood Summer Block Party (August 2) – FA > The Joint Seafood location in Downtown Los Angeles is hosting another Summer Block Party this August. The event features food, drinks, and music, with local pop-up vendors including Heng Heng Chicken Rice, Joimo, Fuegos, Franks n Frank’s, El Gato Negro, Dassai Sake, and Moom Maam Gelato. Plus, attendees can enter a raffle to win a whole Ōra King Salmon (nice!). Free parking is available at 414 E Temple St. The party runs from 5 to 9 p.m. More info here.
KCRW Summer Nights (multiple dates) – M FA TP > KCRW’s signature summer dance party series continues in August with stops at the California African American Museum (August 1), Wende Museum (August 14), Union Station (August 15), Downtown Long Beach (August 22), and LA Plaza (August 28) . All events are free to attend! More info here.
Moonlight Movies on the Beach (August 4, 18) – FA > Long Beach’s signature beachside summer cinema series continues with two screenings in August at Granada Beach: A League of Their Own on August 4 and a Grease sing-along on August 18. Movies starts around sunset (8 to 8:30 p.m.). Free to attend, and parking is free after 6 p.m., though spots are limited. More info here.
TAPE LA at Barnsdall Art Park (Every Friday in August) -> TAPE LA takes over Barnsdall for Friday Art Nights all August long. The free activations on Pine Grove and at the LAMAG gallery go full video with a tape swap, an interactive TV wall, Home Video Night, an Analog Petting Zoo, and more to be announced. Free to attend. More info here.
Evening Music in the Garden (Every Friday in August) -> The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden at Cal State Long Beach hosts a summer evening concert series every Friday in August. Wander through the garden at twilight, take in the koi fish pond, and settle in with a pre-packed picnic for a night of live music. Tickets are $10, campus parking is free. More info here.
Shakespeare in the Park (starting August 6) – FA > The second half of the Independent Shakespeare Co.’s 2026 summer theater festival in Griffith Park kicks off on August 5, as the ISC brings performances of A Comedy of Errors to the stage. Shows will run Wednesday to Saturday through September 6, with all performances beginning at 7 p.m. Make sure to arrive early to grab a spot. Picnics encouraged. More info here.
Sunset Concerts at the Skirball (August 6) – FA >The Skirball Cultural Center’s annual Sunset Concert series of after-hours performances by artists from around the world comes to a close with Ghanaian born, LA-based artist, healer, and musician JOJO ABOT and funk group Say She She. Free walk-up tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking is available for $20. More info here.
Sizzling Summer Nights at The Autry (August 6-27) -> Every Thursday in August, The Autry museum hosts some of L.A.’s best salsa and Latin fusion bands with free salsa lessons, access to the museum galleries and a separate children’s dance floor. Admission cost $23 per person. More info here.
JazzPOP 2026 at the Hammer (August 6, 13 & 20) – FA > This August, The Hammer Museum presents the 19th season of JazzPOP, a three-part concert series curated by bassist Lisa Mezzacappa showcasing West Coast creative jazz. The lineup features performances by the Kasey Knudsen Sextet (August 6), the Malachi Whitson Quartet (August 13), and the Machado Mijiga Trio (August 20). Parking is available in the underground garage. Admission is free. All concerts start at 8 p.m. More info here.
SMPL at the Beach (August 7) – FA > The Annenberg Community Beach House hosts SMPL at the Beach, a beachside pop-up library presented by Santa Monica Public Library. The all-ages event features a checkout-free beach reads collection, nautical crafts, games, and a surfside lounge. Programming includes a Seaside Storytime and an interactive musical performance by Sweet Potato Music. Admission is free. Programming runs from 10 to 3 p.m. More info here.
The Music Center’s Dance DTLA (August 7 & 14) – M FA > Free evening dance parties come to a close at The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza with a pair of Friday events this August. First on August 7, catch an evening of Afrobeats, then on August 14 it’ll be all about Bollywood. At Dance DTLA, instructors will be on hand to teach guests easy-to-follow steps, allowing everyone to get into the groove right from the jump. The event is always free to attend, and always all-ages. More info here.
Head in the Clouds Music and Arts Festival (August 8) -> Head in the Clouds Music and Arts Festival returns to Brookside at the Rose Bowl this August. The one-day celebration of Asian music, art, and food features headliner KATSEYE alongside performances by XG, Dabin.kr, UMI, LNGSHOT, and KiiiKiii, plus intimate sets at the Toyota Music Den. The event spotlights local Asian-centric food vendors, including Bang Bang Noodles, Chimmelier, Kogi, Bone Kettle, and Burger She Wrote, along with a Sephora K-Beauty Marketplace. GA tickets start at $199. More info here.
Picture This! at Lyric Hyperion (August 8) -> Picture This! brings one of LA’s most inventive comedy formats back to the Lyric Hyperion. Stand-ups perform their sets while Hollywood’s top animators draw them live on screen, with neither the comics nor the artists knowing what the other is about to do. The result is a hilarious, unpredictable marriage of sight and sound that’s different every time. The August installment features Chris Fairbanks and Joel Kim Booster, with live drawings by Mike Hollingsworth, Maddie Brewer, and more. Tickets are $17.85 in advance and $20 at the door. Show starts at 7 p.m. More info here.
FoLAR’s Fifth Annual River Fest (August 9) – M FA > Friends of the LA River (FoLAR) invites the public to River Fest a free, all-ages event featuring live performances by local artists, a visual art gallery, a vendor marketplace, eco-friendly family activities, and food trucks. Ticket registration is required to enjoy all the complimentary festivities. It’s free to attend, but a $5 donation is suggested. More info here.
Summer of Salsa (August 14) – M FA > LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes’ Summer of Salsa offers monthly dance parties one Friday per month through September. Rush Hour Orquesta will take the stage this month, with Super DJ Robby spinning tunes in between sets. Free salsa dance classes run from 6 to 7 p.m. by Dancing 101 with Roberto. Free to attend. More info here.
KCON LA (August 14-16) – M > Explore all things Hallyu at the Los Angeles Convention Center as KCON LA returns for a three day festival where more than 100,000 fans are expected to attend. Expect a slew of live performances, brands, celebrity meet-and-greets, artist appearances, and more. Single day GA tickets start at $74.36 (including fees). More info here.
Nisei Week Japanese Festival (August 15-23) –M > This August, Little Tokyo hosts a nine day celebration of Japanese and Japanese American heritage and traditions through a series of cultural exhibits and performances, a grand parade and a plaza festival. More info here.
2026 Natsumatsuri Family Festival (August 15) – M FA TP > The annual Natsumatsuri Family Festival at Terasaki Budokan in Little Tokyo returns this August. The annual summer event features origami and fan crafts, a Paul Frank stamp rally, photo opportunities, and performances including Bon Odori dancing, Cold Tofu improv comedy, live music by Kotolan, and J-Town Taiko Club drumming. Admission is free. Runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. More info here.
Sunday Sessions at Grand Park (August 16) – M FA > Gloria Molina Grand Park hosts another edition Sunday Sessions this month. The August event features a takeover by TheyHouseLA, curated by Terrell Brooke, celebrating the Black and LGBTQIA+ roots of house music with sets of rare Chicago house, acid, and deep house. Expect a maker’s market, food, and drinks alongside the house tunes. Admission is free. Runs 3 to 8 p.m. More info here.
Sensory Morning at the Broad (August 16) – M FA > Once per month, The Broad hosts Sensory Morning, providing quiet early access to third-floor galleries and Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room. Designed for visitors who benefit from a sensory-friendly environment, the event offers lower lighting, reduced volume, smaller crowds, and sensory kits. Admission is free with required advance reservation. Runs 9 to 10 a.m. More info here.
Marina Movie Nights (August 22, 29) – FA> The Department of Beaches and Harbors hosts Marina Movie Nights at Burton Chace Park in Marina del Rey on select Saturdays in August and September. This month’s lineupSaturday, August 22 The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants (August 22) and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (August 29). Free to attend, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. Make sure you bring a blanket for that coastal breeze! More info here.
El Segundo Art Walk (August 22) – FA > This indie, self-guided art event highlights the creative businesses throughout Downtown El Segundo while showcasing local artists. Expect food trucks, live music, and sponsored experiences from local businesses More info here.
Off the 405 (August 22) – FA > The Getty’s annual after-hours concerts series comes to a close with a performance by Detroit-born electronic composer and producer Laurel Halo. You’ll need to pre-register for free to attend, and remember that parking is $10 after 6 p.m. on Saturdays. More info here.
Sound Bath Inside Last Bookstore (August 23) -> The Last Bookstore hosts Los AnCellos for a candlelit sound bath surrounded by towering stacks of books. Two sets available at 6 and 8 p.m., with tickets at $30 per person. Bring a yoga mat, pillow, and eye mask. Folding chairs are available on site. More info here.
Fiesta La Ballona (August 28-30) -> Veterans Memorial Park hosts the 75th Annual Fiesta La Ballona, Culver City’s “Party at the Park.” The milestone celebration features carnival rides and games, food vendors, a beer and wine garden, an artisan market, non-profit booths, and two entertainment stages with live music and dance performances. Entry is free, with ride wristbands available for purchase. More info here.
Echo Park Rising (August 29-30) – FA > The 2026 edition of Echo Park Rising will be a two-day affair featuring with live music and community activations (all free to attend) at multiple venues on and adjacent to Sunset Blvd. The lineup is still under wraps as of the writing of this post, but programming highlights should start rolling out the first week of August. More info here.
7th Annual Leimert Park Jazz Festival (August 29) – FA M TP > Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza hosts the 7th Annual Leimert Park Jazz Festival on its outdoor rooftop parking deck. The event features performances by José James, Bobby West, Melena, Kenneth Brown II, the Fernando Pullum Center Youth Jazz Band, and a tribute to Ryan Porter by West Coast Get Down. General admission is free with registration or pay-what-you-wish options, while limited VIP tickets are available for purchase. Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 11:30 AM to 8:30 PM. More info here.
Spinning Sunset (August 29) – FA > Sunset Plaza hosts Spinning Sunset, a free outdoor vinyl fair presented by The Sunset Strip BID. Expect a market featuring over 80 vendors selling vinyl records, music memorabilia, and vintage clothing alongside live DJ sets, food trucks, a beer garden, and giveaways. Admission is free with RSVP. Runs 1 to 7 p.m. More info here.
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