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Finally starting to feel like fall around here. Well, at least until the next heat wave that is…
On tap this October 12-16 in Los Angeles, check out Silent Book Club at Common Space, the BINGE Fringe Festival of Free Theatre in Santa Monica, Locals’ Night at the Pier, Mocktails & Mutts, Videodrome at La Línea, a free double-feature at The Hammer, and more.
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Things To Do This Week
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Silent Book Club – FA > On Monday, Common Space Brewery hosts the Inglewood Chapter of Silent Book Club for an evening meet-up. Book lovers can bring their current read, grab a craft beer, and enjoy a quiet, cozy evening of reading alongside fellow community members without assigned titles or forced discussions. Admission is free. Runs 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. More info here.
Screamfest – M > The 26th annual Screamfest Horror Film Festival continues at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres through this Thursday. , The ten-day festival highlights the world of independent horror cinema witb world premieres, retrospectives, and black carpet events. More info here.
Carved at Descanso Gardens -> Descanso Gardens’ family-friendly Carved is open daily now through November 1. Expect a pumpkin wonderland featuring a new route, an illuminated railroad, whimsical wood spirits, hundreds of carved pumpkins and kid-friendly activities. Adult tickets run $29-$52 for non-members. Get more info here.
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The BINGE Fringe Festival of Free Theatre – FA > The 11th annual Binge Fringe Festival of Free Theatre (The BFF) kicks off this Tuesday in Santa Monica. The festival features a wide range of free performances—from comedy and Shakespeare to slam poetry and improv—all by local L.A. artists. Best part? All tickets are FREE, but be sure to make reservations for in-person events. Shows continue through November 20. More info here.
Spooky Movie Nights at RUNWAY – FA > RUNWAY Playa Vista hosts outdoor Spooky Movie Nights on the turf every Tuesday in October. The series features Halloween family favorites, including a screening of Casper this week. Attendees can enjoy free popcorn while supplies last, along with food and drinks from nearby eateries. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs. Admission is free. Starts at 6:30 p.m. More info here.
L.A. MADE @ Native Foreign – FA > As part of L.A. Tech Week, Native Foreign in Culver City hosts L.A. Made this Wednesday, celebrating AI, entertainment, and technology. The evening features creative showcases, an industry panel, sushi, cocktails, and networking. Admission is free with RSVP. The program runs 6 to 9 p.m. More info here.
Man Trouble / The Man Who Came Back at The Hammer – FA > The UCLA Film & Television Archive is hosting a special double-feature this Wednesday at the Billy Wilder Theater at the Hammer Museum The slate includes the North American restoration premieres of Man Trouble (1930) and The Man Who Came Back (1924) The screenings will include live musical accompaniment by Cliff Retallick. Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis. Program starts at 7:30 p.m. 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 Wednesday 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.
Locals’ Nights at the Pier – FA > On Thursday, the October edition of Locals’ Night at the Santa Monica pier ceelebrate Dogtown’s 50th anniversary with a Dogtown and Z-Boys screening, a vinyl DJ set by Tony Alva, live music, a classic car meet, salsa lessons, and a skate ramp. Optional ride wristbands cost $40; admission is free. Programming runs 3:30 to 10 p.m. More info here.
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Mocktails & Mutts -> Pasadena Humane comes to Burden of Proof in South Pasadena this Thursday for Mocktails & Mutts, a special adoption pop-up held during the South Pasadena Farmers Market. Visitors can meet resilient, adoptable dogs looking for a home while enjoying cold non-alcoholic beverages. Admission is free. Runs 4 to 6 p.m. More info here.
Spirit in the Dark Body: Black Queer Expressions of the Im/material – FA > Part of the Circa: Queer Histories Festival, Spirit in the Dark Body: Black Queer Expressions of the Im/material at OXY ARTS explores black queer spiritualities and futures through visual art and sound. The speaking engagement features presentations by scholar-artist El/yse Ambrose and visual artist Jessica Susan Oler examining the persistence of black queer spirit. The program runs this Thursday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. More info here.
Public Domain presents Videodrome at La Línea – FA >This Friday, Independent community film series Public Domain brings David Cronenberg’s Videodrome to La Línea, a South Gate barbershop and community arts space, for a free screening. This is part of Public Domain’s ongoing effort to bring repertory and unconventional cinema into neighborhood spaces across Southeast LA, creating social film events well outside the traditional theater circuit. Program starts at 7:30 p.m. More info here.
No Matter What: A Planned Parenthood Pop-Up – FA > This Friday and Saturday, Planned Parenthood hosts No Matter What, a free immersive pop-up experience in Hollywood at nya studios EAST. Guests can explore interactive exhibits examining reproductive rights and health care, take home a complimentary customizable tote bag, and attend a live taping of Crooked Media’s Hysteria podcast on Friday afternoon. Admission is free with RSVP. More info here.
Urban Death: Tour of Terror at Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre -> Zombie Joe’s annual tradition of Urban Death is back for 2026 with a brand new series of terrifying vignettes, bookended by walks through a creepy maze. Runs on Fridays and Saturdays (and a few Sundays) with multiple performances each night. Advance tickets are $24 online, or it’s $28 at door. Get more info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Frites Night at Simonette (Every Tuesday) -> Simonette in Culver City launches a weekly Frites Night every Tuesday starting at 5 p.m. For $30, a house martini pairs with a rotating frites special, think steak, moules, poulet, or tuna. Coloring placemats keep things playful at the table, and $12 martinis are available all evening. The series kicks off this Tuesday with live custom portraits by Alexandra Yvette. Reservations encouraged, walk-ins welcome.
A Kismet & Holy Basil Thai Pita (Month of October) -> Kismet and Holy Basil join forces for October’s pita of the month, and it benefits a good cause. The Tom Kha Pita is stuffed with shredded chicken, cabbage, jalapeño, and crispy shallots, dressed in a lemongrass and lime leaf coconut dressing, with proceeds benefiting immigrant rights group CHIRLA. Available at all Kismet locations throughout the month.
New Seasonal Sweets at El Moro -> Pan de Muerto season is here and Churrería El Moro is celebrating with the return of their seasonal Churros De Muertos, made with a hint of citrus, black sugar, and the essence of orange blossom. The flavor carries through to a Pan de Muerto Milkshake and Consuelo as well. More info here.
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