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Need a plan for the week to come? We’re here to help.
This October 13-17 in Los Angeles, catch AirTalk Live at BroadStage, Locals’ Night at the Santa Monica Pier, Scarium Family Night at the Aquarium of the Pacific, a Fall Exhibitions Celebration at the Skirball Cultural Center, the BINGE Fringe Festival of Free Theatre, and more.
Things To Do This Week
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Netflix is a Joke Radio Presents: Are You Still Listening? – M FA > Netflix’s free monthly stand-up series returns this Monday to Dynasty Typewriter with host Dulce Sloan and a lineup that includes Amy Miller, Camden Garcia, Crystal Marie Denna, David Gborie, Helen Hong, and Spencer Bland. No cost to RSVP for admission, but seating is first-come, first-served and not guarantee entry. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and show starts an hour later. More info here.
Made in L.A. at The Hammer – FA > Made in L.A. is back at The Hammer Museum with a biennial showcase of 28 artists and collectives whose film, painting, sculpture, and choreography is profoundly “of this city and nowhere else.” The exhibition is free to visit and runs through March 1, 2026. The Hammer is open Tuesday to Sunday. More info here.
Carved at Descanso Gardens -> Descanso Gardens’ family-friendly Carved returns continues all this week with a freshly thought out pumpkin wonderland featuring a new route, hundreds of carved pumpkins, and kid-friendly activities. The experience will run nightly through October 30. Tickets run $27-$45 for non-members. Get more info here.
Palisades’ Road to Recovery – An AirTalk Live Event – FA > Join AirTalk host Larry Mantle for a crucial live conversation, Palisades’ Road to Recovery, held this Tuesday at BroadStage in Santa Monica. Following the devastating January fires, this event will focus on the complex path to rebuilding the Pacific Palisades community. Mantle and a panel of special guests including State Senator Ben Allen and Councilwoman Traci Park, will discuss navigating the disaster’s aftermath and charting the community’s new reality. Starts at 7:30 p.m. More info here.
Screamfest – M > Screamfest continues this week up at TCL Chinese through Thursday, offering a lineup of films premiering the newest and most innovative works from American and international independent horror filmmakers. Tickets range from $16 for an individual screening to $300 for a full festival badge. More info here.
The BINGE Fringe Festival of Free Theatre -> Starting this Tuesday, The 10th annual BINGE Fringe Festival of Free Theatre (The BFF) kicks off an entire month of entertainment 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. More info here.
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.
Bullseye 25th Anniversary Show – M > Celebrate 25 years of arts and culture with a special live taping of Bullseye with Jesse Thorn at The Crawford in Pasadena this Thursday. The beloved public radio show is bringing a stacked lineup of special guests to the stage for a night of music, comedy, and conversation. The lineup includes Jason Mantzoukas, Aparna Nancherla, and Roy Wood Jr., alongside animator Rebecca Sugar. Tickets range from pay-what-you-can to $35 for preferred seating. Starts at 7:30 p.m. More info here.
All Space Considered – FA > This Thursday, join the curatorial staff at the Griffith Observatory for their monthly discussion on the latest phenomena and news in the world of astronomy during this evening presentation at the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater (also live streamed on the website). Program runs from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Free to attend. Get more info here.
Locals Night at the Santa Monica Pier – FA > Every third Thursday from September to May, Locals’ Night brings at the Santa Monica Pier offers a free evening of youth activities, a car show, local DJs and live music from local bands, art exhibits, Books & Cookies Musical Storytime, and a Heal the Bay Aquarium Educational Pop-Up. This month will be themed out as a “community pep rally” contributing performances by multiple local high schools. It all runs from 3:30 to 10 p.m. Free to attend. 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.
Salsaween – M FA > Ivy Station in Culver City wraps up its 2025 Salsa Nights series with a spooky, outdoor Halloween dance party this Friday. The fun starts at 6:30 p.m. with a free intro salsa lesson by Pepe Gonzalez, followed by live music from Fermin Fusion Salsa. Costumes are highly encouraged, and the event is free and easily accessible via the Metro E line. 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.
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.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Raclette Night at Agnes (October 13) -> Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery in Pasadena brings back Raclette Night this Monday. As the evenings cool, gather around a hot, melty cheese plate for a cozy night out. The raclette plate (likely featuring potatoes, pickles, garlic-brushed bread, and optional meats) is $20, or go all-in with the all-you-can-eat option for $30.
Sake Harmony Weeks (October 13–November 2) -> JFOODO’s Sake Harmony Weeks returns to Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco, inviting diners to explore the art of pairing Japanese sake with diverse cuisines. From October 13 to November 2, discover how sake complements flavors far beyond Japanese food through curated menus at standout local spots including El Barrio Cantina in Long Beach, Wife and the Somm in Glassell Park, and Wildcrust in Highland Park. More info here
Pumpkin Treats at Superba -> Fall flavors are back at Superba. Starting this month, sip on their beloved Pumpkin Milk Latte, available at all locations. Then, from October 16 to November 13, indulge in Pumpkin Pie slices every Thursday at Superba cafés and sister spots The Win~Dow and Pitfire Pizza.
Tam O’Shanter’s Steak Lovers Menu (October 13–27) -> Indulge in Tam O’Shanter’s limited-time Steak Lovers Menu, a three-course experience priced at $69. Begin with a classic wedge, crisp Caesar, or velvety bisque before moving on to your choice of the signature prime rib meal, filet mignon, or prime sirloin cap, both served with creamy mashed potatoes. Conclude on a sweet note with a signature C.C. Brown’s Hot Fudge Sundae or an elegant English Trifle. More info here.
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