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First weekend of October, and we’re absolutely here for it.
On the docket this October 2-4 in Los Angeles, you’ll find Carved at Descanso Gardens, First Fridays in Frogtown, the San Gabriel Dumpling & Beer Fest, Free Family Day at the Skirball, Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch, the Muertos ArtWalk, Tito’s Fiesta Mexicana, the Long Beach Open Studio Tour, and more.
Things To Do This Weekend
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Carved at Descanso Gardens -> Beginning this Friday, Descanso Gardens’ family-friendly Carved returns with 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. Carved runs through November 1. Get 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.
Robot Karaoke -> Robot Karaoke pops up at The Elysian this Friday with another night featuring “The Weird Algorithm,” a custom system that rewrites classic songs syllable-for-syllable using internet text like OkCupid profiles and negative board game reviews. The 21+ event features guest performers from music and entertainment at the main stage show before moving next door for an open-stage audience request session. Kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 plus fees. More info here.
Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch -> Culver City’s favorite pumpkin village returns this Friday. Family activities include photo ops in front of giant pumpkin installations, a straw maze, a super slide, petting zoo, giant rocking horses, and pumpkin decorating sessions. General admission cost between $10 to $20 depending on date and tickets for activities need to be purchased online ahead of time. The Patch runs through October 31. More info here.
Oktoberfest at Fairplex -> The Fairplex transform into a fantastical Bavarian Oktoberfest every Friday and Saturday through October 17. Expect live oompah bands, DJs and plenty of German food and beers to go around. Advanced tickets start at $17. Runs 6 to 11 p.m. each night. 21+ only. More info here.
The Long Beach Open Studio Tour – FA > The Long Beach Open Studio Tour opens the doors to over 80 studios and 120 artists across multiple neighborhoods every Saturday and Sunday through October 25. Free, self-guided, and entirely at your own pace. A great excuse to explore Long Beach one weekend at a time. More info here.
Muertos Artwalk – M FA > Olvera Street’s Muertos Artwalk is back this Saturday, offering a family-friendly outdoor marketplace celebrating local artists and traditional culture. Over 35 Los Angeles artisans showcase original artwork, handmade jewelry, clothing, and face painting alongside the street’s historic merchants. The event features a full lineup of live entertainment, including Xipe Totec Aztec Dancers, Ballet Folklorico Mi Lindo Mexico, and regional musical groups. Admission is free. Runs 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. More info here.
10th annual Scaredown in Downtown – FA > Old Torrance kicks off spooky season with the 10th Annual Scaredown in Downtown on Saturday. The free Halloween celebration runs from 4 to 9 p.m. Expect magic, games, contests, live music, crafts, tarot, and a themed marketplace. More info here.
Free Family Day at the Skirball – FA > On Sunday, KCRW and the Skirball Cultural Center team up for a free, interactive family day featuring live music, hands-on workshops, and gallery access designed for kids and caregivers. The lineup includes rhythm sessions with Silverlake Conservatory of Music, songwriting with 826LA, bell wand crafting with Rediscover Center, Dance Church movement, and DJ sets from KCRW’s Tana Yonas, plus food at Judy’s Counter and Zeidler’s Cafe and first-come, first-served admission to Noah’s Ark. Family Day activities run 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. More info here.
Tito’s Fiesta Mexicana at Tito’s Tacos -> Tito’s Tacos hosts the ninth annual Tito’s Fiesta Mexicana this Sunday, celebrating food, music, and community while raising funds for the Culver City Arts Foundation. The event features live performances by Mariachi Sol de México, Mariachi Reyna de Los Ángeles, and cumbia group El Conjunto Nueva Ola, alongside folklórico dancers and tacos paired with vodka cocktails. Tickets are $35 for general admission and $20 for non-alcohol passes. Runs 3 to 8 p.m. More info here.
Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome -> Mount Wilson Observatory hosts another edition of Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome this Sunday, featuring piano quartets by Mahler and Brahms (Op. 60 in C minor). Artistic Director and cellist Cécilia Tsan performs alongside pianist David Kaplan, violinist Ambroise Aubrun, and violist Ariana Solotoff inside the iconic 100-inch telescope dome. Tickets are $65. More info here.
The Oddities Flea Market – > The Oddities Flea Market takes over the Globe Theatre on Sunday for a day of off-beat shopping where you’ll find one-of-a-kind curiosities from over 70 vendors. Runs 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets range $28 to $55. More info here.
Halloween Spooktacular at One Colorado – M FA -> Bob Baker Marionette Theater returns to One Colorado in Old Pasadena this Sunday with its signature Hallowe’en Spooktacular. The family-friendly, 25-minute boo-sical revue features spirited performances from Dracula, witches, and the Purple People Eater, capped off by a puppet meet-and-greet. Tickets cost $10 for two guests. Shows take place at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. More info here.
Best In Drag Show -> For more than three decades, Best in Drag Show has been a cultural institution in Los Angeles, and this Saturday it returns to the iconic Orpheum Theatre with the stakes higher than ever. The special all-stars edition, BEST OF Best in Drag Show, brings back fan favorites, past runners-up, and former titleholders for one night only to compete head-to-head for the ultimate title. Expect high-octane performances, theatrical flair, inventive costumes, dramatic entrances, and jaw-dropping acts, judged by Kathy Kinney, Dan Bucatinsky, Kristen Johnston, and Nicole Maines. Tickets start at $25.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Dialog Cafe Residency at The Sun Rose (Opening October 3) -> After sustaining substantial damage from a water main incident in July, beloved West Hollywood café Dialog is finding a new home. Beginning October 3, Dialog opens a residency at The Sun Rose on Sunset Blvd, bringing its full menu and signature hospitality to a street-level space open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Expect all the favorites: the cult-classic Dialog Breakfast Burrito with pasture-raised eggs, the popular Chicken Caesar Wrap, and the complete breakfast and lunch lineup alongside the full beverage program including the Madagascar Vanilla Latte, Shaken Strawberry Oat Matcha Latte, smoothies, and seasonal specialties. Founders Narbeh and Tadeh Ghazalian continue working toward restoring and reopening the original location. More info here.
Grand Central Market Celebrates Filipino American History Month (October) -> Grand Central Market marks Filipino American History Month with a series of food collaborations and pop-ups throughout October. Highlights include a pan de sal burger and Filipino bolo fries from For the Win x Gemmae Bake Shop on Fridays through Sundays, a special ube matcha latte with crushed cookies from Bastion Bakery x Bake Some Noise all month long, Banger Lumpia popping up on October 3 and 24, and intimate Filipino x Southern soul food dinners from Soul Phil x Airbnb Experiences on October 5, with more dates potentially dropping. More collaborations to be announced throughout the month.
World Sake Day at Camélia (October 4) -> For the sixth year running, the team behind OTOTO, Tsubaki, and Camélia throws a party for World Sake Day, and this year the celebration lands at Camélia. The afternoon walk-around tasting features 60-plus sakes alongside bites from the Camélia kitchen, with bottles available to purchase throughout. Plenty of room to taste, discover something new, and talk sake. Tickets are $88 per person. For those not ready to call it a day, Camélia opens for dinner at 5 p.m.
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