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Alright, let’s get the weekend started!
This August 14-16 in Los Angeles catch KCRW Summer Nights at the Wende, Astronomy Night at Columbia Space Center, KCON LA, Ferragosto at Helms Bakery District, the 2026 Natsumatsuri Family Festival, Sensory Morning at the Broad, Sunday Sessions at Grand Park, and more.
Things To Do This Weekend
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Astronomy Night at Columbia Space Center – FA > This Friday, Columbia Memorial Space Center in Downy hosts Astronomy Night, featuring amateur astrophotographer Trung Nguy for his presentation “Galaxies Over Los Angeles — A Virtual Cosmic Road Trip.” The monthly family-friendly event offers an astronomy talk, hands-on STEM activities, and telescope viewing of the night sky, weather permitting. Admission is free. Runs 7 to 9 p.m. More info here.
KCRW Summer Nights at the Wende – FA > KCRW teams up with The Wende Museum this Friday for another edition of Summer Nights. The event will feature a Good Food-curated night market alongside evening access to current exhibitions, including Enrique Martínez Celaya’s The Sextant. The outdoor party includes live food-focused discussions, bites and drinks for purchase, and DJ sets by KCRW’s Anne Litt and Nassir Nassirzadeh. Free parking is available in adjacent municipal lots off Coombs Avenue. Admission is free. Runs 6 to 10 p.m. More info here.
Ivy Station Night Market: Camp Ivy – M FA > Ivy Station Night Market is back this Friday with a Camp Ivy theme featuring summer market featuring artisan vendors, food trucks, lawn games, and camp activities like DIY friendship bracelets and portrait drawing. Los Angeles Ale Works serves craft beer and wine on the plaza alongside music by DJ Bennett. Admission and parking are free. Programming runs 5 to 10 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Summer of Salsa – M FA > LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes hosts the August edition of Summer of Salsa this Friday. Expect live music from Southern California salsa group Rush Hour Orquesta alongside sets from Super DJ Robby. The night opens with a free dance lesson led by Dancing 101 with Roberto, followed by live music, vendor pop-ups, and dancing under the stars. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets; food and drinks will be available for purchase. Admission is free with an advance RSVP recommended. Runs 6 to 11 p.m. More info here.
TAPE LA at Barnsdall Art Park – FA > All throughout August, TAPE LA takes over Barnsdall for Friday Art Nights. 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.
The Music Center’s Dance DTLA – M FA -> The season of free evening dance parties wraps at The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza this Friday. The 2026 lineup comes to a close with a night of Bollywood featuring instruction by Achinta S. McDaniel of Blue13 Dance, and music by DJ Sandeep Kumar and Dholnation. Dance DTLA is always free to attend, and always all-ages. Start at 7 p.m. More info here.
Movies & Moonlight – FA > This Friday, 2ND & PCH in Long Beach hosts an outdoor screening of Disney’s Lilo & Stitch on Seaport Way as part of its Movies & Moonlight series. The evening includes a pre-movie dance party by the Grand Staircase starting at 5 p.m., with the film beginning at sunset. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and low-back lawn chairs; leashed pets are welcome. Admission is free, though space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. More info here.
626 Night Market -> 626 Night Market is back at Santa Anita Park this Friday to Sunday. The regional outdoor Asian food fest celebrating offers plenty of street eats, artisan goods, and live entertainment. Tickets are $8, and must be purchased online in advance, while parking is complimentary. Runs 3 to 11 p.m., each day. More info here.
KCON LA – M > This Friday to Sunday, 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.
Ferragosto at Helms Bakery District – M FA TP > This Saturday afternoon, the Helms Bakery District transforms into an Italian piazza for Ferragosto, Italy’s most beloved summer holiday. The free street fair-style celebration runs from 1 to 6 p.m. with food and drinks for purchase, live music, artisan demos, and cultural experiences spread across the campus. Highlights include tortellini rolling lessons from Pasta Sisters, family-friendly activities hosted by Italian language school Fondazione Italia, and a farmers’ market-style produce stand featuring heirloom Italian varietals and DOP-certified produce from Orto Farms. More info here.
Tongva Twilight: Sounds & Cinema Series – M FA > Tongva Twilight: Sounds & Cinema brings free outdoor programming to Tongva Park in Santa Monica every Saturday from August 8 through September 12. For the second installment of the series, catch The Rumble featuring Big Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr., who will offer a high-energy blend of Mardi Gras Indian funk, modern New Orleans brass, and soul. Guests are encouraged to pack a picnic for the family-friendly oceanside evening. Admission is free. Starts at 7 p.m. More info here.
2026 Natsumatsuri Family Festival – M FA > The annual Natsumatsuri Family Festival at Terasaki Budokan in Little Tokyo returns this Saturday to kick off the Nisei Week Japanese Festival. 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.
Grand Performances: 15 Years of Ethio Cali + DJ Nu-Mark – M FA > This Saturday, Grand Performances hosts a celebration of 15 years of Ethio Cali, an ensemble led by trumpeter Todd Simon that blends 1960s and ’70s Ethiopian rhythms with modern jazz, funk, and global sounds. The evening opens with Todd Simon’s LA-Multi Big Band, followed by a set from producer and Jurassic 5 turntablist DJ Nu-Mark, before Ethio Cali takes the stage with special guests. Admission is free with Eventbrite RSVP. Runs 6 to 10 p.m. More info here.
Latin Sounds – M FA > LACMA hosts four-time Modern Drummer Percussionist of the Year Luis Conte and his band at Hancock Park this Saturday as part of the Latin Sounds series. The Cuban-born percussionist brings a fusion of traditional “El Son” rhythms, rock, jazz, and R&B. Food will be available for purchase on-site from Kreung Kitchen. Admission is free. Concert runs 5 to 7 p.m. more info here.
Garden Concerts for Kids at the Getty – FA > This Saturday and Sunday, the Getty continues their August Garden Concerts for Kids series by welcoming two-time Grammy nominee Elizabeth Mitchell in the Central Garden for a 20th-anniversary concert celebrating her album You Are My Little Bird. Performing alongside husband Daniel Littleton and daughter Storey, Mitchell brings folk melodies and harmonies to an 80-minute show. Guests may bring picnic blankets and food. Admission is free, though timed-entry reservations and paid parking apply. Performances begin at 4 p.m. both days. More info here.
Sunday Sessions at Grand Park – M FA > This weekend Gloria Molina Grand Park hosts another edition of Sunday Sessions. 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 – M FA > One Sunday 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.
Valley Cultural Foundation Summer Concerts – FA > The Valley Cultural Foundation’s free summer concert series comes to Warner Park this Sunday with a performance by Southern California dance group Super Soul Groove alongside R&B and hip-hop duo The 90’s BaBiez. Expect a high-energy lineup of classic disco, funk, Motown, and R&B hits from artists like Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind & Fire, and Whitney Houston, while The 90’s BaBiez open with a tribute to ’90s and 2000s classics. Admission is free, with reserved seating areas available for foundation members. Music starts at 5:30 p.m. More info here.
Jojo Abot at the PRS -> On Sunday, the Philosophical Research Society hosts interdisciplinary healer JOJO ABOT for a live performance presenting LOVE POCEANS, co-presented by Living Earth, Leaving Records, and KCRW. The concert features live accompaniment by Carlos Niño on percussion, Nico Georis on piano, and Aaron Shaw on woodwinds, blending music, ritual, and reflection. Tea and conversation start at 6 p.m., followed by music at 7 p.m. Tickets are $33 to $66 on a sliding scale. More info here.
Riddim ‘N Brews – FA > Head to Common Space Brewery this Sunday for Riddim ‘N Brews: Birthday Edition, an afternoon of 1960s ska, rocksteady, and early reggae vinyl. The lineup features DJ sets from DJ Queen of Hearts, Rhygin Sound System + Crew, resident DJ Ted Morris, and Mandie Bee celebrating a new record release, all guided by emcee Junor Francis. Food will be available on-site from Ahh Huevo. Kids and pets are welcome, and admission is free. Runs 1 to 6 p.m. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
IKI Ramen Dine LA (August 14–28) -> IKI Ramen in Hollywood joins DineLA with a seven-course tasting menu for $98 that builds steadily toward one of the most satisfying bowls in the city. The meal opens with a special sashimi before a plate of crowd favorites: spicy tuna on crispy rice, rock shrimp tempura, and a bao. Cold soba noodles with mentaiko, truffle, and dashi ikura offer a refreshing pause before five pieces of premium nigiri and a blue crab handroll hit the table. The finale is an A5 wagyu ramen with broth poured tableside. Shio koji ice cream closes it out. More info here.
Dominick’s Sunday Supper Returns (August 16) -> Twenty-one years ago, Little Dom’s founders introduced Sunday Supper at Dominick’s, the legendary West Hollywood institution that ran for 67 years before closing its doors. The affordable, community-driven dinner became a neighborhood ritual, eventually living on through Little Dom’s weekly Monday Supper and Little Dom’s Seafood’s Tuesday Supper. This August, they’re turning back the clock for one night only. On Sunday, both Little Dom’s in Los Feliz and Little Dom’s Seafood in Carpinteria will revive the original Sunday Supper exactly as it was served two decades ago, for just $21 in honor of the tradition’s 21st anniversary. The menu is a three course meal: a green salad, beef braciole with roasted summer squash, and a gelato sundae to finish. Reservations are recommended. More info here.
Farmer’s Market Mimosa Flight at Calabra -> Santa Monica Proper’s rooftop restaurant Calabra introduces a farmer’s market-inspired mimosa flight during weekend brunch. Guests get to mix and match seasonal juice combinations with champagne, alongside an elevated brunch menu featuring standouts like tomatillo green shakshuka, Greek fries, and olive oil cake topped with Gaviota strawberries.
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