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Packed weekend ahead as we’re officially saying goodbye to summer and entering the fall. So what’s on your agenda?
In view this September 18-20 in Los Angeles, you’ll find Friday Night Flights at Columbia Memorial Space Center, the Other Places art fair in San Pedro, the Pasadena ARTWalk, the Westchester Arts & Music Block Party, the Burbank Autumn Arts Festival, the Frogtown Art Walk, Bob Baker Day at L.A. State Historic Park, and more.
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Things To Do This Weekend
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Friday Night Flights at Columbia Memorial Space Center-> This Friday, Columbia Memorial Space Center in Downey hosts their monthly adults-only evening that mixes science talks, brain-boosting trivia, and hands-on activities in a relaxed social setting. Expert astronomers and aerospace professionals lead the conversations, making it as engaging as it is educational. Admission is $5, beer available for purchase. More info here.
Night Dive at AoP -> On Friday, the Aquarium of the Pacific hosts Night Dive: Oktoberfest, an adults-only evening of art, music, and community inside the galleries. The event features a polka performances by West Coast Prost, sets from local DJs, and themed food and drink specials served at Café Scuba. Tickets are $49.95 for general admission and $44.95 for members, with food and beverages sold separately. 18+ only. Runs 7:30 to 11 p.m. .More info here.
Salsa Night at Ivy Station – M FA > This Friday, Ivy Station hosts another Salsa Night on its outdoor plaza in Culver City. The evening begins with a free beginner-friendly dance lesson taught by Pepe Gonzalez, followed by open social dancing with live music performed by the Fermin Fusion Salsa Band. Food and drinks are available for purchase from local Ivy Station vendors. Free 2-hour parking validation is provided in the on-site garage. Admission is free. Program runs 6:30 to 9 p.m. More info here.
Frogtown Art Walk -> Frogtown Arts presents the 2026 edition of the Frogtown Artwalk this Saturday. The self-guided neighborhood tour spans studios, workshops, and pop-up galleries along the LA River Bike Path from Fletcher Drive to Bauer Pottery. Visitors can explore works by over 70 local artists, view light installations, and enjoy live music, dance performances, local vendors, and community booths. Free pedicabs will transport attendees along the river route. Admission is free. Runs 4 to 10 p.m. More info here.
Mezcal Por Siempre – M > The 2026 edition of Mezcal Por Siempre pops up at Los Angeles River Center & Gardens this Saturday, offering a traditional mezcal festival presented by Madre Oaxacan Restaurant & Mezcaleria. The event celebrates campesino heritage and ancestral production methods, featuring tastings with maestros mezcaleros alongside food vendors, art installations, live music, and dance performances. Tickets include a commemorative tasting copita, with VIP access offering early entry, an opening ceremony, and an after-party at Bar Flores with complimentary food. GA tickets start at $81.88 with fees included. More info here.
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Pasadena ARTWalk – M FA > This Saturday, Jackalope Arts and Playhouse Village will bring over 180 local, hand-selected vendors to Green Street in the heart of Playhouse Village for a weekend celebrating handmade artistry. The marketplace will run 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days and is free to attend. More info here.
The Great Rock ‘N’ Roll Flea – FA > The Great Rock ‘N’ Roll Flea Market is back at the Regent Theatre on Saturday. This family-friendly event features over 40 local vendors selling vinyl records, vintage items, art, unique crafts, and more. Event goes from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. All ages welcome. More info here.
Other Places art fair – FA > On Saturday, Angels Gate Cultural Center hosts the eighth annual Other Places art fair (OPaf 8) at Battery Leary-Merriam in San Pedro. The outdoor gathering features over thirty booths with works by more than 100 local and international contemporary artists operating outside traditional gallery systems. Programming includes artist-led workshops covering printmaking and weaving, a communal kite-building session, artist talks, and live performance. Admission is free, with a $5 suggested donation. Runs noon to 7 p.m. More info here.
Westchester Arts & Music Block Party – FA > This Saturday, the Westchester Arts & Music (WAM) Block Party is back with a free, family-friendly street festival benefiting local non-profit organizations. The daylong event features live music and dance performances, art displays, vendor booths, children’s activities, community garden tours, local food trucks, and a 21+ beer and wine garden. Attendees are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles for free refill stations, and leashed dogs are permitted outside restricted garden and alcohol areas. Admission is fre. Runs noon to 7 p.m. More info here.
Pan-American Sounds at The Ford -> On Saturday, The Ford hosts Pan-American Sounds, a double-bill concert celebrating contemporary Latin American musical traditions. Headliner Lido Pimienta performs selections from her album La Belleza, combining Afro-Caribbean rhythms, orchestral arrangements, choral textures, and electronic synth production. Dominican-Italian singer YEИDRY opens the evening with a genre-blending set of electronic bachata, ballads, and bilingual hip-hop. Tickets start at $40. Show begins at 8 p.m. More info here.
California Visionaries: The Lives and Legacies of Walt Disney and Hubert Eaton – FA > Beginning this Saturday, Forest Lawn Museum in Glendale opens a new exhibition exploring the personal and creative relationship between Walt Disney and Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks founder Hubert Eaton. California Visionaries draws out the philosophical and artistic parallels that shaped two of California’s most iconic parks, featuring newly discovered archival photographs, sculptures, illustrations, and animatronic figures. Highlights include sheet music from Walt Disney classics like It’s a Small World and The Skeleton Dance, and the original master score book for Cinderella. The free opening reception runs from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The exhibition remains on view through February 7, 2027. More info here.
2nd Annual PIERfect Benefit – M > Santa Monica Pier’s historic Merry Go-Round building transforms into the 1930s casino ship S.S. Rex for the second annual “A PIERfect Benefit” gala, happening this Saturday. Hosted by comedian Olivia Hill, the fundraising event features 1930s Art Deco casino tables (craps, roulette, blackjack), live jazz by the Art Deco Jazz Orchestra, carousel horse races, signature cocktails, and a silent auction with prizes like tickets to Goldenvoice’s Ocean Way Festival. Guests are encouraged to wear 1930s period attire. Proceeds support the Santa Monica Pier Corporation’s free community programming. General admission starts at $175, with advance gambling chips available at a 50% discount. More info here.
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Burbank Autumn Arts Festival – FA > Burbank Parks & Recreation is presenting the Burbank Autumn Arts Festival at Johnny Carson Park this Saturday. Headlined by Burbank rock band The Velvonics, the live music lineup also includes performances by Generation Gap Jug Band and 63 Degrees. The family-friendly festival features local artist booths, community arts organizations, and food trucks. Admission is free with advance RSVPs requested, and parking is available on Bob Hope Drive and at The Pointe garage. Runs 4 to 7 p.m. More info here.
Thai Fest by the Beach – FA > Thai Fest by the Beach returns this Saturday and Sunday, offering an immersive experience that captures the essence of Thailand at one of LA’s most iconic locations—the Santa Monica Pier. Celebrates Thai culture through food, art & crafts, live performances and traditional Thai wellness activations. Free to attend. More info here.
City of West Hollywood: Free Theatre in the Parks – FA > Contiuing this Saturday and Sunday The City of West Hollywood’s Arts Division partners with Impro Theatre for “Free Theatre in the Parks,” presenting Jane Austen UnScripted at Kings Road Park. Directed by Paul Rogan, the ensemble crafts a fully improvised play inspired by audience suggestions, leaning into Regency-era manners, romance, and sharp comedy to create an entirely new story at each show. Outdoor seating is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission is free, with RSVP requested. Performances begin at 4 p.m. The shows will run every Saturday and Sunday through September 27.More info here.
Riso Art & Zine Fest -> This Saturday and Sunday, Gallery Nucleus in Alhambra hosts the annual Riso Art & Zine Fest, expanding to a full two-day weekend market across its upstairs and downstairs galleries. The event brings together dozens of independent Risograph artists, small presses, and printmakers selling original prints, zines, and self-published goods directly to the public, with select vendors debuting new merchandise. Admission is free, open to all ages, and requires no advance RSVP. Runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. More info here.
Bob Baker Day – M FA TP > Bob Baker Marionette Theater presents the 12th annual Bob Baker Day on Sunday, a community festival celebrating the legacy of puppeteer Bob Baker, taking place at Los Angeles State Historic Park. The family-friendly gathering features live puppet shows, local art exhibits, music, and interactive activities. Admission is free with required advance registration and there is a suggested donation of $25 to support the theater’s ongoing public programming. Runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More info here.
Los Angeles Record Fair – M FA > Head to Arts District Brewing Company this Sunday for the Los Angeles Record Fair, a monthly gathering celebrating vinyl, DJ culture, and Hip-Hop. Organized by Beat Swap Meet, the event features vendors offering rare LPs and vintage records alongside guest DJ sets from Arabian Prince (N.W.A) and DJ Romes (Lootpack). Highlights include a live album listening session and Q&A with Q-Unique and DJ Rhettmatic. Admission details and venue entry are open to the public.Runs noon to 5 p.m. More info here.
Spider Pavilion at NHM -> The Natural History Museum’s popular Spider Pavilion returns this Sunday, inviting guests to wander among hundreds of orb weavers spinning intricate webs, and explore enclosed habitats featuring tarantulas, jumping spiders, and more. Admission is $10 with a timed ticket (in addition to museum entry), or free for members. The Pavilion runs through December 6. More info here.
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Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Bub and Grandma’s Turns 4 (September 19) -> Bub and Grandma’s in Eagle Rock celebrates four years this Saturday with a night party from 5 to 10 p.m. The BG Nites menu features a patty melt, chicken de-lite, and a late season BLT, alongside a kids menu and desserts. Every table gets a slice of birthday cake. More info here.
Now Serving (September 19) -> Chinatown’s beloved cookbook and culinary shop Now Serving marks nine years this Saturday with a sweet celebration. Nananu Ka pops up from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with Filipino sweets including Bibingka, Sampelot, and more. Stop in for a treat and browse the shelves while you’re at it. More info here.
TenderFest (September 19) -> TenderFest returns to the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills for a day-long, all-you-can-eat celebration of the chicken tender. Vendors including Le Coupé, Delilah, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Pizzeria Mozza, Marvin, and Chimmelier bring their best, while Miya Miya, Jitlada, Petit Trois, and Lucia go head-to-head in the conTENDER showdown for tender supremacy and bragging rights. Judging the competition: Nancy Silverton, Cat Cora, Tim Hollingsworth, NFL stars Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams, and Jay Luchs. Tickets start at $65.
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