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Our mission? To keep your weekends fun, fresh and (mostly) free. Let’s get back into it.
This September 19-21 in Los Angeles, you’ll find Rock the Rails along the A Line, Delusion: Harrowing Of Hell, Westchester Arts & Music Block Party, Union Station Train Festival, KCRW Summer Nights at Hauser & Wirth, the Pasadena Art Walk, Puppets in the Park at Barnsdall, and more.
Things To Do This Week
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Oktoberfest at Benny Boy Brewing – FA > Benny Boy Brewing in Lincoln Heights brings back its three-day Oktoberfest celebration (this Friday to Sunday), pouring German-style beers and ciders alongside hearty bites from Shappy Pretzel Co., Zef BBQ, and Il Piacere. Festivities include stein-holding competitions, keg bowling, and the always crowd-pleasing weenie dog races. Show up in lederhosen or a dirndl for $1 off steins. Free to attend. More info here.
Looks Delicious! | Exploring Japan’s Food Replica Culture at Japan House LA – M FA > Beginning this Thursday, Japan House Los Angeles welcomes the first U.S. exhibition dedicated to the Japanese craft of shokuhin sampuru or “food-samples,” which are three-dimensional models displaying a restaurant’s menu items in mouthwatering detail. The exhibition will remain on display through January 25, 2026. Japan House is always free to visit. More info here.
Rock the Rails – M FA > This Friday, L.A. Metro opens four new stops along the A Line (Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne/Fairplex and Pomona North), and to mark the occasion they’ll be hosting special activities at each, highlighted by DJs, food trucks, and live performances by local bands at the Pomona North Station. The fun runs from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Frontier Saloon at Velaslavasay Panorama – TP > Since it was first installed at their original Hollywood Blvd location in 2000, L.A.’s Velaslavasay Panorama has laid claim to being the only institution on the West Coast creating 360-degree painted panoramas. This Friday and Saturday the museum celebrates its 25th anniversary (and 21st year at their West Adams location) by spotlighting the closing of the longstanding exhibit The Nova Tuskhut (2014) with a special activation called Frontier Saloon. The back-to-back evening event will double as a fundraiser for the Velaslavasay’s panoramic pursuits, creating an immersive turn-of-the-century boomtown public house where guests will be served dinner ‘round the campfire as wayward newcomers, all while card sharks and rambling musicians wander “into town.” Each guest will also receive western-themed limited-edition souvenirs made by artists of the Velaslavasay Panorama. Runs 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $50 for either night. More info here.
Para La Cultura: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month – FA > This Friday, Plaza West Covina kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month with special celebration called Para La Cultura. The activation features a marketplace with 40+ local vendors, live cultural performances including folklorico, craft and photo opportunities, and VIP Cafecito Lounge with Café BomBon, which will offer proceeds to the West Covina High School PTSA. Event runs 5 to 9 p.m. General admission is free. More info here.
Chaotic Singles Party -> Looking to couple up as you head into the fall? Dress to the nines and head out to DTLA this Friday for a Chaotic Singles Party Fall Formal at La Lo La Rooftop. Expect a crowd of 200+ singles all dressed in their finest cocktail attire, plus romantic drink specials and classy icebreaker games. Party goes from 8 to 11 p.m. 21+ only. Tickets are $19.92. More info here.
Delusion: Harrowing Of Hell – M > Thirteenth Floor’s Delusion Halloween series is back starting this weekend at a new location at the Variety Arts Theater in DTLA. This year’s conceptual moving play immerses guests in the world of Pagan’s Path, described as “a supernatural cult that has taken the metaphors of Dante’s inferno too far.” Performances begin this Thursday to Sunday, then continue on select date through November 9. GA tickets start $113 including fees. More info here.
Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns -> Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns is back for 2025 beginning this Friday at a new South Bay location. This year the experience takes over South Coast Botanic Garden in Palos Verdes on select nights through November 2. Expect a wandering path featuring thousands of glowing, hand-carved jack o’lanterns, plus enchanting light displays, towering inflatables, and playful bouncy pads. Tickets start at $24.99. More info here.
Westchester Arts & Music Block Party – FA > On Saturday, the Westchester Arts & Music (WAM) Block Party returns for a day-long community event benefiting local non-profits. The party features live music, dance, art, garden tours, kids activities, food trucks and a beer and wine garden. Free to attend and family friendly. Runs noon to 7 p.m. More info here.
KCRW Summer Nights at Hauser & Wirth – M FA > KCRW’s 2025 Summer Nights series culminates this Saturday with a shindig at Hauser & Wirth’s Arts District gallery. Expect multiple DJ sets, farm-to-table food and drinks from Manuela, and plenty of art to explore as the galleries and special exhibits stay open late. Party runs from 5 to 10 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Hope Alley – M FA > Homeboy Industries has created a recurring pop-up market taking place every second Saturday designed to amplify street vendors that have been affected by the ongoing federal immigration raids. The event is at 130 Bruno St. in Chinatown, where you’ll find a community altar, music, and plenty of food options for guests to choose from. This month, the market will kick off at 7 a.m. in conjunction with Homeboy’s annual 5k run and community festival. It’s all free to attend! More info here.
Union Station Train Festival – M FA TP > Attention train lovers! Los Angeles Union Station is teaming up Metro, Amtrak and Metrolink to host a two-day train festival featuring a splendid lineup of railroad equipment tours and displays, model train exhibits, interactive information booths, live entertainment, giveaways, family-friendly activities and much more. It’s all free to attend. Runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. More info here.
Pasadena Art Walk – M FA > Jackalope Arts is helping revive the Pasadena Art Walk for 2025, bringing over 180 local, hand-selected vendors to the Playhouse Village for a weekend celebrating handmade artistry. The marketplace will run 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday. Free to attend. More info here.
Thai Fest by the Beach – FA > Thai Fest by the Beach is back 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. Expect Thai culture expressed through food, art & crafts, live performances and traditional Thai wellness activations. Free to attend. More info here.
AeroPress Championship -> To mark the 20th anniversary of the AeroPress Coffee Maker, the brand kicks off a five-city competition series with its first stop in Los Angeles. On Sunday, MICA Studios hosts a high-energy showdown where some of LA’s top roasters—including Stereoscope, Verve, and Lumen—compete for a spot at the U.S. AeroPress Championship in San Francisco. Tickets are $10 and include access to coffee tastings, food, drinks, music, and interactive challenges. More info here.
Puppets in the Park with Bob Baker Marionette Theater – M FA > The City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and Bob Baker Marionette Theater are teaming up for a magical morning of puppetry on Hollyhock House’s west lawn this Sunday. There will be two 30-minute shows (9:30 and 11 a.m.) buffered by by art activities led by Barnsdall Junior Arts Center instructors. It’s all free to attend, no ticket required. More info here.
Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome -> This Sunday, Mount Wilson Observatory continues its 2025 Concerts in the Dome series inside the legendary 100-inch telescope dome—renowned for its extraordinary acoustics. Two concerts are scheduled (3 and 5 p.m.), both featuring a The New Hollywood String Quartet. A reception with light bites takes place in between. Tickets are $60. More info here.
Disney Bros. Cartoon Studio Square Day Block Party – FA > This Sunday, the Los Feliz Neighborhood City Council is celebrating the 1st anniversary of Disney Bros. Cartoon Studio Square Day with a community celebration featuring screenings, skating demos, trivia, community tables, and more. Runs from noon to 5 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Caviar & Oyster Bar Debuts at The Maybourne Beverly Hills (September 18) -> The Maybourne Beverly Hills unveils its new Caviar & Oyster Bar at The Maybourne Bar on September 18, a jewel-box setting anchored by a hand-carved marble counter with just five stools. Executive Chef Damon Gordon launches the concept with an $85 omakase-style caviar tasting paired with Billecart-Salmon Champagne, featuring inventive bites like Steak Fries with caviar, a Salmon Caviar Burger, and a Grilled Cheese topped with caviar. An à la carte oyster menu adds to the indulgence, offering elegant preparations such as oysters “En Gelée” with sake and green apple, and “Rockefeller” with confit fennel and aged parmesan. The following evening, September 19, the celebration continues with an intimate Chef’s Table dinner: a $350 seven-course pairing of N25 caviar, freshly flown-in oysters, and Champagne Billecart-Salmon guided by Director Clément Calleja. More info here.
Smorgasburg’s Fresh Picks Beer Fest -> Smorgasburg LA toasts hop harvest season this Sunday with Fresh Picks Beer Fest, pouring 40+ beers from top breweries alongside NA options, live music, DJs, art, and Oktoberfest-style contests. Also, Pasjoli’s Dave Beran pops up at the Smorgasburger Stand with a one-day-only burger special. Entry is free; tasting tokens are $25 for five pours. More info here.
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