Things To Do

55 Awesome Things to do this Weekend in L.A. You Need to Know About [8-5-16 to 8-7-16]

August 4, 2016 by Christina Champlin

Los Angeles provides no limit of things to do, some awesome and some not so awesome. Since time is precious in this fast paced city, we decided to curate a list of things to do in Los Angeles every week end that’ll help you decide how you want to spend your limited supply of attention (not to mention dollars!).

This weekend (August 5-7) includes All Space Considered at the Observatory, First Fridays, Brew at the Zoo, the Long Beach Crawfish Festival, a Miyazaki Tribute Art Show, DTLA Proud Fest and LOTS more to choose from.

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Also remember you can always go to our L.A. events calendar page to get an updated rundown of what’s happening around the city.

Enjoy!

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Griffith Observatory at Night

A night view of the Observatory. Credit: Ron Reiring via flickr cc


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Friday August 5th, 2016

1. Booze it up with animals when Brew at the Zoo returns for a summer evening of beer tastings from 50 local breweries after hours at the Los Angeles Zoo. Look for discount tickets before you purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

2. The Virtual Reality Los Angeles Summer Expo (August 5-6) will feature fascinating innovations and the world’s first ever VR Rave! Reggie Watts is the keynote speaker Saturday!

3. The Griffith Observatory hosts a monthly forum where some of the most amazing phenomena in the known universe are explained and discussed. It’s called All Space Considered and it takes place on the first Friday of every month. FREE

4. The Nike 3ON3 Tournament, California’s largest outdoor 3-on-3 basketball tournament, returns to L.A. LIVE for the weekend of August 5-7

5. The Long Beach Crawfish Festival is back at Rainbow Lagoon Park Friday through Sunday. The festival features live entertainment, dance floors, specialty drinks and crawfish.

6. Americana musician Ryan Adams and this band The Shining will perform at the Greek. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

7. Shakespeare in the Park offers free donation-based Shakespeare performance at the Old Zoo in Griffith Park this month “The Tempest” will run Wednesdays through Sundays. FREE

8. The 4th Annual G2 Green Earth Film Festival will be held at the G2 Gallery in Venice on August 5 – 7 for a free weekend of environmental film screenings, panel discussions, receptions, and much more. FREE

9. Dance Downtown will offer an open air dance floor with beginner dance lessons taught by top Los Angeles dance instructors alongside a live band or DJ. This week it will be salsa at The Music Center Plaza! FREE

10. Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of Cabaret comes to the Hollywood Pantages. This Tony-winning musical takes you into the Kit Kat Klub where a unground cabaret plays escape from pre-WWII Berlin. DISCOUNTED Thursday through Sunday (via Goldstar)

11. Enjoy a peaceful evening under the stars while enjoying refreshing nature-inspired cocktails and good tunes at Natural History Museum’s Summer Nights in the Garden. FREE

12. Summertime Cinema at Westfield Culver City will screen Starwars The Force Awakens. FREE

13. Shakespeare By The Sea will host two performances this weekend. Cymbeline in Garfield Park in Pasadena Friday and Othello at Los Encinos State Historic Park on Saturday. FREE

14. Aug. 5 is the first Friday of the month, which means you can check out all the cool events happening around town including block parties and art walks for First Fridays.

15. Street Food Cinema has a screening of Caroline at Grand Hope Park.

16. Barnsdall Park’s Friday Night Wine Tasting happens all summer long. Guests will enjoy fine wine, art in the gardens and and live music.

17. Presented by Arts Brookfield every Friday night the FIGat7th plaza will host free concerts for the public spanning multiple music genres all summer. FREE

18. Tony Award-winning puppet musical Avenue Q continues at the Cupcake Theater for a marvelous (and hilarious) look at trying to make it as an adult in NYC. DISCOUNTED all weekend (via Goldstar)

19. 626 Night Market will take over Santa Anita Park with food vendors offering unique cuisine and merchandise, along with fun activities for all ages.

20. 5th Annual Ribs, Pigs, & Watermelons Beer Festival & Pro BBQ Competition takes over Huntington Beach for three days. Grill masters from all over the country will compete and you’ll be the testers, theres also AYCE watermelon and other melon activities.

21. The annual International Surf Festival is back with four days of beach events and activities. Surfing competitions start Saturday.

22. The 63rd Annual Kids Fishing Rodeo is a fishing contest where kids also get the chance to learn how to fish. You must bring your own supplies like a rod and reel, the organizers will provide bait and tackle. FREE

23. DancerPalooza taking place August 1-7 is a one-of-a kind dance festival featuring a expo hall, live performances, workshops and more. Be sure to check for discounted tickets on select dates before you make your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

24. The Bailey Blue one day sale is happening from 11 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. score dresses, skirts, and tops for $9! Location: 1850 E 15th St Unit B Los Angeles, CA 90021

25. The Labyrinth Masquerade Ball is a two night event filled with some of the finest costumers, artists and of course magic at the Historic Millennium Biltmore.

26. Free Museums This Friday

Saturday August 6th, 2016

27. The Echo Park Film Series, in partnership with Council member Mitch O’Farrell, is presenting a series of four summer/fall movie nights at Echo Park Lake starting this Saturday with Cabaret. FREE

28. Be surrounded by Californian history during Silent & Classic Movie Nights on the Heritage Square Museum lawn taking place over the summer. This week they will screen Cinderella

29. Uncorked: Derby Days Summer Wine Fest comes to Culver Studios on August 6 for a true Southern wine soiree right in front of the actual Gone with the Wind mansion.

30. The Redondo Pier Association will once again sponsor the biggest free summer concert series in the South Bay. Featuring 20 bands throughout the summer every Thursday and Saturday from July 2 to September 3.

31. Street Food Cinema has a screening of three movies this Saturday. Casablanca at Glendale Park and Romy; Michele’s High School Reunion at Poinsettia Rec Park (discounted); Titanic at King Gillette Ranch (discounted). DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar).

32. The Smell has been given notice that the building is being demolished. Owners are putting on a Save the Smell Fest at a secret location in DTLA August 6 in hopes to save the beloved all ages music venue.

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33. Revolutionario is hosting a demo cooking class at their store focused on vegetables, the class cost $35. Stop by their Farm Stand before hand it’s a curated version of a farmers market.

34. The Alchemist’s Lab: A Victorian Escape Room happening Saturday and Sunday. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

35. The Taste of San Pedro taking place at Crafted in the Port of Los Angeles will highlight gourmet food, handcrafted beers, premium spirits, and fine wines from the San Pedro and Peninsula area.

36. The Mid-City Arthouse will host a free limited engagement tribute art show fully dedicated to the world of Hayao Miyazaki. FREE

37. The International Film Festival North Hollywood is bringing a lineup of free outdoor summer film screenings at parks throughout NoHo this weekend they will screen Evan Almighty at Jaime Beth Slavin Park. FREE

38. MidiCi in Sherman Oaks will be hosting a free Italian food and wine tasting night to all guests this Saturday in celebration of National Friendship Day. Stop by 6 to 9 p.m. FREE

39. The Latino Comics Expo (August 6-7) takes place at The Museum of Latin American Art and is the first comic convention of its kind to feature only Latino artists in the industry.

40. Movie Picnic Night at Alhambra Park is a free Chinese outdoor movie showcasing Chinese language films (with subtitles!) this weekend they will close out the screening series with Last Woman Standing. FREE

41. Farmer John is set to roll around Los Angeles in a food truck serving up free Dodger Dogs, All Beef Hot Dogs and Smoked Sausage Dogs on August 6 and 7. FREE

42. Eat|See|Hear is back with a screening of 500 Days of Summer. Check for discounted tickets before you make your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

43. Union Station will play host to Live Nation’s Ones To Watch concert series, co-presented by KROQ’s Locals Only. This week music will be provided by: Sam Fischer and the Union Station’s Grand Waiting room will feature a provocative art installation called Cabinet of Curiosities. FREE

44. Presented by The Alamo Drafthouse, a Star Wars marathon will be taking place at the Theatre at The Ace on August 6 screening three original Star Wars movies.

45. The Virus: An Immersive Escape Room Experience happening this Saturday. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

46. Now in it’s 15th season Cinespia brings classic films to the famed Fairbanks Lawn at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Some 4,000 moviegoers are expected to attend per night, bring blankets, food and drinks (including alcoholic beverages). This week they will screen Speed.

47Grand Performances in DTLA will host performances by Mbongwana Star Saturday and Sanubar Tursun Sunday. FREE

48. The Norton Simon Museum Summer Concert Series will feature the Greg Reitan Trio.

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49. Brooklyn-born craft market Artists & Fleas in Venice will feature locally made art, fashion, vintage edibles and beyond. FREE

Sunday August 7th, 2016

50. Forest Lawn in Glendale is offering FREE guided mausoleum art tours this Sunday. The tours will guide guests to famous-inspired art works within the property. FREE

51. DTLA Proud Festival celebrates the growing LGBT community of DTLA with a showcase of some 40 community booths that include restaurants, retail, and LGBT groups– all located in DTLA. The Boulet Brothers will be the master of ceremonies for main stage entertainment, which includes performances from performers and DJs that frequent LGBT nightlife.

52. The Jazz on the Lawn summer concert series returns to Santa Monica at Seward Street Park with family-friendly events, live music, food trucks, and lots of summertime fun. FREE

53. Over 500 of Guillermo del Toro’s personal collection of macabre items are displayed at LACMA now till November 27.

54. Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach will host First Sundays a free summer pool party on their rooftop featuring handcrafted drinks, a delicious food menu, and some awesome beats spun by a live DJ. FREE

55. The Great Rock and Roll Flea Market will take over The Regent Theater in DTLA with an impressive selection of vintage collectors, antiquities dealers, vintage clothing, jewelry makers, music memorabilia, vinyl, local food vendors, food trucks, craftsmen and used musical instruments dealers.


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