23 Things to Do in Los Angeles This Week · August 20–23, 2026

Festivals & Special Events

Just Like Heaven Festival

The beloved annual outdoor festival featuring rock, synthpop, electroclash, funk, and house acts returns to Brookside at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

Saturday, August 22, 2026 12:00 PM · Brookside at the Rose Bowl, Pasadena

Arts & Culture

Observations of the West by Ginette Gaskin Opening

Opening reception for Ginette Gaskin's exhibition at The Eastern Gallery in DTLA's Eastern Building.

Thursday, August 20, 2026 6:00 PM · The Eastern Gallery, Downtown Los Angeles

Los Feliz Writers Festival

Thirteen free literary events come to Los Angeles starting this week as part of the Los Feliz Writers Festival.

Friday, August 21, 2026 · Los Feliz, Los Angeles

AirTalk's FilmWeek Screening: Collateral

LAist's FilmWeek presents a screening of Michael Mann's 'Collateral' at The Frida Cinema, followed by a Q&A with host Larry Mantle.

Saturday, August 22, 2026 · The Frida Cinema, 305 E. 4th St, Santa Ana

John Collins: Graven Images to the Major Deities Opening

Opening reception for John Collins' new exhibition at Track 16 in Downtown LA, running through September 12.

Saturday, August 22, 2026 6:00 PM · Track 16, Downtown LA

Free Events

Roll For Democracy: Estuardo For LA! (D&D & Discourse)

A one-night-only comedy show blending Dungeons & Dragons with political discourse, livestreamed from Dynasty Typewriter.

Thursday, August 20, 2026 7:00 PM · Dynasty Typewriter at Hayworth Theater, 2511 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles

Free Concerts & Movies at Tongva Park, Santa Monica

Free outdoor movies and concerts at Tongva Park on Saturday evenings from August 8 through September 19, starting at sunset.

Saturday, August 22, 2026 · Tongva Park, Santa Monica

Laurel Halo at Getty Center

Free experimental ambient performance by Laurel Halo at the Getty Center as part of the Off the 405 concert series.

Saturday, August 22, 2026 6:00 PM · Getty Center, Los Angeles

LAist at The Moth StorySLAM: Serendipity

An open-mic storytelling competition where anyone can share a true, 5-minute personal story on the theme of 'Serendipity,' at Los Globos in Silver Lake.

Monday, August 24, 2026 · Los Globos, 3040 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake

Music & Nightlife

Tonight at the Improv ft. Andrew Santino, Adam Ray, Trevor Wallace

Stacked Thursday night stand-up showcase at Hollywood Improv featuring Andrew Santino, Adam Ray, Trevor Wallace, Brian Monarch, and a very special guest.

Thursday, August 20, 2026 7:30 PM · Hollywood Improv, Hollywood

Queer Roast for the Straight Host!

A lively queer roast comedy show at Beaches Tropicana in West Hollywood.

Thursday, August 20, 2026 7:30 PM · Beaches Tropicana, 8911 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood

Momo Boyd at The Roxy

Rising artist Momo Boyd performs a live set at the legendary Roxy Theatre on the Sunset Strip.

Thursday, August 20, 2026 8:00 PM · The Roxy, Los Angeles

Matthew Dear B2B The Juan MacLean at Lodge Room

Intimate disco and tech house back-to-back set from Matthew Dear and The Juan MacLean at the all-ages Lodge Room in Highland Park.

Friday, August 21, 2026 8:00 PM · Lodge Room, Los Angeles

Date Night

Romantic Comedy at The Ripped Bodice

A comedy show with a romantic twist at The Ripped Bodice bookstore in Culver City — the perfect quirky date night out.

Thursday, August 20, 2026 7:00 PM · The Ripped Bodice, 3806 Main St, Culver City

Singers in Rare Form: R&B – A Grown & Classy Thursday Night

An intimate R&B performance night with live singers in an upscale setting — the ideal grown and sexy evening out.

Thursday, August 27, 2026 8:00 AM · Los Angeles

The Jazz Room: A Frank Sinatra & Louis Armstrong Tribute

An intimate candlelit jazz tribute to Sinatra and Louis Armstrong at The Kult, running through November.

Friday, August 28, 2026 · The Kult, Los Angeles

Brad Mehldau: Ride into the Sun – The Music of Elliott Smith

Jazz piano legend Brad Mehldau performs an intimate tribute to Elliott Smith at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Downtown LA.

Friday, August 28, 2026 8:00 PM · LA Orpheum Theatre, 842 S. Broadway, Los Angeles

Family-Friendly

Disney's Beauty and the Beast at Pantages

Disney's 30th Anniversary production of Beauty and the Beast with spectacular new sets and costumes runs at the Pantages Theatre through September 6.

Thursday, August 20, 2026 · Pantages Theatre, Hollywood

Regulate and Recharge: Sensory Play and Community Support

A free family-friendly sensory play event with community resources at the Arroyo Seco Regional Branch Library.

Monday, August 24, 2026 4:00 PM · Arroyo Seco Regional Branch Library, Los Angeles

Sports

Rams Home Preseason Game at SoFi Stadium

The LA Rams host their first home preseason game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

Saturday, August 22, 2026 · SoFi Stadium, Inglewood

Food & Drink

DineLA Restaurant Week: IKI Ramen Tasting Menu

IKI Ramen's special DineLA $98 tasting menu features sashimi, spicy tuna crispy rice, cold soba with mentaiko and truffle, premium nigiri, and more, running through August 28.

Thursday, August 20, 2026 · IKI Ramen, Los Angeles

Outdoors & Active

West Hollywood Run Club Thursday

The beloved WeHo Run Club meets every Thursday at 7pm at the Pink Wall (8221 Melrose) for a community 3-mile run.

Thursday, August 20, 2026 7:00 PM · 8221 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood

Mikkeller Running Club LA – Track Thursday

MRCLA's weekly track night at Burbank Memorial Field, with post-run specials at Tony's Darts Away — meet by the flag poles.

Thursday, August 20, 2026 7:30 PM · Burbank Memorial Field, Burbank