26 Things to Do in Los Angeles This Week · October 1–4, 2026

Arts & Culture

Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares

Broadway star Laura Benanti brings her acclaimed solo show to The Wallis for a four-night run.

Thursday, October 1, 2026 · The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Beverly Hills

Passing Strange at Pasadena Playhouse

The Tony Award-winning rock musical Passing Strange, a semi-autobiographical odyssey of a young Black artist, runs at Pasadena Playhouse.

Thursday, October 1, 2026 · Pasadena Playhouse, Pasadena

The School of Los Angeles – Opening Reception at Fahey/Klein Gallery

Opening reception for a landmark photography exhibition featuring Herb Ritts, Greg Gorman, and Matthew Rolston at the storied Fahey/Klein Gallery.

Thursday, October 1, 2026 7:00 PM · Fahey/Klein Gallery, Los Angeles

La Luz De Jesus Gallery – 40th Anniversary Show

La Luz De Jesus Gallery celebrates its landmark 40th anniversary with a special group exhibition opening.

Friday, October 2, 2026 7:00 PM · La Luz De Jesus Gallery, Los Angeles

Tonight at the Improv ft. Jay Leno & Very Special Guests

Jay Leno headlines a surprise-heavy evening at the Hollywood Improv main stage.

Tuesday, October 6, 2026 7:30 PM · Hollywood Improv, Hollywood

Music & Nightlife

Black Silk Stocking – 1 Year Anniversary

The beloved synthpunk, EBM, and electroclash night celebrates its one-year anniversary at Gold Diggers in East Hollywood.

Thursday, October 1, 2026 7:00 PM · Gold Diggers, Los Angeles

Tonight at the Improv ft. Anthony Jeselnik, Jack Whitehall & More

A stacked lineup featuring Anthony Jeselnik, Jack Whitehall, Donnell Rawlings, and Melissa Villasenor takes the Hollywood Improv main stage.

Thursday, October 1, 2026 7:30 PM · Hollywood Improv, Hollywood

She & Him at the Orpheum

Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward's beloved indie pop duo She & Him performs two nights at the historic downtown Orpheum Theatre.

Friday, October 2, 2026 · Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles

Shaun Royal Album Release Party

R&B artist Shaun Royal celebrates his new album release with a live party at Fountain LA.

Friday, October 2, 2026 7:00 PM · Fountain LA, Los Angeles

Sabrosura Boyz: All Night Long at Certified Groovers

D. Zeledon and Jona Torres of Sabrosura Boyz take over Certified Groovers for an 8-hour underground set, digging deep from open to close.

Saturday, October 3, 2026 · Certified Groovers, Los Angeles

Free Events

Huntington Free Admission Day

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens opens its doors free to the public on October 1st.

Thursday, October 1, 2026 · The Huntington, San Marino

West Hollywood Design District Art Walk

The West Hollywood Design District hosts its monthly art walk with galleries, studios, and design showrooms open for an afternoon crawl.

Saturday, October 3, 2026 3:00 PM · West Hollywood Design District, West Hollywood

LAist at The Moth StorySLAM: Magic

LAist partners with The Moth for an open-mic storytelling competition in Silver Lake — anyone can step up and tell a true 5-minute story on the theme of 'Magic.'

Tuesday, October 6, 2026 · Los Globos, 3040 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake

Festivals & Special Events

The Other Art Fair – Santa Monica

The Other Art Fair returns to Santa Monica showcasing 160 independent artists alongside mini-golf, a Dolly Parton tribute, and interactive installations.

Thursday, October 1, 2026 · Santa Monica

LA Haunted Hayride at Griffith Park

The beloved annual Halloween attraction returns to Griffith Park with a brand-new Fallen Angel rock 'n' roll themed maze, themed bars, and the classic hayride.

Thursday, October 1, 2026 6:30 PM · Griffith Park, Los Angeles

Zeds Dead: Journey Of A Lifetime Tour at Grand Park

Bass music duo Zeds Dead brings their Journey Of A Lifetime Tour to iconic Grand Park in downtown LA.

Friday, October 2, 2026 5:00 PM · Grand Park, Los Angeles

Magic Market's Bewitched – Halloween Night Market

Magic Market transforms into a Halloween-themed night market called Bewitched, with vendors and spooky vibes in Lincoln Heights.

Saturday, October 10, 2026 5:00 PM · 3510 Pasadena Avenue, Los Angeles

Family-Friendly

Maker Night: Soil Critter Masks with Planet Earth Observatory

Craft Contemporary hosts a hands-on maker night where participants create soil critter masks inspired by the natural world.

Thursday, October 1, 2026 · Craft Contemporary, Los Angeles

Food & Drink

LOQUI x Woon SideWok Party

LOQUI and Woon team up for a collab pop-up in Filipinotown serving wok-fired Carne Asada and fusion bites at Woon restaurant.

Friday, October 2, 2026 5:00 PM · Woon, Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles

Outdoors & Active

Sweat Yoga 31-Day Challenge – Kickoff

Sweat Yoga launches its October 31-Day Challenge with infrared-heated yoga and strength classes in Hollywood.

Thursday, October 1, 2026 · Sweat Yoga, Hollywood

Mikkeller Running Club LA – Track Night

The Mikkeller Running Club meets at Burbank Memorial Field every Thursday for track workouts, with post-run specials at Tony's Darts Away.

Thursday, October 1, 2026 7:30 PM · Burbank Memorial Field, Burbank

CicLAvia: Heart of LA

CicLAvia opens a 6.5-mile car-free route through the heart of Los Angeles for cyclists, walkers, skaters, and everyone in between.

Sunday, October 11, 2026 · Heart of LA route, Los Angeles

Date Night

Carmen at LA Opera

Bizet's iconic opera Carmen takes the stage at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in a production from LA Opera.

Thursday, October 1, 2026 · LA Opera at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles

Rebel Without a Cause Screening at Griffith Observatory

Griffith Observatory hosts special evening screenings of Rebel Without a Cause at one of the film's most iconic filming locations, with photo opportunities.

Thursday, October 1, 2026 · Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles

Candlelight Downtown LA: Vivaldi's Four Seasons and More

A string ensemble performs Vivaldi's Four Seasons and more by candlelight at Zipper Concert Hall in a sold-out-adjacent intimate setting.

Sunday, October 4, 2026 · Zipper Concert Hall, Los Angeles

Sports

Kickball League Launch in Venice – LA Social Club

LA Social Club launches its first kickball league in Venice, playing Monday evenings at Oakwood Recreation Center through November.

Monday, October 5, 2026 · Oakwood Recreation Center, Venice