Gillian Glover

If we could write the rules of living in Los Angeles this would be our No. 1, always at the top of our list: When you live in this city, there’s no excuse for boredom just because it’s a weeknight. There are hundreds of things to do in Los Angeles each week, whether you hit the beach at sunset or go for a morning bike ride, or catch a concert or a comedy show—and that’s really only scratching the surface. Well, we don’t make the rules, but we will provide you with plenty of ideas for your next free weeknight right here. Now go out and tackle these things to do in L.A. this week. We curate an itinerary of the city’s best concerts, culture and cuisine, every week, just for you. Halloween is around the corner, but some of this week’s best events have nothing to do with spooky season. Charli XCX and Geese are both in town, playing shows at Kia Forum and Hollywood Forever, respectively. And local label Stones Throw Records is putting on a very cool outdoor festival in Highland Park to celebrate its 30th birthday. One of the best culinary fundraisers of the year, L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade, returns to UCLA on Saturday; System of a Down is the subject of a limited-time exhibition at Beyond the Streets gallery; and the long-running alfresco Beverly Hills Art Show returns to Beverly Gardens Park. If you do have a hankering for Halloween, you have your pick of haunted houses, and for scary-movie screenings, Last…Remains screens classics at the Million Dollar Theater on Saturday, and Bo

What’s Halloween without a few good scares? The best haunted houses in Los Angeles run the gamut from homegrown horrors to big-budget amusement park productions—unsurprisingly, the home of Hollywood horror films takes its Halloween events very seriously. Whatever thrills you, whether it’s a hayride in Griffith Park or immersive theater at a historic mansion (or perhaps some real-life haunted places), we’ve got it in this year’s list of the city’s best haunted houses in L.A. I’ve visited four of the haunted houses on this year’s list (the Willows seems to be MIA this Halloween season) and can honestly say I enjoyed all of them, for different reasons. Some were full of jump scares; others were a slow burn and lingered in my head for days afterward. Each was a fun night out and a frightfully festive way to celebrate spooky season. Best haunted houses in L.A. at a glance: Best for big-budget scares: Halloween Horror Nights (From $87) Best overall vibe: Dark Harbor (From $48)  Best special effects: Delusion (From $143) RECOMMENDED: See more of Halloween in L.A.

We don’t know about you, but our mind is always focused on the weekend. It can never come soon enough—which is why we’re already thinking about what new restaurants we want to try or where we can drive for the day. Whether you’re looking to scope out the latest museum exhibitions or watch a movie outdoors, you’ll find plenty of things to do in L.A. this weekend. We curate an L.A. weekend itinerary of the city’s best concerts, culture and cuisine, every weekend, just for you. The biannual ArtNight Pasadena returns on Friday, offering free access to several of the Crown City’s cultural institutions, the Shakespeare Bridge celebrates its centennial with a parade and block party, and CicLAvia returns with its annual “Heart of L.A.” route after an outpouring of support saved the event. The truly terrifying Urban Death is also back in action, but if you’re more after brews than boos, there are Oktoberfests aplenty for you to choose from. Plus, Screamfest screens what’s hot and new in horror at the TCL Chinese Theatres; FocusFest returns to the Universal backlot with an early look at awards-season favorites; CatCon brings all things feline to the Pasadena Convention Center; and Off the Hook festival is serving up a seafood feast on Santa Monica Pier.

Looking for the best things to do in Los Angeles? We have you covered with the very best that L.A. has to offer. I’m a Los Angeles native and have lived here all my life, and take it from me: There’s always more to discover and explore. Whether you’re a culture vulture, an outdoorsy type or simply a lover of our fine city, you’ll find more than enough here to keep you busy. Even lifelong Angelenos can find something new to add to their to-do list, between the city’s landmark attractions, an ever-changing inventory of the best restaurants in Los Angeles, essential L.A. museums and even some off-the-beaten-path secrets. How many of the best things to do in Los Angeles will you try? Updated October 2026: Even though we’re still seeing temps in the 90s, it’s official: Things in Los Angeles have turned autumnal. We’re right in the midst of spooky season, so I’ve added lots of fall fun back into the list—think haunted houses, pumpkin-filled walks, costume parties, changing leaves and Oktoberfests. And right after Halloween, it’s time for Day of the Dead festivities across the city. October is also a great month for the arts. On October 25, Grand Ave Arts: All Access is back, filling the city’s Downtown cultural corridor with workshops, tours, live music and more. And we’re still basking in the lightsaber glow of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art’s opening. We’re also highlighting the city’s best comedy clubs, where you can catch up-and-coming comedians, and the exciting dining and

There’s nothing better than a well-stocked bookstore with friendly staff. Los Angeles has lots of great independent retailers offering both new and used titles, art books, literary fiction, travel guides, political tomes and children’s tales. Some even have coffee shops inside—and lots have resident cats (could it get any cozier?). Check out these top indie bookstores in Los Angeles for the best bargains, out-of-print titles, author readings and community events; they’re also a great place to find gifts, escape the heat (or a rainy day) or pick out your next favorite novel.

October is here (and so is a heat wave). But while there might not be much fall foliage on the trees, the month is still full of Halloween happenings, haunted houses, apple picking, Oktoberfests and Day of the Dead celebrations. Order an (iced) pumpkin spice latte and stroll through a pumpkin patch or corn maze. Many of these fall festivities even let you get in on the fun for free. October also boasts a handful of awesome arts and culture events, from the  annual Grand Ave Arts: All Access to ArtNight Pasadena. 

If beer and sausages are your idea of a good time, look sharp: Oktoberfest is upon us. With all the beer Los Angeles has to offer—from craft breweries to Bavarian-style biergartens—you’d be remiss not to celebrate Oktoberfest here in Los Angeles, but we’ve also rounded up larger, rowdier events a little farther away in Orange County and San Bernardino, if you’d rather make a day trip out of it. So put on your lederhosen, brush up on your oompah dancing and welcome autumn with a bratwurst in one hand and a stein in the other. Prost! What is Oktoberfest? A massive, centuries-old beer festival in Munich, Germany, that’s now celebrated around the world. When is Oktoberfest? Though the German originator starts in mid-September (September 19 this year, to be exact), most Oktoberfest events in L.A. run throughout October, with a few that kick off in early September and last till mid-November.

September may signal the end of summertime, but you’d never know it based on the weather. It’s arguably the optimal time to visit one of L.A.’s best beaches while the water’s still, relatively speaking, warm and not overrun by crowds. On the other hand, if you’re feeling like you already have a foot in the fall, it’s time to start making plans to go apple picking and visit the haunted houses that are already opening this month. If you’d rather skip town, take advantage of the long Labor Day weekend to squeeze in a day trip or road trip with the fam. But don’t worry, there’s no shortage of other local fun in L.A. in our September events calendar. RECOMMENDED: Full events calendar for 2026 and 2027

While fall foliage is sparse in L.A., there’s no shortage of Halloween spirit. It’s October, so it’s the perfect time to head to an Oktoberfest, haunted house, pumpkin patch or spooky movie screening. If Halloween isn’t really your holiday, then celebrate the end of summertime and enjoy one of the best hikes in L.A. sans the summertime crowds. Regardless, you’ll find something to do in L.A. in our October events calendar. RECOMMENDED: Full events calendar for 2026

Fall in Los Angeles is an elusive thing. There’s no nip to the air—in fact, some of the warmest (and traditionally the most wildfire-y) days occur in these months—and any dramatic color changes take place in fashion rather than on the trees. Mostly, we think of fall as that period of time in L.A. after (most of) the tourists typically leave and just before you start to see Christmas lights go up and think, already?! But even if you’re still sunning yourself on L.A.’s best beaches come October, you’ll recognize the signs: the impulse to jack up your reading list and binge Gilmore Girls, to buy sweaters you won’t wear for weeks, to throw a scarf on over your sundress or to order seasonal squash dishes. You may even start craving the best pie in the city. When those stirrings arrive, here are the best things to do during fall in L.A.—or, at least, things that’ll help make it feel like autumn is actually a thing here. RECOMMENDED: The best treehouse rentals near Los Angeles

Though small in terms of area, there are enough things to do in Chinatown to stay occupied during an afternoon stroll—and, increasingly, enough to keep you there well into the evening, whether you want to dine at a buzzy restaurant or simply watch the Central Plaza’s famous neon trim switch on. Find out why Chinatown is one of Time Out’s 40 coolest neighborhoods in the world in 2026. Chinatown as we know it today dates back nearly a century; once home to Mexican and then Italian immigrants, the neighborhood was developed into both a tourist attraction and a home for nearby displaced Chinese-American communities in the late 1930s. In more recent decades, it’s become one of the best destinations for dim sum and traditional Chinese restaurants west of the San Gabriel Valley, but also a place to encounter under-the-radar art galleries, cultural festivals and dimly lit dive bars. Where exactly is Chinatown? Chinatown roughly occupies an area between the 101 and 110 freeways and the L.A. River. Most of the major attractions are along Hill Street and Broadway, north of Cesar Chavez Avenue, but there are a couple of other notable pockets worth mentioning: a bustling nightlife scene that’s blossomed in the former industrial areas across Spring Street from L.A. State Historic Park, as well as a historic cluster on the southern edge of the neighborhood at the birthplace of the city, El Pueblo de Los Angeles. Nearest Metro stations Metro’s A Line has an elevated light rail station (China

Over the past half-decade or so, much has changed in the way we live, work and play in our cities. It wasn’t too long ago that lockdowns rendered the city centre all but obsolete and brought to the fore the vital role of our immediate neighbourhoods and communities.  Now, the balance has been restored. Our local neighbourhood remains fundamental: mini-villages where the barista knows your order, where local restaurants, bars and indie businesses thrive, and where communities continue to band together for all sorts of cool stuff, from art walks and day festivals to creating greener streets and pedestrian-friendly spaces. And six years on from the pandemic, the city centre is seeing a renaissance, with brand-new music venues, galleries, coffee shops and more opening up and welcoming a new generation of hybrid workers and the back-to-the-office crowd (and, of course, city-breakers and tourists).  On this year’s list of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods, you’ll see this mix play out. There are downtown hubs and seaside strips, homely enclaves and warehouse districts, all nominated by our global network of on-the-ground experts. This lucky lot spends their time exploring every corner of their hometowns to discover the best places to eat, drink, shop and hang out right now, so you can trust we know what we’re talking about. To decide the final ranking, a panel of Time Out editors vetted each neighbourhood against a range of criteria, including food and drink, nightlife, unique loc

Dwell’s popular home tours, which grant architecture and design lovers exclusive access to some of the most innovative residences in the country, are back. This time around, the itinerary consists of private tours of three architecturally significant homes that have been featured in Dwell magazine—two in Silver Lake, and one in Palms. Check-in for the tour will take place at the Hollyhock House, where you can mingle over coffee and check out the famed Frank Lloyd Wright–designed home.

Right in time for Halloween season, the Academy Museum seeks to answer the question “Why do horror films matter so deeply to so many?” in this immersive look at the genre whose cultural cachet is always increasing. Knowingly employing horror tropes and exploring the lasting appeal of scary movies, the show is divided into six subcategories of horror—gothic, psychological, science, slasher, religion and ghosts. Expect re-creations of iconic settings where visitors will encounter creatures, monsters and objects from their favorite horror flicks and, in typical Academy fashion, a behind-the-scenes look at the storytelling and production processes of films from the original Frankenstein to The Shining to Get Out. After revisiting nearly every horror title (and slasher mask) you can think of, there’s only one way out of the exhibition—and it drops you into the middle of your own scary movie. At the end of a long hallway, you’ll find the Blood Room, a disconcertingly realistic re-creation of a slasher’s crime scene, with fake blood covering the walls and pooling onto the floor. The show is sure to be a huge hit with horror aficionados. And if you’re a horror hater? Well, according to Academy Museum President Amy Homma, you just haven’t found your horror yet. By splitting the genre into six wide-ranging categories, the exhibition shows that what qualifies as a horror movie isn’t one-size-fits-all. So if you, say, can’t handle anything with a ghost (guilty), you might be drawn to S

Walk in James Dean’s footsteps as the Griffith Observatory hosts two special screenings of Rebel Without a Cause—right where key scenes from the movie were filmed. The observatory hosted two sold-out screenings of the film last year in honor of its 70th anniversary, so it’s bringing the popular event back this October. Watch it in the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon theater, snap pictures at themed photo ops, and enjoy free parking and after-hours access to the observatory, which is typically closed on Mondays.

If you loved Greta Gerwig’s Little Women (or even, gasp, Louisa May Alcott’s original), head to the Heritage Square Museum and step into the lives of Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy in this immersive ballet—the autumn installment of a seasonal trilogy developed by Emma Andres, the resident choreographer for Pasadena Civic Ballet. It’s a triumphant return for the ballet, after its props, merchandise, decorations and many costumes were destroyed by the recent Eaton Fire. Choose from five site-specific performances in the museum’s Victorian mansions over the course of the weekend. A goodie bag and complimentary autumn beverages and desserts are included with admission.  

The Academy Museum is hosting a day of spooky silver-screen experiences, looking at Halloween through a cinematic lens. This year’s event is all about vampires. Expect thrilling tours of the museum’s new “Horror Show” exhibition, appearances by Universal Studios monsters, a fake-blood workshop, special-effects makeup demos and a Killer Fitness performance and dance-along. There’s also a trio of separately ticketed fang-tastic screenings in the Ted Mann Theater: Hotel Transylvania (11am), Blade in 4K (2:30pm) and Horror of Dracula in 4K (7:30pm).

Here’s a wild card for you: The hottest game at the card table this summer isn’t poker or blackjack, but the family-game-night mainstay UNO. The colorful card game is once again hosting a tour of UNO Social Clubs across the country’s coolest cities, wrapping up at No Vacancy in Hollywood before it goes global with stops in Barcelona, Paris, Sydney and more. Entry is free, and once inside you can expect custom cocktails, prizes, branded swag and live DJ sets. Space is limited, so show up early for your best chance at a spot at the game table.

If you go anywhere near the Long Beach coastline, you’re bound to notice Fairmont Breakers. Standing 14 stories high—plus a turret topped with a flag—the hotel is now a Historical Landmark and has towered over Ocean Boulevard for 100 years. The Spanish Renaissance Revival building—with some Art Deco touches inside—was designed by Walker & Eisen, the same architectural firm behind the Beverly Wilshire hotel and United Artists Theatre. Though it first opened as the Breakers Hotel in September 1926, it only reopened in its current state in November 2024, following six years of meticulous restoration. In the decades in between, it took turns as Long Beach’s first luxury hotel, a headquarters for the Red Cross after a 1933 earthquake, an Air Watch headquarters during World War II, a playground for glamorous old Hollywood stars from Clark Gable to Elizabeth Taylor and even, more recently, a swanky retirement home. But now, it’s reclaimed its luxury hotel status as a member of the Fairmont family of properties, complete with five dining concepts and a destination-worthy spa—not to mention tranquil rooms with waterfront views.  What are the rooms like at Fairmont Breakers? Once you walk inside the hotel, you’ll check in at the front desk—which is the original desk from the 1920s, lovingly restored. Also restored is the ornate ceiling, with its original plasterwork and molding. Make sure to look up and see if you can spot Neptune, Poseidon, ships, mermaids and other sea creatures, whi

Across the street from Westfield Century City, you’ll find one of the city’s top destinations for relaxation: a 14,000 square-foot subterranean spa hidden beneath the 60-year-old Fairmont Century Plaza hotel. An elevator from the lobby deposits you at the modern, Zen-inspired sanctuary, which boasts nine private treatment rooms, relaxation lounges and a Christophe Privé salon. But the facilities themselves are the star of the show here. Imagined by renowned design studio Yabu Pushelberg, the communal area feels stark and futuristic but incredibly inviting at the same time. The curvilinear, graphite-tiled lounge leads into a cedarwood sauna, hammam, eucalyptus steam room, experiential rainfall-style shower and—my favorite—the female-only Himalayan salt room, whose detoxifying properties are meant to help with sleep. I stole away as much time as I could to sit in the serene, pink-hued space during my visit.  In addition to a full menu of massages, facials and body treatments—the Matahari journey and Icelandic moonflower body polish and glow are especially appealing options—the spa leans into some high-tech services as well. Pick from biohacking, where you meditate as you lie on an anti-gravity bed and HigherDose Mat while wearing thigh-high lymphatic-drainage boots, or red light therapy—which I tried—where you don goggles and are bathed in the healing and renewing properties of red light for up to 20 minutes. Whichever treatment you choose, you’re sure to leave feeling rejuvena

If the name “Malibu” only conjures a mental picture of sand and surf, you’re sleeping on the lovely, lush serenity of the Santa Monica Mountains, where this hideaway is nestled. You’ve probably driven past Calamigos Ranch Resort & Spa several times on your way to the beach without stopping. This rustic retreat that covers 300 acres is hidden in plain sight—which only adds to the feeling of escapism you get on the property. Established in 1937 and once home to the Biggest Loser Resort, the family-owned property is now a private world of luxury unto itself, with a members club, guest cottages, multiple dining concepts, gorgeous event spaces (it’s a hugely popular wedding location) and, what we’re here to talk about, the spa. Once you arrive, you’ll have to walk a ways along a wooden path, past the tennis courts and one of the pools, to get to the spa (you might want to ask for directions). It’s located inside a welcoming midcentury-style cabin of sorts, with floor-to-ceiling windows. While you wait for your treatment, you can spend time inside the sun-dappled front room, complete with a loose-leaf tea bar and chlorophyll water, or the candle-lit lounge with a Himalayan salt wall and armchairs outfitted with InfraMat Pro mats. The signature massage I receieved was the perfect mix of relaxing and therapeutic. Other offerings include the Malibu Made Scrub, Malibu Glow Facial and Sea of Life Facial. You can buy products from the brands used in the treatments—iS Clinical, as well as

Located on the ground floor of the historic Fairmont Breakers Long Beach is the hotel’s luxurious spa—the only luxury spa in Long Beach, in fact. The calming, ocean-inspired retreat offers just what you would expect from its chic environs, starting with the retail boutique, the high-ceilinged, sandy-toned relaxation lounge and the locker suites, which boast spacious steam rooms. The eight treatment rooms—including one couple’s suite—are located on the second-floor of the two-story sanctuary. I’ve heard wonderful things about Fairmont Breakers’ facials, which employ skincare products from Korean beauty company VENN and Paris-based Biologique Recherche. But during my visit, I enjoyed an early-morning couple’s massage—a two-person version of the spa’s signature Breakers massage—and it was the best one I’ve ever experienced. Between the tranquil environment, my skilled masseuse who employed the perfect amount of pressure and the many steps of pampering, I left in a blissed-out daze, ready to tackle the day. The spa also specializes in signature body treatments—like the Pacific detox algae body wrap, which purifies and hydrates your skin with the help of marine algae—plus a couple of rotating seasonal offerings. After your treatment, head back to the relaxation lounge with a glass of champagne, or make a cup of tea and enjoy the bright, sunny vibes. In all, the spa more than delivers on its promise of “coastal luxury wellness.”

Located inside the Regent Santa Monica Beach—the luxury hotel brand’s only stateside location—the Guerlain Wellness Spa is similarly exclusive: It’s the only one of its kind on the West Coast and one of just three in the U.S. The spa exclusively uses products from the French skincare brand and fragrance house, which has been crafting luxury products in Paris since 1828. The 10,000-square-foot spa consists of 12 treatment rooms, gender-specific lounges with a plunge pool, sauna and steam room, and a pre-treatment relaxation lounge. There’s a full menu of spa treatments on offer here. Some are even exclusive to the Santa Monica location, like Crystal Vibes, where you lie on a gem-filled mattress and enjoy a crystal sound bath (very L.A.). I opted for a tailor-made facial treatment during my visit and—as someone who gets a fair amount of facials—it truly impressed me. For days afterward, I was marveling at how smooth my skin was, to the point where I tracked down the products to use at home. (The facial’s price tag of $240 isn’t exactly cheap, but for the results and relative affordability compared to other spas, I definitely think it’s worth it.) After the treatment, I hung out and enjoyed Champagne, tea and rose macarons in the chic post-treatment relaxation lounge, where you can sample the brand’s skincare and fragrances for yourself. On your way out, there’s a requisite retail boutique, as well as a complimentary makeup refresher station—a thoughtful touch and something I ha

  Ask the coolest person you know from Los Angeles if they’ve ever been to the Magic Castle, and you’ll get one of two responses: a longing “no” or a “yes” followed by them excitedly detailing the most magical night of their lives. Yes, even though L.A. can come off as jaded, there’s one thing we can’t resist—a mysterious Victorian mansion on a hill, with a strict dress code and a highly exclusive door policy. You see, you can’t buy a ticket to the Magic Castle. The club, opened in 1963, is the headquarters of the Academy of Magical Arts, and to get in for a meal and a show, you either need to be a magician, or to know one. (There are a few workarounds, including booking a stay at the adjoining Magic Castle Hotel or even signing up for a competitive blood drive to good-deed your way in.) Once you score a reservation, speak the secret phrase to the owl sculpture in the lobby and step through the bookcase to—well, we don’t want to ruin the surprises in store for visitors at this magical institution. There are multiple performance spaces—in addition to the Palace of Mystery, you can also grab a seat at smaller, more intimate theaters—and at the Hat & Hare Lounge, you can catch close-up magic right at the bar, or grab a seat at a round table that’s the equivalent of an open-mic night for budding magicians. On your way upstairs, don’t miss a ghostly homage to the effect behind the ballroom illusion in Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion. Upstairs, at the Owl Bar, a taxidermied owl answ

There are lots of excellent tasting menus in L.A. where you can pay up to several hundred dollars for a parade of exquisitely presented but dainty bites. But in some cases, even after all that, you might still leave hungry. The chefs behind Vesti have a different ethos. They’re crafting changing, customized, creative menus each night with the sole objective of leaving diners satisfied. Or, as chef Shane Lyons puts it, they feed you “all you can eat till you’re full—and then we give you dessert.” That’s exactly how things shook out during my visit to the excellent Vesti pop-up at Maydan Market. Chefs, co-founders and friends Adam Gertler and Lyons are the culinary duo behind Vesti, which is mainly known for its sandwiches on freshly made focaccia bread—they do a lot of catering, and you can find grab-and-go sandwiches at local spots like Alfred Coffee, andSons Chocolatiers & Cafe and the Canal Market. The two first popped up at Maydan Market with expanded menu offerings last December. After a successful run, they’re back this year, serving multi-course dinners at their chef’s counter through the end of January. Gertler and Lyons met while competing on Season 4 of Next Food Network Star back in 2007. Afterward, they embarked on their own culinary and life journeys: Lyon’s roots are in acting. He starred in All That when he was 12 before attending the Culinary Institute of America and going on to work with Daniel Boulud, David Chang and Tom Colicchio, and opening his own restaur

A chance to be present and experience something new—without the interference of phones—is increasingly rare in today’s world. Which is one of the reasons I was so intrigued by The Light We Leave Behind, an “intimate immersive water, sound and light experience” popping up in the Arts District through October 11. Created by Emmit Fenn—an L.A.–based artist, composer and producer who’s worked with artists including Billie Eilish and companies like Apple and Netflix—the experience is, in essence, a concert on the water, but the mysterious nature surrounding the event and the design elements of the space elevate it to something that’s utterly tranquil, a bit otherworldly and wholly unique. I checked out the Light We Leave Behind at rush hour in the middle of a particularly hectic week—so the note on the invite saying “there is no need to rush” was particularly appreciated. Once you arrive at the space—a soundstage at East End Studios, set right under the already-iconic arches of the Sixth Street Viaduct—you’re led into the Snow Lounge, which took my breath away. At the center of a cavernous dark room is an illuminated 30-foot tree being lightly dusted with snow in real time. Sidle up to a bar where Tea at Shiloh—a late-night teahouse also in the Arts District—is serving a choice of three teas, which provide some coziness in the chilly space. If you arrive at your entry time, you can relax for a full half-hour in here. Photograph: Gillian Glover for Time OutThe Snow Lounge at the L

Think of all the images from scary movies that have haunted your nightmares over the years—then picture them all in one place. That’s what’s in store for you at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures’ new exhibition, “The Horror Show,” which opens on Saturday, just in time for Halloween season. Consisting of 396 objects, plus video scenes, and covering 167 film titles, the exhibition is a comprehensive look at horror movies and why they mean so much to so many people, according to senior curator Jessica Niebel. It’s fun, illuminating, immersive—and genuinely creepy. When Freddy Krueger himself, a.k.a. actor Robert Englund, kicked off the press preview on Thursday, he expressed approval that horror is finally getting some respect in the cinema world, taking the place of genres like Westerns or mafia films in terms of prominence and popularity. His original costume from A Nightmare on Elm Street is just one of the nearly 400 treasures that had horror-movie lovers shrieking in delight during our visit.   Photograph: Emily Shur, ©Academy Museum FoundationThe hallway in “The Horror Show.” The exhibition is a comprehensive look at horror movies. It breaks the genre into six categories—Gothic, Psychological, Science, Religion, Ghosts and Slashers—each of which is filled with its own treasure trove of film props, costumes and clips. Upon entering, it’s like you’ve been dropped into a scary screenplay—a dark gallery sports stage directions projected on the walls, set to a soundscape

With its pagoda-style roofs, hanging lanterns and pedestrian plazas, L.A.’s Chinatown strikes a balance between honoring its history and consistently reinventing itself with splashy new restaurants and nightlife spots—and this past year or so has been a particularly buzzy one. It’s been such a lively stretch that Chinatown earned a spot on Time Out’s annual list of the coolest neighborhoods in the world. And it didn’t just eke its way into the feature: It landed at No. 4, the highest-ranked neighborhood anywhere in the United States (Chicago’s West Town came in at No. 18, while the list’s very top spot belongs to Seoul’s Jongno 3-ga). Just in the past year or so, the Downtown-adjacent neighborhood has welcomed Chinese American standout (and Michelin-recognized restaurant) Firstborn, day-to-night destination Café Tondo (where Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker stopped by for a surprise DJ set underneath the facade’s red glow) and design-forward Archives of Us (home to some of the city’s best matcha). Photograph: Sean DavidsonCafé Tondo Focaccia sandwich spot Frank ’n’ Frank’s just set up shop in the iconic Chinatown Central Plaza, right down the alleyway from the beloved Bruce Lee statue and across from where astrology-inspired Brooklyn cocktail bar Mood Ring is opening a second location soon. Meanwhile, Chinatown’s legacy restaurants and institutions like Phoenix Bakery and Philippe the Original are still draws. While Chinatown’s most recognizable span is near the neon-lined Centra

Many of us think of Labor Day weekend as the end of summer (though fall doesn’t technically begin until September 22). But in Los Angeles, we know better. Temps are still in the high 80s (though the rain forecast for Sunday is a curveball), and we’re likely still in for weeks of sunny days and balmy, warm nights where we can keep summer alive. In the meantime, if you’re in need of ideas for the best way to spend your long weekend, we’ve got you covered with 18 picks, from alfresco films to free concerts to stadium shows. (You can even catch Elijah Wood behind the DJ stacks.) Here are our top things to do this Labor Day weekend—including some kid-friendly picks. 1. Watch a movie outdoorsFri–Mon Outdoor movie season isn’t slowing down yet—in fact, some series keep the fun going all year long—but this weekend is particularly full of fun films. In DTLA, Rooftop Cinema Club has a reliably great lineup throughout the weekend: Obsession, 500 Days of Summer, 10 Things I Hate About You, The Notebook, School of Rock, Interstellar and La La Land. Meanwhile, Cinespia hosts Josie and the Pussycats on Saturday and The Sandlot on Sunday; the Montalbán is showing Project Hail Mary on Friday; Burton Chace Park screens Scott Pilgrim vs. the World for free on Saturday; and Street Food Cinema hosts a showing of Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman spooky favorite Practical Magic on Saturday at the Autry.  Photograph: Courtesy Smorgasburg 2. Cool off with tasty frozen treatsSun Ice Cream Alley at S

After eight years of hard work, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is finally about to open to the public. And you don’t have to be a Star Wars fan to get excited. The building itself, designed by Ma Yansong, is a marvel, and inside the museum, which feels like it’s hovering over Exposition Park, you’ll find 100,000 square feet of gallery space and more than 1,300 works of art from George Lucas’s own collection of narrative art—which ranges from Winnie the Pooh illustrations to a self-portrait by Frida Kahlo—not to mention two theaters, a library, a café, a restaurant and much more. “A picture is very powerful. And stories are very powerful. And you combine them together, and those two elements create a society,” said Lucas, explaining his passion for narrative art during a surprise appearance at the press preview on Wednesday. Another surprise? The announcement of a gallery of Banksy murals on the top floor. The fifth floor of the museum is home to the Murals gallery, a fitting home for the British street artist’s pieces. After navigating to the top floor from a rather tricky elevator system (you have to go to the fourth-floor galleries, then take the south elevators up one flight from there), you’re let out into a room full of pieces by activist artists including Diego Rivera, Judith Baca and JR. But along the back of the gallery, there are two walls of works by Banksy. Photograph: Michael Juliano for Time OutBanksy at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art You’ll probably rec

UPDATE: An official opening date has finally been announced for Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift. The ride will be open to theme park guests beginning Wednesday, September 16. Our original story appears below. If you were driving through the Valley this afternoon and thought you heard the sound of screaming, you weren’t mistaken. Universal Studios Hollywood surprised theme park goers today with the chance to be among the first to board Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift—as evidenced by footage of huge crowds mobbing the entrance. The long, long-awaited thrill ride—the park’s first outdoor, high-speed coaster—was officially announced three years ago and was slated to finally open this summer, without any official opening date attached. And while the ride isn’t officially open to the public (and, in fact, there’s still no full-blown opening date yet), it’s in “technical rehearsals” mode, which basically functions like a soft opening. So, should you stop what you’re doing, head to the theme park and shell out the price of admission ASAP? Well, not necessarily. We reached out to Universal about the soft opening and confirmed that the ride is indeed in technical rehearsals as of this afternoon—though if you visit sometime between now and the date of the ride’s still-to-be-announced official opening, there’s no guarantee that it’ll be running all day, every day. If you just can’t wait—or you’re an annual passholder—it might be worth a try, but if you want some assurance before buying a

Happy Valley Day! It’s August 18—a.k.a 8/18, or 818—so what better day to kick off my new series, in which I staunchly defend the San Fernando Valley against its detractors and highlight the ways life is better in the Valley? As I’m now proud to tell people: I’m a Valley girl, born and raised in Burbank. Once I reached college age and ventured out from my little Valley bubble, though, I learned that—gasp—people on the other side of the hill liked to make fun of and openly deride the Valley. I started to feel self-conscious and apologetic about my hometown. I hated listening to my own voice specifically because I would hear my rushed pace, the incessant “likes” and vocal fry at the end of each sentence. “I sound like a Valley girl,” I’d bemoan, the subtext being, “I sound ditzy.” But even though the Valley has been used as a punchline for years, those lucky enough to spend any stretch of time in the 818 have begun to wise up and admit what I’ve known all along. From its movie studios to the community feel to the less-crowded outposts of the city’s best restaurants (hello, Jon & Vinny’s and Petit Trois)—not to mention the sheer amount of space to move around in and the (slightly) lower real estate prices—the Valley is winning over converts on the daily, who, say, move to North Hollywood for the relative affordability and then realize how nice it is living blocks away from a walkable thoroughfare like Magnolia or Ventura Boulevard. Even the Los Angeles Times has noticed. From 19

If there’s one thing shoppers around the globe are always searching for, it’s French-girl style. Who wouldn’t want to channel the effortless je ne sais quoi of Parisiennes? And perhaps no brand better embodies the classic, flattering and romantic aesthetic of Paris than Sézane. (I’m speaking from experience: On my first trip to Paris last year, I hightailed it to the brand’s flagship in Le Marais.) And while L.A. already has a handful of straight-from-Paris boutiques—including It-girl sneaker brand Veja, which opened last year on Abbot Kinney—it’s now scored its very own permanent Sézane boutique. Founded in 2013 by Morgane Sézalory, the brand is beloved for its sweaters—think cardigans buttoned up and worn as blouses—dainty tops, flattering skirts, leather bags and chic totes. Over the past few years, the brand had popped up a handful of times in the upscale yet rustic Brentwood Country Mart, extending its stay each time due to popular demand, but this time it’s here for good. Located at the southern end of the center in a red barn storefront, the shop officially opens today, August 14, and will be hosting an opening celebration all weekend long, with French treats to nibble on and a special gift with purchase. The reimagined petit boutique—whose design was inspired by the idea of a jewelry box—will stock a carefully edited selection of the brand’s top sellers across every category. “This is Sézane as I have always imagined it,” says Sézalory. In addition to the brand’s famo

Inflation got you down? If you’re tired of $20-plus cocktails adding up on your tab, this Valley bar has a solution. Co-owner and barman Mike Capoferri wants Night on Earth to become your neighborhood bar, and to that end, he’s dropped a new menu of next-level cocktails with refreshingly reasonable prices. Starting today, August 13, every single cocktail on the menu will be only $13 going forward. And these aren’t your basic cocktails. No, Night on Earth is the latest bar from the team behind Thunderbolt in Historic Filipinotown, whose obsessively technical approach to deceptively simple cocktails has earned it all the accolades. It’s an approach Capoferri brings to Night on Earth, too. “We never compromise our ingredients, our procurement standards or our technique. These are fundamental to who we are,” says Capoferri. “Instead, we looked at every operational decision, from the spirits we buy and how we prep, to how we batch and serve drinks, and asked how we could create more value for our guests while staying true to our standards. We’d rather welcome more people through the door than chase bigger margins.” Located in an unassuming little strip mall, Night on Earth is located in the Cahuenga Pass, just south of Universal Studios Hollywood. (Parking is free because, Valley.) Soon after it opened at the tail end of 2024, it earned a coveted five-star rating from our food and drink editor. Kids from the ’90s will feel right at home at the futuristic yet retro bar, whose cente

L.A. bibliophiles, listen up. As BookTok and a return to analog hobbies have inspired a recent reading renaissance, Los Angeles’s many excellent independent bookstores have enjoyed renewed popularity. And this weekend, in a departure from a typical boozy “crawl” event, the literary-minded Los Angeles Indie Book Crawl is encouraging shoppers to travel between 13 of the city’s very best options. Running from Friday, July 24, to Sunday, July 26, the free, all-ages event is modeled after popular book crawls in San Diego and Seattle. And the more you visit, the more merch and prizes you earn. Along the way, authors will be stopping by for book signings. Read on for all you need to know about the inaugural event. The 13 bookstores participating in the crawl are spread out all across the city, from Studio City (Annabelle’s Book Club) to Manhattan Beach (Pages: A Bookstore), and from Santa Monica (Children’s Book World) to Los Feliz (Skylight Books) to Pasadena (Vroman’s). Culver City has three stops on the route: Village Well Books & Coffee, romance bookstore the Ripped Bodice and the Black-owned Malik Books. Notably absent from the itinerary are any Downtown spots (read: the Last Bookstore). Its Valley location and plant-filled Montrose offshoot Lost Books are also not participating, though if you have kids, you should absolutely still visit Montrose to shop at Once Upon a Time, the nation’s oldest dedicated children’s bookstore—and pet the store cat, Pippi Longstocking. Filling ou

One of the (many) nice things about living in L.A. is constantly seeing places you know and love in starring roles on the big and small screen alike (cue the Leonardo DiCaprio pointing meme). And while scores of TV shows have used Los Angeles as its setting, HBO’s Insecure is one of the best to ever do it. It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since the show first premiered—and five since it took its final bow. But now Issa Rae and showrunner Prentice Penny are dialing in to nostalgia and the continued love for their show both with a new rewatch podcast, Blocc Party, and an accompanying 13-city live tour, kicking off in Philadelphia and wrapping up right here in Los Angeles. The Insecure pilot, “Insecure as Fuck,” aired October 9, 2016, and now, almost a decade to the day, Insecure: The 10th Anniversary Tour will arrive at the YouTube Theater on October 8. It’s fitting that the live show will be held in Inglewood. Insecure famously showcased parts of L.A. that are often overlooked—giving Inglewood and South L.A. neighborhoods including Leimert Park and View Park-Windsor Hills as much or more screen time as L.A. hot spots like Gracias Madre, Highland Park Bowl, Damian, Alta Adams and Cinespia. Inglewood is also where Rae’s production studio, Hoorae, is based, and the multihyphenate also has a hand in the local Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen chain and the newer supper club/jazz venue Somerville. View this post on Instagram A post shared by HOORAE, An Issa Rae Compa