2015 Taste of Arcadia
5:30 pm – 9:00 pm, September 28
Los Angeles County Arboretum, Arcadia
http://arcadiacachamber.org/events/taste-of-arcadia/
The annual Taste of Arcadia returns TONIGHT, so for those planning to go, buy the $65 presale tickets now, or pay $80 at the door. More than 40 food vendors will serve samples, while over 30 other vendors will keep guests occupied between eats.
42nd Los Angeles Korean Festival
3:00 pm – 11:00 pm, October 1
10:00 am – 11:00 pm, October 2-4
Seoul International Park, Koreatown
http://www.lakoreanfestival.org/en/index.php
Immerse yourself in Korean culture at this four-day Korean festival in Koreatown this weekend. Free to attend for all ages, this festival will have food, drinks, treats, music, entertainment, rides, games, arts & crafts, merchandise, vendors, and much more.
Pumpkin Beers Release
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm, October 1
Valiant Brewing, Orange
http://www.valiantbrewing.com/two-pumpkin-beers-one-day/
Valiant Brewing will release two new pumpkin beers this Thursday evening. No admission required – simply show up and enjoy a cold one.
San Gabriel Dumpling & Beer Fest
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, October 1
San Gabriel Mission Playhouse, San Gabriel
http://sangabrielcity.com/dumplingbeerfest
The San Gabriel Valley puts their spin on Oktoberfest with this dumpling & beer fest this Thursday night in San Gabriel. Free to attend for all ages, this festival will feature numerous dumpling vendors, other food vendors, live entertainment, a craft beer garden, and more. A wristband for unlimited beer sampling costs $20 presale or $25 at the gate. All food comes at cost, so bring plenty of cash for that.
42nd La Mesa Oktoberfest
12:00 pm – 10:00 pm, October 2-3
La Mesa Village, La Mesa
http://www.lmvma.com/SeasonalEvents/Oktoberfest.aspx
Enjoy a family-fun Oktoberfest celebration this weekend in La Mesa. Free to attend for all ages, this Oktoberfest celebration will have all the usual Oktoberfest festivities such as dance, music, sausages, pretzels, beer, and more. In addition, visitors will find hundreds of vendors, arts & crafts, games, and more activities for all ages.
58th Annual Tustin Tiller Days
4:00 pm – 11:00 pm, October 2
11:00 am – 11:00 pm, October 3
11:00 am – 7:00 pm, October 4
Columbus Tustin Park, Tustin
http://www.tustintillerdays.org/
Bring the family out to this all-ages city fair this weekend. Free to attend, this fair has everything that a family can enjoy, from the rides and games for kids, to the entertainment and vendors for adults. Remember to check out all the fair food, drinks, and dessert too, since buying food here supports local organizations and businesses. Guests can find free street parking in the surrounding neighborhoods.
First Fridays
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, October 2
Various locations
Long Beach: http://firstfridayslongbeach.com/
Venice: http://www.abbotkinney1stfridays.com/
This monthly artwalk occurs on the first Friday of every month. Each location offers different activities, but most will contain food & drink specials, art exhibits & displays, street performers, and more. Venice and Long Beach have the two largest gatherings of all First Fridays. Other locations include Westchester, Fullerton, and City of Industry. Most First Fridays locations cost nothing to attend, while the local businesses uphold their standard rules (e.g. bars 21+ only).
2nd Annual Newport Beach Wine & Food Festival
6:30 pm – 11:00 pm, October 2
11:00 am – 5:00 pm, October 3-4
Newport Beach Civic Center, Newport Beach
http://newportwineandfood.com/
Lots of activity will take place in the culinary world this weekend in Newport Beach. On Friday night, a VIP party will take place with a cocktail reception and a three-course food & wine pairing dinner. On Saturday and Sunday, attendees of the festival gain access to unlimited food tastings, cooking demos, cocktail mixing demos, live music, a silent auction, and more. Admission prices significantly vary based on the mode of attendance, with single-day admission costing $195 and a weekend pass costing $350.
Duane Peters Gunfight @ Karman Bar
8:00 pm – 12:30 am, October 2
Karman Bar, Laguna Niguel
http://www.facebook.com/events/1471391639851968/
Local punk bands will perform at the Karman Bar in Laguna Niguel this Friday night. The cover for this show costs $10. No one under 21 may enter.
Agent Orange: Live in Southern California
8:30 pm – 1:00 am, October 2, Soda Bar, Normal Heights, San Diego http://www.sodabarmusic.com/calendar.php?event_id=2582
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, October 3, Discovery, Ventura http://nightout.com/events/agent-orange-discovery/
Legendary surf punk band Agent Orange will headline two shows in Southern California this weekend. Each show has a different ticket price and age restriction, so click on a show’s link for more information.
1st Annual Los Angeles Moon Festival Cocktail Feast
9:00 pm – 12:00 am, October 2
Vibiana, Downtown Los Angeles
http://luckyrice.com/event/los-angeles-moon-festival-cocktail-feast/
Sip on cocktails and other libations all night in Downtown Los Angeles. General admission costs $50 and starts at 10pm, while VIP admission costs $88 and starts at 9pm. No one under 21 may attend.
Cadillac Tramps @ Alex’s Bar
9:00 pm – 1:30 am, October 2
Alex’s Bar, Long Beach
http://www.alexsbar.com/event/960169-cadillac-tramps-long-beach/
Enjoy some local music at Alex’s Bar in Long Beach this Friday night. Tickets to this show cost $13 presale or $15 at the door. No one under 21 may enter.
Long Beach Heart Walk
8:00 am – 12:00 pm, October 3
Rainbow Lagoon Park, Long Beach
http://www.heartwalkla.org/
Raise money to walk around Long Beach during this charity walk this Saturday morning.
18th Annual Pacific Beachfest
8:00 am – 7:00 pm, October 3
Crystal Pier, Pacific Beach, San Diego
http://pacificbeachfest.org/
Enjoy a full day of outdoor activities at this free and all-ages beach festival in Pacific Beach. Visitors will find sports, tournaments, activities, live entertainment, arts & crafts, games, food, drinks, and more.
OrangeCon 2015
9:00 am – 5:00 pm, October 3
Pavilion at the University Conference Center, Cal State Fullerton, Fullerton
http://www.ipmsoc.org/
The name of this event does not describe it at all. This all-ages exhibit showcases miniature models of airplanes and other types of vehicles, mostly military in theme. Admission to this viewing costs $5.
2015 Dana Point State BBQ Championships
10:00 am – 5:00 pm, October 3
Sea Terrace Park, Dana Point
http://www.danapointbbqchampionships.com/
Over 100 teams of grill masters will gather from around the country to serve up their finest BBQ and compete for cash, prizes, and titles. Free to attend for all ages, visitors can purchase sample tickets for $2, and use those tickets to exchange for samples from any of the participants. For the adults, catch the craft beer & wine garden, featuring some of the country’s favorite breweries and wineries. Small 4oz beer pours will cost $2 each, while large 12oz beer pours will cost $6, and visitors can walk freely around the festival with drinks in hand. Visitors may park for free at the Salt Creek Beach parking lot located within PCH and Ritz Carlton Dr, despite signs saying that parking requires a fee. Otherwise, park at Dana Hills High School, and take the free shuttle service to the park.
1st Annual Maker Faire San Diego
10:00 am – 6:00 pm, October 3-4
Balboa Park, San Diego
http://sdmakerfaire.org/
Celebrate local makers, artists, designers, and more at this two-day fair taking place in Balboa Park this weekend in San Diego. Attendees will experience handmade goods such as gadgets, sculptures, art, food, apparel, accessories, merchandise, and more. Admission varies depending on age and date of attendance, starting at $12.50 and going up to $30.
43rd Annual Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair
10:00 am – 6:00 pm, October 3-4
Live Oak Park South Field, Manhattan Beach
http://www.mbfair.org/
This free fair for all ages makes its annual return this weekend, featuring games, arts & crafts, food, beer & wine gardens, live entertainment, and more. The city will provide free parking and shuttle transportation at the Northrop Grumman Building at 15092 Aviation Blvd near the intersection of Aviation Blvd and Marine Street in Manhattan Beach.
Los Angeles Donut Festival
11:00 am – 2:00 pm, October 3
Mad Ave LA, East Hollywood
http://ladonutfestival.com/
Spend three hours of your Saturday afternoon standing in long lines munching on donut samples at this donut festival in East Hollywood.
Fall 2015 Brewery Art Walk
11:00 am – 6:00 pm, October 3-4
Brewery Art Association, Los Angeles
http://breweryartwalk.com/
This FREE semiannual art walk features hundreds of residents artists showcasing their finest work. Guests may even purchase art they like from the artists. Free to park and enter for all ages, the facility even includes an in-house restaurant, so bring your friends and family to look at some great art.
2nd Annual Artesia International Street Fair & Diversity Festival
11:00 am – 11:00 pm, October 3
Pioneer & 183rd, Artesia
http://www.cityofartesia.us/index.aspx?NID=282
At this free and all-ages street fair this Saturday, visitors will find food, music, dance, live entertainment, arts & crafts, games, rides, vendors, and more.
2nd Annual Vegan Oktoberfest
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm, October 3-4
LA Center Studios, Los Angeles
http://www.veganoktoberfest.com/
If you love Oktoberfest but follow the vegan plan, then you will fit right in at this one-of-a-kind Oktoberfest. All the typical Oktoberfest festivities will keep everyone occupied, while everyone gets full on vegan food and vegan beer. General admission costs $45, starts at 1pm, and includes one stein glass with unlimited beer pours. VIP admission costs $55, starts at 12pm, and also provides access to a VIP area with food samples.
3rd Annual Brewer’s Chili Cookoff
12:00 pm – 10:00 pm, October 3
Select Beer Store, Redondo Beach
http://www.facebook.com/events/1681526008746826/
A handful of Southern Californian breweries will collide at Select Beer Store this Saturday for an all-day chili cookoff featuring chili made by the brewers as well as beers from the breweries on tap. Chili tasting starts at 4pm, while the beers will flow all day.
San Diego Japan Fair
12:00 pm – 10:00 pm, October 3
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm, October 4
NTC Liberty Station, San Diego
http://sd-japanfair.com/
Immerse yourself in Japanese culture this weekend at NTC Liberty Statio in San Diego. Visitors will find lots of ramen, sake tastings, live entertainment, arts & crafts, activities, other food & drinks, vendors, and more. Admission costs $5 for one day.
1st Annual Los Angeles Paella & Wine Festival
2:00 pm – 8:00 pm, October 3
La Plaza de Culturas y Artes, Los Angeles
http://www.lapaellafest.com/
Enjoy paella and lots of wine and spirits this Saturday near Downtown Los Angeles. General admission costs $65 presale or $75 at the gate, and includes unlimited food and drink samples. VIP admission costs $120, and also includes access to a VIP area with some exclusive food and drinks.
Roxanne’s Lounge’s 2nd Annual Oktoberfest
2:00 pm – 10:00 pm, October 3
Roxanne’s Lounge, Long Beach
http://www.facebook.com/events/834701753242473/
Roxanne’s Lounge in Long Beach will celebrate their own Oktoberfest this Saturday. $15 admission gets you five beer tasters plus access to all the usual Oktoberfest activities, games, contests, music, entertainment, and more. No one under 21 may attend.
Anaheim Brewery’s Oktoberfest
4:00 pm – 10:00 pm, October 3
Anaheim Brewery, Anaheim
http://www.anaheimbrew.com/
Anaheim Brewery will celebrate Oktoberfest with two Saturdays full of Oktoberfest activities, such as live music, freshly-prepared sausages on-site, German-style beers, and more. No admission required – simply show up, paid for beers as you go, and have fun.
Caturday
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, October 3
Community, Anaheim
http://www.facebook.com/events/623936704375767/
Cat lovers will want to check out this free and all-ages event this Saturday night in Anaheim. Visitors will find various cat-themed artists and arts & crafts here, as well as a resident food truck to serve hungry guests.
Zombie Fashion Show & Creature Art Exhibit
8:00 pm – 2:00 am, October 3
Lot 613, Los Angeles
http://www.zombiefashionshow.com/
Dozens of Hollywood makeup artists will transform models into the undead at this Saturday night fashion & art show. While the models strut their deathly stuff, attendees can check out zombie-themed artwork from dozens artists from all over the country. The $10 admission grants access to all these exhibits, plus all-you-can-eat pancakes courtesy of the Pancakes & Booze Art Show. No one under 21 may enter.
12th Annual Orange County Children’s Book Festival
9:30 am – 4:30 pm, October 4
Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa
http://kidsbookfestival.com/
This FREE all-ages fair caters to families as it presents thousands of children’s book available to read or buy. The fair will also host multiple stages complete with family-friendly entertainment.
The Generators @ Alex’s Bar
2:00 pm – 6:30 pm, October 4
Alex’s Bar, Long Beach
http://www.alexsbar.com/event/956805-generators-long-beach/
Rock out this Sunday afternoon at Alex’s Bar in Long Beach. Tickets to this local rock show cost $5 presale or $7 at the door. No one under 21 may enter.
Dirty Little Secrets Rock Burlesque – First Sundays @ Harvelle’s
3:00 pm – 7:00 pm, October 4
Harvelle’s, Downtown Long Beach
http://www.dirtylittlesecretsburlesque.com/
Get your fill of burlesque every first Sunday of the month at Harvelle’s in Downtown Long Beach. No one under 21 may enter.
41st Annual Gourmet Festival of Fall
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, October 4
AbilityFirst, Pasadena
http://abilityfirstfestival.org/
Enjoy food, wine, craft beer, live music, a silent auction, and more this Sunday evening in Pasadena. General admission costs $150, while VIP admission costs $300 and includes VIP seating.
