Best Things to Do in SoCal and LA: October October 13-19, 2025
Hallyu in Koreatown
Celebrate Korean heritage at the 52nd annual LA Korean Festival, a free four-day gathering of food, art, music, and cultural exchange. From sizzling Korean BBQ and street-food to Korean drum dancing and chart-worthy K-pop acts, this festival bridges generations and communities. Expect star performances by Jung-Min Jo, Song-Hee Hong, BBGIRLS and more along with hundreds of vendors and Korean experiences. Whether you’re a diehard K-pop fan or new to Hallyu, dive into one of the most robust cultural festivals in Los Angeles.
3250 San Marino St
See You at the Bazaar
Step into a time machine at the 20th Annual Archives Bazaar, returning to Cal State L.A.’s Golden Eagle Ballroom for one unforgettable afternoon! Over 70 archives from institutions like the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, ArtCenter College of Design, Getty Research Institute, LA84 Sports Library, and Self Help Graphics & Art as well as private collectives come together to celebrate the city’s cultural memory. Meet the people who keep L.A.’s history alive, get hands-on with rare treasures, and uncover the quirky and creative moments that shaped our city. Free and open to everyone — it’s part deep dive, part treasure hunt, and 100% Los Angeles.
5151 State University Drive
Celebrate the art of Ofelia Esparza
Join the Vincent Price Art Museum for a radiant celebration of Ofelia Esparza: A Retrospective, the museum’s first full survey of the Chicana artist, altarista, and educator whose work has bridged community, ritual, and visual art for over seven decades. This opening reception is an invitation to walk through recreated altars, experience Esparza’s paintings, prints, and mixed media, and connect with a living legacy that continues to awaken histories, spirits, and creative power in East Los Angeles. Free and open to the public, this evening promises to be as much a gathering as a gallery.
1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez
Film and community collide in Leimert Park
Enter the KAOS/LACMA Cultural Literacy Collider, a vibrant and free evening of film, conversation, and connective storytelling at KAOS Network in Leimert Park. Curated by artist and author Ben Caldwell, L.A. Rebellion filmmaker Alile Sharon Larkin, and LACMA’s assistant curator of film Matazi Weathers, this event spotlights bold works by local filmmakers, surprise guest appearances, and candid discussions about the power of media in shaping our shared cultural imagination. Whether you’re passionate about film, curious about media activism, or eager to engage across generations, this is an opportunity to lean into art, community, and the stories that bind us.
4343 Leimert Blvd
Catch world-class films where the red carpet meets the beach
Enjoy over 100 features and 250 shorts from 32 countries over 8 days at the 26th Newport Beach Film Festival, one of Southern California’s most dazzling cinematic get-togethers. Spanning narrative, documentary, animation, and experimental works, the festival promises red-carpet galas, food tastings, and Q&As with filmmakers. Opening night premieres Richard Linklater’s "Blue Moon" and closing night premieres Guillermo del Toro’s "Frankenstein." This is your chance to dive deep into cinema with filmmaking legends against a stunning coastal backdrop.
