Top Things to Do in SoCal This Week: August 18-24, 2025
Discover El Segundo’s Creative Community
Over 40 creative businesses in Downtown El Segundo will open their doors for an evening of art, music, and community. As part of this self-guided event, each unique venue transforms into a pop-up gallery, showcasing original works from local Los Angeles–based artists. Stroll through studios, enjoy live music, and grab a bite from food trucks. Support a growing local tradition that celebrates creativity and community.
314 Main St
Celebrate local stories and voices with an evening of readings, writing, and books
The Los Feliz Writers Festival wraps up with Voices of Los Feliz at the Barnsdall Art Gallery. A golden-hour celebration of local literary talent, neighborhood writers will each share up to three minutes of their work, with breaks for journaling and live writing. Browse through the on-site bookstore featuring festival performers and local presses like Sunflower Station, Los Angeles Breakfast Club, and Write Bloody. Pack a picnic and bring a blanket for an evening of words, community, and music.
4800 Hollywood Blvd
Film, music, and activism unite to spark change
Experience a sonically charged evening where film, music, and activism collide. The documentary and visual album, Songs from the Hole, will be followed by a special performance by JJ'88 and a post-screening conversation with the director that explore how sound inspires change. Co-presented with Crenshaw Dairy Mart, this free public event invites you to immerse yourself in rhythms and stories that resonate far beyond the screen. Entry is first come, first served, so arrive early to grab a seat and soak in the vibe.
5905 Wilshire Boulevard
Savor a night of food, art, and culture at California’s biggest late-night market
Inspired by Asia’s bustling open-air bazaars, the 626 Night Market has grown into California’s iconic late-night food and culture festival. Returning to Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, this epic, all-ages event packs hundreds of food vendors, artists, crafters, merch booths, games, and live performances into one vibrant night. Named after the San Gabriel Valley’s 626 area code, the market is a platform for local chefs, artists, and entrepreneurs to shine while the community comes together to eat, shop, and celebrate under the stars.
285 W Huntington Drive
Create your own quilt-inspired tote in this free hands-on workshop
Get hands-on with fiber art at the Ontario Museum of History & Art as artist Theresa Shellcroft guides you in creating your own summer-ready tote bag. Drawing inspiration from quilt patterns, you’ll explore sewing and embroidery techniques while deepening your appreciation for quilting as an art form. Free and open to all skill levels. Sign-up is recommended, but walk-ins are welcome.
225 South Euclid Avenue
Celebrate Santa Ana’s Chicano heritage
Centennial Park comes alive for Santa Ana’s annual Chicano Heritage Festival, a vibrant celebration of the city’s rich Mexican American history. Enjoy live performances, a classic car show, cultural exhibits, community arts & crafts, a kids zone, food, and more. Free, family-friendly, and open to all, it’s a full day of culture and community.
3000 W Edinger Ave