Top Things to Do in SoCal This Week: September 8-14, 2025
A Tail-wagging DTLA block-paw-ty
Downtown LA gets ready to paw-ty with DTLA Dog Day, a one-night-only “yappy hour” in the lush Maguire Gardens. Bring your furry companion to enjoy specialty drinks from Settecento and shop from nearly two dozen dog‑friendly vendors for gourmet treats, handcrafted bandanas, pet portraits, and more. Snap fun photos, groove to live music, and join community dog walks at this community‑spirited celebration full of tail‑wags, laughter, and culture under the skyline.
Flower St.
Roar and explore at NHM’s 10th Annual Dino Fest
Step back in time at the 10th annual Dino Fest, where prehistoric giants take center stage at NHM. Meet world-renowned paleontologists, get an up-close look at rare Cretaceous-era fossils, and explore the museum’s celebrated Dinosaur Hall including the awe-inspiring T. rex growth series. Kids and dino-enthusiasts alike can dive into hands-on activities, shop dino-inspired merch, and take part in a LEGO® Build the Change challenge. Plus, don’t miss a special screening of PBS’s Walking with Dinosaurs and discover how ancient Los Angeles once lay beneath the Pacific waves in L.A. Underwater. Millions of years in the making, this family-friendly festival roars with fun and discovery.
900 Exposition Blvd
Drag Story Time with Pickle and Puppets
Get ready for an afternoon bursting with sparkle, laughter, and imagination! West Hollywood’s own Drag Laureate Pickle brings glamour and storytelling magic to The Getty, joined by the whimsical puppets of the legendary Bob Baker Marionette Theater. Expect playful tales, dazzling costumes, and plenty of moments full of joy, creativity, and self-expression. Fabulous and family-friendly, it’s story time like you’ve never seen it.
1200 Getty Center Dr
Celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day
Downtown Santa Ana bursts to life with the annual Fiestas Patrias, a vibrant weekend-long celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day. Thousands will gather to enjoy folklórico dancers, live bands, Mexican singers, and the iconic El Grito ceremony, a powerful reenactment of Miguel Hidalgo’s historic call to arms. The streets will be filled with colorful parades, delicious Mexican fare, carnival rides, games, and local art, creating a lively festival that honors both tradition and community. It’s a cultural showcase where history, music, and food come together to celebrate all the Latin American communities throughout Orange County.
501 N Main St.
Ventura Harbor’s promenade turns into a colorful seaside gallery
Soak up the sea breeze and a splash of color at the Ventura Art & Chalk Festival, where more than 50 professional chalk artists turn the harbor promenade into a vibrant open-air gallery of large-scale murals. Stroll along the waterfront as masterpieces come to life, enjoy the artisan marketplace, and know that every step supports a good cause with festival proceeds benefiting local children’s programs, scholarships, and nonprofits.
1583 Spinnaker Dr,