43 Things to Do in September in Los Angeles after Labor Day

Labor Day might be behind us, but these 43 things to do in September in Los Angeles will make you feel like your life is one big holiday! Scroll to the end for events designed for the whole family, happening all month long.

*This piece contains affiliate links that will help keep the blog humming to the next month. Thank you for considering the purchase.

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September 3rd to September 8th

Wednesday, September 4th, is the birthday of…LOS ANGELES and the city is 243 years young this year! Celebrate with an epic matchup as the Los Angeles Dodgers play the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim. Tickets begin at $54 with this link.

Thursday, September 5th, is National Cheese Pizza Day, and restaurants like Round Table Pizza are slicing up hot deals like $5 Personal Pizzas for their rewards members from 9/5 to 9/8. At Prime Pizza, you can take advantage of $3 Slices at lunch or 2 pizzas for $32.

Friday, September 6th, and every Friday in September offers FREE Jazz on the plaza at LACMA beginning at 6 p.m. No reservation is needed, but arrive early to claim a seat or a spot for a picnic.

Saturday, September 7th, is the largest festival for dogs in North America: The Day of the Dog. The event takes place on Main Street in Santa Monica from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and is FREE! Expect DJs, Doggie Booths, and Puppy Adoptions if you’re looking for a furry friend to take home with you.

Friday, September 6th, and Saturday, September 7th, is Natalia Lafourcade with Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic at The Hollywood Bowl. Discounted tickets are available for just $27 with this link.

Saturday, September 7th, is the 2024 L.A. Tequila Fest, with over 85 distillers for over 300 tastings at L.A. Center Studios from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Get tickets and details here. The event is for ages 21 and over only.

Saturday, September 7th, is an anniversary screening of Chicago at The Hollywood Forever Cemetery at 8 p.m. Get your tickets here beginning at $27.69. Doors open at 6:15 p.m., and costumes are encouraged!

September also happens to be Bourbon Heritage Month, and one of my favorite ways to enjoy it is with Bourbon Barrel Aged Wine. 1000 Stories Wines is the originator of the aging process, which uses Bourbon Barrels to age only the finest selection of their crop. The one to try from them is the 1000 Stories Zinfandel.

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September 9th to September 15th

Thursday, September 12th, is a Feastival Event at Level 8 in DTLA. The event runs from 7 to 10 p.m. and includes unlimited tastings and a complimentary cocktail plus entertainment with general admission pricing. Get your tickets here.

Friday, September 13th, and every Friday in September, offers FREE Jazz on the plaza at LACMA beginning at 6 p.m. No reservation is needed, but arrive early to claim a seat or a spot for a picnic.

Saturday, September 14th, is the Summer Season Finale at The Hollywood Forever Cemetery. It’s a tribute to actor Paul Rubens with a screening of Pee Wee’s Big Adventure at 8 p.m. Get your tickets here.

Sunday, September 15th, is the start of Hispanic Heritage Month. September 15th is National Independence Day in many Latin American countries like Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Guatemala, among others, which is why it runs from September 15th until October 15th, instead of starting on September 1st.

• An event to consider is the 16th Annual Hola México Film Festival, presented by Camry, taking place from September 20th to September 27th from Hollywood to downtown Los Angeles. Learn more here.

Sunday, September 15th, is the first L.A. Rams game against the Arizona Cardinals in Arizona. You can catch the Rams back in Los Angeles next week :). For now, enjoy the game at El Torito, which is giving away FREE Rampage NACHOS when the Rams’ defense makes a 4th down stop. Wash it down with a Rams House Margarita.

Sunday, September 15th, is FIESTA! with Bob Baker Marionette Theater at The Ford at 11:30 a.m. You can get up to two FREE Tickets for children under 12 with each adult ticket purchase, plus enjoy crafts beginning at 10 a.m. It’s truly an event not to be missed for the Sunday Funday family. Get tickets here.

Sunday, September 15th, is a Hitching Post + Sideways Winemaker Dinner at the Hitching Post 2 in honor of the 20th anniversary of Sideways. This is a great excuse to get out of town since, as you may remember, the restaurant is in Buellton, CA. The meal is $150 a person and can be reserved on OpenTable. If you can’t make it to the event, you can still order the commemorative wines on their website.

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September 16th to September 22nd

Monday, September 16th, is National Guacamole Day, which is less exciting than National Avocado Day because Chipotle doesn’t honor it :). Come back to this post for freebie restaurant updates as they come.

Wednesday, September 18th, is National Cheeseburger Day, which is the perfect excuse to indulge. While I’m sure McDonald’s and Burger King will offer a nearly free meal deal, I’d save your calories for something a little more special. Burgers Never Say Die and For the Win are still two of my favorites in the city.

Friday, September 20th, is the return of The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride at Griffith Park. Tickets begin at $36.99 and the hayride runs through November 2nd. Get yours here.

Also, on Friday, September 20th, is the kickoff of Magic of the Jack O’ Lanterns in Whittier. Get details here. The lights stay on in this pumpkin patch until November 2nd. It’s a little more child-friendly than the Haunted Hayride.

Friday, September 20th, and every Friday in September, offers FREE Jazz on the plaza at LACMA beginning at 6 p.m. No reservation is needed, but arrive early to claim a seat or a spot for a picnic.

Friday, September 20th, is also the start of CUMBIA Week in Los Angeles, which runs until the 27th. Notable events include Noche de Cumbia on Saturday, September 21st, at The Ford and Sunday, September 22nd, at The Hollywood Bowl beginning at $27. Tickets are hyperlinked in the locations.

Friday, September 20th, Saturday the 21st, and Sunday the 22nd is The L.A. Times Food Bowl 3-Day Festival. It features unlimited tastings from more than 40 of the hottest restaurants in Los Angeles, not to mention the free-flowing beverages. The Food Bowl features two evening events and one Sunday brunch. Sunday is even KID FRIENDLY, which never happens at a food festival. Get your tickets here beginning at $176.17.

Friday, September 20th through the 22nd is Oktoberfest at Benny Boy Brewing. The 3-day fest is FREE to enter and features Beers and Ciders, Live Music, Pop-up Food Vendors, and more. Wear your lederhosen and dirndls for $1 off steins. The event is for ages 21 and over only.

Saturday, September 21st, is a Tribute to Abba at The Hollywood Bowl. Discounted tickets are available here.

Saturday, September 21st, is also a 40th anniversary tribute to Purple Rain at The Rose Bowl Stadium. The event is hosted by Questlove with doors opening at 6 p.m. with the film at 6:45 p.m. Tickets begin at $27.

Saturday, September 21st, is also The Northeast Los Angeles Earthquake Preparedness Fair, presented by the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council (HHPNC). The event will feature a variety of interactive activities, including a chance to experience a 7.0 magnitude earthquake first-hand. This FREE Event takes place at the Highland Park Senior Center at 6152 N Figueroa Blvd from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sunday, September 22nd, is the Los Angeles Rams first game of the season at SoFi Stadium. Get your tickets here to see them crush the San Francisco 49ers. Get tickets for $209 and up (with no fees) here.

Sunday, September 22nd, is also the first day of fall. Celebrate the Autumn Equinox with a visit to Oak Glen, California, and some Apple Picking!

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September 23rd to September 30th

Monday, September 23rd, kicks off a week (minus September 26th) of 50% off the ENTIRE MENU at Sushi Roku Pasadena. It honors their 20th anniversary and helps celebrate a newly remodeled restaurant space. Make your reservations here.

Wednesday, September 25th, is National Lobster Day, and The Lobster in Santa Monica is celebrating it’s 25th anniversary (and 100 at the original location as The Seafood Shack) with a special event from 7 to 9 p.m., complete with entertainment, specialty cocktails, a raw bar, and more. RSVP here for the event or on Resy for a table.

If you miss it, be sure to stop by anytime from the 25th through October for a $25 Anniversary Menu with four signature dishes for $25 and All Day Happy Hours on Fridays.

Thursday, September 26th, is National Dumpling Day, and Kaminari in the Arts District is doing a special collaboration with Fly by Jing featuring a set menu of 12-Gyozas and a draft Sapporo or soft drink for $25. The first 20 guests to order this special set will receive a FREE Fly By Jing Sauce.

Friday, September 27th, is the spooky return of the Nights Of The Jack Halloween Experience in Calabasas. Festivities include immersive scenes along a mile-long trail with games, selfie spots, and an adult “spookeasy.” Tickets begin at $29.99. The event runs through November 2nd, 2024.

Friday, September 27th, offers FREE Jazz on the plaza at LACMA beginning at 6 p.m. No reservation is needed, but arrive early to claim a seat or a spot for a picnic.

Saturday, September 28th, is Oktoberfest at Topanga Social at Westfield Topanga from 4 to 9 p.m. Expect live music, yard games, a beer garden, and gift card giveaways.

Sunday, September 29th, is National Coffee Day, which promises a jittery end to your weekend if you take advantage of all the FREE CUPS OF COFFEE coming your way. I always enjoy Krispy Kreme since they throw in a free doughnut too.

In honor of the holiday, Klatch Coffee is hosting “The Empire Experience” to celebrate the release of their newest coffee. Expect beverage samples, refreshments, and a chance to win a Breville Barista Express Machine worth almost $700. The event will be held at their Rancho Cucamonga location beginning at 11 a.m. Tickets close when capacity is reached, so RSVP here beginning at noon on September 9th.

Sunday, September 29th, is the Third Anniversary of The Academy Museum in Mid-City, and they are celebrating with FREE Admission and a matinee screening of the silent comedy The Gold Rush (1925) with Charlie Chaplin. Reservations are encouraged but not necessary. See details here.

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Need Ideas for the Family? These are Happening All Month Long

• Afterschool Happy Hour is back at All’ Acqua in Glendale. This means Specialty Priced Drinks and Bites for kids and parents alike from 5 to 7 p.m. on weekdays. I don’t know about you, but that sounds like the perfect no-mess dinner!
• Keep the fam busy with The Messi Experience in Los Angeles. This experiential exhibit lets you enter the world of a champion and experience the feats of soccer great Leo Messi. Tickets begin at $35 and are available every day.
• A name so nice, you’ll say it thrice, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: The Afterlife Experience. This immersive event takes place next to the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, so it’s the perfect addition to your movie night! Timed tickets begin at $36, and kids under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Embrace your inner tourist and take a ride on the Swan Boats of Echo Park. Boats take off daily every 12 minutes, and the rides last one hour. This pre-purchase will ensure you don’t have to wait. Children up to 17 are $7.50 and adults are $12. Map yourself to 751 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles. While you’re there, enjoy a bite from Piknik, from the folks behind The Lonely Oyster.
• Speaking of living the tourist life, are you one of those folks who has never hiked to the Hollywood Sign even though you’ve been an Angeleno for several decades? Sign up for the Premier Hollywood Sign Tour if you want to explore the natural side of this sprawling city while getting to the highest photo spot near the sign. It’s $55 a person, with 3-hour tours that leave at 8 a.m. daily. Purchase here.
• Let your kids explore under the sea at Disney The Little Mermaid x CAMP at Westfield Century City. The immersive experience includes a sing-along, a Scavenger Hunt in Ariel’s Grotto, A Shipwrecked Cargo net Climb, a Magic Show, and more. Timed tickets begin at $34 and can be purchased HERE.