The rest of the country may be starting to say farewell to summer, but we're not quite ready. This is LA, after all; the weather is practically perfect year-round and our favorite outdoor movie and free concert series aren't finished for at least another month. If you're feeling more ambitious than a three-day Netflix binge, make the most of the long Labor Day weekend with these events.
Celebrate the best of LA’s dining scene with the Taste, returning to Paramount Studios for live cooking demos, chef panels, and food and wine galore.
Indulge in all things deep-fried
Bring your appetite to the opening weekend of the LA County Fair, where bacon-covered funnel cake and carnival rides collide.
Throw together your most daring ensemble for this anything-goes pool party from A Club Called Rhonda.
Catch (and release) a fish from the LA River
Fish on the river—no license needed—or compete in an angling competition at this annual fish derby.
Feed your non-stop cravings for ice cream with a lick of these frozen treats, the best the city has to offer.
Photograph: Jakob N. Layman
Lounge by the pool, music in ear and cocktail in hand, as some of our favorite pool parties wind down for the season.
Or take a plunge in a public pool
Spiral down the waterslide at the renovated Hollywood Pool, sit on the artificial shores of Hansen Dam or take a plunge in these other public pools—though we can't guarantee they'll be any less crowded than the beach.
Watch a movie in the great outdoors
Outdoor movie screenings combine two of our favorite things: film and being outside. Catch screenings this weekend of The Hateful Eight, Grease, Bridesmaids, Pulp Fiction, Pretty Woman and more.
Get wet outside of the Queen Mary
Party up with B.o.B, Lil Jon, Tyga, Kent Jones, DJ Mauricio and more as they take over the oceanliner with multiple bars, water slides, a foam dance floor and more.
Strip down to your skivvies and roam the 400-plus stalls at this waterfront street fair.
Photograph: Courtesy Fiesta Hermosa
Start a (legal) beachside bonfire
There isn't a much more quintessential Southern California experience than having a bonfire on the beach at sunset, which you can do at these five beaches.
Fall down the rabbit hole at Nocturnal Wonderland
Escape to this whimsical, carnival-like atmosphere drenched in Day-Glo and pulsating lasers with the likes of DJ Snake, Bassnectar, Chromeo, Knife Party and more.
Stuff your face with the city's best BBQ
There's BBQ and then there's BBQ—you know, the kind that leaves you licking your sauce-drenched fingers. From Compton to South Pasadena, here are our picks for LA's best BBQ.
Have a late-night snack at Santa Anita
Come hungry and grab a late-night snack at the summer closeout of 626 Night Market, the massive Asian street food market.
Roll out a blanket atop Barnsdall Art Park for a Bowie-themed kickoff night of this screenings and sips series.
Photograph: Courtesy Ilpo Musto/REX/Shutterstock
Travel to a galaxy far, far away
See famed composer John Williams conduct the LA Phil as they play the score to Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Film buffs, unite for Cinecon, a cinephile festival of rare and unusual old-school films.
Get to know the works of Gaetano Pesce
Scope out the colorful, pliable, body-like forms of the lauded Italian artist's cast-resin vases, chairs and lamps.
Party with pigs, cows and goats
Give a few bedtime belly rubs and head scratches to some loving farm animals at this Antelope Valley-area fundraiser, with a special appearance by Moby.
No, seriously. Don't go, it's going to be mobbed and when you factor in the school holiday and the traffic on—ah, who are we kidding, the California Incline is reopening, we're probably going to end up driving to the beach at some point with the rest of the city.
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