Southern California offers a robust slate of activities this weekend, featuring major re-openings, a city-wide culinary event, and diverse cultural festivals. Residents have a fresh lineup of options from the coast to the desert as August continues.
A significant return this Saturday is the Palisades Village, the high-end open-air shopping district along Sunset Boulevard. More than a year and a half after the destructive Palisades Fire, the charming Caruso destination is reopening its doors. The village will host a ribbon cutting at 10:30 am, with shopping commencing at 11 am. It features a blend of new and returning tenants, including Erewhon and Zimmermann, alongside newcomers like Spacca Tutto, a Chi Spacca spinoff from chef Nancy Silverton. Loomey’s Toys, whose original shop was lost in the fire, and a relocated K Bakery are also returning. The day will include pop-ups, live entertainment, tastings, and family-friendly activities, concluding in an 8 pm evening tribute to the Palisades community.
For food enthusiasts, the summer edition of Dine L.A. begins its two-week run, continuing through August 28. Over 400 restaurants across 84 neighborhoods are participating, offering set menus that provide a budget-friendly way to sample signature dishes. Newcomers this year include Dominique Crenn’s Monsieur Dior in Beverly Hills, San Gabriel Valley favorites Omaniku and Hipico, and Dune in Atwater Village, noted for its falafel.
Cultural immersion is available in Little Tokyo, which hosts Nisei Week celebrations. This two-weekend event highlights Japanese culture with taiko drumming, tea ceremonies, and a parade this Sunday at 4 pm, concluding with the coronation of the Nisei Week Queen. KCON brings K-beauty and K-pop stars like TOMORROW X TOGETHER to Downtown Los Angeles, and the Last Bookstore presents its second 12-story artisan market. Televerse offers a lineup of television show panels.
As summer traditions wind down, this Sunday is the final chance to stroll through the Huntington’s gardens at sunset. It's also the last weekend for the Orange County Fair, with its thrill rides and fried food. Further afield, the poolside music fest SPLASH HOUSE returns to Palm Springs. KCRW Summer Nights continues its circuit, with an after-hours DJ set and night market at the Wende Museum this weekend.
Other entertainment includes the HollyShorts Film Festival, screening hundreds of short films. Santa Monica introduces the Tongva Twilight series, offering free live music and films on Saturday nights by the ocean. For history buffs, LA Explained provides walking tours through L.A. neighborhoods. The Mount Wilson Observatory presents Matinees on the Mountain, a series of sci-fi and astronomy-inspired films shown inside its astronomical museum.
