Best things to do Labor Day weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: August 29–September 1

Happy long weekend! In Paris, the remnants of the 2024 Olympics are alive and well. The spectacular spherical flame is still being raised most nights in the Tuileries Garden, and Paris 2024 logos are only just fading from signs. It’s a little glimpse into what we have to look forward to — and all the logistics and planning that we have coming our way — as we head towards the 2028 games here in L.A. LAist this week had a conversation with L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn about federal funding for Metro for the Olympics and more.

In the more immediate future, Labor Day weekend is going to be a hot one, made only hotter by all the things going on around town. No need to plan a weekend away when we’ve got Betty Who with the L.A. Phil, The Offspring with Jimmy Eat World and New Found Glory at the Forum, and Osees at the Teragram Ballroom. Plus, get your kinky boots ready for Cyndi Lauper at the Hollywood Bowl. Licorice Pizza’s gig guide has even more to check out.

More from LAist: Learn about what’s driving the hugely popular film K-Pop Demon Hunters, get a look at how voting maps might change with redistricting, and Cheap, Fast Eats heads to North Hollywood for meals under $10.

Events

Through Sunday, September 7 (Performance: Saturday, August 30, 5 p.m.)  
Carlo Maghirang: ANITO
River Station Roundhouse Turntable
L.A. State Historic Park
245 N. Spring St., Chinatown
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

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Carlo Maghirang

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Public art installation ANITO will be live for another week, but get there this weekend to see Carlo Maghirang’s live performance with the work, which “refers to the spirits of ancestors of the indigenous Tagalogs in the Philippines, and the practice of carving figures/idols (called either taotao or likha) to represent them.” He explores queer identity and cultural identity in a series of performances alongside a dance piece by Jobel Medina and sound by Anna Luisa Petrisko. Maghirang created modular versions of hundreds of the figures that “multiply across the circular turntable platform like a congregation of past selves made manifest.”

Saturday, August 30, 12:30 to 8 p.m.
Leimert Park Jazz Festival 
Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza
3650 W. MLK Blvd., Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw
COST: FREE/PAY-WHAT-YOU-WISH WITH RSVP; MORE INFO

The Dee Dee Bridgewater Quartet, from Tony and Grammy-winning artist Dee Dee Bridgewater, headlines this year’s Leimert Park Jazz Festival. Plus, Sasha Berliner, world music bands, poetry and many more take over the stage at the all-day annual festival.

Saturday, August 30, 8 p.m.
Weird Al Yankovic, 'Bigger and Weirder'
Kia Forum 
3900 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood 
COST: FROM $89; MORE INFO

Weird Al Yankovic poses during the 'Weird: The Al Yankovic Story' screening at The London Hotel.

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I am here for the Weird Al renaissance. In a major hometown show, everyone’s favorite parodyist will jam through his hits and his originals at the Forum. Since every famous singer has been on the receiving end of his versions over the years (and every comedian has cameoed in his clever videos as well), a surprise guest or two wouldn’t be a shock. Can’t get tickets? Check out the Elysian’s Weird Algorithm (see below) for a fun, cheap alternative.

Friday, August 29, 8 p.m.
'Robot Karaoke'
The Elysian
1944 Riverside Drive, Silver Lake
COST: FROM $10; MORE INFO

You know I love a theme, and since Weird Al Yankovic is playing at the Forum (see above) on Saturday, I would be remiss not to mention the monthly "Robot Karaoke" series at the Elysian. This live music show features the — wait for it — Weird Algorithm, which takes songs you know and gives them lyrics no one has ever heard. Think dating profiles to the tune of “I Will Survive.” If I had any sway, I’d encourage Weird Al himself to swing by.

Through Sunday, September 28 
Just Another Day
Odyssey Theatre 
2055 South Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A.
COST: $40; MORE INFO

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Russ Rowland

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Dan Lauria is most famous for playing Kevin’s grumpy but lovable dad on The Wonder Years, but he’s also written several plays. He stars in and wrote Just Another Day, opening this weekend at West L.A.’s Odyssey Theater. Also starring Patty McCormack (The Bad Seed), the play follows two former comedy writers with dementia who come up with new jokes and fall in love for the first time every day. Think 50 First Dates meets Something’s Gotta Give.

Saturday, August 30, 7 p.m.
Red Kross
Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles
2230 West 6th St., MacArthur Park 
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

I told you to see the Red Kross documentary; now see them live. The SoCal punk natives are playing the Levitt Pavilion free summer show, alongside Juanita & Juan, Kate Clover and DJ Keith Morris. MacArthur Park needs the love, and these local favorites are sure to put on a show to remember.

August 29–30, 8 p.m.
ate9 and Jacob Jonas The Company: FOG
Kirk Douglas Theater
9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City
COST: $57.75; MORE INFO

Two contemporary dance companies take over the Kirk Douglas with work premieres featuring live music. ate9 and Jacob Jonas The Company are on a double bill with music from multi-instrumentalist DJ Yuka Honda and the avant-garde duo Live Footage.

Through March 2026
American Artist | 'Shaper of God: Apple Valley Autonomy'
California African American Museum (CAAM) 
600 State Dr., Expo Park
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

No L.A. author wrote about the near-future in science fiction with more prescience than Octavia Butler. Now, a new exhibit at the California African American Museum takes her work into visual form with the new show, 'Shaper of God: Apple Valley Autonomy' by American Artist, an Altadena-based artist who changed their name officially in 2013. American Artist has been working with the Huntington Library’s massive Butler archive to bring Butler’s work into different forms. This exhibit is focused on sculpture and drawings.

Outdoor Pick

Sunday, August 31 
Dog Walking Hours 
South Coast Botanic Garden
26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes Peninsula
COST: $18, MEMBERS FREE; MORE INFO

Who says pups don’t need a holiday this weekend, too? Grab your best friend and head to the South Coast Botanic Gardens, where dogs on leash get to stroll through 87 acres of flowers, native plants and pathways through the Palos Verdes Peninsula’s idyllic green oasis.

Viewing Pick

August 29-30
Christopher Nolan Non-70mm Series
Fine Arts Theatre
8556 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills
COST: $20; MORE INFO

You could spend Labor Day weekend at the beach, or you could spend it basking in the air-conditioned bliss of five Christopher Nolan classics screening at the Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills. Throughout the weekend, Nolan’s non-70mm films will be playing on the big screen, including Memento, Insomnia and all three of his Batman films.

Dine & Drink Deals

Through Sunday, August 31 
Yogurtland x Laufey 
Multiple locations 
COST: FREE COLLECTABLE SPOON WITH PURCHASE; MORE INFO

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Yogurtland

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Yogurtland has a limited-time collab with the Grammy-winning artist Laufey in the form of a new flavor — “A Berry Laufey Day” — and a free collectible Icy Blue Laufey Giant Spoon in stores with a $15 purchase.

August 30-31
Gelato Festival World Masters
Ovation Hollywood 
6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood 
COST: FROM $22; MORE INFO

Continuing on the cold treat theme, what better way to cap off Labor Day weekend than with a gelato competition? The Gelato Festival World Masters is happening at Ovation Hollywood. Come hungry.

Opening Sunday, August 31
New restaurant: darling 
631 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO

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Ron De Angelis

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Just a heads up that Sean Brock of Charleston’s famous Husk restaurant is opening a new West Coast restaurant, darling, in West Hollywood. The space is part California-inspired restaurant (a departure from the Southern cooking the James Beard winner is known for) and part hi-fi listening lounge. Reservations are now live on Resy.