Best Things To Do This Weekend In Los Angeles And SoCal: Sept. 29 - Oct. 2

The family friendly Nights Of The Jack Halloween experience is back for its sixth year. Walk through a nearly 1-mile trail of thousands of hand-carved pumpkins, immersive scenes and art installations. Participate in face painting and digital carnival games; watch pumpkin carving or meet a psychic. Food and beverages are available from food trucks and The Spookeasy for adult libations.

It's been 30 years since Ice Cube released It Was a Good Day and to celebrate, Ice Cube, Ashanti + Ja Rule take to the Peacock's stage with special guests Fenix Flexin, C-Kan & R3 Da Chilliman - Dj Cazel. The night's hosted by Anthony Biscotti & Cece (93.5 KDAY).

Dead Press, founded by artist Tristan Eaton, has its first pop-up gallery this weekend. With exclusive releases from Eaton himself and sculptures from collectibles studio Sideshow, the opening night party takes place Friday night from 8 to 10 p.m. The exhibition remains on view on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.

Say goodbye to summer with a three-day music festival at the beach in Dana Point. The all-ages event includes performances by headliners The Killers and Haim (Friday), Eddie Vedder and The Chicks (Saturday) and Foo Fighters and Pretenders (Sunday).

The festival takes place in several venues in Los Angeles.

The largest Mexican film festival outside of Mexico returns for its 15th annual edition during Hispanic Heritage Month. The festival screens 19 films in several categories, opening with the coming-of-age comedy Sobreviviendo Mis XV (Surviving My XV) from director Chava Cartas. The opening takes place at The Montalban Theater in Hollywood. The closing night festivities include a screening and concert at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes in downtown L.A., preceded by an award ceremony recognizing the audience’s choice for best film and best short film.

The Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance series opens with the return of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, a dance company who's been bringing contemporary dance to audiences for 46 years. The company performs a mixed repertory: BUSK by Canadian American choreographer Aszure Barton, followed by the West Coast premieres of Coltrane’s Favorite Things by Lars Lubovitch and Rennie Harris’ Dear Frankie.

Thriller Nights is a throwback entertainment pop-up party that celebrates classic horror films and nostalgia of the 80s and 90s simultaneously. Produced by Room 2 Party, this 21+ experience brings horror flicks to life with photo spots, specialty cocktails (think: Freddy's Revenge, Good Guys Juice and Pennywise Surprise), touch-screen game tables, local cover bands and a DJ.

Watch multicultural dance and music performances at the 41st Annual Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival on Saturday, Sept. 30 with a lineup that includes Xochipilli, Korean Classical Music and Dance Company, SHINE Mawusi, Garifuna Cultural Group and Gimme A Beat. Then, head back on Sunday for the 46th Annual Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival. The performers include Alaadun; Melvin Lee Davis and Friends featuring Derek Bordeaux, Kevin Flournoy, and Jeffery B. Suttles Gospel Jazz; Food4Thought, Queen Socks, and Love; Ray Bailey and Friends; Dee Dee McNeil; The World Stage Big Band; Kamau Daáood and JMP Allstars featuring Patrice Rushen, Munyungo Jackson, Bobby Rodriguez, and Reggie Hamilton.

Party like its 1988 at The Autry Museum of the American West. Join in its 35th anniversary block party with a carnival, Native performances, live music, food trucks and family friendly fun. The museum's rolling back ticket prices to when the Autry opened in 1988. During the celebration, the Wild Horse Singers and Dancers demonstrate traditional powwow dance styles and traditional songs in the plaza at 10:30 a.m. Plus, the Native Voices troupe also performs the premiere of Where the Summit Meets the Stars by Frank Henry Kaash Katasse (Tlingit) in the Wells Fargo Theatre at noon.

The sixth iteration of the Hammer Museum's biennial opens this week with works from 39 artists, collectives and organizations on view. Organized by curators Diana Nawi and Pablo José Ramírez with Luce Curatorial Fellow Ashton Cooper, the exhibition highlights the practices of artists working throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Made in L.A. includes new works from the majority of artists in the exhibition including Marcel Alcalá, Sula Bermúdez-Silverman, Jibz Cameron, Ishi Glinsky, Young Joon Kwak, Tidawhitney Lek, Maria Maea, Roksana Pirouzmand, Ryan Preciado, Guadalupe Rosales and Chiffon Thomas.

There's an opening night public party for Made in L.A. 2023 on Saturday, Sept. 30 from 8 to 11 p.m., which is free with RSVP.

Head out to Malibu this weekend to watch the annual race-bike-swim event that tests the mettle of its 5,000+ athletes. The Olympic distance on Saturday features a 1.5-mi. swim, a 40k bike ride and a 10k run. The Classic distance features a half-mile swim, a 17-mile bike ride and a 4-mile run. Both races begin at 7 a.m. on their respective days. Spectators are encouraged to watch near lots 7 and 8. Due to limited parking, spectators should part at Point Dume parking lot or on Pacific Coast Highway. The event raises funds for the Pediatric Cancer Research Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

The gathering of Black and POC sound healers features a sound bath under the L.A. sunset, along with community-building, food and good vibes. The gathering welcomes yoga, wellness, and meditation enthusiasts of all ages.  The sound bath will be held outdoors, so bring a yoga mat, pillow and blanket for comfort and warmth on the lawn. 

The Alex Film Society screens Harold Lloyd's silent classic as its last outdoor summer screening. Taking place at the Doctors' House at Brand Park, the evening features live, original music by Retroformat Musical Director Cliff Retallick. The Society has worked with the History for Hire prop house to showcase the Bell & Howell Model 2709 35mm movie camera at our screening — the same camera that Lloyd used to film his movies through 1928. Bring your own picnic baskets, blankets and beach chairs. Free popcorn and parking. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

The food festival includes dishes from restaurants across Los Angeles including Badmaash, Chinois, Cut, The Joint Seafood, Merois, The Original Thai Dishes, Ospero, Pizzeria Mozza and Spago. Each restaurant offers their food on the rooftop of the WeHo hotel along with a curated cocktail selection. The night also features live DJs spinning tunes and dragon dancers. Ticket price includes entry and food (not drinks).

L.A. TACO and Santa Anita bring birria taco vendors from around L.A. to the park for an afternoon of eating. Vendors include: Teddy's Red Tacos, Goat Mafia, The Birria Spot, La Cosina De Yesi, Birria Don Cuco, Birria El Jaliciense, Birrieria San Marcos and El Barrio Cantina. While a la carte pricing is available, packages include vouchers for tacos and beer, parking, entertainment by Lucha Libre, live music and horse racing. 

For International Coffee Day on Sept. 29, Laidrey Coffee Roasters locations in Tarzana and Encino offer guests complimentary drip coffee from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. For those visiting the newly opened Encino location, they're also serving up a special Latte bowl ($7). For the drink, All About the Cinnamon has created a bread bowl lined with dark chocolate syrup, tossed in an organic cinnamon and sugar mix, and filled with Laidrey’s freshly roasted espresso.

Celebrate Oktoberfest in the South Bay as Hermosa Beach holds a two-day family friendly festival throughout downtown Hermosa Beach on Hermosa Avenue and Pier Plaza. Those 21+ can explore national and local craft brews in three beer tents, with local acts and an authentic German band providing music. The festival also features authentic German food, carnival rides for the kids, and Oktoberfest contests and activities. While admission purchase is required for the beer tents, the rest of the festival does not require admission.