Your Ultimate Guide To October: 20 Cool Events Happening In Los Angeles

We found a number of notable (non-Halloween) happenings in October, so we're ready to help you plan your social calendar. Read on for all our event picks and details. (You can find that Halloween list here!)

Oct. 3

GADGETS: There’s a free Engadget Live event at The Belasco Theater on Friday, Oct. 3, from 7-10 pm. It’s an evening event for gadget/tech lovers for hands-on interaction with some of the latest consumer tech products. Check out products like Jaunt’s cinematic VR tools; the DoorBot video doorbell; or play with Huawei smartphones. (They’ll even give a few away.) The event is free, but an RSVP is needed.

Oct. 4-Nov. 1

SKATE ART: The Gabba Gallery and HRLA present Drop In, an exhibition dedicated to skateboarding culture and street art. On view will be hand-painted skate decks by LA artists Andrea LaHue, CANTSTOPGOODBOY, Cody Bayne, Dirt Cobain, Gianni Arone, Hero, Jason Ostro, Jennifer Korsen, Joey Feldman, John Park, Keith Dugas, Leba, LOUDLABS, MD MN, Moncho 1929, Peter Greco, Phobik, Phil Santos, Septerhed, Tatiana Tensen, Thrashbird and +-x+. The show opens at HRLA in Westwood on Oct. 4 with a reception from 6-9 pm. The works remain on view through Nov. 1.

Oct. 4-5

FILIPINO FEST: The23rd annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture takes place on Saturday, Oct. 4 from noon-8 pm and Sunday from 10 am-6 pm at Grand Park in DTLA (CicLAvia’s route rides past the fest on Sunday). The weekend celebrates the Philippine’s music, dance, visual arts, literary arts, spoken word and, of course, it’s food. There are numerous performances, competitions and vendors throughout the weekend, including the 7th annual Tinikling Battle (bamboo dance) and an interesting-sounding 10th annual Vegetable Competition. The festival is free to attend.

Oct. 5

BIKING: CicLAvia returns to a completely different Heart of L.A. route on Sunday, Oct. 5 between 9 am and 4 pm. This edition’s path traverses familiar parts of DTLA, but extends to Echo Park, the Broadway Theater District, Boyle Heights and into East L.A. The streets are closed off for you to ride, walk, board (anything without a motor) for free. Participate at your leisure for as long as you (and your legs) want. There are plenty of places to pick up eats, drinks or other treats along the way.

Oct. 8

LA PARTY: On Oct. 8, LA2050 and the Goldhirsh Foundation are hosting #CelebrateLA at Grand Park on the performance lawn from 5:30-9 pm. The party fetes the selected projects for the My LA2050 Grants Challenge that will help make the city a better place to connect, learn, live, work and play. Some of the city’s favorite vendors from Silver Lake Wines to Sprinkles Cupcakes will be on hand for the party, too. Space is limited, so RSVP is necessary.

Oct. 9-16

STORYTELLING FEST: Everyone’s got a story, and some of the best tale-spinners take to the stage at Busby’s East from Oct. 9-16 for The Los Angeles Storytelling Festival. The fest features performers/readers from some of the city’s stalwart programs, including The Moth, Don’t Tell My Mother!, Bawdy Storytelling, WRITE CLUB, RISK!, Shine, The Trunk Show, Story Worthy, The P.E.Z. Show, The Dirty Birdie Story Hour, A Very Special Episode, Muse Salon, I Love A Good Story, Broadly Speaking, Pinata, BUSted Stories, Kickstand and To Whom It May Concern. Tickets: $12 per show.

Oct. 10-11

BLUEGRASS: The Bluegrass Situation, an organization founded by Ed Helms, Amy Reitnouer and Cameron Matthews, bringsAmericana/folk/bluegrass to The Theatre at Ace Hotel on Oct. 10 featuring Carolina Chocolate Drops, Josh Ritter and Willie Watson. Doors at 7 pm and tickets are: $32.50, $35, $42.50. Unfortunately, the Oct. 11 show with Lord Huron, Blind Pilot, Shakey Graves and Langhorne Slim is completely sold out, so seek out your favorite ticket broker for Saturday night.

Oct. 10-12

GAME CONFERENCE: IndieCade, the international festival of independent games—takes over Culver City from Oct. 10-12. It features panel discussion, salons, seminars and visiting artist conversations through the weekend with tracks tailored to game industry professionals as well as the public. There’s an opportunity to play and preview more than 150 selected indie games. Events will be held at several venues throughout Culver City, with the indoor/outdoor IndieCade Village (corner of Main Street and Culver Boulevard) serves as the fest’s main headquarters. Individual tickets start at $30-$40. Three-day passes: $90. Game U session passes: $250-$250. All-access passes: $495-$525.

FILM: Now in its 12th season, the Other Venice Film Festival (OVFF) screens films from Oct. 10-12 that embody “the spirit, energy and diversity of Venice.” Taking place at the Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center features the works of more than 50 filmmakers, panel discussions and parties. On opening night, the OVFF screens 1%ERS starring Michelle Rodriguez and Rie Rasmussen with a Q-and-A with the stars and director Francesca de Sola to follow. Also screening on Friday is the feature documentary Freedumb, directed by local Venice residents Laura Rudich and Sean Vanloozen. Tickets: $10 per screening and $30 for the Stella Artois-sponsored beer garden.

Oct. 11

ITALIAN FEST: A Taste of Italy on Oct. 11 is a benefit for the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles. From 5-10 pm, more than 50 of the city’s fav Italian restaurants (Valentino, Il Fornaio Beverly Hills, Locanda del Lago, Drago Centro et al) showcase their dishes and serve up an array of more than 100 wines. Live entertainment, too, throughout the night. General admission tickets at $55 and include six drink and food tickets. Premium tickets: $125 and VIP package: $5,000.

POLO: If all you know about polo is watching the clips of Princes William and Harry on the news or Julia Roberts fixing divots on the field in Pretty Woman, now’s your chance to experience professional polo under the California sun when the fifth-annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic returns to Will Rogers State Park on Oct. 11. Star Argentine polo player Nacho Figueras is sure to be a highlight on the field. General admission tickets: $65. For the ritzier packages, buy pairs of tickets for the VIP Clicquot Picnic, ranging from $700-$1000 per pair.

Oct. 11-April 26, 2015

HELLO KITTY: The Japanese American National Museum’s highly anticipated exhibition Hello! Exploring the Supercute World of Hello Kitty, finally opens on Oct. 11. It’s the first large-scale Hello Kitty museum retrospective in the country and celebrates the 40th anniversary of the icon (which we learned earlier is not a cat). The exhibition includes rare items, an extensive survey of the products and “innovative contemporary artworks inspired by Hello Kitty and her world.” The show is a specially ticketed, timed-entry exhibition. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for youth ages 6-17 and free for children ages 5 and under.

Oct. 11-12

ARTISAN CRAFTERS + MAKERS: Artisanal L.A.returns for its Fall Show, with makers, artisans, crafters, chefs bringing their goods to L.A. Mart for two days (Oct. 11-12). They'll be bringing over 200 vendors, holding workshops, demos, panels and of course, eats and drinks. New this year: Stowaway Ginger Beer, Semolina Pasta and Portland’s QUIN candy, among others. Tickets for the Artisanal LA Fall Show are $12 per day in advance or $20 for a ticket to come both days. $15 at the door. Hours for both days are 11am to 6 pm.

Oct. 16-18

MUSIC FEST: Culture Collide Festival Los Angeles takes over several venues around the city—including the Echo, Echoplex, Taix, Champagne Room and the Echo Park United Methodist Church—from Oct. 16-18. A $30 wristband buys three days of music, including shows and sets from Cloud Nothings, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Nina Persson, Until The Ribbon Breaks, Go Back To The Zoo, Pins and more. Bands this year are coming from more than 20 countries worldwide.

Oct. 16-19

FILM FEST: From Oct. 16-19, the new Hollywood Film Festivalis at the ArcLight Hollywood featuring socially conscious films from around the world. Created by the co-founder of the Slamdance Festival, the opening night films include: the world premieres of Pancakes by Yasu Shibuya and My Name is Water by Justin Arana; and the US Premiere Becoming Bulletproof by Michael Barnett. Festival passes: $250-$300. Individual tickets also available for $16 each screening.

Oct. 17-18

PANCAKES + BOOZE + ART : The Pancakes & Booze Art Show is a pop-up art show for more than 110+ local artists and musicians to “showcase their talent without the politics & stuffiness that is commonly found in traditional galleries.” The show takes over Lot 613 in DTLA’s Arts District on Friday and Saturday from 8 pm to 2 am. Live music each night, plus all-you-can-eat pancakes (by Myke’s Cafe) and booze available. Cover: $5. 21+.

Oct. 25-26

BREWERY ARTWALK: The 32nd Anniversary Brewery Artwalk is Oct. 25-26 in DTLA. The festival celebrates the largest active arts community in the world with more than 100 resident artists opening their studios to the public. Find art in all forms: ceramics, sculpture, glass art, street art, handcrafted jewelry, fashion, photography, prints, video art and paintings, in addition to performances. Food trucks will be parked on site both days (11 am-6 pm) with a beer garden hosted by Barbara’s restaurant. Free parking and admission.

Oct. 25

COMEDY SUPREME: Tenacious D (Jack Black and Kyle Gass) have amassed a great comedy lineup for the second annual Festival Supreme, which takes over the Shrine Expo Hall and Grounds on Oct. 25. Just a few of the performers include: Drunk History, Nick Kroll, Fred Armisen, The State, Janeane Garafalo, Peaches, Workaholics and so many more. General admission tickets: $99.

Oct. 31-Nov. 2

COMIC BOOKS: Stan Lee’s ComiKaze is LA's largest pop-culture convention and it returns to the Convention Center from Oct. 31-Nov. 2. This is a must-do event for fans of comics, sci-fi, anime, horror and pop culture in general for performances, panel discussions, workshops, games, collectibles and more. Guests this year include Gwendolyn Christie and Alfie Allen from Game of Thrones, Elvira, Stan Lee, Kevin Smith, Spike & Mike’s Festival of Animation and more. Day tickets start at $30, passes at $70 and add-on packages cost extra.

Oct. 31-Nov. 1

HORSE RACING: Santa Anita hosts the 2014 running of the Breeders’ Cup, a two-day, $26 million racing event that attracts the best horses, trainers and owners from across the globe. The weekend also marks the unofficial end of thoroughbred-racing season. General admission at $5-$40. Packages available.

Want the 411 on additional events and happenings in L.A.? Follow @LAistor me (@christineziemba) on Twitter.