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

We found a number of notable happenings in October to help plan your social calendar. Read on for all our event picks and details. Did we miss something? Add your event in our comments section.All month

DRINKS: Big Bar in Los Feliz celebrates its 5th anniversary all Thursdays in October. On Oct. 1, they’re introducing a “greatest hits menu” of drinks developed by the bar, or selected by the regulars, and bringing back the year one taps as well. On the 29th, they’re celebrating Halloween early with the party theme, “All My Friends are Dead.”

Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26

ART: One of our fav chorale groups, The Silver Lake Chorus, has its first residency at The Hotel Cafe. The chorus takes to the stage every Monday night in October (10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26) at 9 pm, singing songs of its debut album with songs written exclusively for the chorus by Justin Vernon, Ben Gibbard, Tegan and Sara, The Bird and the Bee, Sia and more. Tickets are available at the door for $10 or online for $8 plus fees.

Oct. 5

ART TALK: Steven Martin is a Renaissance man—comedian, writer, actor, art collector, and now art curator. He has curated the first major U.S. exhibition on the Canadian modernist painter Lawren Harris (1885-1970) at the Hammer Museum. On Oct. 5 at 7:30 pm, Martin is in conversation with Adam Gopnik , essayist and staff writer for The New Yorker about the works in The Idea of North: The Paintings of Lawren Harris (which opens Oct. 11) and other subjects. The talk is free, but you cannot line up at the Hammer Box office before 5 pm. Museum members get priority tickets. If you can’t make it down in person, the event will be livestreamed.

Oct. 8-10

MUSIC FEST: The Culture Collide Festival Los Angeles takes over several venues around the city—including the Echo, Echoplex, Taix—from Oct. 8-10. Headlining shows include Ladyhawke w/ Northeast Party House; Ash w/ Nick Diamonds; Chinese Indie Night; The Mynabirds; The Juan Maclean w/ Vieux Farka Toure and lots of international showcases. Tickets: $10-$30. The kick off party takes place on Oct. 8 at Taix champagne room. RSVP for the party. On Oct. 10, Culture Collide hosts a massive International record fair in cooperation with Independent Label Market featuring more than 20 record labels.

Oct. 9-10

POLITICON: Political junkies are going to love this one: POLITICON—a convention billed as a nonpartisan comic-con style event for politics and entertainment—is coming to the L.A. Convention Center on Oct. 9-10. This con features panel discussions, debates, TV & Movie screenings, live radio, podcasts, comedy, book readings, interviews, art exhibitions and more. Already confirmed to participate in Politicon are: Trevor Noah, James Carville, Meghan McCain, David Axelrod, Newt Gingrich, Jordan Klepper, The Yes Men, Doris Kearns Goodwin and many others. Tickets/passes: $25-$250.

Oct. 10

COMEDY SUPREME: Tenacious D (Jack Black and Kyle Gass) have brought together a great music and comedy lineup for the third annual Festival Supreme, which takes over the Shrine Expo Hall and Grounds on Oct. 10. Just a few of the performers include: Die Antwoord, The Kids in the Hall, Amy Poehler, Adam Devine, Puddles Pity Party, Finesse Mitchell, The Lampshades, Kristen Schaal and more. Tickets: $75-$250.

BEER + ART + MUSIC:: The 18th Street Arts Center’s 6th Annual Beer Art & Music (BAM) Festival takes place on Oct. 10 from 1pm-5 pm at the 18th Street Arts Center in Santa Monica. This year’s BAM Fest features 40+ craft breweries, three bands, art installations, open artist studios, artist vendors, food trucks and more. Pre-sale tickets: $45 before Oct. 10; $50 at the door.

JR JR "Gone" from Los Perez on Vimeo .

MUSIC: The Detroit band JR JR (formerly known as Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.) plays the Teragram Ballroom on Oct. 10. The duo—Josh Epstein and Daniel Zott—are touring in support of its just-released, self-title third album. Hippo Campus opens the night. Doors at 8 pm, show at 9 pm. Tickets: $20.

Oct. 10-24

ART: Subliminal Projects presents the exhibition Covert to Overt that traces the endeavors of artist Shepard Fairey and his Obey Giant team, as captured by photographer Jon Furlong. The show focuses on 2010 to the present with shots of in-process gallery exhibitions, street art installations and murals. The show also features three limited edition prints by Fairey, each inspired by chosen photographs on view. The opening reception of Covert to Overt is Saturday, October 10 from 8 to 11 pm. The exhibition closes on Oct. 24 with a book signing by Shepard Fairey. An RSVP is required for the opening reception to: rsvp@subliminalprojects.com.

Oct. 12

MUSIC: The Echo in the Canyon concert takes place at the Orpheum Theatre on Oct. 12 at 7 pm to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the SoCal folk-rock scene. L.A.-based artists including Fiona Apple, Beck, Jakob Dylan, Cat Power, Regina Spektor and Jade (formerly of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes) will perform the music of The Byrds, The Beach Boys, Buffalo Springfield, The Mamas and the Papas, Love, The Association and others. Tickets (on sale on Friday) from $55-$99.

Oct. 13-2016

ART: Foodies and history buffs take note. There are two exhibitions coming to the Getty this month. The Edible Monument: The Art of Food for Festivals (Oct. 13-March 13, 2016) features works drawn from the Getty Research Institute’s Festival Collection, and includes rare books and prints, including early cookbooks and serving manuals that illustrate the methods and materials for making large-scale edible monuments made out of breads cheeses and meats. The companion exhibition, Eat, Drink, & Be Merry: Food in the Middle Ages and Renaissance (Oct. 13-Jan. 3, 2016), features illuminated manuscripts with images of the chores that produced “sustenance, cooking techniques, popular dishes, grand feasts, and dinners of different social classes.”

Oct. 18

BIKING: The last CicLAvia of the year returns to returns to its origins with the Heart of L.A. route. Six miles of roads will be closed off to cars for participants to explore by bike, foot, skateboard, wheelchair and other non-motorized transportation. The route takes people through Boyle Heights, the Arts District, Little Tokyo, Civic Center, Chinatown, Historic Core and as far west as Macarthur Park with opportunities to shop, eat and explore L.A. along the way.

Oct. 18

FOOD FEST: The EastSide Food Fest celebrates the local culinary scene on Oct. 18 from 4-8 pm at Mack Sennett Studios. Participating restaurants include: Little Beast, Little Jewell of New Orleans, Belcampo Burgers and Butcher Shop, Momed, Whole Foods Glendale and more. The day also includes discussion panels and food demonstrations, with talks and performances by musicians, artists, chefs and others. Tickets: $50-$90. VIPs get in at 4 pm.

Oct. 21

MUSIC TALK: On Oct. 21 at 8 pm at the Wilshire Ebell Theater, musician Elvis Costello is in conversation with journalist Chris Connelly to discuss and sign Costello’s memoir Unfaithful Music and Disappearing Ink. From Book Soup: “[The memoir] describes how Costello’s career has endured for almost four decades through a combination of dumb luck and animal cunning, even managing the occasional absurd episode of pop stardom.” Tickets are $38 and include a signed copy of the book.

Oct. 22

MUSIC: L.A.’s own Yacht plays the Teragram Ballroom on Oct. 22 to celebrate the release of its album I Thought The Future Would Be Cooler (out Oct. 16). Opening the night are Larry Gus and Green Gerry. The show is all ages. Doors at 8 pm, show at 9 pm.

Oct. 24

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS: Hollywood Forever Cemetery holds its 16th annual Dia de los Muertos festival on Oct. 24 from noon to midnight. Known as one of the largest Dia de los Muertos celebrations outside of Mexico, the day features, arts and crafts, food vendors, and beautiful and elaborate altars erected in memory of their ancestors and loved ones. There’s also a traditional procession, traditional dancers and performances by Lila Downs, Huichol Musical, La Misa Negra, El Mariachi Manchester and Edna Vazquez. Tickets: $20.

Oct. 24-25

WAX WEEKEND: On Oct. 24 and 25, Capitol Studios & Mastering, Capitol Records, Caroline and Harvest Records host WAX —a weekend dedicated to vinyl, music goods and record collecting culture on the lot of the iconic Capitol Records building. It’s going to be a gathering of rare record collectors, independent record stores and record labels for a record fair. Established and developing music artists will perform, hold signings and spin tunes. The fair is family friendly and all ages. Passes: $10-$15 or $100 (early access VIP pass).

Oct. 10-Jan. 24, 2016

GIANT ROBOT ART: The Japanese American National Museum and Giant Robot founder Eric Nakamura once again team up for Giant Robot Biennale 4 . The exhibition examines the “evolution of the Giant Robot aesthetic from its humble origins in drawing to its many celebrated manifestations in painting, installation, muralism, and photography.” Artists include: Luke Chueh, Hamburger Eyes, Haroshi, James Jean, Audrey Kawasaki and many others. There’s a free opening reception on Oct. 10 from 7-10 pm that features live music and DJs, food and a cash bar. The exhibition opens to the public for its first full day on Oct. 11.

Oct. 28

TV: The Adult Swim Drive-In tour comes to the Rose Bowl’s Lot F on Oct. 28, screening unaired episodes of Rick and Morty, Robot Chicken, Squidbillies, Mike Tyson Mysteries, Tim and Eric's Bedtime Stories and Black Jesus; an episode from the upcoming series, Neon Joe; a clip from the upcoming season of Mr. Pickles; unaired pilots and more. The free event also features trivia contests and prizes, free meals from local food trucks and more. Ages 18+ and RSVPs are required at www.adultswimpresents.com .

Oct. 30-Nov. 1

CON: Stan Lee’s Comikaze Expo returns on Oct. 30-Nov. 1 to the LA Convention Center focusing on comics, horror, sci-fi, anime, cosplay and gaming. The expo with its panels, workshops and exhibits is expected to draw more than 60,000 attendees and 600 vendors. Celebs expected to attend include: Stan Lee, Elvira, John Waters, Grant Morrison, Patrick Muldoon, Walter Koenig, William Shatner, Dita von Teese, Nichelle Nichols and more. General admission: $30-$75.

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