Support for LAist comes from
Local and national news, NPR, things to do, food recommendations and guides to Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire
Stay Connected
Listen

Share This

KPCC Archive

Have a fantastically free weekend: 5 things to do in LA

Locals hang at the Beverly Hills artSHOW.
Locals hang at the Beverly Hills artSHOW.
(
Beverly Hills artSHOW
)

Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.

You worked hard all week. Don't let the weekend steal your money. Here are five free, festive things to do in Los Angeles over the next few days — 

Climb to a world above the smog on the city's hidden staircases; learn what a croaker is (and how to get one); indulge in European idol worship; or perhaps just take me to river, and drop me in the water after helping to pick disgusting things out of it.


1. Party like a European: Watch the Eurovision finals at Angel City Brewery 

Support for LAist comes from

American idol has nothing on the continental convergence of glitter, spandex  and drama at this annual musical event. Every year the nations of Europe get together to host the "biggest song contest on earth." On Saturday, local brewery Angel City offers Angelenos an opportunity to drink beer and eat from local food trucks while watching the competition live. A percentage of sales will benefit AIDS/Lifecycle. 

When: Noon to 3:00 p.m. Saturday

Where: Angel City Brewery & Public House, 216 South Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Bring a flag to root on your favorite country and enjoy the big-screen craziness from the comforts of your local pub.


Support for LAist comes from

2. Get down and dirty in the L.A. River 

The L.A. River could be a local landmark of national stature. As local activists work to revamp and restore portions of river, the Friends of the L.A. River are hoping you can help make it happen. As part of their ongoing effort to revive the natural space, the Friends are hosting its 24th annual La Gran Limpieza Saturday, including cleaning 15 sites from Compton Creek to Marsh Street and the Arroyo Seco. 

When: 9 to 2 p.m.  Saturday

Where: 15 sites along the L.A. River 

RELATED: The L.A. River is on its way up


Support for LAist comes from

3. Wander rows of outdoor art at the Beverly Hills artSHOW

Better known for its window shopping along Rodeo Drive, the city of Beverly Hills also hosts a twice-a-year 2-day outdoor artshow at the beautiful Beverly Gardens Park. The show features art by 250 exhibitors from around the nation in mediums including painting, sculpture, watercolor, photography, mixed media, ceramics, jewelry, drawings and printmaking. 

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday 

Where:  Historic Beverly Gardens Park in Beverly Hills


4. Hike the hidden staircases of Northeast L.A. at the Big Parade 

Support for LAist comes from

This two-day hike across the hills of  Los Angeles includes climbing about 100 public stairways over 35 miles, from downtown to Hollywood. "The walk runs on a timetable, and is designed as a series of attached loops, so that people can come and go as they please," according to its website. Expect to learn a good deal on the city's music, art, history and other surprises along the way. 

When: 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Where: All over L.A., check here for locations 

RELATED: The hidden staircases of Los Angeles


5. Fish up some croaker and corbina at Dockweiler Beach

The Department of Beaches & Harbors is offering this introductory shore fishing class on Sunday. That's your chance to catch surfperch, croaker, corbina, halibut and leopard shark and explore Dockweiler Beach. All ages are welcome, but anyone under the age of 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Fishing poles and bait will be provided at no cost.

When: 9 to 10:30 a.m. Sunday

Where: Dockweiler Youth Center 12505 Vista Del Mar Los Angeles, CA 90293

Did we miss something? What are your plans for the weekend? Share in comment. 

As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.

Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.

We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.

No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.

Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.

Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

Chip in now to fund your local journalism
A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right
(
LAist
)

Trending on LAist