While the days begin to oscillate between mild and boiling, outdoor pursuits still reign this month.
September is the perfect time to make the most of the California weather and there’s no better way to do that than soaking up the sunshine with a gorgeous new rooftop spot and invigorating multi-sensory experiences.
Get inspired by this list of things to do in September in Los Angeles.
A wild, adult-only spoof of the superhero universe lands in North Hollywood this summer. If you’re looking to add something a little more outrageous to your September lineup, the international hit adult parody MARVELous opened at El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood this summer, offering a raunchy, high-energy mashup of superhero tropes with aerial stunts, live vocals and cheeky comedy. The limited run continues through September, with a waitlist available for tickets.
The wildly popular Candlelight Concerts have never ceased to captivate audiences across the globe. The series brings talented musicians who perform live shows in beautiful settings, all bathed in Candlelight. These exclusive events honor top artists across a range of venues and now you can catch them at these iconic spaces for a unique evening around the city.
Pose with lifelike celebrity wax figures and explore immersive attractions in Hollywood’s oldest celebrity wax museum. If you’re looking for a classic Hollywood stop this September, head to the Hollywood Wax Museum. Open since 1965 and located along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, it’s the United States’ longest-running celebrity wax museum, featuring lifelike figures of film, TV, music, sports, and pop-culture stars plus attractions like Hannah’s Maze of Mirrors and Outbreak: Dread the Undead.
After years of anticipation, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art will finally open its doors to the public. Founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, the museum will explore the art of visual storytelling through paintings, illustrations, comics, photography, film, and more.
Its futuristic 300,000-square-foot building was designed by architect Ma Yansong, with an expansive landscaped campus surrounding it. The inaugural displays will feature more than 1,200 artworks, making this one of LA’s biggest new cultural openings in years.
Boiler Room is bringing its high-energy dance party back to Los Angeles. Skepta will headline the event, joined by a lineup of DJs and electronic artists including Floorplan, Hannah Laing, HoneyLuv, and Coco & Breezy.
The 21+ event will take place at a venue that has yet to be announced. Expect an afternoon and evening of club-focused sets and plenty of dancing.
This century-old lavender farm just outside of L.A. has the most enchanting night market. You can wander through a tree-lined avenue illuminated with twinkling fairy lights at Lavender Market Nights, where you’ll be treated to delicious food and drinks, live music, games, incredible handcrafted goods, and more.
Spend an evening with Brazilian guitarist Fabiano Do Nascimento, Julien Cantelm and DJ Wyldeflower. Expect a blend of Brazilian folk traditions, Afro-Samba, jazz, and global sounds throughout the night. The intimate Venice venue makes this a great pick for a more laid-back live music experience.
Enjoy free live music and open-air films every Saturday night at Tongva Park. If you’re looking for an easy, end-of-summer plan this September, Tongva Twilight is a free outdoor series of live music and open-air movies at Tongva Park in Santa Monica, running six consecutive Saturdays from August 8 through September 12 with shows starting at 7:00 PM.
Put your line-dancing skills to the test at Desert 5 Spot, where free beginner-friendly lessons are happening throughout September. The Hollywood rooftop brings a country-western atmosphere to the city with live music and plenty of room to dance. No previous experience is needed, so even first-timers can join the fun.
The Jonas Brothers will headline halftime at the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia. If you’re looking for a September highlight that connects back to L.A., the Jonas Brothers will headline the halftime show at the 2026 NFL Melbourne Game when the San Francisco 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams. The game kicks off at 8:35 p.m. PT on Thursday, September 10, 2026, and will air live on Netflix and local broadcast stations.
The free celebration will showcase Filipino music, dance, food, art, and cultural traditions. Visitors can browse local vendors, catch live performances, and enjoy Filipino specialties throughout the day. It’s a colorful way to spend a Saturday by the waterfront while celebrating Filipino and Filipino American culture.
Halloween is just around the corner, but why wait to visit a pumpkin patch? Many charming spots around L.A. open in September, so grab your family and friends and check out our list of the cutest pumpkin patches to start the fall festivities early! 🎃🍂
Get into the spirit of Oktoberfest, courtesy of L.A.’s most festive breweries, community organizations, and theme parks. People across the city will don their best leiderhosen or dirndl and show up for raucous drinking games and dancing. Whether you’re making a trip out to Big Bear’s massive authentic celebration, or spending a few hours at the family-friendly event in Montrose, there are plenty of Oktoberfest events in Los Angeles for everyone to enjoy.
Latinx Heritage Month is a time dedicated to celebrating and highlighting the contributions and accomplishments of Latinx Americans in culture and throughout history—past and present. It’s no secret that Los Angeles is home to many Latinx’s, and their influence on our city is impactful. From desserts, restaurants, and cultural events—here are incredible ways to honor Latinx/o/a’s and our fellow Angelenos from September 15 to October 15 and beyond!
Barnsdall Art Park Foundation’s Friday Night Wine Tastings is “like finding the hidden, beating heart of Los Angeles.” For the month of September, the City of L.A.’s Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) will be presenting selected performers for live performances “paired” with exquisite wines.
One very drunk actor attempts Dracula while a sober cast improvises — chaos and comedy guaranteed. If you’re looking to mix up your September nights in L.A., Drunk Dracula—an improv-led theatrical comedy from the Drunk Shakespeare Society—opens in Los Angeles for a limited run from September 11 to November 14, 2026 at The Hotel Cafe. One actor drinks five shots before performing Dracula while a sober cast improvises and interacts with the audience.
78th Primetime Emmy Awards
Television’s biggest stars are heading to Los Angeles for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards. The ceremony will take place at the Peacock Theater at L.A. LIVE, with Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay hosting the evening.
This year’s ceremony is breaking from the usual Sunday tradition and will air on a Monday night on NBC, with streaming available on Peacock. With the biggest names in television gathering downtown, it’s another chance to experience LA at the center of awards-season buzz.
Santa Monica Beach is getting a brand-new music festival this September with the inaugural Ocean Way Festival. Produced by Goldenvoice, the two-day event will bring live music to the beach, with The Killers, Olivia Dean, and Jack White among the headliners.
Sublime, Khruangbin, Alvvays, SG Lewis, and Hiatus Kaiyote are also part of the lineup. Set along the Santa Monica coastline, the festival combines a major concert lineup with the particular pleasure of spending a late-September weekend by the Pacific.
MTV Video Music Awards
The MTV Video Music Awards are returning to Los Angeles, bringing one of pop culture’s biggest nights back to the city. The 2026 ceremony will take place live in LA and feature some of the biggest names in music competing for the iconic Moon Person trophies.
Madonna leads this year’s nominations with 11, while Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, and Sabrina Carpenter are also among the major contenders. The ceremony will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+, giving music fans plenty of ways to follow the action.
There’s never a bad season for cocktail soirees on any of L.A.’s incredible rooftop spots. The view, innovative drinks, L.A. attitude, and those killer sunsets are a winning combination. However, you can dedicate the last of the warmer weather with a visit to one of these fine spots.
From the French Riviera-inspired Bar Lis in Hollywood to Mexico City’s Cha Cha Cha outpost in Downtown — there’s an international spirit to the experience at these sky-high havens. Check out the list of rooftop bars here!
Get your groove on at a free salsa night
Looking for a lively way to spend a Thursday night in Los Angeles? Ovation Hollywood is turning up the rhythm on September 10 with Let’s Groove: Salsa, a free community evening bringing together beginner-friendly dancing, live music, and plenty of energy in the heart of Hollywood! Designed for dancers of all experience levels, the evening kicks off with a 45-minute beginner salsa lesson led by a guest instructor, giving first-timers an easy introduction to the basics before the dance floor opens up. RSVP here!
Check out new exhibitions at the Corey Helford Gallery’s 20th anniversary
The Corey Helford Gallery marks its 20th anniversary with a two-part celebration, opening September 19 and featuring newly created work from influential artists including Shepard Fairey, Ron English, DFace, Gary Baseman, Shag, Swoon, Miss Van, and Luke Chueh. The gallery will also present Love, Death & All Her Friends* through Oct. 24, an ethereal watercolor solo show by Australian artist kelogsloops that explores love, loss, time, and impermanence.
