Things are heating up this month, both literally and figuratively, as we’re in the peak of summer. So to help you cope with the soaring temperatures while ensuring you make the most of the summer, we’ve curated a list of incredible happenings to fill your calendar with.
Whether it’s a trip out of town to escape the heat or a free outdoor concert, here are all the best things you can do this August in L.A. below!
Celebrate National Honey Bee Day with free honey, a scavenger hunt, and a beekeeper meet-and-greet. For a sweet (and totally free) August outing, head to 2ND & PCH in Long Beach for its National Honey Bee Day celebration on Saturday, August 15, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Expect a pollinator scavenger hunt, free local honey giveaways, friendship bracelet making, and a meet-and-greet with a professional beekeeper.
The wildly popular Candlelight Concerts have never ceased to captivate audiences across the globe. The series brings you talented musicians who perform live shows in beautiful settings, all bathed in Candlelight.
Make room in your schedule to enjoy one of the best Los Angeles August events, featuring live classical music versions of incredible artists from Bad Bunny to Whitney Houston.
Join Little Tokyo’s 84th Nisei Week Grand Parade on Sunday, August 16 from 4–6pm. One of August’s standout cultural celebrations, the historic Nisei Week Grand Parade returns to Little Tokyo on Sunday, August 16 from 4–6pm, featuring traditional Japanese dancers, taiko drummers, high school bands and the illuminated nebuta float. The parade opens a nine-day festival (August 15–23) celebrating Japanese American culture in Los Angeles.
Get your cultural fix at one of these world-class galleries and museums in L.A. You can marvel at masterpieces from around the world from various decades or take in poignant contemporary works from the voices of our time, and you can do it all for free every day of the week.
HARD Summer 2026 is a massive two-day music festival taking place August 1-2 at Hollywood Park in L.A. HARD Summer will feature top-tier artists like Kali Uchis, Mau P, Knock 2, DJ Snake, Zedd, and Sammy Virji. Blending house, techno, bass, and hip-hop across multiple stages, it’s one of the West Coast’s most anticipated summer electronic events. Find out more here!
Our beloved city is considered an essential destination for the world’s most eagerly awaited concert tours and music festivals. Check out all the best concerts happening in L.A. this August!
Finally, KCRW Summer Nights are back! Angelenos get to dance the warm nights away with some of KCRW’s best DJs and musical guests at our favorite L.A. locations like The Hammer Museum, Descanso Gardens, Chinatown, MOCA, and more!
TV lovers, rejoice! Televerse is returning to the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE to celebrate all things television from August 14-16. With a stacked lineup of panels, workshops, screenings, and Q&As, the three-day conference provides unparalleled opportunities to hear from beloved stars, groundbreaking storytellers, and more industry innovators. Save your spot today!
Join the community at RiverFest
Friends of the Los Angeles River (FoLAR) is presenting their 4th annual River Fest. It’s a free outdoor festival focused on environmental arts and community, honoring the culture, history, and individuals who influence the L.A. River. It will feature a variety of local artists with thrilling live performances, a stunning visual art gallery and a bustling marketplace. Plus, they’ll have new interactive eco-activities for the whole family and delicious food from some of L.A.’s best food trucks.
It’s no secret that August is warm, so why not make the most of it by stepping outside? Outdoor concerts have returned to Los Angelesl, and we’ve compiled a list of the city’s top free events, from the energetic KCRW Summer Nights series to the captivating Jazz at LACMA sessions. Whether you’re into dynamic DJ sets or live band performances, these concerts provide the perfect chance to enjoy music in the open air at no cost. Gather your friends and check out our list of free outdoor concerts here!
Elevate your cocktail hour with a lush, plant-filled rooftop bar. It makes for a perfect tropical hideaway without leaving the city limits. Head up to one of these sky-high sanctuaries and watch the sunset over the L.A. skyline while sipping on mouthwatering cocktails and nibbling on delicious snacks. Find our favorite rooftop bars here.
The best things in life are free… and romantic. A valid criticism of our city is that we don’t have enough parks. While this statement does hold true to an extent, the more you search, the more you’ll find that L.A. does have hidden pockets of greenery waiting to host you. No need to go search for yourself, because we found best parks in Los Angelesfor picnicking, reading, romantic dates, hanging out with friends, and more.
For one weekend only, the creators blowing up your feed are stepping off the screen and onto the stage. Taking over Great Park in Irvine from November 14-15, For You Fest turns your algorithm into an actual hangout with appearances from internet personalities including Tana Mongeau, Caleb Hearon, and Trisha Paytas.
Expect styling sessions with your go-to fashion faves, live sets built from the sounds already on repeat in your playlists, culinary workshops, comedy sets, and more. It’s the closest you’ll get to living inside your FYP. Spots are limited, so lock yours in today.
SoCal is home to some breathtaking beachside scenery, but in the height of summer, you’re likely to see more bronzed bodies than sand. So, taking a little hike through incredible local landscapes to these little swimming havens might be a good alternative.
The August heat can be scorching, but for those staying in the city during this time who love the outdoors and soaking up some vitamin D, there’s no better plan than exploring the city on roller skates.
Firstly, it’s free! You just need your pair of inlines (or quads).. And secondly, it’s a great opportunity to get some exercise and discover new corners of Los Angeles. If you’re looking for things to do in L.A. in August, this is a perfect option. Check out the best spots to roller skate around L.A. here!
If you have a sweet tooth and are looking to beat the heat, the answer to the question “what to do in L.A. in August” is simple: have an ice cream feast! Los Angeles boasts some of the best chains around, offering options for every palate, including vegan ice creams that will make your taste buds tremble with delight. You can even grab a frozen sweet treat at Smorgasburg LA’s Ice Cream Alley.
Got a few days off during the hottest month of summer? Then one of the best things to do in Los Angeles in August for you would be exploring nearby cities. From islands to deserts, and coastal towns offering the best sunsets and incredible beaches for surfing, taking a getaway to escape the traffic and stress is always a good idea. Check out local getaways from L.A. here!
Going to the beach in August is a no-brainer and the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about things to do in Los Angeles this time of year. However, getting to the beach often means getting stuck in traffic only to arrive at a crowded spot. If you prefer more privacy, then we recommend exploring some of the secluded beaches around L.A. that will make you feel almost like a millionaire with your own private retreat.
Trade a brewery crawl for a museum night of unlimited craft beer samples and hands-on science demos. For a uniquely L.A. summer night out, Brewsology Beer Fest turns the California Science Center into a one-night craft beer and cider festival with unlimited samples, live science demonstrations, and after-hours museum access on Saturday, August 1, 2026.
If you’re looking to escape the city lights this August, Borrego Springs is California’s premier dark-sky destination and a top hotspot for reported UFO sightings. Just a couple hours from Los Angeles, Borrego Springs on the edge of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is renowned for exceptionally dark skies and a high number of reported unexplained aerial sightings. It’s the first California community designated an International Dark Sky Community and attracts stargazers, astronomers, astrophotographers, and visitors exploring the park’s desert landscapes and seasonal wildflower blooms.
Experience two months of spooky Disney magic — pumpkins, villains, treats, and exclusive events. If you’re looking to kick off Halloween season early, Disneyland Resort’s Halloween Time runs August 21–October 31, 2026 across Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, bringing pumpkins, seasonal treats, attraction overlays, and new entertainment such as Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake. The separately ticketed Oogie Boogie Bash runs on select nights during the season.
Get Canter’s famous pastrami for just 95¢ — one night only! If you’re hunting for a seriously iconic L.A. deal this August, Canter’s Deli is celebrating 95 years by offering its signature hot pastrami sandwich for 95¢ for one night only, available dine-in Monday, August 3 from 6 p.m. until midnight. The special includes hot pastrami (or a plant-based substitution), cole slaw, a pickle, and a chocolate chip rugula, limited to one sandwich per customer.
Shop exclusive Petal merchandise at Ariana Grande’s three-day pop-up in Fairfax. If you’re looking for a cool, limited-time stop in L.A. this August, Ariana Grande is bringing a three-day Petal pop-up to Fairfax from July 31–August 2, 2026 (11:00–19:00 daily) at 433 N. Fairfax Ave., offering exclusive Petal merchandise and music. RSVP is encouraged but does not guarantee entry.
Step inside LAIKA’s Wildwood at The Grove from July 27–Aug 2, 2026. If you’re looking for an immersive (and free) experience to add to your August lineup, check out “The Forest is Calling” at The Grove in Los Angeles, running July 27 through August 2, 2026. Fans can step inside the film’s Impassable Wilderness and explore hand-finished set pieces, an interactive faction-sorting sequence with digital photos and keepsakes, plus ambient sound and props drawn from the production.
If you’re looking for a classic summer blowout near L.A., experience one of SoCal’s biggest summer fairs with rides, live music, monster trucks, and deep‑fried fair favorites. The 2026 OC Fair runs July 17 through August 16 at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, featuring carnival rides, concerts, monster trucks, demolition derbies, animal exhibits, and classic fair food. Grounds are open Wed/Thu/Sun 11:00–23:00 and Fri–Sat until midnight, with advance tickets required.
Hillcrest closes 5th Avenue for a massive day-to-night CityFest on August 9. If you’re up for a quick escape from L.A. this month, CityFest returns to Hillcrest, San Diego on Sunday, August 9, taking over 5th Avenue from 12 PM–11 PM with two music stages, 250+ vendors, and a new ticketed Wine Garden. General admission is free.
Santa Monica closes Ocean Avenue for a free, family-friendly art festival on August 8, 2026. If you’re looking for a daytime August outing by the coast, head to Santa Monica on Saturday, August 8, 2026, when Ocean Avenue will close between California and Montana Avenues for Art on Ocean—a free, family-friendly street arts festival featuring 100+ visual artists, live music, food vendors, a wine garden, and kids’ activities from 11:00 to 18:00.
Ride the Giant Wheel at sunset with ocean views — concerts are free with fair admission. If you’re up for a classic summer fair day trip outside L.A., the Ventura County Fair returns to Seaside Park on the coast of Ventura with rides, food, livestock exhibits and a free concert series included with fair admission. The fair runs July 29–August 9, 2026, with a separate rodeo ticket required for shows August 7–9.
Catch Normani live at the GRAMMY Museum on Aug. 3 — tickets are limited. If you’re looking to add a live-music moment to your August plans, the GRAMMY Museum in Downtown Los Angeles is hosting more than 20 live programs between late July and late August 2026, spanning everything from K-pop and West Coast rap to country and Afrobeats. One highlighted upcoming show is An Evening With Normani & Lydia Asrat on Aug. 3, 2026 (7:30pm).
Step into a pitch-black, story-driven cocktail tasting where every spirit arrives with its own legend. If you’re looking for a truly out-of-the-ordinary night in L.A. this August, book a spot at The Obscure—a hidden, pitch-black speakeasy and working distillery in LA’s Arts District. The cinematic six-pour cocktail tasting pairs house-distilled spirits with storytelling and rotating seasonal menus. Early-bird signups can unlock discounted tickets with 15% off when the next calendar of experiences is released.
