Can you experience all of the great things in Los Angeles without spending all your money? Absolutely, yes. In this second post in the series, we focus on Los Angeles on a budget, entertainment. These are all of the great date nights and group hangouts that happen all year round for less than $15.
This list features some of my favorite events in Los Angeles. They hit a wide range of live music, comedy, night markets, and shopping. These events happen regularly, so if you miss one, no worries there is always the next time.
Criteria for Entertainment
- The prices are $15 or less, including third-party fees.
- Tickets to events that are invitations to buy are less than $15. What does that mean? The Rose Bowl costs $20 before you buy anything from the vendors. Where the Melrose Swap Meet only costs $5, which a) proceeds go to charity and b) leaves you $10 to buy something from a local vendor.
Table of Contents
Entertainment all year round in Los Angeles
No. 1: Events at the Santa Monica Pier
(Santa Monica)
What is it? I know the Santa Monica Pier is a tourist hangout that can get pretty crowded. However, I think the following events are worth the trek and crowds.
- Movie Nights on the Pier (Late summer/fall)
- Local’s Night (The third Thursday of the month)
Cost: $0
When: Check the website for times.
As mentioned in: Santa Monica 101: The Santa Monica Pier
Note: Some special events, like the Stranger Things interactive event, occur on the pier. Those pop-up events will be listed and ticketed separately. I can’t predict their prices, and many offer VIP experiences.
No. 2: Annenberg Beach House
(Santa Monica)
What is it? My favorite beach to take a group, including people who hate the beach.
Cost: $0 admission; parking is either $12 for spring/summer months and $8 for fall/winter.
When: Daily, 8:am-8:PM
As mentioned in: Santa Monica Time Travel: Annenberg Community Beach House Tips. (Get some dramatic and tragic Old Hollywood History too)
No. 3: Movies at the American Cinematheque
(Multiple locations)
What is it? A collection of movie theaters showing classic, independent, cult, and art house films. Sometimes theaters host Q&As with filmmakers, actors, or other people who worked on the film.
Cost: $13-$15, depending on the movie.
When: Check the website for theaters and show times.
As mentioned in: The Los Feliz Three was mentioned in Things to Do in Los Feliz.
No. 4: The Venice Fest
(Mar Vista)
What is it? A quarterly street fair featuring food trucks, music, and local crafters & makers.
Cost: $0
When: Check the website for upcoming dates. They take place around the major holidays for alternative and local shopping.
As mentioned in: Things to do in Mar Vista.
No. 5: The Set-up Comedy
(Culver City)
What is it? A twice-weekly comedy night held at the Citizens Public Market. Get a ticket, grab some dinner, and laugh your ass off. Comedians range from up-and-comers to comedy writers.
Cost: $15
When: Wednesday nights.
As mentioned in: Things to Do in Culver City.
No. 6: Ivy Station Events in the Park
(Culver City)
What is it? This Everything Space in Culver City hosts several events throughout the week, from board game nights, swing bands, a monthly night market, and more.
This is a great place for families to find something to do.
Costs: Free entry to most events. Movie nights require a headset rental, price TBD.
When: Click the link above to see this month’s schedule.
As mentioned in: Culver City’s Everything Spaces: Ivy Station.
No. 7: The Hammer Public Programs
(Westwood)
What is it? THIS MUSEUM HAS THE BEST PROGRAMMING OUT OF ALL OF THE MUSEUMS. Thought-provoking discussions, the lowdown on all of the CA propositions and current issues, Q&As with Oscar-nominated directors, and more.
Cost: The price of events range with a lot of events for free.
When: Check the website for upcoming events. (Linked above)
No. 8: Melrose Trading Post
(Fairfax)
What is it? A weekly flea market featuring local vendors who sell antiques, vintage clothing, art, and more. This is a great place to see celebrities.
Cost: $5 (buying online is $7 due to a processing fee.) Proceeds go to charity.
When: Every Sunday 9:am-5:PM
No. 9: Wednezdays Party
(Hollywood)
What is it? A Goth dance party at Broadners. You should come dressed in your finest dark scary looks.
Cost: $0
When: Every Wednesday.
No. 10: Legendary Bingo at Hamburger Mary’s
(West Hollywood)
What is it: Play bingo for various local charities, with cheeky and a little raunchy call-backs, with Bingo Boy and a drag hostess.
Cost: $10 gets you two rounds of bingo.
When: Wednesday nights
[Photo: Wikimedia Commons]
No. 11: Los Angeles Philharmonic practices (Hollywood)
What is it? Every summer the Los Angeles Philharmonic relocates from the Walt Disney Concert Hall to the Hollywood Bowl. You can attend their practices for free. Check-in on Mondays to see if you can attend the practice.
Cost: $0
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m., starting after the fourth of July to Mid-September.
As mentioned in: Tips for the Hollywood Bowl.
No. 12: Together Thursdays at the MoCAs, The Broad, and Japanese American National Museum.
(DTLA & Little Tokyo)
What is it? A monthly museum after-hours event with a shuttle between campuses. KCHUNG radio DJs provide music at the MOCA Geffen. The Japanese National Museum also participates in this event.
Cost: $0, also a free shuttle between the MoCAs.
When: Every Thursday.
No. 13: Club Underground
(Chinatown)
What is it? Friday night dance party featuring glam rock, brit pop, goth, industrial, and a little Bowie thrown in.
Cost: $9.17
When: Every Friday at Grand Star Jazz Club.
No. 14: Music at The Love Song Bar
(DTLA)
What is it? A bar in the lobby of the Regent has DJs and theme nights all week.
Cost: $0, the concerts in the Love Song Bar are more, and of course, it is a cash bar.
When: Nightly
Options include:
- Downtown Disko (Saturdays)–House, Disco, Breaks, Beats, and Edits
- Scenario (Wednesdays)–Hip Hop
- Papaya Club (Thursdays)–Afro-beat and tropicalia
No. 15: Secret Movie Club
(DTLA)
What is it? Curated movies all on film. Films range from Old Hollywood classics to experimental arthouse.
Cost: $13.65 (Early bird, only one film)
When: Every weekend and some weekdays. Award Ceremony Itinerary: Movie Premieres and Costumes.
Note: This is also an excellent opportunity to get inside some of the historic movie palaces in DTLA.
No. 16: General Lee’s
(Chinatown)
What is it? A vintage bar with nightly entertainment to Jazz Night on Tuesdays to Sade Night on the first Saturday of the month.
Cost: $0 entry, and of course, cash bar.
When: Their Instagram account is the best way to find out what is happening each night. Linked above.
No. 17: Nerd Night LA
(Glendale)
What is it? A monthly meet-up with beer and presentations about science, movies, and other niche topics.
Cost: $15
When: Monthly
No. 18: Weekly Classic Car Show at Bob’s Big Boy
(Burbank/Toluca Lake)
What: A place for local classic car collectors to show off vehicles–not always cars–in their collection. If you love classic cars, this is a great event for you.
Cost: $0
When: Every Friday.
When the weather is warmer
I would call these summer events, but some start in May and end in September. Also it could still feel like summer in September and October. Check the websites linked in the heading for schedule information.
No. 18: Odd Nights at the Autry
(Los Feliz/Griffith Park)
What is it? is a night market that offers a unique shopping and entertainment experience for visitors. It features a wide variety of local vendors selling everything from handmade crafts to vintage clothing, along with live music performances, food trucks, and other attractions.
Cost: $5
When: Every third Friday of the month, April- September, 5:PM-10:PM
No. 19: Grand Performances
(DTLA)
What is it? A summer concert series in the heart of downtown
Cost: $0, but donate some money to keep the series going
When: April-September. Check the calendar as events happen throughout the week
As mentioned in: I have been keeping this one a secret for too long.
Note: This event is a personal favorite.
No. 20: Dance at the Music Center
(DTLA)
What is it? A weekly dance night where you learn and also dance the night away. Interested in learning how to bachata or salsa? They’ve got you covered. Want to bust out your K-Pop moves? You can do that.
Cost: $0
When: Friday nights, June through August
No. 21: Jazz at LACMA
(Mid-City/Museum Row)
What is it? A weekly free jazz concert featuring local and well-known acts.
Cost: $0 When: Fridays 6:PM-8:PM, April-September
As mentioned in: Los Angeles Curated
See a list of the upcoming events here. (Jump to page 6)
Los Angeles on a budget: Entertainment Annual Events
No. 22: Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
(USC)
What is it? An annual book festival with author talks, local book vendors, workshops, and food trucks.
Cost: $0 entry
When: April
No. 23: Lovers Rock at Grand Park
(DTLA)
What is it? An annual free community event on Valentine’s Day. There is live music and food trucks.
Cost: $0
When: February 14
No. 24: NYE at Grand Park (DTLA)
What is it? Annual free community celebration ringing in the new year.
Cost: $0
When: December 31-January 1
Moves around the city
No. 25: Radical Clothing Swap
What is it? The best way to recycle your gently used clothing and accessories and find something in return.
Cost: A few underloved items in your closet to trade with others.
When: Follow their Instagram account, linked above.
No. 26: City tour with This Ugly Beautiful City
What is it? A fun way to get to know Los Angeles is by exploring its neighborhoods and hidden gems. Join me for these four-hour tours of deep diving and experiencing L.A.
Cost: $0 for paid subscribers, $15 for friends of subscribers. $25 for free subscribers.
When: Announced in the newsletter.
I hope that these tips give you a way to experience Los Angeles on a budget. There is more to come! Follow this page for more ideas and updates.