There is LOTS of free stuff on deck for the coming labor day weekend, and with temps moderating and a holiday Monday in view, our guess is many folks out there are looking for ways to fill up their social calendar, whether it’s staying in town or taking a quick getaway. Either way, it all adds up to a single word: congestion. One way to play it is to forgo the freeways, pass on parking costs, and ride Metro to some of the best free events happening this Labor Day weekend around Los Angeles. We’ll get you started with a few fresh ideas below.
Free To-Dos for Labor Day Weekend
Jenny Holzer at Hauser & Wirth West Hollywood -> Starting Friday, Hauser & Wirth’s West Hollywood space debuts Jenny Holzer’s first major Los Angeles exhibition since 2012. This compilation of Holzer’s work combines art and technology, asking viewers to ponder art, language, and AI’s evolving role through multi-faceted works including a pair of robotic vertical LEDs displaying AI-generated texts. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The exhibition runs through October 23, and is free to attend.
Go Metro: Take Line 4 to Santa Monica / La Peer.
Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture -> Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles kicks off the final weekend of its 2023 summer concert schedule with a two-day festival (Friday and Saturday) celebrating the vibrant heritage of the Philippines, and featuring a marketplace made up of Filipino-American owned vendors, plus back-to-back days of performances by a diverse lineup of artists. Free to attend.
Go Metro: Take the B or D Line to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
West Adams Jazz & Music Festival -> The 20th installment of the West Adams Jazz Festival is back another Labor Day weekend three-day event this Friday to Sunday, centered near the intersection of 7th Ave and Adams Blvd. Expect back-to-back-to-back nights of live performance, dancing, local vendors, and food trucks. Starts at 6 p.m. each night.
Go Metro: Take Line 37 along Adams Blvd.
Grease at NoHo Summer Nights -> The Valley Cultural Foundation’s summer programming series continues at North Hollywood Recreation Center this Saturday with a free screening of Grease. Expect food vendors on-site along with multiple interactive art booths to check out. Movie starts at dusk.
Go Metro: Take the B or G Lines to North Hollywood station.
Booptown at Boomtown -> Booptown is a monthly afternoon social and pet adoption event where guests can buy a beer from Boomtown’s ample selection and maybe (just maybe!) find a new best friend in the process. Reps/animals from Best Friends Animal Society, Homeless To Forever Foundation, Itchy’s Rescue, and LA Animal Services will all be in attendance, along with food trucks and special vendors. Runs 1 to 5 p.m. this Sunday. Free to attend.
Go Metro: Take the A or E Lines to Little Tokyo station.
Americana in the Park -> Santa Monica’s Americana in the Park series is back for the whole month of September, offering free concerts on Sundays at Gandara Park. Alt-country rockers Dead Rock West headline the September 3 event, with on-site food trucks to include Drizzle Funnel Cakes, Messi Burgers, and Salt n Pepper. McCabe’s Guitar will host a special pop-up show too! Runs 4 to 7 p.m., and free to attend.
Go Metro: Take the E Line to 26th St / Bergamot Station
