Festivals to the OC Fair: What's happening this weekend

OC FAIR
Photo credit Getty Images

If you’ve ever wished someone would hand you the ultimate weekend playbook, KNX News 97.1 FM's Nataly Tavidian’s got it covered. She’s rounded up the best ways to fill your Friday through Sunday.

1. Mount Wilson Observatory – LAAS Star Party

Date/Time: Friday, August 15 – Saturday, August 16, 2025 | 7:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Location: Mount Wilson Observatory, San Gabriel Mountains

Spend an evening under the stars at this public star party hosted by the Los Angeles Astronomical Society. Enjoy telescope views and a night sky experience in the San Gabriels.

More Info: mtwilson.edu/events/starparty081525

2. OC Fair – Final Weekend

Date: August 15–17, 2025 | Costa Mesa, CA

Catch the last weekend of the OC Fair with rides, games, food, and live music at both the Pacific Amphitheatre and The Hangar.
Friday, Aug 15 – Pacific Amphitheatre: Blues Traveler, Gin Blossoms, Spin Doctors
Friday, Aug 15 – The Hangar: Twisted Gypsy (Fleetwood Mac tribute)
Saturday, Aug 16 – Pacific Amphitheatre: Swift Nation / Bad Guy Billie (Tributes to Taylor Swift & Billie Eilish)
Saturday, Aug 16 – The Hangar: Blink 180True (Blink-182 tribute)
Sunday, Aug 17 – Pacific Amphitheatre: Grupo Marca Registrada, DJ Trice, Los Primos de la Baja
Sunday, Aug 17 – The Hangar: Hot Lava (B-52’s tribute)

Tickets & Info: ocfair.com

3. Barbie: Hollywood Glam! Rooftop Romance Screening

Date/Time: Friday, August 15 | Happy Hour 6:00–7:00 PM, Film at 8:15 PM
Location: The Montalbán, Hollywood

Sip cocktails and enjoy DJ sets before a rooftop screening of Barbie under the stars. Doors at 6 PM, film starts just after sunset.

Tickets: app.gopassage.com/events/barbie-hollywood-glam-rooftop-romance-screening

4. 39th Annual Inter-City Cactus & Succulent Show and Sale

Date: Sale – Aug 15–17 | Show – Aug 16–17 | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Los Angeles County Arboretum, Arcadia

Browse over 1,000 specimens from six continents at this top plant show, often called the “Comic-Con of the cactus world.”

More Info: intercityshow.com

5. Televerse – Television Academy Immersive Festival

Date: Aug 14–16, 2025
Location: JW Marriott at L.A. LIVE

Panels, screenings, reunions (Bones, Queer as Folk), and special sessions including Dodgers broadcasters “Inside the Booth.”

More Info: televerse.com

6. August Artisan Market – Playa Vista

Date/Time: Saturday, August 16 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: RUNWAY Playa Vista

Shop handmade goods from local makers at this free outdoor market. Dogs welcome.

More Info: creativecommunal.com

7. CicLAvia – Culver City Meets Venice

Date/Time: Sunday, August 17 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Connecting Culver City, Mar Vista, and Venice

Car-free streets for biking, skating, and strolling through L.A. neighborhoods. Free and family-friendly.

More Info: ciclavia.org

8. Echo Park Rising – Music & Arts Festival

Date: Saturday, August 16 (events all weekend)
Location: Echo Park, multiple venues

Free neighborhood festival with live music, comedy, and art across Echo Park. Pre-parties and community events all weekend.

More Info: echoparkrising.com

9. Nisei Week – Plaza Festival

Date: Aug 16 & 17 | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: JACCC Plaza, Little Tokyo

Celebrate Japanese culture with taiko drumming, food, shopping, and family-friendly activities.

More Info: niseiweek.org

10. Reggae Night XXIII – Damian Marley & Stephen Marley

Date/Time: Sunday, August 17 | 7:00 PM
 Location: Hollywood Bowl
 
An evening of reggae legends carrying forward Bob Marley’s legacy.
 
Tickets: hollywoodbowl.com

11. RÜFÜS DU SOL – Inhale/Exhale World Tour

Date/Time: Saturday, August 16 | 7:30 PM
Location: Rose Bowl Stadium

Grammy-winning Australian electronic trio wraps their world tour with a massive, sold-out Pasadena show.

More Info: rufusdusol.com

12. Thirty Seconds to Mars – A Beautiful Lie 20th Anniversary

Date/Time: Saturday, August 16 | 8:00 PM
Location: Kia Forum

Jared and Shannon Leto perform their album A Beautiful Lie in full, joined by special guests.

Tickets: livenation.com

13. Gloria Molina Grand Park – Sunday Sessions

Date/Time: Sunday, August 17 | 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Grand Park, Downtown L.A.
 
The second and final Sunday Session of the summer, celebrating L.A.’s house music scene with DJs and food trucks.
 
More Info: grandparkla.org/sundaysessions

14. CatVideoFest 2025

Date/Time: Friday, August 15 | 4:30 PM (limited walk-ups)
 Location: Vidiots, Eagle Rock

A big-screen compilation of the best cat videos from around the world, benefiting local cat charities.
 
More Info: vidiotsfoundation.org

15. Dodgers vs. Padres – Weekend Series

Date/Time:
Friday, Aug 15 | 7:10 PM
Saturday, Aug 16 | 6:10 PM
Sunday, Aug 17 | 1:10 PM
 Location: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
NL West rivals face off in a three-game series.
Tickets: mlb.com/dodgers/schedule/2025-08

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