Nisei Week Japanese Festival: The time-honored Little Tokyo celebration festively fills out two weekends with music, an artists’ alley, a host of cultural pastimes, karate demonstrations, Taiko drumming, shopping, food, anime, and the beloved Street Ondo, the dance party that concludes the decades-old tradition on Aug. 23. The new JX Matsuri carnival-like event, happening at Weller Court on Aug. 16, has pop culture diversions, music, eats, and lots more. Just check the dates for the specific events you’d love to join.
KCON LA 2026 with Olive Young Festa: Follow the Korean Wave to the Los Angeles Convention Center and Crypto.com Arena for three days of energetic K-Pop performances, so much art, and the huge Olive Young Festa, a “K-Beauty Playground Festival” with dozens of brands set to appear. The dates are Aug. 14 through 16 and tickets are available via the site.
D23: The Ultimate Fan Event 2026: The magical convention unfurls from Aug. 14 through 16, with major announcements, star appearances, and fan-focused gatherings in tow. The schedule includes a celebration of “Enchanted” in honor of its 20th anniversary, a milestone ode to “Zootopia” (it is turning 10), and Spider-Man celebration, a tribute to the icon’s big 65th. Cosplay is always a central part, so don your “Toy Story” togs or Marvel wear and fly for the Anaheim Convention Center.
Free Day at the Academy Museum: Perhaps you’ve cinema’d-out this summer, stopping by your local theater each weekend to savor the latest blockbuster or indie fare. Or maybe you’ve been meaning to love upon the movies more. Here’s a cinematic start: Stop by the mid-city museum on Aug. 16, no ticket required, to soak up exhibits like “Ponyo” and sweet activities, no admission required.
Free KCRW Summer Nights with Metro Art: More pay-nothing revelries are shimmering on the weekend schedule, including this DJ-filled night at Union Station. The evening is Aug. 15, food will be for sale, and the magnificent Ticket Concourse space will up the glamour. And if you’re downtown on Aug. 14, near the Music Center? Dance DTLA is coming to a seasonal close, with a night devoted to vibrant Bollywood moves. This is also so free, with dance lessons included.
Pooches in the Pool: The splashiest season is quickly drawing to a drenching close — you might even say it is drying up — but the team at the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation has some fun for your Fido on Aug. 15. Five pools in the system will open up to dogs who want to take a cooling dip before the draining and cleaning begins. You’ll need to fill out and arrive with a form about your pup’s vaccinations and such; also, do note that little dogs will paddle before the big dogs get their chance.
2026 Wings Over Camarillo Air Show: The long-running on-the-wing spectacular is honoring an icon of the skies during its Aug. 15 and 16. “Celebrating 90 Years of the DC-3 Mainliner — A Legend That Changed the Skies” is the flight-festive focus of the weekend-long happening, which will also feature a Classic Car Show and Veterans Hangar. Patrick Warburton is the Grand Marshal of the event, which has become famous for its up-high “thrilling performances” by both vintage and contemporary planes.