August is a popular time to visit Los Angeles and, as always, there are a ton of things going on here this month. What we, at The Real Los Angeles Tours, try to do here is break it down and give you an easy to manage list, a selection of cool activities that we think would be totally fun to do AND also give you a feel for what the real LA is all about. A lot of them are free and doing them will (hopefully) give you a fun, authentic experience of Los Angeles’ food, music, art and general joie-de-vivre. Here’s our list of the best things to do in LA in August. Enjoy!

Events & Activities in Los Angeles This Month

1. GRIFFITH PARK FREE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL (DATES THROUGH AUGUST)

Each summer, for 16 years running, the Independent Shakespeare Company has put on a series of theatrical productions at the historic Old Zoo in Griffith Park. Audiences take seats on the grass (bring a picnic blanket and some cushions) and enjoy performances like this season’s headliner, Shakespeare’s political thriller Coriolanus, which alternates with The Comedy of Errors.

With construction of a permanent stage still in process on the main lawn, shows are in the dell at the top of the Old Zoo area. Productions are free, but reservations are required. You can also rent a seat, or make a donation.

More information here.

2. KCRW SUMMER NIGHTS (DATES THROUGH AUGUST)

KCRW, a National Public Radio member station, is required listening in Southern California both for the current affairs, news and playlists. Over the Summer they organize a series of concert all over Los Angeles and the OC, at venues like the Hollywood Bowl, the Broad in DTLA, the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana and the LA Plaza, near Union Station.

Recently times have been tough for many vendors and restaurants on Olvera Street, so stop by and grab some of the best street tacos in LA, if you’re going to the event at the LA Plaza.

Anthony Valadez, Jason Bentley and Raul Campos, amongst others, are spinning the wheels of steel. Some events are free, and others are in conjunction with other events are in conjunction with film screenings and artists, such as Tori Amos. If you like music – and having a good time – this is a must do this month.

More information here.

3. 626 NIGHT MARKET (AUGUST 14-16)

This night street food market is a summer staple for Los Angeles. And with good reason. For several nights the Santa Anita Racetrack is remade to resemble an Asian night street-food market, with hundreds of stalls offering every different kind of Asian (and non-Asian :-) ) food. Nearly all of it’s good and it’s mostly reasonably priced too.

More information here.

4. FIESTA LA BALLONA (AUGUST 28-30)

This summer festival in Culver City, on the Westside, is celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year. There’s live music, carnival rides, food trucks, a beer and wine garden and loads and loads of food trucks. It’s a great way to enjoy summer in Los Angeles.

More information here.

If you do visit the neighborhood use our guide to Culver City to make the most of your time there.

5. CINESPIA AT HOLLYWOOD FOREVER CEMETERY (DATES THROUGH AUGUST)

Los Angeles has the perfect weather for outdoor movie screenings – and the perfect venues too.

Hollywood Forever Cemetery is a piece of Los Angeles and Hollywood history in and of itself, being the final resting place of a host of stars (including the original ‘King of Hollywood’ Douglas Fairbanks, as well as Judy Garland, Fay Wray and Cecil B. De Mille to name but a few).

It doesn’t only host dearly departed stars either, prominent city folk, such as several members of the Chandler family (one-time long-time owners of the Los Angeles Times), also have their final resting place there. 

Cinespia always has a great movie line-up, this month’s includes some fun and funny movies, like Rosemary’s Baby and Coming to America and Labyrinth.

More information here.

6. GO TO A COMEDY SHOW (DATES THROUGH AUGUST)

Who couldn’t do with a good laugh at the moment? I know I could.

LA has a very well established comedy scene, with shows often featuring lineups of both household names and up-and-coming stand-ups. Hollywood Improv has a full slate of shows and The Comedy Store is open almost nightly. Don’t Tell Comedy is an underground series of “secret” standup shows offering pop-up shows at outdoor venues, including parking lots and rooftops.

Got to be one of the best things to do in LA in August, right?

7. ENJOY SOME OF THE BEST FOOD IN LOS ANGELES (EVERY SUNDAY @ NOON)

Southern California has some of the best food in the world – in fact 40% of the food Americans eat comes from the state – and Los Angeles is a beneficiary of that fact.

Our LA: Food + History + Design tour celebrates the city with a selection of some of our best – the French Dip Sandwich, a locally-invented dish, street tacos on Olvera Street, birthplace of Los Angeles and home-made ice-cream at Grand Central Market… In between courses we show guests the best of LA design and fill them in on the fascinating history of the city.

More information here.

8. GO TO A CONCERT (VARIOUS DATES)

There are always great bands coming to Los Angeles to perform. This month some of the highlights are Karol G, Ne-Yo and Akon, Ed Sheeran and The Black Crowes. More information here.

It’s also worth keeping an eye on the Hollywood Bowl (ZZ Top and Counting Crows) and the Greek Theatre (Gypsy Kings and Mt. Joy), to see what performances and which artists they’ve got scheduled.

9. SMORGASBURG LA (EVERY SUNDAY)

This import from New York long ago secured its foothold here on the West Coast, becoming very popular over here too. Probably the location helps, in a fast emerging part of the Arts District in DTLA, with nice shopping, creative offices and loft apartments (natch).

Apparently it’s now the largest open-air food market in the U.S. and there are hundreds of food vendors, as well as small businesses selling art and jewelry amongst other things. Head down on a Sunday in August, it’s fun.

More information here.

10. GETTY GARDEN CONCERTS FOR KIDS (DATES THROUGH AUGUST)

How are you going to keep the kids entertained through the sweltering dog days of August?

Well how about taking them to this world-renowned art museum, in an architectural award-winning building, with stunning views of Santa Monica, the mountains and the mighty Pacific Ocean? They’ve even arranged some garden concerts for the little ones, with some of the best children’s musical artists from around the U.S.

More information here.

If you have any feedback on 10 Best Things to Do in LA in August please email us or reach out on social media, we’d love to hear from you.

– By Damien Blackshaw (Twitter)