Cultural Nights Out in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is as much a hub for cultural experiences as it is for entertainment and nightlife. L.A. boasts a multitude of museums and arts centers around the city, with more on the way like the upcoming Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. But can you have both a fun night out and experience culture at the same time? In Los Angeles, the answer is YES.

Throughout the year, many institutions host evening programs that are open to the public: the Music Center’s Sleepless after-hours series recently presented Quinceañera Reimagined, a celebration of the rituals and symbols associated with this coming-of-age Latin tradition that went on until 3 a.m.; the GRAMMY Museum hosts 80-plus conversations and performances with music stars throughout the year; the Paley Center for Media hosts screenings and star-studded Q&As; and even though it's not necessarily a cultural center but a cultural landmark in its own right, the Andaz West Hollywood hotel, presenting its quarterly Salon art exhibit series showcasing works by local artists.

Read on for Los Angeles museums and cultural centers offering after-hours events and experiences.

On the third Friday of every month from March through October, the Autry Museum of the American West in Griffith Park (4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles 90027) invites the public to spend an evening al fresco at the Odd Market, dubbed an “indie bazaar” with food trucks, live music, family entertainment, and Southern California-based vendors selling crafts, vintage items, home goods, and other oddities. Situated on more than two-and-a-half acres in the heart of Griffith Park, the event runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and guests will be able to roam select museum galleries until 9 p.m. Admission is $5 and free for Autry members.

In addition, on May 22 the Autry brought back its annual after-hour series to celebrate all things L.A. Autry After Hours features performances by local poets, DJs, and artists, plus tacos, beer, wine, and cocktails.

For more information on these events, visit the Autry Museum website.

If searching for a relaxed night out under the city lights – Chris Burden’s Urban Light, to be exact – then the free Friday night jazz sessions at LACMA (5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles 90036) are for you. One of the best free live music events in L.A., Jazz at LACMA has featured such luminary figures as Kenny Burrell, Barbara Morrison, Arturo Sandoval, and Wayne Shorter. Events take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Friday night from April through November and are held in the Smidt Welcome Plaza, just steps away from LACMA’s Urban Light sculpture, dubbed by AFAR magazine as one of the most Instagrammable places in the world.

Visit the Jazz at LACMA page for more info about upcoming performances.

Perched on a hilltop above Brentwood, the world-famous Getty Center (1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles 90049) presents its popular Off the 405 annual outdoor summer concert series, pairing up-and-coming bands and artists with stunning architecture and breathtaking sunset views. This year’s series kicked off on May 18 with LA-based polymath, Sasami. Upcoming concerts include Lala Lala on July 27, San Cha (August 24), and Ex Hex on September 14.

Keep tabs on the Getty Center website for more information and a full schedule of performers.

Now in its 23rd year, the popular Sunset Concert series at the Skirball Cultural Center (2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles 90049) kicks off on July 18 and runs through August 22. Presented every summer since 1997 in the Skirball’s picturesque hillside setting, Sunset Concerts features both emerging and established talents, drawing music fans from across greater Los Angeles. Music fans of all ages are invited to arrive early to enjoy food and drink under the stars and also explore the museum galleries. Concert admission is free and open to the public.

Visit the Skirball website for more information.

Co-presented with KCRW 89.9FM, Summer Concerts at the Hammer Museum (10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles 90024) is a free summer music series that's renowned for featuring an eclectic lineup of rising bands and artists. The popular Hammer shows kick off at around 6:30 p.m. in the museum’s courtyard and guests are free to roam through the galleries until 9 p.m. The all-ages shows are free and open to the public. Past performers have included Cut Chemist, Elohim, Grace Mitchell, Peanut Butter Wolf, Wargirl, and more.

Check out the Hammer Museum website for more information.

As the sun sets the nighttime fun begins at Descanso Gardens (1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge 91011). This spring Descanso opened its floral gates for Night Garden - special evenings of science, music, libations, and more. Guests can enjoy special summer music events like World Rhythms on Tuesdays, Summer Songs featuring the Flashdance DJs on Wednesdays, Music on the Main on Thursdays, and an End of Summer Celebration on August 28.

For more information on upcoming events and to purchase tickets, visit the Descanso Gardens website.

The 127-acre Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden (301 N Baldwin Ave, Arcadia 91007) will offer up live music and a variety of family-friendly entertainment such as crafts, storytelling, lawn games, and a “Bookmobile” during its annual Arboretum Summer Nights. Events take place on select Fridays from June through August - the 2019 series kicked off on June 29 with Northern California psych-pop folk/rock band Strawberry Smog and fellow NorCal musician Christine Shields. Local food trucks will be on site with food for purchase, and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, umbrellas, food, and wine. General admission is $7 and $4 for children ages 5-12. Arboretum members and children 4 and under are free.

For more information about upcoming events, visit the Arboretum website.

The Pomona College Museum of Art (330 N College Ave, Claremont 91711) stays open late on Thursdays for their Art After Hours series, offering a variety of programming, including lectures, panels, workshops, tours, film screenings, and music performances sponsored by KSPC 88.7FM, in conjunction with museum exhibitions and in partnership with on-campus student and academic groups. Upcoming events are scheduled for September 19, October 24, and Halloween Night.

Art After Hours events are free and open to the public. For more information, visit the Pomona College Museum of Art website.

For those looking for a spookier way to learn about history, Twilight Aboard the Queen Mary (1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach 90802) offers several opportunities when the sun goes down. If you're interested in diving into the legendary ocean liner’s haunted past, there are several tours available, including a paranormal ship walk that explores all of the reportedly haunted locations and a paranormal investigations tour that leads you into the depths of the Queen Mary’s purported active locations led by resident ship para-investigator Matthew Schulz. You can even dine with the dead in the award-winning Sir Winston’s Restaurant and Lounge and participate in Illusions of the Passed, a theatrical séance with master magician and apparitionist Aiden Sinclair.

If you’re not too spooked out yet, visit the Queen Mary’s website for more information on twilight attractions, and to purchase tickets.

Go under the sea after dark during Late Nights at the Aquarium of the Pacific (100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach 90802), featuring select Friday evenings when guests can experience the Shark Lagoon for free until 9 p.m. Get up close and personal with the ocean’s ultimate predators, like sand tigers and rays, and even have the opportunity to touch a bamboo shark, should you be so daring. Coffee, hot cocoa, beer, wine, desserts, and snacks will be available for purchase.

For further details on upcoming Late Nights events, visit the Aquarium website.