From monthly events in the heart of downtown to annual open-studio events, art walks in LA are great for a date night, starting an art collection or simply exploring the burgeoning local arts scene.
Here are a few of our favorites.
Find more things to do in LA with the LosAngeles.com Events Calendar.
[Photo Credit: Lord Jim / Flikr]
The second Thursday of every month finds galleries open and art spilling onto the streets from 6pm to 10pm in the LA’s historic downtown area. From the edgy, vibrant Hive Gallery and Studios to DAC Gallery’s abstracts and the Museum of Contemporary Art on Grand Avenue, there’s plenty of art to see. In all, more than 40 galleries and museums open their doors, drawing as many as 10,000 visitors throughout the area.
Galleries, shops and food trucks bring big crowds into this hip shopping and arts district every first Friday of the month. Galleries such as C.A.V.E. (known for its emerging artists and pop art) and G2, stay open until 10pm. Local artists also display their wares in the many unique shops along this Venice enclave. An extra incentive to buy: Merchants support local charities with a portion of the evening’s proceeds.
From 6pm to 9pm on the first Thursday of the month, more than 30 San Pedro galleries open their doors along 6th and 7th Street. Street performers provide the soundtrack as mammoth cruise ships and the Port of Los Angeles light the night sky in the near distance. Food trucks and vendor booths, a nightly tour of the district from the Chamber of Commerce and the restored, art deco Warner Grand Theater are all worth a visit.
Held on the second Saturday of every month from 4pm to10pm, the Long Beach art walk features craft booths, two stages for musical performances, and open galleries and shops. Found art pieces, sculpture and photography are among the highlights.
Twice annually, in October and April, more than 100 artists and artisans living and working in a former Pabst Blue Ribbon brewery open their doors to art lovers. The opportunity to speak with artists and view their works for sale and in progress is second to none, with everything from steam punk dioramas to photography to neon-infused bar stools. A beer garden and food trucks provide sustenance.
This annual mid-May art walk isn’t free, but the $50 price tag supports a worthy cause. More than 50 emerging and renowned artists open their studios for tours. A silent art auction is the event’s centerpiece and there’s music, food and artisan shopping. The beneficiary is the Venice Family Clinic, which serves low-income, uninsured and homeless patients.
Live entertainment, historic buildings and galleries stay open until 10pm at this lively event in downtown Culver City. There’s free parking, plus giveaways and discounts at local shops. The art is plentiful, from ceramics to abstract landscapes. With galleries neatly lined up along Washington and Culver, there’s plenty of works to explore. Stop by the uniquely eccentric Museum of Jurassic Technology for a look at the surreal and not for sale. Restaurants offer specials and shops stay open late, too.
Every last Sunday from 2pm to 8pm, galleries, vendors and street performers welcome visitors to this artistic and historic African American enclave. From drum circles to sculptures to children’s games, the lively art walk is a solid introduction to the boutiques, galleries and handcrafted wares available in this bustling community.
Exciting emerging artists, blown glass, poetry readings, consignment stores and ethnic eateries make this Second Saturday Gallery Night a cutting-edge art walk. From contemporary exhibitors such as the Keystone Art Space to record stores with epic vinyl, there’s something for everyone in the mix of art and commerce.
© 2026 LosAngeles.com: A City Guide by Boulevards. All Rights Reserved. Advertise with us | Contact us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Site Map
