Fiesta Hermosa
10:00 am – 6:00 pm, September 2
Downtown Hermosa Beach
http://fiestahermosa.net/
Fiesta Hermosa returns to the streets of Downtown Hermosa Beach this weekend. Free to park and attend, this street fair will have food, drinks, music, arts & crafts, games, rides, vendors, and more. You cannot park AT the event – for those driving, you must park at the Northrop Grumman Building at Marine & Aviation in Redondo Beach, and a free shuttle will carry you to and from the fest and parking lot.
Long Beach Greek Festival
12:00 pm – 9:00 pm, September 2
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, Long Beach
http://www.lbgreekfest.org/
At this Greek Festival, you will find Greek foods & desserts, drinks, dancers, music, games, rides, arts & crafts, vendors, exhibits, and more. CSULB provides free parking and shuttle rides. Print the voucher from the website to waive the admission fee.
Beachwood SourFest 2013
11:30 am – 11:30 pm, September 3-8
Beachwood BBQ, Seal Beach & Long Beach
http://www.facebook.com/events/579793145404261/
Beachwood BBQ celebrates the wonders of sour beers with this week-long fest dedicated to the sour lovers out there. At both the Seal Beach and Long Beach locations, Beachwood BBQ will host sour beers every night, as well as have guest brewers in attendance to interact with the guests. Come check out some beers you may not have tried before, and chat with the guest brewers about the beers.
Saves The Day @ The Glass House
6:30 pm – 11:30 pm, September 4
The Glass House, Pomona
http://www.theglasshouse.us/event/293719-saves-day-pomona/
In anticipation for their upcoming album release, Saves The Day scheduled a tour across North America, and that tour starts in Southern California this week. Tickets to their all-ages show at The Glass House in Pomona this Wednesday night cost $16.50 presale and $19 at the door.
2nd Annual Reader Feast
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm, September 6
Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier, San Diego
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/readerfeast/
The San Diego Reader hosts this food fest that collects the best of San Diego eats into one location for a night of feasting and drinking. General admission costs $30 presale and $55 at the door, starts at 6pm, and provides all-access to all food & drink samples. VIP admission costs $40 presale and $80 at the door, starts at 5pm, and in addition to unlimited food & drink samples, comes with two full-pour drinks and a goodie bag. No one under 21 may attend.
First Fridays
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, September 6
Various locations
Long Beach: http://firstfridayslongbeach.com/
Venice: http://www.abbotkinney1stfridays.com/
This monthly artwalk occurs on the first Friday of every month. Each location offers different activities, but most will contain food & drink specials, art exhibits & displays, street performers, and more. Venice and Long Beach have the two largest gatherings of all First Fridays. Other locations include Westchester, Fullerton, and City of Industry. Most First Fridays locations cost nothing to attend, while the local businesses uphold their standard rules (e.g. bars 21+ only).
15th Annual Los Angeles Greek Festival
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, September 6
12:00 pm – 10:00 pm, September 7
12:00 pm – 9:00 pm, September 8
Saint Sophia Cathedral, West Los Angeles
http://lagreekfest.com/
Just a week after the Long Beach Greek Fest, the LA Greek Fest will basically have the same things: food, drinks, desserts, music, dancers, games, rides, and more. Admission to this all-ages festival costs $5 per person per day.
The 16th Annual Original Long Beach Lobster Festival
5:00 pm – 11:00 pm, September 6
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm, September 7
12:00 pm – 10:00 pm, September 8
Rainbow Lagoon Park, Long Beach
http://www.originallobsterfestival.com/
Dubbed as the FIRST Lobster Festival, the organizers from the Long Beach Crawfish Fest and OC BBQ Bonanza will bring tons of lobsters to Rainbow Lagoon Park this weekend. In addition to all the lobster, the fest’s additional variety will include local music bands, dancers, artists, and more. Prices vary, but pre-purchasing tickets online will save you $2 each. Active U.S. military personnel can enter for free! As with any event in this area, attendees will have to pay for parking. You can find free parking in the neighborhoods east of Alamitos Avenue.
2nd Annual Teen Creeps Art Exhibition
6:00 pm – 11:00 pm. September 6
The Vex, Los Angeles
http://www.facebook.com/events/392624930859526/
See the best in rising teen artists in Los Angeles this Friday night at The Vex in East Los Angeles. The organizers have disclosed very little information, such as how much admission costs and whether someone will sell food & drinks, so have cash ready for those costs. Guests should park in the alley behind the building, but avoid parking too deep, or others may block your vehicle.
Narcoleptic Youth @ Aladdin Jr 2
7:00 pm – 12:00 am, September 6
Aladdin Jr 2, Downtown Pomona
http://www.facebook.com/events/388256297940672/
Pomona gets a night of hardcore punk this Friday night, with OC legends Narcoleptic Youth, and more. Admission to this all-ages show cost $10. Although many of the parking lots mention paying to park, Downtown Pomona has plenty of free parking, so search around for lots without any parking fees.
The Secret Affair – 60′s Night
9:00 pm – 1:00 am, September 6
Alex’s Bar, Long Beach
http://www.alexsbar.com/event/148114
Occurring on every month’s first Friday, this 60′s night at Alex’s Bar will play all vinyl music of motown, northern soul, boogaloo, 60′s pop, and more. Feel free to dress up too, as the bar staff will hold costume contests and dance contests.
Bubble Run – San Diego
8:00 am – 12:00 pm, September 7
Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego
http://www.bubblerun.com/events/san-diego/
Tired of the same 5k run everywhere? If you have had your fill of color runs and glow runs, try your hand at the Bubble Run. Participants wear all white and run through colored foam bogs in this 5k race around Qualcomm Stadium. Registration costs $50, and all levels of runners may participate. Space will fill up fast, so register early, and try to carpool to this event.
22nd Annual Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture
10:00 am – 6:00 pm, September 7-8
Point Fermin Park, San Pedro
http://filamarts.org/
This Filipino festival will have food, drinks, arts & crafts, music, dance, merchandise, and more. Daily admission to this all-ages festival costs $9, while a weekend pass costs $15. Attendees can park for free in select parking lots.
2013 Long Beach Triathlon & Expo
10:00 am – 4:00 pm, September 7
4:00 am – 10:00 am, September 8
Marina Green, Downtown Long Beach
http://thelongbeachtriathlon.com/
Test your physical prowess with this triathlon as you swim, run, and bike your way around Downtown Long Beach. An expo where visitors can explore and learn about the triathlon will occur on Saturday at Marina Green, and participating athletes can pick up their race packets at this expo. The actual triathlon starts at 7am on Sunday morning. Registration varies in price, with individual registration costing $130. All participants receive a t-shirt, goodie bag, finisher medal, post-race food & entertainment, a swim cap, and exclusive access to online results & professional photos.
Grape Day Festival – Wine & Craft Beer Tasting Pavilion
11:00 am – 3:00 pm, September 7
Grape Day Park, Escondido
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e7tll3jqe963750d&llr=eoyxpfjab
Sample wine from local wineries and beer from local breweries while enjoying live entertainment and other activities. Admission costs $20 presale and $25 at the door, and include a souvenir glass. No one under 21 may attend.
3rd Annual Treasure Chest Fest
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm, September 7
Green Flash Brewing, San Diego
http://www.greenflashbrew.com/events-calendar.php?content=516
Raise a glass for breast cancer awareness at this beer fest & fundraiser this Saturday at Green Flash Brewing. Attendees will get to see the ins & outs of the brewery at this fest that takes place all around the brewery. The $25 admission gets you ten beer tasters, paired small bites from local restaurants, and a souvenir glass. Attendees may purchase additional beers from the tasting room, where $1 from each drink sold will go towards the charity. No one under 21 may attend.
The 4th Annual Orange County Brew Ha Ha Craft Beer Festival
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm, September 7
Oak Canyon Park, Irvine
http://ocbrewfest.com/
The OC Brew Ha Ha returns for its fourth annual iteration this Saturday at Oak Canyon Park in the hills of Irvine. Benefiting the Local 3631 Firefighters Union, this craft beer festival will feature over 70 different breweries, over 150 different beers, many food trucks, seminars from beer experts, live entertainment, and more. General admission costs $45 presale, $55 at the door, and begins at 1pm, while VIP admission costs $60 presale, $70 at the door, and begins at 12pm. All beers will cease pouring at 4pm, leaving the final hour to sober up and find food. In addition, internationally-famous Reel Big Fish will perform at this fest!
Speaking of transportation, ensure that you look up the location prior. Cell phone signals do not reach Oak Canyon Park, so once you arrive, expect to turn off your phone to conserve battery. Oak Canyon Park only has two ways to exit, both of which always have police stationed to catch drunk drivers. The toll-free method to arriving involves taking the 55 freeway, exiting Chapman Avenue, and driving east until you reach the park.
Remember: if you have any questions, send me a tweet @OnePunkArmy – I have attended the Brew Ha Ha before, and driven to Oak Canyon Park numerous times.
20th Annual Los Feliz Village Street Fair
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm, September 7
Hullhurst Blvd, Los Feliz Village, Los Angeles
http://losfelizvillagestreetfair.com/
At this free and all-ages street fair, visitors will find local food, merchandise, artists, musicians, beer & wine garden, live entertainment, local services, and more.
California Beer Festival
12:30 pm – 5:00 pm, September 7
Frank G. Bonelli Park, San Dimas
http://www.californiabeerfestival.com/
If for some reason you decide to go to this beer fest instead of OC Brew Ha Ha, I will not stop you. Tickets to this beer fest cost $45. No one under 21 may attend.
Mini C.Y. Fest 6
2:00 pm – 12:00 am, September 7
Location TBA
http://www.facebook.com/events/1382053828682956/
Crust punk goes rogue with this impromptu punk rock show that does not even have a venue yet. If all goes according to plan, this all-ages show will run this Saturday and cost $4 to enter before 5pm, $5 before 7pm, and $7 the rest of the night.
5th Annual Latin American Parade & Festival
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, September 7
4th Street Promenade, Downtown Long Beach
http://www.downtownlongbeach.org/Latest-News-Detail/News-Latin-American-Parade-Festival-2012?id=3870
This festival happens this Saturday evening in the streets of Downtown Long Beach. The FREE festival goes on until 9pm, which will have arts & crafts, merchandise, food, drinks, entertainment, music, dancers, dance lessons, and more. As with any Downtown Long Beach event, you can park for free for up to two hours in one of the nearby parking structures.
The Weirdos, The Stitches, Shattered Faith, Love Canal, No More Saints @ The Observatory
7:00 pm – 1:00 am, September 7
The Observatory, Santa Ana
http://www.observatoryoc.com/events/the-weirdos
Punkrockers.com celebrates their 6th anniversary this weekend with nothing short of a punk rock show. Catch The Weirdos headlining along with other great bands such as Shattered Faith at this all-ages show this Saturday night for just $20.
Luicidal in San Bernardino
7:00 pm – 2:00 am, September 7
Screaming Chicken Saloon, San Bernardino
http://www.facebook.com/events/610853192293146/
Venture all the way out to the mountains of San Bernardino this Saturday night for a hardcore punk rock show headlined by Luicidal, comprised of former members of Suicidal Tendencies. Admission to this show costs $10. No one under 21 may enter.
Taste of My State
8:00 pm – 11:00 pm, September 7
Four Points by Sheraton, Rancho Cucamonga
http://www.tasteofmystate.com/usa/index.php/featuresinside/california
Celebrate our armed forces by drinking lots of beer this Saturday night. Enjoy unlimited beer tastings, food for sale, and live entertainment all for just $55. No one under 21 may attend.
Aquarium of the Pacific 5k Run/Walk
7:30 am – 11:30 am, September 8
Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach
http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/5k
Go on a nice 5k run down on the beach this Sunday morning starting at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. All participants who register prior to race day will receive a t-shirt, goodie bag, and a ticket to the aquarium with registration. Registration costs $44 for children, and $52 for adults. Aquarium members can save $12 on registration. Bring cash for parking in the aquarium parking structure.
The 24th Annual Belmont Shore Car Show
9:00 am – 3:00 pm, September 8
2nd Street, Belmont Shore, Long Beach
http://belmontshorecarshow.com/
This car show will completely take over 2nd Street and its side streets this Sunday. Come see over 700 cars on display while walking the streets of glorious Belmont Shore. Completely free to attend, your best bet at parking will reside somewhere in Belmont Heights i.e. north of 2nd Street.
Sideway Sundays
10:00 am – 6:30 pm, September 8
Storm Stadium, Lake Elsinore
http://sidewaysundays.eventbrite.com/
This annual event features drifting cars, cars on display, automotive accessories, model contests, food trucks, and plenty of punk rock bands, such as D.I. and Hemlock. General admission to this fest costs $15.
