West Los Angeles offers year-round free entertainment: Jazz at LACMA runs Friday evenings from May through October at the Smidt Welcome Plaza, five Westside farmers' markets operate weekly across Culver City, Westwood, Mar Vista, and Santa Monica, and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and Petersen Automotive Museum offer standing exhibits year-round.
Exploring the Westside, or thinking about making it home?
Browse current listings across West LA neighborhoods, or see what daily life looks like in the areas we serve.
Best Things to Do in West Los Angeles
We love West Los Angeles, and people often ask us what's worth doing on the Westside. This guide covers the recurring, standing events and attractions we recommend — updated as programs change, rather than tied to a single week or date.
Event/Venue | Schedule | Cost | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
Jazz at LACMA | Fridays, May–October, 6–8pm | Free | LACMA, Miracle Mile |
Culver City Farmers' Market | Tuesdays, 2–7pm | Free entry | Downtown Culver City |
Westwood Village Farmers' Market | Thursdays, 12–5pm | Free entry | 1036 Broxton Ave, Westwood |
Mar Vista Farmers' Market | Sundays, 9am–2pm | Free entry | Grand View & Venice Blvd |
Santa Monica Farmers' Market (Downtown) | Wed & Sat | Free entry | Arizona Ave, Santa Monica |
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures | Year-round, check site for hours | Ticketed | 5905 Wilshire Blvd |
Ongoing free concerts and outdoor events
Jazz at LACMA is one of the Westside's longest-running free events, now in its mid-30s season. Concerts run Friday evenings from May through October at LACMA's Smidt Welcome Plaza — no tickets needed, and picnics are welcome.
- Jazz at LACMA — 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 — Fridays, May–October, 6–8pm — Free, no reservation required
Westside farmers' markets
The Westside has several weekly farmers' markets worth building a routine around:
- Culver City Farmers' Market — Main St, Downtown Culver City — Tuesdays 2–7pm
- Westwood Village Farmers' Market — 1036 Broxton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024 — Thursdays 12–5pm
- Mar Vista Farmers' Market — Grand View Blvd & Venice Blvd — Sundays 9am–2pm
- Motor Avenue Farmers Market — Motor Ave & National Blvd — Sundays 9am–2pm
- Santa Monica Farmers' Market — Arizona Ave between 4th & Ocean — Wednesdays & Saturdays
Farmers' market days and hours are generally stable year-round but can shift with holidays — confirm on the market's own site before visiting.
Museums worth the trip
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, housed in the former May Company building on Wilshire Blvd, is a standing year-round destination with rotating exhibitions on film history. The Petersen Automotive Museum features rotating vehicle exhibits across its galleries and the members-only Vault collection.
Note: this post previously referenced the Petersen's "Bond in Motion" James Bond vehicle exhibit — that exhibit closed on October 30, 2022, and is no longer on display. Check the Petersen's current exhibitions page for what's on view now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jazz at LACMA free?
Yes. Jazz at LACMA is a free outdoor concert series held Friday evenings from May through October at the museum's Smidt Welcome Plaza. No tickets or reservations are required.
What farmers' markets are open on the Westside of LA?
The Westside has weekly farmers' markets in Culver City (Tuesdays), Westwood (Thursdays), Mar Vista (Sundays), and Santa Monica (Wednesdays and Saturdays), among others.
Is the Bond in Motion exhibit still at the Petersen Automotive Museum?
No. That exhibit closed on October 30, 2022. The Petersen continues to rotate other vehicle exhibits year-round.
