Los Angeles is home to a lot of art walks. Here is my exhaustive guide to each and every one of them to help me keep track.
When: Every 1st Thursday, 6:00 - 9:00 pm.
Where: Old Downtown San Pedro between 4th & 7th street, and between Pacific Ave. & Palos Verdes Street. Click here for the map!
The San Pedro Art Walk is held every month on the first Thursday. Enjoy live music, food trucks and open art exhibits. This art walk highlights both established and up-and-coming artists in the San Pedro community. Many local restaurants and shops participate with special deals and discounts. Metered parking is free after 6:00 pm.
The local Chamber of Commerce holds a free one hour tour showcasing three different galleries/studios each month. The tours begins at 6:00 pm at the Chamber of Commerce Board Room Gallery.
When: Every 1st Thursday, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Where: Start outside the Laguna Art Museum and your way south on Cliff St. Click here for the map!
The Laguna Beach Art Walk on the first Thursday of every month. You can walk or take the free trolley to the different galleries just off the coast. Free wine, drinks and appetizers are common place at most of the venues along with live music. Many Restaurants and hotels also participate in showing art and may not being listed in the Art Walk pamphlet so visitors are encouraged to explore the area.
When: Every 1st Friday, 6:00 - 10:00 pm
Where: In Venice off Abbot Kinney Blvd between Venice blvd. & Westminster.
Abbot Kinney First Fridays occurs every first Friday of the month. This is primarily a food truck event(be sure to try the Lobsta Truck) but being in Venice, a bustling art culture, it holds an abundance of galleries and artists displaying work on the streets. With pop-up shops, studios and live music this place can get really crowded. Most of the businesses stay open late so the party moves in from the street to one of Venice's many bars after 10:00 pm.
When: Every 1st Friday, 6:30 - 9:00 pm
Where: In Long Beach off Atlantic Ave from Bixby Rd. to San Antonio Dr. Clickhere for the map!
Every first Friday of the month Bixby Knolls businesses unite to promote local artists and performers. Artists can be seen creating pieces live on the street with live bands and a small farmers market. Stop by the Village at Bella Cosa for information about all the participating galleries and businesses. A Big Red Bus is available for those who aren't too keen to walking.
When: Every 1st Saturday, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Where: 1515 S. Claremont St., San Mateo CA.
Artists, musicians and spectators gather every first Saturday in Claremont village for their monthly Art Walk. Claremont village is home to broad art community with many of the restaurants, shops and local businesses supporting the arts. Be sure to stop by The Packing House, a popular location that hosts many exhibits for this event.
When: Every 1st Saturday, 7:00 - 10:00 pm
Where: Downtown Santa Ana at the Artists Village(2nd & Broadway) & the Santiago Arts Colony (Santa Ana Blvd. & Poinsettia). Click here for a map of the Artists Village!
The Santa Ana Art Walk is hosted every first Saturday of the month primarily in the Santa Ana Artists Village. The Artists Village is small, cozy and abundant with local art. The streets around the village are closed off from vehicle to allow pedestrians to walk freely during the art walk. Outside the village you can find restaurants, shops and food trucks.
When: Runs for two days, twice-annually, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Where: At the Brewery Arts District: 2100 North Main Street, Los Angeles 90031. Click here for a map!
The Brewery Artwalk takes places every Spring and Fall giving visitors access to the exclusive living quarters of some of LA's most inspiring artists. With over 100 participating residents, its no wonder this event runs for two days straight. This goes far beyond a typical artwalk by allowing you to see the private workspace of the artists themselves. Whats even better is you get to purchase directly from the artist.
This event can be tricky since, art first glance, the complex may seem empty. Feel free to wonder around and don't forget to grab a map!
Admission and parking are free but keep in mind it gets crowded. Food and drinks are sold by vendors and there is an on-site restaurant as well.
When: Every 2nd Thursday, 6:00 - 10:00 pm
Where: Downtown Los Angeles in the Historic Core between 4th & 7th to Spring & Main Streets.
The Downtown Art Walk happens every second Thursday of the month in Downtown's Historic Core. Go to the Lounge at 634 S. Spring Street to grab your map and begin the art walk. There are many unique galleries to visit as well as artists showcasing their work just off the street alongside live music and a plethora of food trucks. Stop by The Last Book Store and visit it's whimsical second floor with half a dozen of unique galleries in its labyrinth of books.
The event can spread beyond Downtown's historic core and reach other art hubs like Little Tokyo and the Fashion District so be open to following wherever this art walk may take you.
When: Every 2nd Saturday, 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Where: All over Highland Park and Eagle Rock. Click here for the map!
The NELA Art Walk, known to some as the Highland Park Art Walk, occurs every second Saturday of the month. The art walk spreads across Highland Park and Eagle Rock but is concentrated on York between Figueroa and Eagle Rock Blvd. Non-profits, galleries and alternative art spaces take over the night to showcase North East LA's local art. York street is also home to many unique bars stocked with craft beers from local breweries.
This art walk can become more of a drive as the event spans several miles including over 60 participating galleries and businesses making it arguably one of the largest art walks in Los Angeles.
Long Beach 2nd Saturday Art Walk
When: Every 2nd Saturday, 4:00 - 10:00 pm
Where: Downtown Long Beach around the East Village Art District offLinden Ave between 1st and Broadway.
The Downtown Long Beach Art Walk happens every second Saturday in the East Village Art District. Several roads block-off vehicles to allow pedestrians freely walk across the streets and enjoy a variety of galleries and artwork on the streets. This event runs 6 hours, a lot longer that most art walks in LA.
When: Every 2nd Saturday, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Where Downtown Pomona Arts Colony, off 2nd street from Parcel to Garey.
Every second Saturday of the month over three dozen galleries participate in the Pomona Art Walk hosting shows for their latest exhibits. Pomona boast a lively art scene built by hundreds of artists in the area. Studios and galleries hold quality ceramics, paintings, paper crafts, jewelry, photography and mixed media.
Most of the restaurants stay open a little later on this night to accommodate the crowds. This even is just as much for foodies as it is for art lovers. You can take the trolley through most of the art walk. Be sure to pick up a map to find all the participating venues this month.
When: Every 2nd Sunday, 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Where: Off 1st between Indiana and Alma.
The East LA art walk runs every second Sunday on a small section of 1st street running for a strong six hours. Its a small Art Walk with an abundant amount of art, food, music and especially books.
Third Thursdays In Canoga Park
When: Every 3rd Thursday, 6:00 - 10:00 pm
Where: Downtown Canoga Park off Owensmouth between Sherman and Wyandotte. Click here for the map!
Canoga hosts its art walk every third Thursday of the month in Downtown Canoga Park. This art walk has a very local feel to it with a pop-up farmers market selling local goods. Included in the art walk is live music, fresh food, galleries and small shops. The cars are blocked from accessing the street making it a great spot leisurely stroll from each destination.
When: Every 4th Sunday, 1:00 - 8:00 pm
Where: Leimert Park in Downtown LA, 4343 Degnan Blvd.
In the heart of Leimert Park the community holds their art walk every fourth Sunday of the month. Rooted in the communities culture for art and music, the Leimert Park Art Walk works with a passion to support its local artists, performers and artisans.
This is the longest art walk on this list running a solid eight hours packed with food, art shopping and entertainment.
That's it for art walks going on in LA. Know about an art walking happening that is not on this list? Email it to me at me@lindsaysantiago.com