Our city's food festival schedule tends to run in cycles. Now that Labor Day is behind us, the huge fancy festivals — LA Food & Wine and the L.A. Times' Taste — are done for the year. But festival season never ends, and October brings us five smaller, more specific food events that are totally worth checking out. 

Festival: Artisanal L.A.
When: Sat., Oct.10, and Sun., Oct. 11, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
What: This is a shopping event that focuses on artisanal food vendors but also encompasses home and garden vendors and other crafty creative items. There are hands-on workshops, chef-led demos, expert panels and speakers educating guests on various food-related topics.
Where: The Reef, 1933 S. Broadway St., Historic South Central
Tickets: Admission is $12 for one day, $18 for both days. Info here.

Festival: Taste of Italy
When: Sat., Oct. 10, 5-10 p.m. 
What: This is the Italian American Museum's seventh annual Taste of Italy, with more than 40 restaurants, Italian wines, chef demonstrations and an on-site marketplace. 
Where: Pico House, 424 N. Main St., downtown
Tickets: From $25 for kids to $5,000 for a VIP table for 10. Regular adult tickets (which include tastings of six food samples and six beverage samples) are $55. Info here. 

The Santa Monica Pier will host its first Santa Monica Seafood Festival on Oct. 17.; Credit: Tony Hisgett/flickr

The Santa Monica Pier will host its first Santa Monica Seafood Festival on Oct. 17.; Credit: Tony Hisgett/flickr

Festival: Off the Hook Santa Monica Seafood Festival
When: Sat., Oct. 17, 3-7 p.m.
What: The is the first Santa Monica seafood festival and is in part a fundraising event for the Aquarium of the Pacific's Seafood of the Future. A number of restaurants will serve seafood specialties, and there will be cocktails, live music, chef demos and games.
Where: Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica
Tickets: Tickets start at $60 or $90 for VIP; both types go up by $10 next week. Info here. 

Festival: LA Weekly's Brunch at the Races
When: Sun., Oct. 18, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
What: For years we've put on a pancake breakfast, but this year we decided to expand the idea to include all brunch foods — and throw it at a racetrack. You can watch a horse race while dining on brunch fare from 30 L.A. restaurants and sipping cocktails from sponsors. 
Where: Santa Anita Park, 285 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia
Tickets: $45 to $75, info here. 

Festival: EastSide Food Festival
When: Sun., Oct. 18, 5-8 p.m. 
What: This is the second year of the EastSide Food Festival, which celebrates the food culture of the east side of town.This year will include discussion panels, food demos and appearances by musicians, artists, chefs and more. The festival is in partnership with PATH, a nonprofit organization benefitting homeless individuals and families in the Silver Lake and surrounding Eastside areas of Los Angeles.
Where: Mack Sennett Studios, 1215 Bates Ave., Silver Lake
Tickets: Tickets range from $50 to $90. Info here. 

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