Echo Park Rising returns this weekend, August Saturday, Aug. 29, and Sunday, Aug. 30, transforming the neighborhood into a free, community-driven celebration of music, art, culture, and local business. Among this year’s leading partners is Skyduster Beer, which recently expanded its Los Angeles footprint by opening a new brewery in Downtown LA.  It’s going to be a scorcher all the way around.

For the first time since before the pandemic, Echo Park Rising expands into a two-day official festival, bringing together thousands of attendees, hundreds of performers, local artists, independent businesses, and neighborhood organizations across Echo Park. The expanded format marks a major milestone for the nonprofit festival, creating more opportunities for discovery, collaboration and community engagement throughout the weekend.

The CD13 x Echo Park Chamber of Commerce Lake Stage will bring a full day of free community programming to Echo Park Lake on Saturday from 9  a.m. to 3 p.m. The morning will kick off with yoga and family-friendly kids’ programming before transitioning into live music throughout the afternoon, creating an all-ages gathering place in the heart of the neighborhood. 

Music will take over venues throughout the neighborhood, including The Semi-Tropic, which will host performances across the weekend, and The Short Stop, where bands will play throughout both days, followed by late-night dance parties. The Gentlemen’s Breakfast will bring a Saturday lineup featuring Nail Polish, Mask Appeal, Angelsaur, Chicano Thunder & The Lightnings, I Know I Know, Innuendo and Soul Family.

At Cantina Los Angeles, Saturday programming includes a punk showcase presented by Battle Cable, while Sunday brings Fruitcake, Echo Park Rising’s only queer party, with music from Bridget & Kyle, Liz Markie, Ash and Yazzy alongside vendors, drinks and dancing.

The weekend will also showcase Echo Park’s creative community beyond live music. Felix and Pierre’s Picnic Shop will host collage tables and letterpress demonstrations throughout Saturday and Sunday with music by Vernon Fraser, while The Chocolate Dispensary will feature performances by Shantilly, Enjonu and Balou on Saturday.

Bar Bacetti will host a Disco Brunch on Saturday and Jazz Brunch on Sunday, while Rodeo Mexican Grill will offer festival-weekend food and drink specials and give back a portion of Saturday burrito sales to the Echo Park community. Local businesses will also join the celebration through special offers, including P.F. Candle Co., which will offer 20 percent off in-store throughout the weekend.

For the latest schedule, programming, and festival updates, visit EPR.LA 

On Saturday, Aug.  29, the Sunset Strip’s annual free vinyl fair, Spinning Sunset, returns from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., featuring vinyl,  DJ sets, a vintage car show, food trucks, a beer garden, and more.

The schedule includes: 

  • BRUNCH + SPINNING SUNSET 8/29
      • 12 p.m.: Brunch at Saltie Girl or The Butcher, Baker, and Cappuccino Maker
      • 1:30 p.m.: Experience Spinning Sunset 
  • SPINNING SUNSET + DINNER 8/29
      • 5 p.m.: Experience Spinning Sunset  
      • 6:30 p.m.: Dinner at Galerie on Sunset or Petros on Sunset
  • SPINNING SUNSET + DRINKS 8/29
    • 4 p.m.: Experience Spinning Sunset 
    • 5:30-6 p.m.: Drinks/Wine at Bar Next Door or Christian’s Wine Bar
Echo Park Rising

Courtesy of Big Bear Rodeo Queens

For the first time, the community of Big Bear Lake will host a sanctioned Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeo competition for two days of action, Saturday, Sept. 5 and Sunday, Sept. 6. Big Bear Rodeo & Carnival showcases first-rate professional PRCA cowboys and cowgirls who compete in traditional roughstock and timed events. Featured competitions and events that are on the slate include bareback riding, barrel racing, bull riding, saddle-bronc riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, and team roping.

 There’s also a full-scale carnival adjacent to the rodeo arena that features an assortment of rides, midway games, food vendors, live country music, and family-fun activities. The carnival fun begins Friday, Sept. 4 and continues to Sunday, Sept.  6. 

The carnival includes a giant Ferris wheel, various spinning rides, swings, mini coasters, and a pirate-themed funhouse, and has a variety of midway games like ring toss, duck pond, water-race games, balloon darts, and bank-a-ball.  

The festival grounds will be filled with the aroma of barbecue and smoked meats, alongside fresh-squeezed lemonade, mini donuts, funnel cakes, candy apples, churros, cotton candy, and other carnival-style favorites. Plus, there are plenty of shopping opportunities, from official Big Bear Rodeo merchandise to a variety of vendors on hand selling western wear, cowboy hats, handmade crafts, jewelry, cowboy art, and more.