Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk
When: Second Thursday of every month, noon-9 p.m.
Where: Downtown's Financial District and Historic Core
This self-guided tour, which started in 2004 and has flourished as much of Downtown has cleaned up, encompasses more than 40 galleries and museums spread throughout Downtown's many sub-districts, including Bunker Hill, Little Tokyo and Gallery Row on Main and Spring streets in the Historic Core. About 10,000 visitors regularly take the tour. downtownartwalk.org
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When: First Friday of every month, 6-10 p.m.
Where: Venice's Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Local merchants on or near the thoroughfare that runs diagonally through Venice come together every month to feature the best artists, gifts, products and music in the area. Local charities benefit as art junkies, couples and families descend on the always funky beach community. And of course, beverages are available. abbotkinneynow.com
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First Fridays at Abbot Kinney Boulevard: Welcome to the Neighborhood
When: First Thursday of every month, 6-9 p.m.
Where: downtown San Pedro
Since 1996, both locals and cruise-ship tourists from nearby Port of Los Angeles have flocked to the area to experience San Pedro’s tight-knit artists’ community, impromptu street performances and conversation-worthy art — all classic ingredients for a great art walk. The tour's 30-odd participating galleries include contemporary and textile art. 1stthursday.com
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San Pedro 1st Thursday Art Walk
When: Second Saturday of every month, 4-10 p.m.
Where: downtown Long Beach
Exhibits of paintings, sculpture, photography and crafts all greet those who venture to visit this beach-and-harbor-side city's downtown district. This monthly event also includes two stages for live music and street performances. artwalklb.com
When: Second Saturday of every month, 7-10 pm
Where: Eagle Rock and York Boulevards, North Ave. 50, Eagle Rock and Highland Park districts, northeast Los Angeles
OK, so you may need a car for this one. Still, the Highland Park and Eagle Rock districts of northeast of Los Angeles feature clusters of art galleries that collectively keep their doors open late during the second Saturday of each month. And you can knock out 10 of the nearly two-dozen NELA galleries with just three stops all within a five minute drive of each other--at Eagle Rock Blvd. at North Ave. 45/Paulhan Ave.; York Blvd. at North Ave. 50; and North Ave. 50 at Marmion Way. (just west of Figueroa St.). nelaart.com; nelaart.com/images/maps/SecSatMap.pdf
When: Third Saturday of January, April, July and October
Where: Miracle Mile and Hollywood
This quarterly event -- much of which is centered near the Los Angeles County Museum of Art -- brings aficionados more than 40 galleries within four square miles while giving them a chance to explore Mid-City/Hollywood streets like Melrose and La Brea avenues, and Beverly Boulevard. miraclemileartwalk.com
When: Sunday afternoons
Where: 4830 St. Elmo Dr. (two blocks east of La Brea Ave.), Mid-City
Founded in 1969, this Mid-City artists' collective opens its studios every Sunday afternoon and regularly features live jazz and African drumming. stelmovillage.org
When: Second and Last Saturday of every month, 6-10 p.m.
Where: Downtown Pomona
More than two dozen galleries feature the work of hundreds of local artists covering media ranging from painting to photography to ceramics and jewelry. metropomona.com/artwalk
When: First Friday of every month, 6:30-10 pm
Where: Atlantic Avenue between Burlinghall Drive and Bixby Road
More than three dozen venues and restaurants feature visual artists and musicians from Long Beach's Bixby Knolls district. firstfridayslongbeach.com
When: May, July, September and November
Where: Check website for location, specific dates and times
The hillside community tucked between Glendale and the foothills puts together a street exhibition for its local artists. montrosechamber.org/artwalk
When: Third Thursday of every month, starting at 5 p.m.
Where: Westwood Village
Westwood LIVE, which debuted in April 2011, recaptures the spirit of the Janss Family and their 1929 vision for a genuine village at the edge of UCLA while bringing back the spark and pizzazz generated by countless movie premieres at iconic theaters such as the Bruin and Village Theatres during the ensuing decades. This party is a group effort, with more than two-dozen businesses participating in art exhibitions, live music, restaurant discounts and other draws to keep more people in the Village after the sun goes down.
facebook.com/westwoodlive
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It Takes a Village: Westwood LIVE
When: Third Wednesday of every month, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: downtown Culver City
Anyone who's been paying attention to the local food scene is well aware of the recent explosion of downtown Culver City as a foodie destination. With the downtown Culver City area well scrubbed from recent streetscape improvements, locals and visitors alike can experience the area's resurgence first hand by checking out the city's Third Thursdays, where about two dozen businesses get together to provide art work, music, food and other entertainment. www.downtownculvercity.com
When: Last Sunday of every month, starting at 5 p.m.
Where: Leimert Park
Leimert Park Village, one of LA's predominant enclaves for African-American culture, added its own art walk in 2010. Taking place on the last Sunday of every month, the Art Walk is a free self-guided art and community experience bringing visual and performance art to currently unoccupied space along Leimert Park Village's currently unoccupied space along 43rd Place between Leimert and Crenshaw Boulevards. www.leimertparkartwalk.com
