Cool Things to Do in Los Angeles at Night

For a family-friendly night event, check out Universal CityWalk®, adjacent to Universal Studios Hollywood. You don’t have to buy a ticket to the theme park to access this pedestrian-friendly walkway full of retail, restaurants, dessert shops (like Voodoo Donuts), a movie theater and neon signage. It’s open until 9pm Monday-Thursday, 11pm on Friday and Saturday, and 10pm on Sunday.

Pacific Park is a small amusement park located on the historic Santa Monica Pier. There are several rides and midway games, including a ferris wheel that is best viewed when lit up after dark. The park is free to enter, but guests will need to buy tickets to the individual attractions. Hours vary, so check the park’s website before heading out.

Glendale’s Museum of Neon Art hosts the Neon Cruise. Guests take a narrated tour on a convertible bus through Downtown LA, Hollywood and Chinatown, learning about the neon signs and their historical context along the way. Tours last over three hours, and start in either Downtown or Hollywood, depending on which tour you select.

In October, Ghost Hunters of Urban Los Angeles (Ghoula) offer a haunted Red Line tour, which takes guests along the Metro Red Line from Union Station to North Hollywood, a total of 13 unlucky stops. The tour lasts three hours, from 6pm to 9pm, meaning it will get dark at some point along your journey. The tour will take you on and off the train, exploring the haunted history along the way. It’s a donation-based tour, but guests will need to purchase a Metro day pass ($7) to avoid being charged a separate fee for every stop. For something more year-round, check out the Queen Mary’s ghost tours. The retired ocean liner always makes “most haunted” lists, and they offer both day and night tours. For late-night spookiness, book a paranormal investigation or ship walk.

Canter’s has been around since the 1930s and in its current location on Fairfax since the 1950s. It’s been a frequent haunt of musicians playing on the nearby Sunset Strip and serves Jewish fare, such as matzoh ball soup and lox, alongside American diner dishes. It’s open 24/7, except for certain holidays. Comedy and music go down in the adjacent cocktail lounge, the Kibitz Room.

BCD Tofu House has multiple locations, but its Koreatown spot on Wilshire is open 24/7. Find comforting, spicy Korean cuisine such as galbi, bibimbap and soups in hearty portions. Vegetarian menu items are available, as well as alcohol up to 2am.

If you need to unwind at night instead of amp up, then pay a visit to Koreatown’s 24-hour spa, Wi Spa. Steam rooms, saunas, showers and hot and cold tubs are available in one area, while all-gender spaces feature mineral saunas, a restaurant, fitness center and rooftop terrace. If you stay too late into the night, you can always take a nap here as well.

The Clubhouse is a comedy club tucked in a strip mall where you can catch late-night improv shows. The theater is completely independent and volunteer-run. Even though every show is free, donations are hugely welcomed to keep this gem alive. There are also plenty of opportunities here for newer performers to participate, including classes and improv jams.

One of Los Angeles’s most popular Instagram spots is in front of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Chris Burden’s Urban Light sculpture features 202 vintage street lamps, neatly positioned in several rows. At night, the glowing sculpture is a romantic destination for locals and tourists alike.

On select Saturdays throughout the summer, local radio station KCRW hosts a party in Chinatown’s Central Plaza, featuring DJs, dancing, shopping, cooking demonstrations, art installations, cultural activities, food trucks and beer. The Plaza is just a short walk from the Metro Gold Line’s Chinatown station. Chinatown Summer Nights are suitable for all ages, and admission is free.

Perhaps one of the strangest nighttime activities, the Almighty Opp is a mysterious puppet show that pops up on a Koreatown corner on the last Saturday of each month. Guests assemble at the corner of Western and Elmwood, a short walk from arcade bar Blipsy, at 9pm for a night of bizarre music and puppetry. It’s funny, weird, occasionally participatory and always a strange but fun adventure, drawing a dedicated group of regulars every month.

The Downtown Art Walk occurs every second Thursday of the month. Guests are advised to start at the visitor center, open from 6pm to 10pm, to get a map and the lay of the land. From there, visit nearby galleries for art openings and events. Plenty of restaurants, bars and venues are nearby for making a full night of it. Food trucks typically set up shop at 7th and Spring for a quick bite.

The Willows is an immersive theater event in a sprawling old house just south of Koreatown, the exact location of which will only be revealed once you’ve purchased your tickets. As the story goes, you’ve been invited to a dinner party at the home of the Willows family. They’re no ordinary family, harboring a host of dark secrets, including what really happened to a recently deceased relative. Throughout the evening, more will be divulged, occasionally in one-on-one scenes should a character decide to pull you away from the group. The show lasts about two hours and includes dinner and drinks. Tickets are $125 and are available to purchase online. They’re released in batches that sell out quickly due to small audience sizes and limited dates, so sign up for the mailing list to hear about new shows first.

California Donuts is a 24-hour donut shop in Koreatown where you can satisfy any late-night cravings for sweets. This family-run establishment started up in the 1980s, and it’s not uncommon to see a line of people waiting to make their doughnut selections. Colorful creations abound, including doughnuts topped with crunchy cereal, candies and fruit. You can also select among the classics, including fritters, croissants, jelly-filled pastries and cinnamon rolls.

Infinitely Dinner Society is certainly mysterious. Guests who follow them on social media will find sporadic invitations to participate in a midnight snack. Those selected will purchase a ticket online – typically $10 to $25 – before agreeing to meet at a specific location at a select time, usually after midnight. Performers will soon arrive to deliver on their promise of dinner and a short, immersive show. Previous snacks have included oysters, cheese plates and donuts. Shows typically focus on the concept of infinity, as the name might imply. Follow them on Instagram at @infinitelydinnersociety.
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