I really enjoyed the previous editions of Night on Broadway, a great idea, a cool event, hip, a nice way to discover more hidden gems of Downtown. I was very excited about this year's edition. But I felt it wasn't as well organized as the previous years, it was lacking excitement, less street local artists this time, less art installations and cool events on the street that give you the "Wow" factor. As a new "addition", they added more security, check bags area from subway stops, not necessary. Frankly, it was stupid that we weren't allowed back into the event from the Last Bookstore (we stopped by inside the bookstore) near by. They had check points, had to go around back from the Spring Arcade to get back in. A hassle. More people this time, a bigger crowd, less food trucks, less decent, more interesting food trucks (no Kogi truck this time), the ones they had jacked up the prices ($15 for a burger with no fries?). We were saved by India Jones Food truck, it came to the rescue, I lover their fusion street Indian/Mexican fare food and they have lower prices. But we walked for blocks and we were getting hangry. The Grand Central Market was way too crowded, I avoided it for the first time at this event, we used to stop by for drinks, at least. At least, Gelataria Uli came through as usual (cool location inside the Spring Arcade), but it had a longer line. As usual it was fun to pop inside a few historic theaters, but the lines were longer this time around. So, we did less of that. The highlight for us were the Derby Dolls, a fun, new experience, great game to watch! The event didn't impress me this much, it was a bit disappointing. I like the idea behind it, it's free, great if you take the subway. Security was a con. I wanted more art and more spark! Like the previous times! Let's hope it'll be better in 2019! read more

See all

One of the best free festivals in Downtown Los Angeles! Broadway is closed from Pershing Square down to Olympic and it's a massive street fair that has everyone out and enjoying a safe and culturally inspired evening. They do drop-in and drop-out mini shows at the local theaters such as The Los Angeles Theater and The Orpheum, but unless you get there before 6PM, the lines to get into them are nearly impossible. For the majority of us who couldn't make it into the theaters, there is enough on the outdoor street to keep you amused. My favorite was the harp player -- a man playing giant silk like strings that were suspended from the top of a local building all the way to the concrete. It was such a beautiful sight to see and a delight to my ears! There were a bunch of art booths, food trucks, and free drinks from Coca-Cola and Monster. The crowds were pretty packed but it was still worth coming out. Definitely recommend taking the Metro because parking is expensive ($20 and up) and non-existent at the nearby South Park lots. Take the blue or expo lines to 7th and Metro station or the red or purple lines to Pershing Square. read more

See all

This is one of the most amazing events I've attended since landing in California. Local flavor doesn't do it justice. Where else can you sample the theatre district, gain access into the majority of the venues free and enjoy a small peek at the shows, music and events that make Los Angeles, well - Los Angeles. For a few hours, Broadway was closed down. Open only to pedestrian traffic and let me tell you, there was an immense amount of people crowding the streets and sidewalks. Adults, children, dogs and even the occasional transient individual out to enjoy the evening. The weather was beyond perfect, slightly cool, a little overcast and no humidity. Where else can you see a ferris wheel located smack in the middle of an intersection. The event was promoted to introduce and provide exposure to the Theatre District. The vendors, event staff and law enforcement did a wonderful job of ensuring a pleasurable time for all. Yelp was of course well represented. Parking was not a challenge at all. I arrived promptly at 6pm and parked in the Pershing Square underground garage for $7.00. Plenty of parking was available and then it was a short walk up the hill to Broadway. There were 6 theaters that opened their doors to the public, an outside stage where live performances were taking place and food trucks galore. The lines for the theaters were long, there was a considerable amount of walking required and the crowd was packed like sardines in certain areas. This is par for the course, as this is DTLA. We walked all the way to Olympic Boulevard and honestly it didn't seem that far. We persued the art exhibits, partook in a lovely dinner at a restaurant (review forthcoming for Maccheroni Republic) and overall had a wonderful time. The energy was contagious, bringing out the best in Angelenos. I was thrilled to see a large community event in this district, hopefully many more to follow. read more

See all

Relive some of the glory of yesteryear by attending this off the hook event. Seeing the interiors of the old theaters is the heart of this event. Seeing some pretty cool acts in those spaces makes it even cooler. You need to go early if you don't want to almost be crushed by the huge crowds. Also, the lines get longer the later you go. It started at 4 this year and we got there right as the acts opened. For the first two hours you could walk right into any venue without waiting. The food trucks, dodge ball, and outdoor stages all added to the vibe and energy. Love seeing so many people of different ages at this event! read more

Night On Broadway - Street performers add to the energy. - Festivals Near Me

Four stars for bringing this festival back, 3 for the long long lines. We've seen performances in these theaters before, so we didn't want to wait in lines to zip in and out. I dig that councilmember Huizar is kicking ass at bringing events to this district. So overdue! It was a nice way to spend the evening and mix with the many fine people that make LA what it is. I love seeing us all come together. Heard parking was rough, but we Ubered and didn't have any problems. Left early because even the line to get a drink at Clifton's was long. Luckily, Water Grill (and countless other places) are a stone's throw away. Overall, it was great seeing our fellow inhabitants of this great city come together and mix it up. Moreover, an even better way to revisit some of our DTLA favorite restaurants. Looks like another perfect day. I love LA! read more

See all

One of a kind event for LA. I had no clue what to expect but knew I wanted to see it all. As mentioned on their website and Facebook page you CAN NOT, in fact, see everything, so pick a few things you're super excited about and prioritize. I LOVED getting to peek in to all the beautiful theaters, sooo gorgeous and not something one often gets to do if you aren't specifically going a show. My friend and I made our rounds but spent most time in the world's most awesome funk/soul party at The Globe. People from all walks of life making friends, bonding, and most importantly dancing our faces off to some awesome tunes. Do not let the long theater lines deter you, they all moved extremely quickly because most people wanted to see and then move on to the next thing. There was plenty to see just walking the street as well, Giant ferris wheel, art installations, performers, craft vendors, TONS of food trucks and street dog carts dispersed throughout as well as plenty of port a potties (very important). The beer garden was great and right next to the live stage so you could groove while getting your sip on. I found the alcohol prices more reasonable here than in the theaters. I'm just talking about what I most enjoyed but really there was something for everyone here. I can't wait to do it again next year. TIPS: Take the metro!! The Red line drops you off right in the middle of it so even if you aren't close you can park at a station and ride down to avoid the insane traffic. Bring cash not everywhere accepted cards (tragic) or had $20 minimums to use them. read more

See all

(Attended 01/30/16 SA @ 5:00pm-11:00pm): The neon lights were bright this night on Broadway! I happily volunteered the first two years of Downtown Los Angeles' "Night On Broadway", a celebration of the ongoing revitalization (8 years running) of the historic Broadway Theater District. This event was an extension of the "Bringing Back Broadway" initiative sparked by Councilmember Jose Huizar to reintroduce the glorious Golden Age of Hollywood during its infancy and reconnect all Angelenos - new or old - to the city's legendary heritage and history. Would this native Angeleno return for future acts and be among a city of unknown stars!?: THE EVENT A FREE evening for all-ages (and pets, too!) filled with art, culture, entertainment, food, landmark gazing, mingling, music, and people-watching on a stretch of road open only to pedestrian traffic as you literally roamed Broadway St.. The jewel of the event were the seven iconic theatres which were open and hosted various entertainment offerings. Here's a collage of the evening: Theatre At Ace Hotel - Live bands: James Fauntleroy. http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=3orYev3O4U4tVVuSYgtcnw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw Orpheum Theatre - Musical: "Zen Arts Presents: The Last Night". http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=BHmY2RskyRKrnzY53HzVpA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw Tower Theatre - Live bands: Mac Sabbath. http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=wQfHTETeEsZUvMNF91F_6w&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw Globe Theatre - Game Show: "Rebel Bingo". http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=4UZOxCPEazyRFETfy8uaEA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw Palace Theatre - Live band & dance troupe: "The Clouds Below w/Dancers by Flipz Entertainment. http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=yrhzCJClWO12jVps-6OkCw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw Los Angeles Theatre - Acrobatic eroticism: Lucent Dossier Experience. http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=-EbhLyUKid0luOvMfU-3-g&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw Million Dollar Theatre - Burlesque: Million Dollar Cabaret. http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=5Y0GD4i7A9qfyyECpRwi4Q&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw Festival Stage - Live bands: Aloe Blacc. http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=pnvJs0bpzrwc0sJSJG23Qg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw Ferris Wheel - http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=nXMxC1vJSpPw4jkAPyRJWw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw Chessboxing - http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=xu2RAHCmFbYVdcGm4c6wTQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw Art Installation - http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=hspl3b3F5BEoH7WPMbESiQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw Service - The traffic situation that surrounded the entire area was a major clusterfuck! With the suffocating congestion of all that was DTLA there really wasn't an easy solution to this puzzle of one-way streets, horrid drivers, an inexplicable absence of proper street closure and directional signage, and the lack of trafficking presence on the roads. Once you arrived at the event, there were more than enough informed volunteers ("Ask Me!"), energetic vendors, excited movie palace helpers, and an obvious esprit de corps of law enforcement officers. With crunched crowds and long lines, all was maintained without incidences. Parking (Free this instances; Varies) - Volunteers parked for FREE. Otherwise, a ton of parking options in and around the general vacinity with rates that ranged from $5.00-$20.00 based wholly on the distance and time you arrived. Bicyclists had a free bike valet http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=YnH2DSHnGaRZNXCAmzmAlQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. Another option was a driving service like a taxi, Lyft, or Uber and be dropped off. Going Metro was another option that dropped off at nearby Pershing Square. Atmosphere, décor, ambience - A stretch of Broadway St. that ran from 3rd St. to Olympic Blvd. filled with food trucks, sponsor/vendor booths, art installations, outdoor stages, and some tables and chairs for eating and resting. Plenty of natural lighting until the evening brought electric lighting via street lights, vendors, and local businesses. Large viewing monitors were at the Festival Stage which also doubled as your music for the night. Attire - Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops. I highly recommended a long-sleeve top for the evening. Overall, Night On Broadway was a wonderful community collaboration that got people to explore this storied street, the chaotic city, and its burgeoning businesses. Sadly, there were signs of decaying buildings and the unfortunate homeless. But, these harsh truths played an important role in this story about rebirth. Remember, this was the City of Angels... I found total value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $0.00; no tip required). And, in general my credit card of choice was accepted...AMEX! 5.0 STARS read more

See all

What a WIN for downtown LA. Apparently there have been few others of these but seems that I am late and just found out about it this year. I will look forward to coming back next year as well. They had a ton of everything and best of all it was FREE to attend. The vendors were plentiful and prices were just right. I didnt feel like the prices were jacked up because of the event which sometimes can happen with these type events. The area was nice and I felt safe because I did see plenty of security and even though drinks were available inside the theaters I didnt see anyone really drunk or anything during my visit. I will be back to this event for sure! read more

See all

It is a cool event to help revamp DTLA and local bussiness! There are several stages with different events like chessboxing, dodgeball, star search, block party,etc. There are 5 theaters with different shows, food truck, vendors, art display! The earth harp is a cool display to celebrate music, art and DTLA historical building! Down side: - limited parking. So take uber or lift. - food trucks: limited. I wish they have more food trucks and spread out more. There about 2o food trucks for hundred of thousands hungry people! - theaters: confused schedule. Long line of people. Perhaps, they should have schedule and tickets for each shows to avoid lines. (We did not go inside of any theater because of the long line.) If you want to get in these theaters without waiting in line for an hour, get there early ( before 730 pm). - Arts: not many art displays! Kindda disappointing especially for LA! Overall, it is pretty fun event! I can't wait for the year! read more

See all

Happened to be in the neighborhood so we decided to go check it out. A lot of people. We parked near Grand Central Market for$10. Did a lot of walking. Thank goodness my boots are comfortable! Heard different types of music, saw many food trucks (lines were super long on some of them), free samples of a drink we ended up buying, photo opportunities, art, Ferris wheel, and many booths. It was a great way to spend the evening. read more

See all

We had a BLAST from start to finish at Night on Broadway! It was a great (and wallet-friendly) way to celebrate my hubby's birthday! To avoid traffic and parking fees, we took the Metrolink from Rancho Cucamonga to Union Station, then hopped on the Metrorail to Pershing Square, which is the heart of DTLA, and very close to Night on Broadway. On weekends, a ticket is $10 and good for the Metro transportation system! We already knew we had our money's-worth as we took the San Bernardino Line and raced past the poor souls sitting in traffic on the 10 Freeway. We got to the event a little early so we could eat tacos for dinner at Guisados. (I'll tell you about that deliciousness in a different review.) As the event wasn't officially open yet, we casually walked up and down Broadway to get a preview of what fun stuff was in store and we got our game plan ready for the evening. (And we also took this opportunity to pity the drivers who were stuck in traffic on the nearby side streets.) (1) Silent Disco: You give a picture ID in exchange for headphones that are linked to the live DJ. It didn't take long to work up a sweat from dancing! The surrounding passers-by could see people moving, but couldn't hear the music. (What a great marketing move, right?) We were having so much fun, we didn't even notice a photographer had taken our picture for the LA Times! Cost:$0 (2) Chess-Boxing: What an interesting concept! Exercising the body and the brain! The participants would box a round, then play a round of chess. They were taking donations to give to the winner's chosen charity. Super cool event! Cost:$0,bit we gave a small donation. (3) Mac Sabbath @ Tower Theater: This was the birthday boy's choice since he likes Black Sabbath. Councilman Jose Huizar spoke briefly before the band opened with their first song. It was obvious the theater was beautiful in its heyday; the architecture was beautiful, but the paint was peeling from the ceiling. But Huizar is working to revive this historic building, along with the others on Broadway. Cost: $0 (4) Salsa Lesson: I forgot to mention that we took a salsa dance lesson before heading to Tower Theater. Dance teachers guided through the steps and we had a fun time! Cost: $0 (5) Ozomatli concert: We walked to the opposite end of the event to see this native Los Angeles band and we were not disappointed. Crowds gathered in the street in front of the stage to view an awesome show! At the end, the band members came down into the crowd to perform for their adoring fans. Cost: $0 Our night ended with a train ride back to Union Station, then back home. I definitely recommend this event because it's SO MUCH FUN and it's FREE! read more

See all

Even better this year. There seemed to be something cool on every corner, from Roller Derby to a metal band that played mariachi versions of well known songs. There were also more food trucks this year and they were positioned everywhere. This year there seemed to be a better variety of shows, too. The Los Angeles Theater is a must and make sure that you go down to the bottom floor. Get there early! So crowded from 7 pm on. read more

Night On Broadway - Family friendly silent disco. - Festivals Near Me

See all

Night on Broadway was a really neat concept, but a bit overwhelming for me. Given that, this review may need to be taken with a grain of salt! Broadway street was sprung wide open to the public to roam the streets to taste the food, know the shops, and explore the beautiful historic theaters of downtown Los Angeles. Unfortunately, by coming later in the event, the lines to get into the theaters were far too long. And I wasn't big on navigating the congestion of the streets. But I totally understand why this was probably a really awesome event for many other people and I think the City is working towards doing some great things in revitalizing downtown. read more

We had a wonderful time at Night on Broadway January 27, 2018. We took the gold line from Monterey Park and then the Red Line to Pershing Square. The stop dropped us off half a block from the festivities. It was wonderful to see Metalachi so up close. We also had front row seats for Lucent Dossier Experience. We had a great time walking around and checking out all the different theaters. Because this is a free event, it was crazy crowded. When we went to eat at Grand Central it was wall to wall with humans. I actually wanted to eat at Clifton's but the line was too long. You probably would be better off getting from one of the many food trucks. Definitely take public transportation as it seems like it would be a nightmare to try to find parking. read more

See all

Awe!! Downtown LA (DTLA) in the roaring 20's... a time of flappers and fedoras, mayhem and debauchery, the birth of Mass Culture, and three-quarters of the American population visited a movie theater every week. It was the peak of construction of the Broadway Theater District, spanning from 3rd to 9th Street, the first and largest historic theater district listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with 12 movie palaces. With the rise of movie production, DTLA became the movie capital of the world. The 20's and 30's was a time, Los Angeles experienced a massive growth spurt, both in population, becoming the fifth largest city in the US, and in architecture. Charlie Chaplin's City Lights premiered at the Los Angeles Theatre. This 1931 French Baroque style theatre was modeled on San Francisco's Fox Theater, and has a seating capacity of almost 2,000. The Palace Theatre, based on a Florentine early Renaissance palazzo design with brick façade and multi-colored terra-cotta swags and four panels depict the muses of vaudeville; music, song, dance, and drama. This 2,200 seat capacity theatre includes a second balcony, however, it is currently not in use. Unfortunately, the years that followed WWII, the district started to decline. Movie goers headed to Hollywood and Westwood for first run movies. Anglo moviegoers moved to the suburbs, leaving room for the Latino population to rise. In an effort to save the Broadway Theater District, "Last Remaining Seats," a preservation and restoration effort started by The Los Angeles Conservancy commenced in 1987. Each summer the doors of these historic theatre's doors open up to the public playing old movies and continues today. Now in its seventh year, "Night on Broadway," an annual one day event held in the heart of The Broadway Theater District celebrates Councilmember Jose Huizar's "Bringing Back Broadway" This 10-year plan is to revitalize the Historic Broadway corridor. The purpose is "to provide economic development and business assistance; encourage historic preservation; reactivate Broadway's historic theaters and long-underutilized commercial buildings and increase transit and development options by bringing the beloved streetcar back to downtown Los Angeles with Broadway as the spine for the route." The day of the event, Broadway Street is closed off to motor vehicles from 3rd Street, at the Million Dollar Theatre to the Ace Hotel, just south of 9th Street. Avoid the cluster traffreak and hop on the Metro or other form of public transportation. Folks mossy down the street, stopping to grab grub from a food truck, dancing in the streets to the music from a live band or Silent Party Headphones, or standing in line to see the next act at one of seven historic theatres. Those with a Smartphone can download the Night on Broadway mobile app. to get the latest updates on acts, artists, and activities. With so much going on over a six block span, the app. helps plan your route. A NOTE FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS: For an event of this size, I was pleasantly surprised at how well organized it was, and not overly crowded, with the exception of the zip ties on the doors of the porta potties when we first arrived. Not sure if they ever unzipped them, just thought it was kind of odd. And to see Ozomatli bustin' their jam on stage was ...well, good times were had. Can't wait till next year!!! read more

See all

The flagship festival of Los Angeles - if you were a tourist looking to learn what Los Angeles is all about, this is it. It's a culmination of where we were, where we are, and where we are going. For one night, Broadway is transformed to a roaring street of lights, sound, and action. This event is part of the initiative to bring back Broadway - the most bustling street of the stars back in the 1930s. This is my third year in a row attending this annual celebration - if you're reading this, you're likely looking for TIPS & ADVICE for when you have a chance to check it out. Here's what to note: 1. GO EARLY. Much like any event, the early bird catches the worm - in this case, I recommend your first few stops should be to check out the reoccurring shows taking place across the theaters. The two knockout highlights this year were the burlesque/variety show 'Tease, If You Please!' at the Palace Theatre and the avant garde circus show 'Lucent Dossier Experience' at the Los Angeles Theatre. 2. MAKE TIME. You can easily spend your entire day here and not see everything. There's just so much packed into one day - whether it's joining a silent disco party, listening to a man play on a 12-story tall harp, or feeling the heat as a volunteer in a fireproof suit is scorched in "30ft column of howling flames." The coolest part is you learn a lot about a little bit of everything from all the sights you see. 3. GO DOWNSTAIRS at the LOS ANGELES THEATRE. It's easily my favorite theatre on Broadway. If you take the stairs down, there's two levels showcasing the past. Typically, two dance lounges are set up, with a few art pieces here and there. 4. READ UP ON THE HISTORY. It is the largest historic theater district in the country and was where Hollywood showcased its latest films. It's a hidden gem we pass by everyday, and it's incredible to see how the City & Jose Huizar are helping to revitalize this street back to life. OVERALL - it's a really cool experience. I still recall when I saw Skrillex do an impromptu show in the lobby of the Ace Hotel two years back. This year, I could have sworn I actually passed by him and his posse on Broadway. Who knows. At the end of the night, you feel like you've just been in the center of all the action that takes place in a movie. read more

See all

LA HAS SO MUCH TO OFFER! I seriously wouldn't consider living anywhere else in the world, because there's always so much to do and see in LA, and some at very little to no cost! Night On Broadway is just one of the events that I had the privilege of experiencing recently which helped me appreciate living here even more. Night on Broadway is an event hosted by Los Angeles City Council member José Huizar, in an effort to revitalize Broadway's 7 historic theaters. It happens one night a year featuring pop-up shops, food trucks, and musical and stage performances in the theaters and surrounding areas. Its basically a huge block party with theater quality performances and shows happening around the clock. If it wasn't for this event, I wouldn't have stepped foot into some of LA's most gorgeous theaters. I was completely blown away by the Los Angeles theater that hosted the Lucent Dossier Experience. This theater is probably one of the most gorgeous and elaborate theaters I have ever seen. I was also able to catch The Clouds Below at the Palace theater, and Zen Arts at the Orpheum theater. It was a night filled with entertainment that I would have gladly paid for. If you haven't yet experienced Night on Broadway I would highly recommend it for those who love performing arts! Tips* -Park far away and walk or take public transportation. The traffic is insane when they close off 5 blocks in downtown -arrive early to take full advantage of what the night has to offer. I didn't get to see a lot of the performances since I came late -bring cash for drinks and food -the schedule of events is posted ahead of time so plan accordingly for acts and shows you want to see. There's lines for everything but they let you in in waves so the wait is no more than 20-30 minutes. read more

See all

My wife and I just happened to be in DTLA to try to take advantage of Museum Free-for-All. Thanks to the world's slowest server at Cafe Gratitude (part of DineLA), we didn't get to MOCA in time, and the line for The Broad was ridiculous, so we had to admit defeat. While crossing Broadway at Grand Park, we heard music playing a couple of blocks away. "Why don't we check it out?" Yes, the Night On Broadway. It more than made up for missing the museums. Keep in mind that we are not locals, and many of the attractions in the area were completely new to us, like Grand Central Market and the theaters. We had a blast checking out the different events. I didn't catch the name of the band playing in the Kid's Zone, but they were rocking a Stevie Wonder classic, and they were great. We weren't intimidated by the line at the Tower (which moved pretty quickly) to see Mac Sabbath, and they pretty much made my night. They must be seen to be believed. Afterwards, we got a drink at Clifton's and then got a late dinner at Ramen Hood in Grand Central Market. Success! We only got to check out a small part of what NOB had to offer. We are definitely going to return next year. Thanks, Councilman Huizar! Suggestion: make sure that Grand Central Market's 100 year anniversary is honored in 2017. Tip: download the NOB app here. Be prepared! http://nightonbroadway.la/app/ Best regards, Broadway. read more

A Ferris wheel, live music, live art and displays, educational trucks, food trucks(savory & sweet) vendors with goodies and lots of people. I even saw a jewelry stand! Great event and nicely organized. Although it's been going on for 8 years, this is my first one. I highly recommend taking the Metro, getting dropped off a little before Broadway if you are Ubering, park bike with valet bike area and/or if possible, walk. The traffic is horrible! However if you park on the outskirts, there's plenty of cheaper parking and it's a short fun walk. Grand Central Market is also open so even more good food to enjoy during this event. Some small shops are open along the way. Come down and have fun in downtown! P.s.- Bring a jacket too, because it's chilly. read more

See all

Some of LA's most beautiful gems are opened to the public and on display during this annual free event. And by "gems" I'm speak of the the first and largest historic theater district in the country. The Twelve movie palaces along the six block stretch of Broadway is the highest concentration of such theaters in the world. Most Angelenos don't know about it. Councilman Jose Huizar is responsible for the 'Bringing Back Broadway' initiative and this event. We were so impressed with just about everything there, it seemed to be a very well organized evening. 'Night on Bway' had something for everyone - live bands, solid entertainment in seven historic theaters, gourmet food trucks, a Ferris wheel, lots of street vendors, and even a silent disco party (this is a must see). LA officials and the police did a great job keeping the event safe. We were there for over six hours and we didn't see one dust-up or issue; it was a safe, family friendly environment. We will definitely be back next year! read more

How is it that we didn't know about NOB before? Done annually in the end of January and hands down one of the best events put up in DTLA! This is an excellent opportunity for locals to check what Broadway has to offer! 7 theaters run short performances all night long (like every hour from 5 pm to 10 pm) and you get a chance to see them for FREE! I was more stoked to see the theaters themselves as they are significant to LA historical, cultural and architectural heritage. Los Angeles theater, with is grandor and chic, impressed us most of all. Million Dollar Theater was showing a burlesque performance, and that was unexpected : ) We super enjoyed live music at the two main stages and loved loved loved the silent disco party on Broadway and 5th! Tons of food trucks, artists showcasing their work, kids corner, live music, virtual reality experience, photo booths, and soooo much more on this amazing stretch of Broadway! Bravo LA! We will definitely be back next year! read more

I first attended this event in 2016 and immediately fell in love! I've gone every year since then and plan on going until the day I die. I am a lover of the arts and an even greater lover of free events! I really appreciate the fact that there exists an event that literally opens its doors to the arts. On this night, all theaters on Broadway open their doors to the public, free of charge. There are a list of artists that perform at each venue throughout the night. As an attendee, you're welcome to come in and out as you please. This allows people (like myself) who wouldn't otherwise be awarded the opportunity to visit these venues, to do so. There are also vendors, food trucks, and mini stages along the streets where you can enjoy love music and dancing! Other cool stuff: roller derby, silent disco, low riders, and The Earth Harp! It's a great time to enjoy the city of Los Angeles with the community, streets are closed and people come together I love it! read more

I attended the event in 2015 and again in 2016. The Viva Arts show was my favorite so far. Also loved the aerial arts acts each year. 2016 was bigger and definitely better organized overall. One exception. The stage set up in the street near Grand Market was poorly placed. It was too close to Million Dollar Theatre, one of the larger venues, which lead to bad foot traffic and poorly organized lines in that area. 2015 had some more comedy and magic. I missed that this year. 2015 also had a theatre group do an excerpt from a musical. Missed that too. One change I'd like to see: some audience guidance. Tell people not to use their phones. The led glow is really distracting. read more

So much fun! I went last year and this year! the lines were awful this year!! and the fast tracking for people in the neighborhood was confusing and unorganized. But all the performances i saw were amazing!! I will go next year! read more

Night On Broadway - Festivals Near Me

I loved Night On Broadway thoroughly!!!! It was cool to just walk all those blocks and people watch!!!! I also got to check out a band called Sad Girl which was pretty cool. The same stage played another cool band a little later on. I liked listening to the Earth Harp!!!! It was this massive "harp" that this guy solemnly played. The strings went up towards the roof of a building. I also got to take some cool pictures of some of the cool architecture along Broadway. My BF and I also got to see cool mariachi music at the Million Dollar Theatre!!!! We also checked out Grand Central market which was packed!!!! Too much fun!!!! Best of all it's still free!!!! There was a really cool gay part where you could dance and check out some cool booths!!!! There was art to check out scattered throughout!!!! What can I do without at Night On Broadway? Nothing really. What stands out at Night On Broadway? It's still free!!!! Five stars!!!! Night On Broadway is really, really ridiculously great!!!! read more

I celebrated my birthday with a Night on Broadway and I'd give 10 stars if I could. What an amazing night! Everything was perfect, from the entertainment to the overall good vibes and fun atmosphere. My wife and I took the train to Pershing Square and walked a block to this free event, which was on Broadway between 3rd and 8th Streets. We congratulated ourselves for taking public transportation: not having to sit in traffic and not having to worry about finding/paying for parking was the perfect way to start the festivities. We arrived early so we could eat at Guisado's, right around the corner from the event. This was a win-win all around: we got to eat at a long-time Bookmarked spot (it lived up to the hype!) and it was more satisfying than standing in a long line at one of the many overpriced food trucks. The event kicked off at 5pm and we walked toward the main stage on 3rd, checking out the various community organizations, ongoing art projects, and vendors. It was a family-friendly event, so my brother and his daughter also took the train in and we all met up. It wasn't crowded at all, which made it easy for us to see and do a bunch of different things. We got free clown noses and took our pictures at the Cirque du Soleil booth, we got info from the Friends of the LA River, and we got down at the silent disco party. The silent disco was a blast! Our daughter had told us about the silent parties she's attended at college and we wanted to see what it was all about. Basically, everyone wears a set of wireless headphones linked to the DJ and dances to the music like any other nightclub, but the music is only blaring away in your ears and not disturbing non-participants. It looked funny to the passers-by, but none of us cared. We were too busy dancing the night away. I loved seeing all of the old theaters open for shows; there's so much history here and it was a shame that the venues had become so dilapidated over the years. Thankfully, Councilman Jose Huizar's efforts to revitalize the area have resulted in the theaters re-opening for an amazing Night on Broadway. There were a lot of firsts for me on this night: 1. Dancing at a silent disco. Besides Ozomatli, this was my highlight of the night. 2. Seeing Ozomatli. One of my favorite bands (quintessential LA!) that I've somehow never seen until this night. Awesome show! 3. Watching a chessboxing match. Exactly what its name says: alternating rounds of boxing and chess-playing. Weird in a cool way. 4. Taking a salsa lesson. Actually, I've taken little freebie dance lessons like this before, but never in the middle of the street. 5. Going to a Mac Sabbath concert at the Tower Theater. A band dressed up as evil-looking Ronald McDonald, Grimace, Mayor McCheese, and the Hamburglar playing Black Sabbath songs with fast-food-related lyrics? Yes, please! The band had problems with the sound system and the acoustics weren't meant for classic heavy metal, but it was still hilarious. 6. Eating at Guisado's. Note to self: write five-star review ASAP. 7. Getting my and my wife's picture in the L.A. Times (and their Instagram)! Thanks to all of the Yelpers who pointed this out. We could not have asked for a better souvenir of such a spectacular evening. I can't wait for next year. Highly recommended. Epilogue: the next day we read reports that 60,000+ people were at the event. While it did get crowded as the night wore on, it never felt stifling or claustrophobic, thanks to all of the theaters being open and all of the live street entertainment. People were constantly moving on to whatever caught their eye or ear. It did help (a lot) that we got there early so we didn't have to wait in long lines for anything, but there was enough going on that you could just bounce around whenever you were stuck in one place for too long. read more

See all

Great we all know how putting lipstick on a pig works out. However, the main things going on for this stretch are still bradbury bldg, grand central market and now clifton's cafeterua reopening. Pretty decent variety of foodtrucks were at the event and for once got something for a checkin read more

Night On Broadway - Bottle opener - Festivals Near Me

See all

FREE EVENT! Get here early if you want to check out the theaters! The lines were long to get in, but they were letting folks inside by waves. Most of the highly anticipated events were happening in the theaters; concerts and shows. Make sure to grab a booklet with all the schedules if you make it next time around. Food trucks and tons of vendors were lined up along the street of Broadway Avenue from 3rd Street to Olympic Boulevard. The streets were entirely closed off from 3rd Street to 7th Street. It's a great walk and lots to explore from those few blocks. Live music and DJs were blasting music through the event. People were dancing and having a good time on the streets! You really get a good grasp of how diverse LA is; it's quite fantastic! Parking lots were available through out area, averaging a $10 fee. I would not recommend bringing your children or pets to this event; a lot of the areas were packed like sardines and not everyone is considerate of your little ones. I saw a couple of dogs with high stress levels walking around with their owners, poor things. Till next time, I'll see you at the opening! read more

PARKING: We managed to get a meter parking spot off 3rd and Hope? The max was 2 hours and we go there at 4:57. and had to refill the meter by 6:57. Free parking started at 8 p.m. and we were having fun and on 8th and Broadway around 7:05 p.m. and just perusing around and I was too lazy to go back and put money in the meter. We come back to the car around 9:40 p.m. and got a ticket for our meter time expiring and another ticket for no front license plate. A guy walking by saw us and said he got the same thing a while back. They were just looking for anything on top of meter time expiring to give citations for. So if you park at a meter, make sure your car windows are not tinted, the car has a front license plate, registration is current and of course your meter time isn't expired. Night on Broadway is a compact version of Coachella or EDC for new parents. Why do I say that? Well it's in L.A. and all that's where your hipster parents probably met, at some night club in L.A or literally on Broadway. It starts early at 4:30 or 5:00 p.m. which is about the time the good acts start at Coachella or EDC. There's art installations, clothing vendors, multiple stages over seven blocks, avant garde art work or short film screenings, D.J's playing EDM with crazy visuals to match, Soul/Funk music, bands all over, comedy shows, dodge ball, wrestling, fire breathers, gay people being just that and food trucks and the Grand Central Market offering high priced tacos, sandwiches, drinks etc. It's free and you can bring your kids and dog if you'd like. They don't have security guards checking you or searching your bags and the event is done by 11 p.m. Pretty much the best and most interesting free thing to do in Los Angeles. I'd do it again next year and recommend it to anyone looking to see what L.A is about and explore the beautiful theaters on Broadway for free! read more

Night on Broadway is one those events you must visit. Fortunately it happens once a year and a rarity that a large section of Broadway is closed off for a massive block party. In its 8th year in the making, the event keeps growing more and more popular with the city. This year was no exception as hordes of people hit the streets of Broadway. But what makes it truly special is the opening of all the historical theaters in one of the largest theater districts in the country. Surprisingly through out the year, many of these theaters are only opened briefly for special events. But to have them all open at the same time at night is amazing. Neon lights glisten the streets with a magical feel and people explore old Broadway. It brings back the old and the new of what may come in the future. Angelenos are very fortunate to have these theaters still intact. Although some theaters may have needed repairs, there is hope that this district will survive and cast a glow over the horizon once more. Craziest part of this event is its absolutely free to attend. Some of these theaters were used to host the Oscars or premiere Chaplin films during the golden era. As for the foodie or bar seekers, the event is within stepping distance to local watering holes. Each theater host several performances throughout the night. Live bands echo through the streets as it draws crowds from all over this great city. This is a spectacular event that shouldn't be missed as it only happens on one night per year. So for the curious or adventurous type, this is the perfect night to hit up a bit of awesome history and excitement. Plus it makes you look good that you know the cool spots in town. read more

See all

Unexpectedly fun event in DTLA. Broadway street is closed for this event so most people find parking in one of the lots. Parking ranges from $20-30 but I parked in Grand Central Market parking lot at 9pm and paid only $3 for 90 minutes! This is a free event so come out and enjoy the activities, music, food, shows and pop-up shops! This event is once a year to revitalize the old Broadway theaters. read more

Night On Broadway - Festivals Near Me

This event was really fun and it's so cool how they open up all of these old theaters to the public! I also enjoyed this huge harp which has its strings attached to the top of a building on the other side of the street and this planetarium dome which showed a lot of psychedelic imagery. I would definitely come back again next year! read more

See all

Fun way to see DTLA in a totally different way. We walked to a few of the theaters. The Orpheum was closed by the time we got there. Lucha Va Voom was going on, and it was nice to see some art and other live music. read more

This event in downtown LA event was a fun, family friendly kind of thing with lots of available entertainment and music. I especially loved how there was more than one stage and so many activities you can partake it. There was an area for food and alcohol, which had a good Mexican food vendor that was there. There were also a myriad of food trucks in the few blocks that Night on Broadway spanned. I was interested in seeing some of the art exhibitions such as a flame that would light up every few or so minutes. It was cool to walk around this festival, and best of all, it was free. I will be looking forward to go next year to actually check out the theaters because I missed out on that part this year. read more

Wonderful event. It was nice to be able Yo walk around downtown and enjoy the beautiful buildings. Only recommendation would be to have more police presence. We saw a young getting high with a can of aerosol. read more

So amazing. I got to see flame throwers and circus trapezists do their thing in an old movie theater that is usually closed to the public. I got to hear live music in another theater that was lit up. I got to walk through many art installations and see people dressed like in the 1920's. There was even a barter store where people will take something you have and you exchange it for an item they have like wayyyy back in the day. I got to play live bingo in another theater. It was just so much fun. It is one of the best and coolest events I have ever been to. Downtown really comes alive and you can experience the noire hollywood era and the hip LA scene in an ephemeral kind of way. read more

Went here for the first time last night (Jan 28)! So cool... lots of things to do/see when they close Broadway street for this event! Some things we saw: - Food trucks everywhere! The popular ones too! - Historic buildings are open like Grand Central Market (all stalls/kiosks were open late at night!) and Spring Arcade with the shops/restos/forest lights - Music and theatre performances in the old historic theatres along Broadway (some are free, some are paid). - DJ with a modern darth vader mask playing electronic beats - Dude playing the "earth harp", which is this unique instrument with strings attached to a wooden device on one end, and the other is tied to the roof of a high-rise building across the street. Crazy cool. - Guy in a fire-proof suit getting blown by flames (he survived unscathed due to the suit) - Booths selling artistic merchandise - Drag show/beauty contest - Street art installation - Ferris wheel - Vaudeville-looking performers on stilts - Dirty dogs vendors - Yelp was there too doing some kind of game/promotion It's very well attended. Lots of people came to the event, and I'm reminded of how awesome of a place to live Los Angeles is :) read more

See all

This was a great event and really impressive that everyone came out! Music, activities, food - all good things! Would recommend to take the train, walk, or Uber. Parking is tough! read more

I just moved to LA in September and attended this for the first time with a meetup group. It was very fun. We started at 3rd and just made our way to the other end, stopping at whatever seemed interesting. We saw the circus lighting people on fire, stopped at some VR booths, dipped into the Funky Soul Dance party for a bit and then ended the night at Silent Disco. I enjoyed this festival very much, lots of art and music and brought a new appreciation to DTLA for me. Downfalls: -traffic is awful, but that isn't really their fault taking the train is a must. Uber surges were through the roof. -Confusing schedule and the maps were off. It was kinda hard tracking down where and when things were happening. -The theatres should have used their readerboards to display what was happening inside -The lines for most of the events were so long you really only got to do 1-2 things. Other than those minor things, it was great. We had so much fun and will be going back next year. read more

I'm a fan of night on Broadway! I love being able to walk in to the theatres and enjoying the architecture. The Los Angeles and the Orpheum are some of my favorites. There was lots of entertainment everywhere inside the theatres and on the streets some good and some really bad. Some of the shows were the most bizarre things I had ever seen the Los Angeles theatre had a show --dancers from Sunland I don't even know how to describe it. I would call it modern dance but there was no choreography just a bunch of people on a stage doing random movements they felt like they were high and in a cult. I felt like I was being punked after the first three minutes of it I was like Okaaaaayyyyy. When do they start dancing? Geesh I hope they don't pay for dance lessons and then at the globe this guy dressed like a Yeti shouting some death metal? I have no idea what that was it was aweful. I was among one of the many that walked out of this performance, but there were also some entertaining performances -- a dodgeball game. singers, rapppers, and even Lucha Vavoom. I had a good time even after watching the bad performances, it gave us a good laugh and something to talk about in the group. Only thing I wish was that there was more food available for sale. I saw a few trucks at the beginning and a stand selling cake but that was pretty much it. read more