Marionettes Take Over the State Historic Park Today
Los Angeles, CA · September 20, 2026
The strings are tuned and the puppets take the grass at State Historic Park early today. Grab an iced coffee and settle into an easy Sunday rhythm.
The Lead
Los Angeles State Historic Park turns into a vast open-air stage today as the 12th annual Bob Baker Day welcomes families from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Founded to celebrate the whimsical legacy of master puppeteer Bob Baker—whose troupe has entertained generations since 1963—the free festival brings hundreds of handcrafted marionettes out of the theater and onto three solar-powered outdoor stages. Between variety revues, roaming stilt walkers, and hands-on puppet-crafting tents, attendees can browse dozens of local makers and catch sets from community brass and jazz bands. While admission remains free, organizers require online RSVPs to manage park capacity, and arriving via the adjacent Chinatown Metro station is strongly advised to bypass crowded local lots. The first meadow performance begins promptly at ten.
Local Pulse
Weekend Track Work Halts Valley Commuter Rail Transit Metrolink suspended all Ventura County and Antelope Valley trains through tonight, requiring riders to secure alternate road transport.
Citywide Accessibility Review Welcomes Public Input City Hall Residents can weigh in on pedestrian and facility barriers through mid-October for the updated municipal transition plan.
Regional Housing Approvals Surge Across County Housing Permitted residential units topped 27,000 midyear across Southern California, propelled primarily by multifamily construction in Los Angeles.
Today's Outlook
- High 82°F · Low 65°F — Overcast
- Cloud cover keeps the afternoon mild, making it ideal for spending hours outdoors.
What's On Around Town
Today
Thai Fest by the Beach Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, 11:00 AM–8:00 PM · Free Authentic regional food stalls, traditional dance, and live beachside music.
A Current Affair Vintage Marketplace Cooper Design Space (860 S Los Angeles St), Noon–5:00 PM · $15 Dozens of premier vintage retailers offering rare garments and jewelry.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Francisco Giants Dodger Stadium (1000 Vin Scully Ave), 1:10 PM · Paid Rivalry finale where kids get to run the bases postgame.
Mid-Autumn Lion Dance LACMA (5905 Wilshire Blvd), 2:00 PM · Free Acrobatic lion dance performance and live percussion on the plaza.
Sunday Sessions Open Air Apotheke (1746 N Spring St), 5:00 PM · Paid Vinyl-only house selections and herbal drinks on the outdoor patio.
Tomorrow
- The Music Center Symphonian Tour Walt Disney Concert Hall (135 N Grand Ave), Noon · Free
- Josh Johnson Album Preview 2220 Arts + Archives (2220 Beverly Blvd), 7:00–9:00 PM · Free
- Lily Allen in Concert Greek Theatre (2700 N Vermont Ave), 7:30 PM · Paid
Tuesday
- Lucas Museum Public Grand Opening Lucas Museum of Narrative Art (3800 S Vermont Ave), 10:00 AM–5:00 PM · Paid
- Los Angeles Kings vs. Utah Mammoth Crypto.com Arena (1111 S Figueroa St), 7:00 PM · Paid
- The Drop: Kevin Morby The GRAMMY Museum (800 W Olympic Blvd), 7:30–9:00 PM · Paid
Spotlight & Story
- The Pasadena Doo Dah Parade
- When New Year’s Day 1978 fell on a Sunday, the Rose Parade took its traditional Sabbath pause. Sitting in the Loch Ness Monster Pub, Peter Apanel and friends grabbed a city permit to fill the empty asphalt, debuting synchronized briefcases and flying tortillas.
Los Angeles Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.
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