KOREAN BBQ COOK-OFF: Organizers say that over 8,000 food lovers attended the one-day feast last year, so we'd arrive on the early side for the Saturday, Aug. 6 event. Be sure to take in the Top Grill Master Competition, the vino selection from Korean Wines, and the live tunes. Oh, and arrive ready to try some smoky meats. Getting in is free, and plates'll run five bucks to fifteen. Noon to 6 p.m.
SRI LANKA DAY: It's a twelve-hour celebration on the Third Street Promenade -- hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6 -- and visitors can expect a fashion show, various performings, and tasty bites for purchase. The stage'll be near Wilshire, if you're wanting to start with some dance, while food and shopping'll be located nearby on the Promenade. Mmm. Hoppers and curries and kiribaths.
OLD SPANISH DAYS: Santa Barbara has several long-running annual extravaganzas, but this famous fiesta takes the crown on the long-running, everyone-knows-about-it front. It's five days long -- the final day is Sunday, Aug. 7 -- and there are several things happening at once, from parades to markets to dance performances. If you're wondering how many candles are on the OSD cake, count 'em: 87.
LA HABRA CORN FESTIVAL: And speaking of long-running parties, this cobestival -- we just made that up, but you get where we're going with that -- turns 63 in 2011. Corn is the focus, but so is just an old-fashioned, have-fun atmos. Kid activities, mariachi music, food booths, and other good stuff is part of the three-day-er. Friday, Aug. 5 through Sunday, Aug. 7
BUCK-LESS BURTON: Free Tim Burton films? Behind LACMA, in the park? On a Friday night? The answer is yes to all three of those questions (we had lots more questions to give, like will the mammoths in the tar pits be watching, but we'll refrain.) The four-week Burton-a-thon starts on Friday, Aug. 5. A free film screens every Friday through Aug. 26. The first film? "Corpse Bride." 8 p.m., Hancock Park
