Los Angeles Union Station opened as the Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal on May 3, 1939, with the new building getting a massive parade down Alameda Street. The station’s grand opening was a huge deal for L.A. — the city finally had a central passenger terminal, and it was the largest terminal in the Western United States.

A Union Pacific locomotive and five cars constructed for Cecil B. DeMille’s “Union Pacific” film travel down Alameda. Photo by Harry Quillen.

Union Station today remains a hub of transportation for the city and serves Metro Bus and Rail, Metrolink, Amtrak and many other municipal bus lines. More than 100,000 commuters and travelers move through the station each day!

The station has been renovated and preserved so that the beautiful original wall tiles, art deco elements, waiting room seats, chandeliers and more can continue to be appreciated by all. And more upgrades are in the works.

The Fred Harvey restaurant in 1939 with its staff of Harvey Girls. Courtesy of the Los Angeles Railroad Heritage Foundation Collection. Photo by the Santa Fe Railway.

The Harvey House restaurant space as it exists now, home of the Imperial Western Beer Company.

Union Station Waiting Room, 1939. Photo courtesy of Pomona Public Library.

Union Station main concourse, 1939. Photo courtesy of LAPL.

Sailors at Union Station, 1946. Photo courtesy of LAPL.

Musicians at Union Station, 2016.

Union Station.

Come celebrate Union Station’s 80th anniversary with us on May 3 and 4! The two-day community event will feature music, dancing, kids’ activities and more. Keep reading for a list of performances and exhibits. Please check unionstationla.com for exact performance times.

Friday, May 3 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• Pop-up performance by the California Feetwarmers
• Pop-up performance by The New Recessionaries
• “Living Gallery” featuring photo retrospective of station history
• Model train exhibition from the Del Oro Pacific Modular Railroad
• Custom 80th anniversary menu items at some station eateries

Saturday, May 4 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Family Fun Zone featuring Griffith Park Travel Town activity corner, kids’ concert series and more
• Marketplace featuring Angel City Press and more
• Live music on the South Patio with Soul Fab, SOL!D Selectors, DJ Funky Sole, DJ Raul Campos, Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles and Jungle Fire
• Food trucks and picnic area
• Live music in the Historic Ticketing Hall with Dave Stuckey and the Hot House Gang, Phil Ranelin Jazz Ensemble, Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra and Buyepongo
• Docent-led art and architecture tours

For even more arts and cultural offerings, join us beyond May 4 at Union Station as Metro Art Presents an exciting year-round array of live music and dance performances, film screenings, poetry readings and beyond. For more information, visit metro.net/art.