I don’t have a team of editors, and Los Angeles is huge with tons of events going on, so it’s impossible to list them all. The ones I have listed below are those I believe are outstanding and worth checking out.
Special Attractions
- Candlelight Concerts in LA
- The Jury Experience
- The Magic Hour at Black Rabbit Rose in Hollywood
- Hollywood Speakeasy Bar Tour
- Shot of Art in the LA Arts District – explore your creativity – shoot, spin, splash paint, and more in groups or individual settings. Go wild and get wet.
- LA Ghosts – Haunted Tours—LA’s Scariest Ghost Tour visits Tinseltown and several other areas of Los Angeles where ghosts are said to reside.
- Marina Del Rey Dinner Cruise
Union Station Happenings
Be sure to visit the LA Metro Art exhibition “LA On the Move” in the Union Station Waiting Room. You can always take the L.A. Metro, Metrolink, and Amtrak trains to visit. It is a fabulous exhibit, and Union Station, Los Angeles, is so iconic. Take the L.A. Metro there if you can.
KCRW Summer Nights at Union Station – August 15, 2026 at the Ticket Concourse 6 pm – 10 pm
800 N. ALAMEDA ST., LOS ANGELES, CA
FIFA Fan Zones
Check out the official FIFA website for more information.
The Los Angeles World Cup 26 Fan Zones include:
- Fairplex – July 18-19
- West Harbor – July 18-19
Ebell of Los Angeles Events and Concerts
Upcoming Events at The Ebell of Los Angeles:
The Ebell of Los Angeles, in Hancock Park, was established in 1894 as a women’s organization and has since empowered women and supported the arts. It offers memberships to women who want to volunteer and support the community. The club also hosts events at its historic clubhouse, built in 1927 and designed by Sumner Hunt.
While there, you can explore its enchanting garden, lounges, and sunlit third-floor sunroom, guided by knowledgeable volunteer docents who offer insights into the building’s magic and history.
It also offers a full roster of inspiring events at both the Ebell Clubhouse and Wilshire Ebell Theater.
For information and tickets for all Ebell events, click here.
Gamble House Lawn with First Floor Live Music and Altadena Wine
Fourth Saturday of each month, April through October. 2026, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
The Gamble House in Pasadena opens its lawn and 1st floor from 5:30 to 7:30 pm for an evening of live rock from the band Maiden Names, wine flights poured by Altadena Wines, and docent-led walk-throughs of the 1908 Greene & Greene landmark.
Non-members pay $5 for general admission or $40 with a wine tasting. Members enter free without the tasting or pay $35 with one. Children 12 and under are admitted at no charge. Wine tasting is limited to guests 21 and older, who must show identification at check-in, and no outside alcohol or pets are permitted.
The June 26 lineup is one of six remaining dates in the series. Subsequent installments feature Alfredo Gonzalez, a reggae and ska musician, on July 10; the Wise Guys Big Band on July 24; the R&B and soul artist Gal Pearl on August 14; and Pasadena Youth Night on August 28.
4 Westmoreland Place near Orange Grove Boulevard, Pasadena, California
The Gamble House website is currently down, but you can purchase tickets by clicking on the link below.
Ongoing Summer Concerts
Hollywood Bowl Summer Season Events, Hollywood
All Summer Long
The Hollywood Bowl summer season runs throughout June and July, offering a mix of concerts, special events, and themed evenings in one of Los Angeles’ most iconic outdoor venues. Many visitors come for the full experience—bringing a picnic, arriving early, and enjoying music under the stars. It’s one of the most comfortable and scenic ways to enjoy live entertainment during the summer.
KCRW Summer Nights, Various LA Locations
June–August 2026
KCRW Summer Nights is a long-running series of free outdoor concerts and DJ events held across Los Angeles throughout the summer. Locations vary from cultural landmarks to scenic outdoor spaces, and the events are known for being well-organized, social, and easy to navigate. They offer a relaxed way to enjoy live music without the scale or intensity of a large festival.
Poliwog Park Free Summer Concerts – Manhattan Beach
July 5 – September 6
Poliwog Park in Manhattan Beach kicks off its free summer concert series on Sundays from 5 pm – 7 pm, enjoy various bands. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and picnics, then sit back and relax to the sounds of summer! Seating is first come, first served!
Warner Park Summer Concert Series, Woodland Hills
July 12 – September 19
The Valley Cultural Center presents its popular free summer concert series at Lou Bredlow Pavilion in Warner Park on Sunday evenings throughout the summer. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and a picnic while enjoying tribute bands, classic rock, pop, country, and family-friendly entertainment in a relaxed outdoor setting.
Grand Performances, Downtown Los Angeles
July 9 – August 20
Held at California Plaza in Downtown Los Angeles, Grand Performances is one of the city’s longest-running free outdoor concert series. Summer shows celebrate music and culture from around the world, with performances ranging from jazz and Latin music to soul, world music, indie rock, and dance, creating an energetic atmosphere in the heart of downtown.
Marina del Rey Summer Concert Series, Burton Chace Park
July 11 – August 15
Set against the backdrop of Marina del Rey Harbor, this free concert series features pop, jazz, and symphony performances on select weekends throughout the summer. Visitors can spread out on the grass with a picnic while enjoying beautiful waterfront views and live music at sunset. July 18 is Los Lobos.
Beverly Hills Concerts on Canon
through August 20
Held in Beverly Cañon Gardens on select Thursday evenings during the summer, Concerts on Canon features free performances ranging from jazz and swing to Motown, tribute bands, and contemporary favorites. Visitors can bring a picnic or enjoy dinner at one of the nearby restaurants before the show, making it one of the most elegant outdoor concert settings in Los Angeles County.
Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Free Concerts
June-July 2026
Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles hosts a series of free concerts in MacArthur Park throughout the summer, featuring a wide range of musical styles. The atmosphere is casual and community-oriented, with plenty of space to sit and enjoy the performances at your own pace. It’s one of the best low-key evening events in the city.
Candlelight Concerts
If you haven’t been to a Candlelight Concert in Los Angeles, you don’t know what you’re missing. I attended one in Santa Monica, which you can read about here. You can enjoy 60 minutes of music in a candlelit setting, often in historic venues around the city.
Book your Candlelight Concert here.
Los Angeles Indie Book Crawl
July 24 – 26th, 2026
From Manhattan Beach to Montrose, from West Hollywood to Westchester to West LA, from Studio City to Pasadena to Santa Monica, with Culver City in between, 13 independent bookstores across the greater Los Angeles region are joining forces to create an unforgettable weekend for Los Angeles’s bibliophiles.
The inaugural Los Angeles Indie Book Crawl will take place on Friday, July 24, Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26, during regular store hours. This special event, modeled after popular book crawls in San Diego and Seattle, invites readers to explore the diversity of LA’s indie bookstores, shop local, and have fun while discovering a new favorite read and a new favorite spot to get properly lost in. The event is free and open to everyone.
Participating stores:
- Annabelle’s Book Club LA (Studio City)
- The Book Jewel (in the heart of Westchester)
- Book Soup, bookseller to the great and famous (West Hollywood)
- Chevalier’s Books (Larchmont Village)
- Children’s Book World & CBW Teens & Adults (West Los Angeles)
- diesel, A Book Store (Santa Monica)
- Malik Books (Culver City)
- Once Upon A Time, America’s Oldest Children’s Bookstore (Montrose)
- pages: a bookstore (Manhattan Beach)
- The Ripped Bodice, A Romantic Bookstore (Culver City)
- Skylight Books (Hollywood/Los Feliz)
- Vroman’s Bookstore (Pasadena
Vans Warped Tour, Long Beach
July 25-26, 2026
The legendary Vans Warped Tour returns to Long Beach for a weekend of live music featuring punk, rock, alternative, and emerging artists. While longtime fans will appreciate the nostalgia, the festival also attracts younger generations, creating a fun multigenerational atmosphere with food vendors, merchandise, and multiple stages throughout the day.
Festivals
HARD Summer Music Festival, Inglewood
August 1-2, 2026
HARD Summer is one of Southern California’s biggest electronic music festivals, bringing internationally known DJs and live performers to Inglewood each August. The festival features impressive stage production, art installations, food vendors, and a high-energy atmosphere. Even if electronic music isn’t your favorite genre, it’s a fascinating event to experience for its scale and production value.
This event takes place at Hollywood Park adjacent to Sofi Stadium.
Nisei Week Japanese Festival, Little Tokyo
August 15-23, 2026
The Nisei Week Japanese Festival returns to Little Tokyo from August 15–23, 2026, celebrating Japanese and Japanese American culture through nine days of family-friendly events. One of the nation’s longest-running ethnic festivals, Nisei Week features the popular Grand Parade, Plaza Festival, traditional dance performances, taiko drumming, cultural exhibits, Japanese food, tea ceremonies, bonsai displays, and the festive Ondo street dancing that closes the celebration.
Visitors can easily spend an entire day exploring Little Tokyo while experiencing one of Los Angeles’ most authentic cultural festivals.
Los Angeles Jazz Festival
August 22-23, 2026
The inaugural Los Angeles Jazz Festival is a massive 25-day, citywide celebration debuting in August 2026, featuring over 150 events, including free park concerts, “Jazz After Dark” club shows, and a two-day beach finale at Dockweiler Beach (Aug 22-23). It aims to celebrate African, African American, and Caribbean culture.
Artists include Joey Alexander, Big Freedia, Ezra Collective, Free Nationals & Friends, Nubya Garcia, John Legend, Pedrito Martinez, Janelle Monáe, Original Koffee, Parliament Funkadelic featuring George Clinton, Alfredo Rodriguez, Raphael Saadiq, Poncho Sanchez, Justin-Lee Schultz, and Charlie Wilson.
Los Angeles Conservancy Tours
The Los Angeles Conservancy frequently hosts tours and lectures where you can learn more about the history of L.A. It is a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate and advocate to recognize, preserve, and revitalize the historic, architectural, and cultural resources of Los Angeles County.
Ongoing tours include Historic Downtown, Broadway Historic Theatre and Commercial District, Art Deco, Union Station, and Angelino Heights.
If you love Los Angeles history, I highly recommend you become a member of the Los Angeles Conservancy.
Take a Lowrider Tour of LA
Do you want to see the real L.A.? Lowrider Tours takes you around the city in a vintage lowrider car with an L.A. local. You will see the best of Los Angeles and explore its history and culture. The company has city group tours but you can also craft a private tour. Tours last 3 hours and begin in Beverly Hills.
Find out more about Lowrider Tours here.
Los Angeles Theater
A Faery Hunt
Ongoing
If you have little children or grandchildren take them to A Faery Hunt. It’s a magical experience performed in various parks and other venues in Los Angeles. Now in its 21st year, A Faery Hunt is the brainchild of actor/producer Debbie Rothstein and is still going strong.
Children enjoy an interactive experience including storytelling, lively musical theater, and magical adventures. Gift certificates are available.?♀️?
The shows are performed several times per month, excluding holidays, and are designed for young audiences and their families to inspire creativity, imagination, and fun. A Faery Hunt is the winner of the Nickelodeon’s Parents’ Pick Award for “Best Children’s Theater in Los Angeles,” named “Best of Hollywood” by the Hollywood Reporter,and named “Best of LA” by LA Parent and Los Angeles magazine. Seasonal shows are also performed yearly at different community events.
For upcoming performances and locations, click here.
Save on Tours with CityPASS®
Save up to 50% at Los Angeles’s Best Theme Parks and Attractions with CityPASS®.
Southern California CityPASS® tickets include Disneyland® Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood, or both, plus one-time admission to a choice of 2 attractions from the following:
- LEGOLAND® California Resort
- SeaWorld® San Diego
- San Diego Zoo®
- San Diego Zoo® Safari Park
Offering savings of up to 47% off combined regular adult admission pricing, Southern California CityPASS® tickets start at $224 for adults and $219 for children ages 3-9.
Download the My CityPASS® app or visit my.citypass.com to access your tickets, make reservations (if required), and view attraction details. Valid 9 consecutive days, including the first day of use; nonactivated tickets expire one year from the purchase date.
Movie Studio Tours
Sports Tickets
- Los Angeles Clippers Tickets
- Los Angeles Lakers Tickets
- Los Angeles Kings Tickets
- Los Angeles Chargers Tickets
- Los Angeles Rams Tickets
Los Angeles Museums
- Los Angeles Academy Museum of Motion Pictures – Located in the Los Angeles Miracle Mile, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is the world’s premier institution dedicated to the art, science, and preservation of film, featuring immersive exhibitions, diverse collections of cinema memorabilia, and state-of-the-art theaters.
- Los Angeles Museum of Tolerance – The Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles is an interactive human rights laboratory and educational center founded by the Simon Wiesenthal Center that uses the lessons of the Holocaust to confront contemporary racism, prejudice, and discrimination.
- Los Angeles Natural History Museum is the largest natural and historical museum in the western United States, featuring a vast collection of over 35 million specimens, including renowned dinosaur halls, extensive gem and mineral collections, and immersive nature gardens that span 4.5 billion years of history. Read my review.
- LACMA – As the largest art museum in the western United States, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art is a sprawling, encyclopedic institution on Wilshire Boulevard featuring over 150,000 works spanning thousands of years, iconic outdoor installations like Urban Light, and a commitment to serving Southern California’s diverse population. Enjoy jazz evenings at LACMA under the Urban Lights during Spring and Summer. The New Geffen Galleries are now open – Read my review.
- The Broad Museum – The Broad, located in downtown Los Angeles, is a renowned contemporary art museum founded by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad, featuring a vast collection of postwar art and iconic installations within a distinct, honeycombed “veil-and-vault” building that offers free general admission. Read my review.
- MOCA – The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles is a premier institution dedicated to collecting, exhibiting, and interpreting groundbreaking art created from 1940 to the present, featuring innovative, thought-provoking works across two major, distinct venues.
- California Science Center in Los Angeles’ Exposition Park is a premier, free-admission educational institution featuring interactive exhibits on life, ecosystems, and technology, famously home to the Space Shuttle Endeavour and an IMAX theater.
- The Getty Center – Perched atop a Brentwood hilltop, the Getty Center is a world-renowned Los Angeles cultural campus showcasing pre-20th-century European art, photography, and modern architecture surrounded by dramatic gardens and stunning city views. Read my review. The Getty Center will be closing on March 15, 2027, for approximately one year. The museum is executing its most comprehensive campus modernization since opening in 1997, which includes updated visitor facilities, a new cafe bookstore, and improved wireless connectivity. It plans to reopen in the spring of 2028.
- The Getty Villa – Located in Pacific Palisades, California, the Getty Villa is a re-created ancient Roman country house overlooking the Pacific Ocean that houses a massive collection of Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities within a tranquil, historically inspired setting. Read my review.
- The Griffith Observatory – Griffith Park – Perched on Mount Hollywood, the Griffith Observatory is a renowned public stargazing center, planetarium, and Art Deco landmark in Los Angeles that has offered free, inspiring space education since 1935. It is celebrated for its public telescopes and panoramic city views, serving as a top cultural destination featured in iconic films like Rebel Without a Cause. Read my review.
- The Peterson Museum – Located on Wilshire Boulevard’s Museum Row in Los Angeles, the Petersen Automotive Museum is a premier non-profit institution featuring over 100,000 square feet of exhibit space dedicated to exploring the history, artistry, and cultural impact of the automobile.
- Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles is a renowned institution dedicated to celebrating Jewish heritage and American democratic ideals through museum exhibitions, performances, and educational programs that foster community, justice, and cultural discovery
- Japanese American National Museum – JANM, in Little Tokyo, is a premier institution dedicated to documenting, preserving, and sharing the 130-year history and culture of Japanese Americans, featuring powerful exhibitions on immigration, identity, and the World War II incarceration experience. Read my review.
- Grammy Museum – Located at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles, the GRAMMY Museum is an interactive, four-floor, non-profit institution dedicated to celebrating the history, art, and technology of music through immersive exhibits, educational programs, and iconic artist artifacts.
- The Hammer Museum, in Westwood, is a free, progressive Los Angeles institution affiliated with UCLA that champions contemporary art, emerging artists, and socially engaged programming within a dynamic, artist-centric environment. Read my review.
Hidden Gem Museums
The Nethercutt Collection – Sylmar – The Nethercutt Collection is a world-renowned museum showcasing over 250 prestigious and pristine vintage American and European automobiles, along with rare mechanical musical instruments and antique furniture. Founded by J.B. Nethercutt, the collection is celebrated for its immaculate restorations and includes iconic masterpieces housed in both a dedicated museum and a grand salon.
It also hosts theater organ concerts on its mighty Wurlitzer organ. Call to reserve a seat. Read my review.
Museum of Neon Art – Glendale (known as MONA) is a delightful art museum that includes neon signs from historical locations and electric and kinetic art. It is located directly across the street from the Americana shopping center in Glendale. Read my review.
The Hilbert Museum – Orange, California – Located near Chapman University in Orange, California, the Hilbert Museum of California Art is a premier institution specializing in California Scene painting, animation, and narrative art from the 20th century to the present. Recently expanded to 26 galleries, the museum showcases a diverse 5,000-piece collection of oils, watercolors, and Hollywood production art. Read my review.
Valley Relics Museum, Van Nuys – Located in two airplane hangars at the Van Nuys Airport, the Valley Relics Museum is a pop-culture repository dedicated to the history of the San Fernando Valley. It features a vast collection of neon signs, vintage BMX bikes, restaurant memorabilia, and classic vehicles, offering a nostalgic journey through Southern California’s commercial and cultural history. Read my review.
The Museum of Flying – Santa Monica – Located at the historic Santa Monica Airport, the Museum of Flying features a 22,000-square-foot display of vintage aircraft, cockpit simulators, and aviation artifacts, with a special focus on the Douglas Aircraft Company. It offers an interactive experience where visitors can explore the history of Southern California aviation, watch films in an on-site theater, and view aircraft taking off from an active runway. Read my review.
Travel Town Museum – Griffith Park – Located in Los Angeles’ Griffith Park, the Travel Town Museum is a free, open-air museum established in 1952 that preserves the history of rail transportation in the Western United States. It features dozens of vintage locomotives and train cars that visitors can explore, along with a miniature train ride, making it a popular destination for families and train enthusiasts.
USC Pacific Asian Museum – Pasadena – Located in a historic 1924 Chinese-style mansion in Pasadena, the USC Pacific Asia Museum is one of the few U.S. institutions dedicated exclusively to the arts and cultures of Asia and the Pacific Islands. The museum features a permanent collection of over 15,000 items spanning 5,000 years, along with a serene courtyard garden for visitors to enjoy. Read my review.
Craft Contemporary Museum – Located on Los Angeles’ historic Miracle Mile, Craft Contemporary is a dynamic, non-profit institution dedicated to showcasing contemporary art made through traditional and innovative craft media. It features rotating exhibitions from established and emerging artists, alongside hands-on workshops that foster community creativity and engagement with diverse artistic processes.
Heritage Square Museum – Located in Los Angeles, the Heritage Square Museum is an open-air living history museum dedicated to preserving8147775Southern California’s architectural and cultural history from 1850 to 1950. The museum features a collection of rescued and restored Victorian-era structures, providing an immersive glimpse into daily life during the region’s first century of statehood.
60out escape rooms
If you haven’t experienced a 60out escape room in Los Angeles, you’re in for an adventure like no other! 60out offers a range of escape rooms that cater to all skill levels and interests, including exciting new rooms like Godzilla vs Kong, Wizard’s Treasure, The Smurfs, and Jumanji.
With multiple locations across Los Angeles, 60out ensures there’s a thrilling escape room experience near you. Whether you’re a puzzle enthusiast or looking for a fun group activity, 60out has something for everyone.
Book your 60out escape room experience here!
Fabulous flea markets
The Rose Bowl Flea Market is enormous and takes place on the second Sunday of each month at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. It has been happening for 50 years and is enormous!
Los Feliz Flea operates on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Saturdays • 11 AM til 5 PM, rain or shine. An Echo Park Los Feliz Flea opens in May. Read my review here. You will find it at Our Mother of Good Counsel
2060 N Vermont Ave, LA, CA 90027.
Best Tour Companies
- Viator is a TripAdvisor company and is a leader in the marketplace for travel tours. It is a third-party aggregator that arranges tours with local providers. You can find 300,000 experiences from easy walking tours to thrilling adventures on its site. The company has been in business for over 20 years and provides quality tours and activities as well as tour protection worldwide. Find Los Angeles Tours here.
- Big Bus Tour offers hop-on, hop-off buses that will allow you to tour the city in comfort. You can get off to take in the sights and then catch another bus to take you to the next location. Buses operate in all areas of Los Angeles. There are also specialized buses that take you on specific tours, such as celebrity homes. Each bus has earphones so you can learn about the area, and it is accessible in multiple languages. Take the Big Bus in Los Angeles, here.
- Get Your Guide provides personal guided tours of the best things to do in Los Angeles and most other parts of the world.
Airport Pickup and Parking
Find Airport Parking at Parkfellows.com.
Book an airport pickup at Welcome Pickups.
Some of the links above are affiliate links. I will receive a tiny bit of compensation if you make a purchase on the site you clicked on. I have personally used these companies myself and highly recommend them.