June 2019 events calendar for Los Angeles
Looking for things to do in L.A.? Fill up your social life with festivals and activities from our June events calendar for Los Angeles. If you’re an Angeleno, you like to have fun in the sun at the beach, hiking or even lounging rooftop. As the weather warms up, head outdoors for this month’s big events and festivals.
RECOMMENDED: Full events calendar for 2019
Lummis Day Festival
Celebrate the history and ethnic diversity of northeast Los Angeles at this annual music, dance and art festival.
Last Remaining Seats
The L.A. Conservancy offers a delightful summer time machine in the form of live entertainment and classic films, screened across Downtown’s grand old movie palaces throughout the month of June.
Noon to Midnight
Close out the LA Phil’s Fluxus Festival with an entire day of performances throughout the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Andrew Bird
Expect a reworking of his impressive back catalog with a heavy emphasis on violin pieces, an instrument he’s been playing since he was four—plus songs from his newest album, My Finest Work Yet.
Broken Social Scene
Many things may have changed since 2010, but Broken Social Scene’s cool-yet-moody indie rock anthems—both old and new—are still just as timeless as ever.
First Fridays at the Natural History Museum
If you're sick of First Fridays only offering a high density of food trucks and lines at your favorite dive bars, check out something new—err, old rather—at the Natural History Museum, where First Fridays offer dinosaurs and DJs.
Ghostbusters Fan Fest
Dust off your proton pack for this gathering of Ghostbusters fans, complete with screenings, panels, photo ops and appearances from director Ivan Reitman, composer Ray Parker Jr. and actors Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson and William Atherton.
SPLASH HOUSE Palm Springs Pool + Music Weekend
Movers and shakers at this multi-location getdown are shuttled between the Renaissance, the Riviera Resort and the Saguaro to lap up big-name dance acts and DJ sets.
LA Pride
One of the biggest pride events in the US, LA Pride attracts as many as a half of a million people during its two-day festival at West Hollywood Park, including its signature Sunday parade.
Poolside Cinema at Mr. C Beverly Hills
Supplement your typical summer drink date with a little cinema at Mr. C Beverly Hills’ poolside screening series.
‘Bauhaus Beginnings’
Dive into the founding principles of the influential German art school at this Getty Research Institute exhibition, which over 250 rare prints, drawings, collages, notebooks and ephemera from the Bauhaus’s founding and early years.
Bill Esparza’s Taqueando Taco Festival
Author, reporter and one of the world’s most authoritative taco authorities Bill Esparza is organizing a brand new taco festival at ROW DTLA, kicking off summer with a ton of heat.
Santana
On this tour, with support from the Doobie Brothers, Santana celebrates the 50th anniversary of Woodstock, plus 20 years since the release of Supernatural.
CatCon
The self-dubbed Comic-Con for cat people comes to the Pasadena Convention Center with speakers, meet and greets, furniture, art, toys and clothing—For humans? Felines? Hopefully both.
Eat|See|Hear
Eat|See|Hear travels to different locales throughout the city each Saturday during the summer, showing cult flicks on an inflatable screen taller than your average Malibu mansion.
Rose Bowl Flea Market
Perhaps the Los Angeles area’s most iconic flea market, this event around the exterior of the Rose Bowl is staggeringly colossal—but what else would you expect from a 90,000-seat stadium? The sheer size and scale of this flea market means that it encompasses multitudes: new and old, hand-crafted and salvaged, the cheap and the costly. On the second Sunday of each month, an odd mix of vendors populates the loop around the stadium: for every eye-catching artwork, there's a ratty $5 T-shirt, and for each elegant craft there's a competing "as seen on TV" demo. But you may have more luck in the rows and rows of old furniture, albums and vintage clothes and accessories that fill the adjacent parking lot. There are plenty of duds, to be sure, but come out early enough and you may go home with that perfect purchase. This destination flea market attracts bargain hunters, collectors, and antique aficionados from all over the county, so the organizers have instituted an extensive tiered entry/admission system, allowing professional and dedicated shoppers early access at a premium.
Final Fridays
Nosh on bites from a rotating lineup of food trucks during this monthly hangout just outside the Rose Bowl, complete with foot golf, outdoor games, moon bounces, photo ops and stadium tours. Even entry is through the northern end of Lot K, just southwest of the stadium.
Artists & Fleas Venice
The newest flea market on the block, the Venice outpost of this artisan/craft-focused flea market mini-empire is bringing records, vintage and vintage-inspired clothing, cosmetics, jewelry and more to the Westminster Avenue Elementary School. A handful of small batch confectioners provide sweet treats to snack on or take home, while food trucks and nearby restaurants provide heartier bites. Though relatively small in size, owing perhaps to its prime location bookending the neighborhood’s famed Abbot Kinney stretch, vendors hawk a diverse range of hand-made and expertly curated wares that seems to simultaneously fit in and stand out in one of the nation’s most unusual neighborhoods.
Picture This!
Animation meets live comedy at this stand-up series from Brandie Posey and Sam Varela. Comedians perform on-stage as local artists sketch them—and cross their fingers for a smooth reveal of the drawing. Of course, since this is L.A., you can expect top-notch talent among both the comedians and animators.
Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen
Kristen Schaal and Kurt Braunohler host their variety show, Hot Tub, every Monday night at the Virgil. Expect a fresh, oddball lineup each week of stand-up comics, sketch performances and new music.
Wigs & Waffles Drag Brunch
Maebe A Girl and Indica Sativa host this Saturday morning drag brunch at the Standard, Downtown L.A. Expect bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys plus an all-you-can-eat brunch with pastries, eggs, waffles and biscuits.
Bill Esparza's Taqueando Taco Festival
Author, reporter and one of the world's most authoritative taco authorities Bill Esparza is organizing a brand new taco festival at ROW DTLA, kicking off summer with a ton of heat. On June 15, dozens of taqueros and Mexican restaurants will set up shop within the Arts District complex, handing out unlimited samples of their tacos and representing various styles from L.A., Mexico, Orange County, San Diego, Arizona and beyond. Expect roughly 40 different vendors, plus cash bars and other items perfect for a summer day. And because it's Esparza curating the lineup, this roster features some of the best tacos we've ever tried: Sonoratown, Mariscos Jalisco, Carnitas El Momo, Aqui es Texcoco, Tacos 1986, Coni'Seafood, Guerrilla Tacos—and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Each $45 ticket gets you entry and unlimited bites, while a $75 VIP ticket will let you enter the fest at noon (one hour early), plus grant you access to an exclusive tasting area, a T-shirt and more. Whichever ticket you choose, just make sure to wear some pants with a little give. You'll thank us later.
Eat|See|Hear
Eat|See|Hear travels to different locales throughout the city each Saturday during the summer, showing cult flicks on an inflatable screen taller than your average Malibu mansion. Bring your own bites or sample snacks from the impressive roster of resident food trucks and show up early for a set from local L.A. bands. Parking is free at most of the venues, and tickets for screenings at the Autry even include admission to the museum. What’s more? If you want to skip the crowds and stroll in casually during the opening credits, spring for an exclusive “Fashionably Late” pass, which guarantees you a reserved seat in front. All of the events dog-friendly, and a portion of ticket sales benefit Best Friends Animal Society.
Asssscat
Every Saturday and Sunday, the UCB franchise’s longest-running, most beloved showcase starts when a base cast of the theater’s current top-brass—including founding UCB members Matt Walsh, Matt Besser and Ian Roberts—takes the stage. Then they introduce the surprise celebrity alumnae and friends who will be joining them (think Horatio Sanz, Ben Schwartz, Adam Pally). And finally, another special guest takes the stage, a non-improviser (think Flea, Cat Power, Rebel Wilson, Lena Dunham) who opens the show with a personal story, that’s deftly mined for laughs by the players. But you have to go to find out who’s there—that’s part of the fun. Looking for a cheap night out? Sunday shows are free, but seating is first-come, first-served, so be sure to arrive early.
LA Zoo Wine Dinner Series
It's easy to go moderately wild at the zoo—especially after dark, when the sun sets and you're surrounded by the sights and sounds of tigers, elephants, reptiles, snow leopards and primates. But throw in some wine? Well, now you're really going wild. This spring the LA Zoo reprises its hit dinner series with a focus on sustainably-made, locally-sourced wines that pair through your five-course meal. Each event takes place in a different section of the park, and can include up-close animal encounters, discussions with zookeepers, and a farm-to-table menu with dishes like seared diver scallops with cauliflower, fava beans, country ham, and parmesan bread crumbs; pork shank ragu over fresh rigatoni with sage ricotta; and crab fritters with Meyer lemon aioli. On March 21, dine in the Amazonian stilthouse at the Zoo’s Rainforest of the Americas exhibit as you sip Presqu’ile Winery, then follow it up with the next installment, the April 11 dinner on the Cambodia terrace at Elephants of Asia while you enjoy a selection from Cambria Estate Winery. On May 30, head to the Mahale Mountain terrace in the Zoo’s Africa section for a dinner full of Brave & Maiden Estate pours, then close out this year's series on a bridge overlooking the LAIR—that's the "Living Amphibians, Invertebrates and Reptiles" section—with some Riverbench Vineyard & Winery in hand. Sorry, little wild ones, these dinners are 21+. But if you're a Zoo member, we've got good news: You can enter your information for di
Picture This!
Animation meets live comedy at this stand-up series from Brandie Posey and Sam Varela. Comedians perform on-stage as local artists sketch them—and cross their fingers for a smooth reveal of the drawing. Of course, since this is L.A., you can expect top-notch talent among both the comedians and animators.
Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen
Kristen Schaal and Kurt Braunohler host their variety show, Hot Tub, every Monday night at the Virgil. Expect a fresh, oddball lineup each week of stand-up comics, sketch performances and new music.
Wigs & Waffles Drag Brunch
Maebe A Girl and Indica Sativa host this Saturday morning drag brunch at the Standard, Downtown L.A. Expect bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys plus an all-you-can-eat brunch with pastries, eggs, waffles and biscuits.
Yola Fest
For the inaugural fest, Swedish singer-songwriter Lykke Li has assembled an all-female lineup of musicians that ranks among this summer’s best festival lineups. In addition to Lykke Li, Charli XCX, Courtney Love and the Chateau Band, Cat Power, CupcakKe, Megan Thee Stallion and Ambar Lucid have all been tapped to play the single-day fest at Los Angeles State Historic Park. Yola Fest, which goes down on June 8, takes its name from Yola Mezcal, a female-run venture from Yola Jimenez, Gina Correll Aglietti and Lykke Li. Food vendors and activation announcements are still to come, as well as more performers. Though pricing info isn’t available yet, tickets for the 21-plus event go on sale Friday, April 5 at 10am. A portion of proceeds will go to the Downtown Women’s Center.
Noon to Midnight
Close out the LA Phil’s Fluxus Festival with an entire day of performances throughout the Walt Disney Concert Hall. You’ll find pop-up performances from local ensembles in the performance center’s entrance hall, garden and main auditorium, including a separately ticketed concert conducted by minimalist composer John Adams. The afternoon takes place in a decidedly festival-like atmosphere that includes food trucks and beer.
I Like Scary Movies
Forget the Museum of Ice Cream and 29 Rooms—the latest selfie-bait experience to hit L.A. trades cutesy for creepy, hurling you into some of the most beloved and recognizable horror films of all time. I Like Scary Movies, a 25,000-square-foot wonderland of terror-fueled photo ops, is a walkthrough experience that flips the script on the social-media "museum" craze and allows you to pose and interact with scenes and settings from IT, Beetlejuice, The Lost Boys, The Shining and Nightmare on Elm Street. Note: I Like Scary Movies runs every Thursday to Sunday in April and May, and Wednesday to Sunday in June, on the second floor of the Desmond building, at 5514 Wilshire Blvd.
Fluxus Festival
The LA Phil celebrates Fluxus—an art movement in the 1960s and ’70s that stressed process—with a series of performances both within the Walt Disney Concert Hall and at off-site locations. Highlights include violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja at the Getty, Ragnar Kjartansson’s staging of a twelve-hour loop of the final scene of Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro at REDCAT, and a trio of pieces at the Disney Hall that include a Yoko Ono survey, a piano recital, immersive theater and crowdsourced singing.
Broken Social Scene
Broken Social Scene hadn’t released an album together since 2010’s Forgiveness Rock Record. Save for a couple of festival appearances, the band had pretty much ceased to exist since then. But that changed with the Canadian collective’s return to the tour and club circuit to promote the release of their excellent Hug of Thunder (and again in 2019 with the new EP, Let’s Try The After - Vol 1). Many things may have changed since 2010, but Broken Social Scene’s cool-yet-moody indie rock anthems—both old and new—are still just as timeless as ever.
First Fridays at the Natural History Museum
If you're sick of First Fridays only offering a high density of food trucks and lines at your favorite dive bars, check out something new—err, old rather—at the Natural History Museum, where First Fridays offer dinosaurs and DJs. The first Friday of every month from February through June plays host to a KCRW-presented evening of music, allowing visitors of all ages to stay late for a night at the museum. Each month offers a different lineup of musical guests and DJs, guided museum tours, and scientist-led talks. Check out the museum’s website for advance tickets and updates on info.
LA Pride
One of the biggest pride events in the US, LA Pride attracts as many as a half of a million people during its two-day festival at West Hollywood Park, including its signature Sunday parade. The atmosphere is good-natured and raucous; local color is provided by divas, drag queens and DJs. RECOMMENDED: Find out more in our LA Pride guide
Final Fridays
Nosh on bites from a rotating lineup of food trucks during this monthly hangout just outside the Rose Bowl, complete with foot golf, outdoor games, moon bounces, photo ops and stadium tours. Even entry is through the northern end of Lot K, just southwest of the stadium.
Artists & Fleas Venice
The newest flea market on the block, the Venice outpost of this artisan/craft-focused flea market mini-empire is bringing records, vintage and vintage-inspired clothing, cosmetics, jewelry and more to the Westminster Avenue Elementary School. A handful of small batch confectioners provide sweet treats to snack on or take home, while food trucks and nearby restaurants provide heartier bites. Though relatively small in size, owing perhaps to its prime location bookending the neighborhood’s famed Abbot Kinney stretch, vendors hawk a diverse range of hand-made and expertly curated wares that seems to simultaneously fit in and stand out in one of the nation’s most unusual neighborhoods.
Picture This!
Animation meets live comedy at this stand-up series from Brandie Posey and Sam Varela. Comedians perform on-stage as local artists sketch them—and cross their fingers for a smooth reveal of the drawing. Of course, since this is L.A., you can expect top-notch talent among both the comedians and animators.
Asssscat
Every Saturday and Sunday, the UCB franchise’s longest-running, most beloved showcase starts when a base cast of the theater’s current top-brass—including founding UCB members Matt Walsh, Matt Besser and Ian Roberts—takes the stage. Then they introduce the surprise celebrity alumnae and friends who will be joining them (think Horatio Sanz, Ben Schwartz, Adam Pally). And finally, another special guest takes the stage, a non-improviser (think Flea, Cat Power, Rebel Wilson, Lena Dunham) who opens the show with a personal story, that’s deftly mined for laughs by the players. But you have to go to find out who’s there—that’s part of the fun. Looking for a cheap night out? Sunday shows are free, but seating is first-come, first-served, so be sure to arrive early.
“Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop”
Celebrate the photographers responsible for helping to define hip-hop’s visual identity with this display of unedited contact sheets for photo shoots with the likes of the Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, Salt-N-Pepa, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West and more. Author and curator Vikki Tobak has assembled over 120 works from more than 60 photographers alongside rare videos, memorabilia and music.
Lummis Day Festival
Celebrate the history and ethnic diversity of northeast Los Angeles at this annual music, dance and art festival. The three-day affair honors the late Charles Lummis, the journalist who founded the Southwest Museum, hand-built his own home (the Lummis House) and defended Native American rights and culture.
Urs Fischer: ’Play’
Weave your way across the gallery floor as nine office chairs zip by in this technology-driven installation from imagination Swiss artist Urs Fischer. The office chairs are outfitted with wires and sensors that’ll propel them across the floor in increasingly less artifical-looking fashion thanks to an onboard AI that learns from each encounter with viewers.
Mar Vista Art Walk
This fun neighborhood stroll highlights the numerous artists, musicians, shops and galleries of Mar Vista, where huge vivid murals brighten exterior walls everywhere you look. Since launching in 2015, the quarterly event has dramatically expanded, now featuring several clusters of activity along Venice Boulevard. Catch local musicians and performers throughout the evening, artists selling their works as well as creating new ones on the spot, grab food from trucks, and browse galleries and shops that stay open late. The walk takes place the first Thursday of March, June, September and November, each time featuring a different theme and the artists are curated by Monique Boileau and Mitchelito Orquiola.
‘Bauhaus Beginnings’
Dive into the founding principles of the influential German art school at this Getty Research Institute exhibition, which over 250 rare prints, drawings, collages, notebooks and ephemera from the Bauhaus’s founding and early years.
Eat|See|Hear
Eat|See|Hear travels to different locales throughout the city each Saturday during the summer, showing cult flicks on an inflatable screen taller than your average Malibu mansion. Bring your own bites or sample snacks from the impressive roster of resident food trucks and show up early for a set from local L.A. bands. Parking is free at most of the venues, and tickets for screenings at the Autry even include admission to the museum. What’s more? If you want to skip the crowds and stroll in casually during the opening credits, spring for an exclusive “Fashionably Late” pass, which guarantees you a reserved seat in front. All of the events dog-friendly, and a portion of ticket sales benefit Best Friends Animal Society.
Last Remaining Seats
The L.A. Conservancy offers a delightful summer time machine in the form of live entertainment and classic films, screened across Downtown’s grand old movie palaces throughout the month of June. This year’s lineup includes vintage crowd-pleasers like The Maltese Falcon and Spartacus alongside some modern classics like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Network. Most screenings include a special introduction and a post-film Q&A. Members of the conservancy can snag discounted tickets early; peep the schedule for showtime and location deats.
Poolside Cinema at Mr. C Beverly Hills
Supplement your typical summer drink date with a little cinema at Mr. C Beverly Hills' poolside screening series. Grab a cocktail and settle in to enjoy a classic film, alongside alfresco eats, a special poolside menu and traditional movie snacks, like popcorn and candy. Films begin at sundown every Tuesday through Labor Day. This year's roster of crowd favorites includes A Star is Born (June 11), Bridesmaids (July 2) and Avengers: Infinity War (Aug 20), to name a few. You’ll need to book a dining reservation to secure a spot—and plan to possibly need an Uber home.