June 2026 events calendar for Los Angeles

Everyone’s favorite NPR member station has a hand in a slew of summer concert slates at public plazas and beloved museums, and this summer’s schedule is reliably packed. Familiar KCRW DJs will be providing free, open-air tunes on select nights from June through September at Maydan Market, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, La Brea Tar Pits, CAAM, ASU FIDM Museum, the Kidspace Children’s Museum, Hauser & Wirth, MOLAA, California Plaza, LACMA, Wende Museum, Union Station, downtown Long Beach, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, Bowers Museum, the Autry and the NoHo Arts District. The details slightly differ at each spot, but you can typically expect a bunch of food trucks, beer gardens and after-hours museum admission. Regardless of the location, you really can’t go wrong with any evening spent at Summer Nights.

One of L.A.’s best free live-music offerings, Jazz at LACMA has featured legit legends over its 35-year run at the museum. Seating for the program is available in the museum’s plaza on a first-come, first-served basis, though you’re welcome to picnic on the grass, too (you won’t really be able to see the show, but you’ll still hear it). You’ll find the series on Friday evenings in LACMA’s welcome plaza (just behind Urban Light) throughout the summer. We’re betting it’ll be even more popular than usual this year, with the new David Geffen Galleries in the background.

Now one of L.A.’s most treasured summer traditions, Barnsdall Park’s wine tastings regularly attract sell-out crowds. Perched atop Olive Hill on the west lawn of the historic Hollyhock House (which you can tour during the evening for an additional $37), the Barnsdall Friday fundraisers include fine selections of boutique wines provided by Silverlake Wine set against a spectacular sunset, DJ sets and 360-degree views of the city. Bring along a blanket and a picnic basket, or just nosh on food from the variety of trucks parked up there. Though there used to be lots of kids running around, the event lawn is now 21-and-up—perfect for a date night. Proceeds support the park’s art programs and historic renovations—an especially crucial cause now, as the park is once again facing proposed budget cuts from the city.

An evolution of the long-running Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk, the newly dubbed DTLA Artnight finds dozens of Downtown businesses opening their doors to art lovers on the first Thursday of every month, when over 25 galleries will debut new exhibitions. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure kind of experience, but if you start at Emerging Gallery (125 E 4th St), you can pick up a map of all the participating spots. MOCA is even joining the fun this time around as the cultural event expands from the Historic Core to Grand Avenue. Head to the museum for a free exhibition tour at 5pm.

If you really want to immerse yourself in local theater, you can’t miss the Hollywood Fringe Festival. Since 2010, this fest has specialized in productions from emerging writers and performers, and it now boasts hundreds of different shows—most are around $15 a ticket or less, and some cost absolutely nothing. Expect one-person shows, new musicals, comedies and edgy dramas to descend on Hollywood once again from June 4 through 28 (technically the start date is June 11, but many shows are starting their runs earlier). See the full list of shows here.

This epic (and free) outdoor concert series—now in its 40th season—features live performances by artists from around the world at the totally overhauled California Plaza stage in DTLA, where the shallow water separating the stage from the audience has been replaced by a proper event lawn. Don’t miss a diverse and highly intriguing mix of bands, DJ sets and dance parties on Saturday nights (and a few Friday Nights) from June 6 through August 22. Highlights this year include a season kickoff with Grupo Soñador and Wachiwara, tributes to Stevie Wonder, Ritchie Valens and Roy Ayers, and an edition of KCRW Summer Nights headlined by Mariachi El Bronx and the Tijuana Panthers. Just be sure to RSVP ahead of time to reserve a spot.

Ariana Grande is finally touring again next year, and fans in Los Angeles are in for something special: The Oscar-nominated Wicked star is bringing her Eternal Sunshine Tour to L.A. for five nights of arena magic—split between the Crypto.com Arena and Kia Forum—that promise to feel both intimate and gigantic. This is her first tour since the 2019 Sweetener World Tour, and it’s in support of her seventh album, Eternal Sunshine, and its deluxe edition, Brighter Days Ahead. The tour kicks off June 6, 2026, in Oakland before Los Angeles gets a five-night run that feels like a homecoming. 

It’s been more than three decades since the FIFA World Cup has been held in Los Angeles, and though the city won’t host the coveted final this time around (Pasadena’s Rose Bowl had that honor in 1994), L.A. will see eight matches this summer. Held from June 11 to July 19 (though action in L.A. will wrap up earlier than that), the World Cup will be staged across Mexico, Canada and the United States—where L.A. is just one of 11 host cities in the U.S. FIFA’s official schedule will tell you that the matches take place at Los Angeles Stadium, but this is simply the un-branded name for SoFi Stadium.

Next to watching a match at SoFi Stadium, the next best thing just might be this official fan festival at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. You can watch live match broadcasts, feast on international food, check out immersive fan activations and watch performances by Steve Aoki, Capital Cities, Los Lobos, Normani, Deorro, Sickick and DJ Ravidrums—and tickets are only $10.

For more than 50 years, this venue has drawn theater aficionados to its storied, open-air stage for engaging productions in a magical setting. The 299-seat amphitheater in Topanga Canyon hosts audiences of all ages for plays from a wide range of genres, from Shakespearean classics to folk tales. This season, catch William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as well as a stage version of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, Noël Coward’s Waiting in the Wings and The People of Pompeii, a new dark comedy Bernardo Cubría wrote in the aftermath of the 2025 wildfires.

Summer is here, and that means the drink of choice is rosé, s’il vous plaît. Spend an entire day sipping the refreshing pink wine at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas, accompanied by food from Michelin-starred Iron Chef Marc Forgione, shopping at a pop-up market and live music by DJs and Noga Erez, who’s fresh off her Coachella performance. Adding to the impeccably curated photo-op vibes—a “summer chic” dress code is enforced—will be a helicopter flower petal drop and a Red Bull skydiving stunt landing in the middle of the party. 

Hilltop sunset views and rising bands join forces to make this Getty tradition a worthy destination for Angelenos on both sides of the 405. This year’s lineup of free Saturday-night shows includes aja monet (May 30), Hunx and His Punx (June 13), LEENALCHI (July 11), Horse Lords (July 25) and Laurel Halo (Aug 22). Tip: Avoid the traffic and the crowds and arrive early, preferably after 3pm when the parking price drops to $15 (though it’s actually free if you wait until the show starts, after 6pm). You’ll get to visit the exhibits, which stay open until 9pm on Saturdays, and beat the dinner rush.

Michelob ULTRA—the official beer sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026—is teaming up with the LA Galaxy Foundation for this oceanfront fun zone for soccer fans at the Santa Monica Pier. Kevin Hart will host the invite-only opening-night party, with sets by Ludacris, DJ Pee .Wee and Disco Lines, appearances by soccer legends and a drone show. But for the following two weeks, all are welcome to enter the pop-up pitchside club—you just need to kick a ball past the bouncer/goalie. Once you’re in, watch the day’s matches, test your soccer skills against Lionel Messi in a virtual G.O.A.T. challenge, get a soccer jersey customized and even snap a pic with the Superior Player of the Match Trophy. The event is free and only for guests 21 and up—think of it as a grown-up summer camp with lots and lots of beer.

It’s official: Los Angeles has soccer (football?) fever. The city is hosting eight FIFA World Cup matches at SoFi Stadium between June 12 and July 10. Don’t have the cash to score tickets? You’re in luck. While it won’t be quite the same as having a seat right on the pitch, there will be a rotating slate of fan zones across L.A. County, with official watch parties held from Venice to Downtown L.A. to Burbank to Pomona. Some of these events are free, while others are charging a nominal fee. In any case, you’ll get to enjoy live match viewing and immersive fan experiences closer to home and still be part of the global moment. One highlight from the lineup: “The Heart of the City” Fan Zone at Union Station from June 25 to 28, which will offer four days of free, all-ages programming at the transit hub, screening the matches both in the historic Ticket Concourse and outside.

Looking for a more lively game-watching environment than your living room couch? Cheer on your favorite team among fellow soccer fans at the Hammer’s special World Cup watch parties. The museum will be hosting screenings for 16 men’s matches on big screens in an indoor-outdoor setting. In between the games, wander through the free exhibitions, including “Several Eternities in a Day: Form in the Age of Living Materials,” or grab something to eat at Lulu in the courtyard.

It’s already easy to spend an entire afternoon wandering through the shelves of the Last Bookstore, but this weekend, you can browse all 12 floors of the Spring Arts Tower, the historic building that houses the book lovers’ paradise. During this one-of-a-kind pop-up—billed as the city’s first vertical community market—you can buy art, collectibles, food, clothes and oddities from hundreds of locals vendors, in addition to literature. Timed tickets costs $5, but that includes a $3 coupon to use at the Last Bookstore. 

The beloved Bob Baker Marionette Theater is staging free, family-friendly performances at Barnsdall Art Park on the west lawn outside the Hollyhock House on Sunday morning. Spread out a blanket and enjoy a 30-minute “Traveling Jamboree” puppet show, followed by free art activities for all.

Chance the Rapper headlines this inspiring celebration of Juneteenth and Black excellence at the Hollywood Bowl, with assistance from DJ D-Nice and gospel choir DC6 Singers Collective. Chicago MC Chancelor Bennett built a tidy following with witty, joyful, freewheeling mixtapes like 2013’s Acid Rap and the follow-up, Coloring Book. Now, over a decade later, Chance’s most recent album, Star Line, explores what it means to be Black in 21st-century America—a perfect fit for this Bowl show. The family-friendly event is offering half-price tickets for kids 12 and under.

Catch a classic film on the deck of the Queen Mary during this open-air screening series aboard the iconic oceanliner. Note that the ship also shows some flicks indoors (Movies on the Mary), so you’ll just want to double-check the name of the series on the schedule if the alfresco setting is a must.

Step into the soundtrack of your favorite ’80s movies at this brand-new show from For the Record, set inside CineVita’s huge mirrored Spiegeltent at Hollywood Park. Hear tracks from over 25 films, including Footloose, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Say Anything, Dirty Dancing, Top Gun, Valley Girl and Back to the Future, performed in the immersive setting by a cast of singers, musicians and dancers with Broadway and TV credits. 

Lumos! To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Harry Potter film franchise, Warner Bros. is presenting this magical drone shows at Dodger Stadium. See 1,200 drones re-create favorite moments from the series, accompanied by a live violin performance, movie dialogue and the iconic score. From the stands, audience members will wear synchronized LED wristbands to become part of the glowing display. Guests can also enjoy a themed pre-show filled with wizarding-world-inspired food, Butterbeer, trivia competitions, photo ops and Harry Potter merch. The night will be hosted by Ginny from the original films, actress Bonnie Wright.

Watch the first L.A. match of the World Cup from a 30-foot LED wall in Santa Monica Place at this free, Michelob ULTRA–sponsored watch party. Things kick off with the Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina at noon before the USA vs. Paraguay match broadcast from SoFi at 6pm. In between, the outdoor mall will keep the energy high with DJ sets, beer gardens, giveaways, games, trivia, interactive activations and photo ops. And if you’re still on the clock—it is a Friday, after all—there will even be free WiFi and workspace lounges for working remotely (good luck focusing though).

The next best thing to watching the World Cup in person just might be watching the matches in “Shared Reality” a mere one-minute drive away at Cosm Los Angeles. In fact, you might feel even closer to the action while sitting pitchside inside Cosm’s 87-foot LED Dome, which is amazingly immersive whether you’re watching sports or a movie. If Dome tickets are out of your price range, you can also catch the action on screens in the hall or opt for general admission standing-room tickets. 

Keen to see jazz greats past and present? Get ready for mellow harmonies and earthy grooves at the annual Blue Note Jazz Festival this summer (formerly the Playboy and then the Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival). This year’s two-day concert includes performances from Patti LaBelle, Wyclef Jean, Gregory Porter, Samara Joy and more. And remember, it’s at the Hollywood Bowl, so why not share a bottle of wine with some friends and groove along?

There’s something wonderfully defiant about the continued existence of the Bob Baker Marionette Theater, where whimsy feels like nothing less than a civic responsibility. Choo Choo Revue, the theater’s first new original production in 40 years, turns audiences into passengers aboard a gloriously handmade train populated by singing mushrooms, dancing luggage and plenty of brand-new puppets. The whole thing sounds faintly unhinged in the best possible way, not to mention the ultimate rebuttal to AI. The show runs now through August 30.

Why not pair your World Cup watch party with some world-class art and one-of-a-kind views? The Getty will be screening pretty much every match that occurs during the museum’s operating hours (including some extended Friday evenings) throughout the run of the World Cup. You can catch them on TV at the Trellis Bar & Lounge (when you get off the tram, to the right of the entry stairs) and the Garden Terrace Café (the expansive patio between the museum courtyard and gardens). As usual, you’ll need a free timed ticket to the museum, but as a World Cup bonus, the usually-paid parking will be free after 5pm from June 11 to July 19.

SGV soccer lovers can cheer on the USA with fellow fans at this free World Cup watch party, which will screen the USA vs. Paraguay match outside the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. There’ll also be games, activities, food, a beer garden, a DJ and more. What’s more, the venue is easily accessible via the Metro (use the Memorial Park or Del Mar A Line stations). You don’t even need a ticket—but note the organizers request you not bring your own chairs.

Part of a multiyear initiative centered around the upcoming 250th birthday of the Declaration of Independence, this new major exhibition draws from the Huntington’s collections to “explore land as a defining force in American life,” from before the country’s founding to present day via documents, artwork and artifacts. 

The World Cup will turn Los Angeles into one giant watch party, but this free Griffith Park screening (held at the Autry Museum) feels like a special treat. Presented by Councilmember Nithya Raman, the Consulate General of Paraguay in Los Angeles, L.A. Parks Foundation and Street Food Cinema, Fútbol for the People pairs the USA vs. Paraguay match with food trucks, lawn seating, family-friendly games and the kind of communal sports energy Angelenos rarely get enough of. Expect a lively, multicultural crowd, plenty of cerveza-fueled cheering and a surprisingly wholesome night under the stars on June 12. Doors open at 4pm.

World Cup and Pride Month collide at the fourth edition of Santa Monica Block Fest, which will take over three blocks of Third Street Promenade. Cheer on your team at the World Cup viewing hub, or dance the night away with Pride programming from LGBTQ+ artists and live electronic music from DJs Bijou, Surf Mesa, Autograf and more. Turn the corner onto Arizona Avenue to check out a brand-new night market with over 20 local vendors, including foodie favorite Villa’s Tacos. The party will keep going till midnight.

L.A. State Historic Park’s on-site burger stand, Cargo Snack Shack, is presenting this two-day celebration of the World Cup at the spacious park. Expect live match viewing on multiple LED screens, DJs, food trucks, fan zones and more. Maybe the best part? The event is all-ages and dog-friendly, so you can bring the whole crew. Oh, and the free admission doesn’t hurt either—just make sure you RSVP in advance.

The City of Roses celebrates Juneteenth at the beautiful Pasadena City Hall with an afternoon of free family-friendly activities, arts and crafts by Armory Center for the Arts, a live DJ and community resources. It’s also hosting the NAACP 5th Annual Roller Jam—you can rent a pair of skates for free and take a spin.

Take a leisurely walk through Descanso Gardens as the day starts to cool, then stick around for live music and dance before closing time at these Thursday-night shows on the amphitheater and in the rose garden. This year’s series celebrates America’s 250th anniversary with a lineup inspired by “America as rhythm, migration, and reinvention.” First up, Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles and the Tony Guerrero Quintet perform on June 11, followed by Las Colibrí and the Wimberly Bluegrass Band on July 9, and finally Lernazang and Suara Southeast Asian Choir on August 13. The performances are included with admission to the gardens. 

Soccer and cinema have always shared a flair for melodrama, and the Academy Museum leans fully into that connection with this sprawling free day devoted to “the beautiful game.” The programming mixes family activities, food and 35mm screenings of soccer favorites, including Bend It Like Beckham, Shaolin Soccer and Offside, turning Wilshire’s sleek movie museum into something closer to a community block party on Sunday, June 14. Even better: Admission is free all day, making this one of the rare Academy Museum events that feels genuinely accessible to everyone (even if you’re not into soccer).

There are lots of sports bars hosting World Cup watch parties, but there’s only one spot that can claim to be the tallest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere: Spire 73. The InterContinental Los Angeles’s sky-high rooftop bar will host five nights of viewing parties, with live entertainment, foosball and special themed dishes based on who’s playing—think Buenos Aires Kickoff Empanadas for Argentina, Carnitas Nachos de la Copa for Mexico and Montevideo World Cup Chimichurri Fries for Uruguay. Pair with signature cocktails like the World Cup Whisper—and a side of 360-degree city views. Walk-ins are welcome, but if you want to be sure to get a good spot, you can opt for VIP seating starting at $35.

Comedian and horror buff Jon Schnitzer has created immersive horror experiences for none other than Tim Burton and Barack Obama, and now he’s bringing his signature show, Something Spooky, to the Hollywood Fringe Festival. Expect an evening of both laughs and screams, as the host regales the audience with a scary story from his family history at the Broadwater studio. Advance tickets are sold out, but there’ll be a standby line and some available at the door. 

Want to feel better about your own love life? This long-running storytelling series—billed as “a more salacious version of the Moth”—finds locals taking the stage to spin stories of bad dates into comedy gold, sharing their most hilarious and unhinged hookups with the audience. The show is popping up in L.A. this month for a handful of Hollywood Fringe Festival shows—including a Pride edition on June 14—at the Three Clubs.

North Hollywood has spent years trying to convince the rest of Los Angeles that it’s more than parking lots and rehearsal spaces, and this sprawling soccer street fest makes a surprisingly persuasive argument. NoHo Futbol Fest will turn 11136 Magnolia Blvd into an all-day community watch party with giant match screenings, DJs, beer gardens, local food vendors and enough family-friendly activities to keep even non-sports fans entertained. Mostly, though, it feels like an excuse for the Valley to throw itself a massive block party—which, frankly, is reason enough to go (plus the free parking). Doors open at 11:30am, while the event runs from noon until 11:59pm.

The best things in life really are free—love, happiness and an evening spent watching movies on a giant inflatable screen at the beach. On select dates from June until August, pack up your folding chairs, grab your kids and head to Long Beach for this unique outdoor screening. Thanks to Alfredo’s Beach Club, you can give your babysitter the night off while you and the fam enjoy a host of kid-friendly flicks. Bring your own picnic, or munch on eats from the nearby snack stand. You’ll find the event on Granada Beach.

See a free salsa concert on one Friday each month during this summer series at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes. This year’s lineup includes El Presidente de la Salsa, La Verdad, Rush Hour Orquesta and Conjunto Oye—all featuring Super DJ Robby. Each night kicks off with a free salsa dance class at 6pm, courtesy of Dancing 101 with Roberto. Bring chairs, blankets and your dancing shoes.

The beachside city has been hosting this Juneteenth celebration for 34 years—three decades before it was recognized as a federal holiday. The theme of this year’s family-friendly event—“A Legacy of Liberation: Honoring our Resistance and Resilience”—represents the past and ongoing fight for equity and justice. Expect a free day of live music, fun activities, inspiring stories, delicious food and an interactive West African drumming workshop. The evening before, on June 19 itself, Santa Monica Cultural Affairs is hosting an inaugural Juneteenth Gathering, centered around wellness and community, complete with a free film screening, sound immersion, art workshop and DJ sets at Christine Emerson Reed Park and the Miles Memorial Playhouse.

Pamper your pooch at this celebration of puppy love in Huntington Beach. Set on Paséa Hotel & Spa’s Ocean Lawn, perched over the Pacific, the event offers wellness-focused pup experiences, doggy pampering and splash zones—as well as treats, live entertainment, shopping and more. If you opt for a VIP ticket, you and your furry friend will be treated to a swag bag, free valet parking and two drink tickets.

Downtown shopping center the Bloc is turning its plaza level into an alfresco viewing destination, complete with a large LED screen, for two days of the World Cup: June 18 and 19. Bring a blanket or low-backed chair to get comfy as you watch matches like Mexico vs. Korea Republic and USA vs. Australia. In between games, enjoy soccer skill challenges and arts and crafts, plus giveaways for Bloc Rewards App members. Entry is free with RSVP, and you can pick up a mini country flag to cheer on your favorite team at the entrance. 

Rodeo Drive fills with rare cars and motorcycles both new and old during this free Father’s Day tradition. This year’s event celebrates the 50th anniversary of Rodeo Drive, the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and the 250th birthday of America all in one by spotlighting American car culture. You’ll also find interactive exhibits, family-friendly attractions and gourmet food trucks, all set amid the luxury shopping of the car show’s 90210 setting.

Something wicked this way comes… Expand your mind on breezy summer nights by listening to the words of the Bard for free. The program, founded in 1998, will put on a touring production of Macbeth with the help of talented local actors. “By the Sea” is a bit misleading; though some of the locations are ocean-adjacent, and largely in the South Bay and Long Beach, the troupe takes the plays on tour all across Los Angeles, performing for audiences from to South Pasadena to Encino to Beverly Hills.

Attention toy geeks, illustrators, underground-art lovers and anyone with a sense of humor and a love for plushy things: Find your inner child at DesignerCon, which after a lengthy absence returns to Pasadena with an assembly of vendors and artists that’ll showcase toys, art, design and collectibles.

Don’t want to drive from the South Bay to SoFi? This open-air shopping center has you covered on Saturday with an all-day watch party, kicking off at noon with Qatar vs. Switzerland. In between matches, enjoy interactive fan zones, family-friendly entertainment, and food and drinks from Joey Restaurant. And while the event is free, make sure you bring your wallet—in addition to its collection of retailers, Manhattan Village now boasts one of only a handful of official FIFA World Cup 2026 pop-up stores, where you can buy exclusive merch. Plus, soccer association Cal South will be raffling off two tickets to an upcoming L.A. match.

The worlds of surfing, music, food and skating will come together at this two-day fest full of ocean sports and beach vibes at the Santa Monica Pier. Get competitive with paddleboard races, lifeguard challenges, ocean swims, beach volleyball, tandem surf contests, skate lessons and even a skateboard tricks contest, set to an all-day lineup of live music.

Climate-change art can sometimes feel like homework, but Heidi Duckler Dance’s annual Ebb & Flow festival works because it lets the landscape take part in the storytelling. This year’s edition, subtitled Scorched, unfolds across Vista Hermosa Natural Park with interdisciplinary performances responding to drought, rising temperatures and environmental instability. Expect dance, music and site-specific installations that use the outdoors as both stage and warning sign. Even with its heavy themes, the evening promises the kind of reflective, communal atmosphere that the Los Angeles art scene increasingly does very well.

Who says no to free outdoor concerts? We don’t, and neither should you. This 23nd annual all-ages celebration of live music and art will hit Pan Pacific Park (not the La Brea Tar Pits themselves anymore) on June 27. And this year, the event is going all out in honor of America’s 250th birthday. Listen to live music and DJ sets, explore your creativity with DIY activities, shop handcrafted goods at the curated artisan marketplace, walk amid light art installations, and grab a bite at one of the many gourmet food trucks. 

Sports exhibitions often struggle to justify themselves beyond “athletes are visually dynamic (and hot),” but “Champions!” at the Torrance Art Museum takes a more interesting route. This sprawling contemporary art survey treats sports as a way in to discussing nationalism, celebrity, masculinity, race and collective identity. The artist roster (including Christine Sun Kim, Hank Willis Thomas and Gary Simmons) is impressive, and the work ranges from photography to video installations. Even viewers who couldn’t care less about actual athletics may find themselves unexpectedly engaged by the show’s larger questions about spectacle and belonging.

We’re pretty spoiled when it comes to live scores in Los Angeles, whether it’s orchestra-backed screenings at the Hollywood Bowl or ensemble-accompanied showings at iconic movie palaces. Time to add another very cool entry to that second category: Wordless Music, Sister Midnight and KCRW will host a series of live scores of A24 films at the architecturally-stunning United Theater on Broadway in Downtown L.A. The lineup includes Under the Skin (Feb 20) with the 30-person Worldless Music Orchestra, Pearl (June 12) and Heriditary (Oct 23) with a 40-member variation of the same ensemble, and Eighth Grade (Dec 11) featuring a three-person electronic outfit.

Take a seat in the Skirball Cultural Center’s courtyard for this series of outdoor screenings. The Sepulveda Pass museum is showing Kathleen Hanna documentary The Punk Singer tied to its “Outsiders, Outcasts, Rebels + Weirdos: Punk Culture 1976–86” exhibition.

Each year, Cinespia brings classic cult favorites to Hollywood Forever Cemetery, the hallowed resting place of such Hollywood greats as Rudolph Valentino and Bugsy Siegel. These outdoor screenings are an L.A. rite of passage, a quintessential summer experience and one of the best film venues in the city. Pack a picnic (yes, booze is allowed), pose in the photo booth and enjoy DJ sets, dance parties and all sorts of other magical mischief that’d otherwise be strictly forbidden behind the cemetery gates. June’s lineup includes Fast Times at Ridgemont High (June 6), The Matrix (June 13) and a Pride screening of Hedwig and the Angry Inch (June 20).

Hollywood hotel rooftop bar Desert 5 Spot flips into a poolside cinema on Thursday nights this summer, with cocktails, popcorn and concessions available.

On select Saturday afternoons in the summer, the historic Mount Wilson Observatory screens a decades-spanning lineup of sci-fi and astronomy-inspired shorts and feature-length films. Unlike the San Gabriel Mountains site’s concert series and stargazing sessions, Matinees on the Mountain doesn’t take place inside the dome of the 100-inch telescope. Instead, screenings take place inside the 256-seat auditorium inside the astronomical museum, the same venue used for the site’s Talks & Telescopes lectures.

A visually dazzling, site-specific art pop-up has taken over the former St. Vincent Medical Center in Westlake. This thought-provoking exhibition features 80 individual hospital rooms transformed by 70 local and international artists exploring human emotions like joy, resilience and grief. Melding style with substance, the immersive experience guides visitors from the top floor down, through patient rooms, nurses’ stations and ER areas filled with unique installations ranging from neon light hospital beds to rooms reclaimed by nature. And though the tickets are definitely on the pricey side, there’s so much to see that it (almost) makes up for it.

See murals and installations sprout up across Long Beach during this city-wide art festival. The event coincides with the return of Art Renzei, a multimedia showcase along the coast. Together, the two have spent 11 years transforming the city’s streets into canvases. This year’s “New Decade Celebration” features seven murals by renowned and emerging artists. You’ll also find live painting, artist talks, a bike tour, night market and more—and all events are free and open to the public.

The term CicLAvia stems from a similar Spanish word for “bike way,” and in L.A. it’s become a shorthand for the temporary, festival-like closing of L.A.’s streets. The event welcomes bikes, tricycles, skateboards, strollers and basically anything else without an engine to ride a rotating cast of car-free routes. June’s edition features a 3.6-mile route that connects Leimert Park and Expo Park (see the map here). Shop owners and restaurants along the CicLAvia route tend to host specials. And it goes without saying that you should bike or take the Metro to your desired spot along the route.

Each summer, Bard fanatics watch their favorite works come to life at the historic Old Zoo in Griffith Park. For 16 years running, Independent Shakespeare Co. has put on a series of lively productions each week, inviting audiences to take a seat on the grass (bring a picnic blanket) and enjoy performances like this season’s headliner, Shakespeare political thriller Coriolanus, which will be followed by the self-explanatory The Comedy of Errors. With construction of a permanent stage still in process on the main lawn, this summer’s shows will again be held in the dell at the top of the Old Zoo—meaning available space is smaller, and although performances are still free, reservations are required.

The inimitable artist, musician and activist—and John Lennon’s other half—is the subject of the Broad’s highly anticipated upcoming show, Ono’s first-ever solo museum exhibition in Southern California. Organized in collaboration with the Tate Modern in London, “Music of the Mind” will allow visitors to directly interact with works from the artist’s seven-decade long career. In conjunction with the show, the museum will transform the olive trees on the outdoor East West Bank Plaza into Wish Trees for Los Angeles, where visitors can tie their own wishes on the branches. Many of the works invite audience engagement, in fact, all working toward a common goal of peace and connection. Also on display will be Acorn Event (1968) and Bed Peace (1969) anti-war works of activism Ono and Lennon worked on together. Tickets for the special exhibition are available at thebroad.org.

The Thursday-night jazz scene in L.A. is competitive, but Hollywood nightlife darling the Spotlight has found a way to make it feel sexy again. The club’s weekly sets trade stiff supper-club vibes for something looser and more flirtatious: cocktails, low lighting and young jazz musicians improvising while the room buzzes around them. The lineups rotate weekly, which gives the series an appealing drop-in quality. Even if you don’t know the players, the atmosphere alone makes this worth penciling into your Thursday plans.

Take a seat under the arch at the former Hollywood & Highland for this free series of movie screenings, held on the last Friday of the month from May through September. RSVP ahead of time, then pick up a cozy blanket from the Ovation Hollywood booth, as well as free popcorn and discounted treats from the TCL Chinese Theatre concessions stand.

For the fourth year running, Disneyland is hosting a pair of after-hours Pride nights. Programming includes a dance party along the Rivers of America, themed food, a Pride cavalcade with Mickey and Minnie and a special fireworks show. Other highlights include line dancing at the Golden Horseshoe, inspirational photo ops and a Stitch-led dance party. Each ticket ($169) grants you access to Disneyland for three hours toward the end of its operating hours, followed by a for-ticketholders-only party from 9pm to 1am that promises lighter crowds and shorter lines for the rides. 

The Music Center offers a free, joyous mash-up of music and dancing all summer long at this series, with different themes (salsa, Bollywood, cumbia and disco among them) and free dance lessons, plus live DJ sets so you can show off your new moves. Head to the Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza and join in the fun—no dance experience required. This year’s season begins with a combination kickoff event and World Cup watch party on June 26. Catch the Spain vs. Uruguay game live on the plaza’s big screens, get creative with soccer-themed art activities, then dance to a global mix of melodies after the match.

A queen is never late… so the upcoming third installment of Princess Diaries is right on time. (Meanwhile, the first film is celebrating its 25th anniversary—feel old yet?) In the meantime, you can feel like a royal at this D23 pop-up, an immersive walk-through experience at the Doheny Mansion—which played the role of the Genovian Consulate in the movie. The historic home is located on the campus of Mount Saint Mary’s University, and while you can normally take regular, non-Disney tours of the mansion, photos are typically never allowed. The Genovian Pop-Up, on the other hand, will be full of themed photo ops. Visit the parlor where Anne Hathaway’s Mia first met Julie Andrews’s Queen Clarice (shut up!), the rooms where her princess lessons were held and—the pièce de résistance—the ballroom where Mia accepted her crown. The rooms will be filled with furnishings and decor from the film, as well as tiaras, jewels, costumes and props used in the first and second Princess Diaries.

Tickets go on sale on Friday, May 15, at 10am and cost $78 for general admission. You’ll just need to register for a D23 membership first (which is free, unless you want to spring for a Gold Membership and in turn receive a $10 discount on tickets for the pop-up). Besides access to the experience, your ticket comes with a junk journaling kit modeled after Mia’s diary, complete with themed stickers. The millennial nostalgia is strong with this one, so join the royal engagement before it sells out.

The Original Farmers Market is host to a plethora of fun, family-friendly outdoor events, and its Thursday-night concerts during its Summer Music Series are some of its best. Take a load off near the end of the work week and stop by the Market Plaza from 7 to 9pm to hear a genre-spanning mix of live music, from Hawaiian radio to Sinatra–style swing to Texas blues.

Each year, Santa Monica illuminates the Third Street Promenade with a canopy of rainbow lights as part of this citywide LGBTQ+ celebration. Look out for a daytime party along the expanse of the Promenade on June 13 with a drag brunch, community booths, games, Rainbow Storytime and more. Afterward, Santa Monica Block Fest keeps the party going with a free, family-friendly Pride and World Cup-themed music festival in the Entertainment Zone, complete with a night market and pop-up bars. 

Slow down and soak in the magic of the woods during these guided, moonlit forest walks at the Arboretum, inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin yoku, which is said to boost immune strength, reduce stress and improve cognitive function. Each after-hours meditative walk starts just before sunset and wraps up underneath the full moon with herbal tea.

Bergamot Station’s inclusive comedy club, the Crow, hosts a handful of family-friendly Pride shows filled with music, stand-up and storytelling. First up is “Storyectomy Family Pride” on June 3, where LGBTQ+ community members and allies will get their personal and comedic stories out with the help of pro comedians. Next up is “Fierce Fables” at the Santa Monica Pier—a free event with drag queen and king storytelling, face painting, dancing, poetry and family-friendly vendors. Finally on June 20 back at the Crow is “Pull My Finger,” a silly and high-energy show for the whole family. 

Each June, the Huntington hosts a swanky soiree in its rose garden to toast the local LGBTQ+ community. Expect a glamorous garden party with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, music and dancing under the stars, plus a special performance. VIP ticketholders can enjoy an early cocktail reception on the Huntington Art Gallery terrace, where the Gay Freedom Band of Los Angeles will provide the soundtrack, and view an exhibition from Chicana lesbian artist Laura Aguilar in the art galleries.

Downtown L.A. has become surprisingly good at public gatherings that feel genuinely communal, and the Music Center’s World Cup watch party should lean into that strength beautifully. The Spain vs. Uruguay match will screen for free on Jerry Moss Plaza, with food vendors and enough fútbol energy to turn Grand Avenue into a European town square. The smart twist comes afterward, when the match seamlessly gives way to the season kickoff of Dance DTLA, transforming post-game adrenaline into a massive outdoor dance party. Even neutral fans may find themselves staying all night.

A veritable L.A. institution, the Bob Baker Marionette Theater is stopping by the Academy Museum on two Saturdays during Pride Month to perform a musical puppet show that celebrates love, self-acceptance and community. The characters will serenade guests with medleys from LGBTQ+ icons and queer history—and did we mention it’s free? Performances will take place in the Sidney Poitier Grand Lobby; it’s up to you if you want to buy a ticket and visit the museum as well. 

The Skirball’s Jack Kirby exhibition may be over, but the museum has followed it up with this expansive look at how comics came to dominate pop culture. Many of the creators of the medium were immigrants and outsiders—including Jewish Americans—who poured their experiences with struggle, aspiration and reinvention into their work. From the Great Depression through Y2K, comics reflected the national moment and actually helped shape American identity. On display, you’ll find original artwork and artifacts relating to beloved comic book characters, from Superman and Black Panther to Little Lulu and Archie.

In a world of lies (and, these days, alternative facts), the only thing we can rely on is Shakira’s hips. Watch them shake with precision when the Colombian superstar returns for a stop at Intuit Dome.

One of the biggest pride events in the country, LA Pride attracts thousands to a what had typically been a two-day fest and parade in West Hollywood but is now located a bit to the east. The parade portion—featuring celebrity grand marshal and Emmy winner Jeff Hiller—will step off in Hollywood, where it’ll be accompanied by LA Pride Village, which will take over Hollywood Boulevard from Vine to Gower. The free street festival has taken the place of music fest L.A. Pride in the Park, formerly in Chinatown. Expect live music, food, drinks and shopping, plus celeb appearances and an LA Pride Ball presented by the iconic House of Ninja. The atmosphere is good-natured and raucous; local color is provided by divas, drag queens and DJs.

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to LA Pride

The birthplace of Los Angeles will now be home to the Queer Mercado, a first-of-its-kind queer Latino cultural celebration that will bring drag, DJs, live music, cocktails, taquitos and more to Olvera Street on the third Saturday of each month. The community-run marketplace will host cultural activations including live art, a fashion showcase and 40 curated vendors, from local painters to queer designers to ceramicists.

Listen to personal and political anthems that celebrate freedom—think “Defying Gravity,” “Imagine,” “Born This Way,” “We Shall Overcome” and more—during this Pride Month concert from the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles. Once again held at Beverly Hills’ Saban Theatre, the concert—followed by a gala after the Saturday-night performance—is a celebration of identity and resilience timed to America’s 250th birthday.

The L.A. Conservancy offers a delightful summer time machine in the form of classic films, screened inside Downtown’s grand old movie palaces throughout the month of June.

This year’s film lineup includes The Rink and Modern Times plus Rebel Without a Cause at the Orpheum on June 6; Mary Poppins (the sing-along version) and L.A. Confidential at the Los Angeles Theatre on June 13; and 9 to 5 and North by Northwest at the Million Dollar Theater on June 20.

Most screenings include a special introduction and a post-film Q&A, and there are also ticket bundles that add in a proper theater tour.

Catch free outdoor movies at the Dockweiler Youth Center. Bring a low-back chair to claim a first-come, first-served space. Tickets aren’t required, but RSVPs are appreciated to stay up to date on any changes.

The Norton Simon Museum recently unveiled a yearlong renovation of its lovely Sculpture Garden, and this alfresco music series is accordingly back after taking the summer off last year. The lineup, programmed by musician Masatoshi Sato, ranges from a jazz trio to a North Indian Ensemble. Come early to get a seat in the Garden Café, where you can buy food and drinks, or bring a blanket to sit on the grass. If inspiration hits you, you can pick up drawing supplies and sketch your surroundings during golden hour. The Friday-evening concerts are free with admission.

Comic Con, but make it Pride—this West Hollywood convention produced by Prism Comics celebrates LGBTQ+ comics with a day of creator meet-and-greets, diversity-affirming comics and graphic novels, and plenty of cosplay opportunities. New this year are mentoring sessions for comic creators and artists. And the entire event is free.

L.A. native and artist Gary Baseman is bringing his unmistakable style to “Off the Menu,” his first solo exhibition in the city in over a dozen years. The show is a love letter to L.A. dining, featuring 40 of the artist’s “action” drawings that he’s doodled on menus while dining at local restaurants, from Musso and Frank to Canter’s. And it couldn’t be held in a more fitting place: the iconic Johnie’s Coffee Shop, right across from the Academy Museum. The exhibition’s opening (May 8, 3–6pm) will coincide with the Metro D Line expansion’s opening—it’s just steps from the Wilshire/Fairfax station. On May 9, there will be an opening reception (6–9pm), and the show will remain open through June 14. The classic diner hasn’t been open to the public in over 25 years, so don’t miss your chance to step inside.

Pirates meets Pride at this seafaring edition of the Poetry Brothel, where you’ll find an all-inclusive cast providing a “queer nautical fever dream of poetry and desire” at Sassafras Saloon. Enjoy live poetry from queer poets—and newly appointed Los Angeles Poet Laureate Brian Sonia-Wallace—as well as music, tarot readings, appetizers, and themed cocktails. You can upgrade your experience with tokens that will give you access to private poetry readings behind closed curtains, where you might hear dirty sonnets or whispered secrets. The dress code is “nautical glamour, pirates, sea creatures, mourning-at-sea attire or elegant shipwreck chic.” 

Annenberg Community Beach House’s historic public pool—just steps from the sand of Santa Monica Beach—hosts this annual inclusive swim for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies that promises a safe and judgment-free space for all bodies. Grab a pool float and take a dip in the pool, then afterward warm up with some s’mores. Show up early for a Pride happy hour at the on-site Back on the Beach Café (5–7pm).

Want to peer through the eyepiece of Mt. Wilson’s historic telescopes? Your best and most economical bet just might be one of the Talks & Telescopes events. These monthly Saturday-night astronomy lectures are followed up with a few hours of stargazing on portable telescopes on the grounds, as well as the 60- and 100-inch telescopes, for only $50 (a fraction of the price of the observatory’s late-night stargazing sessions).

Step into the story of a lovely lady in Studio City when the iconic Brady Bunch house—recently named a Historic-Cultural Monument by the city—opens its doors to the public for a fan’s fever dream. The home’s interiors have been renovated—thanks to HGTV’s A Very Brady Renovation—and meticulously decorated by the owner for a fully immersive experience. Walk up the carpeted staircase to check out the kids’ memorabilia-filled bedrooms; ogle the groovy green and orange kitchen; step into the wood-paneled study; snoop in Alice’s boudoir and more. The experience offers an interactive journey through TV history, and the intimate self-guided tours are limited to a handful of people at a time. Ticket proceeds benefit local dog rescue nonprofit Wags and Walks. The only caveat? They don’t come cheap—the $290 price tag will likely only attract die-hard BB fans, though a run of dates last November did sell out.

Explore the Autry into the evening at the Griffith Park museum’s Thursday-night series that spotlights the city’s emerging and established artists, musicians, poets and writers. Programming ranges from free salsa lessons to DJ sets to old-timey radio plays. The museum galleries stay open late, too, plus drinks and food trucks are also on offer.

A display of over 30 mummified people and animals is back at the California Science Center; after the exhibition debuted there back in 2010, it traveled through the U.S. and Europe before returning to L.A., which is the final stop on its tour before the artifacts are returned to their lending museums. This time around, you can see a selection of specimens never before shown in Los Angeles.

Mummies are, of course, most often associated with ancient Egypt, and while Egypt is represented here, you’ll also see mummified remains that were discovered in Germany, Hungary, Peru—even the University of Maryland, which in the 1990s carried out the first ancient Egyptian-style mummification performed in 2,800 years.

Memorable artifacts include the two Peruvian “bundle” mummies making their West Coast debut, amulets and organ jars (just like you learned about in history class), an ancient Egyptian cat mummy and a shrunken (but still very cute) sloth head. Be warned, though, that as you make your way through the different rooms, the displays become more macabre and, dare I say, haunting, with mummified organs and babies—so make sure you (and any kids in attendance) know what you’re getting into before visiting the exhibition.

The museum’s IMAX theater will be screening the complementary 40-minute Mummies 3D: Secrets of the Pharaohs, and if you buy combo tickets for both the exhibition and film, you get a small discount on both.

The Pacific Asia Museum’s galleries have been closed for months in preparation for this immersive new exhibition, which is taking over the entire museum and marks a new, artist-centered shift to its programming. The ambitious show will use the visual language of mythology to take visitors on an immersive journey through the immigrant experience, combining objects from USC PAM’s 5,000-year-spanning historical collection with new media technology and works by over 20 contemporary artists, led by L.A.-based Korean American muralist Dave Young Kim. Highlights include a wrap-around video installation in a reconstructed airplane cabin and an AI feature that puts visitors in the shoes of an immigrant. Along the way, mythical creatures—dragons, cranes, guardian spirits and shapeshifters—nod to intergenerational legacies.

The Los Angeles LGBT Center hosts this annual celebration of the TGNBI+ community—the longest-running of its kind. First up is a free festival where you’ll find live entertainment, family-friendly activities, workshops, local queer vendors, resource tables and even some free food. Afterward, keep the fun going with a sunset dance party.

Ponyo loves Sosuke! And we love this exhibition at the Academy Museum dedicated to the wholesome Hayao Miyazaki film. Studio Ghibli donated more than 100 objects to the Academy Collection, and you’ll find everything from an animation desk to colorful art boards to dozens of frame-by-frame pencil drawings of the scene when Sosuke first finds Ponyo. Though you may recognize a couple of items from the museum’s debut Hayao Miyazaki retrospective, the vast majority of Ponyo pieces are new—and some have never been displayed in North America before. It’s also a colorful and super kid-friendly exhibition; you can watch clips of the gorgeously hand-drawn movie, recreate the wave-running scene and even make your own stop-motion animation. You’ll find it on the museum’s second floor, inside the first few galleries of the “Stories of Cinema’ space.

Whether or not you follow soccer, you probably know by now that Los Angeles is hosting eight matches of the World Cup in summer 2026. In celebration of its arrival, this LACMA show will display Lyndon J. Barrois Sr.’s ode to the world’s most beloved sport. The artist’s miniature “sportraits” re-create classic moments in both women’s and men’s soccer using materials like gum wrappers, glue and paint—even if you’re not a sports fan, the playful sculptures and stop-motion animations will win you over.

Watch a slate of classics from the past couple of decades on one of the prettiest rooftops in Hollywood at this outdoor screenings series. All movies are piped in over sets of provided wireless headphones. Before showtime, make sure to hit up the bar or the on-site kitchen, Oasis, which will be serving up wagyu burgers and classic film concessions.

Listen to classical and jazz in a dome more than a mile above L.A. during this mountaintop concert series curated by artistic director Cécilia Tsan. The Mount Wilson Observatory is once again hosting monthly concerts this summer inside the dome of its 100-inch Hooker telescope—which was the largest telescope in the world for much of the first half of the 20th century. Tickets cost $65 (that also includes access to the exhibit at the observatory), and it’s highly recommended that you buy them in advance since seating is limited. Note: You’ll need to be able to climb 53 steps to reach the dome, and children under 12 aren’t permitted. 

This L.A.-centric exhibition looks at the Declaration of Independence’s promise of life, liberty and happiness, and how that promise has been fulfilled—or not—throughout the city’s development. Told via the stories of diverse Angelenos alongside historical and contemporary objects, media and art, the show “invites you to step into a conversation that has been shaping Los Angeles for over two hundred years.” 

For dinner and a movie, all in one, just follow the food trucks. During the spring, summer and fall, Street Food Cinema throws together a series of outdoor parties that include screenings of some of our favorite movies, paired with an assortment of gourmet food trucks and even a live music performance from a cool local band. The screenings are held in venues across L.A. into October and alternate from week to week, so make sure to check the schedule. Some of the outdoor venues are dog-friendly, allowing you to bring your four-legged cinema lover along.

See more of this season’s outdoor movie screenings in L.A.

House music hits the Queen Mary waterfront during this two-day fest from Insomniac. This year’s event, which features two existing stages plus the brand-new Long Beach Amphitheater, includes sets from Cloonee, Odd Mob and Gordo—plus a DJ set from Rebecca Black.