Things to do in L.A. this weekend: June 26–28

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.

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.

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.

This “new-school” alt wine festival from local winery Good Boy is back this weekend, bringing over 60 natural winemakers and cult producers to a new location: François Ghebaly + Night Gallery in the Arts District. It’s part wine-tasting and part dance party, with DJs and a stacked food lineup including For the Win, Café Tondo, LaSorted’s, Hermon’s and Canyon Coffee (many of which are offering exslucive collab dishes available for purchase). The fest boasts that it’s a “for-the-people, by-the-people answer to the stale, gate-kept world of traditional wine fairs,” whether you’re a vino aficionado or novice. This year, you can bring your dog for the first time (fitting given the name), and there’s a new ticket tier for those who don’t plan on drinking but still want to come join in the fun. 

Amoeba Music—the world’s largest independent record store—is heading outside for the first-ever Hollywood Block Party, held at Argyle Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard. DJs Travis Holcombe and Monalisa will be spinning, and Bristol Farms, Capitol Records, Funko!, Goldenvoice, Hollywood Pantages Theatre, Hollywood Partnership and W Hollywood will all join in the fun. Amoeba will be bringing back its famous sidewalk sale, too, where you can shop deals on used vinyls, CDs, DVD box sets and books. At 1pm and 3pm, you can win raffle prizes—including a stay at the W Hollywood, tickets to the Laugh Factory, a turntable from Amoeba and more—with proceeds benefiting nonprofit Food on Foot.

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.

Before the La Brea Tar Pits Museum closes on July 7 for a two-year renovation, the delightfully old-fashioned institution is throwing it back not to the Ice Age but to 1977, when it first opened its doors. Don your groovy best and come ready to dance amid mammoths, mastodons and saber-toothed cats at a retro disco party and say a fond “tar tar for now” to the museum. Your ticket price includes drinks and late-night bites.

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.

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.

Complex–sponsored food/music/streetwear mash-up Family Style Fest is back for 2026. This year's edition is earlier in the summer, to take advantage of the World Cup, and will move from Fairfax to L.A. State Historic Park. The festival will bring together high-profile apparel brands like Cherry LA, Undefeated, Pleasures, Adidas and Foot Locker alongside a handful of critically acclaimed L.A. restaurants, including Max & Helen’s, Kato, Kuya Lord, Damian, the Brother’s Sushi and Burgers Never Say Die. Swae Lee, Isaiah Rashad, The Alchemist, ESTA, Budgie and more artists will provide the soundtrack. Since this is a streetwear festival, expect tons of exclusive merch. A VIP ticket grants access to a separate section with complimentary food and drink stations, a VIP-only open bar and a special merch pack. For the full lineup, visit the FSF website. 

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.

Magic Market is once again bringing all things fae and witchy to Heritage Square, including tarot, palm and lip readings, reiki, aura photography, light therapy and, of course, tours of the museum’s handsome (and haunted?) old homes. Don your whimsical best and spread out a blanket for a vegan picnic; watch live performances by local witchy artists; and shop metaphysical and occult wares, crystals and vintage clothes from 75 vendors at a curated marketplace. Springing for the Witch’s Pass will get you a Magic Market tote bag, sound bath session and exclusive tour of the museum’s historic Octagon house.

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.

Stock up on handcrafted treasures at this women-owned weekend market, where you can shop creations from over 90 makers from L.A. and across the country under one roof. You’ll find unique home decor, fashion, art, design, food and more. Your ticket will also get you access to DIY stations and a free tote. It’s all going down at Lands End at AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles—enter through door 35.

Angelenos, let it all hang out. The World Naked Bike Ride hits L.A. each year with its bare-as-you-dare dress code to fight “indecent exposure to cars” and promote both a healthy planet and body acceptance. The 2026 ride will expose itself Saturday, June 27. The first ride starts at 10am and is approximately 9 miles long. The second ride, at 2pm, is about 7 miles long. This is the harder of the two rides, as the route will take you over hills. Both will take you past Downtown landmarks and include photo ops and water stops. Meet up at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA parking lot, where body painters, food trucks and vendors will congregate. Oh, and make sure to bring a lot of sunscreen.

See our photos of some previous World Naked Bike Ride events.

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.

Descanso Gardens has mastered making cultured evenings feel faintly romantic, and this after-hours concert series might be its dreamiest offering yet. For two nights, Musical Interludes: Night fills the gardens with nocturnes, chamber music and lightly spooky storytelling as audiences wander the grounds after dark. Performed by musicians from the Pasadena Conservatory of Music, the program sounds elegant without tipping into music to nap to. Mostly, though, this is an excuse to linger in one of Los Angeles’s prettiest spaces at twilight, which is really the entire point. 

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.

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).

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.

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.” 

Friends of the L.A. River teams up with the California Native Plant Society and the San Fernando Valley Audubon Society each month for a Habitat Restoration Day. Roll up to the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve ready to get your hands dirty—you’ll be helping to remove invasive mustard plants inside the San Fernando Valley park. Afterward, take a guided nature walk—binoculars are provided. Participation is free, but registration is required.

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. 

Think men could do a bit of a better job listening when it comes to dating? This Bachelorette-style game show runs with that conceit as its one rule: The four men competing for a date can’t speak. Instead, they’ll nod and doodle while host Allison Goldberg searches their phones and dials their moms. You can usually find Love Isn’t Blind staged monthly (and you can even apply to participate in it).

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.

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.

In the run-up to the BET Awards at the Peacock Theater, the Beehive in South Los Angeles will host a free two-day fan fest featuring vendor villages, workshops, culinary programming and live music from Mariah the Scientist, B2K, Coi Leray, DESTIN CONRAD, Fabolous, G Herbo, Jaewon, kwn and Larry June. If you feel ready to take the stage yourself, you can showcase your talents in front of casting agent Robi Reed at an open casting call (Fri, 10am). New to the event this year is a ticketed celebrity basketball game, though sadly that’s already sold out. 

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.

Timed to all the World Cup excitement in Los Angeles, the Broad is hosting its own sporting event: the family-friendly and queer-friendly Multiform, imagined by designer and creative director Gabriel Fontana. The focus of the game is on community and inclusion, rather than rules and winning. Before hitting the field, warm up with sessions from HyperBody and Pony Sweat. KCRW DJs Peanut Butter Wolf, Jason Bentley, Novena Carmel, Anne Litt and Francesca Harding will all take a turn behind the stacks, while Lucha VaVoom will provide its signature stunts and fanfare between matches. It’s shaping up to be a true inclusive celebration of Los Angeles.

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.

Culver City’s staircase-dominated plaza screens free, family-friendly flicks on Fridays during the summer. Complimentary popcorn will be provided while supplies last. Each screening starts at sunset.

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.

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.

The MLS season may be taking an extended break for the World Cup, but L.A.’s original club is still getting in on the football frenzy. The L.A. Galaxy will host a marathon of watch parties across the South Bay and Long Beach, including all of the group stage matches in downtown Long Beach’s Lincoln Park, a drone show–accompanied screening event on the Fourth of July outside of Dignity Health Sports Park and late-stage watch parties south of the Hermosa Beach Pier. All events will feature live match broadcasts, but select ones will sport youth clinics, giveaways and appearances from L.A. Galaxy players.

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 four 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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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

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. 

Just in time for silver screen starlet Marilyn Monroe’s 100th birthday, the Academy Museum is presenting a centennial celebration dedicated to the woman and her work, offering a look at the actress beyond her blond bombshell persona. In addition to posters, portraits, letters and rarely seen personal items—including decor from Monroe’s Brentwood home—highlights from the exhibition include screen-worn costumes from Some Like It Hot and the rarely exhibited famous pink dress Monroe wore in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes—which is a show-stopper in a glitzy room of its own. Tucked into the back corner of the exhibit, you can watch a compilation of the star’s onscreen work in CinemaScope—including the iconic subway grate scene.

The masters of alfresco rooftop movie viewing, Rooftop Cinema Club is your snazzy, comfortable and less stressful alternative to other outdoor movie screenings. The series is known for its excellent film choices, comfy lawn chairs and a steady supply of snacks and booze. And instead of listening to the movie over loudspeakers, you’ll get a set of wireless headphones so you never have to miss a word. Enjoy a steady stream of modern classics (Interstellar, Pride & Prejudice) local favorites (La La Land, Friday) and recent releases (Sinners, The Housemaid), as well as the odd TV marathon, screened atop LEVEL DTLA. 

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.

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 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.

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.

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.” 

Walk through a pavilion of fluttering tropical butterflies you can’t normally glimpse in Southern California, and peep a chamber with pupae and caterpillars at South Coast Botanic Garden’s seasonal exhibition. For an extra $6, you can pick up a nectar “lollipop” to attract and feed the butterflies yourself. Carve out some time to explore the beautiful gardens afterward.

This show aims to give Black queer culture in California—particularly in Los Angeles—the credit it’s due as a part of the decades-long fight for LGBTQ+ rights and recognition. Through historical materials, photographs, film and vintage newspapers, the exhibition recovers a history that’s been largely excluded from the record, introducing visitors to sites, protagonists and allies who played a role in the fight for democracy and free expression. 

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.

You may have come across Danish artist Thomas Dambo’s massive troll sculptures—which he makes from reclaimed wood and hides in nature to encourage people to get out and enjoy the outdoors—on Instagram. But you don’t need to book a trip to Denmark to see the gentle giants. The 87 acres of Palos Verdes’s South Coast Botanic Garden are currently home to 12 of the whimsical figures, and you can glimpse them all with your general admission ticket. For $33, you can take a guided walking tour of the Twelvelings (with general admission included). To see the trolls in a different light, one night a month, the gardens will host the Canopy Club—an after-hours dance party in the woods with pop-up performances, food and drinks ($34–$50).

Nature lovers, rejoice! The Natural History Museum is bringing back its annual Butterfly Pavilion, which will be open March 22 through August 23 and house up to 30 butterfly and moth species, as well as an assortment of California plants. The seasonal outdoor exhibit allows for adults and children alike to witness nature up close—we’re talking walking amid hundreds of butterflies and having them land on your arms or shoulders. You’ll need to purchase a $10 add-on ticket on top of your museum ticket in order to explore the pavilion for a half-hour.

It’s a very Fast & Furious kind of year in L.A. between Universal Studio’s roller coaster and this 25th anniversary exhibition of the movie franchise. The Petersen Automotive Museum is showcasing movie vehicles, stunt cars and production prototypes in its second-floor galleries, including the 1993 Toyota Supra “Stunt #3” and 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse driven by Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) in the original film, Dominic Toretto’s (Vin Diesel) 1968 Dodge Charger R/T and 1993 Mazda RX-7, Suki’s (Devon Aoki) 2001 Honda S2000 and more.

Travel back to the LBC circa 1996 inside the Grammy Museum’s new celebration of Sublime. Three decades after the release of the legendary Long Beach ska-punk-reggae trio’s self-titled breakthrough—as well as the passing of singer and guitarist Bradley Nowell—the museum has assembled this nostalgic showcase of flyers, instruments and black-and-white performance photos. Highlights include handwritten lyrics to “Wrong Way,” archival live footage and Nowell’s sticker-covered acoustic guitar.

The reopened Getty Villa will descend into the underworld with this exhibition, which looks at the ritual spells and religious writings ancient Egyptians employed to garner favor with Re and Osiris in the afterlife. See the Getty’s collection of rare Book of the Dead rare hieroglyphics-adorned and illustrated manuscripts, dating back to around 1000 BCE, which were last displayed in 2023. The show should dovetail nicely with the museum’s “Sculpted Portraits From Ancient Egypt,” which runs through January 2027.

When Mexican director Alejandro G. Iñárritu made his debut feature, Amores Perros, over a million feet of film didn’t make it to the final cut (to put that into perspective, the finished two-and-a-half-hour movie used around 18,000 feet of film). Twenty five years later, some of these unearthed reels of celluloid now zip through a ground-floor gallery at LACMA as part of a multi-channel film installation. As much a piece of sculpture as it is film or video art, Sueño Perro assembles six 35mm projectors that pierce the hazy near-dark space with raw, nonlinear snippets of the movie, fed from a mesmerizing curtain of film stock speeding along sprockets. It’s an intense experience, both sonically (during the car crash that connects the feature’s storylines) and visually (dog fighting plays a pivotal role in the film, though you’ll see here some of the behind-the-scenes tricks that kept the production cruelty-free).

Step back into the era of grunge, supermodels and the dawn of the internet at this free exhibition at the ASU FIDM Museum in DTLA. This retrospective explores the decade’s spirit of rebellion and experimentation, featuring high-fashion couture from icons like Vivienne Westwood and Gianni Versace alongside the flannel shirts, slip dresses and bold prints that defined everyday style. Through a curated mix of garments, vintage magazines and video footage, visitors can trace how 1990s innovation continues to shape contemporary trends.

The multisensory nature of art is explored in this exhibition, which looks at the intertwined relationship between contemporary art and living materials through large-scale installations, painting, mixed-media sculpture, video and sound. Over 20 artists from North, Central and South America have employed mediums like stones, avocado, cacao, achiote, cochineal and clay in their works, inviting visitors to engage their senses of touch, smell and hearing when interacting with the art. 

First up on the Academy Museum’s 2026 calendar is a deep dive into Studio Ghibli’s Ponyo. One of Hayao Miyazaki’s most beloved films, Ponyo was notable for its focus on hand-drawn animation, with not only the characters but the backgrounds drawn frame-by-frame rather than using animation cels or CGI. Last year, Studio Ghibli donated original production materials to the Academy Collection, so this show will highlight those items, including art boards, posters, a Studio Ghibli animation desk and original drawings—some of which will be displayed in North America for the very first time—pairing them with immersive and interactive elements like an animation table and a play environment for kids.

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.

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.

A display of over 30 mummified people and animals is back at the California Science Center. 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. Memorable artifacts include two “bundle” mummies making their West Coast debut, amulets and organ jars, an ancient Egyptian cat mummy and a shrunken sloth head. The museum’s IMAX theater will be screening the complementary Mummies 3D: Secrets of the Pharaohs.

The California Science Center is inviting kids to get in the game with a new 17,000-square-foot exhibition about the power of play and the human body in motion. Besides teaching about the science behind sports, it also offers interactive challenges and video coaching from a team of Los Angeles-based mentor athletes including dancer Debbie Allen, the Dodgers’ World Series hero Freddie Freeman, Olympic medalist softball player Rachel Garcia and more. And for the first time ever, the center has commissioned public art—all by local artists—to complement the exhibition, including a Dodgers mural by Gustavo Zermeño Jr. The free exhibition will run at the Science Center through the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Don’t go in the water, but do go to the Academy Museum to see the largest exhibition ever dedicated to Steven Spielberg’s original summer blockbuster, Jaws—which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The museum was already home to the last surviving model shark from filming, but now you can go behind the scenes and see some 200 original objects from the film across multiple galleries. Some highlights: a re-creation of the Orca fishing boat, the dorsal fin used both in Jaws and its sequels, costumes worn by the central trio and a room full of vintage film posters and merch promoting the film. There are interactive elements, too: You can have your own Chief Brody dolly-zoom moment (and see the lens used to film the famous shot), play the iconic John Williams two-note score and control a replica of the mechanical shark.

The Natural History Museum’s taxidermy dioramas turn a century old this year, and to celebrate the museum is reviving an entire hall of displays that’ve been dark for decades. Expect some fresh approaches to these assembled snapshots of the wilderness, including alebrijes made of recycled materials, a crystalline depiction of pollution and a tech-driven display of the L.A. River.