Things to do in L.A. this weekend: June 12–14

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 continues with 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.

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

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.

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.

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).

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?

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 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. 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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. This weekend, catch a screening of The Matrix (June 13).

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. 

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.

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.

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 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. 

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.

Perhaps the Los Angeles area’s most iconic flea market, this event around the exterior of the Rose Bowl is staggeringly colossal? The sheer size and scale of this flea market means that it encompasses multitudes: new and old, hand-crafted and salvaged, the cheap and the costly. On the second Sunday of each month, an odd mix of vendors populates the loop around the stadium: for every eye-catching artwork, there’s a ratty $5 T-shirt, and for each elegant craft there’s a competing “as seen on TV” demo. But you may have more luck in the rows and rows of old furniture, albums and vintage clothes and accessories that fill the adjacent parking lot.

Ariana Grande will finally tour 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. Is it too early to call it the highlight of the summer?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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 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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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 classic diner hasn’t been open to the public in over 25 years, so don’t miss your chance to step inside.

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.” 

The Los Angeles company literally balances athleticism and architecture in creative director Jacques Heim’s choreography, as his dancers climb, dangle, soar and perch on custom-made structures while they explore movement, space and time. Diavolo was founded in 1992, made the top 10 of America’s Got Talent in 2017 and now is presenting its latest show, Escape, in the troupe’s intimate black box performance space, so you can see the gravity-defying action up close. For the best sightlines, spring for VIP tickets, which will also get you a complimentary drink and priority access to ride one of the structures featured in the show yourself.

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.

More than 50 works on display at the Autry showcase how Indigenous artists have crafted visions of alternative futures in the face of enduring colonial trauma, with surreal spacescapes from Wendy Red Star, pop culture commentaries by Andy Everson and a site-specific space odyssey created by Virgil Ortiz.

In liminal space, no one can hear you scream.