Mark Peikert

Los Angeles added another crop of Michelin stars this year, and the results were, in many ways, entirely predictable. The guide once again showered love on lavish tasting menus and meticulously choreographed omakase counters, aka meals that can routinely run diners hundreds of dollars before wine pairings, service charges and tax. There's nothing inherently wrong with celebrating ambition or luxury. But Michelin's Los Angeles selections continue to reveal the guide's longstanding blind spot regarding a city whose culinary identity was built in strip malls, taco stands, family-run restaurants and immigrant communities.  Michelin's relationship with Los Angeles has always been complicated. After publishing Southern California guides from 2008 to 2009, the company abruptly withdrew from the market, citing economic reasons and leaving L.A. without Michelin coverage for nearly a decade. The guide didn't return until 2019 (then sitting out 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19). For many local diners and chefs, the long absence reinforced the notion that Michelin never quite knew what to make of a sprawling, immigrant-driven dining scene that has never fit neatly into traditional fine-dining conventions. And as this year's new stars demonstrate, Michelin still appears more comfortable rewarding a certain kind of luxury than capturing what actually makes eating in Los Angeles unlike anywhere else in the world. Kato ($325 a person) bumped up to two stars, while the guide added five new one-s

The World Cup has turned Los Angeles into one giant watch party, and for the final match, Street Food Cinema will once again host a big, free, community screening at the Autry Museum. Co-presented by Councilmember Nithya Raman and the L.A. Parks Foundation, Fútbol for the People pairs the action—shown on a large screen in the lawn—with food trucks, photo ops, a vendor marketplate and the kind of communal sports energy Angelenos can’t get enough of lately. 

Classic cars and antique printing presses might seem like an odd pairing. But then again, what two machines did more to define America? (Guns don’t count.) On July 11, the International Printing Museum in Carson celebrates the country’s inventive streak with Revolutionary Machines, a family-friendly festival featuring vintage automobiles from 1912 through the ’70s, live printing demonstrations, a chance to print your own Declaration of Independence, quill-and-ink writing, screen-printed T-shirts and even a visit from “Thomas Jefferson.” History buffs, gearheads and curious kids should all find something to geek out over.

In true L.A. fashion, the Hammer Museum is betting that one of the summer’s best social events starts with a movie. On July 12, catch a free screening of Edward Yang’s Mahjong at 1:30pm before Mahjong Mistress transforms the museum courtyard into a welcoming afternoon of tiles, strategy and conversation. From 3:30pm to 6:30pm, beginners can learn the game from expert instructors, seasoned players can jump into open tables, and everyone can enjoy one of L.A.’s buzziest community activities. It's equal parts film screening, game night and low-pressure way to meet new people. Just one more tile!

Skip the algorithm and shop from actual humans instead. Every second Sunday of the month, the Venice Street Fair takes over Third Avenue—between Rose Avenue and Gjusta—with local artists, vintage finds, handmade goods, food vendors and live music in one of the Westside’s most walkable neighborhoods. You won’t get lost in the Century City parking lot, and you might just discover your next favorite maker. At the very least, you can enjoy an iced coffee while wandering Venice with your dog for the afternoon.

If your ideal summer weekend involves equal parts bikinis, beach breezes and people-watching, California Swim Week has you covered. Running July 12 to 19 along the Southern California coast, the fashion celebration kicks off with its marquee runway show at Shade Hotel Manhattan Beach on July 12. See the latest styles from brands including Aerie, Faherty, Rails and Wilson, plus beauty activations, wellness experiences, celebrity appearances (well, if you consider Love Island and Selling Sunset cast members celebs) and enough influencer content to keep Instagram busy until Labor Day. It’s fashion with sand between its toes.

You already know every beat of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, but you probably don't know what it sounds like with 238 musicians, singers and soloists performing Howard Shore’s Oscar-winning score live beneath a 60-foot screen. Find out when the film celebrates its 25th anniversary at the Peacock Theater with four performances conducted by Ludwig Wicki, featuring Pacific Symphony, voices/LA, the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus and soprano Kaitlyn Lusk. It’s about as close as you'll get to walking into Middle-earth without leaving L.A.

If your ideal beer garden comes with ocean views, book the ferry now. The Two Harbors Brew Fest returns to Catalina Island on July 11, turning Harbor Sands into a beachside tasting party with pours from more than 20 breweries, live music, complimentary bites and a silent auction. VIP tickets include early access from noon to 1pm, while general admission tasting runs from 1pm to 4pm. It's a 21-and-over affair (and no dogs allowed)—and a convincing argument for a day trip. (Just note that Two Harbors isn’t the same as Avalon, Catalina’s primary town—it’s about 23 miles away, on the west end of the island.)

Organized by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) for more than four decades, the India Day Parade is back on Sunday, August 16, to observe India’s anniversary of independence and to celebrate the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers of Indian and South Asian origin. One of the biggest cultural extravaganzas in New York City, this year’s India Day Parade will see more than 50 marching groups and 40-plus floats head down Manhattan’s Madison Avenue, all adorned in color and tradition, with exuberant Indian tunes soundtracking their every move. The route begins at East 38th Street and marches to East 27th Street. Grab snacks from booths and food courts, catch live dance performances, fan-girl over famous Indian celebrities in attendance and more.

One of the US Open's most beloved traditions returns on August 23 with Arthur Ashe Kids' Day, a free, family-friendly celebration that officially kicks off Fan Week in Flushing Meadows. Held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the annual event honors the legacy of tennis legend Arthur Ashe with a full day of activities, including player practices, live entertainment, interactive games, face painting and hands-on tennis experiences for kids of all ages. Whether your little ones are future Grand Slam champions or just looking for a fun summer outing, this energetic event serves up plenty of excitement.

Step back in time to August 1776 at Green-Wood Cemetery's commemoration of the Battle of Brooklyn. The battle was the largest battle of the Revolutionary War and the first to take place after the signing of the Declaration of Independence—it took place on land that's now part of Green-Wood Cemetery. Events on Sunday, August 23 include a chance to meet costumed interpreters, experience a 1776 soldiers encampment, do some 18th-century laundry, see historical demonstrations and listen to stories of the American Revolution. Plus, all are welcome to participate in a march to Battle Hill, the highest natural point in Brooklyn and a key site of the 1776 battle.  This event isn't just for history nerds. All ages are invited for a fun afternoon of activities that bring NYC's revolutionary history to life and honor the bravery of those who fought for America's independence 250 years ago. Visitors are welcome to bring picnics and blankets to enjoy on the Main Entrance Meadow—something not usually permitted at Green-Wood. It's free to attend, with advance reservation recommended.

Once dismissed as the swill enjoyed by pirates of yore or just a booze 21-year-olds mix with Coke, rum is finally starting to get some of the recognition it deserves. The Brooklyn Rum Festival at Bogart House (230 Bogart St.) is all about celebrating the artistic process of distilleries and the surprisingly complex flavors to be found in rum. From 2pm to 7pm, guests will be able to taste over 15 different rums, enjoy delicious Caribbean food and enter a cocktail-making contest to show their bartending prowess. You'll also be able to wash it all down with some ice cream, rum-infused ice cream, of course! 

Sing out, Louise! One of New York's most beloved summer traditions returns when Broadway in Bryant Park hits the stage for its 26th season this summer, bringing free lunchtime performances from some of the Great White Way's biggest shows to Midtown. Every Thursday from July 23 through August 13, casts from hit productions, including Hadestown, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Wicked, The Outsiders, The Great Gatsby and Buena Vista Social Club will take the Bryant Park stage for an hour of showstopping numbers. Festivities kick off at 11am, with performances running from 12:30pm to 1:30pm. Lawn seating is first-come, first-served, so arrive early if you want a prime spot for this quintessential New York summer experience. 

It’s official: World Cup fever has taken over L.A. The global soccer tournament takes place only every four years, and this time around, it’s back in the U.S. for the first time in over three decades—and Los Angeles is hosting eight of the matches at SoFi Stadium. (The freeways are already warning of more traffic—advising people to “use transit” on June 12.) To celebrate, seemingly every local business is getting in on the action, hosting special promotions, soccer-themed activations and World Cup viewing parties. You can expect every sports bar and lots of restaurants to be tuned in—Clifton’s Republic is even temporarily reopening just for the occasion—but major museums, shopping centers and local attractions are also hosting their own events. It’s a bit overwhelming, to be honest, but to help you out, we’ve rounded up 20 ways to catch a match surrounded by a community of fellow football fans. In fact, even if you’re not a sports fan, some of these parties should still appeal to you. 1. FIFA World Cup 2026June 11–July 19 The first way to see a match is, well, to brave the traffic (or go Metro) and watch a match in person. L.A. is just one of 11 host cities in the U.S., but all of the local matches will take place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood (FIFA’s official schedule calls it “Los Angeles Stadium,” but that’s simply the un-branded name for SoFi). Things kick off June 12 with USA vs. Paraguay and lead up to a quarterfinal match on July 10. Photograph: Michael Juliano for Tim

Ariana Grande will finally tour again next year, and fans in Los Angeles are in for something special: She’s bringing the Eternal Sunshine Tour to L.A. for four nights of arena magic that promise to feel both intimate and gigantic. The announcement dropped like a bolt of pop lightning on August 26. 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 four-night residency that feels like a homecoming. Is it too early to call it the highlight of the summer? Grande teased the announcement with a casual “See you next year ♡ 🧸” on Instagram, but fans know this is a big deal. In the years since her last tour, she’s racked up an Oscar nomination for Wicked, joined the cast of the next Meet the Parents film and reassured fans that music will always be her “lifeline.” Consider the Eternal Sunshine Tour proof she’s not going anywhere. When is Ariana Grande playing in L.A.? The "Yes, And?" singer will perform two shows at the Crypto.com Arena June 13 and June 14, and two shows at the Kia Forum June 17 and June 19, 2026. When do tickets go on sale? General sale for the U.S. dates begins at 10am local time on Wednesday, September 10, on Ticketmaster. Presale details An artist presale opens at 10am on Tuesday, September 9. You’ll need to sign up by September 7 to gain access. Additional venue or credit-card-li

If you’re in New York City, you probably have a pretty strong (and likely complicated) relationship with adrenaline. But if you need an even bigger rush than trying to cross Eighth Avenue at rush hour, you’re in luck, because the Manhattan skyline is about to get a whole lot wilder.  In 2026, adrenaline junkies will get to experience the city from a heart-stopping new perspective: Plummeting 300 feet in transparent tubes. That’s courtesy of the 52-story, 1,067-foot-tall skyscraper called The Torch, at 740 Eighth Avenue, which just resumed construction a year after halting. Forget fancy observation decks or high-end, high-rise restaurants. The Torch wants to offer both panoramic views and the kind of free fall that usually ends with you jerking awake.  RECOMMENDED: The 100 best things to do in NYC for locals and tourists A combination of observation deck and theme park ride, the attraction will be housed inside a spire lit to resemble a literal torch, taking riders to the top before dropping them straight down at speeds approaching 60 mph. The experience will reportedly also include enveloping lighting and sound effects; in case you Need a side of immersive theater with your terror. But even those who don’t want to look down as the streets of NYC hurtle ever closer can enjoy the top of The Torch. There will also be a more traditional observation deck and a glass-bottomed elevator that promises to take visitors up all 1,000 or so feet in under 60 seconds.  The project was desig

There are outdoor screenings in NYC parks, on waterfronts, and even in cemeteries. But Long Island’s Long Beach may beat them all with an alfresco screening set right on the beach, under the stars, with the sound of waves as a soundtrack. The annual "Shorts on the Beach" series returns to the Allegria Hotel beachfront as part of the Long Beach International Film Festival. Tickets are free—you can reserve tickets here—and the screening will begin shortly after sunset, around 8:45pm on Saturday, July 26. It’s a rare chance to watch award-winning films in a completely relaxed setting, where flip-flops and beach blankets are encouraged. “Bring a blanket, a beach chair, and your crew—this is cinema like you’ve never experienced it before. From award-winning shorts to hidden indie gems, you’ll laugh, cry, and fall in love with film all over again,” the festival wrote in an Instagram post. No word yet on what shorts will be part of the program or who the filmmakers are, so perhaps pack that blanket but leave your expectations behind. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Long Beach Intl. Film Festival (@lbiffny) Originally founded in 2012, the 2025 Long Beach International Film Festival runs through July 26. In addition to Shorts on the Beach, the festival will also host another shorts-inspired event, "Chefs & Shorts: A Unique Pairing of Gastronomy, Wine and Short Films." Held at the Allegria Hotel at 6pm on Thursday, July 24, the evening will see five che

There she goes, boys! The Audra McDonald-led revival of Gypsy, directed by George C. Wolfe, abruptly announced that it will be ending its Broadway run sooner than expected. The musical will play its final performance at the Majestic Theatre on Sunday, August 17; tickets had been on sale through October 3. The run itself was open-ended, with no closing date announced. When the show closes, it will have played 28 previews and 269 performances. This marks the sixth Broadway show to announce a closing date since the Tony Awards. RECOMMENDED: The best shows on Broadway The fifth revival of the classic musical, with a book by Arthur Laurents and a score by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim, opened at the Majestic on December 19, 2024, co-starring Danny Burstein as Herbie and Joy Woods as Louise. As previously announced, Tony winner Montego Glover will play Rose at Sunday matinees for the rest of the run.  McDonald’s turn as Rose (a role played by Broadway legends from Ethel Merman to Bernadette Peters and Patti LuPone) earned her a record-setting 11th Tony Award nomination, making her the most-nominated performer in Tony Awards history. (With six wins, she is also the most awarded performer in Tony Awards history.) The show itself earned five Tony nominations, including Best Revival of a Musical, and one for Burstein, which made him the most-nominated male performer in Tony Award history. The significance of this Gypsy is not just in its record-setting nominations, however. As staged

We may never see Richard Linklater’s film adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim musical Merrily We Roll Along—starring Ben Platt, Beanie Feldstein and Paul Mescal, the movie, shot in real time to mirror the passing of 30 years in the story, isn’t set to finish shooting until 2039. But luckily, another, equally star-studded version of the classic musical is coming to theaters later this year. A live capture of the Tony-winning Broadway revival of Merrily We Roll Along will premiere in movie theaters on December 5, an early holiday gift for theater lovers and Sondheim fans courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics and Fathom Entertainment. Directed by Maria Friedman and starring Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe and Lindsay Mendez, the production follows three best friends from the end of their decades-long friendship to its very beginnings, as they grapple with fame, success and thwarted romance. George Furth wrote the musical’s book, an adaptation of a Moss Hart-George S. Kaufman play. Merrily We Roll Along opened on Broadway on October 10, 2023, and closed July 7, 2024, after extending its run.   RECOMMENDED: The best Broadway shows to see right now “This is a show that makes demands of its audience, perhaps sometimes unreasonable ones,” Time Out New York’s Adam Feldman wrote in his five-star review. “But as Charley sings during a loving argument with his friends: “What’s the point of demands you can meet?” Friedman’s production meets the audience halfway, and a Broadway audience today

Five years after shutting down for the COVID-19 pandemic, East Williamsburg music venue Our Wicked Lady will close down permanently on Monday, July 21, almost 10 years to the day since it first opened. Located at 153 Morgan Avenue, Our Wicked Lady was the brainchild of co-owners Zach Glass and Keith Hamilton, who met as managers at Brooklyn Bowl. When they took over the space, it boasted a dirt floor, no staircase to the roof, and barely any plumbing. The duo transformed it into a neighborhood staple that played host to up-and-coming bands and indie faves alike.  RECOMMENDED: A massive dance music festival returns to NYC this fall, and it’s expanding to Brooklyn But like so many businesses, Our Wicked Lady struggled to bounce back after the pandemic in the face of rising costs and patrons who’d rather leave early or stay at home altogether. Glass and Hamilton went public with their struggles last winter, and a GoFundMe raised $42,000 amid a flood of community support. But their landlord nixed a last-minute purchase deal, leaving them no option but to shut down permanently.  “We were extremely close to locking in an ownership transfer for Our Wicked Lady when we were thrown a massive curve ball. Our landlord decided he does not want a music venue to continue on his property and refused a near sale,” Glass and Keith wrote in an Instagram caption. “This is heartbreaking news for us. After all our work and all the support from our community, we are devastated to share that OWL wi

New York City has a glorious history of offering high-quality art and culture for rock-bottom prices. “Rock bottom” may not be what it once was, but at least the culture remains at the same high standard. And this summer, you can confirm that for yourself when Lincoln Center hosts concerts for as little as $5 from Saturday, July 19 through Saturday, August 9. Or rather, $5 is the minimum amount for the “Choose-What-You-Pay” fee structure — perhaps a better name would be “Choose-what-You-Pay-Within-These-Parameters”. The concerts comprise the Festival Orchestra of Lincoln Center series, part of Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City. Highlighting musicians from across the world who routinely perform with Lincoln Center, you might better know the Festival Orchestra from its previous iteration as the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra.  RECOMMENDED: Check out renderings of Lincoln Center's new performance venue and community park Among those scheduled to perform this year are Lincoln Center’s Renée and Robert Belfer Music Director Jonathon Heyward (responsible for the series’ programming) conducting Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony, Karen Kamensek conducting Bizet’s Symphony in C, Joana Carneiro conducting Ravel and Prokofiev, and Dame Jane Glover conducting Michael Abels's "More Seasons," Tchaikovsky, and Mozart. Even better, that low entrance fee also provides you access to the theaters in David Geffen Hall, where most of the concerts will be held. A concert and powerful AC for under

You know what they say about New York: Once you’ve made it here, you can make it in… Brooklyn? Or something like that. Maybe in the old days (you know, before the internet), Brooklyn was looked down upon in terms of cool factor, but it’s definitely the goal in the 21st century. And even internationally beloved dance music festival We Belong Here isn’t immune to the lure of the borough. A year after making its NYC debut in Central Park’s Wollman Rink, We Belong Here announced that not only will it bring its 360-degree stage back to Manhattan, but it will bring the carefully curated experience to the Greenpoint waterfront, as well. RECOMMENDED: NYC's best summer music festivals of 2025 “New York City holds a special place in our story,” We Belong Here co-founder Justin Dauman said in a statement. “The response to our first year at Central Park exceeded all expectations, with the majority of tickets selling out in the first 24 hours. Expanding to two festivals allows us to welcome more people to enjoy the experience, highlight more unique locations, and maintain the same level of intimacy.” Last year’s first-ever NYC event featured multiple superstar DJs making their Central Park debuts, including Fisher, Kaskade and Monolink. The weekend was the culmination of a series of summer-long We Belong Here NYC pop-ups on Governors Island and Pier 16. First opened in the 1950s, Wollman Rink was a perfect choice of venue for the festival’s official NYC debut, given its history of unconve

We’re only halfway through 2025, but the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) is already looking ahead. Way ahead. NYBG announced that it will bloom with a very special exhibition in 2027: a full, 250-acre takeover by Brooklyn-based artist KAWS, debuting May 22, 2027. Known for his pop culture-inspired sculptures, KAWS (aka Brian Donnelly) will present an outdoor installation of enormous proportions, turning the iconic Bronx gardens into a collision of nature and contemporary art. RECOMMENDED: The best outdoor art in NYC this summer, including sculptures KAWS’ work seems especially suited for NYBG, with his sly, gigantic takes on figures like The Simpsons and Snoopy, plus his famous Companions series, inspired by Mickey Mouse (and a year spent as a Disney animator) and threaded throughout his career as both paintings and three-dimensional sculptures. The melancholy of the figures, with their gloved hands and X’d out eyes, will no doubt feel even more powerful against the idyllic natural backdrop. NYBG has long held a reputation for creating opportunities for artists to engage in dialogue with its landscape, including landmark exhibitions by Yayoi Kusama and Ebony G. Patterson. Now KAWS will continue this tradition, inviting visitors to consider how human-made objects inhabit, disrupt, or enhance their environment.  The Garden also announced a 2026 exhibit, Flower Power, opening May 23, 2026, and channeling the ‘60s with a celebration of the flowers as symbols of peace and love. T

Every generation gets the toy craze it deserves, and no toy craze is any weirder than the last. From Pet Rocks to Cabbage Patch dolls to Troll Dolls and Tamagotchis, our collective past is littered with “I gotta have it or I’ll die!” status symbols. And Labubus have definitely taken their place among them. Not only have the plush toys with unsettling wide grins revealing serrated knife-like teeth become an instant grid-worthy addition to Instagram accounts, but they’re now beginning to revitalize nightlife. At least at the Brooklyn Monarch in Williamsburg, where raves featuring Labubus as the headliners attract up to 800 people. RECOMMENDED: Out Late: What insiders and partygoers are predicting for NYC nightlife in 2025 Labubus have become unavoidable, both on social media and on the subways, where the weirdly adorable little creatures with big eyes, sharp teeth, and full-on gremlin energy seem to be everywhere, most often dangling from purses, keychains, and waistbands. Created by artist Kasing Lung, Labubus are part of the Pop Mart universe, which means mystery boxes, limited editions, and serious collector hype. People line up or endlessly refresh websites, hoping to score a rare one. (How big have Labubus become? A human-sized Labubu recently sold for more than $170,000.) For collectors, the toy is almost secondary to the thrill of the unboxing, the trade culture, and the bragging rights of scoring a super rare variant. At these late-night parties in East Williamsburg (o

Talk about a Time Warp: The Rocky Horror Picture Show has been part of the pop culture landscape for a full five decades now. Originally released in theaters September 25, 1975, the future cult classic made barely a splash during its initial theatrical run, despite the presence of pre-fame Barry Bostwick, Tim Curry, and Susan Sarandon. But in the years since, the musical took on a whole new life as a midnight movie sensation, potentially keeping fishnets on the market long past their natural expiration date. And to celebrate its big 50th anniversary this year, actors from the beloved film have been touring North America with a very special iteration of the beloved screening tradition, giving fans a chance to party with the stars. And the tour just announced a stop in New York City: On Monday, November 3 at 7:30 p.m., bring your rubber gloves and noisemakers to The Town Hall, where stars Bostwick (Brad), Nell Campbell (Columbia) and Patricia Quinn (Magenta) will be on hand for a very special screening.  RECOMMENDED: The Roundabout's next season will include Rocky Horror and Oedipus Each stop on the tour includes a costume contest and a screening of the film, with a “shadow cast” of locals performing scenes in front of the screen—which is to say, it’s a glitzier, starrier version of your classic midnight movie screening. Budget your props and costumes accordingly! “Rocky has changed lives, not just ours, and had a profound effect on how we accept our differences in this world,”