26 Really Cool Things to do This July in Los Angeles (2018)

Echo Park Lake June 2017 — Echo Park Lake, June 2017. Photo by Brian Champlin / We Like L.A.

Need stuff to do this month in Los Angeles? We looked ahead on our calendar to focus in on some of the best events happening in July around Los Angeles that you should probably have on your radar. After all, better to get your tickets now than wait till the last minute and find out your favorite event is sold out.

July 2018 event highlights include Old Pasadena Summer Cinema, Anime Expo, the 38th Annual Lotus Festival, a Live Score Festival, Reggae on the Mountain, Delicious Little Tokyo, BeatyCon, Outfest, and LOTS more.

1. KCRW’s Summer Nights (throughout July)

KCRW’s Summer Nights free event series returned for 2018 in June, but July takes it up a level, including separate performances by Still Woozy, Kauf, and Cut Chemist at The Hammer plus Chinatown Summer Nights on July 28. More information

2. 4th of July in Los Angeles (July 4)

Need plans for the 4th? We’ve put together a handy round-up of Independence Day activities in L.A., including Americafest at the Rose Bowl, a 4th of July Block Party at Grand Park, the Queen Mary’s All-American Fourth of July Celebration, and more. -> More information

3. Old Pasadena Summer Cinema (starting July 5)

Old Pasadena Summer Cinema will offer 17 free movie screenings from July 5 t0 28 at a variety of indoor and outdoor locations throughout the Old Town Pasadena area, including a set of four travel-related films to screen at Distant Lands Bookstore, nine outdoor screenings at the courtyard of One Colorado, and three special theme nights at Central Park. -> More information

4. Anime Expo (July 5-8)

This marquee four-day expo will feature panels, Q&A’s, workshops, plus video rooms and autograph stations with some of the best manga creators and voice actors in the industry. -> More information

5. Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube & More: ‘Summertime in the LBC’ at The Queen Mary (July 7)

Summertime in the LBC comes to the Queen Mary in Long Beach on July 7 for a one-day music festival showcasing many of your favorite hip-hop artists, including Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, The Game and many more artists. -> More information

6. The 2018 Salsa Festival at Pershing Square (July 7-8)

The 3rd annual Los Angeles Salsa Festival returns to Pershing Square for a fun-filled cultural event honoring salsa. Guests can expect plenty of dancing opportunities plus multiple food vendors and a beer and margarita bar. -> More information

7. Dirtybird BBQ 2018: Los Angeles at the Coliseum (July 8)

Dirtybird BBQ 2018: Los Angeles comes to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Plaza on July 8 for great food and music on a summer day, headlined by DJ Claude VonStroke. -> More information

8. Movie Nights at Tropicana Bar (starting July 10)

The Hollywood Roosevelt hotel will throw Angelenos a movie night series every Tuesday night from 8 to 11 p.m. from June till September 3 by the David Hockney painted Tropicana Pool. -> More information

9. The South Bay Greek Festival (July 13-15)

The South Bay Greek Festival, at St. Katherine’s Greek Orthodox Church in Redondo Beach, offers Greek food (spanakopita, lamb chops, baklava), and dancing. -> More information

10. Union Station 2nd Annual Summer Train Festival (July 14)

Union Station in DTLA is hosting their second annual Summer Train Fest on July 14. Fun for all ages, guests can tour vintage train cars, enjoy 360° virtual reality stations, shop local vendors, grab a bite at popular food trucks, dance to live music and much more. -> More information

11. 38th Louts Festival at Echo Park Lake (July 14-15)

The 38th annual Lotus Festival will be a two-day event featuring live entertainment, arts and crafts, a boat race, an asian food court, dragon boat races and of course and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the blooming flowers on the lake. -> More information

12. Reggae On The Mountain 2018 (July 14-15)

The 9th Annual Reggae On The Mountain returns to Topanga Canyon’s Topanga Community Center on July 14-15 for two jam-packed, fun-filled days of roots reggae from Toots and The Maytals, Derrick Morgan, The Lions, Pato Banton and more. -> More information

13. Beautycon Festival at the Los Angeles Convention Center (July 14-15)

Get your lipsticks ready, Beautycon Festival returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center July 14-15 for a two-day beauty convention with Kim Kardashian West and many other personalities. -> More information

14. Swingin’ Summer Dance Series Returns to The Wiltern (July 15)

For three nights in July, August and September, The Wiltern hosts Swingin’ Summer, a series of vintage-style evenings with swing dance lessons, drinks, and dancing to live music. -> More information

15. Outfest Under the Stars at the Ford Theatres (July 18-21)

Outfest Under the Stars. four nights of LGBTQ films at Hollywood”s Ford Theatres, will show Bad Reputation, Wild Nights with Emily and more. -> More information

16. Jaws in Concert at the Hollywood Bowl (July 20-21)

As part of their summer line-up, the Hollywood Bowl is hosting a rendition of the thrilling cult classic Jaws for two nights on July 20 and 21. Tickets start at $14. -> More information

17. Delicious Little Tokyo 2018 (July 20-21)

For two days, enjoy delicious servings of food and drink crafted from the streets of Little Tokyo, including a chance to sample more than 50 types of sake. -> More information

18. Big Sing California at The Walt Disney Concert Hall (July 21)

Come sing during Big Sing California, a choral concert broadcast across the state along with choirs from San Francisco and more during a simultaneous performance. -> More information

19. 5th Annual Los Angeles Live Score Film Festival (July 21)

Composers and filmmakers create scores to be performed live at the 5th annual Los Angeles Live Score Film Festival at Barnsdall Art Park’s Gallery Theatre. -> More information

20. PLAYDATE 2018 at Kidspace Children’s Museum (July 21)

Enjoy a night out for a good cause! On July 21, head to Playdate 2018 for an after-hours adult night out that supports the Kidspace Children’s Museum, a non-profit organization. -> More information

21. The Skirball Museum Presents Happy Anniversary, Fraggle Rockers (July 24)

Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock is celebrating thirty-five years with a party at The Skirball Cultural Center on July 24. Join famed puppeteers for a discussion about the series with a few other puppet surprises. -> More information

22. 10th Annual Taste of Farmers Market at 3rd & Fairfax (July 24)

The 10th Annual Taste of Farmers Market comes to 3rd Street and Fairfax featuring an evening of bites from over 50 of the Market’s top-rated restaurants, grocers and eateries. Tickets includes food sampling, firehouse chili tastes prepared by firefighter chefs, beer and wine samples, two non-alcoholic drinks and free parking. -> More information

23. Sunset Concerts at the Skirball (starting July 26)

Skirball’s annual Sunset Concert Series features six Thursday night concerts with eclectic and inspiring artists from July 26 to August 30. This year’s lineup kicks off with Goapele on July 26. -> More information

24. Uncorked: LA 90+ Wine Festival at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica (July 27)

Uncorked: LA 90+ Wine Festival comes to Barker Hangar in Santa Monica featuring a curated selection of over 100 wines rated 90 points and higher from all over the world. -> More information

25. L.A. Rare and Wild Beer Fest in Santa Monica (July 28)

Billed as a beer connoisseur’s one-stop celebration, the L.A. Rare and Wild Beer Fest is coming to Barker Hangar for an evening of unlimited beer tastings! -> More information

26. Summer Happenings at The Broad (continues July 28)

Summer Happenings at The Broad is a series of late-night events featuring music, performance and art held on the last Saturday night from June through September. The July 28 edition will be inspired by German artist Joseph Beuys with performances by faUSt and Baltimore duo Matmos.

Be sure to check the We Like L.A. Events Calendar for updates on fun things happening around the city throughout July. You can also sign up for our daily/weekly newsletter if you want events sent straight to your inbox.