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Maybe you’re reading this at work. Maybe you’re in your pajamas enjoying an extra long holiday weekend. Either way, we’ve got you covered for the the week to come.
This July 3-7 in Los Angeles, you’ll find TONS of Independence Day activities (including parades, block parties and fireworks shows) plus the return of the Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival, KCRW Summer Nights at The Hammer, the Sunset Series at South Coast Botanic Garden, an outdoor movie at Skirball, and more. Whatever you decide on, hope you enjoy.
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Things To Do This Week
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
The Beach Boys at The Bowl with Fireworks -> From July 2-4, The Beach Boys (the Mike Love version) come to the Hollywood Bowl for back-to-back-to-back days of 4th of July concerts, each capped by a dynamic fireworks show soundtracked by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Special guest John Stamos will be there too. Each event starts at 7:30 p.m. Kids 12 and under are half off. More info here.
Gloria Molina Grand Park 4th of July Block Party – M FA TP > DTLA’s biggest free 4th of July event is back with an evening-long celebration (starting at 4 p.m.) featuring two stages of live music and a plentiful array of food trucks, all capped with a 12-minute light show orchestrated by 500 remote-controlled drones. More info here.
Santa Monica 4th of July Parade – M FA > Celebrates Independence Day in Santa Monica with a morning parade along Main St beginning at 9:30 a.m. Expect dancers, costumes, live bands, and classic cars as part of the festivities. Free to attend. More info here.
Marina Del Rey Fireworks Show – FA > On Tuesday, Marina del Rey will offer a free 20-minute fireworks show along the coast to celebrate July 4th with viewing spots at Burton Chace Park and Fisherman’s Village. More info here.
Kids’ Day & 4th of July Parade in San Gabriel – FA > The City of San Gabriel marks July 4th with a parade in the Historic Mission District (9 a.m.) followed by a Kid’s Day at Smith Park (9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.) featuring games, food trucks, live entertainment and community booths. All free to attend. More info here.
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More July 4th Ideas -> Head to our handy guide (a collab with Metro) on where to see 4th of July Fireworks in L.A. County.
Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival – FA TP > Starting this week, The Independent Shakespeare Co. returns to Griffith Park with a production of Julius Caesar running Wednesday to Sunday through July 30. Then, from August 9 to September 3, catch A Midsummer Night’s Dream on the same Wednesday to Sunday schedule. All shows begin at 7 p.m. Free to attend, but donations heartily encouraged. More info here.
First Wednesdays at AoP – M > The Aquarium of the Pacific’s First Wednesday lecture series returns this week with screening of the 40-minute award-winning documentary Humpback Whales (narrated by Ewan McGregor) followed by a Q&A with director Greg MacGillivray. After the presentation stick around for a book signing, cocktails, and music and crafts in in the Pacific Visions Art Gallery. Tickets are $5. Starts at 7 p.m. More info here.
KCRW Summer Nights at The Hammer – FA TP > Every Thursday in July, KCRW brings Summer Nights dance parties to The Hammer Museum. Expect DJ sets, evening gallery access, and a cash bar. Free to attend. Each event begins at 6:30 p.m. More info here.
Popular Kids Club -> This Thursday, Popular Kids Club is back at Permanent Records Roadhouse in Glassell Park for an evening of comedy featuring Iliza Shlesinger, Jon Daly, Avra Friedman, Chris Garcia, Nick Taravella, and Julia Austin. Tickets are $8 if you buy in advance. $12 at the door. Show starts at 8 p.m.. More info here.
Sunset Series at South Coast Botanic Gardens -> This July, The South Coast Botanic Garden welcomes guests to their weekly after-hours series every Thursday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Programming for each event includes multiple music sessions, yard games, food concessions, kid-friendly activities, and cocktails for the 21+ crowd. GA tickets start at $18 per person. Children 2 and under are free. More info here.
Shakespeare By the Sea – FA > The 2023 season of Shakespeare By The Sea continues this Thursday to Saturday at Point Fermin Park in San Pedro with alternating performances of 12th Night and Hamlet. All shows start at 8 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
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The Music Center’s Dance DTLA – M FA TP > Free evening dance parties are back at The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza every week throughout the summer. This Friday, catch a West African Dance Night with instructor Le Ballet Dembaya and tunes by DJ QwessCoast. For each event, dance instructors will be on hand to teach guests easy-to-follow steps, allowing everyone to get into the groove right from the jump. Runs 7 to 11 p.m. More info here.
Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts – M FA > The Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles annual summer-long series of free concerts features acclaimed and emerging talent from a broad range of musical genres. After a week off for the July 4 holiday, the series picks up again this weekend starting with Tolliver and Haus of Derma on Friday, Yetziraha Vargas, Marilyn Odessa, and Los del Momento on Saturday, and Los Yesterdays and Thee Illusions on Sunday. All free to attend. No reservation required. Get more info here.
Jazz at LACMA – FA > This Friday at 6 p.m., the Los Angeles County Museum of Art hosts a concert by The Azar Lawrence Experience at Smidt Welcome Plaza as part of the ongoing Jazz at LACMA series, which continues every Friday evening through November. Admission is free, however seating is limited and first come, first served. More info here.
Outdoor Movies at The Skirball -> The Skirball’s outdoor movie programming returns this Friday with a screening of The Way We Were. Tickets cost $20 per person. More info here.
626 Night Market -> This Friday to Sunday, the 626 Night Market returns to its flagship location at Santa Anita Park with over 300 food, merch, and craft vendors. Pre-sale tickets are $5, or it’s $6 at the door. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery -> Agnes in Pasadena is celebrating their two-year anniversary by expanding their elevated comfort food inspired menu. The focus is on seasonal local ingredients and Executive Chef Thomas Tilaka Kalb’s family recipes, with highlights including a Reuben Ravioli with corned beef, sauerkraut soubise, Old Witch cheese, rye, cornichons and mustard cream during dinner and a Turkey Monte Cristo for brunch stuffed with young Brick cheese and raspberry pepper jam.
New Apéro Hour at Juliet -> Parisian-inspired Juliet in Culver City recently launched an Apéro Hour. Modeled after L’apéro, an early evening snack and drink tradition in France, Juliet’s Apéro Hour is available daily from 3 to 5 p.m. at the bar and on the patio. Guests can enjoy a special menu of bites from oysters ($4) to Mousse au Foi de Volaille, a chicken liver tartlet with apple gelée ($14) mindfully paired with a rotating selection of wines from small producers in select regions in France.
Happy Hour at Ms Chi Cafe -> Starting this Wednesday, Top Chef Alum Shirley Chung’s Ms Chi Cafe will launch a $6 happy hour menu featuring American Chinese eats, wine and beer. Happy hour runs Wednesday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. Highlights include Salt & Pepper Tots, Lion’s Head Meatballs, Dumplings, Potstickers and Chicken Jiaozi.
Wine Wednesdays at asterid -> On Wednesday, July 5, Chef Ray Garcia’s asterid in Downtown will launch Wine Wednesdays offering diners half off all bottles of wine as well as a rotating selection of wines by the glass for $12.
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