Things to Do This 4th of July Weekend in L.A. [7-1-2022 to 7-4-2022]

Things are about to get a little loud in Los Angeles. The inevitable kaboom of fireworks (both sanctioned and non-sanctioned) will hit eardrums across the Southland over the next few days. You ready? Well, at least there’s a lot do.

This Fourth of July weekend in L.A., you can check out First Fridays at NHM, the Anime Expo in DTLA, Concerts in the Park in Manhattan Beach, Grand Park’s 4th of July Block Party, AmericaFest at the Rose Bowl, an Fourth of July parade in Santa Monica, Movies on the Roof in The Valley, Shakespeare By the Sea in the South Bay, and more. Whatever you do, hope you enjoy the long weekend!

Things To Do

First Friday’s at NHM -> Natural History Museum’s series of plant-centric First Fridays events continues on July 1 with the theme of Mushroom Magic. The evening event puts fungi in focus through a series of digital art installations, pop-up educator presentations, a special discussion, and a short film screening. Plus, catch a 90-minute DJ set by Vegyn along with an assortment of cocktails and small bites for purchase. Tickets start at $20 for adults. More info here.

Shakespeare By the Sea -> The 25th anniversary season of Shakespeare By the Sea continues this Thursday to Saturday with performances of Romeo & Juliet at Point Fermin Park in San Pedro. All shows are free to attend, but donations are gladly accepted. More info here.

One Colorado Movies Under the Stars -> Movies Under the Stars features classic films screened every Friday for the entire month of July at One Colorado in Old Pasadena. The series opens this Friday with a showing of Casablanca at 8:30 p.m. Public seating is first-come, first-served. More info here.

Anime Expo -> Anime Expo’s four-day event returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center this Friday to Monday, offering anime lovers meet-and-greets with anime creators, special panels, Q&A’s, workshops, interactive experiences and so much more. Four-day passes have already sold out, but you can still grab a single day tickets from between $40-$80. More info here.

Outdoor Movies at Skirball -> The Skirball’s outdoor summer movie programming continues This Friday with a screening of Ratatouille. If you’re planning to bring the little ones, the evening includes a kid-friendly viewing lounge and art-making activities. Adult tickets start at $20,  and children 12 and under are free. More info here.

Jazz at LACMA -> This Friday at 6 p.m., the Los Angeles County Museum of Art hosts Billy Mitchell presenting the Circle of Friends at Smidt Welcome Plaza as part of the ongoing Jazz at LACMA series, which continues on Friday evenings through November. Admission is free, however seating is limited and first come, first served. More info here.

Bixby Knolls First Fridays -> The Bixby Knolls monthly art walk returns this Friday, running from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. along Atlantic Ave in Long Beach. Catch art exhibits at The Artist Lot and the Expo Arts Center, plus live music, food deals, discounts, and giveaways at participating businesses along the route. Free to attend. More info here.

626 Night Market -> This Friday to Sunday, The 626 Night Market returns to its flagship location with over 300 food, merch, and craft vendors to Santa Anita Park. Pre-sale tickets are $5, or it’s $6 at the door. More info here.

Movies On The Roof -> My Valley Pass and Westfied Fashion Square have teamed up to produce a new rooftop movie series that features cozy bean bag seating, sweet views, and a lineup of new and classic films. Movies On The Roof runs every Friday and Saturday through the end of August, and tickets are $5, with 100% of the proceeds to benefit Hope Of The Valley. Get more info on the lineup here.

Live at the Arboretum with Sara Evans -> This Saturday, chart-topping country singer Sara Evans comes to the Los Angeles Arboretum on July 2 for a special picnic and concert co-presented by the County of Los Angeles. Tickets start at $15 for GA lawn seating. More info here.

One Colorado Summer Concerts -> One Colorado summer music series continues on Saturday with tunes from L.A. native DJ Sophenom. The four-hour set begins at 6 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.

Shakespeare in The Park -> This year, ISC’s Shakespeare in The Park goes beyond The Bard’s works with a staging of Franicis Beaumont’s Knight of the Burning Pestle on Wednesdays to Sundays, from July 2-31 in Griffith park. Then, beginning August 6, they’ll begins performances of Macbeth, to be held on the same Wednesday-Sunday schedule through September 4. All in all, that’s 10 weeks worth of free shows. More info here.

Eat See Hear -> Outdoor movie series Eat See Hear comes to Centennial Square at Pasadena City Hall on Saturday evening with a screening of Jaws, preceded by tunes from KTJ & Carly and a DJ set from William Reed. Food trucks on hand too, including Heavy Handed, Oaxaca on Wheels, and Monty’s Goodburger. GA tickets start at $20 for adults. Event opens at 6 p.m. More info here.

Concerts in the Park -> This Sunday, the Manhattan Beach Concerts in the Park series return for 2022 with a performance by The Satin Dollz. The event starts at 3 p.m. in Polliwog Park, and the series continues every Sunday through Sep. 4. More info here.

4th of July Things To Do -> Need some ideas for how to spend your Independence Day holiday? Here’s a quick list of the counties biggest happenings and fireworks displays:

• The Hollywood Bowl’s July 4th Fireworks Spectacular with Steve Martin & Martin Short on July 2-4 (ticketed)
• Grand Park’s 4th of July Block Park (free)
• Fourth of July fireworks spectacular at the Long Beach waterfront (free)
• AmericaFest at The Rose Bowl on July 4 (ticketed)
• Marina del Rey fireworks celebration on the waterfront (free)
• The Pacific Palisades July 4th Celebration includes the annual parade (public) and the fireworks display at Palisades Charter High School (ticketed)
• The City of Santa Monica celebrates Independence Day with a Fourth of July Parade along Main Street (free)
• Cinespia offers a trio screenings with accompanying fireworks at Hollywood Forever Cemetery from July 2-4 (ticketed)
• Want more fireworks viewing ideas? The L.A. Times has a handy list of spots to catch shows around the county.

Dining

Irv’s Burger Reopens this Friday -> Irv’s Burgers is back! The Los Angeles roadside burger stand will reopen in West Hollywood on Friday, July 1. Founded in 1946 Irv’s Burgers has served California style cheese burgers to many legends including Frank Sinatra & The Rat Pack, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin.

f*** the rece$$ion Menu at Tesse -> Tesse in West Hollywood recently launched a new “f*** the rece$$ion” prix fixe menu. For $35 per person guests can enjoy a three course menu from chef Raphael Francois. Spotted on the menu is Bucatini with Bone Marrow (add a bone luge for $5) and Sticky Toffee Pudding with vanilla ice cream. A $25 wine pairing can also be added to the recession menu. 

Madeo Ristorante Opens Friday -> Family owned celebrity hot spot Madeo has found a permanent home at the 1 Hotel on the Sunset Strip. The 36 year old Italian institution is open for dinner from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and reservations are required via phone at 310-859-4903.

Fourth of July Dining Suggestions

Trejo’s Tacos Santa Monica location will celebrate the holiday four days in a row (July 1-4) with $18 bottomless nachos for up to four guests and $30 buckets of beer.

Sugar Palm will host a quintessential Californian poolside BBQ on Monday, July 4  from 1-7 p.m. The celebration also includes a DJ, bourbon and local draft beer tastings, and all-American fare. On the menu are cookout favorites, baby back ribs, burgers, Cabana Dawg, potato salad and corn on the cob. Special craft cocktails like “The Dad Bod” made with bacon washed Jack Daniels, charcoal, and habanero infused black ice are also on deck. Reservations via OpenTable or by phone (310-260-7511) are strongly recommended.

Maple Block Meat Co in Culver City will help folks celebrate the holiday with three meaty packages designed to feed four to six people. Choose from a Smoked Tri-Tip Package, Meat Sampler Package (brisket, chopped Pork and spare ribs) and a Smoked Chicken & Chopped Pork Package. All three packages include your choice of two large classic sides, a chopped salad and a choice of buttermilk biscuits or cornbread. All party packs are fully customizable with lots of add-ons available. Orders must be submitted by Friday July 1 for pick-up on Monday July 4. 

Culver City ghost kitchen Krapow is offering their Thai Coco Wings or “Chik on a  Stik” as small, medium or large platters via Tock from July 2-4. The Coco Wings are marinated in a coconut lime sauce and oven grilled. Krapow’s signature “Chik on a Stiks” is made of crispy skin chicken thigh is marinated with Thai spices.

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