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Los Angeles provides no limit of things to do, some awesome and some not so awesome. Since time is precious in this fast paced city we curate a list of things to do in Los Angeles for every weekend that’ll help you decide how you want to spend your limited supply of attention (not to mention dollars!).
This weekend in L.A. from Friday, July 19 to Sunday, July 21 features Delicious Little Tokyo, the Margarita Showdown, Apollo 11 celebrations and screenings, the South Pasadena Arts Crawl, POW! WOW! Long Beach, the return of Smorgasburg LA’s 3rd Annual Ice Cream Alley and MUCH more.
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Remember you can always go to our L.A. events calendar page to get an updated rundown of what’s happening around the city.
Hope you find the rundown useful and, as always, enjoy your weekend!
Keep in mind that while we retain complete editorial control of our content, for some of the ticketing options provided we utilize affiliate links and receive a commission if you purchase through our links.
Friday July 19th, 2019
1. CRYSTALLINE: Brazil’s Crystal Giants is the latest exhibition at Rhythm Visuals Gallery in DTLA. The exhibit showcases a bevy of Brazil’s biggest gems, including a 2000-pound Amethyst Violet Throne you can actually sit on. The gallery is open Tuesday-Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2.The Griffith Observatory celebrates the 50th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 11 with a screening of CNN Films’Apollo 11 along with a party on the rooftop of the iconic observatory.
3. The 4th Annual Delicious Little Tokyo returns for a two-day culinary experience. Foodies will get to taste a wide variety of cuisines from Little Tokyo’s restaurants while partaking in food related walking tours, workshops, cooking demos, and more. Some events are free and some are ticketed.
4. Movie Under The Guns is a free movie night aboard the Battleship Iowa in San Pedro. This week they’ll screen Up. FREE
5. dineL.A. Restaurant Week returns for a 15-day dining event that highlights the diverse and exciting culinary experiences Los Angeles has to offer. On July 12 – 26, patrons can enjoy specially-priced lunch and dinner menus at over 400 participating restaurants throughout the city. Peek our rundown of The Best $15 Menus During dineL.A. (July 12-26) You Have to Try for starters.
6. Back for the 16th year in a row, The Independent Shakespeare Co. presents Shakespeare in the Park at the Old Zoo in Griffith Park with a free performance of Twelfth Night Wednesday through Sunday. FREE
7. Yappy Hour 2019 comes to the Hammer Museum on Friday for a pet adoption party co-presented by Pug Nation and Mutt Hut Rescue. The event offers attendees the chance to adopt a new furry friend with cocktails, wine, and beer available for purchase. FREE
8. Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival returns on July 18 – 28 for eleven days of world-class films, panels, and parties. More than 150 feature and short films will be screened. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
9. The Los Angeles Zoo’s annual after-hours music series, Roaring Nights, is back for summer 2019. Come experience a party atmosphere featuring DJs, bands, a Silent Disco combined with animal talks and feedings plus a number of food trucks. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
10. The Silver Lake Picture Show screens Coco at Sunset Triangle Plaza.
11. The Music Center’s Dance DTLA features live music and/or DJs paired with expert dance instructors providing beginner group dance lessons for attendees. Each night has a different dance theme. The series continues with Argentine Tango at Grand Park/Olive Court. Dance DTLA continues on select Fridays through August 30. FREE
12. The Norton Simon Museum presents The Female Gaze a female-centric film series highlighting French women directors. Presented in conjunction with the exhibition The Sweetness of Life: Three 18th-Century French Paintings, this Friday the museum will screen Chocolat. The screenings are free with guest admission ticket.
13. Sierra Madre Shakespeare Festival 2019 returns for its fifth year with the comedy “Much Ado About Nothing” at Sierra Madre Memorial Park. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and picnics as they enjoy the show. FREE
14. The Hammer will screen two award-winning films shot in Rome as part of the series Runaway Hollywood: Global Production in the Postwar World. This Friday Roman Holiday and Three Coins In The Fountain will be screened.
15. Odd Nights At The Autry feature a collection of over 200 vendors, 20 gourmet food trucks, a beer garden, custom handmade treasures and live local bands.
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16. Shakespeare By The Sea will once again offer a ten-week program of admission-free performances with two featured productions: The Comedy of Errors and Henry V at a variety of venues across Los Angeles Wednesday through Saturday. FREE
17. Old Pasadena Summer Cinema screens Enchanted on Friday evening and then Singles and Coco on Saturday. FREE
18. Spend the season sipping wine during sunset hour at Barnsdall Art Park’s Friday Night Wine Party Series. Happening on the lawn of architectural gem the Hollyhock House, the evening features a fine selection of wines curated by Silverlake Wine, a live DJ and tours of the house. The series happens every Friday evening till September 6.
19. Summer Friday Night Drive-In at the Roadium returns every Friday evening from June 7 to August 30 to revive your favorite films in a classic 1950’s drive-in setting. The series continues with a screening of Selena.
20. The City of Pasadena hosts Parks After Dark a season of free activities including sports, fitness classes, arts & crafts and much more offered to youth, families and individuals every Thursday through Saturday from July 10 through August 10. FREE
21. Grand Central Market hosts Friday Night Flights this Friday starting at noon. The special includes a flight of drinks or bites from GCM vendors and a round trip ticket on the historic Angels Flight Railway right across the street for $15.
22. The Department of Beaches and Harbors presents Beach Movie Nights at Dockweiler Youth Center every Friday. This week they will screen Hotel Transylvania 3. FREE
Saturday July 20th, 2019
23. The Columbia Memorial Space Center in Downey celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing. Guests are encouraged to wear 1960’s attire and enjoy meet-and-greets with spacecraft engineers, partake in lunar activities, view on the big screen the historic moon landing and watch the outdoor screening of the award-winning documentary Apollo 11. FREE
24. Composers and filmmakers create scores to be performed live by the recording ensemble, Helix Collective at the 6th annual Los Angeles Live Score Film Festival at Barnsdall Art Park’s Gallery Theatre.
25. Union Station will bring world-class magicians into the historic building for an evening of Magic & Mystery. The free event will feature a variety of magic styles from card tricks to mentalists and illusionists all happening under the stars in the station’s South Patio from 6-9 p.m. FREE
26. The 1st Annual Margarita Showdown comes to Highland Park on July 20 for an evening of drinks, food, music, and a margarita showdown contest. Margarita makers from around the city will come together for a fun competition to see who can make the best margarita in Los Angeles. Tickets are currently sold out online but will be available in limited quantities at the door.
27. Eat|See|Hear returns for 2019 with a screening of Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion at LA State Historic Park. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
28. Head to the rooftop of Grand Central Market for a movement and meditation class with yoga instructor Erin Rose Ward presented by botanical prebiotic soda brand OLIPOP. Guests will also get some sweet swag from yoga brand Outdoor Voices. The class is complimentary but you need to rsvp. FREE
29. The Venice Beach Music Fest returns to Windward Plaza Park July 20 – 21 for its 14th year of free performances from top musical acts, art, and dance. FREE
30. Guerrilla Tacos will be celebrating their one year anniversary this Saturday night. Festivities start at 10 p.m. in the bar and on the patio with DJ’s spinning tunes, a live mural painting on Mateo St. $1 asada tacos by Wes Avila on the patio, and the bar will roll out special Rémy Martin cocktails for the night plus Rémy Martin shots for $8. A raffle with prizes from neighboring businesses will also be held. There is no cover to attend and the party ends at 2 a.m.
31. The South Pasadena Arts Crawl will have local businesses on Mission Street, and the adjacent blocks open late to host art exhibitions, live music, open houses, special sales, and dining specials.
32. The Little Literary Fair celebrates indie booksellers and creators with a free fair featuring over 20 publishers, panels and discussions at Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles from July 20-21.
33. Apollo 11: The Immersive Live Show retells the tale of the first moon landing using 40,000 square feet of 360-degree graphics beaming from 32 total projectors, and an almost full-scale replica of the mylar-draped Command Module Columbia. And of course the timing couldn’t be more perfect, with the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission coming up later this month. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
34. Street Food Cinema returns this weekend with a screening of Anchor Man and Star Wars: A New Hope at two popular Los Angeles locations. (DISCOUNTED) via Goldstar
35. Think Tank Gallery is teaming up with Pizzaboyzzz and Future Fantasy Delight to present Nothing Cheezy a pizza-fueled, self-aware, selfie-themed pop-up thats a little bit satire and is intentionally too encompassing to be captured in a picture, thus forcing viewers to live inside the art. This is a ticketed experience that takes guests through the “craziest kitchen you’ve ever seen” and thirteen themed environments plus pizza of course.
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36. Wallis Annenberg PetSpace welcomes Steven Latham of PBS series, Shelter Me for a special Animal Matters session this Saturday. Latham will discusses and shares moments from the show and give the audience a sneak peek at the next episode. FREE
37. A colorful, winding installation called The Second Home Serpentine Pavilion is now open at the La Brea Tar Pits for the summer and its 100% free for the public to roam and explore. The pavilion is open daily and will run through November 24. FREE
38. Cinespia is back for its 18th summer season, at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery for screenings of films modern, cult, and classic. This Saturday they will screen Dumb and Dumber. Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi will be screened Sunday.
39. Stans Bike Shop’s 5th Annual “TOUR De TACO” is a summer evening ride starting in Azusa with over a hundred riders who have a passion for tacos. Rider will try some of the San Gabriel Valleys best taco eateries, including Castanedas ground beef hard shell tacos, Fish N More seafood tacos, Tacos Don Cuco Tijuana style street tacos and even Tardinos Italian Restaurant is in on the fun with an ” Italian Taco Special” exclusively for the event.
40. Propel Co:Labs Fitness Festival hits Santa Monica July 20-21 for two days filled with heart-pumping workouts, live music and holistic wellness. There will be over 50 workouts led by top instructors set to live musical performances by artists including Ciara, Charlie XCX and Chromeo. Each day will also feature healthy local bites and fitness related offers.
41. City of Rancho Palos Verdes presents Free Movies in the Park at Civic Center. The series continues with a screening of Smallfoot. FREE
42. andSons Chocolatiers will host a fine chocolate tasting of their beautiful bonbons, created by Master Chocolatier and Chef Kriss Harvey. Chocolate Sommelier Sophia Rea and former editor at Bon Appetit Mara Papatheodorou will host the tasting providing informative and mouthwatering tidbits into the world of chocolate.
43. Fitbit will host a run/walk, core burning workout and stretch at Echo Park Lake this Saturday. Bring a yoga mat, towel and sunscreen. FREE
44. The Hollywood Roosevelt will host an intimate Vintage Market Pop-Up at the hotel’s Tropicana Garden. Independent designers, vintage vendors and local artisans will be featured.
45. The Valley Cultural Foundation presents Movies on the Green at Warner Ranch Park. This weekend they will screen Ralph Breaks the Internet. FREE
Sunday July 21st, 2019
46. POW! WOW! Long Beach – one of the largest mural events in the nation returns to Long Beach for a week-long festival highlighting murals by local and international artists, hosting special events and more. The public art experience is free and open to the public. Opening night will take place on Sunday at BEVEL, as curated by Thinkspace Gallery with new and old works by POW! WOW! artists. The week to come includes a KCRW Summer Nights party and pool party.
47. Last Podcast On The Left take their true crime and paranormal show live and straight to a fitting L.A. icon: The Hollywood Forever Cemetery this Sunday.
48. Forward Rhythm spins tunes at Grand Park’s Sunday Sessions, a free outdoor dance party on the park’s Performance Lawn.
49. The 3rd Annual Los Angeles Westside Food & Wine Festival takes over Courtyard by Marriott LA Westside with an all inclusive tasting event with premium wines, beer, spirits, and gourmet bites.
50. Latin American artist Natalia Lafourcade teams up with LA Phil conductor Gustavo Dudamel for a night of music at the Hollywood Bowl.
51. Downward Grog is partnering with Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream for National Ice Cream Day for an all-levels welcomed yoga class plus ice cream on the patio of the scoop shops Larchmont location.
52. Silents Under the Stars screens THE KID BROTHER at Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills. Tickets are available at the door for $10 and go towards rebuilding the Western Town at Paramount Ranch.
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53. The City of West Hollywood’s Summer Sounds Outdoor Concert Series continues with a performance by funk and soul artist Martin Luther McCoy. FREE
54. Wild & Weird Comedy celebrates their one year anniversary with a hilarious free show at Bar Lubitsch in West Hollywood. FREE
Food Pick for the Week
This week’s pick by Christina Champlin, Co-Founder of We Like L.A.
Smorgasburg LA’s 3rd Annual Ice Cream Alley returns bigger and better than ever with awesome scoop vendors, plus its own dedicated beer garden with extended hours until 6 p.m. It starts this Sunday and runs every week through September 1. The annual event showcases local and pop-up ice cream makers alongside one-of-a-kind collaborations and special creations made by Smorgasburg LA regulars.
Vendors participating this year includes beloved brands McConnell’s and Sweet Rose Creamery. Smorgasburg’s regular weekly frozen treat vendors Wanderlust Creamery, Sweet & Hollow, Buddy Pops and Madame Shugah will also be scooping. Additionally, Evil Cooks’ will serve their award winning dessert tacos, while Afters Ice Cream will collaborate with Weedmaps on something funky.
Throughout the summer a rotating cast of vendors will keep ice cream fans coming back for more. This includes an appearance by Big Softee, recognized for their signature Asian inspired flavors, coffeeshop Go Get em Tiger, Oatly, and more. Even non-ice cream vendors will host ice cream specials. Smoreology will roll out a s’mores ice cream sandwiches and vegan friendly Donut Friend will introduce Creamo- a new house-made vegan ice cream.
Dates for select participants are still being secured, keep up with the news by following Smorgasburg on Instagram.
Smorgasburg LA’s Ice Cream Alley is free to enter, but guests pay for the sweets and treats as the explore the 80+ vendors at the outdoor destination.
Smorgasburg LA is located at ROW DTLA 777 Alameda St, Los Angeles, California 90021
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