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World Cup finale weekend? Let’s do it.
On deck for this red hot July 17-19 in Los Angeles, you’ll find Salsa Night at Ivy Station, Pot Gardens Open House, World Cup watch parties, COAST 2026 in Santa Monica, Latin Sounds at LACMA, A Great Day in East L.A. at Central Library, a WONDER-FULL Tribute to the Music of Stevie Wonder at Grand Performances, Shakespeare by the Sea, and more.
Things To Do This Weekend
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Yoshiki at the Disney Concert Hall – M > This Thursday and Friday, Walt Disney Concert Hall hosts global icon, composer, and classically trained pianist Yoshiki for Classical 2026. This special post-surgery performance, titled “Scarlet Night,” marks a monumental rebirth with an emotional fusion of cinematic mastery and orchestral power. It’s going to be epic. Tickets start from $56. More info here.
Shakespeare by the Sea – FA > The 29th anniversary season of Shakespeare By the Sea continues this weekend with performances of Macbeth at Polliwog Park in Manhattan Beach this Thursday and Friday, plus shows at Garfield Park in South Pasadena on Saturday and Sunday. All shows start at 7 p.m. and are free to attend. Performances run at locations throughout L.A. and Orange County through July 25. More info here.
The Music Center’s Dance DTLA – M FA -> Free evening dance parties continue at The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza every Friday through August 8. At Dance DTLA, instructors will be on hand to teach guests easy-to-follow steps, allowing everyone to get into the groove right from the jump. This week features an evening of Reggaeton with instructor Dennis Guzman and music by DJ CQUESTT. The event is always free to attend, and always all-ages. Start at 7 p.m. More info here.
Salsa Night at Ivy Station – M FA > This Friday, Ivy Station in Culver City hosts Salsa Night, a vibrant outdoor summer dance series held on the open-air plaza. The evening begins with a free introductory salsa dance lesson led by instructor Pepe Gonzalez, followed by live music and open dancing featuring the Fermin Fusion Salsa band. Attendees can purchase food and refreshments from surrounding local restaurants and a rotating food truck parked near Los Angeles Ale Works. Admission is free. Fun starts at 6:30 p.m. More info here.
Beach Movie Night at Dockweiler – FA > The Department of Beaches and Harbors is hosting Beach Movie Nights Dockweiler Youth Center on Fridays this Summer. Next up this Friday, catch a screening of Goat. Starts at 8 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
#Standing4BlackGirls Music and Poetry Festival – FA > On Saturday at the Wende Museum’s Glorya Kaufman Community Center, catch a special concert spotlighting gender-based violence advocacy through creative expression. Headlined by internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter-guitarist Malina Moye, the all-ages event features multi-genre musical and spoken word performances by Black female-identifying and queer artists, including Mystical Joyride, Naomi Wilson, and talented local youth musicians. Admission is free. Runs 4 to 8 p.m. More info here.
Pot Gardens Open House – FA > This Saturday, Pot Gardens in Jefferson Park hosts its 9th Anniversary Open House, a family-friendly community celebration showcasing the studio’s ceramic arts. The all-ages event features hands-on clay activities, wheel-throwing demonstrations, a dedicated kids’ clay zone, and a large ceramics sample sale alongside exclusive discounts on pottery classes. Attendees can also browse new merchandise, enter prize raffles, and purchase food from local street vendors. Admission is free. Runs 3 to 7 p.m. More info here.
Self Care: Yoga at CAAM – M FA > This Saturday, California African American Museum hosts another edition of their monthly Self-Care Yoga series. Expect a 60-minute flow with yoga and meditation teacher Constance Hartwell, designed for practitioners of all experience levels. Just make sure to bring your own mat. Runs 11 a.m. to noon. More info here.
Latin Sounds at LACMA – M FA > Hancock Park at LACMA hosts another installment of Latin Sounds this Saturday, a free outdoor summer music series featuring world-renowned global artists. This week’s catch a performance by the Lily H. Clark Quartet, led by the acclaimed Cuban singer and bandleader who performs a rich repertoire of son montuno, bolero, bossa nova, and Latin jazz. Attendees can enjoy the live waterfront performance while purchasing food from on-site vendor Kreung Kitchen. Admission is free. Runs 5 to 7 p.m. More info here.
Grand Performances – M FA > This Saturday, Grand Performances continues their 2026 concert series with a WONDER-FULL Tribute to the Music of Stevie Wonder, billed as a a vibrant, inter-generational outdoor dance party celebrating the legendary artist’s vast musical catalog. Marking the 20th anniversary of the tribute event and the 50th anniversary of the seminal album Songs in the Key of Life, the evening features headlining producer DJ Spinna spinning classic tracks, rare remixes, and music Stevie Wonder produced for other artists. The event also includes sets by DJ Monalisa, hosting by MC Cognito, and special guest appearances. Admission is free. Runs 6 to 10 p.m. More info here.
Chalk-A-Doodle Festival 2026 – FA > Glendale Marketplace hosts the free, family-friendly Chalk-A-Doodle Festival, this Saturday. The event features live chalk murals created by neighborhood artists along the walkways, an interactive community doodle station, and a collaborative public gallery. Attendees can explore artisan pop-up vendors, family activities, live music, and special marketplace business offers leading directly into Glendale Cruise Night. Admission is free. Runs 1 to 6 p.m. More info here.
World Cup Watch Parties -> The final weekend of World Cup has arrived. On tap is the third place match on Saturday at 2 p.m. between France and England, followed by the final match on Sunday at noon between Spain and Argentina. Just a few of the options include the LA Galaxy Soccer Celebration in Hermosa Beach, Getty Center Watch Parties, viewings at Grand Central Market in downtown Los Angeles, Watch Parties at the Hammer, Ovation Hollywood, or The Regent Theater.
COAST 2026 – M FA TP > If you want to go really big for the World Cup Finale, head to Santa Monica this Sunday for COAST 2026, an open streets festival featuring live performances, family-friendly activities, local vendors, art, giveaways, and of course livestreams of the World Cup final match. Programming runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It’s all free to attend. More info here.
LA Made x La Plaza presents: A Great Day in East L.A. – M FA > This Sunday at Central Library, experience a special presentation of A Great Day in East L.A., a multi-media exhibition co-organized with LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes. Moderated by Rubén Martínez, the event features an in-depth panel conversation exploring the rich history and cultural legacy of the Eastside Sound, alongside exhibit creator Piero F. Giunti and local music icons including Ozomatli’s Uli Bella. The afternoon of storytelling and history concludes with a live musical performance by the band Very Be Careful. While admission is free and reservations are not required, RSVPing in advance is highly encouraged. Runs 2 to 4:30 p.m. More info here.
Reading Rhythms at Chado Tea House -> This Sunday, Chado Tea Room in Hollywood hosts Between the Pages, a cozy community reading session presented in partnership with Reading Rhythms. Book lovers are invited to bring whatever book they are currently reading for a relaxed literary gathering focused on shared reading and meaningful conversation. Attendees have the optional opportunity to purchase an exclusive themed afternoon tea service at the venue featuring blooming tea, gourmet tea sandwiches, fresh scones, and premium loose-leaf selections. Tickets are $18. Runs 4 to 7 p.m. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Wife and the Somm Simplicity of Summer Series (Through July 26) -> Two of the most enjoyable things about summer collide at Wife and the Somm: exceptional produce and an excuse to linger over a long dinner. Chef Frank Ryan Saporito’s Supper Series “Simplicity of Summer” is a three-course prix-fixe built around the season’s freshest ingredients for $55 per person. Highlights include Grilled and Chilled Artichoke Hearts, Macerated Local Peaches with Malt Vinaigrette and Rose Geranium, and a Wagyu Flank Steak with Local Carrot Purée and Stone Fruit Agro Dolce. Round out the evening with a Summer Wine Flight ($25) or the Somm Select Wine Pairing ($45), curated by Sommelier Chris Lucchese to complement each course.
Louis Coffee Bar $1 Drinks Grand Opening (July 17) -> Family-owned Louis Coffee Bar officially opens its doors this Friday with every drink on the menu for just $1, all day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The creative menu spans straightforward lattes to inventive originals like the Hollywood Haze, a blend of earl grey and espresso, and the Freeze, an icy take on matcha. More info here.
The Great Ice Cream Fair at Smorgasburg (July 19) -> Smorgasburg celebrates National Ice Cream Day this Sunday with the annual Great Ice Cream Fair, a special edition of the ongoing Ice Cream Alley. Expect exclusive frozen treats, a banana split booth, ice cream portraits, kid-friendly activities, DJs, and more. The sweetest Sunday of the summer.
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