33 Fun Things to do This Father’s Day Weekend in L.A. [6-18-2021 to 6-20-2021]

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A view of the Hollywood Sign from Captain’s Roost. Photo by Christina Champlin.

As Los Angeles finds its way out of the pandemic and restrictions gradually ease, we’re continuing our bi-weekly round-ups of fun to-dos, mixing in the occasional online/virtual event with an ever-growing listen of in-person experiences.

This Father’s Day weekend, from June 18 to June 20, features tons of Father’s Day food ideas, Juneteenth celebrations, pop-up markets, drive-in movies, an immersive audio play series, a Freedom Day Walk, and more!

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Friday / All Weekend

1. Marina Drive-In Movies -> The Marina Del Rey drive-in movie series kicks off this weekend with two nights of screenings. Shrek and Captain America: The First Avenger play Friday followed by The Lego Movie and Iron Man on Saturday night. Tickers run $20 per car (includes all passengers), max 8 people per vehicle. See the full schedule for the season and reserve a spot here.

2. RECONNECTING: A Vision of Unity -> A new exhibit by artist Kengo Kito is now on display at Japan House LA. Kito’s work takes 2,021 hula hoops to create a massive, unified art piece that explores issues of connection and re-connection in the wake of the past year’s unprecedented events. Admission is free to the gallery. Walk-ins accept, reservations are recommend. Exhibits runs from June 16 to Sep. 6. Learn more here.

3. StarChefs Restaurant Week -> StarChefs, the restaurant industry magazine spotlights its Rising Stars list with the launch of a Restaurant Week from June 16 through June 30 inviting the public to experience dishes, pastries, wine pairings, and cocktails at the forefront of American dining.

4. Chalk Lines -> Chalk Repertory Theatre has produced a series of five immersive audio plays that explore historically diverse neighborhoods of Los Angeles, including Leimert Park, Exposition Park, and West Adams. Listeners can stream the plays at home or on location with a mobile device starting June 18. More info here.

5. The Huntington -> Enjoy the gardens during twilight hours Fridays through Sundays when The Huntington hosts Summer Evening Strolls from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. June through August. Advance tickets ($20 per adult) are required.

6. Pride Publics -> Pride Publics: Words and Actions brings issues of LGBTQ+ community action, struggle and progress into focus through a series of 28 large-scale posters installed on the east side of Robertson Blvd, just south of Santa Monica Blvd. The works will be on view through July 1. More info here.

7. Self Help Graphics & Art Print Fair -> Self Help Graphic’s annual art print fair is going virtual this year, with new prints released online every week in June, beginning today. Browse a selection of new and limited edition serigraphs, reliefs and intaglio prints created by over twenty artists. Proceeds support the ongoing mission of Self Help Graphics and Art. More info here.

8. Rainbow Road Art Walk -> To celebrate Pride month, Santa Monica place is hosting a self-guided art experience of 13 colorful installations created by LGBTQIA+ artists. Runs June 4-30. More info here.

9. Love Note -> Rogue Ensemble has a new interactive audio expedition that invites guests to Plummer Park in WeHo, now through June 30. Per a release, Love Note is an “in-real-life audio experience that guides audiences through a twisted collection of love stories, meditative romance and lost connections.” The experience is free, but a smartphone and headphones are required. Plummer Park is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. More info and instructions for attendees can be found here.

10. Jazz Night at Runway Playa Vista -> Enjoy live jazz music every Friday from 5-8 p.m. all summer. Grab food from Runway vendors and snag outdoor seating on Town Center Drive.

11. Urban Death Trail of Torment -> Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre has a new walk-thru attraction kicks off this Thursday. Per a release, the 20-minute experience takes visitors on a journey through “dimly-lit labyrinth straight into our phantasmagoria.” A $35 ticket is good for entry for two. Runs on Fridays and Saturdays, now extended through June 26 Get tickets here.

12. Elsewhere At the Madcap Motel  -> The retro space features over a dozen rooms full of interactive and photo-friendly moments interwoven with a sci-fi narrative. Runs Thursday to Sunday through the end of June. Read We Like L.A.’s full right up on the experience here.

13. Dances in the Open -> L.A. Dance Project returns with in-person performaces featuring two works: New Taylor, choreographed by former NYCB Principal dancer Janie Taylor, and Solo at Dusk, choreographed by Bobbi Jene Smith, in collaboration with Or Schraiber. Tickets start at $50 per person, $25 for students, and $175 for benching seating that accommodates 4-5. Happening Wednesdays to Sundays through June 25. More info and tickets here.

Saturday

14. The Fountain’s Juneteenth Celebration -> The Fountain Theatre celebrates Juneteenth with a free public gathering featuring dance music from D.J. Earry Hall, plus a small marketplace will items for sale from Black food vendors and artisans. The public event immediately follows a performance of the Obie award-winning play An Octoroon by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins (separately ticketed), which begins at 5 p.m. More info here.

15. Leimert Plaza Reopening -> After three years of construction closures, the Leimert Park Plaza is reopening this Saturday with a special celebrationAs part of the festivities, the S.H.I.N.E. Muwasi Drum Circle will perform to celebrate the reopening as well as commemorate the Juneteenth holiday. Free to the public. More info here.

16. Cat-O-Rama -> This Saturday, Annenberg Petspace is hosting a day-long adoption event featuring meet-and-greets, free food and drinks, raffle prizes, and cat-themed games for kids. Free to attend. More info and registration here.

17. Freedom Day Events in Altadena -> On Saturday the Therapeutic Play Foundation, in association with multiple local organizations and partners, is hosting a day of free community events at Loma Alta Park in Altadena. The day’s schedule includes a Juneteenth Freedom Day Walk, a resource fair, mental health panels, and live entertainment. Free to the public. Check-in starts at 9 a.m. Get more info and register for a ticket here.

18. Makers Market -> Creative Communal’s pop-up market brings local makers, live music, photo-ops, and a kid-friendly atmosphere to Runway Playa Vista this Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.

19. Rainbow Drive-In Movie Night -> On Saturday the Scottish Rite Cultural Centre in Long Beach will host an evening of independent movie screenings with a focus on LBGTQ+ films. The evening’s festivities include local food trucks, vendors, and DJ-spun tunes. Tickets run Use promo code “drivein” for 10% off tickets, which start at $50 per car, or $20 for walk-ups. Full details here.

20. Street Food Cinema -> The 10th season of SFC continues with a screening of Black Panther at L.A. State Historic Park and Dirty Dancing at Will Rodgers State Historic Park. Tickets will be sold for socially distanced pods of 2, 4, or 6 attendees. A two-person GA pod starts at $46. Get tickets and more information here.

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21. Nothing But BLK Flea -> Find a gift for dad while supporting black-owned businesses at this Saturday flea market featuring over 30 vendors gathered at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. 10 a.m to 5 p.m. More details here.

22. Cinespia -> Cinespia is going the drive-in route this season with movie screenings at the Greek Theatre. The Muppet Movie screens this Saturday. Tickets cost $18.

23. Hoods Up For Father’s Day -> If dad is a car guy, take him to the Petersen Automotive Museum this Saturday where exhibitors will showcase a peek under the hoods of more than a dozen rare vehicles, plus you’ll be able to explore the 150 cars on display inside the Petersen’s vault. Admission starts at $16 per adult. More info here.

24. The Great L.A. River Cleanup -> Friends of the Los Angeles River (FoLAR) is hosting a pair of trash and debris cleanups along the L.A. River this Saturday. One will be held at the Glendale Narrows Riverwalk, the other at Haskell Creek. Registration information, along with a schedule of other cleanups scheduled for this summer, can be found here.

Sunday

25. LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes -> The largest Latinx pop-up in the country, Molcajete Dominguero is an outdoor Latinx flea market featuring innovative vendors. No registration needed. Doors open at 11 a.m.

26. Hogs, Hops, & Pops -> The Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica once again hosts their Fathers Day bbq event Hogs, Hops, & Pops this year with an afternoon of delicious festivities at poolside kitchen FIG Restaurant. Beers are provided by Santa Monica Brewery and delectable BBQ offerings ( including two free-range heritage bred hogs from Pachamama Farms) will be prepared by Executive Chef Jason Prendergast and Guest Chef Patricio Wise of the internationally acclaimed eatery, Nixtaco Mexican Restaurant. Lawn games will also be available entertainment. Tickets available for booking now via Tock for $55 per guest, children 10 and under receive complimentary entry. 

27. Melrose Trading Post -> This weekly flea market takes place every Sunday at Fairfax Highschool Starting at 9 a.m., and this week the event will host live musical performances onsite for the first time in over a year. Admission costs $5. More info here.

28. Beverly Hills Tour d’Elegance -> The City of Beverly Hills celebrates Father’s Day with a special car parade along Rodeo Drive featuring some 50 rare and exotic automobiles driven by local collectors and celebrities. Runs 10 to 11 a.m. on Sunday. More info here.

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Dining

29. The Milky Way -> Pico-Robertson’s fine kosher restaurant The Milky Way will host Sunday brunch to celebrate Father’s Day. Brunch includes Peach Bellinis, Brioche French Toast, Eggs Benedict Florentine, Potato Latkes and more. Live music will be provided by pianist Zak Astor during brunch.The Milky Way will also be offering a $10 bounce back gift card for every person that dines with them this Sunday.

30. Brooklyn Avenue Pizza Company -> On Father’s Day Boyle Heights pizzeria, Brooklyn Avenue Pizza Company is serving a Smoked Brisket Chipotle BBQ Pizza ($15) made in collaboration with David Marin of East LA BBQ Company. The wood-fired pie features mozzarella cheese, scallions, smoked brisket, chipotle BBQ, red onion, bell pepper and cotija cheese. In addition to the pizza special, Brooklyn Ave. Pizza Co. will offer a three-piece signature House Papas ($6), hand-crafted cocktails ($10), and Bottomless Beermosas ($21) to enjoy.

31. The Front Yard – The North Hollywood neighborhood restaurant located at The Garland hotel will offer a $60 Fathers Day special the includes a 16 oz. dry aged bone-in ribeye paired with triple fried fingerling potatoes, grilled asparagus and your choice of a signature cocktail, including a Maple in the Rye, Manhattan, TFY Old Fashion or a glass of slow press Cabernet. 

32. Brunch at Umami Burger -> Starting this Saturday Umami Burger will begin offering brunch on the menu. Diners can enjoy Corn Flake breaded fried chicken & waffles, a pastrami hash with truffle fondue, chilaquiles, a tomatillo highball cocktail and Cinnamon Toast Crunch shake to name a few. Brunch menu is available for in-person dining and delivery.

33. Katsuya -> The trendy Japanese restaurant has reopened with an all-new menu at Brentwood, L.A. Live and Glendale. Menu highlights include truffled beef tataki, sweet prawn shumai, king crab tempura and ginger chicken bao buns. Katsuya will also start delivery service on the CITIZENS GO app this weekend. 


Any notes or corrections? Want to suggest an event we should add to an upcoming list? Hit us up at [email protected].

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