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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 weekend, from July 2 to July 4, features the reopening of Smorgasburg, Fourth of July at the Hollywood Bowl, Americafest at the Rose Bowl, a movie and fireworks at Hollywood Forever, the Day Trip Festival, LOTS of Independence Day food specials, and more!
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Friday / All Weekend
1. Griffith Observatory -> The L.A. icon is now reopen Fridays through Sundays (except July 4), and will also host a special virtual version of All Space Considered this Friday on YouTube starting at 7:30 p.m.
2. Summer Fridays at ROW DTLA -> Every other Friday starting July 2, Shopping destination ROW DTLA will offer after-hours retail hours, food trucks on-site, live music, and a rose and oyster bar from Chesapeake Bay’s Rappahannock Oyster Bar. Get more info on ROW’s summer programming here.
3. The Art of the Brick -> The latest exhibit at the California Science Center showcase the world’s largest display of LEGO® art. Timed-entry required for the museum. Special exhibit prices run $19.75 for adults and $12.75 for kids. More details here.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
Saturday
7. Fourth of July Spectacular -> The Hollywood Bowl celebrates Independence Day with two nights (Saturday + Sunday) of concerts featuring Kool and the Gang, plus Thomas Wilkins and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and one of the city’s most enchanting fireworks displays. Details here.
8. Day Trip Festival -> Groove to house music all day long when Day Trip Festival takes over SoFi Stadium July 3-4. Musical line up includes Chromeo, Diplo, Meduza, AC Slater, Tchami, Sofi Tukker and more. General admission tickets cost $49.99 each day.
9. Big Bang on the Bay Fireworks Cruise -> Want fireworks without the crowd? Hitch a ride on a July 3 cruise in Long Beach taking in a fireworks display from Alamitos Bay. Tickets are $50 per adult. Full details here.
10. The Autry -> The Autry Museum in Griffith Park is now reopened to the public with two new exhibitions: Four Centuries of Pueblo Pottery and Making a Big Noise: The Explorations of Charles Lummis. More info here.
11. Thinkspace Gallery -> Starting July 3, Thinkspace will present a new limited-run exhibition entitled Real Life is Fragile, group shows featuring 10 creative artists from West African. Artist’s reception from 5 to 9 p.m. this Saturday. Show ends on July 10. Admission is free, but limited. Masks required. More info here.
12. Street Food Cinema -> The 10th season of SFC continues with a screening Grease at Victory Park in Pasadena. 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.
Sunday
13. Smorgasburg Reopens -> ROW DTLA’s weekly outdoor food market returns with a grand reopening this Sunday, July 4. Expect dublab DJ’s spinning tunes plus dozens of food and lifestyle vendors with bites and wares for sale. Free admission. More info here.
14. July 4th Fireworks in Marina del Rey -> Watch Marina del Rey light up the sky this July 4th at Burton Chace Park, Fisherman’s Village, Marina “Mother’s” Beach, waterfront hotels and restaurants, and on boats. Fireworks start at 9pm and will run for 10-minutes. Additional details here.
15. 95th Annual AmericaFest -> The annual Independence Day celebration at the Rose Bowl features a TNT Freestyle Motocross show, special live musical performances, and the self-described “biggest fireworks display in SoCal. GA tickets start at $20. Get more information here.
16. Fourth of July Celebration at Shoreline Village Long Beach -> Head out to Shoreline Village for all-day live musical performances (starting at noon) leading up to a fireworks show at 9 p.m. Limited parking is $25. More details here.
17. Fourth of July at Hollywood Forever -> Cinespia celebrates Independence Day with a screening of Dirty Dancing at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery followed by post-screening fireworks. GA tickets start at $42. More info here.
18. Pacific Palisades Fourth of July Parade -> The annual July 4th fireworks show at Palisades High School begins at 9 p.m. $5 GA tickets, Get tickets and more information here.
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19. Legacies of Exchange ->The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) presents Legacies of Exchange: Chinese Contemporary Art from the Yuz Foundation. Featuring Ai Weiwei, Huang Yong Ping, Wang Guangyi, Xu Bing, and more, the exhibition brings together 20 works of Chinese contemporary art created by 15 artists in response to international trade, political conflict, and global artistic exchange. Runs through Feb. 13, 2022.
20. Hollywood Artisans Market -> Every-other-Sunday the Hollywood Artisans Market pops up with an upscale outdoor market highlighting local makers in clothings, crafts and food.
Dining
21. Pasta|Bar Family Style Service -> In addition to Phillip Frankland Lee and Margarita Kallas-Lee’s chef counter experience at Pasta|Bar, the seasonally focused tasting menu hot spot just launched a ‘Kitchen Table’ option offering parties of four to six guests the opportunity to dine at their very own private table. The family-style experience costs $165 per person, and will include a collection of off menu creations including Whole Fried Loup de Mer with Chimichurri, Grilled Lemon and Summer Vegetables. Reservations for Pasta|Bar and the ‘Kitchen Table’ can be made via TOCK.
22. Uncool Burgers -> If burgers are on your checklist for the holiday weekend and if you’re a fan of the smashburger then check out Uncool Burgers in Larchmont. The burger spot is also extremely vegan friendly with a plant-based menu that’s almost identical to the original menu.
23. The Pie Hole -> Apple pie on Independence Day is a classic move and The Pie Hole is making their version available by the slice, as a whole pie, as a two-bite Pie Hole and in an Apple Crumble Caramel Pie Pint. Items are available for pick-up or delivery online and at the local pie shop locations.
24. The Waterfront -> The Venice beach restaurant has put together a special 4th of July menu that includes a seafood tower ($130) of crab claws, oysters, shrimp and Ahi Tuna crudo; lobster roll ($20); bucket of wings ; a hotdog & tots ($18) and grilled corn ($12)
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25. Brooklyn Ave. Pizza Co. July 4th Specials -> Boyle Heights’ Brooklyn Avenue Pizza Company is offering a July 4th Jumbo Wing Party Pack for those hosting a celebration at home. Choose from Buffalo, BBQ Habanero, or Fire Cracker Wings featuring spicy sauce, jalapeno, sesame and tempura crackle, with choice of blue cheese, ranch, or chipotle caesar dip available in 24 pieces ($40), 36 pieces ($50), and 48 pieces ($65). All orders come with house papas with optional add-ons for large format cocktails (serves 6-8; $40-$60), bottles of wine ($10 red or white, $20 liter of rosé), or a 6-pack of Calidad beer ($25). Party Packs are available via Toast with pick-up on Saturday or Sunday. The restaurant is also open for dine-in for folks to enjoy the Fire Cracker Wings and a Red, White & Blue cocktail with your choice of white rum or tequila, blue curacao, pineapple, grenadine & coconut water.
26. Randy’s Donuts -> To celebrate Independence Day Randy’s Donuts will bring back their 4th of July Donut made of either chocolate cake or chocolate raised donuts covered with blue vanilla icing and patriotic sprinkles. Available at all Randy’s locations the donuts are priced $2.85-2.95 per donut.
27. BOA Steakhouse 4th of July at Home Meal Packages -> BOA Steakhouse in West Hollywood and Santa Monica will be offering grilling, bbq and full meal packages for 4th of July. Options include a BBQ Wagyu Burger Basket, DIY dinner for two, and an Italian (Spaghetti & kobe meatballs) or Brooklyn (Brooklyn-style Porterhouse) inspired dinner for two.
28. Hermanito -> For 4th of July Hermanito will offer five Pibil Tacos for $28. Made with Pead & Barnett’s pork, the meat is braised and smoked then topped with cilantro, onions, hibiscus pickled onion, toasted sesame seeds and scallions served with a side of grilled lime.
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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