Things To Do This Weekend in Los Angeles [6-7-2024 to 6-9-2024]

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People gathering for Chinatown First Fridays at the West Plaza along Chung King Rd. Photo by Christina Champlin.

Ready for a fresh weekend of to-dos?

This June 7-9 in Los Angeles, you’ll find multiple First Friday activations, a new exhibitions celebration at The Hammer, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Grunion Fishtival, the American Indian Arts Festival, the Downtown Burbank Arts Festival, free screenings at Gardena Cinema, a birthday celebration for the city of Pasadena, a June Jubilee at Central Library, and more! Jump into the rundown below to explore all your options.

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Make Metro Part of Your Weekend

Summer Exhibitions Opening Celebration at the HammerFA > On Saturday the Hammer is hosting a summer celebration to welcome several new exhibitions to the gallery, including Refashioning: CFGNY & Wataru Tominaga and David Medalla: In Conversation with the CosmosHouseguest: Mute Flesh, and Hammer Projects: Jordan Strafer. Expect after-hours access to the art (until 10:30 p.m.) plus a cash bar.

Go Metro: Take Line 20/720 along Wilshire Blvd OR take Line 761 to Wilshire / Westwood.

Things To Do This Weekend

M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick

Frogtown First Fridays FA TP > The Frogtown neighborhood celebrate LGBTQ+ pride with a family-friendly event activation this Friday, featuring participating 15 venues including galleries, restaurants and shops, all adjacent to the L.A. River Path in Elysian Valley. Guests can see new art exhibits, enjoy free or low-cost art activities, giveaways, DJ’s and live music. Runs 4 to 9 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.

First Fridays in ChinatownM FA > L.A.’s Chinatown stays open late on Friday for an evening of exploring the unique small businesses and contemporary art and culture spaces that make up the historic neighborhood. West Plaza and Chungking Road will activate with local pop-up vendors, DJ-spun music, and area galleries with extended hours. The June edition of First Fridays runs 6 to 10 p.m. Free to attend, as always. More info here.

Friday Night Wine Tastings at Barnsdall ParkM > After a five-year hiatus, Friday night wine tasting events are back at the Barnsdall Art Park West Lawn. A $45 ticket gets you a flight of wine curated by Silverlake Wine, plus access to a rotation of food trucks, all supported by tunes from local DJs and sweet sunset views of the Hollywood Sign and Griffith Park Observatory. The series continues every Friday through August 30. More info here.

NHM First FridaysM > The 2024 season of First Fridays at Natural History Museum wraps up this Friday with an event theme of “Animal Love.”. Expect live music, DJ sets, live discussion on animal mating habits, a sensory lounge, food trucks, cocktails, and special pop-up experiences. First Fridays run 5 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $20. More info here.

Experimental Sounds of Latin AmericaTP > Head to the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center on Friday to experience a sonic trip through Latin America set against a private Japanese Garden. Music will includes albums from Gal Costa, Rubén Rada, Susana Baca, Vytas Brenner, Sui Generis, Café Tacvba, and more, all curated by the team behind In Sheep’s Clothing and Osmar Romero, co-founder of Caracas-based record store El Marchante. Guests can also enjoy select Japanese whiskey, beer, and wine offerings for purchase. Entry is $12. Starts at 7 p.m. Get more info here.

Bixby Knolls First Fridays -> The June edition of First Fridays along Atlantic Ave in Long Beach will be a celebrate of artist Bob Ross. Expect live music, extended hours at participating businesses, and activiations, including a dine & draw session and Bob Ross Dress-up. Runs 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. More info here.

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Palos Verdes Street Fair and Music Festival – FA > This Friday to Sunday, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce is hosting a family friendly fair that includes a carnival, food vendors and live entertainment in the heart of the Rolling Hills Estate neighborhood. Admission and parking is free. More info here.

Jazz at LACMA – FA > The Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s annual Friday Night Jazz series is back for a season of free weekly concerts at Smidt Welcome Plaza through November. This week: a performance by Teodross Avery Quartet. Remember that LACMA is free to visit for L.A. County Residents (with I.D.) on weekdays after 3 p.m. Seating is first come, first serve. Music begins at 6 p.m. More info here.

The Traitors Castle Garden Experience -> On Saturday join Peacock at The Traitors Castle Garden at The Grove for a special event featuring Season 2 cast members from the Emmy Award-winning series. At 1:45pm, Kate Chastain, Trishelle Cannatella, and Parvati Shallow will “spill the tea” during a panel and Q&A. Stick around for a meet & greet, fan challenges, iconic photo ops, snacks at the Faithfuls vs Traitors Snack Bar, rides on The Traitors Trolley, and more. The event is free to attend. More info here.

KCRW Summer Nights x Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Grunion FishtivalFA TP > The Fishtival is a special annual tradition at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium and this year KCRW will super charge the party with music sets from KCRW DJs Anne Litt and Jason Kramer. Happening this Saturday, guests will get to hatch grunion eggs, explore tidepool animals, marvel at life-sized inflatable whales and head to the beach to witness the fascinating grunion run. The event is free but it requires registration. More info here.

June Jubilee: A Celebration of Black ExcellenceFA > This Saturday, The Changing Tones Advisory Committee presents June Jubilee an event that celebrates the rich Black culture in Los Angeles. Happening at the Central Library the day will include speakers, workshops, informative discussions, live entertainment and family friendly interactive activities. Free to attend. More info here.

Downtown Burbank Arts FestivalFA > A huge vendor marketplace curated by Jackalope Arts takes over Downtown Burbank on Saturday and Sunday featuring 170+ indie sellers on hand offering curated goods include original fashion and jewelry design, paper goods, innovative home decor and housewares, art, photography, food, and more. Free to attend. Runs 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. More info here.

Free Screenings at Gardena CinemaFA > Gardena Cinema, the oldest single-screen stand-alone independent movie theater in South Los Angeles is hosting free screenings this weekend as part of Pluto T.V.’s “Summer of Cinema” campaign. The theater will host multiple showings of The Addams Family (1991) on Saturday, then School of Rock all day Sunday. You can get more info and reserve tickets here.

After Hours: Roxie Sound Healing and Visual Art -> Experience a magical evening at the Billis Williams Gallery with an after hours sound healing session led by Roxie Sarhangi. Taking place on Saturday, the session will take guests on a rejuvenating journey while surrounded by Suzann Woodruff’s art. Tickets are $44-$47, and the event starts at 6pm. More info here.

Boyle Heights Youth Festival FA M > The annual event returns this Saturday taking over a block of 1st Street and features live performances, a skate park, rock climbing wall, and over 60 interactive booths, raffles, games, food, and resource booths, all organized by local youth. In addition, celebrity guests Xolo Maridueña (Blue Beetle, Cobra Kai) and Xochitl Gómez (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Dancing with the Stars) will also be in attendance honoring youth contributors on the stage. All are welcomed and free to attend. More info here.

EEEEEATSCON -> The Infatuation’s signature food fest comes to the Santa Monica Barker Hangar Saturday and Sunday with a bevy of top restaurants from L.A. and the East Coast under one roof, plus live music and plenty of panels. GA tickets start at $30, but you’ll still have to pay for food samples once you’re inside. Get more info here.

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The 28th Annual Gilmore Heritage Auto Show – > On Saturday the 28th Annual Gilmore Heritage Auto Show comes to the Original Farmers Market. This years theme is American vehicles from the 1930s and earlier. More info here.

Last Remaining SeatsM > The Los Angeles Conservancy’s annual series Last Remaining Seats features classic film screenings in some of Los Angeles’ most beautiful and historic movie theaters, including Million Dollar Theatre, the Orpheum Theatre, and Los Angeles Theatre. On Saturday there are two screenings Bullitt (1968) at 2pm and Gaslight (1944) 8 p.m. both will be held at the Los Angeles Theatre. Tickets start at $25 for GA. Movie begins at 8 p.m. More info here.

Mariachi USA -> The 35th Annual MARIACHI USA Festival takes over The Hollywood Bowl on Saturday with the best mariachi bands from Mexico and the U.S. plus a dazzling fireworks show. Tickets start at $39.50. More info here.

Grand PerformancesFA M > This year’s Grand Performances free concert continues on Saturday with SOULNIC Live celebrating the 40th anniversary of House music. Free to attend. Runs 6 to 10 p.m. More info here.

American Indian Arts Festival -> The Autry’s 33rd annual American Indian Arts Festival returns this weekend, celebrating the rich culture of Native American art and performance. Enjoy live music, pow-wow dancing, workshops, cultural art, and live theatrical performances from the Native Voices Young Playwrights Festival. Museum admission grants access to all festival activities on both Saturday and Sunday. More info here.

LACMA Latin SoundsFA > LACMA is bringing a series of Saturday evening, outdoor concerts at Dorothy Collins Brown Amphitheate (just north of the La Brea Tar Pits Museum) in celebration of the exhibition Painting in the River of Angels: Judy Baca and The Great Wall. This weekend, catch Fausto Cuevas y La Moderna. Free to attend. Runs 5 to 7 p.m. More info here.

54th Annual LA Pride Parade & Block PartyFA TP > The annual LA Pride Parade & Block Party will include over a hundred floats, along with a block party adjacent to the parade route, all free to attend. This Sunday’s route (the longest ever!) runs north on Highland Blvd past the ABC7 live broadcast, then head east on Hollywood Blvd, and south on Cahuenga Blvd. Starts at 11 a.m. More info here.

Bill and Ted Day at Valley Relics Museum -> This Sunday, the Valley Relics Museum is hosting a screening of Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey. Attendees will have the chance to step inside the original restored phone booth time machine from the film. Costumes are encouraged, with a prize for the most triumphantly dressed duo or historical figure. Production designer David L. Snyder and storyboard artist Robbie Consing will be present for an audience Q&A. Tickets are $12, and the screening will take place indoors with seating provided. More info here.

PBS SoCal’s Summer Learning Day -> PBS SoCal’s annual Summer Learning Day returns on Sunday at the California Science Center. Families can enjoy interactive educational activities, giveaways, and photos with PBS KIDS characters like Daniel Tiger. The event features sing-alongs with Isabel Brazon of “Baila Baila,” live performances from “Jamming on the Job” stars Christina Sanabria and Andrés Salguero of 123 Andrés, and Pierce Freelon. Free to attend. More info here.

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Happy Birthday Pasadena!FA > The Pasadena Museum of History and the City of Pasadena team up this Sunday to celebrate Pasadena’s 138th birthday. The all-day shindig (free to attend) includes live music, a silent film screening, free popcorn, free cake, disc golf, and the debut of the museum’s latest exhibition Lights, Camera, Action! Hollywood Magic in Pasadena. Event runs noon to 4 p.m. More info here.

Pride Art Fair by ArtShareLA at Smorgasburg -> Smorgasburg LA celebrates Pride month this Sunday with a special art fair featuring LGBTQ+ creatives. Check out artwork installations by Little Ricky, live painting, queer DJs, food, and 40+ artisan vendors curated in collaboration with Manic Pixie Dream Market. Runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free to attend. More info here

Dining & Drinking

(picks by Christina Champlin)
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The Cider House at Benny Boy Brewing photo credit Marie Buck.

Pies for Pride -> On Sunday, Regarding Her and Benny Boy Brewing present Pies for Pride, a delicious competition showcasing the talents of LGBTQ+ chefs and their finest sweet and savory pies. For $20, attendees receive a sample plate featuring pie bites from participants such as Beì UÌ, Gu Grocery, Laura Ann’s Jams, and the Queer Food Foundation. Guests will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite pies in both the sweet and savory categories. More info here.

Van Leeuwen Launches Ice Cream for Dogs -> Van Leeuwen, the Brooklyn-born ice cream brand, has teamed up with fresh dog food brand Ollie to launch its first-ever ice cream for dogs. To celebrate, they’re hosting an ice cream truck event this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Abbot Kinney in Venice Beach. Guests can enjoy complimentary scoops of Van Leeuwen favorites, while pets get to taste the new dog ice cream. 

Mabel’s Gone Fishing at Normandie Club -> On Sunday, mixologists from San Diego’s Mabel’s Gone Fishing will take over Normandie Club in LA to craft their legendary cocktails using Las Californias Gin in celebration of World Gin Day. The event runs from 8 p.m. to midnight and is open to the public. More info here.


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