52 Awesome Things to do This Weekend in L.A. To Start Your Summer [6-24-16 to 6-26-16]

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 decided to curate a list of things to do in Los Angeles every week end that’ll help you decide how you want to spend your limited supply of attention (not to mention dollars!).

This summer kickoff weekend (June 24-26) includes a pool party at Ace Hotel, a Norton Simon Garden Party, the opening of Skyspace LA, Dwell on Design, CatCon LA, the LAWineFest and LOTS more to choose from.

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So grab some friends or go at it alone, but most importantly have fun and enjoy yourself!

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Vista Hermosa Park
Photo Credit: Brian Champlin / We Like L.A.

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Friday June 24th, 2016

1. Pool Party at Ace Hotel

Ace Hotel and Angel City Brewery is hosting a free pool party from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. as part of LA Beer Week, enjoy an afternoon filled with corn hole, cans of Social IPA, and LAger, Salted Caramel Gose on draft  and the view of the DTLA skyline on the Ace’s Rooftop bar.

2. Moby—Porcelain: A Memoir

Moby will chat with KCRW’s Jason Bentley and there will be a book signing and Q & A following the talk at the Skirball Cultural Center this Friday from 8 – 11 p.m. Tickets are $5 or $30 for admission and a book.

3. Shakespeare by the Sea

The summer season of Shakespeare By The Sea is in full swing with a free performances of Othello at Point Fermin Park on Friday and Saturday. Show starts at 7 p.m.

4. Westfield Summertime Cinema Returns with FREE Movie Screenings Starting Friday!

Westfield Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks will host five weeks of free outdoor movie screenings. Kicking off the series is a screening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens with costume characters and The Sidewalk Astronomers on hand for pre movie entertainment.

5. Sip Cocktails, See The Sights With The Historic Hollywood: Stars & Bars Gang!

Get a taste of Old Hollywood and sip on classic cocktails as an awesome guide share history tidbits, celebrity stories and more on Urban Adventures tour of Historic Hollywood. For more information and discount tickets check out our friends at Goldstar.

6. Barnsdall Park’s Friday Night Wine Tasting

All summer long Barnsdall Art Park has a weekly wine tasting fundraiser to benefit the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation programs and projects. Perched on a hill with a gorgeous panoramic view of Hollywood, guests will enjoy fine wine and art in the gardens of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural gem, Hollyhock House. Silver Lake Wine will curate fine selections of boutique, small production, artisanal wines for park-goers as well as local gourmet cheese shop, Say Cheese.

7. Free Grand Performances in DTLA

This Friday Grand Performances will host a free concert with Chicana Moratorium: Su Voz, Su Canto.

8. Jeff Garlin Live at Flappers

Emmy-nominated actor-comedian, writer, producer and director Jeff Garlin — best known on Curb Your Enthusiasm and hit ABC comedy show The Goldbergs comes to Flappers Comedy Club Burbank for two nights! Get more information and discount tickets via Goldstar.

9. The Virus: An Immersive Escape Room Experience

A deadly virus has swept the earth and a team of scientists (played by you and other folks!) are in an underground laboratory trying to find a cure.  Sounds like your kind of mission?. Head down this Escape Room experience in Burbank with a couple of your smartest friends to see if you have what it takes! Get more information and discount tickets for this weekend via Goldstar.

10. Rag & Bone Sample Sale

Rag & Bone is having their first-ever sample sale Thursday and Friday (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and Saturday (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) expect 70% off the New York label’s women’s and men’s clothing.

Location: 1656 Lincoln Blvd Santa Monica, CA 90404

11. LA Design Festival DTLA Restaurant Tour

LA Design Festival is in full swing with citywide celebrations of the creative talents in our city. This weekend includes a China Town Design Night, a DTLA tour, a Neon Cruise and more .Check the website for a full schedule!

12. Please Touch the Art

Ever tempted to put your hands on a work of art while in a museum? Will the folks over at Cantor Fine Art will help satisfy that urge through a new exhibition called ‘Please Touch the Art.’ a tactile art show where everything is meant to be touched. The show will feature artists from across the globe, including funky drippy sculptures from Dan Lam, an augmented reality sandbox from UCLA and 20 other artists and works! The show is free and runs from 6-9 p.m.

13. Wildfox Sample Sale

Wildfox is having their uber popular sample sale this Friday and Saturday (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) Score items as low as $5 from clothing, swimwear, beach accessories, and more!

Location: Cooper Building (mezzanine 3) 860 S Los Angeles St Los Angeles, CA 90014

14. Finding Dory at The Hollywood El Capitan Theatre

The El Capitan Theatre presents a special engagement of Finding Dory (June 17 – August 7). Before the movie, The Bubble Guy will form bubbles beyond the imagination in a breathtaking bubble extravaganza live on stage! Get more information and discount tickets via Goldstar.

15. L.A. Beer Week

The eighth annual L.A. Beer Week kicked off over the weekend. Check out our L.A. Beer Week line up featuring beer centric events happening from June 18 through June 26!

16. Bailey Blue Sample Sale

Happening from 11 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. score dresses, skirts, and tops for $9 at the Bailey Blue one day sale.

Location: 1850 E 15th St Unit B Los Angeles, CA 90021

17. Degrees of Perfect Art Party at The Container Yard

Degrees of Perfect is a unique art party featuring five 8’ X 20’ murals created by street artists: Bacon, Dodo Ose, 123Klan, Slick and Zek One. Each using thermochromic paint on their murals the art will activate and transform as it’s surroundings heat up and cool down. Toro Y Moi will do a DJ set, a cash bar will be on hand as well as several food trucks.

18. BET Experience at L.A. LIVE

The BET Experience at L.A. LIVE presented by Coca-Cola takes place June 23 – 26 and features today’s top artists including Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Fetty Wap, A$AP Ferg, Usher, Bryson Tiller, Katt Williams and Ty Dolla $ign. The four-day event showcases the best in music, comedy, and entertainment including a celebrity basketball game during the FREE BET Experience Fan Fest on Saturday and Sunday at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Check Goldstar for discount tickets on select events.

19. Linea Pelle Sample Sale

Linea Pelle is having their semi-annual sample sale Wednesday through Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. with prices starting at just $5.

Location: 2222 Barry Ave, Los Angeles 90064

20. Hollywood Fringe Festival

The Hollywood Fringe Festival (June 9-26) offers over 1,500 performances in various spaces across the city. Come for comedy, drama, cabaret, dance and more.

21. The Unauthorized Musical Parody of The Big Lebowski

Watch the Coen Brothers’ classic comedy The Big Lebowski in musical form now through July 22 at The Rockwell Table & Stage. Get more information and discount tickets for Thursday and Friday via Goldstar.

22. Friday Night Jazz at LACMA

LACMA’s award winning Department of Music Program provides hundreds of free concerts and musical events every year for Angelenos to enjoy. This Friday their jazz series continues at the BP Grand Entrance.

Saturday June 25th, 2016

23. Norton Simon Museum’s Third Annual Garden 

Celebrate the start of summer with the Norton Simon Museum’s Third Annual Garden Party, held in its lovely sculpture garden on Saturday evening, June 25 from 5 to 8 p.m Designed to bring the Museum experience out of the galleries and into the great outdoors, event-goers will enjoy live music, sketching, tea, and more. 

24. 720 Pine

The FREE famed music festival 720 Pine returns to North Pine Ave in Downtown Long Beach with laid back music, an arcade bar, skate park, beer, food and a special DJ set by Devendra Banhart!

25. Dwell On Design

Dwell on Design, America’s largest design event, returns to the Los Angeles bringing together the best and brightest products, services, and thought leaders in modern design today for a series of conversations, demonstrations, tours, and much more. Get more information and discount tickets via Goldstar.

26. L’Enfer: An Infernal Discotheque

L’Enfer is a one-night-only event at Superchief Gallery in DTLA featuring an open bar, complimentary tarot readings, and roaming “disco demons.” Expect burlesque, music and magic too!

27. Harry Potter Night at the Last Bookstore

On Saturday, June 25 The Last Bookstore will play host to a Harry Potter themed night of performance, costumes, butterbeer and books. The event is being organized by The Show That Shall Not Be Named, a group of LA-based improvs who create and perform on-the-spot stories based on the world of Harry Potter and audience suggestions.

28. Crime Bus Tour of Weird West Adams Neighborhood

Esotouric Bus Adventures hosts a four-hour luxury coach tour of Weird West Adams. The tour’s ultra-informative guides will take you through one of L.A.’s most graciously dilapidated neighborhoods. Guest will be treated to detailed descriptions of some of the most fascinating tales from the past hundred years, and visit landmarks like Alvarado Terrace, the Rosedale Cemetery and the death scene of Motown’s Marvin Gaye. Get more information and discount tickets via Goldstar.

29. Free Rooftop Cinema Series in Pasadena Screens Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Catch a free rooftop screening of the latest Star Wars film  this Satruday.  There will be a DJ, food trucks, family-friendly activities, a special Star Wars themed costume contest and a guest appearance from the Jedi Academy.

30. Take an Insider’s Tour Through East Hollywood’s Ethnic Neighborhoods

Thai Town, Little Armenia and Korea Town are filled with great food, shops and culture. For those interested in getting to know these neighborhoods this tour is the perfect introduction. Tour includes food, transportation and more. Get more information on discount tickets via Goldstar.

31. Riviera Village Summer Fest in Redondo Beach

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Kick off the official start of summer beach-side at this FREE event featuring 300+ exhibitors, an international food court, beer garden, live music and more June 25-26.

32. LA Urban Nature Fest at NHM

Celebrate nature in the concrete jungle with a two-day event at the Natural History Museum (June 25-26) there will be over 40 exhibitors, roaming performances, live animal presentations, behind-the-scenes tours, photography workshops, hands-on art activities and more. These events are FREE with paid museum admission!

33. Nonobject(ive): Summer Happening at the Broad 

The Broad is starting a new ticketed live event series featuring late-night music, performance and spoken word showcases throughout the museum, including the outdoor plaza. On Saturday, June 25, Nonobject(ive): Summer Happening at the Broad will feature music by Perfume Genius with choreography by Narcissister. Pop-up salon by Mutant Salon, and DJ sets by Lotic and Cindytalk.

34. CatConLA is Back in DTLA

CatCon returns to LA for a feline-filled weekend of everything kitty lovers could ask for, including free manicures and cat eye makeup, Purr-ditation Station (where cat purrs are meant to encourage meditation), speed dating (humans only) and more than 150 vendor booths for two days (June 25-26). Bonus get discount tickets via Goldstar for the CatCon CatVideoFest at Ace Hotel Theatre. 

35. The LAWineFest

The 11th annual LAWineFest is back on June 25-26 for two days of delicious wine, artisan beer, and gourmet foods. Get discount tickets while supplies last on Goldstar.

36. Free Public Block Party to Celebrate the Grand Opening of Skyspace LA

California’s tallest open-air observation deck situated atop the iconic U.S. Bank Tower, officially opens to the public on June 25 and to celebrate they’re hosting a FREE all-day block party from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. around the U.S. Bank Tower on S. Hope Street between Hope Place and 3rd Street.

37. Eat|See|Hear

Eat|See|Hear is back with a screening of Dazed and Confused at the Autry Museum in Griffith Park. Be sure to check for discount tickets for this event via Goldstar.

38. 27th MARIACHI USA Festival With Fireworks at the Hollywood Bowl

MARIACHI USA’s 27th anniversary at the Hollywood Bowl hosts the best mariachi bands from Mexico and the U.S. Expect a spectacular fireworks finale to ring in the summer nights and be sure to pack a picnic and come early for the pre-show activities. Get more information and discount tickets via Goldstar.

39.. Last Remaining Seats

The Los Angeles Conservancy’s classic film screening series Last Remaining Seats returns to DTLA this week with a month-long set of events showcasing our most historic movie venues in town. This week they will be screening Safety Last! (1923) at Orpheum Theatre (1926)

40. Pirate Invasion of the Belmont Pier

The pirate’s life takes over Long Beach with a two days filled with rum, treasure hunts, pirate marketplace, sword fights, pirate training for the newbies and more!

41. Street Food Cinema 

Street Food Cinema has three screenings this weekend: at Will Rogers State Park is Some Like It Hot (discount tickets available via Goldstar), at Victory Park is Pitch Perfect (discount tickets available via Goldstar) and at Westchester Park Kung Fu Panda 3 (discount tickets available via Goldstar.).

42. Cheers: LA’s Wine, Spirits, Beer and Food Festival in Pomona

This wine, spirits, beer, and food festival will offer award-winning beer, wine, and extra virgin olive oil paired with farm-fresh (yes, it’s a real farm) ingredients plus a host of food trucks!

 

43. Comics Tom Green, Iliza Shlesinger, Anthony Jeslnik and Micheal Yo at The Comedy Store

Some big names in comedy will be doing stand-up at L.A.’s legendary Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip this Saturday. Get more information and discount tickets via Goldstar.

44. North Hollywood FREE Outdoor Movie Series

The International Film Festival North Hollywood is brining a lineup of free outdoor summer film screenings at parks throughout NoHo. Kicking of the summer series is a screening at NoHo Park of Maleficent. Bonus: FREE popcorn.

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Sunday June 26th, 2016

45. Art Beyond the Glass

Art Beyond the Glass will host it’s 5th annual event at Resident in the Arts District of Downtown LA. The 5-hour event will feature bartenders mixing cocktails and showcasing their art as well as music, photography and much more, all while raising funds for Global Inheritance.

46. Concerts On The Green Presents a FREE Beatles Tribute

Ticket to Ride – A Tribute to the Beatles comes to the Lou Bredlow Pavilion in Warner Park on Sunday June 26 for their crowd-gathering rendition of The Beatles greatest hits with authentic costumes and all.

47. Golden Road Hosts Wolf Pack 5K and Summer Pub Party

The Glendale-based brewery hosts a 5K run and summer pub party this Sunday featuring a morning run followed by complimentary craft beer, food, games and more. All attendees will also take home a pack of Wolf Pup, Golden Road’s newest IPA!

48. June Gloom II: Local Indie Music Fest

Looking to add a bit of indie punch to your summer kickoff weekend? Check out June Gloom II, an indie rock lineup hitting The California Institute of Abnormalarts in NoHo, hosted by local band Niantic + Valleys and Peaks and featuring a deep lineup of L.A. indie talent.

49. 40z & Waffles Brunch Series

The 40z & Waffles Brunch Series is back with delicious food, cool music and celebrity drop-ins all in honor of the BET Awards Weekend!

50. 626 Golden Streets

This free community event will link up seven different SGV cities via six Foothill Gold Line stations, with each location hosting special activities (open till 3 p.m.) including fitness classes, workshops, live music, professional chalk artists and activities, plus hydration stations and food trucks and an appearance by Gabe the Sasquatch.

51. Smorgasburg LA

The massive food hall Smorgasburg LA is now open in Downtown Los Angeles every Sunday with a massive roster of L.A. heavy hitters in food involved.

52. Ranger Ernie Hike to Coolidge Trail

This Sundays hike level is intermediate. The distance is 7-miles to The Water Tank in Griffith Park. The hike begins at 8:00am. Get more information here.


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