By July, summer is in full swing and LA is operating at full capacity: concerts under the stars, movies in cemeteries, Shakespeare in the park, wine on a hillside, fireworks by the water…the list goes on. With a fair amount of native Angelenos here at SBP, we enjoy answering questions like, "what's worth doing this weekend?" Here's what's making our July shortlist.
Dodgers vs. Padres
WHEN: July 2-5 | Varying times
WHERE: Dodger Stadium
WHAT: A rivalry series over Fourth of July weekend? The energy inside LA’s iconic Dodger Stadium is going to be dialed up. Whether you're a die-hard or just there for the Dodger Dogs and the skyline view, this is one of those weekends that reminds you why people love this city. Tickets →
Fourth of July Fireworks in Marina del Rey
WHEN: July 4 | 9pm
WHERE: Marina del Rey
WHAT: While everyone else is fighting traffic to get to the beach, MDR puts on a proper waterfront fireworks show. Boats in the harbor, warm July air, and a crowd that feels festive without feeling chaotic. Get there early, grab a spot, and enjoy. Details →
Cinespia Cemetery Screenings
WHEN: July 3, 4, 11, 18, 25 | Gates open at 7:15pm, movie at 9pm
WHERE: Hollywood Forever Cemetery
WHAT: Blanket on the grass, drink in hand, movie projected onto the side of a mausoleum…Cinespia has been doing this for over two decades and it never gets old. The cemetery is beautiful, the crowd gets into it, and the film selections are consistently worth showing up for. Tickets →
KCRW Summer Nights
WHEN: July 11, 24, 25 | 6pm
WHERE: Manuela (July 11), Museum of Latin American Art (July 24), California Plaza (July 25)
WHAT: Free outdoor concerts from the radio station that basically defines LA taste. This month they're hitting the garden at Manuela, the waterfront at MOLAA in Long Beach, and downtown's California Plaza. The lineups tend toward indie, global, and genuinely cool. Details →
Getty Soccer Watch Parties
WHEN: Various dates & times through July 19
WHERE: The Getty Center
WHAT: Did you know The Getty has been hosting watch parties for the World Cup? Watching soccer on a hillside above the city (with that architecture and those views) is a hard combination to beat. Check the schedule for remaining matches and go before it wraps on the 19th. Details →
Friday Night Wine Tastings
WHEN: Every Friday in July | 5:30pm
WHERE: Barnsdall Art Park & Hollyhock House
WHAT: Wine tasting on the grounds of one of Frank Lloyd Wright's most iconic LA buildings, on one of the best hilltops in East Hollywood. $55 for the tasting, $90 to add a guided house tour — which, if you've been meaning to go for years, is a good reason to finally do it. Tickets →
Street Food Cinema
WHEN: July 11, 18, 25 | Varying times
WHERE: La Ciénega Park (July 11), LA State Historic Park (July 18), Autry Museum (July 25)
WHAT: Outdoor movies plus a rotating lineup of food trucks, with a different LA neighborhood as the backdrop each week. You eat well, the movie starts when it gets dark, and the crowd is always a good mix. This month: La Ciénega Park, LA State Historic Park, and the Autry Museum in Griffith Park. Details →
Griffith Park Shakespeare Festival
WHEN: Wednesday-Sunday through July 26 | 7pm
WHERE: Griffith Park
WHAT: Free outdoor Shakespeare in Griffith Park, produced by Independent Shakespeare Co., which has been doing this well for years. Bring a blanket, pack dinner, and show up before 7pm. No tickets, no reservations — just one of those things LA quietly does really well. Details →
Hollywood Bowl Concerts
WHEN: Various dates & times throughout July
WHERE: The Hollywood Bowl
WHAT: The programming runs the full range this month — orchestra nights, pop headliners, themed series — and the quintessential LA experience of watching a show at the Bowl, with the spectacular hills lining the background, is hard to replicate anywhere else. Check the schedule, find something that appeals, and bring a delicious picnic. See schedule →
Sips on the Terrace
WHEN: Every Saturday in July | 2-7pm
WHERE: Academy Museum
WHAT: Cocktails, light bites, and a DJ on the outdoor terrace of one of the best-designed buildings to open in LA in years — every Saturday from 2 to 7pm. The terrace looks out over Wilshire and the hills beyond it, and on a clear July afternoon, it's a pretty easy sell. Details →