The 62 best things to do in L.A. this week (2024)

The midnight snacker’s greatest fantasy is just a car ride away. One of America’s largest Asian food markets spans the course of Santa Anita Park’s front Paddock Gardens during the summer. Come hungry and come caffeinated—this lively market, complete with over 250 Asian street food and booze peddlers, live music, artists, games, and beyond, won’t put itself to bed until midnight.

Buy ticket

If you’re on the hunt for a cheap, lively way to celebrate Uncle Sam, shake it over to Grand Park, and watch Downtown L.A. light up for free—though this time around, the park has swapped out fireworks for drones. This Fourth of July, Grand Park hosts a unique block party, featuring scrumptious food truck fare, a Ferris wheel and two stages of live music. The tunes begins while the sun is still high in the sky, so bring yourself an all-day picnic—no booze allowed, only empty water bottles—and relax. Best of all, the event is Metro accessible via the Civic Center/Grand Park station (though $10 parking is also available at the Music Center and Walt Disney Concert Hall). Look out for the drone show—a flurry of some 800 illuminated drones above the Music Center—around 9pm.

Ring in another year of independence in the grand ol’ USA with Harry Connick, Jr.backed by the LA Phil. The Bowl proudly hosts its annual Fourth of July party, complete with a dazzling fireworks finale. Grab your tickets early; seats in the nosebleed section go for less than the price of parking. Or consider springing for front section tickets—it is America’s birthday, after all.

Buy ticket

The annual Anime Expo takes over the Los Angeles Convention Center for four days of panels, special events and plenty of cosplay. Thousands of fans come to celebrate the quirky art and culture of anime as figureheads and stars of the industry visit to speak and sign autographs. Plus, a massive wing of the convention is set aside specifically for gaming—both electronic and card-based.

Buy ticket

There’s something about watching fireworks over the ocean. Every year in Marina del Rey, fireworks explode over the marina channel and spectators gather all over to watch on the 4th of July: at Burton Chace Park or Fisherman’s Village as well as from Marina “Mother’s” Beach, waterfront hotels and restaurants, and on boats. Fireworks start at 9pm and usually last for about 20 minutes.Arrive early to the area’s county parking lots.

Though it was built in 1930, this Italian Navy training ship looks more like something you’d find in the 18th century. The three-masted ship will dock at the Port of L.A. from July 3 to 8 for free visits, as well as an accompanying exhibition.

Buy ticket

This Fourth of July in Long Beach, you’ll find pyro overQueensway Bay around 9pm for a free show easily viewable from most of the Long Beach waterfront’s attractions. If you’d ratherwatch from the water, Harbor Breeze Cruises has seven different boats departing from Rainbow Harbor ($50–$75) on the Fourth. And the Queen Mary is once again partaking in the festivities with an onboard assortment of music and food ($55).Note that this year’s show on theeastern edge of the city over Alamitos Bay, traditionally held on July 3, has been pushed to Labor Day.

A giant of weird pop, alt rock and anti-folk since the early ’90s, L.A.’s own Beck Hansen headlines an evening atthe Bowl backed by the LA Phil.

Buy ticket

AmericaFest at the Rose Bowl has been squashed due to budget reasons, but this MLS match certainly isn’t a bad subsitute. For the second straight year, the L.A. Galaxy and LAFC will play in Pasadena on July 4, with a post-match fireworks show shot off from the adjacent Brookside Golf Course.

With the match slated to start at 7:30pm, expect the fireworks to commence around 9:45pm. If you’re not interested in the soccer part, you’ll only be able watch the fireworks from the areas around—but not in—the Arroyo. This is where things get a little tricky this year: Traditionally most people flock toward the Colorado Street Bridge and the neighborhoods west of the 210, as well as parking garage rooftops in Old Pasadena for a somewhat distant show. But AmericaFest only had patchy attendance in part of the stadium, whereas the hometown soccer rivalry will bring 70,000-plus ticketholders to the stadium and countless others in nearby bars—in other words, expect things to be more crowded than in years past.

Buy ticket

Join blink-182 drummer Travis Barker on this morning run at the Forum, which is also paired with fitness classes and mindfulness workshops.

Buy ticket

Dodger Stadium hosts fireworks (or drones) on Friday nights throughout the season, but they do it up extra on the Fourth of July. Buy tickets to see the team take on the Arizona Diamondbacks on the Fourth and then stick around for a fireworks show you can see from your seat; line up on the field level near the end of the game and you can even watch from the outfield grass. The game starts at 6:10pm, so expect the fireworks show to start around 9pm, depending on how long the game goes.

Buy ticket

Pop-punk heavyweights Blink-182 underwent an unlikely renaissanceabout a decade back thanks to its 2011 comeback album, Neighborhoods—which turned out to be the last release with its original trio. Cofrontman Tom DeLonge departed, and though his trademark hyperexaggerated whine is nigh impossible to replicate, Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba brought a fresh perspective as his replacement.

Now, as the 20-year nostalgia cycle has brought aughts-era pop-punk back into popularity,DeLongewill rejoin Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker for a world tour that includes a stop in L.A. atSoFi Stadium.

Tickets go on sale Friday, October 27 at 10am.

Buy ticket

Cruise on up to the Palisades for a beachy Independence Day extravaganza. Things kick off in the afternoon with a 2pm parade (and usually a flyover to herald its start). The baton twirlers and marching trombonists will begin their promenade on Sunset Boulevard, between Via de la Paz and Drummond. There’salso an early-eveningconcert,followed by a 9pm fireworks show atPalisades Charter High School (tickets required).

Buy ticket

Hear selections fromFallout,God of War,Halo,Metal Gear Solid,Castlevania,BioShock,Final Fantasy and more during this symphonic tribute to video game scores at the Pantages Theatre.

Buy ticket

The storied movie studio and theme parkfires off a Fourth of July pyro extravaganza with fireworks synchronized to both Universal-themed music and patriotic standards. Though we’re still awaiting all of the details for 2024, the past few years have added other holiday touches along the way, including themed décor and a fife and drum band. You’ll be able to view the 9pm fireworks from two locations, most likely the Universal Plaza in the upper lot as well as near the Transformers ride on the lower lot (if you were thinking of getting away with watching from CityWalk, you should expect limited to no visibility from the shopping district).

Buy ticket

Bowling Green, KY natives Cage the Elephant first found fame (strangely enough) in England, as well as with their showing at SXSW in 2007 and their eponymous debut album released the following year. Their take on classic garage punkis a chaotic listen that draws on psychedelia, ’70s southern rock, glam and contemporary indie: just the thing for a rollicking live show.

Buy ticket

Burbank’s Starlight Bowl is putting together a wholeevening of 4th of Julyfestivities, starting with a performance byBillie Joel andFleetwood Mac tribute bands.Then it’s on to the fireworks show around9pm.If you’re not really into the programming but still want to see some pyro, we’d suggest scoping out Castaway just across the canyon, whichtypically offersfireworks seating and some pretty killer views of the Valley.

Buy ticket

Life imitates art, literally: Classic paintings, statues and murals take on a new dimension as real people dress and pose to recreate original masterpieces—a trick popularized by vaudeville artiste Lolita Perine at the first festival in 1932. A professional orchestra, a narrator, intricate sets and theatrical lighting help bring the works to life at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. This year’s theme, “À La Mode: The Art of Fashion”revisits grand looks through the years.

Buy ticket

Make your Fourth of July an all-day blowout by heading down to this legendary, long-running fest at the Huntington Beach Pier. The festivities kick off with a 5K run and fitness expo. Walk the parade route to the beach and then put on your Uncle Sam hat for the four-day Pier Plaza Festival, where you’ll find live entertainment, family activities and all-American eats. Scope out a spot or grab a VIP seat for the fireworks display at 9pm, which ends in an epic finale.

Expand your mind on breezy summer nights by listening to the words of the Bard for free. The program, founded in 1998, will put on two plays—Cardenioand Henry IV—with the help of talented local actors. “By the Sea” is a bit misleading; though some of the locations are ocean adjacent, and largely in the South Bay and Long Beach, the troupe takes the plays on tour all across Los Angeles, performing for audiences fromPasadenato Beverly Hills while promoting literacy.

--