The 64 best things to do in L.A. this week (2024)

A little bit piano ballad a little bit pop-punk, the “driver’s license” singer hits the road in support of GUTS, the follow-up toher smash albumSOUR, withfournights at the Forum and two at the Intuit Dome.

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Pedal along more than six car-free miles of Hollywood and Santa Monica Boulevards during the August 18 edition of this bike-friendly fest.

This two-weekend event celebrates Japanese culture with displays of martial arts, tea ceremonies, flower arranging and more. Crowds of nisei—the word refers to the first generation of Japanese to be born in America—gather for festivities and a parade that culminates with the coronation of the Nisei Week Queen.

If you tuned out after “Love Song,” you may have penciled in Bareilles as a one-hit wonder. But instead, the singer-songwriter’s profile has only grown over the years, most notably with her turn on Broadway, penning the music and lyrics forWaitress, as well as starring in the girl group-parodying streaming seriesGirls5eva (costar and original Hamilton cast memberRenée Elise Goldsberry opens for her here). Catch her this summer at the Bowl, backed by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.

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Self-proclaimed “frat bro dudes” the Chainsmokers may be the kings of cookie-cutter EDM, but that hasn't stopped them from becoming one of the biggest modern electronic acts. See them at L.A. State Historic Park for a mini festival, dubbed The Party Never Ends, withALOK.

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Celebrate L.A.’s burgeoning Eastside with a free music festival—what’s not to like? Echo Park Rising is backas a one-day fest with dozens of performances fromhandpicked local up-and-coming bands and comedians. With venuesthat typically range from theEchoandtothe Semi-Tropicand Sticky Rice, as well as various special discounts and sales at local businesses, this is always a neighborhood affair not to be missed.

New York’s Empire State of Poms heads west with this adorable Pomeranian-filled meet-up at SUR. Each $50 ticket includes a welcome co*cktail and assorted hors d’oeuvres, plus a chance to mingle with somePom-fluencers like Chuckieand Charlie, whose humanLara Eurdolian will be there to sign copies ofCharlie at the Pom Springs Hotel.

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As sunset creeps later and later into the evening, the Huntington is taking advantage ofthe extra daylight with this coveted after-hours series.Formerly openjust for members,Twilight Garden Strollsis now open to the public, too, and will extend the San Marino garden’s hours until 8pmonselect evenings in the summer. Just a heads up that you’ll need a timed ticket that’s separate from regular morning or afternoon admission.

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Skateboarding dogs? Sign us up. This adorable event will include a skateboarding competition for pups—plus some time for human skaters and bikers—during a day filled with food and music held atMcKenna Volkswagen of Huntington Beach.Aportion of proceeds will be donated to the English Bulldog-focused Chunkz and Tubz Rescue Foundation,as well as Marley’s Mutts Dog Rescue’s Pawsitive Change program, which pairs incarceratedindividuals with at-risk shelter dogs.

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Like a family-friendlyversion of its Roaring Nights series, spend an evening at the L.A. Zoo on select Friday nights for a mix of musical performances, dance parties,educational talks and twilight animal viewing opportunities. The carousel will be open during the series, and so too—for those 21 and over only—will be a cash bar.

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A nostalgic night of grunge and ’90s alt rock hits Inglewood as Stone Temple Pilots and Live share the stage at the YouTube theater, with support from Our Lady Peace.

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Say goodbye to dusty thoroughfares and violent porta-potties: Splash House takes the music festival concept off of sweltering desert land and places it poolside. Movers and shakers at this multi-location getdown are shuttled between theSaguaro, theMargaritaville and the Renaissance (with after-hours programming at the Palm Springs Air Museum) to lap up big-name dance acts and DJ sets. With the added comforts of AC rooms and critically acclaimed restaurant fare just steps away from the party scenes, the experience will make you question whether to bother with more punishing locales come next year’s festival season.

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Listen to kid-friendly performances during this summertime concert series in the Getty’s beautiful Central Garden. Picnic blankets are welcome, but note that lawn chairs are not.

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Before the corner of Fifth Street and Arizona Avenue gets frosty for Ice, you’ll now find a roller rink set up. From August 10 to October 14,Roll @ Santa Monica will let you lace up a pair of rental skates for a two-hour session.

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The Hollyshorts Film Festival is a week and a half of networking events, Q&As with filmmakers and screenings of short films produced around the world. Most of the annual fest’s screenings will be held at the TCL Chinese 6 (that’s the multiplex behind the famous one), and promises numerous 40-minute films (or less) from early afternoon to midnight. The all-access badge sets you back $160,but you can just opt for a single day for$60

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This interactive Grammy Museumexhibition is put on in collaboration withHYBE (the South Korean entertainment company behind some of the biggest K-pop bands in the world) and will explore the power and history of the genre, with outfits and items from the likes ofBTS, SEVENTEEN, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, ENHYPEN and LE SSERAFIM. Just note that tickets to the exhibition—which require a timed reservation—cost an additional $20 on top of regular museum admission.

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Initially adreadful 1930s propaganda film about the absolutehorrors of the devil’s lettuce,Reefer Madness has since morphed into an ironically pro-marijuana piece of pop culture—most notably with the 1998 L.A. premiere of this acclaimed musical satire by Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney, as well as its 2005 film adaptation.

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A superb new production of a Stephen Sondheim classic (we gave its New York run five stars),Company follows bachelorette Bobbie andherconflicted feelings about commitment on the occasion of her 35th birthday.

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Mix fried food, carnival attractions and the occasional rodeo or demolition derby, and you’ve got the OC Fair. What started as a quaint fair in 1889 has since grown into a nearly monthlong fest.

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