Plus, the Lotus Festival returns to Echo Park and block parties take over the city
Every Thursday, Los Angeles magazine curates a list of the best events in and around Los Angeles. Craft a great last-minute schedule with our Weekend Guide to L.A., and don’t forget to sign up to have the guide delivered to your inbox every week by clicking HERE.
Credit: Courtesy Marcus Jones via Adobe Stock
Hilary Duff hits Inglewood’s iconic Kia Forum for her “lucky me” tour, accompanied by supporting acts La Roux and Jade LeMac. Duff released both an album and EP this year — her first major music project in over a decade — and kicked off the concert series last month in West Palm Beach. For nostalgic millennials and new fans alike, this really is what dreams are made of.
Credit: Courtesy Rare Beauty
Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty and digital marketplace Basic.Space join forces to create an immersive pop-up celebrating the launch of the makeup brand’s new Soft Pinch Lip Oil Stick. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 8013 Melrose Ave., visitors can step into “Selena’s office” and shop the latest collection on-site. The first 200 guests to purchase can even walk away with a free Rare Beauty tote bag.
Credit: Michele McPhee
This weekend’s World Cup fan zone lands at Venice Beach, celebrating the global games as the tournament enters its knockout stage matches. The event will include food vendors, beverage gardens, live music, DJs, cultural performances and family programming. Friday features a ticketed evening watch party, while Saturday highlights the two quarter finals games from noon to 10 p.m.
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Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for CBS
Wes Anderson fans won’t want to miss this concert series celebrating music from the director’s 30-year filmography, starting at 8 p.m. every night this weekend at the Hollywood Bowl. Musicians and actors, including Beck, Jenny Lewis, Jackson Browne and Jason Schwartzman, perform iconic songs and scores alongside an all-star band, with Bill Murray hosting the entire evening. Friday and Saturday even feature Thomas Wilkins and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, with tickets starting at $15.
Credit: Espolòn Tequila
Summer in L.A. means block parties, particularly as the World Cup heads toward its final matches. Espolòn Tequila invites fans to 57 Windward Ave. in Venice, transforming the beachfront venue into a free celebration of soccer culture, local businesses and community. Partygoers can test their skills on a mini pitch, enjoy specialty Espolòn cocktails and local street food vendors and hear live DJ sets from Dina BN and Pangea Sound.
Credit: Photo by Mfield
From 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, the city’s Central Library commemorates its 100th birthday with a free Centennial Festival. Attendees can anticipate a full day of activities, performances, exhibitions and food trucks galore, with special guests and surprises sprinkled throughout. Don’t miss a record-breaking exhibition featuring the world’s largest pop-up book, plus writing workshops, artist spotlights and more.
Credit: 7-Eleven
July 11 marks the calendar’s official Slurpee Day, and of course 7-Eleven is at the helm of celebrations, honoring 60 years of the Slurpee drink with a date experience at its Malibu location. From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., first-date hopefuls, longtime couples and best friend duos alike can enjoy a free Slurpee drink, an on-site photographer and a limited-edition bedazzled double straw. Romance has never felt so refreshing.
Credit: (Photo by David Diaz/Getty Images)
The 45th annual Lotus Festival returns to L.A. against the stunning backdrop of blooming lotus flowers at Echo Park Lake, this year honoring Sri Lanka as its host country. The free summer event features dragon boat races, Asian and Pacific Islander cuisines and spectacular performances celebrating the city’s diverse culture and history.
Credit: MENACE x Adidas
Adidas partners with L.A.-based streetwear brand MENACE to unveil a new collection and watch party in celebration of the World Cup. From noon to 10 p.m. on 2338 E. 8th St., Fútbol Society and MENACE invite Angelenos to a free block party honoring soccer through music, food, community and multicultural events. Attendees may even win a team jersey from the new launch, officially available online next week.
Credit: Ashley Randall
Westchester’s farm-to-table restaurant Tomat offers a special guest pop-up with expert fermenter and food writer Peter Barrett. The one-night-only collaboration features an à la carte dinner menu using rare and vintage ferments from Barrett’s archives, including black cod with curry sauce and paratha, duck with two moles and more. Dining room reservations are available through Resy.
Credit: Courtesy Reedy Press
Refugee-led social enterprise restaurant Flavors From Afar hosts a free book launch in celebration of local author Danny Jensen’s new release, Unique Eats and Eateries of Los Angeles. The East Hollywood event runs from 4 to 7 p.m. and offers opportunities to interview the author, enjoy vibrant global cuisine and beverages and hear compelling personal stories from Jensen himself.
Credit: Lactaid
Lactose intolerant Angelenos will be delighted to hear that The Fountain on The Green at Glendale’s The Americana at Brand offers free scoops of Lactaid ice cream from 11 a.m. onward. Stop by in between your Sunday mall shopping to enjoy fan-favorite flavors like lactose-free vanilla, cookies & cream and the new limited-edition cherry fudge chip.
Credit: Courtesy Hammer Museum
Westwood’s Hammer Museum welcomes L.A.-based collective Mahjong Mistress for an afternoon of film, play and connection around the enduring and iconic game of mahjong. The free event features a 1:30 p.m. screening of Edward Yang’s 1996 film Mahjong, followed by three hours of an open game session in the courtyard for players of all experience levels. If your skills feel rusty, Mahjong Mistress instructors will be on hand to teach beginners.
Credit: Prince St. Pizza x Bar Next Door
The cult-favorite Prince St. Pizza and West Hollywood’s Bar Next Door partner to host a pizza run and walk club benefiting Soccer Without Borders from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The route runs between the two eateries, tracing WeHo through a 3-mile running loop or 1.5-mile walking loop, finishing at Bar Next Door where Bar Pie and cocktails help runners wind down. Enjoy complimentary pizza and support from special guest Nick Turturro along the way, with tickets going for $30.
Credit: Courtesy Lululemon
Founder of The Sculpt Society Megan Roup partners with Lululemon for a complimentary outdoor workout class at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., attendees can get a weekend sweat in through a method combining sculpt with easy-to-follow dance cardio.
Credit: Courtesy Gladstones
Malibu’s historic beachside restaurant celebrates the nation’s semiquincentennial all summer long with a new happy hour menu, offering guests $10 food specials, $10 cocktails and $17.76 food-and-drink combos from 3 to 6 p.m. Enjoy tostada ceviche with a watermelon mojito oceanside as the sun sinks below the Pacific.
Credit: Walter Cicchetti via Adobe Stock
The Grammy Museum’s fourth-floor gallery continues its deep dive into the King of Pop’s Thriller and Bad eras, spotlighting rare artifacts on loan from the Jackson estate. Highlights include the 16-pound, Swarovski-embellished military jacket worn at Jackson’s 1984 Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, plus sequined gloves, gold greaves and coveted “Man in the Mirror” lyrics. Adult admission starts at $22.50.