Events
Pacific Park Juneteenth Lighting Celebration
June 19. The Santa Monica Pier will honor Juneteenth with a special tribute on the iconic solar-powered Pacific Wheel. The nine-story Ferris wheel will glow with red, white and blue patterns representing the Juneteenth flag, alongside animations in green, red and gold inspired by the Pan-African flag—joining a citywide visual tribute across Southern California landmarks. With over 174,000 LED lights and a panoramic view of the coast, the Pacific Wheel serves as both beacon and celebration of freedom. Wednesday, June 19. Lighting begins at sunset (approx. 8:08 p.m.) until 12:30 a.m. 380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica. pacpark.com
Venice Summer Fest
June 21. The summer edition of the Mar Vista Art Walk & Local Market brings over 300 local artists, brands and musicians to Venice Boulevard between Centinela and Inglewood for a community celebration of creativity and culture. Kicking off with free morning yoga, this pet-friendly street fest features art installations, live music, food trucks and a ticketed beer garden with open bar access, games and lounges. Proceeds from the beer garden support nonprofit Nourish LA. Saturday, yoga starts at 9 a.m., festival runs 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Venice Blvd. between Centinela Ave. and Inglewood Blvd., Mar Vista. thevenicefest.com
Santa Monica Pride
June 21. Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade lights up with a rainbow canopy this June for SaMo PRIDE, the city’s annual LGBTQ+ celebration. This weekend, the festivities stretch across the city, starting with a family-friendly drag storytelling and face painting session at the Santa Monica Pier, followed by open-format beach volleyball and mini tournaments in soccer, dodgeball and more. Plus the Promenade hosts a lively afternoon party while Main Street Beer Garden keeps the fun going with drag bingo. For specific locations and hours of the activities visit smpride.com
Dance DTLA Returns with Bollywood Night and a New Location
June 20. This summer, The Music Center’s beloved Dance DTLA series returns with free themed dance nights, live DJs and expert-led lessons in everything from salsa to cumbia and Bollywood. While typically held in the open-air Jerry Moss Plaza, the first installment—Bollywood Night—relocates to the Walt Disney Concert Hall’s BP Hall and Blue Ribbon Garden due to recent downtown protests. The celebration kicks off Friday from 5 to 10 p.m., promising colorful rhythms, cultural connection and a safe space to move freely under the L.A. sky. 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. musiccenter.org
KCRW Summer Nights at CAAM
June 20. Head to the California African American Museum this Friday for a fun evening of music, culture and community. KCRW DJs Damar Davis and Novena Carmel will soundtrack an all-ages outdoor dance party, while food trucks, a beer garden and hands-on crafts add to the festivities. Guests can also explore CAAM’s galleries after dark, with current exhibitions featuring works by Awol Erizku, Darol Olu Kae, Nellie Mae Rowe and Tatyana Fazlalizadeh. Friday 7-11 p.m. 600 State Drive, Los Angeles. caamuseum.org
Food + Drinks
Happies Hand Made by Chef Joshua Skenes
Now Open. Chef Joshua Skenes brings his fire-cooked flair to Happies Hand Made, a new spot in Los Angeles serving smoky, spicy fried chicken tenders alongside tallow fries, rich milk soft serve and a curated drink list. Expect housemade seasonal sodas, teas, cold brew and a lineup of frozen cocktails and boozy drinks. Currently open for dine-in only, with limited hours and expanded service coming soon. 427 S. Hewitt Street, Los Angeles. happieshandmade.com
Scoops of Summer: Wanderlust Creamery’s World Tour of Flavor
Now Serving. Cool down this summer with Wanderlust Creamery’s globe-trotting June lineup—each scoop a passport to discovery, offering a twist on familiar favorites. Travel your taste buds to Korea with the Corn Latte, a velvety corn ice cream dusted with espresso; dive into Tokyo Rainbow Sherbet, a fizzy swirl of yuzu, ramune soda and strawberry Calpis that channels childhood summers in Japan. For something decadent, the Olive Oil & Salted Date blends fruity arbequina olive oil with date caramel and sea salt. And for citrus lovers, Créponné brings Algeria’s classic summer lemon sherbet to life—light, floral and topped with a delicate meringue. Locations and hours vary, check website for more information. wanderlustcreamery.com
Dine Out Pasadena Streetfest
Now Open. Pasadena’s dining scene gets the spotlight it deserves with the debut of Union Street Eats, a new culinary festival transforming Union Street into a lively, open-air food hall. This community-driven event invites locals and visitors alike to indulge in bites from Pez Coastal Kitchen, Union, Bone Kettle, Chado Tea Room, the Blind Donkey, Pie ’N Burger and more. Expect a full day of flavor and fun, with live bands, DJ sets, a beer garden and playful games like French fry Jenga, tic-tac-toe basketball and cornhole—all set against the backdrop of Pasadena’s historic charm. Sunday at 1 p.m. 61 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. cityofpasadena.net
New Midday Menus and Happy Hour at Camélia
Now Serving. Arts District bistro Camélia has launched a new lunch and happy hour menu, highlights include a Croque Madame with ham katsu and cured yolk, a dry-aged burger with fries, Japanese-style Bolognese and fresh seasonal salads. From 4 to 6 p.m., unwind with happy hour specials in a relaxed, sunlit space perfect for post-work bites or an early evening hang. Now served daily from 12:30-6:30 p.m. 1850 Industrial Street, Los Angeles. cameliadtla.com
Arts + Culture
The World’s Most Beloved Ballet
June 20-22. The acclaimed Miami City Ballet brings the achingly beautiful Swan Lake for 5 performances only at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Don’t miss the West Coast premiere of visionary choreographer Alexei Ratmansky’s Swan Lake, a production so exquisite the NY Times raves it “has become the one by which we should judge all others.” Friday–Sunday only! 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
Little Women Ballet
June 21-22. Following its acclaimed debut, Little Women Ballet returns to the historic Pasadena Playhouse for three performances. This original full-length ballet beautifully reimagines Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel through movement, tracing the lives of the March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy—as they navigate love, loss, ambition and sisterhood during a time of transformation. A stirring tribute to women’s voices and enduring bonds, the production offers a heartfelt experience for audiences of all ages. Saturday–Sunday, showtimes vary. 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. pasadenaplayhouse.org
Dancing Queens
June 21-22. Celebrate Pride Month with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles as they bring their signature flair to the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills. This joyful concert and gala will feature choral covers of pop icons like Madonna, Lady Gaga, ABBA, Dua Lipa and Donna Summer, along with show tunes from Singin’ in the Rain and Hairspray. Special appearances by Kristine W and Bruce Vilanch add to the evening’s star power, making it a spirited night of music, pride and community. Saturday at 7 p.m. Sunday at 3:30 p.m. 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. gmcla.org
The 2025 Hollywood Fringe Festival
Now Playing. The Hollywood Fringe Festival continues this week with 400+ shows across comedy, drama, puppetry, and more, spotlighting L.A.’s most daring creatives. Fringe HQ anchors the festival with a box office, events, and mixers, while this year’s expanded Scholarship Program supports 15 underrepresented artists. Through June 30. Multiple venues in Hollywood; Fringe HQ at Ovation Hollywood, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. hollywoodfringe.org
Grand Performances
Starts June 20. The summer concert series returns to a newly renovated California Plaza stage in DTLA, as this year’s lineup features a global mix of live bands, DJ sets and cultural dance parties. Kicking things off is She Speaks, an evening of poetry and music exploring the timely question, “How do you define a woman?” Curated by Consuelo G. Flores, the night brings together a chorus of diverse poetic voices alongside live music from Maritri Garrett, setting the tone for a season of bold, community-rooted artistry. First show is this Friday at 6 p.m. 350 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. grandperformances.org
Photo credit: Photos by Gregory Zabilski and courtesy of Gay Men’s Chorus of LA. Happies Handmade courtesy of Andrea d’Agosto. Santa Monica Wheel courtesy of sammydepthphotography. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
