From summer celebrations to floral festivities and renowned art exhibitions, check out the top LA weekend events for June 21-24.
Edited by Christina Wiese.
EVENTS
125th Anniversary of the Ferris Wheel
June 21. Housed on the iconic Santa Monica Pier, take a ride above the waves on the only solar-powered ferris wheel in the world: the Pacific Wheel. The first 1,893 guests to RSVP will receive a free ride in honor of the first ferris wheel debuting on June 21, 1893 at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. A free, commemorative 125th anniversary pressed penny is included with the free ride. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica. RSVP
El Segundo Art Walk
June 21. Enjoy studio tours and artwork in El Segundo’s downtown and Smoky Hollow neighborhoods at this essential summer gathering. Food trucks, live music and and interactive experiences are also on deck for the evening. 5-9 p.m. Free. elsegundoartwalk.com
Griffith Observatory Summer Soulstice
June 21. Mark the longest day of the year—and the first day of summer—at Griffith Observatory, which presents brief talks at noon (in the Gottlieb Transit Corridor) and sunset (on the West Terrace) as the season changes. Noon, sunset. Free. 2800 E. Observatory Road, L.A. griffithobservatory.org
Silver Lake Picture Show
Starts June 21. Heading into its 7th summer season, this outdoor film series screens feature films alongside short films made by local filmmakers. Dirty Dancing kicks off the series on June 21, with Jaws and Mrs. Doubtfire to follow in July. 6:30-11 p.m. Free. Sunset Triangle Plaza, 1523 Griffith Park Blvd., L.A. silverlakepictureshow.com
Hollywood Bowl
Ongoing. The Bowl season continues this week with an eclectic lineup: three-time Latin Grammy Award nominee Andrea Bocelli; Mariachi USA, a premier mariachi music festival; and a night of indie singer-songwriter greatness featuring Big Thief and Gillian Welch, and headlined by Father John Misty. See website for start times and ticket prices. 2301 N. Highland Ave., L.A., 323.850.2000. hollywoodbowl.com
BET Experience at L.A. Live presented by Coca-Cola®
June 21-24. This four-day event returns with a sizzling lineup showcasing the best in music, comedy and entertainment. See LL Cool J feat. DJ Z-Trip, Ludacris, Ne-Yo, SZA and more on-stage at the Staples Center; Genius Talks with Yara Shahidi, Tip “T.I” Harris and Yvonne Orj; and Celebrity Basketball with Caleb McLaughlin, Miles Brown and more, plus Celebrity Dodgeball (new this year). The experience culminates on Sunday when the BET Awards goes live at 5 p.m. from the Microsoft Theater. See website for complete schedule, many events are free to attend. L.A. Live, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown. bet.com
BloomLA Arts Festival
June 22-24. Wish upon dandelions and picnic under flower teepees at this interactive pop-up art show in Griffith Park. Expect almost 12 large-scale installation artworks, a lineup of local food trucks, musical guests and more. F 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sa 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Su 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $25+. Griffith Park, 5202 Zoo Dr., L.A. bloomartshow.com
Beach Cleanup: Santa Monica
June 23. Give back to Mother Nature at this beach cleanup hosted by Angel City Brewery and Surfrider Foundation. Come prepared with close-toed shoes, a water bottle and sun protection. Participants are encouraged to register in advance, though walk-ins will be welcome. The party continues after at Big Deans. 9 a.m.-noon. $10. Western End of Bay St. / 2000 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica. angelcitybrewery.com
Blue Roof Studios Art Festival
June 23. Celebrate the richness and diversity of the arts in South Los Angeles and beyond at this day-long fest. Stroll through indoor and outdoor art installations, meet-and-greet with resident artists’ open studios, do your own art-making with DIY workshops and shop at a curated art bazaar. Neighborhood businesses will be on-site for bites. Noon-5 p.m. Free. 7329 S. Broadway, L.A. blueroofstudios.org
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
June 23. The magic continues this summer at Universal Studios Hollywood with the return of a nightly awe-inspiring show projected onto the Hogwarts Castle. The state-of-the-art light display—showcasing the four different houses of Hogwarts—will be accompanied by a special musical arrangement created by Academy Award-winning composer John Williams. New wand magic experiences, authentic costume replicas and an expanded Three Broomsticks menu rounds out the magical experience. 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, 800.864.8377. universalstudioshollywood.com
Arroyo Seco Weekend
June 23-24. This Pasadena music festival boasts an impressive musical and culinary lineup. Neil Young + Promise of the Real, Jack White, Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters, Kings of Leon and Alanis Morissette are just some of the bands taking the stage. Restaurants including Freedman’s, Hanjip, Jon & Vinny’s and the Ponte will provide refreshments. Noon. Single-day pass $149, weekend pass $249; single-day VIP $349, weekend VIP $449; under 11 free. Brookside at the Rose Bowl, 1133 Rosemont Ave., Pasadena, 855.273.4481. arroyosecoweekend.com
DAYDREAM
June 24-Sept. 30. Break a sweat before soaking in the sun at this poolside summer series at the W Los Angeles – West Beverly Hills. The complimentary Sunday experience—available to both hotel guests and locals—kicks off with a 9 a.m. fitness class led by popular L.A. instructors and studios. After raising your heart rate, grab a complimentary drink at The Hideout by STK Los Angeles restaurant and enjoy DJ tunes for the rest of the afternoon. Event runs every Sunday through September 30. 930 Hilgard Ave., Beverly Hills, 310.208.8765. wlosangeles.com
FOOD + DRINK
Wine Dinner at The Royce Wood-Fired Steakhouse
June 21. Sit back and relax during an intimate dinner and wine pairing at the iconic Langham Huntington, Pasadena. Indulge on a four-course menu alongside a special selection of wines from Yao Family wines, which sources its grapes from prestigious Napa Valley vineyards. 6 p.m. reception, 6:30 p.m. dinner. $225, reservations required. 1401 South Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena, 626.585.6218. langhamhotels.com
Spire 73 Secret Menu Item
Now Available. Treat your pals to a decadent dessert made with hand-spun Rocky Road ice cream, espresso gelato, Madagascar vanilla bean ice cream, Louis XIII soaked cherries, caramelia black truffle brownie and hand-rolled truffles. Topped with 24K gold leaves and dust, this opulent sweet treat also has a shiny price tag of $173. Spire 73, InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, 900 Wilshire Blvd., downtown, 213.688.7777. dtla.intercontinental.com
STYLE + BEAUTY
Face Haus
Now Open. The iconic Montana Avenue in Santa Monica has a new, glowing neighbor with the arrival of facial bar Face Haus. The sleek and modern space offers premium, yet affordable ($65 facials? Yes, please!), services including seven signature facials and three waxing options. Boost your experience with a number of upgrades including an eye-raise, extractions, microderm, LED and more. For those in central L.A. Face Haus will be opening a location at USC in July. 1426 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, 855.550.4287. thefacehaus.com
Hem Pop-Up
Through June 30. Stockholm-based brand Hem—the Swedish word for home—debuts its first retail location at Poketo’s Project Space in DTLA. Stop in to shop a curated selection of the brand’s high-design or accessible furniture and homewares. Hem at Poketo Project Space, 777 S. Alameda St., #174, downtown. us.hem.com
ARTS + CULTURE
107th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition
Through July 1. Presented by the California Art Club, view a superb selection of contemporary art in a traditional style at this annual exhibit. The show celebrates a range of California artists—229 to be exact—and explores issues facing society, including diversity, social justice and environmentalism. Free with Museum Admission: $15 adults; $10 seniors, students, children ages 3+. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd., L.A., 626.538.9009. nhm.org
New Exhibitions at Hauser & Wirth
Opens June 23. Renowned DTLA contemporary gallery rings in summer with a plethora of new exhibitions: Larry Bell. Complete Cubes; Mary Heilmann. Memory Remix; Don McCullin; Portable Art. A Project by Celia Forner. Tu-Su 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Hauser & Wirth, 901 E. 3rd St., downtown, 213.943.1620. hauserwirthlosangeles.com
Korean Inspiration: A Night of Art & Exploration
June 23. Explore one of the largest collections of Korean works in the U.S. at this celebratory event at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Expect a special gallery viewing, brush-painting and printmaking workshops, a fashion show, Korean tea tastings and more. 7 p.m. Free. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., 323.857.6000. lacma.org
“Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella”
Through June 24. The legendary creators of The Sound of Music and South Pacific are behind this Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, which boasts an orchestra and beloved songs—plus some twists on the classic rags-to-riches tale. See website for showtimes and ticket prices. Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770. hollywoodpantages.com
125th Anniversary of the Ferris Wheel photo by Christina Wiese. Griffith Observatory photo by Christina Wiese. Hollywood Bowl photo courtesy of L.A. Phil. BET Experience at L.A. Live presented by Coca-Cola®/Nick Cannon photo courtesy of BET NETWORKS. BloomLA Arts Festival photo by Christina Wiese. Beach Cleanup: Santa Monica photo by Christina Wiese. Blue Roof Studios Art Festival/Heart Artwork by Scott Froschauer. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter photo courtesy of Universal Studios Hollywood. Jack White/Arroyo Seco Weekend photo by David James Swanson. Face Haus photo by Christina Wiese. 107th Annual Gold Medial Exhibition: James Gurney, Light on Water, Oil on board, 11.5 x 18 inches. Hauser & Wirth: Larry Bell Untitled 1985Vacuum coated glass with chrome plated metal framing 26 x 26 x 26 cm / 10 1/4 x 10 1/4 x 10 1/4 in. Photo: Genevieve Hanson © Larry Bell Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth. Korean Inspiration photo courtesy of MeeHee Hanbok. Cinderella photo by Carol Rosegg.
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