While the LA climate may have us in a summery mindset 365 days a year, there’s something about the months between May and August that just hit differently. With the season’s return comes summer Fridays, rooftop happy hours, boat trips, beach days, music and street festivals, and more.

So grab your sunscreen and a pair of sunglasses—we rounded up the top events and activities happening across Los Angeles this summer, so you don't miss anything!

 

The Best Things to Do in LA This Summer

Enjoy the Festivities at the LA County Fair

The LA County Fair is back on May 3 with classic thrill rides, live music and performances, carnival games, and an array of mouthwatering food options, from turkey legs and corn dogs to funnel cake and cotton candy. This year's theme is Stars, Stripes, and Fun, and the festivities will run through May 27. Pro-Tip: Buy your tickets in advance to save money and skip the line!

P.S. Find more street fairs and festivals happening in LA this summer here!

Where: Fairplex: 1101 West McKinley Avenue, Pomona, CA
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Listen to Live Jazz at LACMA Every Friday Night

Grab a blanket, pack a picnic, and head to LACMA for free jazz concerts every Friday night this summer. From May to October, visitors can enjoy a variety of jazz performances in the museum's beautiful outdoor setting—all for free! Find the full lineup here.

Where: 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
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Catch the Sunset at El Matador State Beach

El Matador Beach is one of the three beaches within Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach. It’s also probably the most popular—and for good reason. The cliff-footed beach is known for its stunning sunsets over the bluff top. Head to the parking lot at dusk to take in the view from above. You’ll get a great overview of the whole beach. P.S. Pack a picnic and enjoy a fun outdoor date night.

Where: 32350 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA
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Plan A Wine Wednesday Rooftop Movie Night

Spend Wednesday nights watching outdoor movies with rooftop views and a glass of red, white, or rosé. Wine Wednesdays are back at Rooftop Cinema Club with a lineup of favorite flicks like Bridesmaids, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and Harry Potter. Get yourself a lounge chair, put on your headphones, and settle in for immersive summer movie nights under the stars with your complimentary glass of wine!

Where: Rooftop Cinema Club DTLA: 888 Olive St. Los Angeles, CA
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Take a Kayak Tour or Surf Lesson

Experience the best of SoCal's outdoor water adventures with a kayak tour, surf lesson, or Malibu beach surf tour. Kayakers will paddle through stunning coastal waters on a guided tour and see local wildlife like sea lions, dolphins, and a wide variety of birds. And if you're a Californian who hasn't learned how to surf yet, consider this your sign. Drop by for surf lessons for 30 minutes of beach instruction, followed by an hour on the water with an expert.

Where:
Kayak or Paddle Board: Marina Del Rey, Parking Lot 11: 14101 Panay Way, Marina Del Rey, CA
Surfing lesson: Venice Fishing Pier
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Attend a Summer Wine Festival

Get ready for the 2024 LA Wine Fest! Enjoy flowing wines, craft brews, and lifestyle goods with all of Southern California at this much-loved summer festival. The spacious 4-acre location, found by the harbor and near the Queen Mary, has loads of grassy areas and room to roam, taste, and relax.

Come for the dozens of wineries and breweries offering over 200 wines to sample, and stay for the tasty food trucks, live music on the main stage, and games.

Where: Harry Bridges Memorial Park: 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA
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Celebrate LA Pride

LA Pride is one of the largest LGBTQ+ Pride celebrations in the world. This year's event will feature a fantastic lineup of food and drinks, local vendors and LGBTQ+ exhibitors, a large sober space, giveaways, and much more. Not to mention the huge music festival and parade. Pride in the Park kicks off on June 8, with the parade taking place on June 9.

Where: LA Historic Park: 1245 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA
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Catch a Summer Concert

Few things are better than jamming out to your favorite songs with your friends and a stadium full of concertgoers. There are so many great concerts and shows coming to LA this season, from Santana and Counting Crows to Limp Bizkit and REO Speedwagon. Find our top concert picks here (along with some major discounts on tickets).

Where: Various locations.
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Go for a Swim at the Annenberg Beach House

For days when it's just too hot to enjoy a meal outside or a nice walk in the park, take things poolside. The Annenberg Beach House in Santa Monica is much more than just a public pool. With lounge chairs, tables, and umbrellas, beautiful beach views, and pristine waters, it's the perfect place to take a dip on a hot summer day.

P.S. Find more of our favorite pools across LA here.

Where: 415 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica, CA
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Grab Rooftop Drinks

Catch us rooftop hopping all summer with Bloody Marys from Terra at Eataly, light bites with DJs spinning at High Rooftop Bar, and exotic handcrafted cocktails from Broken Shaker—plus so much more. For a more comprehensive tour of the best rooftops to grab drinks on in LA, check out our Guide to LA Rooftops.

Where: Various locations.
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Spend a Day at the Ballpark

Root, root, root for the Dodgers…or the brews and hotdogs if that's more your thing! America’s largest baseball stadium also hosts weekly Friday Night Fireworks and Taco Tuesdays, plus hosts specialty nights like LGBTQ+ Pride Night on June 14.

Where: 1000 Vin Scully Ave, Los Angeles, CA
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Go on a Jetski Adventure to Catalina

Ride a Jetski from LB to Catalina Island in this all-inclusive rental adventure! The all-day experience starts with a cruise through crystal clear waters toward Santa Clarita Island, where you’ll stop to play and swim with dolphins, whales, and sunfish and enjoy a dazzling cavern swim. You’ll also be treated to 2.5 hours of free time on the island—for lunches, hiking, and relaxing—then depart the island to be back at Long Beach by 4 pm. The perfect summer day!

Where: 700 Queensway Dr, Long Beach, CA
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Walk the Venice Canals

Did you know you can walk the Venice canals right inside LA County? They are located off 25th Street in Venice Beach! The area is a neighborhood of houses that line four canals about a quarter-mile long each. On the sides of each are bridges and paths you can walk to experience the unique views—the perfect activity for a leisurely summer night.

Where: 200 Linnie Canal, Venice, CA
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Watch an Outdoor Movie

Return to the grass for a summer-long outdoor movie series. Watch fan-favorite films projected on a giant inflatable screen across iconic LA spots with a delicious food truck lineup and nightly live music and games. Doors open at 5:30 pm with a live band on at 6:45 and movies beginning at 8 or 8:30 pm. This year's lineup includes The Barbie Movie, Pulp Fiction, (500) Days of Summer, and more.

Where: Various locations.
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Try a Croffle and Cereal Cone from Bumsan

Summer and ice cream go hand and hand, but you know LA’s going to roll out the most aesthetically stunning cones around. When the California sun is just a little too hot, don’t skip a stop at Busman to cool off and try the original creators of the Croffle and cereal cones.

Where: 534 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA
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Rent a Party Yacht with Friends

Boat season is here, and there's no better way to celebrate than on a vibey 59-foot Island Boat. Whether you're celebrating a summer birthday, bachelorette party, or just looking for a fun time with friends, you can't go wrong with a day on the water. This particular private boat rental includes paddleboards, complimentary water, and a kitchen to use—plus a karaoke system!

Where: 13701 Fiji Way, Dock 55, Marina Del Rey, CA
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Take a Road Trip to Joshua Tree National Park

Summer is here, and the open road is calling! Take a road trip to Joshua Tree and enjoy a weekend of stunning desert landscape with sky-high rock formations and its namesake tree. With hiking trails varying in difficulty and accessibility, Joshua Tree is an outdoor playground of sorts year-round. 

P.S. Check out more of our favorite day trip destinations near Los Angeles if you're in the mood for a mini escape from the city.

Where: 6554 Park Boulevard, Joshua Tree, CA
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Wakeboard, Waterski, and Wakesurf

Southern California is known for its beautiful beaches, but don't underestimate a summer day at the lake. Suit up and head to Castaic Lake, where you can try all the different watersports in one day: wakeboarding, wake surfing, waterskiing, tubing, and kneeboarding. It's a great way to spend a hot day away from the city and enjoy a beautiful view of the lake and the mountains. And it's all just a 30-minute drive away from Los Angeles!

Where: Upper Castaic Lake: 32839 Lake Hughes Road, Castaic, CA
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Ride in a Vintage VW Bus on a Wine Tour in Malibu

Sip Malibu’s best vintages on a vintage VW Bus! The hippie-dream tour bus will pick you up with snacks and drinks for the ride. Then, you'll depart along the most famous and iconic beaches in California and the Malibu area. The tour will stop at local vineyards (some with private tasting rooms), at beautiful overlook areas, and cruise around the canyons. Bonus: you'll get two wine bottles to take home.

Where: Malibu Wine Hikes, 32111 Mulholland Hwy, Malibu, CA
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Take a Rail Bike Tour

Tour the citrus and avocado groves of sundrenched Ventura County on Railbikes, an electric and pedal-powered two-person bike that rides safely on tracks. On your guided tour, you’ll stop at Prancer’s Farm for fresh produce and animal encounters and take in the breathtaking scenery of SoCal. Picnic lunches are available for purchase, and there will be time to enjoy a scenic picnic before wending your way back.

Where: Santa Paula Train Depot: 200 North 10th Street, Santa Paula, CA
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Eat at Malibu Farm and Walk the Pier

The Malibu Farm Restaurant is a fresh, full-service restaurant with a bar menu full of specialty cocktails. Eat up, then walk it off with a stroll along the pier for the ultimate summer evening. You can also opt to check out the Newport location at Malibu Farm Lindo, complete with a home goods shop and coffee and ice cream bar!

Where: 23000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA
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