Things to Do in Los Angeles in July 2026
- Leegie Parker
- 4 days ago
- 9 min read
Published on July 2, 2026 by Leegie Parker
Leegie Parker | Real Estate Advisor | DRE 01020534 | Compass | Leegie.com
Quick Answer The best things to do in Los Angeles in July 2026 include the free Fourth of July concert and fireworks show at Warner Center Park in Woodland Hills, the Hollywood Bowl's three-night Fireworks Spectacular with The Beach Boys, and the FoodieLand Food Festival at the Rose Bowl. Free outdoor concert series run all month in West Hollywood and Marina del Rey, and several events, including Cali Splash Park at Castaic Lake, stay open well past July. |
Key Takeaways ● Warner Center Park's free Fourth of July concert and fireworks show draws up to 40,000 people to Woodland Hills, with gates opening at 3pm on July 4. ● The Hollywood Bowl's Fireworks Spectacular runs three nights, July 2 through 4, with The Beach Boys, John Stamos, and 50% off tickets for kids 12 and under. ● Free outdoor concerts run all month in West Hollywood at Plummer Park and in Marina del Rey at Burton Chace Park, including a July 18 show from CeeLo Green. ● The first-ever LA French Fry Festival hits The Autry in Griffith Park on July 11, with timed entry sessions to manage crowds. ● Several events, including Cali Splash Park at Castaic Lake and the Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach, run well past July into September. ● Two new spots worth trying opened this summer: Pawn Shop, a sports bar in West Hollywood, and Where the Creatures Sleep, a new restaurant from Shadow Grove Brewing in North Hollywood. |
If you're looking for things to do in Los Angeles in July 2026, you're in good company. This might be the best month on the calendar for it. Between Fourth of July fireworks, free outdoor concerts, and a genuinely wild lineup of food festivals, there's a reason to leave the house pretty much every weekend, and most of what's on this list is free or close to it.
The short version: Warner Center Park in Woodland Hills is hosting one of the Valley's biggest Fourth of July celebrations, with a free concert and a 20-minute fireworks display that draws close to 40,000 people. If you'd rather do the classic Hollywood version, the Hollywood Bowl has its Fireworks Spectacular running three nights with The Beach Boys. And if food is your love language, the FoodieLand Festival at the Rose Bowl and the brand-new LA French Fry Festival at The Autry are both worth clearing your calendar for.
I put this list together the way I'd tell a friend or a new neighbor what's worth doing this month, no fluff, just what's actually happening, where, and when. Let's get into it.
Where Can You Watch Fourth of July Fireworks in Los Angeles?
The biggest free Fourth of July fireworks shows in the LA area this year are at Warner Center Park in Woodland Hills and the Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood, with a third option at the Rose Bowl's FoodieLand Festival in Pasadena.
Event 1: Fourth of July at Warner Center Park
Warner Center Park in Woodland Hills hosts one of the San Fernando Valley's largest free Fourth of July celebrations, with a concert, food trucks, and a 20-minute fireworks show that draws up to 40,000 people.
This is one of those Valley traditions that, if you've lived here a while, you've probably been to at least once, and if you haven't, this is the year. Doctor Wu, a Steely Dan tribute band, headlines the free concert, and there are food trucks and vendor booths set up throughout the park. Gates open at 3pm and the event runs until 9:30pm, with the fireworks closing things out.
VIP ticket upgrades are available if you want a reserved spot instead of staking out a patch of grass early. Parking is $25 and benefits the Valley Cultural Foundation, so at least the traffic frustration goes toward something good.
Friday, July 4, 6pm to 9:30pm | Warner Center Park, 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills
Event 2: Hollywood Bowl July Fourth Fireworks with The Beach Boys
The Hollywood Bowl's Fireworks Spectacular runs three nights this year, July 2 through 4, and pairs The Beach Boys with a fireworks finale over the Hollywood Hills.
This is the classic, postcard version of an LA Fourth of July. The Beach Boys headline alongside special guest John Stamos and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, and the show closes with fireworks over the amphitheater. If you're bringing kids, tickets for ages 12 and under are 50% off, which makes this a more affordable outing than it looks at first glance.
Because it runs three nights instead of just July 4, it's also a good option if you want to avoid the worst of the holiday traffic and still catch the show.
July 2, 3, and 4 | Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood
Event 3: FoodieLand Food Festival at the Rose Bowl
FoodieLand bills itself as the nation's largest food festival, and it takes over the Rose Bowl in Pasadena for the entire Fourth of July weekend with more than 250 independent food vendors.
The vendor list alone is worth the trip. Korean corn dogs, New Orleans oysters, and Dubai chocolate churro sundaes are all in the mix, along with live music, artisan shops, and games. Saturday, July 4, features a drone show to mark Independence Day, a nice alternative if you want something different from a traditional fireworks display.
Tickets are $12 online only, kids 5 and under get in free, and parking is free on Saturday and Sunday.
July 3 through 5, Friday 3pm to 10pm, Saturday and Sunday 1pm to 10pm | Rose Bowl Stadium, 1001 Rose Bowl Dr., Pasadena
What Other Concerts and Festivals Are Happening in Los Angeles This July?
Beyond the Fourth of July, July in Los Angeles is full of free outdoor concerts, a splash park at Castaic Lake, and a brand-new French fry festival, with events running from the San Fernando Valley to West Hollywood to North Hollywood.
Event 4: Cali Splash Park at Castaic Lake
Cali Splash Park at Castaic Lake is Southern California's largest inflatable aquapark, and it's open on the water through early September.
With more than 45 obstacles, slides, climbing walls, bounce pads, and wiggle bridges, this is a full day out, not just a quick stop. The lake also has a swimming beach, BBQ areas, and boat rentals if you want to make it a whole afternoon. Sessions fill up, especially on weekends, so book ahead.
Open through September 7, Wednesday through Sunday, 10am to 6pm | 32132 Castaic Lake Dr., Castaic
Event 5: West Hollywood Summer Sounds
West Hollywood's free outdoor concert series returns to Plummer Park this month, with a July 5 show featuring cumbia and Latin sounds from É Arenas and DJ Que Madre.
This is a bring-a-blanket, low-key kind of afternoon, easy to enjoy without much planning. Another free show is scheduled for July 26, so check WeHo's event calendar for that lineup closer to the date.
Sunday, July 5 and Sunday, July 26 | Plummer Park, West Hollywood
Event 6: The First-Ever LA French Fry Festival
The Autry in Griffith Park is hosting the very first Los Angeles French Fry Festival on July 11, with food trucks and chefs serving everything from waffle fries to poutine to beef tallow fries.
There's also a "Sauce City" interactive bar, a fry eating contest, cooking demos, and live entertainment. The festival runs in three timed sessions, 11am to 2pm, 2:30 to 5:30pm, and 6 to 9pm, so you're not stuck in one giant crowd for the whole day. It's all-ages, with VIP options available for anyone 21 and up.
Saturday, July 11 | The Autry Museum of the American West, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park
Event 7: Marina del Rey Summer Concert Series
Marina del Rey's free waterfront concert series continues through the summer with a lineup that includes the Marina del Rey Symphony performing music from Coco, CeeLo Green, and Corinne Bailey Rae.
July 11 opens with the Symphony's tribute to Disney and Pixar's Encanto, July 18 brings Los Lobos, and July 25 closes out the month with Tyrese. These are first come, first served, so bring a picnic, a blanket, and low beach chairs and get there with some time to spare. The waterfront setting at Burton Chace Park is one of the prettier places to spend a Saturday evening in LA.
Saturdays, July 11, 18, and 25, 7pm (more dates through August) | Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey
Event 8: Bastille Day at California Plaza
Bastille Day at California Plaza is a free open-air celebration of French food, music, and culture in the heart of Downtown LA.
Grand Performances puts this on every year, and it's a nice change of pace if you want a date night or a girls' night out that doesn't require driving too far. It's free with RSVP, and the setting at California Plaza makes for an easy summer evening.
Tuesday, July 14 | California Plaza, Downtown Los Angeles
Event 9: Jurassic Park Outdoor Movie + Drone Show
Street Food Cinema is screening Jurassic Park outdoors at LA State Historic Park on July 18, with live music beforehand and a drone show finale.
Doors open at 5:30pm, a band plays starting at 6:45pm, and the movie starts at 8:30pm. It's dog-friendly, which makes it an easy pick if your evening plans usually revolve around your dog anyway.
Saturday, July 18 | LA State Historic Park
Event 10: National Day of the Cowboy at The Autry
The Autry celebrates National Day of the Cowboy on July 25 with trick ropers, cowboy poetry, live music, and country line-dancing lessons.
This one's built for families with younger kids, with hands-on activities throughout the day and extended museum hours until 7:30pm, so it's easy to turn into a full outing without feeling rushed.
Saturday, July 25 | The Autry Museum, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park
Is It Worth the Drive to Laguna Beach This July?
Yes, if you have the time. The Pageant of the Masters and Festival of Arts run nightly in Laguna Beach starting in July, and the Pageant recreates famous works of art live onstage with real people, which is unlike anything else on this list.
Event 11: Pageant of the Masters + Festival of Arts
The Pageant of the Masters recreates classic and contemporary works of art live onstage using real people, and this year's theme, "The Greatest of All Time," opens nightly starting July 9 in Laguna Beach.
The Festival of Arts opens first on July 7, with work from more than 100 Orange County artists on display. Both run through September, so this doubles as a good pick for a summer day trip or an overnight if you want to make a weekend of it.
Festival of Arts from July 7, Pageant of the Masters nightly from July 9, through September | Laguna Beach
New Spots to Check Out in LA This July
Two notable openings landed this summer: a new sports bar in West Hollywood from a James Beard Award winning chef, and the first full-service restaurant from a beloved San Fernando Valley brewery in North Hollywood.
Pawn Shop
LA finally has the sports bar it deserves, and the timing is hard to beat with the World Cup underway and a full summer of sports ahead. Pawn Shop opened its doors in West Hollywood at 5901 Melrose Ave., with chef Tony Messina, a James Beard Award winner, running the kitchen. The 7,800 square foot space has seven private mezzanine suites for groups, no dead zones for screens, and a bar program built to match the energy of a big game night.
Where the Creatures Sleep at Shadow Grove Brewing
In the NoHo Arts District, Shadow Grove Brewing just opened its first full-service restaurant, Where the Creatures Sleep. It's a great spot to know about if you're in North Hollywood often: small-batch beers on tap, a menu of burgers, salads, and vegan-friendly bites like fried oyster mushrooms, whimsical animal sketches on the brick walls, and full table service. It has the kind of easy, fun neighborhood vibe that makes it worth a repeat visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free Fourth of July events are happening in the San Fernando Valley?
Warner Center Park in Woodland Hills hosts the Valley's largest free Fourth of July event, with a concert from Doctor Wu, food trucks, and a 20-minute fireworks show starting after gates open at 3pm on July 4. Parking is $25 and benefits the Valley Cultural Foundation.
Are there family-friendly events in Los Angeles this July?
Yes. The LA French Fry Festival, National Day of the Cowboy at The Autry, and the Jurassic Park outdoor movie night are all built for families, and several events, including Cali Splash Park at Castaic Lake, run well past July.
What outdoor concerts are happening in Los Angeles in July 2026?
Free outdoor concert series are running all month at Plummer Park in West Hollywood and Burton Chace Park in Marina del Rey, with performers including Los Lobos and Tyrese.
Do I need tickets in advance for these events?
Most events on this list are free, but a few, including FoodieLand at the Rose Bowl and Cali Splash Park at Castaic Lake, require advance tickets or session bookings, especially for weekend dates.
Let's Talk
Thinking about buying or selling in the San Fernando Valley or on the Westside? I'd love to hear from you. Call or text me at 310-739-9202, or email Leegie@Leegie.com. I'll give you a thoughtful, grounded take on where you stand, and I'm always happy to talk through which neighborhood might be the best fit for how you actually want to live.
Leegie Parker
Real Estate Advisor, Compass
DRE 01020534
310-739-9202 | Leegie@Leegie.com | Leegie.com
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