This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
Best things to do this weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: July 26 - 28
Kira Matsuno, 25, left, Sarah Hankins, 26, right, dance during the San Fernando Valley Obon Festival.
(
Julie Leopo
/
LAist
)
If getting around Los Angeles in traffic was an Olympic sport, I’d have a gold medal – as I’m sure many of you would, too.
So put those navigation skills to work for something fun and get out to see the Opening Ceremony for the Olympics in IMAX straight from Paris. You can also swing down to Long Beach for the Surf Guitar 101 Festival or take a drive up the coast for a hip pizza dinner in Montecito. And Broadway fans won’t want to miss MUSE/IQUE’s weekend show at the Wallis or the last weekend of Peter Pan at the Pantages (and then say that ten times fast!).
For more things to explore, visit LAist.com where you can find out the best spots to see the bioluminescence in Newport Beach, get a guide to trekking Inglewood on foot, and learn who got picked and who got snubbed in this year’s class of Emmy nominees.
Events
-
Fri, Jul 26Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony in IMAX
-
Multiple Locations
Head to select IMAX movie theaters to catch the ceremony live on a (really) big screen.
-
Multiple Locations
-
Sun, Jul 28'Peter Pan'
Acclaimed Native American playwright Larissa Fasthorse (The Thanksgiving Play) was brought in to write additional material and modernize the Jerome Robbins classic and the result is a much more inclusive version of the show.
-
Fri, Jul 26Jazz at LACMA: Bruns & Baché
-
LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art)
5905 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire
Nine-piece retro-soul band, Bruns & Baché consists of musicians who’ve played with big names from Beck to Michael Bublé.
-
LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art)
-
Sun, Jul 28Surf Guitar 101 Festival 2024
-
Crystal Ballroom at the Golden Sails Hotel
6285 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach
The classic California sound of surf guitar takes center stage at this festival in Long Beach.
-
Crystal Ballroom at the Golden Sails Hotel
-
West L.A. Obon Festival
-
West L.A. Buddhist Temple
2003 Corinth Ave., Sawtelle
Obon festivals across L.A.’s Japanese community are in full swing, and West L.A.’s Japantown is hosting a packed schedule of dance and celebrations.
-
West L.A. Buddhist Temple
-
Sat, Jul 27Something New: Local-ympics
-
Santa Monica Beach (Exact Location TBD)
, Santa Monica
Our friends at Something New have another Olympic-sized surprise up their sleeves with this event.
-
Santa Monica Beach (Exact Location TBD)
-
Sat, Jul 27Okwy Osadebe
-
Grand Performances
350 S. Grand Ave., Downtown L.A.
Dance to the beats of West Africa, followed by a performance from African highlife artist Okwy Osadebe.
-
Grand Performances
-
MUSE/IQUE: 'Plenty of Heart, Plenty of Hope'
-
The Wallis
9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd. , Beverly Hills
MUSE/IQUE is one of the most innovative theater events and the current performance is sure to be stellar.
-
The Wallis
Viewing Pick
-
Sat, Jul 27'Blazing Saddles' 50th Anniversary Screening with Mel Brooks
-
Peacock Theater
777 Chick Hearn Court, downtown L.A.
Comedy legend Mel Brooks will be live in conversation following a showing of Blazing Saddles.
-
Peacock Theater
Sponsored message
Outdoor Pick
-
Sun, Jul 28Ride With Josh: Fundraising Bike Ride
-
Rapha Los Angeles
1347 Fourth St. , Santa Monica
Hop on your bike and head to Santa Monica to ride and raise money for a great cause.
-
Rapha Los Angeles
Dine and Drink Deals
-
Fri, Jul 26Book Signing and Bites with Olympic Medalist Tasha Danvers
-
Jerk Wings Cafe
8300 Tampa Ave. , Northridge
Two-time Olympian Tasha Danvers will share stories over light refreshments and sign copies of her book, Winning on Purpose.
-
Jerk Wings Cafe
-
Sun, Jul 28Swiss Fair Los Angeles
-
Swiss Fair Grounds
1905 Workman Mill Rd., Whittier
Pop over to Whittier to taste raclette, various sausages, spatzle and more.
-
Swiss Fair Grounds
-
Sun, Jul 28Baroo x Kato
-
Kato Restaurant
777 S Alameda St., Building 1, Suite 114, Downtown L.A.
Enjoy a collaborative five-course menu of Korean and Taiwanese cuisine and special cocktails.
-
Kato Restaurant
-
Wed, Jul 31Brightland x Bettina
-
Bettina
1014 Coast Village Rd., Santa Barbara
Take a drive up the coast and check out hip olive oil brand Brightland’s partnership with Montecito Italian hot spot Bettina.
-
Bettina
-
Sun, Sep 1Smorgasburg's Ice Cream Alley
-
ROW DTLA
777 S. Alameda St., downtown L.A.
Try treats from Wanderlust, Jeni’s, McConnell’s, Blast Ice Cream and more.
-
ROW DTLA
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
