Your Ultimate Guide To July: 20 Cool Events Happening In Los Angeles

A Tig Notaro documentary opens Outfest later this month.

We found a number of notable happenings in July to help plan your social calendar. Read on for all our event picks and details. Did we miss something? Add your event in our comments section.

July 2-5

ANIME: Anime Expo (AX), the largest anime and manga convention in North America is being held at the Los Angeles Convention Center this week, from July 2-5. Dedicated to Japanese culture, the expo features vendors, workshops, panels, a masquerade, anime music video contest, concerts and a fashion show. Anime Expo also features late-night programming such as dancing, video screenings, tabletop and electronic gaming, and open-mic karaoke. One of the bigger names playing the Expo at the Microsoft (formerly Nokia) Theater is the Wagakki Band, known for melding together the ancient poetry form of Shigin, as well as traditional Japanese musical instrumentation called Wagakki, with modern rock instruments. (Concert tickets start at $50.). Tickets and passes for the AX run between $39-$80.

July 3-5 and July 17-18

NIGHT MARKETS: There are two Night Markets to mark in your calendars this month. Up first, during the July 4th holiday weekend is 626 Night Market at Santa AnitaPark in Arcadia. It’s the original and largest Asian­-themed night market in the United States, running from 4 pm to 1 am on Friday and Saturday and 4-11pm on Sunday. Admission is $3 and parking is free; children 6 and under get in free. The event features more than 200 food, merchandise, crafts, arts, games, music and more. Later this month, the MPK Night Market returns to Barnes Park in Monterey Park on July 17 (5:30-10:30pm) and July 18 (2:30-10:30pm). The free-admission market features food, art, live entertainment, community organizations, a beer and wine garden, and carnival games. There are more than 100 booths for vendors, artists and entertainers, too, to the event that’s estimated to attract more than 15,000 people.

July 4

FOURTH: There are so many July 4th celebrations to choose from, but the Music Center presents the free, third annual Grand Park’s 4th of July Block Party.For the first time, the fireworks display will feature rooftop fireworks to light up the Civic Center skyline from buildings around the park. The party will be spread over eight city blocks from Temple Street to 2nd Street and from Grand Avenue to Main Street. The family-focused night features music, dancing, performances, art activities and food. No alcohol. 3-9:30 pm.

Supergirl heads to Comic-Con.

July 9-12

COMIC-CON: Are you ready for the lines in Hall H? Comic-Con 2015is at the San Diego Convention Center from July 9-12 (with a preview night on July 8). Expect a mass exodus of industry and press from LA to SD for workshops, panels and exhibitors on films, TV shows, manga, anime, games and … comic books.

July 9-Sept. 10

MUSIC: The Twilight Concert Series at the Santa Monica Pier returns for another summer of free music. Every Thursday through Sept. 10, expect a diverse lineup of musical guests, from Real Estate, Sister Nancy and Dam Funk to Ariel Pink and Rebirth Brass Band. Things kick off on July 9 at 7 pm with Morris Day & The Time / Dâm Funk.

July 9-19

OUTFEST: Outfest Los Angeles, the LGBT Film Festival, runs from July 9 to 19 in several venues in L.A. It opens at the Orpheum with a gala screening of the documentary Tig (about comedian Tig Notaro’s battle with cancer) and wraps up with François Ozon’s The New Girlfriend at The Theatre at Ace Hotel. Regular screenings start at $15, but galas and special events vary in price.

July 11-12

CRAFT FAIR: The Renegade Craft Fair returns to LA’s Grand Park on July 11 and 12 from 11 am to 6 pm each day. The weekend features the talents and crafts of more than 300 makers and vendors as well as music, food trucks and craft workshops. Free admission.

Death Cab for Cutie plays the Hollywood Bowl

July 12

MUSIC: Only a few tickets remain for theDeath Cab for Cutie show at the Hollywood Bowl at 7 pm on July 12. They’re playing to support Kintsugi, their eighth studio album and first in four years. Joining them in the program are tUnE-yArDs and Mikal Cronin. Tickets: $20-$89.

July 13-26

DINE LA: Really they should call it Dine LA Restaurant Week(s) because it’s now a 14-day dining event (from July 13-26) that entices eaters into sampling a diversity of cuisines with prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus from some of L.A.’s best restaurants, from DTLA’s Faith and Flower to One Pico in Santa Monica and hundreds of choices in between.

July 17

BOOK TALK: Comedian Aziz Ansari is currently on tour to promote his new book Modern Romance. He teamed with NYU sociologist Eric Klinenberg to combine humor and social science for an in-depth look at romance in today’s world, and Ansari will be at the Wilshire Ebell Theater on July 17 to talk about it. Tickets: $50 (includes a copy of the book).

July 17-19ART: For the second year, MOCA brings back Step and Repeat, a program of live performance to The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA. The weekend event includes music, performance art, poetry and comedy from July 17-19. This year features new performances by Geo Wyeth, James Fauntleroy and Juliana Huxtable-among other artists at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA. Tickets: $12 or $30 for the weekend pass.

July 17-19

MUSIC FEST: The Do LaB's inaugural Woogie Weekend festival takes place on July 17-19 at Oak Canyon Park in Silverado, Calif., in Orange County (the same locale for the Lightning in a Bottle’s venue from 2010-12). LIB’s popular Woogie stage for house/techno gets its own festival with more than 30 acts performing on two stages, including Danny Daze, Henry Saiz, Moon Boots, J. Phlip, Jonas Rathsman, Francesca Lombardo, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Adam Freeland, Pig&Dan, Nick Warren and many more. Tickets start out at $135 for full weekend passes.

July 17-Aug. 16

OC FAIR: The OC Fair puts a focus on food, beverages and culinary events this year with creations for all palates, especially if you’re inclined to deep-fried tastes. New fried food items at the OC Fair include Deep-Fried Starbucks from Bacon A-Fair; Deep Fried Slim Fast Bar and Fried Peanut Butter Pickle Dog from Chicken Charlie’s; and Deep-Fried Birthday Cake and Deep-Fried Pizza from Apple Fries. There’s also a wine area, a craft brew roundup and exhibits that look at the history of two of our favorites, cake and cocktails. The Fair is open Wednesday-Sunday. Single-day admission runs $7-$12 with concerts and other events extra.

June 18-Aug. 15

ART: Subliminal Projects presents the group exhibition, It’s a Beautiful Day, I Guess in collaboration with artist and SF gallerist Andres Guerrero. The show, whose title references a lyric from The Recipe by Kendrick Lamar and Dr. Dre, features new work by Greg Bojorquez, Tim Diet, Mark Drew, Michelle Guintu, Jeramee Haynie, Patrick Martinez and Kevin Woodruff. The opening reception is on July 18 from 8-11 pm.

July 19

SODA TASTING: Ready for a sugar rush? Galco’s Soda Pop Stop in Highland Park throws its annual soda tasting party on July 19 from 5-8 pm with beverages, music and more. The theme of this year’s event is “International Sodas” and guests can sample offerings from France, England, Italy and other locales. The tasting is a fundraiser for the Friends of the Southwest Museum Coalition that is working to reopen Los Angeles’ first museum as well as the Casa de Adobe to display portions of the museum’s collections. Tickets: $12 ticket ($5 for children ages 5-11) and $15 on the day of event. Advanced tickets are on sale at Galco’s (cash or check only).

'I Remember You' opens the Downtown Film Festival this year.

July 22-26

FILM FEST: The seventh annual Downtown Film Festival will take over several venues in DTLA’s historic core from July 22-26 with The Regent Theater, serving as the festival’s primary venue. The fest presents 11 features this year, “ranging from contemporary and historical dramas and music concert films to documentary features on issues at the forefront of progressive politics.” The opening night film is the drama I Remember You, directed by Claudia Sparrow.

July 25

PRINT FAIR: The community art center Self Help Graphics & Art holds its annual, one-day print fair and art exhibition on July 25 from noon to 5 pm, featuring works created by dozens of artists who participated in Self Help Graphics & Art’s Professional Printmaking Program from 2014-15. The fair is being held at the Boyle Heights City Hall - Community Room (enter via Chicago Street). On-street parking and paid parking in adjacent lots. Admission to the fair is free.

July 25-Aug. 2

SURFING: The Vans U.S. Open of Surfing returns on July 25 to the Huntington Beach Pier for a competition of more than 300 elite surfers. The event is also a celebration of surf culture with movie screenings, art installations and music. There are also BMX and skate competitions running throughout the week as well. Free admission.

July 30

FOOD FEST: The sixth annual Luckyrice LA Feast, hosted by Chef Andy Ricker (Pok Pok) and presented by Bombay Sapphire EAST Gin, takes over Create Nightclub in Hollywood, serving up Asian-influenced foods and cocktails on July 30 from 7-10 pm. Confirmed Los Angeles participants include a range from star-studded chef-driven concepts to more casual Asian eateries: Ayara Thai, Little Sister, The District, Open Blue, Dudley Market, Twenty Eight, Fluff Ice, Starry Kitchen, Katsuya, Seoul Sausage, Komodo, Bling Bling Dumpling, Hutchinson Cocktails & Grill, BEP Vietnamese Kitchen, Hamasaku, Phorage, Blue Ribbon, Badmaash, Asian Box and Parks BBQ. Tickets: $88-$150.

July 30-Aug. 16

ARCHITECTURE: The Gamble House in Pasadena once again offers 90-minute Upstairs-Downstairs tours, opening the doors to its servants’ hall and rooms. This national landmark is a prime example of American Arts and Crafts style architecture, which was designed in 1908 by Charles and Henry Greene for David and Mary Gamble of the Procter & Gamble Company. New information has recently been uncovered about the Gamble family and its servants, allowing more personalized information on the tours. Admission: $20. Space is limited. Tours takes place on Thursdays through Sundays, every hour from 11 am - 2 pm.

Want the 411 on additional events and happenings in L.A.? Follow @LAistor me (@christineziemba) on Twitter.