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

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 4

FOURTH
There are so many July 4th celebrations happening throughout L.A., from the Rose Bowl to Grand Park to Marina Del Rey and points in between.

July 6-16

OUTFEST (Film festival)
Outfest Los Angeles, the LGBT Film Festival, runs from July 6 to 16 in several venues in L.A., screening 194 films from 30 countries. It opens with the gala screening of Francis Lee’s debut, God’s Own Country starring Josh O’Connor and Alec Secareanu at the Orpheum Theatre. It wraps up with Trudie Styler’s Freak Show, starring Bette Midler, Alex Lawther, AnnaSophia Robb, Abigail Breslin and others. Regular screenings start at $15-$20, but galas and special events vary in price.

July 6-8

HARRY POTTER CONCERTS (Music)
Harry Potter returns to the Hollywood Bowlthis summer as the LA Phil accompanies two films screened on the big screen: Harry Potter and Chamber of Secrets on July 6 and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban on July 7-8. Tickets: $14-$196. 8 pm each night.

July 7

AL FRANKEN + MARC MARON (Talk)
The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts and Writers Bloc present a one-night-only event featuring Senator Al Franken (D-MN) in conversation with comedian/podcaster Marc Maron (who replaces Kathy Griffin) on July 7 at 7:30 pm. The two come together at the Wallis’ Bram Goldsmith Theater for a discussion about Franken’s new book Giant of the Senate. Each ticket comes with a copy of the book. The event is sold-out online, but call ticket services at 310-746-4000 or send an email to Tickets@thewallis.org to be placed on the waitlist.

July 7-9

CHALICE FESTIVAL (Music + art)
Now in its fourth year, The Chalice Music & Art Festival takes over the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds in Victorville on July 7-9. Headliners Ice Cube, Thievery Corporation, Sound Tribe Sector 9 play alongside Ludacris, Cypress Hill, Big Boi (of Outkast), Capleton, Pouya, The Floozies, Juelz Santana & Cam’Ron formerly known as Dipset, Jadakiss - Styles P - Sheek Louch (The Lox) , Berner, Warren G, King Lil G, Manic Focus, Pressure, Marlon Asher, Ghostemane, Ras Shiloh, Izac King, Buddy and Kong. The festival also features street artists and glass blowers. Chalice tickets: $55 per day or $120 per three-day pass; VIP passes are $90-$110 per day or $240 per three-day pass.

July 14-16

DISNEY EXPO (Convention):
D23 EXPO: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event will draw tens of thousands of people to the Anaheim Convention Center on July 14-16. The expo brings together the worlds of Disney under one roof. Check out sneak peeks of upcoming films, celeb appearances, and a first look at what’s coming from Disney theme parks, TV shows, game and music. Among those participating this year are Whoopi Goldberg, Mark Hamill, Leonard Martin, John Stamos, the Hercules cast and many others. The Walt Disney Archives exhibit will showcase rare props, costumes and ephemera. Tickets for D23 Expo 2017: $81 for one-day (adults) and $59 for children 3 to 9. Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can purchase tickets for $72 for a one-day adult admission and $53 for children 3-9. Multi-day passes are also available.

July 14-Aug. 13

OC FAIR
Orange County Fair begins on July 14 at the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa. In addition to the animals, exhibits, action, carnival rides and games and plenty of the best unhealthy food around, The Pacific Amphitheatre’s concert series features Steele Pulse, The Wailers, Dashboard Confessional, The All-American Rejects, Rebelution and more. The Fair is open Wednesday-Sunday. Single-day admission runs $7-$12 with concerts, parking and other events extra.

July 15-Oct. 14

JOHN ANSON FORD AMPHITHEATRE REOPENS (Music + performance)
Music and performances return to the Ford Theatre this summer after extensive renovations to the venue. The season opens on July 15 with dance artist and choreographer Savion Glover in Concert. Other season highlights include the Latino/Chicano performance trio known as Culture Clash, Rufus Wainwright, Poncho Sanchez, Youssou NDour and others. Ticket prices vary.

July 15-16

37TH LOTUS FESTIVAL (Music + Food + Performance)
The 37th Lotus Festival is at Echo Park Lake on July 15 and 16 from 12-9 pm each day. The festival features Asian culture, arts, performance, dragon boat races and foods. This year’s host country is Bangladesh.

July 20

SUFJAN STEVENS, NICO MUHLY, BRYCE DESSNER & JAMES MCALISTER: PLANETARIUM (Music)
Sufjan Stevens, Nico Muhly, Bryce Dessner and James McAlisterperform their collaborative album Planetarium, inspired by space and the solar system, on July 20 at Hollywood Forever’s Fairbanks Lawn. Gates at 7 pm. Tickets: $49.50.

July 20-23

COMIC-CON (Everything under the sun)
Are you ready for the lines in Hall H? Comic-Con 2017 is at the San Diego Convention Center from July 20-23 (with a preview night on July 19). Expect a mass influx of industry and press from LA to SD for workshops, panels and exhibitors on films, TV shows, manga, anime, games and … comic books. A sampling of the TV shows presenting at Comic-Con include Stranger Things 2, Game of Thrones, Outlander, Legion and so many more.

July 21-23

FYF FEST (Music)
FYF Festtakes over Exposition Park from July 21-23. Friday performers include: Anderson .Paak, Flying Lotus, Missy Elliott; Saturday features A Tribe Called Quest, Erykah Badu, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Perfume Genius; Sunday’s lineup includes: Chicano Batman, Little Dragon, Nine Inch Nails, Run the Jewels, Solange. Gates at 5 pm on Friday, 2 pm on Saturday and Sunday. All ages. Single day admission: $109-$125; passes: $329-$549.

July 22-23

SIZZLING SUMMER NIGHTS (Music + dance)
The Sizzling Summer Nights series returns to the Autry on Thursday nights this summer beginning on July 6 (through Aug. 17) from 5:30-9 pm. Dance under the stars with L.A.’s best salsa and Latin fusion bands at the Autry. The outdoor parties include free lessons with award-winning salsa instructor Orlando Delgado, access to museum galleries, a children’s dance floor and more. Opa Opa opens the series on July 6. Tickets: free for Autry Members, $12 nonmembers, $8 students and seniors, $6 children (ages 3-12). Reservations recommended.

July 23

MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 (Live screening)
Mystery Science Theater 3000 creator Joel Hodgson and host Jonah Heston bring the first live touring production of MST3K to The Theatre at Ace Hotel for the Watch Out for Snakes! Tour. Taking place on July 23 at 5 pm and 8 pm, the tour has two separate, completely different shows (each with its own admission). Each event includes the total “MST3K” experience: a cheesy B-movie, riffing, wisecracking robots, silly sketches, plus - for the first time - audience participation. Show #1 is “Eegah,” which features all-new riffs and sketches. Show #2 is a “Secret Surprise Film,” a fun sci-fi thriller never before featured on “MST3K.” Tickets: $39.50-$299.

July 27

SUNSET CONCERTS (Music)
The Skirball's Sunset Concerts series returns for its 21st season on Thursday, July 27 with Sean Watkins & friends paying homage to Paul Simon. Other artists in the series, which runs weekly through Aug. 31, include Ibibio Sound Machine (Aug. 3); Delgres (Aug. 10); Daymé Arocena (Aug. 17); David Buchbinder's Odessa/Havana (Aug. 24); and Betsayda Machado y La Parranda El Clavo (Aug. 31). The series coincides with the Skirball’s current exhibition Paul Simon: Words & Music. The concerts, which start at 8 pm, are free and open the public, but RSVPs are requested.

July 27

LABYRINTH (Quote-along film)
The Alamo Drafthouse presents a Quote-Along Labyrinth on July 27 at The Theatre at Ace Hotel. Directed by Jim Henson, the fantasy film features Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie, as well as Jim Henson’s puppets. Doors at 7 pm. Tickets: $35 for general admission; $50 for reserved seating, prop bag and pint glass. Costumes are encouraged.

July 27-30

PORTUGAL. THE MAN (Music)
Wasilla, Alaska’s Portugal. The Man plays three Southern California shows this month: July 27 at the House of Blues Anaheim, and July 29-30 at the Hollywood Palladium. Tickets: $35+ fees.

July 28

LUCKYRICE GRAND FEAST (Food fest):
The annual Luckyrice Grand Feast, returns to Vibiana in DTLA on July 28 serving up Asian-influenced foods and cocktails from 8-10 pm (7 pm entry for VIP tickets). Confirmed food/drink participants include: Bling Bling Dumpling, Bone Kettle, Hinoki & the Bird. Tickets: $88-$150 (VIP, entry at 7 pm). Ages 21+. Price tickets are all inclusive.

July 29-Aug. 6

VANS U.S. OPEN OF SURFING (Surfing):
The Vans U.S. Open of Surfing returns on July 29 to the Huntington Beach Pier for a competition of the world’s elite surfers. The event is also a celebration of surf culture with movie screenings, art installations and entertainment. There are also BMX and skate competitions running throughout the week as well. Free admission.

July 29-30

POLITICON (Politics)
POLITICON—a convention billed as a comic-con style event for political and entertainment junkies—is at the Pasadena Convention Center on July 29-30. This gathering features panel discussions, debates, TV & movie screenings, live radio, podcasts, comedy, book readings, interviews, art exhibitions and more. Already confirmed are a number of participants across the political spectrum including: James Carville, Ann Coulter, Pod Save America, Congressman Ted Lieu and comics Greg Proops, Lizz Winstead, Al Madrigal, Jena Friedman and many many others. Tickets: $50 per day or $80 for the weekend.

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