You may think of Hollywood when you think of LA, but there's so much more to the city.
In addition to the movie studio tours, you can visit beaches, museums, and theme parks, eat a variety of foods, shop to your heart's content, and so much more.
The weather in July tends to be around the low 80s F, with just a few days in the 90s, making it the perfect time to get out and about in the city.
There's also a lot going on this month. I've written this post, and updated for 2024, to give you a top 10, nighttime, free, and family-friendly list of things to do in July.
TOP 10 ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS IN JULY
This section will feature our top 10 activities to enjoy in LA throughout July.
For tips on the most popular tours and activities in LA, check out the following posts:
Several of the items below are already included for free with the purchase of a tourist attraction pass.
1. Go to a Sporting Event
July is a great month to watch baseball, soccer, or women’s basketball.
Be sure to snack on a Dodger Dog at Dodger Stadium if you cheer on L.A.’s favorite baseball team.
Baseball
- The professional baseball season runs between April and September. See the Dodgers or the Angels for home games.
Soccer (Football)
- The LA Galaxy has a four home games in July.
Basketball
- The Los Angeles Sparks also have four home games in July
Seeing a big game is a great way to spend your afternoon or evening! For more things to do at night check the section down below.
2. Go to a Concert
Los Angeles is full of concert venues, and there's always a talented artist to be found performing in and around the city. There are also a few music festivals being held in the LA area this month.
Concerts
- Beck | July 6
- The Rolling Stones | July 10 and 13
- John Williams with the LA Philharmonic | July 14
Check here for even more concerts in the LA area in July including: NKOTB, blink 182, Patti LaBelle, Kenny Chesney, Jennifer Lopez, Hootie and the Blowfish, Niall Horan, and Chaka Khan.
Festivals
- Lost in Dreams Festival 2024 | LA State Historic Park | July 12 and 13
- S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival | Greek Theatre | July 13
- Sound and Fury 2024 | Exposition Park | July 13-15
3. Take a Sightseeing Tour
Take advantage of the great weather and head out on a tour! We offer pay-what-you-like walking tours and plan to introduce new tours soon.
Check out our calendar to book a walking tour.
Another great way to see Los Angeles is to take a bus tour. Read our post to find out about all the bus tour options in Los Angeles.
Another option is a studio tour. See what it is like to be an actor on set! Check out our post about Studio Tour options.
4. Attend A Show
From family-friendly musicals to dance to stage plays, Los Angeles often has a production on the stage in the evenings.
Here are some options:
Peter Pan | Hollywood Pantages Theatre | July 9-12
Ballet Folkorico de Mexico with the Las Angeles Philharmonic | Hollywood Bowl | July 18
Check here for a list of other shows in the LA area. We have even more nighttime activities listed below.
5. Celebrate the 4th of July
Come celebrate America’s 247th birthday with a multitude of events and activities happening in Los Angeles.
You'll find fireworks, music, partying, and more!
Here are some options:
Downtown LA Block Party by City Hall with live music, food vendors, and fireworks! Free for all to attend!
Santa Monica 4th of July Parade featuring floats, horses, and music among other things.
Hollywood Bowl 4th of July Spectacular featuring the Harry Connick Jr. It runs July 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
If you’re in Long Beach, head to the Queen Mary where you can experience entertainment, music, and fireworks!
6. Attend An Anime Convention
The largest anime convention in the US, Anime Expo, takes place in downtown LA each year.
The annual convention brings over 100,000 attendee to the Los Angeles convention center.
From a massive exhibit hall full of toys and artwork to video screenings to concerts and even a fashion show, there's plenty to see and do.
Activities take place from July 4-9.
Visit the Anime Expo site for more information.
7. Experience a DragCon
RuPaul's DragCon returns to LA where it celebrates all things self-expression and the art of drag.
Attendees will get to see and meet contestants who appeared on RuPaul's Drag Race and other well know drag artists.
There will be panel discussions, merchandise, VIPS events, parties, and much more!
The fun takes place July 19-20 at the LA Convention Center. Visit the RuPaul DragCon website for more information and for tickets.
8. Watch Dragon Boat Competitions
Head to Long Beach for the 2024 Dragon Boat Festival.
While it is today an international sport, dragon boat racing dates back over 2,000 when it was performed throughout southern China as part of a folk ritual.
You'll find food, performances, and over 100 amateur teams taking part in the races.
Visit the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival website for info more information.
9. Celebrate Columbian Culture
For 20 years Festival Comomniano has taken place in celebration of Columbian Independence.
Enjoy the culture and delicious Columbian foods will be on offer to the thousands of attendees.
3 stages offer different types of music, including salsa, merengue, EDM, club music, and Reggae.
Check out the Festival Colombiano website for more information.
10. Get Free Tickets with a Tourist Attraction Pass
Admittedly, these passes have a cost. However, if you plan well, you will essentially get several tickets to attractions or tours each day for free.
Tourist attraction passes work by bundling multiple tickets into one price, usually between 20%-50% of the retail price.
Read our post comparing the different LA tourist attraction passes. Several bus tour companies, including hop-on-hop-off buses, also offer savings and deals.
For more ideas for any time of year, read our master post on Things to do in LA.
THINGS TO DO AT NIGHT IN JULY
Below is just a short sampling of the many things to do at night in July.
For suggestions on other nighttime activities, read the other sections of this post or our post on things to do at Night in LA.
Head to the 626 Night Market
Head to the 626 Night Market for loads of Asian foods, treats, and shopping!
It takes place two weekends: July 5-7 and July 12-14. This event is great for the whole family.
Snack on a cotton candy burrito, or Korean tacos, and sip on a giant baby bottle filled with an adult beverage. There is live music, vendors, and performers.
Attend an Outdoor Movie Screening
Could anything be more LA than spending time in front of the silver screen? It's even better when you can watch them outside on a nice summer night!
Street Food Cinema
Street Food Cinema is out "outdoor movie experience" combining the joy of movies with live music and gourmet food offerings.
It takes place at various outdoor parks around LA.
Past showings have included such movies as:
- A League of Their Own
- The Princess Bride
- Raiders of the Lost Ark
- Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
For a calendar of events and to purchase tickets visit the Street Food Cinema website.
Rooftop Cinema Club
Screenings are held on a rooftop so you have an awesome skyline view.
With cocktails, beer, wine, and popcorn on offer, deckchairs, and personal headphones, it is truly an experience to remember.
Past showings have included such movies as:
- Lost in Translation
- The Sandlot
- Dazed and Confused
- Independence Day
To purchase tickets, visit the Rooftop Cinema Club website.
For more outdoor movie screenings, see our Los Angeles Summer Guide.
Walk Hollywood Boulevard
One of the most famous streets in the USA, Hollywood Boulevard, takes on a totally different feel once the sun goes down.
The lights from the theatres reflect off of the buffed stars on the Walk of Fame and it’s a fun atmosphere to take a stroll or grab drinks or dinner.
Read our full post on things to do in Hollywood.
See an Improv Or Comedy Show
L.A. is well known for comedy and improv.
You may be seeing seasoned Los Angeles improvisers, you might catch a group of comedy students, or you may be in on a night when Aziz Ansari is trying out new material.
Below are just a few places to catch an evening comedy show.
Improvisation
- Upright Citizens Brigade
- The Groundlings
- Comedy Sportz (family-friendly)
Stand-Up Comedy
For suggestions on other nighttime activities, read the other sections of this post or our post on things to do at night in LA.
Be sure to check out our Los Angeles Summer Guide for even more things to do at night.
FREE THINGS TO DO IN JULY
Los Angeles always has free events going on, for example, some of the items we’ve listed above like the 4th of July Parade in Santa Monica are 100% free to attend!
For even more free activities, see our guide to free things to do in LA.
Smorgasberg in L.A.
Smorgasberg is the largest open-air weekly food market in America! Stop by every Sunday between 10 am - 4 pm.
The market is free but you will be tempted to spend a few bucks on a meal or three.
See their website for details.
Public Star Party at Griffith Park Observatory
One Saturday every month, the Observatory hosts a night where guests can try amazing telescopes between 2 pm - 9:45 pm on the lawn.
In 2024 that date is July 13th. Find out more on the Griffith Observatory website.
Head up early for an evening hike at sunset! Check out other things to do in Griffith Park.
Free Concerts at California Plaza
In the heart of downtown LA, Saturdays from June to September 2024 concerts are held in California Plaza.
Performances include "world-class music, dance, theatre, and more" and Los Angeles Magazine named it the "Best Free Outdoor Concert Series".
Bring along a blanket and a picnic. For more information, visit their website.
Additional Summer Nights Concerts
KCRW presents a variety of summer concerts at numerous venues throughout Los Angeles.
The evening concerts feature a variety of musical genres and are free and open to people of all ages!
More information is available on the KCRW Summer Nights website.
Free Workouts
There are loads of places to get a free workout in Los Angeles. Head to Venice’s famous Muscle Beach to watch the bodybuilders or join in!
Go to Santa Monica’s stairs or snap an Instagram pic of the Micheltorena Stairs Silver Lake.
Check out these suggestions for free workouts.
Moonlight Movies on the Beach
Alfredo’s Beach Club in Long Beach offers free nighttime movies throughout July for people of all ages.
Moviegoers can also enjoy food trucks, snack shops, and kettle corn!
All movies begin at dusk. Click here for a full schedule.
Go to the Broad Museum and take a Public Tour
The Broad Museum has an incredible collection of contemporary art and amazingly the general admission is free with a pre-reservation!
What many people don’t know is that the Broad offers public art tours on Tuesday and Friday at 3:00 pm.
Check their website for additional information
TIP: Our guide to free things to do in LA lists a number of activities and events that won’t cost you a dime!
FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES IN JULY
Families with children can always find something to please in the City of Angels! Here are some of the best things to do with kids in July in LA.
For more ideas, take a look at our post on things to do in LA with kids.
Echo Park Lotus Festival
On July 13th-14th take the whole family to the 43rd annual Lotus Festival in Echo Park.
In 2024 the festival, which highlights Asian and Pacific Island communities, celebrates the culture of the Phillippines.
It offers entertainment, boutiques, food, art and more to the hundreds of thousands of attendees.
Shakespeare by the Sea
Enjoy a Shakespearean drama or comedy throughout multiple locations in LA for free!
Shakespeare by the Sea runs from June 21 - August 3 at Point Fermin Park in San Pedro.
Best of all, admission is free!
Zimmer Children’s Museum
LA’s The Cayton Children's Museum (formerly the Zimmer) is loaded with hands-on and interactive exhibits for little ones to enjoy!
Located in Santa Monica, the museum also offers classes, scheduled programs, and arts and crafts.
Entrance is currently $15 each for adults and children (age 1 and above).
Hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 10 am - 4 pm.
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