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10 things to do in Los Angeles this summer, from can't-miss concerts to exclusive events

Summer in Los Angeles is packed with concerts, outdoor movies, museum exhibitions and one-of-a-kind experiences.

UPDATED JULY 27, 2026 4:52 PM EDTJUL 27, 2026, 4:52 PM EDT

Summer in Los Angeles is packed with concerts, outdoor movies, museum exhibitions, and one-of-a-kind experiences. Whether you're looking for a cultural outing, a music festival or a sunset activity, here's our guide to some of the best things to do around the city this season.

1. Catch a live concert

Los Angeles' concert calendar is one of the busiest in the country during the summer, with everything from Latin music and pop to film scores and R&B. This season, fans can catch Nathy Peluso and Grupo Niche at the Hollywood Bowl, Hilary Duff on her Lucky Me Tour at the Kia Forum, Suki Waterhouse at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, and Fuerza Regida at Dodger Stadium. Classical music lovers can enjoy Joe Hisaishi's Film Music Concert at the Hollywood Bowl, while legendary performers Smokey Robinson and Gladys Knight share the iconic venue for two special nights. Other highlights include Joji at Intuit Dome, Yoshiki at Walt Disney Concert Hall, and Bob Moses with Cannons at the Hollywood Bowl.

Nathy Peluso is among the artists performing in Los Angeles during the 2026 summer concert season.

2. Dance the weekend away at a music festival

Eli & Fur are returning to Los Angeles for Blockprint: A Block Party on Saturday, August 22. The inaugural music festival on Abbot Kinney Boulevard will transform the stretch between Westminster Avenue and Brooks Avenue into a daylong celebration of dance music, local art, food and community. The duo will perform alongside Franc Moody (DJ Set), Darius and more. The event kicks off at 3 p.m. at Abbot Kinney Blvd & Westminster Ave.

Festival season continues with HARD Summer, returning to Hollywood Park in Inglewood on August 1-2. The lineup features Kali Uchis, DJ Snake, Charlotte de Witte, Amelie Lens, RL Grime, Tokischa, Vintage Culture, Mau P, Knock2 B2B Zedd and dozens more, making it one of Southern California's biggest electronic music events.

HARD Summer returns to Hollywood Park in Inglewood with one of the city's biggest festival lineups.

3. Visit a museum exhibition

Art and movie lovers have plenty to explore this summer. The Academy Museum is celebrating Marilyn Monroe'scentennial with a major exhibition dedicated to the Hollywood legend, while The Broad is presenting Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind. Film fans can also check out Jaws: The Exhibition, another seasonal highlight.

The Academy Museum's Marilyn Monroe exhibition is one of LA's must-see cultural experiences this summer.

4. Watch a movie under the stars

Outdoor movie season is back with screenings across Los Angeles. Spend an evening at Cinespia inside Hollywood Forever Cemetery, enjoy skyline views at Rooftop Cinema Club, or catch a classic film at Street Food Cinema, complete with food trucks and live entertainment.

Outdoor movie nights at Cinespia and Rooftop Cinema Club are a Los Angeles summer tradition.

5. Spend a summer night at the museum

Several museums stay open after hours during the summer. LACMA hosts live jazz and outdoor performances, while the Natural History Museum's Summer Nights combine DJs, food trucks, cocktails and late-night access to the galleries, making for one of LA's most popular seasonal traditions.

The Getty and LACMA continue to host outdoor concerts and special evening events during the summer.

6. Discover free outdoor concerts

Looking for something budget-friendly? Check out The Getty's Off the 405 concert series, Grand Performances in Downtown LA or LACMA's free outdoor music programs, which feature everything from jazz to global artists throughout the summer.

The best things to do in Los Angeles this summer, from concerts to museum exhibitions

7. Explore limited-time pop-ups and immersive experiences

From foodie destinations to lifestyle activations, Los Angeles is filled with pop-ups during the summer months. Smorgasburg LA's Ice Cream Alley transforms ROW DTLA into a celebration of local frozen treats every Sunday, while immersive attractions like the Museum of Ice Cream in Venice offer colorful, photo-worthy experiences. Music fans can also keep an eye out for Aperol's Share the Moment activations tied to Hilary Duff's Lucky Me Tour, alongside a steady lineup of fashion, beauty and wellness pop-ups across the city.

Los Angeles comes alive each summer with concerts, festivals, museum exhibitions and outdoor experiences across the city.

8. Enjoy a rooftop happy hour

Summer evenings are made for rooftop cocktails. Whether you're in Downtown LA, West Hollywood or Santa Monica, many rooftop bars are hosting sunset DJ sets, seasonal menus and special events throughout the season.

Rooftop happy hours offer some of the best sunset views in Los Angeles during the summer.

9. Relax at the beach or hit the trails

Spend the day at Santa Monica, Malibu or Manhattan Beach, or trade the sand for a morning hike to Griffith Observatory, where you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign.

Griffith Observatory offers panoramic views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign.

10. Keep an eye on LA's social calendar

Summer also means invite-only parties and lifestyle events. Los Angeles' social calendar is filled with exclusive gatherings like the CLD Summer Party, where fashion, beauty and wellness brands, including Pacsun, Wrangler, Aja Swimline, Luxe Du Jour, NOYZ, COLAB, Possmei and many more, showcase their latest collections and products in rooftop settings.

Gatherings like the CLD Summer Party bring together fashion, beauty, wellness and luxury brands for rooftop celebrations