Best Things to Do in Los Angeles Today with Concerts & Events (2024)

Summer’s just heating up, but thanks to areturning summer event series it’s set to be scorching: Beginning June 6, Santa Monica mainstay the Bungalow will host itsnight market every Thursdayjust a block from the beach. Over the summer, expect food from the likes of Tacos 1986, the Boiling Crab and the Lonely Oyster, plus celebrity guests. The kickoff evening will include Jason Momoa, who will be guest bartending with his vodka brand, Meili, plus an appearance from Aaron Paul (and his mezcal brand, Dos Hombres). What’s more, this event is family-friendly and free to enter for all ages. The fun runs every Thursday into fall, from 5 to 11pm.

The masters of alfresco rooftop movie viewing have returned for another season of screeningsto LEVEL in Downtown L.A. Known for excellent film choices and a steady supply of snacks and booze, Rooftop Cinema Club is your snazzy, comfortable and less stressful alternative to other outdoor movie screenings. You don’t even need to bring your own camping chair—Rooftop Cinema Club provides you with your very own comfy lawn chair(with optional blankets for purchase to up the coziness). And instead of listening to the movie over loudspeakers, you’ll get a set of wireless headphones so you never have to miss a word.This spring and summer, look out for a slate of wedding season picks and AAPI Heritage Month selections in May, as well as Pride and Black Music Month screenings in June. Also, select “wooftop” screenings will be dog-friendly starting in May.Find the full schedule on their site, or in our outdoor movie calendar.

Each summer, Bard fanatics watch their favorite works come to life at the historic Old Zoo in Griffith Park. Independent Shakespeare Co. puts on a series of lively productions each week, inviting audiences to take a seat on the grass (read: bring a picnic blanket) and enjoy performances like this season’s headliner:As You Like It.With construction resuming on the main lawn, this summer’s show will move back to the dell at the top of the Old Zoo—meaning available space is smaller and reservations are required.

Let the wild rumpus start at this celebration of beloved children’s author and illustrator Maurice Sendak. The Skirball Cultural Centeris displaying more than 150 sketches, storyboards and paintings from theWhere the Wild Things Are creator.“Wild Things Are Happening: The Art of Maurice Sendak” debuted at theColumbus Museum of Art in 2022 and has since sailed off (metaphorically speaking) to visit L.A. from April 18 through September 1.As you might expect, Where the Wild Things Arereceives the biggest spotlight in the exhibition, with beautiful crosshatched artwork, translations of books, monster-themed merch and even costumes from the Spike Jonze film.In addition to his own books,In the Night Kitchen andOutside Over There among them, the exhibitionalso features artthat Sendakcreated for a handful of other authors,most notably Else Holmelund Minarik’sLittle Bear, as well designs for Mozart operas. The showalso focuses on his personal and family life, with insight on his Jewish upbringing, some very early drawings (including one of Mickey Mouse he created when he was just six years old) and lots about how his beloved dogs inspired and integrated into his books.Admission costs $18 for adults, with discounts for students, seniors and children; it’s completely free to visit on Thursdays. Look out for the adorable living room setup near the entrance, too—it hosts story time Thursday through Sunday at 3pm.

It’s more than just the low clearance: This exhibition at the Petersen explores the custom paint, engraving, upholstery and, of course, thegravity-defying suspension of the lowrider scene. In addition to iconic cars, the exhibit spotlights influentialartists inthe Chicano lowrider art scene. Even if you have no interest in cars, this colorful showcase of 20-plus lowered cars and bikes is excellent: The candy-colored paint jobs are dazzling, and the craftsmanship of the customizations—many vehicles are on display with their enginesand undercarriages visible—is remarkable. You’ll learn a little bit of history here, how the “low and slow” movement is rooted in the postwar Mexican American zoot suit counterculture, but largely this is an excuse to ogle someL.A. automotive icons.

Two documentarians of Chicano culture—iconic black-and-white photographer Estevan Oriol and the formerTeen Angels magazine—put the spotlight on L.A.’s art, lowrider and tattoo culturein this Beyond the Streetsexhibition.

Every two years, Disnerds come together at the Anaheim Convention Center to celebrate all things Disney and see what sort of magic the company has been working on. Show floor highlights include a peek inside the Disney Archives and the latest ride designs and inventions from Walt Disney Imagineering. If youcan secure a seat, the weekend’s keynotes include the celebrity-filled Legends induction ceremony and a look at upcoming releases from Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and both animated and live action Disney movies, as well as the latest from the Disney theme parks.When is this year’s D23?You’ll find the show floor and most of the panels at D23 at the Anaheim Convention Centerfrom August 9 to 11, 2024. The convention center hours are from 9am to 7pm each day.The three headlining panels will all take place at the Honda Center this year, including the film and TV-filled Disney Entertainment Showcase on August 9 at 7pm, the theme park-focused Disney Experiences Showcase on August 10 at 7pm and the Disney Legends Ceremony on August 11 at 5pm.Wait, what’s this about the Honda Center?That’s right, to accommodate more guests in the company’s ever-popular showcases, the three main events abovehave been moved off-site to the Honda Center. Expo organizers tell us that each of these events will hold about 12,000 people, almost double what they’ve been able to in the past. Seating will also be entirely reserved ahead of time (more on that in a minute) so there’s no need to queue forh

Plunge into the deep end whilewatching a slate ofmovies (sometimes ones filmedat the Hollywood Roosevelt) during this outdoor screening series at the Tropicana Pool & Cafe. You’re welcome to get wet (towels, blankets and heaters are available on a first-come, first-served basis) or stay dry.Seating is available by the bed, which fit two to four people comfortably.

Hollywood’s Japan House has tapped artistSebastian Masuda to dive into the roots of all things cute and colorful with this exhibition on Japanese kawaii culture. The free show includes multiple pieces and installations from Masuda.

The Skirball puts on its annual series of free summer concerts, highlighting indie, folk and world music from L.A. and beyond. Guests can arrive early and visit the museum’s galleries for free, dine under the stars and grab a seat for the show in the beautiful central courtyard. The concert is free (and reservations are recommended), but parking is $20.This summer’s lineup includesEl Laberinto del Coco (July 18), Bab L’Bluz (July 25), Waahli (Aug 1) and Sinkane (Aug 8).