A new season brings on new plans – and summer is coming in hot in Los Angeles! With the sun shining, our city always has a jam-packed amount of incredible happenings, and some of these cannot be missed this season.
Curate the perfect SoCal summer by browsing our selection of the hottest parties, concerts, incredible exhibits, and experiences below.
Read on for the ultimate list of fun things to do during summer 2026 in Los Angeles!
If you’re looking to add a truly epic after-dark event to your 2026 summer bucket list, don’t miss DroneArt’s World Premiere of the Harry Potter drone show at Dodger Stadium. To celebrate 25 years of the wizarding world, 1,200 synchronized drones will fly to the films’ iconic score, recreating memorable moments like the flying Ford Anglia and the Goblet of Fire above the LA skyline.
Grab a Butterbeer™ at the stadium beforehand, stick around for themed-merch on site — and yes, costumes are encouraged!
Summer is synonymous with beaches, sun, barbecues, and fireworks! Every year, Independence Day lights up our night skies with blue and red, in one of the most colorful and anticipated events of the year for locals and tourists alike. Mark the date in your calendar and discover all the 4th of July events in Los Angeles this year!
It’s summer and taking in the small pockets of nature our city does offer is a must. Contrary to popular belief Los Angeles has plenty of parks to picnic, journal in, and soak the sun in. From a dreamy rose garden to a hidden oasis right in the middle of the city, these are the 11 best parks for picnicking in Los Angeles.
Get your cultural fix at one of these world-class galleries and museums in L.A. You can marvel at masterpieces from around the world from various decades or take in poignant contemporary works from the voices of our time, and you can do it all for free every day of the week. Explore 6,000 years’ worth of artistic expression and take in LACMA’s free jazz concerts. See a few of our top choices below and check out how to visit for free here.
If there’s one way to take in the cityscape of Los Angeles, it’s from a sky-high rooftop. Our list of rooftop bars in L.A. includes everything from swanky late-night lounges to casual garden escapes. Make sure you book a table soon to enjoy the view.
This summer, Candlelight presents an exciting schedule of memorable concerts, including moving tributes to The Beatles, Joe Hisaishi, and Hans Zimmer. Experience classical versions of your favorite songs in an intimate environment decked out with hundreds of flickering candles. You can see the upcoming summer schedule and get tickets here.
Summer in Los Angeles is a great time to plan some charming weekend escapes or day trips. Whether you want to spend an afternoon in Malibu or go for an all-day hike in Joshua Tree, we’re sure that our list of day trip destinations will inspire you to take advantage of our wonderfully central location here in SoCal.
Looking for an adventure? Every Summer and early fall, the natural beauty known as the “Giant Blue Whale Migration” brings in hundreds of blue whales to the waters off Laguna and Newport Beach. You’ll find a variety of whale watching tours and viewpoints in Los Angeles to see these beauties for yourself.
The thriving cultural scene in L.A. provides a constant influx of excellent temporary art exhibits that are worth keeping an eye on each month. From the Natural History Museum’s butterfly pavilion to Studio Ghibli’s Ponyo, you can count on us to keep you informed about the coolest exhibitions that you don’t want to miss.
In typical tradition, KCRW Summer Nights are here all summer long! Angelenos get to dance the warm nights away with some of KCRW’s best DJs and musical guests at our favorite L.A. locations like The Hammer Museum, Descanso Gardens, Chinatown, MOCA, and more!
During the summer months, we’re lucky to enjoy an impressive lineup of movie screenings at various outdoor venues throughout L.A. Whether you want to lounge in the grass at the LA Arboretum, or catch a live film soundtrack concert at the Hollywood Bowl, there are plenty of memorable ways to enjoy a classic film al fresco in the City of Angels. Take a look ahead at the schedule and don’t miss out on one of the coolest things to do in the summer in Los Angeles.
The heat in Los Angeles is no joke. Lucky for you, we have a delectable cure to cool you off. Whether you’re craving soft serve, ice cream, gelato, or a tropical paleta — check out our 15 favorite ice cream shops here.
Some of us are looking for creative ways to cool down this season, and nothing quite compares to diving into a refreshing pool of water from a giant water slide or soaking in the sun poolside in a cabana — these water parks near L.A. have something for everyone this summer!
It wouldn’t be the summer without the beach! It’s time to soak up the magic of the golden coast. Whether you’re looking to surf, swim or just sunbathe and hang on the sand — these are the best beaches in Los Angeles.
This may be typical summer business to some, but it’s beyond that. Whether you’re looking to book a daycation in style or you’re just craving a few hours of sunbathing with a cocktail in hand, we’ve rounded up the best hotel pools in Los Angeles to make your planning a bit easier. Check out our list of best rooftop pools here!
We’re lucky that Los Angeles is a non-negotiable stop for the country’s biggest concert tours. Read our running list of L.A. concerts to get a look at who’s coming, from BLACKPINK at SoFi in June to My Chemical Romance at Dodger Stadium in July.
If endless sand or constant traffic to get to the beach isn’t for you, then you need to visit one of the many public pools around the city. Besides being very affordable (almost like they’re free!), these pools not only offer the chance to soak up some sun and dive into cool water, but you can also practice swimming and other water sports.
Kick off the summer season by exploring the vibrant 20-acre lavender fields at 123 Farm. As evening falls, the fields are transformed by the glow of 100,000 lights, providing a breathtaking setting for sunset photography. The illuminated landscape also serves as the backdrop for nightly live music performances, enhancing the festive atmosphere. Read our article about 123 Farm’s Lavender Festival to learn more.
The stunning Castaic Lake is a premier summer destination from L.A., which you can reach in just 30-40 minutes from DTLA via I-5. The popular Swim Beach is now open on weekends through June 17th, and then daily from June 18th-Sept. 4th. Other activities include the massive Cali Splash Park, boat rentals, fishing, and more quintessential summer lake pastimes. Read our article about Castaic Lake to learn more.
Catch Saturn and Mars with the naked eye before sunrise throughout June in Los Angeles. For a summer bucket list moment that’s totally worth the early alarm, look up to spot Saturn and Mars in the early morning skies over Los Angeles.
Score a $59 Evening Ticket and enjoy Disneyland after dark with shorter lines and nighttime entertainment. If you’ve been waiting for the perfect summer night activity, Disneyland is offering a limited-time Evening Ticket that grants single-park admission after dark for a more affordable price.
