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Although Christmas, New Year and Halloween in Los Angeles is incredibly fun, nothing beats the summer months. With the sun out and schedules bursting at the seams, it is time to get planning! With the lineup of events packing up the June and July calendar, you’ll be opening up the floodgates to a load of fun outdoor and indoor activities all around Los Angeles. Some are free, others require a nominal fee, so, take your pick.

The month of July and early August are more packed than others, naturally, and you’ll get to enjoy infectious music festivals, exhilarating concerts, catch an outdoor movie screening (which is almost always free), live it up with an impromptu getaway at a neighboring CA beach, pack your friends into the rented charter bus for a tailgating party, or join everyone else for the July 4th fireworks and parade. With longer days, cooler nights, it’s the perfect time to let your hair down and enjoy concerts, cultural festivals, seasonal markets, quaint exhibits at museums, a weekend of camping, a cocktail event, or a pool party.

Don’t let anything stand between you and the best summer of your life

1. The Go-Gos

Jul 2 – 4, 2018, 7.30pm

Hollywood Bowl

2301 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068

(323) 850-2000

It’s summer, the sun is out, the games are on and the fireworks are set to go off July 4th… what else is there to wish for?

Well, America’s very own 1980’s Spice Girls, maybe?

The Go-Gos, the all-female L.A. 1980’s wonder rock band will be performing at several locations this summer which includes The famous Hollywood Bowl. The female group rode high on the 1970s music wave despite going into semi-retirement in 1985. Fans know them as the rarity of an all-female group who plays their own instruments, compose and sing their own songs. This was a refreshing change from the constant of manufactured bands and cookie-cutter groups. Billboard charts welcomed their inclusion and so did their fans.

2018 summer, The Go-Gos will come out with their original members, performing at The Fox Theater Oakland, Humphrey’s by the Bay and the Hollywood Bowl. Tickets are on sale at The HollywoodBowl.com. After news of their ‘farewell tour’ in 2016, the hitmaker’s appearance of Jimmy Kimmel Live! showed that the group was anything BUT going into full retirement. They’re ready to electrify fans with famous hits like ‘We Got the Beat’ and ‘Our Lips are Sealed’, while the Los Angeles Philharmonic will be led by Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel.

2. Seaside Lagoon and its Summer Swimming Pool

Redondo Beach

200 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

10am-5:45pm daily during summer

(310) 318-0681

If you’re looking for a place to hang out with your family and kids, Seaside Lagoon is the perfect location. Although the attraction is not open off-season, the 50-feet-deep saltwater lagoon is often full. Offering a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life, you’ll get to spend a few peaceful hours sunbathing, building sandcastles and splashing around in the waters.

There’s naturally an uptick of usage during summer months, especially during the Independence Fireworks event. During this time, the beach area remains open from 2pm to 10pm where professional lifeguards man the swimming pool. The swimming pool employs cutting-edge technology to clean and treat up to 1.5 million gallons of water coming in and out of the lagoon from the nearby stream.

Come out in full force with family and friends to enjoy the water park facilities, slides, playgrounds, after packing in tidbits at the snack bar, enjoy a few rounds of beach volleyball matches, picnics, swimming and hours of listening to the lapping waves coming in from the Pacific Ocean. If you have an event, book the grassy and luau shelter and you’ll have a splashing good time.

3. Pinz Bowling Center

12655 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

(818) 769-7600

For a day of simple entertainment like bowling, air hockey or billiards, Pinz Bowling Center is a place you can always count on.

So popular is the place that it is frequented by both locals and public figures alike. With 32 bowling lanes, a complete arcade center with classic and modern video games, party rooms and meeting rooms for the picking, Pinz is THE place for gatherings. In fact, locals might share their stories of celeb-sightings with you if you asked. The bumpers and glow-in-the-dark settings till making it an absolute ball for younger children (gutter balls be gone!) while Jerry’s Famous Deli is ready to cater to your party needs.

Kids get to bowl for free as a form of encouragement to give bowling a shot. The bowling center also runs an All You Can Bowl promotion on Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday, from 9pm to 12.30am so, you can bowl till you drop. Pre-booking your bowling session online or over the phone is strongly encouraged if you hate long lines (which is precisely so during weekends). However, it remains a popular regular haunt for locals.

4. Pan For Gold at Autry

Autry Museum of the American West

4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles 90027

(323) 667-2000

The California Gold Rush may have come and gone between 1848 to 1855 but history remains. The Autry Museum has an exhibit that lets people of all ages pan for gold the way it was done by the 49ers back in the days! After James W. Marshall found gold at Sutter’s Mill in CA, it brought over 300,000 prospectors into the state of California.

The museum is tucked away in a tight little corner of Griffith Park and details the history of famous cowboys, infamous outlaws, life-changing revolutions, new inventions, engaging history of the West and mouth-to-mouth myths. Housing approximately 500,00 artifacts related to America and California’s history, the park spans 4,300 acres of land, covering everything from hiking trails, haunted sites to picnic spots. Running regular programs like lectures, screenings, music and cultural events throughout the year, the museum is an engaging, massive classroom for teachers, volunteers, and parents. Its top quality programs are sponsored by individuals and corporations alike, which includes Wells Fargo, AltaMed, Dwight Stuart Youth Fund, The Albertsons Companies Foundation, Edison International, Sony Pictures Entertainment and many more.

It is a quaint understated museum that packs a punch.

5. AmericaFest

July 4, 2018, 2pm – 9.30pm

Rose Bowl Stadium

1001 Rose Bowl Dr, Pasadena, CA 91103

(626) 577-3100

Combine the fireworks and flair of July 4th and the explosion of red, white and blue pride and you’ll have AmericaFest.

The event, the longest-running July 4th event in California, is set to take you to new heights of patriotism at Rose Bowl Stadium with a fine array of mind-boggling fireworks display, a buffet of classic American food, a roaster full of games, a motorcycle stunt show, rides, and crafts; even toddlers and young children will have an amazing ball. Tailgating is the perfect plan for groups are out for a party in full force.

The 90,000-seat stadium was built specifically for NFL tournaments and major network productions like American Idol, concerts, and UCLA Bruins football, NCAA Tournament of Roses game and parade. It is, therefore, no stranger to large, massive crowds because even when it is off-season and there aren’t any games going on, the world’s largest flea market takes center stage at the stadium every Sunday of each month.

6. The LA Anime Convention

Jul 5 – 8, 2018

Los Angeles Convention Center

1201 S Figueroa Street, Los Angeles CA, 90015

(213) 741-1151 / (800) 451-1196

The Anime Expo brings Japanese pop culture and your favorite anime characters to life. AX, as it is also commonly known as, is an annual event that brings fans and industry power players together in an elaborate celebration.

This year, 2018, it will be held at the LA Convention Center from July 5th to July 8th (there’s a special pre-show on July 4th). The Japanese culture and its accompanying anime craze have swept over not just America, but the world over. So, you can expect hundreds of thousands of fans thronging to the event. Apart from epic games, the whimsical and magnetic cosplay and signature events held throughout the convention center are crowd-pleasing affairs. Stars and celeb cosplayers will take to the stage, giving interviews and signing autographs while those into card or electronic gaming will be at another wing of the convention center hustling it out with each other!

Donning of a pair of comfy shoes is encouraged (there’s a whole lot of walking to be done) and the variety of merchandise on offer with put your personal budget and restraint to the test. Regardless of the price, they tend to fly off the shelves in a matter of minutes.

It will be, as the Japanese will say, Fantasutikku!

7. KTown Night Market

June 15 – June 16, 2018

Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools

701, S Catalina Street, Los Angeles, CA 90005

4pm – 11pm; After party 10pm – 2am (Club Bound LA)

Speaking of culture, if you’re intrigued with Kpop, kimchi and bibimbap, pencil it down for a trip to KTown for the Ktown market event on June 15 and June 16, 2018. The weekend market-cum-festival introduces the trendiest and most popular Korean culinary, entertainment and artistic creations sweeping across the world today.

Renowned traditional and internet Korean or K-inspired artists like Kisum, FYKE, Ted Park, Justin Park, Gemini, Late of Off Folks, Sarisuk, Victoria Loi, Cathy the Kimchi, Tommy Trinh, and Stephy So will be gracing the stage. If you’re into shopping, the hottest SILK Show will not be a disappointment.

Dipping their toes into the event are big brand names like Monster, Pocky, Sparkling ICE, afreecaTV, and USSAV, with Blushcon showing you the right way to wow the world with useful makeup, lifestyle and beauty tips. Meanwhile, chowing down on LA-inspired Korean cuisine like bulgogi French fries and sushi burritos is a common sight at the event.

Pre-Sale online tickets are selling for $5 per person for the 2-day event. Otherwise, you can grab the tickets off the counter on site.

8. The Mass Meditation Initiative

June 23, 2018, 10am – 8pm

Los Angeles State Historic Park

1245, N Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

(323) 441-8819

It’s not all airy-fairy at the event. It’s relaxing, calming and introduces new ways to deal with the stress of our everyday lives… we’re talking about The Mass Meditation Initiative coming to Los Angeles this June.

There’ll be yoga classes of all kinds ranging from Hatha to naam and kundalini, mindful healing music, group meditation classes and a delicious vegan feast! To give it a little bit of technological twist, they’re scheduling in an online streaming meditation session too.

Throughout the historic park, visitors are treated to a host of vegan plant-based cuisine, conscious products and services, healing tents, speakers heating up the park, and live performances that double up as sound and movement therapy. The initiative is backed by renowned brand names like Open Eyes, DTK Entertainment, Heal the Bay, Tree People, LA Weekly, Earth Island, Carla Lee’s Organic Nut Burgers, Whole Life, Metro and many more. The free-for-all meditation session begins at 2pm and you can register for a spot on their website if you’re keen to discover a whole new way of life!

So, what are you waiting for?

Yes, with these fun, exciting, over-the-top, filled with chutzpah events happening all around Los Angeles, CA, it is time to get outdoors. Pack your sunscreen, call your friends, drag them out of their apartments and out to an event that they will remember for a long time to come. It’s going to be awesome! I just KNOW it!

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