Some of us might not think that Brexit was Britain’s smartest move, but we can all agree that our own breaking off from the mothership back in 1776 was absolutely a good call. Celebrate the US of A this weekend with bodybuilders on the beach, lobstah rolls in your own backyard, or a good old fashioned hoe-down, plus plenty more activities to keep you busy the rest of the weekend.
Friday - Sunday, July 1 - 3
626 Night Market
Five years ago, hundreds of vendors and attractions came together in the 626 to celebrate bomb food, crafty small businesses, crafts, arts and a tight-knit community. Now, going into its 5th season, 626 Night market is the original and largest Asian-themed night market in the U.S. As you might have guessed, this year will be the biggest yet running on select weekends all summer long. You don’t want to miss the kick-off!
Deets: Santa Anita Park; 4 p.m. - 1 a.m.; Free Parking; $3 Admission. More HERE
Image courtesy of 626 Night Market
Friday - Monday, July 1 - 4
Anime Expo
Whether you occasionally drown in your own tears to Grave of the Fireflies or cosplay is your life, the Anime Expo (AX) has something for everyone. Southern California has been home to the anime fest since 1994, and that’s not about to change as the LA Convention Center will be hosting it through at least 2019. This year, there will be tons of new releases screened, like Makato Shinkai’s Your Name, a sought after exclusive premiere of Mob Psycho 100. Of course, you can also indulge in the video and tabletop games, manga reading room with 400+ titles, comedy showdowns and more.
Deets: Los Angeles Convention Center; See the full schedule of ticketed and free events HERE
Image courtesy of Anime Expo
Saturday, July 2
Saturday Morning Cartoons
From: Cinefamily
You’re not the only one who misses early Saturday mornings spent curled up in PJs watching Looney Toons and Cartoon Network. Cinefamily can smell your nostalgia from all the way over there, so they’re screening some outdoors-themed cartoons this Saturday morning to kickoff the start of summer. Enjoy a complimentary cereal bar while you watch inanimate objects and animals chatting away in mother nature. No one will judge you if you show up in your flannel footsie pajamas.
Deets: Cinefamily; 11 a.m.$10/ free for members and kids under 14; Reserve tix HERE
Image courtesy of Cinefamily and Looney Tunes
SoCal Corgi Beach Day
From: SoCal Corgi Nation
We know we’re not the only people on this planet with corgi socks. Well, this weekend, corgi lovers, owners and corgis themselves can come together in celebration of the funny looking but also adorable four-legged friends at the beach. KTLA will be covering the event, so bring your corgi and his or her highness might just be on TV. Vamos a la playa, a mi me gusta corgis, am I right?!
Deets: Rosie's Dog Beach; 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. FREE
Fashion Meets Music EcoLab Launch
From: EcoLab
Fashion Meets Music is excited to announce its new Los Angeles home in West Adams, in the shipping container mini-village, Adams Gateway. The EcoLab originally launched in Berlin in 2014 and found great success catering to consumers looking for unique reclaimed, green and eco friendly products. Now, Adams Gateway will be EcoLab’s Fashion Meets Music LA homebase where they’ll showcase sustainable fashion, accessories,and home decor brands from budding talent and designers. The mini village will serve as perfect collaborative grounds for events, runway shows, workshops and the like.
Deets: Launch party at Adams Gateway; July 2,11 a.m. - July 3, 8 p.m. Register for free and learn more HERE.
Image courtesy of The Real Estate Collective
Monday, July 4
July 4th BBQ and Barn Dance
Barn Dances aren’t just for the midwest. Don your red, white and blue flannels, dust off your cowboy boots and head to the Theatricum Botanicum’s second annual Fourth of July celebration. There will be traditional fun and games, live music, barbeque ‘n fixins and of course, barn dancing! Bring the whole family down for this old-fashioned hoe-down. Yes, there will be a pie eating contest.
Deets: Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Adult tix $22 / Kids $10 at the gate or get them cheaper HERE.
Image courtesy of Ian Flanders at Theatricum Botanicum
Mr. and Mrs. Muscle Beach Competition
If you’re down by the beach already, then you have no excuse not to check out the Mr. and Mrs. Muscle Beach Competition in Venice. Muscle beach is always a spectacle, but SoCal’s brawniest will all surely be out to play, in star spangled speedos no less. Grab a soft serve on the boardwalk and ooh and aah at mankind’s muscular achievements!
Deets: Muscle Beach; Pre-Judging starts at 10 a.m. Finals at 1 p.m. FREE
Image courtesy of @musclebeachvenice
DIY Lobstah’ Rolls
From: Knuckle & Claw
Sure, sure, we all love a good burger (or gluten-free veggie burger) fresh off the grill on the fourth of July, but it’s time to step up our game, America. This year, celebrate our nation’s independence with Knuckle & Claw’s DIY lobster roll kits. K&C will be sending out all finger lickin’ good ingredients you need via Postmates and UberEats from both their Silver Lake and the newer Santa Monica location. Each kit includes a serving of fresh lobster that was swimming in the Atlantic just 48 hours earlier … need we say more?
Deets: Order online here
Deets: Order online here
Image courtesy of Knucke & Claw
Header Image courtesy of LA Philharmonic
