My favorite part of growing up in L.A. were the warm summer nights where time stretched to make space for all the magic those twilight hours held. Sketching the silhouettes of our neighbor’s palm trees, I’d keep my dad company as he barbecued dinner well into the night. To my delight, our summer traditions included catching shows at Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga Canyon.
Those magical summer nights have finally arrived, so you can start or continue your own traditions. From night markets serving creative culinary dishes that our city is known for to outdoor movies and concerts, we’ve rounded up the best places to bring the whole family for some nighttime fun.
Night markets
626 Night Market
Santa Anita Park, Arcadia
July 5-Sept. 1, Friday-Sunday, 4 p.m.-11 p.m.
Inspired by the open-air night markets found throughout Asia, 626 Night Market features more than 300 food, merchandise, crafts, arts, games, music and entertainment attractions and vendors. This large-scale market is named after San Gabriel Valley’s 626 area code, a nod to SGV’s large Asian population. $5-$6; free for ages 3 and under. 626nightmarket.com
El Sereno Night Market
Castalia Ave. and Huntington Dr. N., El Sereno
Every Wednesday, 5-9 p.m.
This small but mighty community pop-up has been going strong since 2020 and features themed nights with live music, DJs and a beer garden, plus local vendors serving teriyaki bowls, tacos, aguas frescas and more. FREE. @elserenonightmarket
Damnoen Saduak
1100 N. Main St., Chinatown
Friday-Sunday, 6 p.m.-midnight
In the parking lot of Lax-C, a giant Thai grocery store, Damnoen Saduak is a brand-new night market featuring a majority Thai lineup of food such as Thai fried chicken and mango sticky rice, alongside other Southeast Asian vendors. FREE. @dsnightmarket
Ave 26 Night Market
860 Traction Ave., Downtown L.A.
July 23 & Aug. 13, 5 p.m.-10 p.m.
Ave 26 Night Market presents Taco Tuesdays at the Arts District, a family-friendly food and art market offering a curated selection of tacos, art, clothing, games and photo ops. FREE. ave26nightmarket.com
Angel City Market
Downtown Downey
Second and fourth Thursdays, 5 p.m.- 9 p.m.
With pop-ups in Downey, Long Beach and Lakewood, Angel City Market offers outdoor community events throughout the week. But its Downtown Downey pop-up every second and fourth Thursdays features a night market with more than 50 vendors, food trucks, live DJ and photo ops. FREE. angelcitymarketla.com
Garden events
Sunset Series at South Coast Botanic Garden
June 20-Aug. 29, 5:30 p.m.
26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes Peninsula
Roam South Coast Botanic Garden’s 87 acres afterhours during the summer Sunset Series every Thursday night. Play yard games, grab a bite or cocktail and enjoy live music. Head to the kids’ zone, where Ms. Allison will entertain little ones with parachutes, obstacle courses, bubbles and more. $15-18 for ages 5 and up; free for ages 4 and under. southcoastbotanicgarden.org
Pro tip: While every Thursday features a special musical guest, we recommend visiting the gardens on July 25 for John Williams Night with the PV Symphonic Band, a 40-piece community ensemble with professional and amateur musicians of all ages.
Forest Bathing at The LA Arboretum
July 21, 8 p.m., Aug. 18-19, 7 p.m.
301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia
Deepen your connection with nature, calm your nervous system and engage your senses during this unique forest bathing experience, inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin yoku. A certified forest therapy guide will guide you through the gardens during these full moon walks. $25-$35. arboretum.org
Pro tip: This one is for the tweens, teens and grownups. Bring your kids ages 12 and up to slow down for a moment during your busy summer.
Rusalka by Pacific Opera Project at Descanso Gardens
July 12-14, 19-21, 7:30-10 p.m.
1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge
L.A.-based Pacific Opera Project returns to the main lawn at Descanso Gardens with “Rusalka.” Written in 1901 by Czech composer Antonin Dvořák, this fairytale opera was the original inspiration for Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid.” POP’s version will be presented with orchestra and sung in English. $20-$55. descansogardens.org
Pro tip: Food and dinner will be available for purchase, so come early for dinner before the show.
Twilight Garden Strolls at The Huntington
July 7, 14 and 28, 4:30-8 p.m.; Aug. 11 and 18, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
1151 Oxford Road, San Marino
Twilight strolls return to The Huntington for six Sundays this summer. Cool off and explore the gardens after 5 p.m., when day turns to dusk. Most gardens will be open, along with The Huntington Store, 1919 Café and hot food stations. $5-$20. huntington.org
Pro tip: Although the Children’s Garden will be closed, kids will still enjoy running free through one of The Huntington’s many lawns.
Free outdoor movies
Movie Mondays at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
July 8, 15, 22, 29, 8 p.m.
600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa
Bring your own picnic, blanket or chair to the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza at Segerstrom Center for the Arts Mondays through July and August. Catch family-friendly movies including “The Muppet Movie” on July 8, “Pitch Perfect” on July 15, “Jurassic Park” on July 22, “13 Going on 30” on July 29 and “Back to the Future” on Aug. 5. FREE. scfta.org
Pro tip: Although movies begin at dusk, around 8 p.m., the plaza opens at 5:30 p.m., so you can grab a bite from one of the food trucks and snag your spot.
City Cinemas in the Park
July 26 and Aug. 23, 8 p.m.
Central Park, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita
Bridgeport Park, 23521 Bridgeport Lane, Santa Clarita
Bring blankets and chairs for free movies under the stars on the fourth Friday of every month through October. On July 26 at 8 p.m., catch “Barbie” at Central Park and on Aug. 23 at 8 p.m., enjoy the 1995 film “Toy Story” at Bridgeport Park. FREE. SantaClarita.gov/CityCinemas
Pro tip: On-site food trucks will be available an hour before each movie begins.
Community Movie Night at Audubon Center at Debs Park
July 26, Aug. 23, 5:30 p.m.
4700 N. Griffin Ave., Los Angeles
Community movie night features free family-friendly movies the last Friday of the month. Immerse yourself in the ethereal worlds of Japanese filmmaker Miyazaki with “Ponyo” on July 26 and “Howl’s Moving Castle” on Aug. 23. FREE. debspark.audubon.org
Pro tip: Arrive early to explore the trails around Debs Park before the movie.
Movies at Warner Park
Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 8 p.m.
5800 CA-27, Woodland Hills
Every Saturday night Aug. 3-31, Warner Park will host a free, family-friendly movie night featuring fan-favorites such as “Barbie” and “Wish.” FREE. valleycultural.org
Pro tip: Event parking starts at 4:30 p.m.
Movies Under the Stars at One Colorado
July 13, 27, 8:30 p.m.
41 Hugus Aly, Pasadena
One Colorado hosts a free movie night in the courtyard select Saturdays in July. Seating is first come, first serve, so bring your chair and snacks early to catch “Pitch Perfect” on July 13 or “Legally Blonde” on July 27. FREE. onecolorado.com
Pro tip: If you’re coming from a day of shopping, show your receipt for a minimum purchase of $50 from one of the One Colorado shops to receive VIP seating, popcorn, soft drink and an EPIC Theatres promotion.
Outdoor concerts
Off the 405 at The Getty Center
July 20, 27 and Aug. 24, 6 p.m.
1200 Getty Center Dr., Los Angeles
Getty’s free annual outdoor concert series returns to the museum courtyard select Saturday evenings this summer. The evening begins with a DJ set at 6 p.m., followed by the featured performer at 7:30 p.m. Arrive early to explore the Getty Center’s Central Garden and bring a picnic to enjoy before the show. On-site food and beverages will also be available for purchase. FREE. getty.edu
California Jammin’ at Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center
July 26 & Aug. 30, 6 p.m.
241 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim
Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center’s free all-ages summer concert series returns to the Carnegie Courtyard. July 26 features American traditional, Celtic and bluegrass band Lilies of the West. Aug. 30 features country musician Sean Oliu. The family-friendly event will also have an arts and crafts booth that kids can enjoy during the performance. FREE. muzeo.org
Pearson Park Summer Nights Under the Stars
Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24, 7 p.m.
401 North Lemon St., Anaheim
You know it’s going to be a good time if Disneyland is behind the event! Pearson Park Amphitheatre, sponsored by Disneyland Resort, presents free, family-friendly concerts Saturdays in August. Each night features a different tribute band, honoring musicians like Selena, the Beatles and more. FREE. anaheim.net
Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Summer Concert Series
July 13, 20, 27, Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 7 p.m.
2230 W. 6th St., Los Angeles
Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles at MacArthur Park brings back its free, family-friendly concerts Saturday evenings through Aug. 31. Genres include soul, funk, hip-hop and more, so there’s something for everyone. You’re welcome to bring your own picnics, blankets and lawn chairs. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be available from local vendors. FREE. levittlosangeles.org
KCRW Summer Nights
July 13, 20, 27, Aug. 10 and 30, 7 p.m.
Various locations throughout L.A.
KCRW Summer Nights, the free all-ages outdoor summer concert series, returns to various cultural institutions across L.A. We’ve got our eyes on July 13, which features an evening of cumbia at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes in Downtown LA. We’ll also bring our dancing shoes to California African American Museum on Aug. 30 for live sets from KCRW DJs Novena Carmel and Francesca Harding. Bonus: After-hours access to all CAAM exhibitions. FREE. kcrw.com
Outdoor live theater
Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival
July 10-Sept. 1, 7 p.m.
4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles
Since 2010, Independent Shakespeare Co. has brought free Shakespeare to Griffith Park every summer. This year, the company continues the L.A. summer tradition with the romantic comedy “As You Like It,” featuring live music, pre-show discussions and theme nights. FREE. iscla.org
Pro tip: Shows start at 7 p.m., but come early to catch the immersive prologue at 6 p.m.
Theatricum Botanicum
Through Oct. 20
1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga
Your summer isn’t complete until you’ve experienced at least one magical night of theater under the stars at Theatricum Botanicum’s historic stage nestled in Topanga Canyon’s hillside. This summer, their season includes “The Winter’s Tale,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Wendy’s Peter Pan,” “Tartuffe: Born Again” and a new play, “The Hispanic/ Latino/ Latina/ Latinx/ Latine Vote,” by Bernardo Cubría. $15-$60; free for ages 4 and under. theatricum.com
Pro tip: For newcomers and parents of younger kids, we recommend bringing the family to “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Theatricum’s signature production.
Shakespeare by the Sea
Through Aug. 3, 7 p.m.
Various locations throughout L.A. and Orange counties
Shakespeare by the Sea’s 2024 season presents a lesser-known Shakespeare play, “Cardenio,” and a classic, “Henry IV,” at various outdoor spaces throughout L.A. including Long Beach, Beverly Hills and South Pasadena. These family-friendly shows are about two hours long, so we recommend bringing your big kids, tweens and teens to this one. Arrive early to get a good spot and enjoy a picnic dinner before the show. FREE. shakespearebythesea.org
Pro tip: If you can’t decide, we recommend attending the July 12 performance of “Cardenio” at Wilmington Waterfront Promenade. This is a new park at the Port of L.A., located along the water’s edge.
Nina Harada is Digital Editor of L.A. Parent.
