Events

SHERMAN OAKS — The Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association (SOHA) will host an L.A. Mayoral Debate featuring Mayor Karen Bass and Councilmember Nithya Raman on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Sherman Oaks East Valley Adult Center, 5056 Van Nuys Blvd. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

Journalist Phil Shuman will lead the moderator panel for the debate, which is cosponsored by the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council and the Sherman Oaks/Encino Chamber of Commerce.

Topics are expected to include public safety, homelessness, neighborhood quality of life, housing, small business and economic opportunity, reform at City Hall, government transparency and accountability, fiscal responsibility, and police staffing.

The 4th Annual Los Angeles Kids Book Festival returns to West Hollywood Park on Sunday, August 23, for a free day celebrating children’s literacy, bilingualism and multiculturalism.

Presented by the American Born Chinese Foundation in partnership with the City of West Hollywood, the family-friendly festival will feature more than 100 exhibitors, including children’s authors and illustrators, along with all-day storytimes, bilingual readings, author and industry panels, live entertainment, drawing and calligraphy demonstrations, food trucks and face painting.

Special activities include appearances by Blippi and Meekah, performances by BeatBuds, Chloe and Maud’s Sole Talks and Rebelot Italian Bilingual Children’s Puppet Theater, plus a sensory-friendly Chill Zone and nursing station. The day concludes with a Foam Party.

WHEN: Sunday, August 23, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: West Hollywood Park, 647 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069.

ADMISSION: Free. Advance registration is encouraged.

Parking is available at the West Hollywood Park structure and West Hollywood Library at 625 N. San Vicente Blvd., the Pacific Design Center at 8687 Melrose Ave., and at surrounding street meters.

The festival, founded in 2023, promotes early literacy and works to increase access to bilingual and multicultural children's books for families throughout Los Angeles.

The Long Beach Health Department will host a free, superhero-themed vaccination clinic on Tuesday, August 18, to help students receive required immunizations before the start of school.

The clinic is open to students age 18 and younger who are uninsured, enrolled in Medi-Cal, or identify as American Indian or Alaska Native.

WHEN: Tuesday, August 18, 2026, from 3 to 7 p.m.

WHERE: Main Health Facility, 2525 Grand Ave., Long Beach.

COST: Free for eligible students.

Appointments are recommended and can be scheduled through California’s MyTurn system in English or Spanish. Walk-ins will also be accepted.

Families are encouraged to bring their children’s immunization records. Records may also be accessed through California’s digital vaccine record system.

Sounds of LA County: 27 Parks. 108 Concerts. One County continues its inaugural summer season with three nights of free outdoor concerts August 13–15 at parks throughout Los Angeles County.

Produced by NextFest LA in partnership with the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation, the series showcases local independent musicians with programs reflecting the culture and character of each community. Concerts run from 6–9 p.m. and feature everything from Latin, cumbia and salsa to R&B, soul, jazz, country, funk, indie rock and dance music.

Thursday, August 13: Concerts will be held at Belvedere Community Regional Park in East Los Angeles; Valleydale Park in Azusa; Bethune Park in Los Angeles; Rimgrove Park in La Puente; Jesse Owens Park in Los Angeles; and Saybrook Park in East Los Angeles. Featured performers and programs include The Leftover Ska, Combo Macho, Watts Conservatory of Music Allstar Band, Wayu Band and Disko Sa Disco.

Friday, August 14: Bassett Park, Eugene A. Obregon Park, Adventure Park in Whittier, Pamela County Park in Duarte, Jackie Robinson Park in Sun Village and Mona Park in Compton host another evening of free performances. Programs range from Flor y Fuego and Uptown Roundup to Funk Boogie Party, Summer Sounds & Brass and No Parking on the Dance Floor.

Saturday, August 15: The weekend concludes at Helen Keller Park, Lennox Park, Stephen Sorensen Park in Palmdale and William Steinmetz Park in Hacienda Heights. Highlights include R&B and soul at Vetculture Fest, The Jazz Installation, Las Cafeteras with ¡MUCHA LUCHA!, and indie-rock band The Red Pears.

Several parks will also offer free food or refreshments while supplies last, along with activities ranging from dance lessons and DJ workshops to lawn games, face painting and a rock-climbing wall.

WHEN: Thursday–Saturday, August 13–15, 2026, 6–9 p.m.

WHERE: Multiple Los Angeles County parks.

ADMISSION: Free.

The full Sounds of LA County series runs through August 29, with 108 concerts at 27 parks across Los Angeles County.

Jazz legend Herbie Hancock leads an all-star celebration of Miles Davis on Wednesday, August 19, at the Hollywood Bowl, marking the centennial of one of the most influential figures in jazz history.

Presented by the LA Phil, Herbie Hancock Celebrates Miles Davis brings together an extraordinary lineup of jazz artists for a one-night-only tribute to Davis’ music, innovation and enduring influence. Hancock, a Grammy-winning pianist and composer and the LA Phil’s Creative Chair for Jazz, will be joined by Terence Blanchard, Ron Carter, Kenny Garrett, Christian McBride, Vince Mendoza and Marcus Miller.

WHEN: Wednesday, August 19, 2026. Gates open at 6 p.m.; showtime is 8 p.m.

WHERE: Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90068.

TICKETS: Tickets are available through the Hollywood Bowl or by calling 323-850-2000.

The Hollywood Bowl has served as the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since 1922. The nearly 18,000-seat outdoor amphitheater was named Outdoor Concert Venue of the Year at the 2026 Pollstar Awards, marking its 18th time receiving the honor.

The LA Phil’s Mexican Nights Series continues with Tercera Raíz, a celebration of Afro-Mexican culture, on Friday, August 21, at The Ford in Hollywood.

Produced in partnership with Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company, Tercera Raíz—meaning “third root” in Spanish—explores the African diaspora’s important contributions to Mexican history and culture. Through dance, live music and storytelling, the program celebrates Afro-Mexican resilience, artistry and cultural pride while bringing greater visibility to a cultural legacy that has often been overlooked.

The evening features Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company, Soul Dance Arts and Mariachi Tesoro de San Fernando.

WHEN: Friday, August 21, 2026. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; performance begins at 8 p.m.

WHERE: The Ford, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, CA 90068.

TICKETS: Tickets are available through The Ford or by calling 323-850-2000.

The Ford is an intimate, open-air amphitheater nestled in the Hollywood Hills and operated in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation under the stewardship of the LA Phil.

Tuesday, August 25
6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

TCL Chinese Theatres
6925 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA

Experience the Los Angeles premiere of 10 Kilos, a gripping feature film inspired by the extraordinary true story of Sharon Yitzhaky.

The film follows a young woman whose trip to Bolivia takes a devastating turn when she is wrongfully accused of smuggling cocaine and imprisoned in one of the country's most notorious women's prisons. What unfolds is a remarkable story of survival, resilience, and transformation against impossible odds.

Following the screening, stay for a special Q&A moderated by Alvaro Rodriguez featuring Sharon Yitzhaky, acclaimed director Doron Eran, and actress Luna Mansour, who will discuss the true events behind the film and the journey of bringing this powerful story to the screen.

RSVP is required. Visit the event website to reserve your seat.

Trailer

The 4th Annual Los Angeles Kids Book Festival will fill West Hollywood Park with stories, music, performances and family-friendly activities on Sunday, August 23, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Presented by the American Born Chinese Foundation in partnership with the City of West Hollywood, the free festival celebrates early childhood literacy, bilingual education and multiculturalism. More than 100 authors, illustrators, exhibitors and community organizations are expected to participate.

Festival attractions include all-day storytimes, bilingual readings, author and publishing-industry panels, live music, puppet theater, drawing and calligraphy demonstrations, food trucks, face painting and a closing foam party. Scheduled participants include BeatBuds, Chloe and Maud’s Sole Talks, Rebelot Italian Bilingual Children’s Puppet Theater and special appearances by Blippi and Meekah.

Raleigh Stewart, illustrator of Lauren Sánchez Bezos’s The Fly Who Flew series, is scheduled to appear as a special guest reader.

The Play2Progress Chill Zone inside the West Hollywood Recreation Center will provide a quiet sensory space for children who need a break from the activity, as well as a nursing station.

The Los Angeles Kids Book Festival was founded in 2023 as a program of the American Born Chinese Foundation, a nonprofit organization that promotes bilingual literacy, cultural inclusion and positive AAPI representation in children’s books.

When: Sunday, August 23, 2026, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Where: West Hollywood Park, 647 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood

Admission: Free; advance registration is encouraged at lakidsbookfestival.com/tickets.

Parking

• West Hollywood Park five-story structure: 625 N. San Vicente Blvd. The first hour is free from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Park and recreation-center patrons can receive one additional validated hour.
• West Hollywood Library parking structure: 625 N. San Vicente Blvd. Three hours are free with library validation.
• Pacific Design Center: 8687 Melrose Ave. The garage entrance is on Melrose Avenue, east of San Vicente Boulevard.
• Metered street parking is also available around the park.

For current schedules, exhibitors and activities, visit lakidsbookfestival.com, email [email protected] or call 310-795-5312.

Schedules, appearances and giveaways are subject to change.

Sunday, August 9, 2026
2:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Los Angeles State Historic Park
Free; advance registration required

Friends of the Los Angeles River invites Angelenos of all ages to its fifth annual RiverFest, a free, open-air environmental arts and community festival celebrating the culture, history and people of the 51-mile Los Angeles River.

The festival will bring together more than 50 organizations representing the arts, education, nature and community advocacy. Activities will include live performances, an environmental art gallery, an Exhibitor and Artist Village, family-friendly eco-activities led by FoLAR educators, local food trucks and a community marketplace.

RiverFest celebrates the Los Angeles River as a place for recreation, nature, transportation and community connection, while highlighting the advocates and volunteers working to protect and restore its ecosystem.

Free general admission includes festival entry, performances, access to the Exhibitor and Artist Village and one complimentary raffle ticket. Food, beverages, artwork and other vendor items will be available for purchase.

A limited number of VIP tickets are also available and include shaded seating, preferred stage viewing, VIP parking and check-in, a gift bag, drink tickets and additional raffle tickets. Advance parking passes are available for $25.

Ride-sharing and Metro transportation are encouraged. Limited paid parking will be available at Los Angeles State Historic Park.

• Start Date: 08-21-2026 10:00
• End Date: 08-22-2026 16:00

Looking for a summer camp that helps children build confidence while learning valuable life skills? The award-winning Upstander Kids Anti-Bullying Summer Camp returns this summer, offering a unique program designed to help children recognize, prevent and respond to bullying in healthy, positive ways.

Named Los Angeles' Best Specialty Sports Camp three times, the camp teaches practical strategies for handling verbal, social and physical bullying while promoting confidence, resilience, teamwork and respect. Through engaging activities, games and interactive lessons, campers learn how to keep their mind, body and spirit safe while becoming positive leaders among their peers.

The program welcomes children of all experience levels, with half-day sessions available for 5-year-olds. Enrollment is intentionally limited to just 16 campers per week to provide personalized attention, and spaces fill quickly.

WHEN:
Now – August 14, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(Half-day sessions available for 5-year-olds)

WHERE:
Upstander Kids Anti-Bullying Camp
12474 W. Washington Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90066

COST:
$79.99–$499.99

For registration and additional information, visit AntiBullyingCamp.com.

Give your child more than a fun summer experience—help them develop the confidence and skills to stand up to bullying and become an Upstander.

LOS ANGELES EVENTS — As Los Angeles prepares to welcome the world for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and other global sporting events, Union Station invites visitors to experience Play, a striking new photography exhibition by internationally acclaimed artist Pelle Cass.

On display through November 20, 2027, Play transforms Union Station's Metro Art Passageway Gallery into a colorful celebration of athleticism, movement and community. Installed across 36 illuminated lightboxes, the exhibition features Cass's signature large-scale photographic compositions that merge thousands of images into dynamic scenes where entire games unfold simultaneously.

Rather than focusing on winners and losers, Cass captures the joy, rhythm and energy of sports themselves. Soccer players multiply across the field, basketballs arc through the air like constellations, and athletes become part of vibrant visual patterns that celebrate teamwork, motion and human connection.

Located within one of the nation's busiest transportation hubs, the exhibition reflects the constant flow of commuters, travelers and visitors passing through Union Station each day. As Los Angeles hosts major international sporting events over the next two years, Play serves as both a welcoming gateway and an artistic tribute to the universal language of sports.

Admission is free.

WHEN:
Now – November 20, 2027
Gallery Hours: 4:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m. daily

WHERE:
Los Angeles Union Station
Metro Art Passageway Gallery
800 N. Alameda Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Whether you're a soccer fan, art lover, photographer or simply passing through Union Station, Play offers a unique visual experience celebrating the movement, excitement and shared spirit that bring people together through sport.

LOS ANGELES EVENTS — Two of the most celebrated voices in American music come together for one unforgettable evening as Smokey Robinson and Gladys Knight headline the Hollywood Bowl on Friday, July 24, in Just the Two of Us.

With a combined eight Grammy Awards and 28 Grammy nominations, Robinson and Knight helped define the Motown sound and continue to captivate audiences decades after their first chart-topping hits.

Gladys Knight, often called the "Empress of Soul," rose to fame with Gladys Knight & the Pips, delivering timeless classics including "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," "Midnight Train to Georgia," and "Neither One of Us." Her remarkable career spans more than six decades, 38 albums, film and television appearances, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Smokey Robinson is one of popular music's greatest songwriters and performers. As founder and lead singer of The Miracles, Robinson recorded classics including "You've Really Got a Hold on Me," "The Tracks of My Tears," and "I Second That Emotion." Beyond his own recordings, he penned countless Motown hits for artists including The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, and Mary Wells, earning his place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Set beneath the stars at the iconic Hollywood Bowl, this concert promises an evening of timeless melodies, unforgettable performances, and some of the greatest songs ever recorded.

WHEN: Friday, July 24, 2026
TIME: 8:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Hollywood Bowl
2301 N. Highland Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90068

For tickets and additional information, visit the Hollywood Bowl website.

This is a rare opportunity to see two legendary Motown icons share one stage for a night celebrating the music that helped shape generations.

Sunday, July 19, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
FREE

CicLAvia returns on Sunday, July 19, transforming 6.1 miles of streets through West Hollywood, Hollywood, and East Hollywood into a car-free community space for walking, biking, skating, jogging, and exploring.

Due to the recent West Hollywood water main break, organizers have updated the route. The western end of the event will now conclude at La Cienega Boulevard, and the West Hollywood Hub has been relocated to 8491 Santa Monica Blvd. (Sal Guarriello Veterans' Memorial), just east of La Cienega Boulevard.

The event runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is free for participants of all ages and abilities. Visitors may enter the route at any point to enjoy open streets, local businesses, family activities, entertainment, and community programming.

Four activity hubs will be located along the route:

• West Hollywood Hub – 8491 Santa Monica Blvd.
• Plummer Park Hub – Santa Monica Blvd. at Martel Avenue
• Walk of Fame Hub – Hollywood Boulevard at Highland Avenue
• East Hollywood Hub – Hollywood Boulevard near Virgil and Hillhurst avenues

Each hub offers family-friendly activities, restrooms, free water refill stations, basic bicycle repair, bike parking, first aid, and complimentary pedicab rides. A Pit Stop on Hollywood Boulevard near Wilton Place will also provide water, restrooms, and bike repair.

The Walk of Fame Hub will feature FIFA World Cup programming, including a watch party for the tournament's final match.

Prior to the event, a kickoff press conference will be held from 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. at the West Hollywood Hub. Scheduled speakers include Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman, Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, Congresswoman Laura Friedman, Councilmembers Hugo Soto-Martínez and Nithya Raman, LADOT General Manager Laura Rubio-Cornejo, and CicLAvia leadership.

For route maps, local attractions, and additional event information, visit www.ciclavia.org

August 29–30 | Lafayette Park | Free Admission

Experience the sights, sounds, flavors, and traditions of Guatemala at the 10th Annual Festival Chapín de Los Angeles, the largest Guatemalan cultural festival held outside of Guatemala.

Presented by the nonprofit Festival Chapín de Los Angeles, this two-day celebration transforms a seven-block stretch surrounding Lafayette Park into a vibrant showcase of Guatemalan heritage. The festival features live music and entertainment, traditional dance performances, arts and crafts, cultural exhibits, family activities, and authentic Guatemalan cuisine.

Festival-goers can purchase favorite Chapín specialties including garnachas, shucos (Guatemalan-style hot dogs), chicken pepián, enchiladas, hilachas, and many other traditional dishes. Visitors can also browse artisan booths offering handcrafted pottery, jewelry, clothing, textiles, purses, footwear, and other Guatemalan imports.

Admission is free, and the event welcomes visitors of all ages from throughout Southern California.

The festival is presented by Chapin Summer Festival Inc., a California nonprofit dedicated to preserving and promoting Guatemalan culture while supporting educational, health, and humanitarian programs for underserved children in Guatemala.

Dates: Saturday & Sunday, August 29–30, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Location: Lafayette Park, 625 S. Lafayette Park Place, Los Angeles, CA 90057

Parking: Street parking is available. Paid parking ($14 cash or credit) is available at 611 Carondelet Street. Public transportation is recommended.

More Information: www.festivalchapin.com

Saturday, July 18 | 4:00 p.m.
JAMS Performing Arts Center
1000 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica, CA

Political commentator and bestselling author Brian Tyler Cohen, one of the nation's most influential voices in new media, joins Jon Lovett—former presidential speechwriter, co-founder of Crooked Media, and host of the popular Lovett or Leave It podcast—for an engaging conversation on politics, media, democracy, and the 2026 election season.

Presented by Writers Bloc, this special event offers attendees an opportunity to hear two of today's most recognizable progressive political commentators discuss the issues shaping America and answer audience questions.

Special Offer for CityWatch Readers

Writers Bloc has offered CityWatch readers a limited number of FREE tickets to attend this event.

Visit the event registration page and use promo code: brian2026 to claim your complimentary tickets while supplies last.

Date: Saturday, July 18
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: JAMS Performing Arts Center, 1000 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica

Admission: Free for CityWatch readers with promo code brian2026 (limited availability).

LOS ANGELES—The El Pueblo Historical Monument will host the inaugural El Pueblo de Los Angeles Heritage Festival from June 26 through June 28, 2026, celebrating the city’s living history, music, food, and cultural diversity during the FIFA World Cup festivities.

Located between the official FIFA Fan Zone at Union Station and Casa Mexico at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, the free public festival is designed as a gathering place for residents and visitors experiencing the World Cup in Los Angeles.

As part of the celebration, the historic Pico House will be transformed into “Celebration Plaza” for three weeks during the tournament, featuring live music, food, shopping, and World Cup-themed programming leading up to the Heritage Festival weekend.

Festival highlights include performances by Los Angeles music group Ozomatli on June 27 and legendary Latin jazz artist Poncho Sanchez on June 28. Organizers will also feature an interactive Kids Zone, family activities presented by El Pueblo partner museums, and an international food truck area.

The Heritage Festival is free and open to the public. No tickets are required.

Date: June 26–28, 2026
Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: El Pueblo Historical Monument, 125 Paseo de la Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Additional information is available through El Pueblo Historical Monument social media channels.

PACIFIC PALISADES—House Museum is offering private guided visits to the Chimney Yard in Pacific Palisades, the active preservation site for the emerging Palisades Fire Memorial honoring homes lost in the January 2025 fire.

Led by artist and House Museum director Evan Curtis Charles Hall, the outdoor studio tours bring guests directly into the ongoing recovery and preservation effort. Visitors walk among six historic chimneys salvaged from fire-damaged homes while hearing stories about the displaced families, the architects behind the residences—including Richard Neutra, Ray Kappe, and Eric Lloyd Wright—and the crews that rescued the structures from demolition following the fire.

Organizers describe the memorial as a “living act of preservation,” documenting more than a century of Southern California architectural history while symbolizing the Pacific Palisades community’s determination to rebuild.

The project has been featured by Architectural Digest, the Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, NPR, and RadioFrance.

Tours are available by reservation only and are limited to 14 guests per visit.

Dates: May 1 – June 30, 2026
Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, CA (exact address provided upon reservation)
Contribution: Minimum $250 per person

Reservations and additional information are available at:
House Museum Tours

LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum will host the FIFA Fan Festival™ Los Angeles from June 11 through June 14, 2026, transforming the historic venue into a global celebration of soccer, culture, music, food, and live World Cup match viewing.

Fans from around the world will gather for four days of live match broadcasts, cultural programming, interactive experiences, and food representing the diverse communities of Los Angeles. Organizers say the opening weekend festival will serve as one of the city’s major public celebrations tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

General admission tickets are $10, including fees, while children under 12 are admitted free.

Featured matches scheduled during the festival include:

Thursday, June 11
12:00 p.m. — Mexico vs. South Africa

Friday, June 12
12:00 p.m. — Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
6:00 p.m. — USA vs. Paraguay

Saturday, June 13
3:00 p.m. — Brazil vs. Morocco
6:00 p.m. — Haiti vs. Scotland

Sunday, June 14
10:00 a.m. — Germany vs. Curacao
1:00 p.m. — Netherlands vs. Japan

Date: June 11–14, 2026
Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, 3911 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90037

Additional details, programming schedules, and ticket information are available through the FIFA Fan Festival website.