Check out all the best Los Angeles events and things to do this July 2017. Enjoy!

Know of an amazing event not on this list I should know about? Email me at jacqueline.tager@sothebyshomes.com!

Old Pasadena Summer Cinema – starting July 1
Old Pasadena Summer Cinema will offer 20 free movie screenings from July 1-29 at a variety of indoor and outdoor locations throughout the Old Town area. Films include The Martian, Hugo, Ocean’s Eleven, Doctor Strange, Inside Out, The Sting, Cairo Time, and many more. Old Pasadena audiences will also have a chance to see the new documentary , The Cat That Changed the World. The film follows P-22 the mountain lion in Griffith Park. The filmmaker and featured wildlife experts will be available for a panel discussion after the film.

KCRW’s Summer Nights – all July
Among the dates slated for events Los Angeles are Chinatown Summer Nights on July 1, Paul Oakenfold + Mondo Cozmo Annenberg Space for Photography on July 22, and Miami Horror + Cleopold at the Santa Monica Pier on July 27.

Outfest Film Festival – July 6 through 16
Outfest Los Angeles, the LGBT Film Festival, runs from in several venues in L.A., screening 194 films from 30 countries. It opens with the gala screening of Francis Lee’s debut, God’s Own Country starring Josh O’Connor and Alec Secareanu at the Orpheum Theatre. It wraps up with Trudie Styler’s Freak Show, starring Bette Midler, Alex Lawther, AnnaSophia Robb, Abigail Breslin and others. Regular screenings start at $15-$20, but galas and special events vary in price.

Harry Potter at Hollywood Bowl – July 6, 7, 8
Harry Potter returns to the Hollywood Bowl this summer as the LA Phil accompanies two films screened on the big screen: Harry Potter and Chamber of Secrets on July 6 and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban on July 7-8. Tickets: $14-$196. 8 pm each night.

Senator Al Franken with Marc Maron – July 7 & 8
The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts and Writers Bloc present a one-night-only event featuring Senator Al Franken (D-MN) in conversation with comedian/podcaster Marc Maron (who replaces Kathy Griffin) on July 7 at 7:30 pm. The two come together at the Wallis’ Bram Goldsmith Theater for a discussion about Franken’s new book Giant of the Senate. Each ticket comes with a copy of the book. The event is sold-out online, but call ticket services at 310-746-4000 or send an email to Tickets@thewallis.org to be placed on the waitlist.

Hollywood & Highland Presents Summer Jazz Nights – starting July 11
KJazz 88.1 and Hollywood & Highland present the 14th annual Summer Jazz Nights, Tuesday, July 11th through Tuesday, August 8th. The series will feature free concerts by top and cutting-edge jazz artists including Pete Escovedo Latin Jazz Orchestra, Bria Skonberg, Cameron Graves, and more every Tuesday from 7 to 9pm in the central courtyard at Hollywood & Highland. The first concert is Tuesday, July11th featuring Naughty Professor.

A nominal donation of $14 to Project Angel Food includes wine or beer, a cheese selection, and seating.

Los Angeles Times Ideas Exchange with Bill Nye at Theatre at Ace Hotel – July 12
The nerd approach to thinking, creativity and problem solving can help create a better future. That’s the message Bill Nye will share when he sits down with the LA Times’ Patt Morrison to discuss his new book, “Everything All at Once: How to Unleash Your Inner Nerd, Tap into Radical Curiosity and Solve Any Problem.” You’ll discover how Bill developed his scientific mindset, starting in childhood, and how anyone can learn to enact change through exploration, trial and error, and sheer creativity.
$100 – Prime orchestra seat, personally signed book, and VIP reception.
$50 – Orchestra seat and pre-signed book
$25 – Balcony seat

The Los Angeles Soul Music Festival at Exposition Park – July 14, 15, 16
The Los Angeles Soul Music Festival is a coming together of music enthusiasts who simply appreciate live music in its many forms. Our music festival is a celebration of all things “Soul.” Vocals, instrumentation, soloist or band – it doesn’t matter as long as the artist has the ability and talent to inspire and connect with the audience. Throughout the Los Angeles Soul Music Festival, our goal is to bring you Grammy Awarded & Grammy nominated national and internationally known artists you are familiar with, plus some you may not have heard of… Yet.

Port of Los Angeles Lobster Fest in San Pedro – July 14, 15, 16
A $1.25 fresh steamed Maine lobster meal with cole slaw, roll and butter for way less than you would pay at a restaurant. The San Pedro Lobster Fest is the perfect event for seafood lovers all over Los Angeles.

Union Station’s Summer Train Fest – Saturday, July 15
Take a journey through time at the Union Station Summer Train Fest, a free family event featuring a rare collection of beautifully restored vintage train engines, a Kids Zone, Model Trains, LA’s hottest Food Trucks and Live Entertainment. The Summer Train Fest at LA’s historic downtown venue to feature vintage train engines and cars from the 1940s, 50s and 60s including an exclusive collection of trains from Metrolink and Amtrak and fan favorites:

Santa Fe 3751: 1927 Steam Locomotive
Overland Trail: 1949 Club Lounge with passenger lounge, bar and barbershop
Pacific Trail: 1950 fully restored passenger car with 44 seats
Tioga Pass: 1959 Business car with lounge, sleeping quarters, dining room and kitchen
National Forum, Pullman Car: 1956 sleeper car from the Pacific Railroad Society, Inc.

The 37th Annual Lotus Festival at Echo Park Lake – July 15, 16
The lotus bloom at Echo Park Lake is expected to be one of the best in years, and the The 37th annual Lotus Festival is a perfect excuse to check it out for yourself. The two-day fest will include live entertainment, arts and crafts, a boat race, an asian food court, and of course and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the blooming flowers on the lake.

9th Annual Taste of Farmers Market at 3rd & Fairfax – July 18
The 9th Annual Taste of Farmers Market comes to 3rd Street and Fairfax on July 18th for a massive feast from some of your favorite restaurants.

Sondheim on Sondheim at the Hollywood Bowl – July 23
From Follies and Into the Woods to A Little Night Music and Sweeney Todd, Stephen Sondheim’s umpteen Broadway masterpieces assure him a permanent spot among the very top creators of the American musical. You won’t want to miss this “funny, affectionate and revealing tribute to musical theater’s greatest living composer and lyricist” (USA Today). Dudamel leads this cabaret-style journey through the extraordinary life and career of Stephen Sondheim.

Special guests include: Sarah Uriarte Berry, Phillip Boykin, Lewis Cleale, Carmen Cusack, Claybourne Elder, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jonathan Groff, Ruthie Ann Miles, Matthew Morrison, Solea Pfeiffer, and Vanessa Williams.

Sunset Concerts – Thursday, July 27 and all of August
Now in its twenty-first season, the Skirball’s Sunset Concerts once again showcase eclectic music, singing, and dancing in a stunning, one-of-a-kind hillside setting. Reinterpreting traditional roots music from America and around the globe, these established and emerging artists will draw music fans from across greater Los Angeles. Arrive early to dine, shop, and view the exhibitions! Beginning at 5:30 p.m., enjoy grab-and-go light fare and full bar service from Zeidler’s Cart. Stop by Audrey’s Museum Store, open until 8:00 p.m. And be sure to check out the exhibition Paul Simon: Words & Music, FREE and open until 10:00 p.m.

Vans U.S. Open of Surfing – July 29
The Vans U.S. Open of Surfing returns on July 29 to the Huntington Beach Pier for a competition of the world’s elite surfers. The event is also a celebration of surf culture with movie screenings, art installations and entertainment. There are also BMX and skate competitions running throughout the week as well. Free admission.

Politicon – July 29, 30
POLITICON—a convention billed as a comic-con style event for political and entertainment junkies—is at the Pasadena Convention Center on July 29-30. This gathering features panel discussions, debates, TV & movie screenings, live radio, podcasts, comedy, book readings, interviews, art exhibitions and more. Already confirmed are a number of participants across the political spectrum including: James Carville, Ann Coulter, Pod Save America, Congressman Ted Lieu and comics Greg Proops, Lizz Winstead, Al Madrigal, Jena Friedman and many many others. Tickets: $50 per day or $80 for the weekend.

Enjoy! Happy July!

Jacqui