Upcoming Events: July 4-10, 2016

Independence Day
July 4
United States

Plenty of holiday events will take place this weekend, so check with your local favorite hangout spot to see if they have anything going on. Have a FUN and SAFE holiday weekend.

Surf City Run 5K
6:00 am – 11:00 am, July 4
Worthy Park, Huntington Beach
http://surfcityrun.com/

Participate in a community 5k run this 4th of July morning, followed by a festive parade. Registration for the 5k costs $40.

4th of July Picnic Dinner
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm, July 4
Maritime Museum, San Diego
http://sdmaritime.org/visit/public-events/4th-of-july-celebrations/

Enjoy a seaside dinner along with fireworks this Independence Day in San Diego. Admission costs $35 for adults or $18 for children.

13th Anniversary 4th of July Luau
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, July 4
Pizza Port, San Clemente
http://www.pizzaport.com/locations/pizza-port-san-clemente/
http://www.facebook.com/events/1609725326007987/

Pizza Port will have a free and all-ages festive celebration on their rooftop this 4th of July evening.

Poison The Well: Live in Southern California
7:30 pm – 12:30 am, July 7, The Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood http://www.theroxy.com/event/1138873-poison-well-west-hollywood/
7:00 pm – 12:00 am, July 8, Glass House, Pomona http://www.theglasshouse.us/event/1138937-poison-well-pomona/
7:00 pm – 12:00 am, July 9, Chain Reaction, Anaheim http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1138713
http://www.poisonthewell.com/

Hardcore band Poison The Well will headline three shows in Southern California this week. Tickets to these all-ages shows vary in price, so click on a show’s link for price details.

2016 Woogie Weekend
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm, July 8
10:00 am – 11:00 pm, July 9
10:00 am – 9:00 pm, July 10
Oak Canyon Park, Silverado
http://woogiewknd.com/

Basically, Lightning In A Bottle returns as a music event. If I could pick one word to describe Lightning In A Bottle, I would pick hippie. This spinoff of Lightning In A Bottle mainly involves the music of the iconic festival, though it will still have the yoga, dance, art, and other activities associated with Lightning In A Bottle. Expect to encounter thousands of people with a hippie mindset, like Woodstock but more controlled. Ticket prices vary depending on the mode of attendance, and they offer a presale discount, so check the prices on their site, and if you like what you see, purchase a ticket online to save some green.

7th Annual Los Angeles Food Fest
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm, July 8
11:00 am – 11:00 pm, July 9
11:00 am – 8:00 pm, July 10
Exposition Park, Los Angeles
http://lafoodfest.com/

Experience the best of Los Angeles eats at the LA Food Fest. This weekend-long festival consists of a multitude of various events, from a brunch to a grand tasting to a party and more. Admission to all of these events will vary, and they now offer separate packages, such as an all-you-can-eat package or just admission for those that want to pay for only what they intend to eat.

Mad Caddies: Live in Santa Ana
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, July 8
The Observatory, Santa Ana
http://www.observatoryoc.com/event/madcaddies

The Mad Caddies will headline an all-ages show in Santa Ana this Friday night. Tickets to this show cost $5.

2016 Rental Car Rally – Los Angeles
9:00 pm – 3:00 pm, July 8
Location TBA, Los Angeles
http://www.rentalcarrally.com/

What do you get when you mix Halloween with Mario Kart? You get the Rental Car Rally! This race abandons all conventional means by pitting themed teams against each other as they drive from point A to point B overnight. Instead of which team arrives first, winners reach the destination with the fewest miles traveled while hitting every single checkpoint along the way. Along the way, teams may attempt to interfere with other teams, using methods such as water balloons, water guns, powdered balloons, and other wacky ways that you would normally see in a video game. Words cannot accurately describe the mayhem behind a Rental Car Rally. To understand this, one must commit to competing in this wacky ride.

12th Annual Switchfoot Bro-Am
7:00 am – 5:00 pm, July 9
Moonlight State Beach, Encinitas
http://broam.org/

This free and all-ages event in Encinitas involves surfing, loud rock music, booze, and a whole lot of bros.

2016 Reptile Super Show
10:00 am – 6:00 pm, July 9
11:00 am – 5:00 pm, July 10
San Diego Concourse, Downtown San Diego
http://reptilesupershow.com/

Check out all things reptiles and amphibians at this weekend expo in Downtown San Diego. Open to all ages, attendees will find reptiles, amphibians, turtles, supplies, cages, lights, supplements, educational workshops, and more. Admission costs $14 for adults and $9 for children 12 and under – check the website for a printable coupon good for $1 off admission.

Latin Salsa Festival
10:00 am – 6:00 pm, July 9-10
Pershing Square, Los Angeles
http://www.latinsalsafestival.com/

Spice lovers rejoice! Torch your taste buds at this free spice event this weekend at Pershing Square in Downtown LA. Free to attend for all ages, guests will find plenty of food vendors with spicy foods, along with plenty of Latin inspired entertainment.

2016 Sri Lanka Day
10:00 am – 11:00 pm, July 9
Paseo Colorado, Pasadena
http://slday.com/

Immerse yourself in Sri Lankan culture this Saturday in Pasadena. Visitors will find Sri Lankan food, music, entertainment, arts & crafts, vendors, exhibits, and more. The website does not mention anything about admission, so make sure you have cash available just in case.

Beachwood Brewing 5th Anniversary Celebration
10:30 am – 12:00 am, July 9
Beachwood Brewing, Downtown Long Beach
http://beachwoodbbq.com/events.html

Celebrate Beachwood Brewing’s fifth anniversary at their restaurant/brewery in Downtown Long Beach this Saturday. Free to attend, expect to find rare beers on tap, as well as a handful of guest breweries and their brews. Beachwood BBQ will also serve up some food specials unique only for this glorious day. Guests can park for free for up to three hours with validation in the parking structure in the alley behind the restaurant.

Renegade Craft Fair
11:00 am – 6:00 pm, July 9-10
Grand Park, Los Angeles
http://www.renegadecraft.com/fairs/losangeles-summer-2016

This free and all-ages fair at Grand Park will have arts, crafts, music, foodtrucks, drinks, and more. Come see the alternative side of arts & crafts this weekend.

BeautyCon LA
12:00 pm – 8:00 pm, July 9
Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles
http://beautycon.com/beautycon-los-angeles

See all things beauty, fashion, cosmetics, and more at this one-day event in Los Angeles this Saturday. General admission costs $41 and grants you access to the entire show floor full of vendors, services, workshops, speakers, demos, and more.

36th Annual Los Angeles Lotus Festival
12:00 pm – 9:00 pm, July 9-10
Echo Park Lake, Echo Park
http://culturela.org/organizer/los-angeles-lotus-festival/

Enjoy a free and all-ages event this weekend that celebrates Asian culture with food, music, dance, and a variety of other entertainment.

Garagiste Wine Festival: Urban Exposure
1:00 pm – 6:00 pm, July 9
The Wiltern, Koreatown, Los Angeles
http://californiagaragistes.com/2016-la-festival/

Wine lovers will not want to miss this wine event taking place this Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles. Regular admission costs $69 and starts at 3pm. Early admission costs $99 and starts at 2pm. VIP admission costs $129, starts at 1pm, and includes backstage access plus seminars. All attendees receive unlimited food and wine samples while supplies last. No one under 21 may attend.

2nd Annual Crafts & Cranks Brew Festival & Bike Race
2:00 pm – 6:00 pm, July 9
Snow Summit, Big Bear Lake
http://craftsandcranks.com/

A bike ride and beer festival collide at Big Bear Lake this Saturday. Ride the trails of Snow Summit’s Bike Park, or enjoy an afternoon of brews, or both. Admission costs $25 for adults or $20 for minors. Note that while minors may attend because of the bike race, they may not have any alcohol.

Pairing Is Caring III
3:00 pm – 7:00 pm, July 9
LA River Studios, Los Angeles
http://www.pairingiscaring.net/

Enjoy an evening of food, beer, and wine in Los Angeles this Saturday. General admission costs $65 and starts at 3:30, while VIP admission costs $100, starts at 3pm, and includes access to a VIP lounge. All attendees receive unlimited food, beer, and wine while supplies last. No one under 21 may attend.

Twisted At The Pike
5:00 pm – 11:00 pm, July 9
The Pike, Long Beach
http://www.summerandmusic.com/twisted

Immerse yourself into the world of weird this Saturday night in Long Beach. Free to attend for all ages, this twisted carnival has live music, dance, magic performers, a beer garden hosted by Auld Dubliner, local food vendors, and more.

Night Nation Run – Los Angeles
6:00 pm – 12:00 am, July 9
Fairplex, Pomona
http://www.nightnationrun.com/los-angeles-2016/

People always seem to want to find any way possible to make running less boring. Introducing Night Nation Run, a glow run that now involves EDM. Run a course complete with lights, glow sticks, lasers, EDM, and more. Registration costs $30 presale or $60 once presale registration runs out, and includes a t-shirt, a glow necklace, a goodie bag, and access to the after-party with more EDM.

The Defects: Live in Southern California
7:00 pm – 1:00 am, July 9, Union Nightclub, Los Angeles http://www.facebook.com/events/1246477412028947/
6:00 pm – 12:00 am, July 10, Clash City Station, Riverside http://www.facebook.com/events/1046044275462592/
http://www.punkerama.com/

A punk band from Ireland will perform in Southern California for the first time this weekend. Tickets to these all-ages show vary in price, so click on a show’s link for details.

The Color Run 5k – San Diego
7:00 am – 1:00 pm, July 10
Waterfront Park, San Diego
http://thecolorrun.com/locations/san-diego-ca/

The color run that started it all returns to San Diego this Sunday morning. This fun run takes the racing out of a 5k or 10k, and places participants in a running course where they will get showered with bright colors. All runners should wear white for this run, as they run through the course and absorb all the colors flying through the air. Registration for this color run costs $50 per solo participant, or $45 per person if registering as a team of four or more. Waves of runners will start at 9am and launch every few minutes following that for up to two hours, so do not fret about getting there on time.

German Heritage Day
2:00 pm – 6:00 pm, July 10
Old World Village, Huntington Beach
http://www.oldworld.ws/

Do you love Oktoberfest? Show off your German pride at this FREE and all-ages celebration this Sunday afternoon at Old World Village in Huntington Beach. Enjoy German food, music, arts & crafts, and more. The first 500 guests receive a FREE meal, so act quick!

Midtown Night Market
4:00 pm – 8:00 pm, July 10
MacArthur Park, Long Beach
http://www.longbeach.gov/District6/News/Midtown-Night-Market/

The popularity of night markets has surged within the past year. This Sunday, Long Beach gets their very own night market, complete with free admission. Come to this all-ages outdoor fair and check out all the food, drinks, desserts, merchandise, live entertainment, and more. Expect heavy traffic approaching this area, so plan your commute accordingly.

Upcoming Events: November 16-22, 2015

Ritual Brewing’s 3rd Anniversary Celebration Week
November 16-21
Ritual Brewing, Redlands
http://ritualbrewing.com/

Ritual Brewing turns three years old this week, and to celebrate, they will have festivities at their tasting room in Redlands all week long. The week will culminate with a beer festival this Saturday from 12pm to 4:30. General admission costs $30 and starts at 1pm, while VIP admission costs $40 and starts at 12pm. All attendees receive an anniversary glass and unlimited beer pours while supplies last. No one under 21 may attend this event.

12th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival
November 16-22
Various locations, San Diego
http://www.sandiegowineclassic.com/

All week, check out all things food & wine all over San Diego County. From wine tastings to cooking classes to seminars to food sampling, if it has to do with food or drinks, it will happen during this time. On Saturday, experience the grand finale with a massive food & wine tasting festival at Embarcadero Marina Park North in Downtown San Diego. General admission to this festival costs $135 and starts at 12pm, while early admission costs $165 and starts at 11am.

Meet The Brewer: Artifex Brewing @ The Factory Gastrobar
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, November 18
The Factory Gastrobar, Bixby Knolls, Long Beach
http://www.facebook.com/events/1060392040657796/

Artifex Brewing will travel up from San Clemente to Long Beach this Wednesday evening for a tap takeover, beer pairing, and meet & greet with the brewer. This night has no admission fee – simply show up, and pay as you go.

Meatloaf Wednesday
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, November 18
Beachwood BBQ, Seal Beach
http://beachwoodbbq.com/events.html

Following the success of their ribs, mac & cheese, and poutine special events, Beachwood BBQ will now hold a Meatloaf night this Wednesday. Choose from multiple different meat types, and enjoy it as a meal or as a flight paired with craft beers.

Beaujolais Nouveau Day
November 19
Worldwide
http://www.beaujolaisnouveauday.com/

Every year on the third Thursday of November, wine enthusiasts worldwide celebrate the arrival of this passionate wine with fireworks, music, festivals, and more. Check in with your favorite local restaurant, bar, or winery to see if they will participate in the celebration of this glorious wine.

Belgium Beers Tap Takeover
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, November 19
Alpine Village, Torrance
http://www.alpinevillagecenter.com/upcoming-events/tap-takeover/

Alpine Village will tap a bunch of Belgian beers this Thursday night for your enjoyment. This event has no admission fee – simply show up, and pay for beers as you go.

2015 Los Angeles Auto Show
9:00 am – 9:00 pm, November 20-29
Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles
http://laautoshow.com/

Check out the newest and latest cars, trucks, exotics, and more. General admission costs $12 on weekdays or $15 on weekends.

Progressive International Motorcycle Show – Long Beach
3:00 pm – 8:00 pm, November 20
9:30 am – 8:00 pm, November 21
10:00 am – 5:00 pm, November 22
Long Beach Convention Center, Downtown Long Beach
http://www.motorcycleshows.com/city/long-beach-ca

See all-things motorcycles this weekend at the Long Beach Convention Center. Admission varies, with a one-day adult general admission costing $15.

Pairing Is Caring 2
7:00 pm – 10:30 pm, November 20
Monk Space, Los Angeles
http://www.insidethecellar.com/

Enjoy a night of food, beer, and wine in Koreatown this Friday night. General admission costs $50 and starts at 7:30, while VIP admission costs $65, starts at 7pm, and includes access to a VIP lounge. All attendees receive unlimited food, beer, and wine while supplies last. No one under 21 may attend.

Escape From The Time Travel Lab
7:00 pm – 11:00 pm, November 20
12:00 pm – 8:00 pm, November 21-22
Edm Hall, Little Tokyo, Los Angeles
http://realescapegame.com/rerla_ttlab/

Put your brain to the test at this real-life escape game. Participants of this event have 90 minutes to solve multiple puzzles of varying difficulty, and combine the solutions to unlock additional puzzles, which will eventually lead to the final solution that will solve the entire game. Each session can only have up to 11 participants, and teamwork will get your group through the puzzle to the final answer. Registration costs $26 per person.

Pancakes & Booze Art Show
8:00 pm – 2:00 am, November 20-21
Lot 613, Los Angeles
http://www.pancakesandbooze.com/

For just a $5 cover, guests get treated to unlimited pancakes and many artists from across the country showcasing their works. Guests can also witness body painting, stencil art, art battles, sculptures, graffiti, and more. Guests can park on the street for free, or park in the adjacent parking lot for $5. No one under 21 may enter.

The Color Run 5k – Orange County
7:00 am – 1:00 pm, November 21
Huntington State Beach, Huntington Beach
http://thecolorrun.com/orange-county/

The color run that started it all returns to Huntington State Beach this Saturday morning. This fun run takes the racing out of a 5k or 10k, and places participants in a running course where they will get showered with bright colors. All runners should wear white for this run, as they run through the course and absorb all the colors flying through the air. Registration for this color run costs $50 per solo participant, or $45 per person if registering as a team of four or more. Waves of runners will start at 9am and launch every few minutes following that for up to two hours, so do not fret about getting there on time.

Bubble Run – Lake Elsinore
8:00 am – 12:00 pm, November 21
Diamond Stadium, Lake Elsinore
http://www.bubblerun.com/upcoming-locations/socal/

Tired of the same 5k run everywhere? If you have had your fill of color runs and glow runs, try your hand at the Bubble Run. Participants wear all white and run through colored foam bogs in this 5k race around the Sleep Train Amphitheater. Registration costs $40, and all levels of runners may participate. Space will fill up fast, so register early, and try to carpool to this event.

2015 Designer Con
9:00 am – 6:00 pm, November 21
10:00 am – 5:00 pm, November 22
Pasadena Convention Center, Pasadena
http://www.designercon.com/

This design event takes place this weekend in Pasadena. What started as an expo for designer toys and collectables has evolved into including apparel and accessories. Designer Con now features toys, apparel, art, crafts, and more, ranging from fine, traditional, modern, urban, and contemporary. Presale tickets cost $5, tickets at the door cost $7, while arrivals after 3pm cost nothing.

30th Annual Elves’ Faire
10:00 am – 4:00 pm, November 21
Pasadena Waldorf School, Altadena
http://www.elves-faire.com/

This FREE and all-ages fair will allow visitors to enjoy medieval activities, games, live music, food, entertainment, and more.

Hermosa Beach Holiday Sidewalk Festival
11:00 am – 6:00 pm, November 21
Downtown Hermosa Beach
http://business.hbchamber.net/events/details/holiday-sidewalk-festival-3147

Check out this free and all-ages event this Saturday in Downtown Hermosa Beach. Visitors will find arts & crafts, live entertainment, music, dancing, games, sidewalk sales, food & drink specials, and more.

Taste of Autumn Beer Festival
12:00 pm – 10:00 pm, November 21
Shark Club, Costa Mesa
http://www.tasteofautumnbeerfestival.com/

An autumn beer tasting event will take place at the Shark Club in Costa Mesa this Saturday over two sessions. General admission costs $40 and runs 1pm to 4pm or 7pm to 10pm. VIP admission costs $50 and starts an hour earlier than general admission. All attendees receive unlimited beer tastings while supplies last. No one under 21 may attend.

Hops & Hounds: Packinghouse Brewing’s 5th Anniversary
1:00 pm – 10:00 pm, November 21
Packinghouse Brewing, Riverside
http://www.pbbeer.com/

Packinghouse Brewing turns five years old this week, and to celebrate, they will have a free celebration at their tasting room in Riverside this Saturday. Throughout the day, Packinghouse will have live music, special beer releases, and mobile food vendors. A portion of the day’s sales will go towards the American Cancer Society.

Old Town Seal Beach Main Street Chili Cookoff Crawl
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm, November 21
Main Street, Seal Beach
http://www.sealbeachrestaurantweek.com/events.html

Around a dozen Seal Beach restaurants will participate in a chili cookoff this Saturday afternoon. Visitors of all ages can purchase a wristband for $10, which will allow them to sample as much chili as they like from participating restaurants up and down Main Street. The Hennessey’s Grill parking lot will function as the hub, where visitors can purchase wristbands, observe raffle prizes, and vote for their favorite chili.

Orange County’s 3rd Annual Beard & Moustache Competition
3:00 pm – 11:00 pm, November 21
The Rinks, Irvine
http://www.dubswashere.com/

Movember participants, listen up! Show off your wicked facial hair at this competition for all things hairy this Friday night in Huntington Beach, featuring a handful of categories to enter into to win cash prizes. In addition to the fabulous styles, visitors will find food, a full bar, live music, vendors, and more. Registration costs $15, while spectators may enter for $5.

The Crowd @ Alex’s Bar
8:30 pm – 1:30 am, November 21
Alex’s Bar, Long Beach
http://www.alexsbar.com/event/989049-crowd-long-beach/

Rock out to some local old-school punk rock bands this Saturday night in Long Beach. Tickets to this show cost $8 presale or $10 at the door. No one under 21 may enter.

25th Annual Encinitas Fall Street Fair
9:00 am – 4:00 pm, November 22
South Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas
http://www.encinitas101.com/events/fall-festival/

This FREE street fair takes place this Sunday in Encinitas. Featuring 450 unique food, arts & crafts vendors, five music stages, rides & games, and a beer garden hosted by Stone Brewing and Port Brewing, people of all ages will enjoy this street fair. Due to the compact nature of this area, parking can get extremely difficult to locate. Arrive early, or take public transportation to arrive safely.

23rd Annual Arroyo Arts Collective Discovery Tour
9:30 am – 5:00 pm, November 22
Southwest Museum, Mount Washington
http://www.arroyoartscollective.org/

This Sunday, check out homes and studios of artists and craftspeople around Highland Park, Eagle Rock, and surrounding areas. This self-guided tour costs $10 presale or $15 on the day of the event, and allows access to art purchasing, building tours, and more. While strolling, check out some of the great places to grab a bite or sip, such as Fusion Burgers, Donut Friend, The Oinkster, and more.

Artisanal LA: West Elm Holiday Pop-Up
10:00 am – 3:00 pm, November 22
West Elm, Beverly Grove
http://artisanalla.com/

Head over to West Elm in Beverly Grove this Sunday for a small popup of Artisanal LA. Free to attend for all ages, this popup gives visitors a sample of Artisanal LA’s semiannual event at The Reef. Visitors will find a handful of local artisanal food vendors plus some local arts & crafts vendors.

Beer & Pie with Firestone Walker
12:00 pm – 8:00 pm, November 22
Select Beer Store, Redondo Beach
http://www.selectbeerstore.com/
http://www.facebook.com/events/1483421438653814/

Enjoy some handmade pies and Firestone Walker brews this Sunday afternoon at Select Beer Store in Redondo Beach. This event has no cover charge – simply show up, and pay for food and drinks as you go.