It’s almost summertime and the livin’ is easy – well, sort of. Whether you’re a parent navigating school break, a senior looking for community connection or simply someone ready to take advantage of free outdoor entertainment, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in and around Boyle Heights.
Our city offers free and low-cost activities for all ages – so make sure to take advantage. From recreation camps with surf lessons, free outdoor concerts, open swim at city pools and programs tailored for seniors, we’ve rounded up fun things to do this summer.
So grab your calendar and start planning.
Fun for families
Summer Night Lights: Coming to a city park near you, Summer Night Lights hosts free barbecues, sports games and activities at local recreation centers in the spirit of gang reduction and youth development. From July to August, parks like Lou Costello Jr. Recreation Center, Ramon Garcia Recreation Center, Evergreen Recreation Center and El Sereno Recreation Center offer fun for the whole family Thursdays through Saturday evenings.
Locations and information: https://www.lagryd.org/summer-night-lights.html
Parks After Dark: Every summer 34 parks in L.A. County host free summer concerts, movie nights and other fun activities every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening. Each week has a theme, stuff for teens and seniors, aquatic activities and more. Participating parks include Ruben F. Salazar Park, Belvedere Community Regional Park, City Terrace Park and Eugene A. Obregon Park. Check here for more participating parks near you.
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, June 13-Aug. 3, 6 to 10 p.m.
Locations and information: https://parks.lacounty.gov/pad/
Explore L.A. With Discover & Go: Your library card is a ticket to tons of free and low-cost passes to museums and attractions like L.A. Galaxy games, the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Natural History Museum. Available to Los Angeles residents 18 and over with a Los Angeles Public Library card (LAPL), explore local cultural institutions at special rates by logging in to Discover & Go and reserving passes to participating organizations.
More information: https://www.lapl.org/explorela
Pride at the Park: Over 60 L.A. County parks are celebrating Pride throughout June with food, resource fairs, entertainment and free giveaways centered on supporting the LGBTQ+ community and equality for all. Join the fun every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday during Pride month at participating parks. Start times vary by location.
More information: https://parks.lacounty.gov/pride/
Hop on the Beach Bus: Every Friday and Labor Day from June 13 to Sept. 1, a bus picks you up from City Terrace Park and Dionicio Morales Transit Plaza in East L.A. and takes you to Santa Monica Beach for as little as $2 for children and adults and $1 for senior citizens and people with disabilities. Just make a reservation as early as 10 days in advance and no later than 10 a.m. the day prior to your trip and bask in the luxury of someone else driving you to the beach.
More information: https://pw.lacounty.gov/core-service-areas/uploads/2024/10/EastLA-2.pdf?y=2025
Las Fotos Project Opening Exhibit: On July 24, Las Fotos Project presents the opening reception of Fabiola Lopez’s “Carrying Her With Me” exhibit, which explores mother-daughter relationships through the lens of the artist and other communities. Through self-reflection and internal and external dialogue, Lopez’s photos depict how mother-daughter relationships directly impact our relationships with others.
Location: Truly LA, 216 South Alameda StreetLos Angeles, CA, 90013
More information: https://www.lasfotosproject.org/events/carryingherwithme
Swim at local pools
L.A. Public Pools: Public pools are the best way to stay cool this summer. From swim, surf and kayak lessons to junior lifeguard, swim teams and splash pads, there’s a plethora of pool activities for kids and adults alike. Make a day out of it and lounge poolside with a wide-brimmed hat and steamy summer read while your kids splash away in the pool. Most public pools allow hats, sunglasses and lounge chairs and host a pool party every summer, so check out your local pool’s website below.
More information: https://www.laparks.org/aquatics
Things for kids and teens
LAUSD Summer of Learning: Students of all grades, abilities and languages enrolled in LAUSD can sign up for camps, virtual classes and enrichment programs this summer. From hands-on science camps at the California Science Center for 3rd and 4th graders, high school prep classes for 8th graders and credit recovery, college courses and swim classes for 9th to 12th graders, LAUSD’s Summer of Learning offers something for every student.
There’s even Extended School Year (ESY) services for students with disabilities and English classes for foreign-born high school students. The Migrant Education program offers students whose parent, guardian or family member works in the agricultural, dairy, lumber, packing, fishing or livestock industries transportation to the Los Angeles Zoo to learn about animals from actual zoologists.
LAUSD will continue to enroll students up to the beginning of our programs, but families are encouraged to register as soon as possible. Classes run from June 17–July 16, 2025.
More information: https://www.lausd.org/Page/19107
Summer Camps: Recreation centers throughout the Eastside are filling up fast with affordable camp programming for kids five to 15 all summer long. Kiddos will stay cool playing games and doing arts and crafts indoors or take a dip in the local public pool. Themed weeks and field trips to the beach, amusement parks and water slides are a special perk to keep your kid wanting to go back for more. Free lunches are a plus for parents. Check out the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, the Boys Girls Clubs, and your local YMCA. The YMCA is also offering free summer memberships for teens during their YMCA-LA Get Summer Program. Most summer day camps are fee-based. Call ahead to check for availability.
Every Body Plays: Select L.A. County parks, including Eugene A. Obregón Park, are offering children 7 to 17 free summer programming led by trained park staff who lead engaging programs, activities and chaperone field trips all summer long. Snacks provided.
Monday through Friday, June 16 – Aug. 8, 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
More information: https://parks.lacounty.gov/everybodyplays/
Summer Play LA: Sign the kids up for free to $10 summer sports and classes at local recreation centers, including girls self-defense, skateboarding and hip hop at the El Sereno Rec Center, volleyball at the Evergreen Rec Center or pickleball at Lincoln Park Rec Center. PlayLA offers youth access to over 40 different kinds of sports for kids between the ages 3 – 17.
More information: https://www.laparks.org/play-la
Class Parks Teen Program: Did you know 37 of the city’s 184 recreation centers offer teens ages 11 to 17 access to free programming emphasizing life skills, job training, education and adventure? On a mission to build well-rounded youth, these programs offer teens safe and supervised trips to the beach and mountains, camping and Friday dance parties.
More information: https://www.laparks.org/classpark/
Self Help Graphics & Art: Since 1973, Self Help Graphics has provided the community with free to low-cost art classes and workshops with a social justice lean. Their 1st Street space is still under renovation, so all summer events are held off-site, including the free five-week S.O.Y. Artista summer program for youth ages 11 to 24. This five-week program with morning and afternoon options kicks off on June 24 and features a variety of art techniques, including painting, sculpting, printing and sewing, kids of all ages will enjoy creating art in community. Sign up for one or all five weeks by filling out the application here.
Self Help is also hosting an all-ages foam block print workshop with Ernesto Vazquez at the East Los Angeles County Library on June 14 and their biennial Joy as Resistance printmaking summit at Plaza de la Raza on June 28.
More information: https://www.selfhelpgraphics.com/
Free Tutoring at L.A. County Libraries: School may be out, but learning never ends. Many L.A. County libraries are offering free in-person tutoring through a Summer Stars Tutoring Program. Students in grades 1 through 6 can take advantage of two different four-week long reading and math tutoring sessions throughout the summer. Each session is 30 minutes and appointments can be made on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for a total of 11 (reading) or 12 (math) afternoon appointments during the 4 weeks of the session. Due to the short nature of the program, attendance at each appointment is mandatory.
More information: https://lacountylibrary.org/summer-stars/
Neighborhood Music School: The oldest music school in L.A. is offering week-long summer intensives in June and July, including drums and percussion, music and nature, theater and improv and Latin rhythms and dance. Opened since 1914, the school moved into its Victorian home on Boyle Avenue in 1933 and has become a beacon for training thousands of future musicians Boyle Heights. $100/week, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, 358 S. Boyle Ave., Los Angeles
More information: https://www.neighborhoodmusic.org/summer-programs
Learn to Surf: Did you know kids 9-17 with no prior surfing experience can get surf lessons at the beach with bus pickups as close as Glassell Park Pool? Just visit your local L.A. city pool for an assessment, sign up for a session and drop off your child by 8 a.m. Learn to Surf is a program designed to teach youth basic oceanic safety through surf education. Participants will learn how to identify hazards at the beach, body surf, paddle in and around surf zones and pop up. All equipment is provided, including surfboards, wetsuits, rashguard, T-shirts and shorts.
More information: https://www.laparks.org/activity-details?activity_id=756120602
Free Lunch: Most L.A. city parks offer free lunches for folks under 18 all summer long. Parks in the area include the Boyle Heights Sports Center (noon to 12:30 p.m.), Costello Recreation Center (noon to 12:45 p.m.), Evergreen Recreation Center (noon to 12:30 p.m.), and Hollenbeck Recreation Center (11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.) Lunch is also provided at select libraries, including the East Los Angeles Library Monday through Friday from noon to 1 pm.
Free or almost-free concerts
Boyle Heights Youth Fest: The free neighborhood block party returns this summer on 1st Street. Join the crew for a day packed with live performances, including Ritual Azteca Danzantes, Ballet Folklorico de Ramona, DJ Jason and local youth bands. Come hungry and enjor the free hot dogs, esquites, agua frescas and paletas. Stay for the fun activities, resource booths and community love.
Time and date: 3 to 7 p.m., Saturday, June 7
Location: 2130 E 1st Street (Breed to St. Louis)
More information: @bhyfest
Grand Performances: L.A.’s longest-running free outdoor performing arts venue kicks off its summer season on June 14 with the 30th anniversary of hometown Latin hip-hop, funk and reggae band Ozomatli featuring DJ Anthony Valadez and psychedelic tiki lounge number Healing Gems. Since 1986, Grand Performances has provided the community with free family-friendly concerts, poetry events, theater and dance at California Plaza in Downtown L.A. This summer features a 30-piece symphonic tribute to Dr. Dre, a homage to John Coltrane and neo soul singer Baby Rose with Angélica Garcia at KCRW’s Summer Nights. Soulful psychedelic singer Adrian Quesada, merengue royalty Oro Sólido and beloved poet Yesika Salgado close out the season. Pack dinner and drinks and get there early to reserve seats. Spaces fill up fast!
Location: 350 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles
More information: https://www.grandperformances.org/
Eastside Pride: East L.A.’s The Queer Mercado teams up with BLVD MRKT for Eastside Pride on June 21. Enjoy live performances, yummy food and a diverse group of talented local queer artisans selling unique creations and goods. Come with family, friends and loved ones to the heart of Montebello and bask in a vibrant market filled with creativity, community and love.
Time and date: 12 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 21
Location: BLVD MRKT, 520 Whittier Blvd., Montebello
More information: @thequeermercado on Instagram
Levitt Pavilion: MacArthur Park is home to free performances and community gatherings all summer long at Levitt Pavilion. LACMA hosts cumbia and mariachi on June 21 with performances by Vilma Diaz y La Sonora and Mariachi Arcoiris. Hello Stranger brings the oldies vibe on August 2 with Eddie Chacon, Thee Heart Tones and visuals by Society of Shadows and an old-school Latin Alternative set with Kinky and Los Abandoned hits the stage Aug. 23.
Location: 2230 W. 6th St., Los Angeles
More information: https://levittlosangeles.org/
Hollywood Bowl: Experience L.A.’s iconic outdoor concert destination for as little as $1 with 28 Los Angeles Philharmonic classical and jazz concerts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays all summer long. Check out the July 4th Fireworks Spectacular with Earth, Wind, & Fire on July 3, a classical Pride theme on July 10 and Gustavo Dudamel conducting Duke Ellington and Maurice Ravel on Aug. 5. If $1 seats are taken, $15 tickets are your next best deal.
Location: 2301 Highland Ave., Los Angeles
More information: https://www.hollywoodbowl.com/about/watch-and-listen/a-low-cost-guide-to-the-bowl
Activities for seniors
Senior centers in the community offer free and low-cost activities such as Loteria, karaoke, lunches, and exercise classes at locations, including the El Sereno Senior Center, the Boyle Heights Senior Center and the Costello Senior Center. Parks After Dark also hosts Summer Pad Senior social hours from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays at participating L.A. County parks with fitness and wellness programs, food and games.
Cooling centers
The following places in and around Boyle Heights have been designated official cooling centers:
Benjamin Franklin Branch Library
Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory
East Los Angeles Service Center
