These Are the Coolest Food Events in Los Angeles Right Now

Welcome to EventWire, Eater LA's handy listing of local eating and drinking festivities. This weekly go-to runs down worthy events for food enthusiast consideration, and is presented in chronological order.

Sunday July 1
Jungle Party at Makani

What: Newish Venice restaurant Makani is throwing a jungle juice-themed party on Sunday with a slew of rum drinks and punches from 3 to 6 p.m. Cost runs $25 a person for drinks though there’s a special bar bites menu to order a la carte. Of course, ridesharing or walking is recommended.
Where: Makani, Venice
Details: Makani’s website.

Wednesday, July 4
4th of July Cookout at Brennan’s
What: Westside bar Brennan’s, famous for its turtle races, is throwing a 4th of July cookout starting at 11:30 a.m. with barbecue specials, live music, and games. The party lasts until 7 p.m., and it’s just a few steps from Venice Beach.
Details: Brennan’s website.

Sunday, July 15
Ice Cream Party at Smorgasburg
What: Smorgasburg, the big Sunday food event at Row DTLA, is bringing together some of the city’s best ice cream vendors for an all-out dessert party. That includes CVT Soft Serve, Afters Ice Cream, Sweet Rose Creamery, Nancy’s Fancy Gelato, and the all-vegan Madame Shugah. Smorgasburg’s regular ice cream vendors Wanderlust and Churro Boss will be there too, serving from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on what should project to be a warm day.
Where: Smorgasburg
Details: The full vendor list and more, here.

Friday, July 20 to Sunday July 22
Nagoya Fair at Mitsuwa Marketplace
What: Anyone who knows the food scene in Japan might be interested in the culinary traditions from Nagoya, Japan’s third largest city and the place to get some amazing chicken wings. Torrance’s Mitsuwa Marketplace will host Nagoya Fair with some of Nagoya’s legendary fried chicken wings called tebasaki, plus other regional specialties like wagyu beef doteni bowls, hitsumabushi eel bowls, and Nagoya roll cakes.
Details: For more info, go to Mitsuwa’s website.

Friday, July 20 and Saturday, July 21

Go Little Tokyo
What: The third annual Delicious Little Tokyo food festival is back, with a weekend of culinary demos, food tours, and workshops. Kicking off the festivities is the 12th Annual Sake and Food Tasting Event at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center from 7 to 10 p.m. Highlights from Saturday include Baldoria’s pizza making workshop and Wolf & Crane’s beverage demos.
Where: Little Tokyo
Details: More information here

Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29

California Pizza Festival
What: A new summer food festival will offer unlimited pizza from some of the country’s (and some of the world’s) best pizzaiolos. On July 28 and 29, the first ever California Pizza Festival will serve all-you-can-eat pizza slices from over thirty vendors at Los Angeles Center Studios. Headlining the festival are Da Michele, founded in Naples in 1870, and Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba, Naples’ oldest pizzeria-tavern that was established in 1738. Local representation comes Vito Lacopelli of Prova Pizzeria and Fernando Darin of Ray’s & Stark Bar. Expect an abundance of Neapolitan, Sicilian, New York, and even gluten-free and vegan slices, plus beer and wine sold throughout the festival.
Where: Los Angeles Center Studios 450 S Bixel St, Los Angeles
Details: General admission tickets cost $45 in advance and $60 on the day of the event. VIP tickets are $89