June gloom who (okay, maybe us on occasion)? But really, the most important thing we have here is June joy, and thats a promise! The South Bay has a plethora of reasons to be joyful this June, from frolicking in the morning sun to dancing the day away at dusk. June provides wonderul chances to participate in celebrations spanning across cultures and environments. You could go the action-packed Riviera Village summer festival AND So, don’t waste your month away doing the same old thing, take a trip around the metaphorical sun (the South Bay) and get to makin’ memories fit to last a lifetime!f you run a website, chances are you already have a blog. And if you don’t, maybe you should start one. A blog can boost your brand awareness, increase conversions, and improve customer service.
Blogs help you connect with your audience on a more personal level and allow them to interact with you in an individual capacity. Blogging also helps to present viewers with fresh content regularly.
1. Queen of the South Bay
On June 1st, this all-women’s surf competition will take over El Porto at the northernmost point of Manhattan Beach. A testament to the historic surf culture of southern California, the competition is proof that women, too, can rule the seas. Queen of the South Bay’s ultimate goal is to foster a safe and supportive environment for women of all ages and skills. Partake, support, or get inspired but be sure to throw some spirit in this direction because talent lies in these tides!
2. Torrance Summer Nights
Kicking off the summer with a strong showcase, Torrance Summer Nights promises an action-packed three months of fun for the entire family. Here, you won’t just witness exceptional music, movies, and comedy, but you’ll also have the chance to make lifelong memories along the way. The festival’s June 1st performance at Charles H. Wilson Park promises an amazing (and very culturally in tune) start to the summer with Taylor Nation, a Taylor Swift cover band that spins all her hits and promises not to disappoint. Other bands performing in June include Britain’s Finest (Beatles Cover Band), Soul Three Sixty (Pop, Top 40, R&B), and Andy & Renee & Hard Rain (Woodstock Retrospective). Plus, don’t miss out on an outdoor showing of Migration, an adventurous animated comedy about birds migrating from New England to Jamaica, at Greenwood Park on June 15th!
3. Fine Arts Festival
Hermosa Beach has a rich history of creativity and individualized passion. The city has always existed as an artistic and cultural refuge from the congested heart of ‘Tinsel Town’. Surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes and fueled by the scent of the salty sea, our local artists have fostered a special and independent relationship with their art. Hermosa Beach’s Fine Arts Festival is an annual event that acts to highlight local community members and their uniquely diverse takes on life, its vendors ranging from students to newbies to established artists. Join us on June 8th and 9th at 710 Pier Avenue in Hermosa Beach to explore what the South Bay has to offer!
4. South Bay Paddle
Let’s get stoked! On June 8th, Hermosa Beach will host the annual South Bay Paddle. A menagerie of fun, competition, dedication, and spirit, the South Bay Paddle welcomes people near and far to compete in either a 15- or 3-mile race across the bay. Meant to be a qualifier for the Catalina Classic race, this is a measure of stamina, putting the notorious outdoorsy athleticism of Californians to the test. However, there is no need to fret if you don’t want to jump into the Pacific bright and early – you can still be a happy and supportive local from the shores. Head out to the Hermosa Pier and look south to see these water devotees take to the sea bright and early.
5. Philippine Independence Day Celebration
On June 8, Carson’s Veterans Park will be transformed into an oasis stocked full of patriotic pride and joy and oozing with excitement. The city will once again hold its massive celebration of Philippine Independence from Spain, coming together to showcase Filipino food, entertainment, and cultural crafts. Each year promises iconic performances from major Filipino musicians; this year Carson is proud to announce that both Gary Valenciano and apl.de.ap from the Black Eyed Peas will grace the stage! This event is free and open to the public, so expect to leave with a beaming heart and full belly.
6. Hermosa Beach Pride
As one of the only Pride celebrations in the South Bay, Hermosa Beach Pride carries lots of passion and dedication at its core. Representing a whole community is no easy feat, but we sure try our darndest (it’s gone swimmingly so far if we do say so ourselves!). Hermosa Beach Pride works to provide a multitude of accessible events for every niche and subgroup of the LGBTQ+ community. Like to dance? We’ve got you covered. Love a good drag show? We’ll have that! Enjoy spending time at the beach? It’s Hermosa, come on now. Join us June 14th and 15th for a sublime weekend of pride and joy! Allies are always very welcome and much appreciated. Check out @hermosabeachpride on Instagram for further details.
7. Carson Juneteenth Celebration
Carson’s annual Juneteenth Rythm and Blues Celebration, hosted by the Carson Citizen’s Cultural Art Foundation, is a free all-day event full of music, food, and dancing for the entire family to enjoy. Last year’s event was headlined by the legendary soul band ‘Slave’, famous for their 1977 hit single “Slide.” While this year’s lineup has yet to be announced, it will surely at least rival last year’s notables. You have to love it when they decide to keep the people on their toes!
8. Summer Concerts Series
A testament to the true small-town American summer, El Segundo’s Summer Concert Series provides a chance to experience great live music, make memories, and feel the magic of a tight-knit community. If you’ve been pining for a cozy, summery community event, you truly cannot miss out on El Segundo’s most popular offering of the year. Library Park will be hosting two concerts this June, with more to come in July and August. Grab a friend (or two), your family, and some comfy seats, and you’re all set for a stress-free, happy, and wholesome night out on the town!
9. U19 World Championship and World University Trials
Catch a look at the world’s up-and-coming volleyball superstars at the U19 World Championship and World University Trials (insert hyperlink). Hermosa Beach is set to host this major event from June 17-20, which will draw athletes from Brazil, Korea, Iran, and beyond! In a town woven seamlessly into the world volleyball scene, this event will be sure to provide some top-notch entertainment, and may perhaps include some South Bay locals of our own. Go USA! Go South Bay!
10. Manhattan Beach Juneteenth Celebration
Split into two separate days, Manhattan Beach’s Juneteenth Celebration will kick off at Bruce’s Beach, where there will be a small Gospel performance and words from local community members on the holiday itself. A larger event will be held at Polliwog Park on Saturday the 22nd, including a professional jazz ensemble, DJ, dancing, art, family and educational activities, vendors, and food trucks through partnerships with local Black business owners, musicians, and performers.
11. Riviera Village Summer Festival
In Redondo’s lovely Riviera Village, you will find a plethora of local businesses, amazing food, and gorgeous views. Walkability is something that is difficult to come by in LA County, but Riviera Village escapes this truth, focusing on the creation of a tight-knit center for living life how it was meant to be. Its quick access to bike lanes and walking paths is reason enough for it to be the epicenter of entertainment and culture for the last weekend of June. The Riviera Village Summer Festival offers a beer and wine garden, live music, a carnival, an international food court, and over 300 exhibitors. If you’re looking to live like they do in all those classic summer rom-coms, look no further. June 28-30. Be there, or be square!
12. Music By the Sea
What’s the point of having a beautiful seaside amphitheater if you don’t use it? San Pedro wouldn’t know, because they sure know how to entertain! Music By The Sea is an annual concert series at Point Fermin Park that highlights local bands while providing access to epically gorgeous sweeping views of the South Bay. June 30th is the first of six Sunday shows, and while this year’s lineup is still to be announced, last year’s lineup was certainly a force to be reckoned with. From Soul to Rock to R&B, they’ve got something lined up for every corner of the musically inclined mind. If you close your eyes and click your heels three times, you might just end up right here in San Pedro. There’s truly no place like home, and our home is right next to the sea, drink in hand, swaying along at Music By The Sea.
13. Smackfest Coed 4s Volleyball Tournament
Do you ever get the urge to watch people dress up in hilarious outfits and pass, set, or hit a ball around? If the answer is yes, then you should most definitely head down to Hermosa Beach Pier on June 29th. Smackfest is an annual volleyball tournament where teams of four compete against each other for a taste of beach volleyball glory. Smackfest’s friendly, non-professional atmosphere provides ample chances for new connections and primetime entertainment rooted in the love of the game and the Hermosa community. Where there is joy there is celebration and boy, is that true here! Hang around after the matches and you’ll get a chance to party the rest of the day away with all the on-court heroes.