A Night Among Icons: Hollywood’s Most Timeless Summer Experience

There’s nothing quite like summer in Los Angeles. The golden hour stretches longer, the ocean breeze rolls in just right, and the city’s most iconic cultural mashups come alive. Nowhere captures that unique blend of glamour, history, and laid-back cool better than Cinespia, the beloved outdoor movie series held at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Yes, a cemetery.

But not just any cemetery. Hollywood Forever is the final resting place of entertainment legends like Judy Garland, Rudolph Valentino, and Cecil B. DeMille. Set on 62 acres in the heart of Hollywood, this historic site doubles as an unlikely but unforgettable venue for one of LA’s most unique summer traditions.

On any given weekend from now through September, Angelenos gather on the Fairbanks Lawn for a one-of-a-kind evening under the stars. They bring blankets, hand-packed picnics, and chilled bottles of wine, and settle in for a night that is equal parts movie magic and city soul. With DJs spinning vinyl before sunset and films projected onto the grand mausoleum wall, Cinespia isn’t just an outdoor movie. It is a summer ritual.

There is an almost cinematic symmetry to the setting itself. You are sitting beneath the palms of Hollywood’s past, watching the very films that shaped its legacy. The lawn, named for silent film icons Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and Jr., offers a sprawling green expanse just steps from their crypt. Behind you, Valentino rests in the Cathedral Mausoleum. In front of you, the west wall becomes your screen. The vibe is electric, nostalgic, and strangely peaceful.

Cinespia was founded in 2002, and over the years, it has grown into Los Angeles’s longest-running outdoor film series. But it remains refreshingly intimate. Each screening feels like a curated secret shared among those who know that summer in LA isn’t complete without at least one night here. Whether you are catching La La Land beneath fireworks on July 5 or celebrating cult classics like Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion or Zoolander, there is a feeling that you are part of something only LA could offer.

The energy feels curated yet effortlessly cool, with stylish couples on date nights, friend groups in themed looks, and seasoned locals who have turned these screenings into a summer ritual. While wine and bites are available for purchase, the ultimate Cinespia experience is best when you bring your elevated picnic. Picture a fresh baguette with triple-cream brie, seasonal fruit, artisanal chocolates, and a perfectly chilled bottle of rosé. It is quintessential LA luxury, reimagined on a historic lawn and wrapped in the glow of the silver screen.

What sets Cinespia apart is its ability to turn an evening into an experience. It is not just about watching a film. It is about stepping into the scene. You are sipping wine while a live DJ spins and sharing laughs with friends as the sun sets behind marble crypts. It is a setting that turns the familiar into the extraordinary.

While Hollywood Forever may be known for its famous residents, it has evolved into something far more dynamic. It is a vibrant cornerstone of Los Angeles life. The cemetery hosts intimate concerts, live podcast tapings, and literary gatherings, but it is the summer film series that transforms the space into something truly extraordinary. During Cinespia, the grounds come alive with energy and nostalgia, where the glamour of Old Hollywood blends seamlessly with the city's creative spirit today. It is an experience that could only happen here, in a place where storytelling is not just entertainment but a way of life.

For those looking to capture the essence of LA in one unforgettable evening, Cinespia delivers. It is chic, unexpected, and wholly original. From the moment you spread your blanket on the grass to the final credits rolling under the stars, it is clear that this is more than a movie night. It is LA Living.

By IG @kaseycahen