Los Angeles Festivals & Events Calendar: A Family Guide for 2026
Los Angeles is a city brimming with activity, and planning a family trip in 2026 means navigating a vibrant calendar of festivals and events. This guide provides a month-by-month breakdown, highlighting the best options for families, from cultural celebrations to food festivals and seasonal markets. We'll also point out the best times to visit for value and insider tips to make the most of your trip.
January
Tournament of Roses Parade (January 1)
What: Kick off the New Year with the iconic Rose Parade in Pasadena. Witness stunning floral floats, marching bands, and equestrian units. Expect large crowds.
Where: Pasadena, along Colorado Boulevard.
Cost: Free to watch from the street; reserved grandstand seating ranges from $75 to $150 per person.
How to Participate: Arrive early (very early!) for a good viewing spot. Some families camp out overnight. Consider purchasing grandstand tickets for a guaranteed view.
Insider Tip: Take the Metro Gold Line to avoid parking hassles. The day before the parade, you can view the floats being decorated for free.
Hotel Price Impact: High. Book accommodations in Pasadena or nearby cities like Glendale well in advance.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration (Mid-January)
What: Commemorate Dr. King's legacy with parades, community service events, and educational programs throughout Los Angeles.
Where: Various locations, including Leimert Park and Exposition Park.
Cost: Mostly free.
How to Participate: Check local listings for events and volunteer opportunities.
Insider Tip: Leimert Park often hosts a large and vibrant celebration with music and cultural performances.
Hotel Price Impact: Moderate. Expect slightly higher prices around the holiday weekend.
February
Chinese New Year (Varies Annually, Usually Early February)
What: Celebrate the Lunar New Year with parades, lion dances, and cultural performances in Chinatown.
Where: Chinatown, Los Angeles.
Cost: Free to attend; food and souvenirs are extra.
How to Participate: Join the parade, enjoy the street food, and explore the shops in Chinatown.
Insider Tip: Arrive early for the Golden Dragon Parade to secure a good viewing spot. Sample traditional Chinese New Year dishes at local restaurants.
Hotel Price Impact: Moderate. Increased demand in downtown Los Angeles.
Pan African Film & Arts Festival (Mid-February)
What: Showcasing a wide array of films, art, and cultural expressions from across the African diaspora.
Where: Multiple venues, typically in the Crenshaw District.
Cost: Ticket prices vary per screening/event, ranging from $15 - $40.
How to Participate: Purchase tickets online in advance. Check the festival website for a schedule of events.
Insider Tip: Attend the opening night gala for a special experience.
Hotel Price Impact: Moderate in the Crenshaw area.
March
LA Marathon (Mid-March)
What: Watch or participate in the LA Marathon, which winds through various neighborhoods of Los Angeles.
Where: Starts at Dodger Stadium and finishes in Santa Monica.
Cost: Free to watch; registration fee for runners (around $200-$300).
How to Participate: Register online well in advance if you want to run. Spectators can find good viewing spots along the route.
Insider Tip: Check the marathon route beforehand to plan your travel accordingly, as road closures are extensive.
Hotel Price Impact: High in areas along the marathon route, especially near the start and finish lines.
Dino Fest (Late March)
What: A family-friendly festival at the Natural History Museum dedicated to dinosaurs.
Where: Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Exposition Park.
Cost: Included with museum admission (around $15-$20 per person).
How to Participate: Purchase tickets online in advance. Enjoy dinosaur exhibits, activities, and presentations.
Insider Tip: Check the museum website for the Dino Fest schedule and special activities.
Hotel Price Impact: Moderate near Exposition Park.
April
Renaissance Pleasure Faire (Weekends in April/May)
What: Step back in time at this immersive Renaissance fair with jousting, crafts, food, and entertainment.
Where: Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, Irwindale.
Cost: Tickets range from $35 to $45 per adult, $20 to $25 per child.
How to Participate: Purchase tickets online or at the gate. Dress up in Renaissance attire for added fun.
Insider Tip: Arrive early to avoid crowds. Bring cash for food and souvenirs.
Hotel Price Impact: Moderate in the Irwindale area.
Earth Day Celebrations (Late April)
What: Various events throughout the city celebrating environmental awareness.
Where: Multiple locations, including parks and beaches.
Cost: Mostly free.
How to Participate: Check local listings for clean-ups, festivals, and educational programs.
Insider Tip: Santa Monica Pier often hosts a large Earth Day festival.
Hotel Price Impact: Low.
May
Cinco de Mayo Celebrations (May 5)
What: Celebrate Mexican culture with food, music, and festivities.
Where: Olvera Street and various locations throughout Los Angeles.
Cost: Free to attend; food and souvenirs are extra.
How to Participate: Visit Olvera Street for a traditional celebration. Attend local Cinco de Mayo events.
Insider Tip: Olvera Street can get crowded, so arrive early. Enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine and mariachi music.
Hotel Price Impact: Moderate in downtown Los Angeles.
LA Fleet Week (Memorial Day Weekend)
What: Celebrate the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard with ship tours, air shows, and demonstrations.
Where: Port of Los Angeles, San Pedro.
Cost: Mostly free.
How to Participate: Check the LA Fleet Week website for a schedule of events and ship tour information.
Insider Tip: Arrive early for ship tours, as lines can be long. The air show is a highlight.
Hotel Price Impact: High in San Pedro and Long Beach during Memorial Day weekend.
June
LA Pride (Early June)
What: A celebration of the LGBTQ+ community with a parade, festival, and concerts.
Where: West Hollywood.
Cost: Free to watch the parade; festival tickets range from $30 to $50 per day.
How to Participate: Attend the parade, festival, and concerts. Support local LGBTQ+ businesses.
Insider Tip: Book accommodations in West Hollywood well in advance. The parade is a vibrant and colorful event.
Hotel Price Impact: Very high in West Hollywood during Pride weekend.
Hollywood Bowl Opening Night Concert (Mid-June)
What: Kick off the Hollywood Bowl season with a special concert featuring renowned artists.
Where: Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood.
Cost: Ticket prices vary widely depending on the performer, but generally start around $50.
How to Participate: Purchase tickets online in advance.
Insider Tip: Pack a picnic to enjoy before the show.
Hotel Price Impact: High in Hollywood.
July
July 4th Celebrations (July 4)
What: Fireworks displays, parades, and concerts throughout Los Angeles.
Where: Various locations, including the Hollywood Bowl, the Rose Bowl, and Marina del Rey.
Cost: Varies depending on the event; some are free, while others require tickets.
How to Participate: Check local listings for fireworks displays and events. Arrive early to secure a good viewing spot.
Insider Tip: The Hollywood Bowl and Rose Bowl offer spectacular fireworks shows but sell out quickly.
Hotel Price Impact: High around the holiday weekend.
Lotus Festival (Mid-July)
What: Celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander cultures with dragon boat races, cultural performances, and food vendors.
Where: Echo Park Lake.
Cost: Free.
How to Participate: Attend the festival and enjoy the cultural performances, food, and dragon boat races.
Insider Tip: Parking can be challenging, so consider taking public transportation or ride-sharing.
Hotel Price Impact: Moderate in the Echo Park area.
August
Nisei Week Japanese Festival (Mid-August)
What: Celebrate Japanese and Japanese American culture with parades, cultural performances, and exhibits.
Where: Little Tokyo, Los Angeles.
Cost: Mostly free.
How to Participate: Attend the parade, cultural performances, and exhibits. Enjoy Japanese cuisine at local restaurants.
Insider Tip: Arrive early for the parade to secure a good viewing spot. Visit the Japanese American National Museum.
Hotel Price Impact: Moderate in downtown Los Angeles.
CicLAvia (Various Dates Throughout the Year, Often in August)
What: A street festival where streets are closed to cars and open to cyclists, pedestrians, and other non-motorized transportation.
Where: Various locations throughout Los Angeles.
Cost: Free.
How to Participate: Bike, walk, or skate along the CicLAvia route. Enjoy the street performers, food vendors, and activities.
Insider Tip: Check the CicLAvia website for the route and schedule.
Hotel Price Impact: Low to Moderate, depending on location.
September
Los Angeles County Fair (Late August/Early September)
What: A classic county fair with rides, games, livestock exhibits, and food vendors.
Where: Fairplex, Pomona.
Cost: Admission tickets range from $15 to $20 per adult, $10 to $15 per child.
How to Participate: Purchase tickets online or at the gate. Enjoy the rides, games, exhibits, and food.
Insider Tip: Arrive early to avoid crowds. Check the fair website for special events and promotions.
Hotel Price Impact: Moderate in the Pomona area.
Abbot Kinney Festival (Late September)
What: A street festival on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice with art, music, food, and shopping.
Where: Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice.
Cost: Free.
How to Participate: Stroll along Abbot Kinney Boulevard and enjoy the art, music, food, and shopping.
Insider Tip: Parking can be challenging, so consider taking public transportation or ride-sharing.
Hotel Price Impact: High in Venice during the festival.
October
Halloween Events (October 31)
What: Halloween celebrations throughout Los Angeles, including haunted houses, costume parties, and trick-or-treating events.
Where: Various locations, including West Hollywood, Universal Studios Hollywood (Halloween Horror Nights), and Disneyland (Haunted Mansion Holiday).
Cost: Varies depending on the event; some are free, while others require tickets.
How to Participate: Check local listings for Halloween events. Visit haunted houses, attend costume parties, or go trick-or-treating.
Insider Tip: Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood is a popular but scary event. Book tickets in advance.
Hotel Price Impact: High around Halloween weekend.
DTLA Film Festival (Mid-October)
What: Showcasing independent films in various venues throughout Downtown Los Angeles.
Where: Multiple venues in DTLA.
Cost: Ticket prices vary, generally $15-$30 per screening.
How to Participate: Purchase tickets online in advance. Check the festival website for the schedule.
Insider Tip: Attend a Q&A session with filmmakers.
Hotel Price Impact: Moderate in Downtown Los Angeles.
November
Day of the Dead Celebrations (Early November)
What: Celebrate the Day of the Dead with altars, music, and cultural performances.
Where: Olvera Street and Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
Cost: Varies depending on the event; some are free, while others require tickets.
How to Participate: Visit Olvera Street or Hollywood Forever Cemetery to view altars, enjoy music, and participate in cultural performances.
Insider Tip: Hollywood Forever Cemetery hosts a large and elaborate Day of the Dead celebration that requires tickets purchased in advance.
Hotel Price Impact: Moderate in downtown Los Angeles and Hollywood.
Thanksgiving Day Parade (Late November)
What: A Thanksgiving Day parade in Hollywood with floats, balloons, and marching bands.
Where: Hollywood Boulevard.
Cost: Free.
How to Participate: Watch the parade along Hollywood Boulevard. Arrive early to secure a good viewing spot.
Insider Tip: Take public transportation to avoid parking hassles.
Hotel Price Impact: Moderate in Hollywood during Thanksgiving weekend.
December
Christmas Celebrations (December)
What: Christmas-themed events throughout Los Angeles, including holiday markets, tree lighting ceremonies, and festive performances.
Where: Various locations, including The Grove, L.A. Live, and Disneyland.
Cost: Varies depending on the event; some are free, while others require tickets.
How to Participate: Visit holiday markets, attend tree lighting ceremonies, and enjoy festive performances.
Insider Tip: The Grove and L.A. Live offer festive holiday experiences with ice skating, Christmas trees, and holiday markets. Disneyland's holiday celebrations are also popular.
Hotel Price Impact: High throughout December, especially around Christmas and New Year's Eve.
New Year's Eve Celebrations (December 31)
What: New Year's Eve parties and fireworks displays throughout Los Angeles.
Where: Various locations, including Grand Park, Marina del Rey, and downtown Los Angeles.
Cost: Varies depending on the event; some are free, while others require tickets.
How to Participate: Attend a New Year's Eve party or watch the fireworks displays. Book accommodations and tickets in advance.
Insider Tip: Grand Park hosts a free New Year's Eve celebration with live music and fireworks.
Hotel Price Impact: Very high around New Year's Eve.
Best Value Months: Consider visiting in March, April, or September for a balance of pleasant weather and fewer crowds. These months also offer a variety of festivals and events without the peak season hotel prices. January (post Rose Parade) and late August can also offer good deals.
Don't Miss Events: The Tournament of Roses Parade, LA Pride, Hollywood Bowl Opening Night, and New Year's Eve celebrations are must-see events that showcase the best of Los Angeles.