Annual Events in Los Angeles
January
Tournament of Roses - Pasadena
Founded in 1890, the Tournament of Roses in Pasadena is America's New Year Celebration, a greeting to the world on the first day of the year and a salute to the community spirit and love of pageantry. From the spectacular Rose Parade and the legendary Rose Bowl Game, the Tournament of Roses is a Southern California tradition that is unequaled anywhere in the world.
Golden Globe Awards - Beverly Hilton
The Golden Globe Awards marks the beginning of the awards season in Los Angeles, featuring prestigious accolades for the entertainment industry. Bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the first Golden Globes ceremony was held in 1944 and has been staged at the Beverly Hilton since 1961.
February
Golden Dragon Parade
Each year, the Golden Dragon Parade is produced by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles along Chinatown’s North Broadway in honor of the Lunar New Year. Tens of thousands of people crowd the route to experience a century-plus-old tradition that includes dozens of floats, music and firecrackers.
Grammy Awards - Crypto.com Arena
The music industry celebrates its best of the year with the Grammy Awards, which have been given out since 1959. With its permanent home at Crypto.com Arena, the star-studded awards ceremony is broadcast worldwide and features dozens of live performances.
Film Independent Spirit Awards - Santa Monica Beach
Founded in 1984, the Film Independent Spirit Awards reflects its underground roots with an irreverent ceremony that celebrates the best of independent film. The awards traditionally take place in a huge tent on Santa Monica Beach.
March
LA Marathon - Citywide
First held in 1986, the LA Marathon features runners from around the world and is completed by more than 20,000 participants each year. The 2022 "Stadium to the Stars" course winds its 26.2 miles from Dodger Stadium in Downtown LA to Avenue of the Stars in Century City.
Academy Awards - Dolby Theatre
Debuting at the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel in 1929 the Academy Awards are the oldest entertainment awards ceremony, celebrating the year's best in cinema at the Dolby Theatre in Ovation Hollywood. The annual Oscars telecast is seen in more than 225 countries.
April
Fiesta Broadway – Downtown Los Angeles
Fiesta Broadway is billed as the largest “Cinco de Mayo” celebration in the world. Guests of all ages can enjoy live music stages and lots of food, fun and games throughout Downtown L.A. Although the event celebrates the Fifth of May, the event usually takes place the last Sunday of April.
Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire - Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area
The Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire takes place each year from early April to mid-May at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale. First held in 1963, the Faire attracts more than 200,000 people and features over a dozen stages of entertainment as well as dancers, music, food and of course, costumes.
Dine LA Restaurant Week - Citywide
Dine LA Restaurant Week is a 15-day biannual event that showcases the diverse and thriving LA dining scene. Hundreds of the city's top restaurants feature prix-fixe menus for lunch and dinner, giving diners the opportunity to sample the best that LA has to offer. Learn more here.
May
Battleship IOWA Memorial Day – San Pedro
The 16-inch main guns of Battleship IOWA serve as the backdrop to a stirring Memorial Day tribute to the soldiers, sailors and airmen who lost their lives in the uniform of America’s armed services. Memorial Day celebrations include family-friendly movie screenings, music performances, ship tours and much more.
LA County Fair - Pomona Fairplex
A Southern California tradition since 1922, the Los Angeles County Fair attracts more than one million people to the Pomona Fairplex every year. The three-week event features dozens of carnival rides and attractions, as well as a popular concert series with best-selling musical artists.
June
LA Pride
One of the largest LGBTQIA+ celebrations in the country, LA Pride is returning to its roots with a 50th anniversary parade in Hollywood, a headlining performance by Christina Aguilera at Los Angeles State Historic Park, and much more.
July
July 4th Fireworks Spectacular - Hollywood Bowl
One of Southern California's most popular summer traditions, the annual July 4th Fireworks Spectacular at the Hollywood Bowl features legendary music acts and incredible fireworks displays in a gorgeous outdoor setting.
Anime Expo - Los Angeles Convention Center
Each July, fans of Japanese animation flock to the Los Angeles Convention Center for the Anime Expo, which first took place in California in 1992 and has been held at the convention center since 2008. Thousands of anime fans dressed in mind-blowing costumes attend competitions, industry panels, screenings and much more.
August
Nisei Week Japanese Festival - Little Tokyo
Since 1934, Los Angeles has celebrated its Japanese American legacy with Nisei Week. The festival takes place in Downtown L.A.'s landmark Little Tokyo district and includes a queen and court, a parade, food vendors and other activities celebrating Japanese and Japanese American culture.
September
Emmy Awards - Microsoft Theater
The Primetime Emmy Awards, which are given by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, fetes the year’s best in television entertainment. The ceremony takes place at the Microsoft Theater at L.A. LIVE in Downtown LA.
Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival/Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival - Watts Towers
The Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival, along with the Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival, celebrates jazz, gospel and R&B. In addition to music, the two-day event features kids activities such as arts & crafts as well as food.
October
Dine LA Restaurant Week - Citywide
Dine LA Restaurant Week is a 15-day biannual event that showcases the diverse and thriving LA dining scene. Hundreds of the city's top restaurants feature prix-fixe menus for lunch and dinner, giving diners the opportunity to sample the best that LA has to offer. Learn more here.
Halloween Carnaval - West Hollywood
More than half a million people attend the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval, the world's largest Halloween street party. The free, all-ages festival features a half-dozen stages of live music and entertainment.
AIDS Walk Los Angeles - West Hollywood
Each October, tens of thousands of people participate in the six-mile AIDS Walk Los Angeles, which loops through the West Hollywood area. Since its inception in 1985, AIDS Walk Los Angeles has raised nearly $90 million.
November
LA Auto Show - Los Angeles Convention Center
Every November, the car capital of the world welcomes hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts, media and leading industry figures to the LA Auto Show at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Founded in 1907, the 10-day event features dozens of World and North American debuts.
Dia de los Muertos - Hollywood Forever
Hollywood Forever welcomes the community onto its historic cemetery grounds to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos – the Day of the Dead. One of the largest celebrations of its kind in the country, the event features more than 40,000 participants, over 100 altars, music performances, an art exhibition, food vendors, arts & crafts, and a children’s arts project area.
USC vs. UCLA Football - Los Angeles Coliseum/Rose Bowl
One of the greatest rivalries in college football is renewed every November when crosstown rivals USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins face off at either the Los Angeles Coliseum (home of the Trojans) or Rose Bowl Stadium (home of the Bruins). The USC-UCLA game can attract 100,000 fans and has historically had National Championship and Bowl game implications.
December
Hollywood Christmas Parade - Hollywood
Floats, equestrian riders, classic cars, marching bands and of course, celebrities are featured each holiday season at the Hollywood Christmas Parade, which has been held along world-famous Hollywood Boulevard on the Sunday after Thanksgiving since 1933.
LA County Holiday Celebration - Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
The LA County Holiday Celebration is LA’s largest holiday celebration, taking place every Christmas Eve at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion since 1959. The three-hour holiday event features instrumental music, choral music and dance performances that showcase the diverse cultures and holiday traditions of LA County.
Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade - Marina del Rey
For those looking to celebrate the holiday season in true Southern California style, the Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade has hosted a cavalcade of holiday-decorated and lighted boats since 1963.
