24 Things You Have to Do in Los Angeles This Year
These annual events in LA are worth planning a trip around.
When people think of Los Angeles, they typically picture laid-back sunny days, swaying palm trees, Hollywood starlets, fashion trendsetters, and an incredible abundance of creativity, mixed with a variety of diverse cultures. Each year, the city hosts dozens of events to celebrate just that—bringing together people from across the world to celebrate a myriad of interests, from large, well-known sporting events and legendary music and arts festivals to niche culinary showcases and massive holiday celebrations. It’s nearly impossible to narrow down the best events in LA, but we’ve put together 24 of the best happenings going on in LA each year, each one ideal for those looking to revel in the endlessly unique charm the city offers.
January
January 1, 2025
Pasadena
Fully living up to (and surpassing) expectations for its warm and welcoming reputation (even in wintertime), Pasadena’s annual Tournament of Roses, which takes place on New Year’s Day, has been a tradition since 1890. This legendary event hosts visitors from across the globe to ring in a new year with a vibrant parade teeming with famed florals, action-packed sporting events—and, best of all, balmy weather for a winter’s day (at least, compared to most of the country, anyway). Hundreds of thousands of people attend each year in person, and even more tune in to watch the live broadcast of the main spectacle, The Rose Parade, which marches nearly six miles down Colorado Boulevard and boasts an array of beautifully decorated floats—and The Rose Bowl Game. In 2025 (the event’s 136th year), tune in and experience the unique theme, “Best Day Ever.”
Ready to go? Learn more here.
February
February 8, 2025
Chinatown
The Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles hosts a free Golden Dragon Parade each year in celebration of the Lunar New Year in LA’s Chinatown neighborhood. This jovial event has stood the test of time in LA for more than 100 years, dating back to the early 1900s. Today, the event has grown, with more than one hundred thousand attendees traveling from across Southern California to gather together and experience the vibrant parade. Entertainment includes dancers, marching bands, musical performances, and participation from local leaders and changemakers.
Ready to go? Learn more here.
March
March 30, 2025
Torrance
When spring has officially sprung across Southern California, it’s time for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Torrance. This event celebrates Japanese culture and signifies the arrival of the warm weather with the chance to admire the brightly blooming blossoms. Attendees can enjoy an array of traditional music and dance performances, browse a lineup of arts and crafts vendors, and taste different types of Japanese food.
Ready to go? Learn more here.
April
April 11–20, 2025
Empire Polo Club, Indio
Officially titled The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, this iconic annual happening welcomes 250,000 attendees over three days on two back-to-back weekends in April at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. Simply known as Coachella to most folks, it’s one of the best-known musical events in the world—showcasing an array of the hottest sounds, fashion, entertainment, and of course, the famous (and highly photographed) Ferris wheel. Attendees can enjoy an impressive range of musicians, food selections, and art displays at the ultimate destination to “see and be seen,” with dozens of celebrities known to be in attendance each year. I’ve been to Coachella twice, and both times I camped on the festival grounds, which meant I had the best access to the festival at all times of day and night. Sure, it was a more “down to Earth” way to experience the festival (literally and figuratively), but it was totally worth it for the memories I made with my fellow campers (plus, it was more affordable than splurging for a hotel and shuttle pass).
Ready to go? Get tickets here.
April 12—13, 2025
William S. Hart Park, Old Town Newhall
Just north of downtown Los Angeles, Santa Clarita is known for being the setting for many classic Western movies. Its annual Cowboy Festival is a free two-day event that pays homage to Los Angeles County’s Western heritage at William S. Hart Park. The event is meant to offer attendees an in-person experience of what life was like in the Old West. Listen to a lineup of more than 15 performances of live music, watch some traditional Western swing dancing, go shopping through a selection of vintage vendors including Western fashion and jewelry, and participate in activities like hatchet throwing, panning for gold, and tasting traditional Western food options like Dutch oven peach cobbler. “The Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival is so fun!” local resident and regular festival attendee Ha’ani Reyes told Thrillist. “It offers an authentic cowboy experience with lively music, delicious food (I love the peach cobbler), and fun hands-on activities like blacksmithing and gold panning.”
Ready to go? Learn more here.
April 25, 2025
Downtown Los Angeles
Fiesta Broadway dates back to 1990 as an annual party held in downtown LA celebrating Cinco De Mayo and Latin American culture. The enormous street festival features a variety of music, traditional dancing, culinary opportunities, and art showcasing the broad variety of cultures that make Los Angeles unique. Even though Cinco de Mayo technically falls on May 5, Fiesta Broadway has traditionally been held on the last Sunday in April. Over time, the event has evolved to include a range of communities that reflect the true spirit of this diverse city. Don’t miss the Cinco de Mayo parade that winds through historic downtown Los Angeles featuring an array of colorful floats, talented musical performances, traditional dancers, and more.
Ready to go? Learn more here.
April 26—27, 2025
USC campus, Downtown Los Angeles
Known as “the nation’s largest literary event,” this free, annual happening takes over nearly the entire 226-acre USC Campus just south of downtown LA each April and is a book and literature lovers’ dream. The festival dates back to 1996—its original goal was simply to “bring together the people who create books with the people who love to read them”—and has since evolved to encompass a range of educational entertainment for all ages and interests. Today, the event annually brings together more than 150,000 people from across the US, who can attend one-on-one conversations with authors, listen to a range of interesting discussions and panels, hear readings done personally by famed favorite authors, listen to musical performances, and watch one-of-a-kind TV and moving screenings all in one place.
Ready to go? Learn more here.
April 25–27, 2025
Empire Polo Club, Indio
After the glitz and glam of Coachella subsides, Stagecoach takes the (horse?) reins on the grounds of the Empire Polo Club in Indio for a three-day festival featuring the best in country music and cowboy culture. It's the world's largest country music showcase, known to consistently highlight the best voices in the genre alongside a variety of food, beverages, and honky tonk entertainment.
Ready to go? Get tickets here.
April 2025 Dates TBD
Downtown Los Angeles
This annual event in downtown Los Angeles features more than 80 breweries serving up a variety of 200 beers alongside a dozen of the city’s favorite food trucks. It's a 21+-only space offering craft brew lovers the opportunity to explore and experience LA’s wide range of local craft beer options. Entertainment ranges from live bands and DJ performances.
Ready to go? Learn more here.
May
May 2–26, 2025 (closed Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays except Memorial Day)
LA County Fairgrounds, Pomona
In 1922, The LA County Fair was born as a humble event on a 43-acre beet and barley field. Today, it has grown to welcome more than 700,000 visitors over the course of its two week run, celebrating the incredible mix of cultures and communities of LA. Attendees can enjoy concerts and performances from big-name music artists, agricultural programming, educational exhibits, and both classic and creative fair food options (think: everything ranging from indulgences like turkey legs and funnel cake to Southern California-specific staple food brands, such as Afters Ice Cream and King Taco). There’s also a carnival with classic fair rides and sensory accessibility-friendly accommodations and entertainment for those seeking a less overstimulating environment. This is the largest county fair I’ve ever attended; with so many different types of rides and entertainment as well as the most interesting food options I’ve seen at any county fair. Plus, for those who don’t want to drive to the event, the regional railway system, Metrolink, usually makes a special stop right at the fair grounds on select dates—as well as a Weekend Day Pass option for just $10 and a Kids Ride Free on Weekends offer that can’t be beat.
Ready to go? Get tickets here.
May 2–4, 2025
Redondo Beach
BeachLife Festival takes place in the legendary surfer’s paradise, Redondo Beach. The festival was established in 2019 and, since its inception, has transformed into an annual event hosting some of the biggest names in the music world, including Willie Nelson, Gwen Stefani, Ziggy Marley, Jack Johnson, Sheryl Crow, and the Steve Miller Band, just to name a few. BeachLife will take place again in May of 2025, with a range of entertainment options—including live music, culinary experiences, and more amongst a classically chill California atmosphere that’s meant for cultivating positive vibes and enjoying good times.
Ready to go? Get tickets here.
June
June 2025
Various locations
LA Pride month is one of the largest Pride celebrations in the world and features dozens of activities and celebrations to engage in—many of which are free. Thee enormous, annual celebration of LGBTQ+ voices takes place in June across LA, including a parade in Hollywood, a music festival in West Hollywood, and a massive concert in downtown LA. One event not to be missed is the OUTLOUD Music Festival at WeHo Pride, which showcases a lineup of both up-and-coming and well-known queer artists (past performers include Kylie Minogue, Kesha, Janelle Monáe, and Diplo among others). There’s also Pride in the Park in downtown LA, an event that features 20 acres of activities, exhibitors, and vendors, including participation and activations from some of LA’s professional sports teams—as well as a dedicated sober space. And attendees can’t miss Pride in the Park’s lineup of award-winning musical artists (previous headliners include Ricky Martin, Mariah Carey, and Megan Thee Stallion). From my experience, LA’s Pride celebration is one of the most lively feel-good happenings that takes place in the city, all year. I recommend dressing up in a fun costume, getting to the events early, and bringing plenty of sunscreen and water — because it’s a long, (fun) day of celebrating the inclusivity and authenticity of the Los Angeles community.
Ready to go? Learn more here.
July
July 4, 2025
Hollywood
It’s not summertime without the annual fireworks show and Independence Day celebration at the iconic Hollywood Bowl. This event is known as “one of Southern California’s most beloved summertime traditions” and always features a classy lineup of legendary artists, such as past performers The Beach Boys (2023) and Harry Connick, Jr. (2024), in the Hollywood Bowl’s beautiful, open-sky, fresh air outdoor setting.
Ready to go? Learn more here.
July 2025 Dates TBD
Across Greater LA
This celebration of all LA culinary goodness showcases some of the best and brightest restaurants across Greater Los Angeles. The event typically happens twice a year for 12 days and features hundreds of restaurants that vary in cuisine and flavors. Participating establishments host specialized prix fixe menus for reduced prices to offer people the chance to enjoy a special dining experience and try a variety of local restaurant destinations. I’ve taken advantage of Dine LA every time it happens because it’s a great way to try many different popular restaurants and eat tasty food that is typically out of my price range. I highly recommend making a reservation instead of walking in, since it gets pretty busy.
Ready to go? Learn more here.
August
August 2025 Dates TBD
Inglewood
HARD Summer takes place annually over two days at Hollywood Park on the grounds adjacent to SoFi stadium. This edgy electronic music festival first debuted in 2008, and over the past nearly two decades, has become an integral event of the Southern California festival scene, showcasing a wide variety of music types that highlight the city’s diversity of talent and entertainment styles. It’s the type of festival that showcases existing talent and up-and-coming artistry, proud to go out on a limb and experiment in the name of music to forge a path with both new fans and an existing, loyal base of bassheads.
Ready to go? Learn more here.
August 2025 Dates TBD
Little Tokyo
This annual nine-day cultural event dates back to 1934, celebrating the legacy of Japanese American culture and history in downtown Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo (one of only three existing Japantowns left in the United States). The celebration includes a festival queen and court, a grand parade, local food vendors, and cultural entertainment. "My favorite events during the Nisei Week Japanese Festival are Coronation and the Grand Parade, which take place during the first weekend, and Plaza Festival and the ondo street dancing, which are both during the second weekend,” says volunteer, board member, and annual attendee, Sara Hutter. “This year's theme of ‘Connection’ truly celebrates what makes this festival and our community so special."
Ready to go? Learn more here.
September
September 28, 2025
Venice
This cost-free, massive street fair is known as one of LA’s largest single-day events, hosting over 150,000 attendees annually, bringing together folks from across SoCal to experience Venice’s eclectic energy along the 3/4-mile stretch of Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Attendees can enjoy a range of tasty food and drink, explore immersive art activities, listen to talented entertainers, and enjoy getting to know members of their community in a classic, laid-back Los Angeles setting. This was one of the first events I attended after moving to Los Angeles, and it was such a wonderful way to check out a range of local artisans and spend some time on one of the most fun streets in Los Angeles exploring.
Ready to go? Learn more here.
September 26–28, 2025
Downtown Los Angeles
This multi-day, family-friendly event is known to be one of the largest independent conventions in America, celebrating all things comics, gaming, cosplay, anime, and pop culture at the L.A. Convention Center downtown. The convention dates back to 2011, but since its original inception it’s gone through several iterations of branding, first primarily featuring local artists, and today growing to also feature a great variety of entertainment and pop culture offerings. But no matter how much it’s changed over the years, the festival (which is often described as a convention "by fans, for fans”) has always brought together millions of people and is championed for actively using attendee feedback to mold programming for the year’s next convention.
Ready to go? Learn more here.
October
October 2025 Dates TBD
West Hollywood
The renowned, rambunctious West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval takes place each year on the evening of October 31, holding the title as one of the “world's largest Halloween street parties.” Dating back to 1987, the event has grown each year but remains free to attend, and is a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Today, the massive event shuts down Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, drawing tens of thousands of people from across Southern California decked out to the nines in the most fabulously elaborate costumes. It’s an all-ages festival that features fun, live entertainment, music, food trucks, and more. This is one of my favorite events I’ve attended during my time living in Los Angeles. It’s a huge, joyful party in the street with a myriad of the most creative costumes I’ve ever seen—pure fun. I recommend taking a rideshare to and from this event because parking is nearly impossible and traffic is awful (yes, more awful than usual LA traffic) with the street shut down.
Ready to go? Learn more here.
October 2025 Dates TBD
Calabasas
It’s not autumn in Greater LA without the annual Calabasas Pumpkin Festival, which commemorates more than 200 years of harvest history in the form of everything pumpkin. From pumpkin and harvest goodies for sale in the marketplace (which features more than 75 vendors), to pumpkin-themed bites and beer, pumpkin carving, pumpkin painting, and of course, the impressive pickings in the pumpkin patch. There are also inflatable rides and games, car displays, and a range of educational harvest entertainment, on-site.
Ready to go? Get tickets here.
October 2025 Dates TBD
Hollywood
Every year on the last Saturday before November 2, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery hosts a gathering on its grounds to celebrate Dia de Muertos (which translates from Spanish to Day of the Dead). This traditional holiday is celebrated to honor ancestors who have passed. Tens of thousands of attendees come from around the world (most dressed up in elaborate costumes), to spend an exceptionally “spirited” day in this landmark destination which is known as one of the most historic cemeteries in the US. Watch as hundreds of Aztec ritual dancers showcase their talent, listen to the performances of Grammy Award-winning recording artists taking over five stages, and admire the 100 plus artistic altars covering the cemetery, which have been created in memorial of the deceased. There are also food vendors from across the region selling their delicacies as well as craft vendors showcasing their work. It’s a special experience to be a part of, and the largest Dia de Muertos celebration in the United States.
Ready to go? Learn more here.
November
November 22–December 1, 2024
2025 Dates TBD
Downtown Los Angeles
Angelenos are proud to argue their home is “the car capital of the world,” and each year the L.A. Auto Show showcases the city’s powerful influence, bringing together hundreds of thousands of car enthusiasts at the L.A. Convention Center for a 10-day event featuring all things automobile. The event dates back to 1907 when just 99 vehicles were showcased, and today has grown to include more than 760,000 square feet of exhibit space featuring the works of numerous international and domestic automakers. Attendees can experience activities like indoor and outdoor test drives and admire exhibits like celebrity car collections among other one-of-a-kind happenings.
Ready to go? Get tickets here.
December
December 1, 2024
2025 Dates TBD
Hollywood
Each year for nearly a century, Tinseltown has lived up to its glittery name, ushering in the Yuletide spirit of the season with a huge Hollywood Christmas Parade. What started off humble has today grown into a large-scale celebration on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, running for three miles along Hollywood Boulevard, Orange Street, Vine Street, and Sunset Boulevard. Attendees can admire a collection of floats, vintage cars, music and dancers, and of course, plenty of celebrity presence (including the holiday's biggest celebrity—Santa Clause, himself!). Viewers can purchase tickets to watch from the grandstand, or just take advantage of free viewing along the sidewalks on most of the route.
Ready to go? Learn more here.