Los Angeles Events and Festivals
(Los Angeles, California - CA, USA)
It is no surprise that Los Angeles' calendar of events is packed full of film festivals and occasions celebrating its heritage as home of stars, moviemaking and glamour. The Academy Awards are the number one event in Los Angeles, where the red carpet is unrolled and celebrities of the highest caliber showcase the most talked-about dresses of the year.
Should you want to party over something other than films in Los Angeles, there are an equal number of other festive celebrations and things to do around the year.
National Public Holidays
- 1st January - New Year's Day
- Third Monday in January - Martin Luther King Day
- 12th February - Lincoln's Birthday
- Third Monday in February - Washington's Birthday
- Last Monday in May - Memorial Day
- 4th July - Independence Day
- First Monday in September - Labor Day
- Second Monday in October - Columbus Day
- 11th November - Veterans Day
- 4th Thursday in November - Thanksgiving
- 25th December - Christmas Day
Los Angeles Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015
January
- Roses Parade - early January, a New Year's tradition, sports fans will enjoy this football championship match, while morning entertainment includes a parade, floats and marching bands
February
- The Academy Awards - late February, running since 1929, the awards ceremony is one of Hollywood's number one events and those lucky enough to get up close may catch a glimpse of top celebrities walking the red carpet
- African American History Month - all of February, with events spread across LA, this month sees the celebration of African American history through film, lectures and performances
March
- No significant festivals held in Los Angeles during the month of March
April
- Beverly Hills Film Festival - early April, focusing on non-studio films and screenplays, this festival incorporates screenings, theme parties, seminars, charity events and a prestigious awards ceremony
- Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles - mid-April, held at ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood, this film festival is a celebration of India's contribution to cinema and features films exclusively made by Indian filmmakers
- LA Tofu Festival - mid-April, one of LA's more unusual festivals is this celebration of tofu where visitors can sample tofu and soy dishes and drinks, enjoy eastern influenced entertainment and other quirky events such as a tofu-eating competition
May
- UCLA Jazz Reggae Festival - late May, outdoor festival incorporating food, music, dance and culture. Attracting over 30,000 fans, here you can see some of the year's hottest performers
June
- LA Pride - Santa Monica Boulevard comes alive with this lively carnival marking gay and lesbian pride
July
- Lotus Festival - early July, held at Echo Park, this event is aimed at promoting the exchanging of culture between Asian and Pacific Islander communities through visual, musical and performing arts
- Outfest - Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival - mid-July, attracting around 40,000 people
August
- The Annual African Marketplace and Cultural Faire - late August, held at the Los Angeles Coliseum, this week-long event is one of the most colorful celebrations in LA and includes African dance, costume, vendors and arts and crafts exhibits
September
- LA Greek Festival - mid-September, everything from authentic Greek food and beverages to traditional music and dance, set in the heart of Los Angeles' Byzantine-Latino Quarter
- World Festival of Sacred Music - late September, held at venues across the city, with performances by artists from around the world at an event that crosses the boundaries of culture, faith and race
October
- Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival - late October, celebrating the richness and diversity of Latino filmmaking; here you can see the best of the year's Latino films made in Spain, the Caribbean and South America, among other places
- Edge of the World Theater Festival - mid-October, held at the Los Angeles Theater Center, here you can view cutting-edge performances of over 30 different productions in the heart of downtown LA
- West Hollywood's Halloween Carnival - late October, one of the largest Halloween celebrations and events in the US, Hollywood knows how to party at this event which combines amazing costumes, candy and live music
November
- American Film Institute Festival - early November, the largest motion picture trade event in the world; this is another great event for star-spotting
- Hollywood Christmas Spectacular - late November, a parade featuring floats, music, cars and bands as well as Santa, among other stars
- Intertribal Marketplace - early November, held at the Southwest Museum, this event sees the sale of thousands of handmade items crafted by American Indians
December
- Israel Film Festival - early December, showcasing films exclusively from Israel, this festival not only serves to increase awareness of Israeli culture, but also to celebrate its thriving film industry