One of Los Angeles’ most iconic buildings is turning 100, and the celebration is shaping up to be much more than a birthday party.
This July, the Central Library will mark its centennial with an all-day festival packed with performances, workshops, talks, family activities, and plenty of reasons to spend a summer Saturday exploring one of the city’s most beloved landmarks.
Here’s what to know about the Centennial Festival
The Central Library Centennial Festival takes place on Saturday, July 11, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the historic Central Library in Downtown Los Angeles.
The event is completely free and open to all ages, with programming spread throughout the building and surrounding spaces. While admission doesn’t require payment, organizers are encouraging visitors to reserve tickets in advance.
Workshops, performances, and activities throughout the day
This is a full-building library takeover. Visitors can expect:
- Live performances and music
- Author talks and lectures
- Arts and crafts activities
- Family-friendly programming and storytime
- Interactive workshops
- Activities designed for visitors of all ages
Programming already announced includes hands-on creative workshops like mixed-media pop-up book making and community collage sessions.
Why this celebration matters
The Central Library first opened its doors in 1926 and has become one of Los Angeles’ defining civic spaces over the past century.
Beyond housing millions of books, the building has survived fires, undergone massive restoration efforts, and become famous for its architecture, murals, and hidden details that many Angelenos still discover for the first time years after moving here.
The festival is also part of a larger yearlong “Central 100” celebration honoring the library’s first century.
This might be the perfect excuse to finally explore the building
Even if you don’t normally spend weekends browsing library stacks, the centennial festival offers something different. It’s a chance to experience one of L.A.’s most historic spaces while it transforms into a citywide celebration.
And if there’s ever been a good excuse to wander through the Central Library’s tunnels, gardens, murals, and reading rooms, this is probably it.
🗓️ Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026 from 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
📍Location: Central Library (630 West 5th Street Los Angeles, CA 90071)
