Los Angeles knows how to throw a party, but this Saturday’s celebration might be one of the city’s most creative yet.
To mark the opening of the new David Geffen Galleries at Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the museum is hosting a free all-day block party culminating in a spectacular Art Parade along Wilshire Boulevard.
When is the L.A. Art Parade?
The L.A. Art Parade takes place on Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., along Wilshire Boulevard outside LACMA.
The procession serves as the grand finale of the museum’s “Very LACMA Block Party,” a free public celebration running from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
If you’re planning to attend the parade, arriving earlier in the afternoon is recommended. The museum grounds and surrounding streets are expected to be busy throughout the day, and finding a viewing spot before the 6 p.m. procession begins will give you the best experience.
What to expect
Originally conceived by influential curator and art dealer Jeffrey Deitch, the Art Parade first debuted in New York’s SoHo in the mid-2000s, where it attracted more than 1,000 participants annually. Now the event is making its Los Angeles debut as part of LACMA’s biggest expansion in decades.
Visitors can expect:
- Mobile sculptures and art installations
- Costumed performers and dancers
- Giant inflatables
- Live music and marching ensembles
- Interactive artistic performances
- A vibrant celebration of Los Angeles creativity
Make a day of it
The parade is only one piece of the celebration. During the all-day block party, visitors can enjoy:
- Free admission to the entire museum
- Access to the newly opened David Geffen Galleries
- Guided gallery tours
- Family-friendly art activities
- DJ sets and live music
- Food vendors and outdoor programming
- Special events connected to LACMA’s Grand Opening Weekend
The festivities are to celebrate the debut of the museum’s new 110,000-square-foot gallery building designed by acclaimed architect Peter Zumthor.
Getting there on the D
Driving around Wilshire Boulevard on a major event day can be challenging, so public transit is likely the easiest option.
The recently opened Metro D Line now stops directly across from LACMA at Wilshire/Fairfax Station, making the museum more accessible than ever.
Not just another festival
The Art Parade is a public celebration of one of the most significant cultural projects in Los Angeles in recent years. The opening of the David Geffen Galleries completes a nearly two-decade transformation of LACMA’s campus and adds expansive new gallery and public spaces to the heart of Museum Row.
And for one incredible evening, Wilshire Boulevard becomes an open-air stage where artists and the public come together to experience the city as a living, evolving work of art.
