As we speed through 2026, it’s never a bad time to take a look ahead at L.A.’s cultural calendar. We’ve taken stock of all the confirmed dates for LA’s biggest events, including highly anticipated parades, festivals, and cultural celebrations.
Whether you’re planning a trip to Los Angeles and want to see what’s going on, or you’re saving the dates to try and make the most of 2026, we have our eyes on plenty of upcoming events in Los Angeles. Grab your calendar and get planning with us.
We’re lucky to have some of the year’s most highly anticipated music festivals at our fingertips, from Rolling Loud to Coachella. Here’s a rundown of upcoming festivals:
- BeachLife Festival – May 1-3, 2026 – Redondo Beach, CA
- Newport Beach Jazz Festival – May 29-31, 2026 – Newport Beach, CA
- Cruel World – TBA – Pasadena, CA
- Cali Vibes – TBA for June 2026 – Long Beach, CA
- Warped Tour – July 25-26, 2026 – Long Beach, CA
- Hard Summer – Aug. 1-2, 2026 – Los Angeles, CA
- Just Like Heaven – Aug. 22, 2026 – Pasadena, CA
- Ohana Festival – Sept. 25-27, 2026 – Dana Point, CA
- Dreamstate SoCal – Nov. 21-22, 2026 – Long Beach, CA
- iHeartRadio ALTer EGO – TBA for January 2027 – Inglewood, CA
- Beyond Wonderland – Mar. 26-27, 2027 – San Bernardino, CA
- Coachella – Apr 9-11, 16-18, 2027 – Indio, CA
- Stagecoach – Apr 23-25, 2027 – Indio, CA
The LA County Fair is coming back to Pomona’s Fairplex this May with the theme “Play Your Way.” Find inspiration in dozens of exhibitions, displays, performances, and hands-on activities. The popular skating rink will return this year, as will the eye-catching Ferris wheel and plenty of other entertainment.
Billed as “the West Coast’s biggest family music festival” and “Coachella for kids,” this 9-year-running, traveling festival touches down in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. LA’s version takes over The Autry in Griffith Park with entertaining children’s concerts, sports zones, giveaways, character meet and greets, and games.
🗓️ Date: May 15-16, 2026
See 1,200 illuminated drones take flight in an unforgettable open-air spectacle at UNIQLO Field, depicting your favorite characters and moments from the Harry Potter films.
LA Pride is presented by Christopher Street West, which organized the world’s first permitted gay parade in 1970. Over the last 5 decades, they’ve continued to produce one of the country’s largest Pride celebrations on Hollywood Blvd.
WeHo Pride is LA’s other highly attended Pride celebration every year. It’s known to draw hundreds of thousands of people and hosts additional events, including the Women’s Freedom Festival and the Dyke March.
The immersive Superman Experience opened at Warner Bros. Studio in Burbank this April, letting visitors play as heroes in a motion‑tracked 3D adventure with props, puzzles, themed food, and exclusive merchandise.
Following the tournament’s kickoff in Mexico City, Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium will stage eight FIFA World Cup 2026 games, featuring the U.S. Men’s National Team’s opening match, four more Group Stage contests, two Round of 32 knockout games, and a Quarterfinal showdown.
L.A.’s Memorial Coliseum will also host a major FIFA Fan Festival from June 11-15, and other venues will host pop-up Fan Zones around the city.
U.S. Women’s Open Golf Championship
The U.S. Women’s Open is the most prestigious major championship in women’s golf, taking place at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades. This year is the 81st annual event, drawing world-class golfers from around the globe.
The new LAX/Metro Transit Center officially opened in June of 2025, and one year later, the accompanying Automated People Mover is expected to open its doors. This new automated train system will provide efficient transportation between the transit hub and airport terminals, making trips to LAX a breeze.
Anime Expo
Anime Expo (AX) began in 1991 and grew over the years into North America’s largest celebration of Japanese pop culture. The convention brings together the best of Japanese entertainment, music, fashion, and video games for a wonderful experience over Fourth of July weekend.
LA Comic Con is the ultimate celebration of all things comics, gaming, anime, and cosplay in DTLA. The event is known to turn out over 120,000 fans to see 800+ exhibitors and artists across three lively days, attracting a ton of big-name guests for panel discussions.
The long-awaited Lucas Museum of Narrative Art will open this September, unveiling a $1-billion, 300,000-square-foot space dedicated to visual storytelling. Featuring 35 galleries and more than 40,000 works, the museum reflects George Lucas’s belief in stories as modern mythology. Its striking five-story, futuristic design anchors an 11-acre campus in Exposition Park, which is undergoing major expansion.
Los Angeles is welcoming back our favorite Star Wars burlesque show this year! The Empire Strips Back has sold over 500,000 tickets across the globe, selling out in cities like Chicago and New York. Don’t miss out on its newest L.A. run.
Since 1987, the WeHo Costume Carnaval has been one of the city’s most beloved Halloween events. See Santa Monica Boulevard overrun by thousands of costumed partygoers, who are there to enjoy live DJ sets, food trucks, and celebrations.
LA Auto Show
Thousands of car aficionados turn out for the LA Auto Show, which dates back to 1907 and continues to be one of the world’s largest and most prestigious such events. The show is spread across over one million square feet at the LA Convention Center in DTLA, where you can see over 1,000 vehicles in all makes and models and try out state-of-the-art experiences.
Universal Studios Hollywood will soon debut a new high-speed outdoor roller coaster, “Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift,” marking the park’s first ride of this kind. Currently in testing with crash test dummies, the coaster spans 4,100 feet—nearly 12 football fields—and features 360-degree rotating vehicles with sound-reduction technology. Inspired by the Fast & Furious films, it simulates drifting cars at high speeds while navigating an aerial track that even passes over the park’s multi-level escalator.
Destination Crenshaw will transform 1.3 miles of Crenshaw Boulevard into the largest public Black art project in the U.S., celebrating Black history, culture, and success. Designed by architect Zena Howard, the open-air museum centers on Sankofa Park, featuring over 100 artworks by renowned and emerging Black artists, sustainable landscaping, and interactive installations.
The new year always kicks off in spectacular fashion with Pasadena’s famous Rose Parade, a beloved tradition dating all the way back to 1890. The 5.5-mile procession is famous for its jaw-dropping floral floats, and its 136th annual rendition will be led by none other than Grand Marshal Billie Jean King.
Awards shows
Los Angeles is a nexus for most of the major industry awards shows, including the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards. Here’s when to expect them.
- Primetime Emmy Awards – Sept. 14, 2026
- Critics Choice Awards – Jan. 3, 2027
- Golden Globes – Jan. 10, 2027
- Grammy Awards – early February 2027
- Actor Awards – Feb. 28, 2027 (previously the SAG Awards)
- Oscars – March 14, 2027
- iHeartRadio Music Awards – late March 2027
The Los Angeles Convention Center presents the annual LA Art Show, billed as the most comprehensive international contemporary art show in America. Explore 180,000 square feet of world-class displays and exhibits curated by over 120 galleries, museums, and nonprofits.
Dine LA Restaurant Week offers specially priced menus at participating restaurants all over the city. Enjoy a great selection of curated menus as low as $15 at one of the country’s best and largest restaurant weeks.
In honor of the Lunar New Year, Los Angeles’ Chinatown has presented its annual Golden Dragon Parade for more than a century. The event brings out over 100,000 spectators to see traditional Lion Dances, music groups, and performances. The parade takes off at 1 pm on Hill Street at Temple and proceeds along Bernard and Broadway Streets.
Thousands of runners and spectators will turn out for the 40th annual LA Marathon, a bucket-list event in Los Angeles. The race takes off from Dodger Stadium and proceeds through DTLA, Hollywood, WeHo, and Beverly Hills, finishing at Santa Monica Blvd and Avenue of the Stars in Century City. It’s known to host all sorts of entertainment along the course, such as lion dancers, DJs, school bands, and drummers.
Over 150,000 book lovers have been known to turn out for the LA Times’ Festival of Books, a major literary event held on the USC campus for more than 30 years. The event hosts over 300 exhibitors and famous authors, with past guest speakers including big names such as RuPaul, Maria Bamford, Tiffany Haddish, José Andrés, and more.
Did you know that Fiesta Broadway is one of the largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations in America? Each year DTLA explodes into a vibrant celebration of Latin American culture that’s great for foodies, families, and music lovers. Taste some of the best Mexican food available at the Fiesta Taco Fest and La Fiesta de los Moles, watch high-energy matches at Lucha Libre, and catch tons of performances on the two music stages.
