Whether you live in Los Angeles or a couple of hours away, the city’s numerous food, art, and music festivals can keep you busy throughout the year. Thanks to Southern California’s persistently pleasant weather, people of all ages show up at these events to have a great time with friends, family, and strangers! Now that the pandemic is over and gatherings have returned, attending a social fest will be high on many to-do lists.
Joshua Tree Music Festival
Head to the desert for a gathering of like-minded indie musicians at the Joshua Tree Music Festival who will be rocking out to electronic dance music, hip-hop, house music, and other groovy tunes. The festival is held twice a year and is a 4-day event with over 30 bands in a profound lineup of renowned and up-and-coming artists.
Hard Summer Music Festival
EDM and hip-hop music lovers descend on NOS Events Center every year to enjoy performances from the likes of Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, Major Lazer, Skrillex, Future, and many other popular artists. Hard Summer Music Festival was founded in 2007 by Gary Richards who is widely known as Destructo, an electronic artist. It has become a staple in the California music festival season and is a great way to kick off the summer.
Desert Hearts Festival
Fans seeking a dose of techno, house, and dance music gather at the Desert Hearts Festival at Lake Perris State Recreation Area. The two-stage setup hosts artists ranging from DJ Heather and Latmun to Rinzen and Carl Craig, along with a number of rising stars such as Life On Planets, Memo Rex, and more. The 72-hour event will have more than four dozen DJs and artists offering nonstop musical fun.
Besides the dancing, there are comedy acts, fashion shows, art installations, and spoken word performances as well.
Splash House
When it comes to Los Angeles music festivals, Splash House has made a name for itself with its poolside partying, forward-thinking electronic music, and of course, the desert landscapes of Palm Springs. The music festival presents a lineup that reflects the continuous evolution of modern dance music, bringing together emerging acts from across the world.
Beachlife Festival
Set up on the shores of Redondo, Beachlife is one of the chilliest Los Angeles music festivals where the lineup is made of laid-back reggae stars and ’90s rockers. Past performances have included Counting Crows, Jane’s Addiction, and Steve Marley and Ziggy playing Bob Marley’s best songs. Several culinary pop-ups also take place right next to the performers featuring South Bay’s top chefs.
Renegade Craft Fair
Renegade Craft Fair comes to downtown Los Angeles twice a year bringing national and local bars, food trucks, artists, and a beer garden. It’s usually held at the Los Angeles State Historic Park and thousands of people come to shop their hearts out.
Whether you’re a festival-goer or a crafter, Renegade is a must-visit. It is a traveling marketplace showcasing work from hundreds of the best indie craft artists in the US. Aside from the handmade goodies, the fair also offers all kinds of fun and festivities: incredible food vendors, free photo booths, demonstrations, and workshops.
Los Angeles Beer Festival
This is the ultimate festival to celebrate America’s favorite beverage with over 800 breweries and countless beer samplings accompanied by live music and food trucks. Think of it as the Coachella Valley Music Festival at Empire Polo Club but only for beer and food!
It’s been held for more than ten years at the Los Angeles Center Studios and attracts visitors from all over Sothern California. Nearly 15 food vendors and several famous and local live bands also join the festivities. It goes without saying that is not a kid-friendly event and you have to be over the age of 21 to enter it.
Full-Circle Festival
A passionate group of artists and artisans come together to showcase their beautiful wares the weekend before Thanksgiving each year. The lively arts festival is held at the Full-Circle Pottery and offers a collection of handmade items that will blow your mind. We are talking about jewelry, boxes, hats, metal and fiber arts, pottery, and other unique items you won’t find anywhere else.
The Full-Circle festival also hosts a fundraiser to support the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) to help find ways to prevent, identify, and treat the deadly illness.
Playboy Jazz Festival
Originally founded by passionate jazz fan Hugh Hefner in 1959, Playboy Jazz Festival used to be held in Chicago but now it takes place in Los Angeles. It’s one of the most prominent jazz events in the world, with top-of-the-line headliners, a revolving stage, and a star-studded crowd that has included high-profile celebrities from Hollywood and Las Vegas in the past.
Winter Beach Fest
Raise your hand if you love handmade products that tell a story about the people who created them. The Winter Beach Fest offers unique treasures and one-of-a-kind fashions that will make for wonderful gifts for your loved ones and yourself.
The festival grounds are at Venice Boulevard in LA where you can enjoy live music, food vendors, and drinks with your friends and family. Over 50,000 people come to the fest for a memorable winter weekend. Nearly 100 exhibitors also participate to display their hard work.
Christmas Fest At Sunset
Sunset at Hollywood is a great place to come together with your loved ones and enjoy a weekend of live music and great food from all over the world. With all-around pleasant weather and countless entertainment options, this Christmas Fest in LA is not to be missed. From dazzling light displays to classic Christmas music concerts to decorated trees and children’s activities, you’ll have a lot to do here.
Uncorked LA: Wine Festival
Wine lovers from all over Southern California pay a visit to Uncorked LA to taste more than 150 wines, champagnes, and gourmet food. Whether you are an avid wine connoisseur or just enjoy a glass every once in a while, the beautiful event offers something for everyone. It’s held at the CA Science Center and also features a DJ, visual arts, and interactive exhibits.
The wine festival lasts four hours but VIP tickets include an extra hour and access to the rare Angkor exhibit on the 3rd floor. It also includes additional wineries with a custom logo tasting glass and higher-end selections.
South Robertson Community Festival (SORO Fest)
The South Robertson Community Festival started in 1997 and since has drawn thousands of families for live music on multiple stages and dozens of vendor booths that sell everything from food to crafts to other merchandise. They also have a Kid’s Zone with a Ferris Wheel, a rock-climbing wall, arcade games, and free arts and crafts activities.
The event is made up of “villages” that include a gourmet food village, a beer and wine garden, ecological villages, a boutique village, and so on. The constant stream of comedy shows, dance, and music will also keep you busy. And if you find yourself in a mood for competition, there’s a Festival Raffle that features incredible prizes from local sponsors.
Taste Of Ecuador Food Festival & Parade
The annual Taste of Ecuador Food Festival & Parade celebrates Ecuadorian Independence Day with much fanfare. The parade itself is comprised of dancers, beauty queens, bikers, and performers, allowing thousands of people an opportunity to soak in the beautiful culture.
The event has been held in downtown LA since 1999, free of charge for everyone. Over 10,000 Ecuadorians and 5,000 people from other nationalities enjoy authentic Ecuadorian cuisine as well as other delicacies. You can also expect a plethora of Ecuadorian bands, crafts, carnival games, and other fun activities.
Odd Nights At The Autry
Nobody loves flea markets more than Angelenos and this monthly night market is a testament to that. Odd Nights at the Autry is a lively combination of happy hour, a dance party, and a shopping extravaganza. With gourmet food trucks, a full bar, cocktail lounges, beer gardens, and live local bands, you can spend the third Friday in October painting the town red.
If you love shopping for vintage, one-of-a-kind items and oddities, this is the place to be. Some of the coolest vendors from all across southern California set up shop at Odd Nights at the Autry which is held at the Autry Museum in Griffith Park. A couple of local bands provide live music as well.
And good news for pet parents: unlike most of the events mentioned in this list, you are allowed to take your pets to the Odd Nights as long as you keep them on a leash and they are not aggressive, of course.
LA Beer Festival
Get your beer on at the largest craft beer festival in Los Angeles featuring more than 200 beers, 80 breweries, and LA’s best food trucks. It takes place at the LA Center Studios and is an astounding place to visit whether you enjoy drinking beer or want to try a new one. Another reason for you to go to the Beer Fest is that proceeds from the event benefit Noah’s B-ark, a non-profit organization that rescues animals and find permanent homes for them.
