Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [120]
Long Beach Bayou Festival ( 562-427-8834; www.longbeachfestival.com; tickets $30) A weekend of Cajun and Zydeco sounds and Creole food against the backdrop of the Queen Mary. Held in late June.
July
Independence Day (www.rosebowlstadium.com, www.hollywoodbowl.com, www.beaches.co.la.ca.us) Take a seat for official Fourth of July fireworks extravaganzas held at the Rose Bowl, the Hollywood Bowl or in Marina del Rey. Alternatively, drive up to any hilltop near Downtown and watch the skies explode.
Lotus Festival ( 213-485-1310; www.laparks.org/grifmet/lotus.htm) Celebrates Asian and Pacific Island culture with exotic foods, art, dragon-boat races, dancing, fireworks and other merriment. Held in mid-July.
Central Avenue Jazz Festival ( 213-485-2437; www.centralavenuejazzfestival.com) Big-name jazz players play for free during this weekend-long festival in late July, with music, food, arts and crafts, celebrating the pre-WWII era when Central Ave was a hotbed of West Coast jazz.
Blessing of the Cars ( 323-663-1265; www.blessingofthecars.com) This wacky festival is all about cars, rock and roll, hot-rod movies and a priest who will – if presumed upon – place holy water in your radiator. There are more tattoos on display than in the US Navy, and more nincompoops clambering for attention than in the US Senate.
August
Nisei Week Japanese Festival ( 213-687-7193; www.niseiweek.org) This free nine-day festival takes over Little Tokyo with parades, taiko drumming, tea ceremonies, karaoke, food, dancing and crafts. Held from early to mid-August.
Long Beach Jazz Festival ( 562-424-0013; www.longbeachjazzfestival.com) This three-day festival held in mid-August features top talents such as Barbara Morrison, Al Jarreau and Poncho Sanchez. Tickets often sell out, so book early.
Sunset Junction Street Fair ( 323-661-7771; www.sunsetjunction.org; admission $15) This multiblock street party with food, knickknacks and live music is held in mid-August.
LA Greek Fest ( 323-737-2424; www.lagreekfest.com) A weekend of ouzo, sirtaki (a Greek folk dance) and gyros right next to St Sophia Cathedral brings together the Greek community and friends in early September.
African Marketplace & Cultural Faire ( 213-293-1612; www.africanmarketplace.org) Series of festivals and events from late August to early September celebrating African culture with crafts, music and dancing.
September
LA County Fair ( 909-623-3111; www.lacountyfair.com) Eighteen days of monster trucks, rock ‘n’ roll, pie-eating contests, a Ferris wheel and cows at the fairgrounds in far-flung Pomona.
LA Triathlon ( 714-978-1528; www.latriathlon.com) It’s swim, bike and run in an athletic tour de force that draws some top talent. Early September.
Oktoberfest ( 310-327-4384; www.alpinevillage.net/oktoberfest.htm) Largest Oktoberfest in SoCal with beer, sausages, oompah bands and chicken dancing at the Alpine Village in Torrance. Held in September and October.
Mexican Independence Festival ( 213-485-8372; www.cityofla.org/elp) On Olvera St, a free mid-September celebration of Mexico’s independence from Spain with live performers, food, displays and celebrities from Mexico.
Abbot Kinney Festival ( 310-396-3772; www.abbotkinney.org) Soak up the groovy Venice vibe at this annual celebration of local arts, crafts, food and eccentrics, held in late September.
Watts Towers Drum & Jazz Festivals ( 213-847-4646; www.wattstowers.org) Two back-to-back events: multicultural beats on Saturday followed by a day of jazz, gospel and blues. Late September.
October
Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival ( 866-872-9849; www.jazztrax.com) The best and newest in smooth jazz brings fans from around the country to Catalina Island for the first three weekends in October.
West Hollywood Halloween Carnival ( 323-848-6400; www.visitwesthollywood.com) This free rambunctious street fair brings 350,000 revelers – many in over-the-top and/or X-rated costumes – out for a delicious day of dancing,