Events · Hub guide
Los Angeles Events: Festivals, Holidays and Year-Round Calendar
This is our running guide to Los Angeles events, from the Rose Parade and holiday light shows to Sunday food markets and free museum days. Use the calendar to see what is on for your dates, then read the seasonal notes for the big annual events.
Los Angeles events at a glance
- Biggest annual events Rose Parade (January 1), LA Marathon (March), Hollywood Christmas Parade (late November)
- Weekly favorites Smorgasburg LA and the Hollywood Farmers Market, both on Sundays
- Holiday lights L.A. Zoo Lights and Descanso’s Enchanted Forest of Light, November to January
- Summer concerts Hollywood Bowl season, June through September
- Free museum time The Huntington’s free first Thursday; NHM weekday afternoons for county residents
- Before you go Check official sites, since dates and times can change
In this guide
Los Angeles has a busy events calendar all year, so the hard part is usually choosing. This page lists confirmed dates we have checked against official event sites, plus regular weekly markets and free days. Where a date has not been announced, we say so.
Pair this guide with our Los Angeles visitors guide to plan a trip around an event, or browse the events category for weekend roundups and news.
Los Angeles events calendar
Pick a date to see what is on. Use the toggle to show or hide weekly markets and free museum days.
Dates and times can change. Always check the official event site before you go. Last updated October 27, 2026.
Fall events
DÃa de los Muertos on Olvera Street
Olvera Street in El Pueblo de Los Angeles celebrates DÃa de los Muertos from October 25 to November 2, 2026, with altars, music, dance and evening processions. It is one of the oldest celebrations of its kind in the city. See Olvera Street for the program.
LA Auto Show
The LA Auto Show runs November 20 to 29, 2026, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Metro’s A and E Lines stop at Pico station, a short walk from the halls.
Hollywood Christmas Parade
The Hollywood Christmas Parade is on Sunday, November 29, 2026, starting at 5pm on Hollywood Boulevard. It is free to watch from the curb, and people stake out spots early. Streets around the route close for much of the day, so take the B Line if you can.
Winter events
L.A. Zoo Lights
Select evenings from November 20, 2026 to January 10, 2027 at the Los Angeles Zoo. It is closed on several nights, including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, so check dates on the zoo’s site.
Enchanted Forest of Light
Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge, November 22, 2026 to January 9, 2027, from 5:30pm to 10pm. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Tickets through Descanso Gardens.
Knott’s Merry Farm
Holiday shows and decorations at Knott’s Berry Farm from November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027. See our theme parks guide.
Rose Parade
The 138th Rose Parade starts at 8am on Friday, January 1, 2027, in Pasadena. The 2027 theme is “Welcome”. Details at the Tournament of Roses.
Golden Dragon Parade
The 128th Golden Dragon Parade, the city’s Lunar New Year parade, runs through Chinatown on Saturday, February 13, 2027, from 1pm to 4pm. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles organizes it. Take the A Line to Chinatown station to avoid parking.
Spring events
The LA Marathon is on Sunday, March 7, 2027, with the 5K and Kids Run on Saturday, March 6. Expect road closures along the route on race morning; the LA Marathon site posts maps closer to the date.
April usually brings the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at USC. We will add 2027 dates once they are announced.
Summer events
Summer is concert season. The Hollywood Bowl season runs June through September, with Los Angeles Philharmonic nights, pop shows and fireworks programs. LA Pride and WeHo Pride usually take place in June, and Nisei Week in Little Tokyo usually comes in August. Check official sites for 2027 dates, which we will add when confirmed.
Fourth of July fireworks happen across the county, from the Rose Bowl to beach cities. Many shows need advance tickets or parking reservations.
Weekly markets and free days
These repeat every week or month, so they work for almost any trip.
| Event | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Smorgasburg LA | Sundays, 10am to 4pm, free entry | ROW DTLA, 777 S. Alameda St. |
| Hollywood Farmers Market | Sundays, 8am to 1pm | Ivar Ave. and Selma Ave. |
| The Huntington free day | First Thursday of the month, advance reservation | San Marino |
| Natural History Museum resident hours | Weekdays, 3pm to 5pm, LA County residents | Exposition Park |
Visit Smorgasburg LA, the Hollywood Farmers Market and the Natural History Museum for current details.
Free events in Los Angeles
Many of the city’s best events cost nothing to attend. The Hollywood Christmas Parade, the Golden Dragon Parade and the Rose Parade are free to watch from public sidewalks, although Rose Parade grandstand seats are sold separately. DÃa de los Muertos on Olvera Street, Smorgasburg’s entry and most farmers markets are free too. For more ideas, see the free section of our Los Angeles attractions hub.
Tips for attending events
Event-day tips
- Use Metro for big events. Parades and the marathon close streets and fill parking lots. Rail is usually faster.
- Arrive early for parades. Curb spots fill hours before the start.
- Check the weather. Winter evening events can be cold and occasionally wet; summer daytime events can be hot.
- Confirm on the official site. Times, routes and closure nights change, sometimes at short notice.
- Bring a card. Many venues and markets prefer contactless payment.
Where to stay for events
Pick a hotel near the event or near a rail line that serves it. Pasadena is the obvious base for the Rose Parade. Hollywood works for the Christmas Parade and the Bowl. Downtown is central for the Auto Show, Chinatown and Little Tokyo events. Our where to stay in Los Angeles guide compares areas.
How we keep this calendar updated
We check every dated listing against the organizer’s official site and record the date we last checked at the bottom of the calendar. Annual events without a confirmed date appear as “usually” notes until organizers announce them. If you spot a change, email us at hello@losangelesupdates.com.
Frequently asked questions
What are the biggest annual events in Los Angeles?
The Rose Parade on New Year’s Day, the LA Marathon in March, LA Pride in June, the Hollywood Bowl summer season and the Hollywood Christmas Parade in late November are among the biggest.
When is the 2027 Rose Parade?
The 138th Rose Parade is on Friday, January 1, 2027, starting at 8am in Pasadena. The theme is “Welcome”.
When is the 2027 LA Marathon?
Sunday, March 7, 2027. The 5K and Kids Run are on Saturday, March 6.
What is on in Los Angeles on Sundays?
Smorgasburg LA runs from 10am to 4pm at ROW DTLA, and the Hollywood Farmers Market runs from 8am to 1pm at Ivar and Selma.
Where can I see holiday lights in Los Angeles?
L.A. Zoo Lights, the Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens and Knott’s Merry Farm all run from November into January.
Are Los Angeles parades free?
Yes, watching from public sidewalks is free. Some parades, like the Rose Parade, also sell grandstand seats.
More guides
- Visitors guide
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Photo credits
Featured image: Carol M. Highsmith / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain