SoCal traditions, month by month

Pasadena · January 1

The New Year's Day flower-float parade down Colorado Blvd (8am), followed by the Rose Bowl game. Camp out the night before or hit the post-parade float viewing. Free curbside.

Monterey Park & Alhambra · Late Jan / Feb

Big San Gabriel Valley street festivals with lion dancers, food booths and rides — Monterey Park's is the largest. Free and very kid-friendly.

Westminster (Little Saigon) · February

The nation's largest Vietnamese New Year celebration — carnival rides, dragon dancers, áo dài pageantry and traditional food.

Indio · February

A 78-year desert institution famous for date shakes, camel and ostrich races, and an Arabian Nights pageant. Classic affordable family fair.

Hacienda Heights · February

One of the nation's largest Chinese New Year temple celebrations (100,000+). Free, with a shuttle from Puente Hills.

Lancaster · March

Spring military and civilian aerobatics at Lancaster's Fox Field — jets, warbirds and kid-magnet static displays.

Lancaster · Mar–Apr

The wildflower bloom at the Poppy Reserve — short, weather-dependent and stunning in a good year. Always check the Wildflower Hotline before driving out.

Long Beach · April

A three-day IndyCar street race through downtown Long Beach with sports cars, Super Trucks and a family fan zone. Loud, thrilling, all-ages.

Lancaster · April

The City of Lancaster's festival (separate from the reserve) — rides, entertainment and food at the AV Fair grounds.

Santa Clarita · April

Western-heritage festival at William S. Hart Park — music, living history and family programming.

Monterey Park · April

A free spring festival at Barnes Park celebrating Japanese culture.

Los Angeles · Late April / May

A massive DTLA street festival billed as America's largest Cinco de Mayo celebration — free, with multiple music stages and family activities.

Pomona · May

A month-long fair at Fairplex with carnival rides, livestock, fair food and concerts — a SoCal spring rite of passage.

San Bernardino · May

The historic citrus fair — carnival rides, food and the citrus-art exhibit. A nostalgic, affordable IE staple.

Del Mar · June–July

A huge fair at the Del Mar Fairgrounds with rides, deep-fried everything, animals and nightly concerts. A summer-kickoff staple.

Pasadena · June

A free street-painting festival at The Paseo — hundreds of artists turn the pavement into a gallery.

Arcadia · June & August

The marquee Asian night market at Santa Anita Park — hundreds of food stalls, summer weekends only. Cheap online tickets, free parking.

Laguna Beach · Summer (Jun–Sep)

An outdoor summer art fair in Laguna Canyon with 180+ local artists and hands-on workshops kids can try.

Costa Mesa · July–August

Orange County's giant summer fair — carnival midway, petting zoo, concerts and signature fair food. Kids-eat/ride deals on weekdays.

Huntington Beach · July / August

The world's largest surf competition, at the Huntington Beach Pier and free to watch from the sand. Skate, BMX and music too.

Laguna Beach · July–September

The iconic 'living pictures' show where real people pose to recreate famous artworks. The art-festival grounds are free by day; the Pageant is ticketed at night.

Los Angeles (Little Tokyo) · August

A celebration of Japanese-American culture with a Grand Parade, taiko drumming, ondo street dancing and food. Free and family-welcoming.

Lancaster · Aug–Sep

The high-desert county fair — rides, rodeo, livestock and concerts. A more local, affordable fair experience.

San Diego · September

The nation's largest military air show, headlined by the Blue Angels, with jet demos and ground exhibits. Free general admission.

Huntington Beach · October

An over-the-ocean air show watched free from the beach — military jets and aerobatic teams right over the water. Bring chairs and sunscreen.

Hollywood Forever, Olvera St & East LA · Oct–Nov 1

One of the largest Day of the Dead celebrations outside Mexico — altars, Aztec dancers and processions. Olvera Street's is free; Hollywood Forever is ticketed.

San Marino · Early October

A ticketed evening celebration at The Huntington — lanterns, performances and mooncakes.

Moorpark · Sep–Oct

A big fall festival just west of the Valley — pumpkin patch, animals and rides; a top draw for SoCal families.

Pasadena · November

Pasadena's irreverent 'anti-Rose-Parade' — costumes, oddball entries and silliness. Free; goofy fun older kids love.

Riverside · Nov–Jan

A free, day-after-Thanksgiving switch-on of millions of lights with fireworks at the historic Mission Inn. Go on a weeknight; carriage rides and a holiday market.

Los Angeles · Nov–Jan

Holiday light displays and the decorated Griffith Park & Southern Railroad train ride. Low-cost, and a beloved LA holiday tradition for little kids.

Los Angeles · Nov–Dec

Tree-lighting festivities around downtown LA (Grand Park, The Grove, L.A. Live) with music, snow play and photo ops. Mostly free.

Newport Beach · December

A five-night parade of lighted, decorated boats around Newport Harbor — free to watch from the waterfront. A century-old coastal-OC tradition.

Whittier · December

A long-running community parade down Greenleaf Ave in Uptown Whittier — a classic small-town holiday outing.