SoCal has great weather all year long for parades and festivals, with Los Angeles and Orange County Areas tallying up the most events, even during fall and winter months. While this isn’t a comprehensive list, here are my top Festival picks for the upcoming season.
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SEPTEMBER
The Original Long Beach Lobster Festival
- WHAT: The Original Long Beach Lobster Festival features lobster everything (plus a giant food court full of non-lobster food), exhibits, dancing, and a karaoke lounge.
- WHEN: A weekend in September each year.
- WHERE: Rainbow Lagoon Park, 400 Shoreline Village Dr, Long Beach, California.
- OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.originallobsterfestival.com
Los Angeles Times The Taste
- WHAT: L.A. Times The Taste is a celebration of the city’s best food and wine. This chic food festival features cooking demos, classes and presentations as well as live entertainment.
- WHEN: A weekend in September each year.
- WHERE: Paramount Pictures Studios, 5555 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, California.
OCTOBER
Abbot Kinney Festival
- WHAT: The annual Abbot Kinney Festival (free) features music on three stages, beer gardens, food trucks, kids area, and an eco-conscious urban vibe along Abbot Kinney Boulevard’s mile-long boho shopping district (from Venice Blvd. to Main Street).
- WHEN: Every year in October.
- WHERE: Abbot Kinney Blvd, From Venice Blvd to Main St, Venice, California, 90291.
- SAVVY TIP: Bicycle Valet stations will be located at Broadway Ct. and Milwood Ave.
Anaheim Fall Festival & Halloween Parade
- WHAT: Since 1923, the Anaheim Fall Festival & Halloween Parade has drawn together close to 50,000 locals to celebrate the season.
- WHEN: Every year in October.
- WHERE: Center Street Promenade, Lemon St & W Center St Promenade Anaheim, California.
The Taste of Soul Family Festival (Los Angeles)
- WHAT: The Taste of Soul Family Festival, called the largest street festival in Los Angeles, features soul food from local restaurants, live entertainment, local artists’ booths, and local exhibits. The event is presented by the Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper and benefiting the South L.A.
- WHEN: Every year in October.
- WHERE: 3800 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, California.
NOVEMBER
Hollywood Christmas Parade
- WHAT: The annual Hollywood Christmas Parade is good free fun and always takes place the Sunday after Thanksgiving. The parade features giant balloons, marching bands, floats, equestrian groups, and of course, Hollywood celebrities. Expect huge crowds and lots of fun.
- WHEN: Sunday after Thanksgiving each year.
- WHERE: Hollywood, California. Parade typically starts on Hollywood Blvd at Orange. The U-shaped parade route will travel east to Vine, south on Vine to Sunset Boulevard and west on Sunset, back to Orange.
- SAVVY TIP: The best places to park are at Grant Parking lots throughout Hollywood and the Hollywood/Highland shopping complex. (Check with the individual lots for parking fee info.) Go early to avoid the traffic and possible street and ramp closures. Better yet, take the Metro and get off at either the Highland or Vine stops.
DECEMBER
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade Of Lights
- WHAT: During the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade Of Lights, Newport Beach lights it up right after Thanksgiving and by the first of December the entire harbor glows in all its glory for all to see. The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade Of Lights takes place annually in December. The event is free to enjoy from a number of spots along miles of shoreline, all lit up for the holidays. Beautiful multi-million dollar yachts, kayaks, canoes and other small boats will light up the harbor as a dazzling array of holiday lights and music fill the air at the Christmas Boat Parade. Many of the boats will be richly decorated with animated Christmas scenes accompanied by music and costumed carolers. Some boat owners spend more than $50,000 to decorate their vessels for the event.
- WHEN: December every year.
- WHERE: Newport Harbor, Newport Beach, California.
- SAVVY TIP: All city parking lots will be open throughout the parade to accommodate viewers. Parking to view the parade from shore can be problematic, so plan to get there early. In general, the public lot next to the Balboa pier is your best choice. Here’s a detailed rundown of parking during the Newport Beach Boat Parade.
- DEAL: When available, I post discounts on cruises you can take to watch the boat parade.
JANUARY
The Rose Parade (Pasadena)
- WHAT: The Rose Parade, aka Tournament of Roses Parade, is part of SoCal’s annual “America’s New Year Celebration” held in Pasadena. The festival featured extravagant flower-covered floats, the nation’s best marching bands and equestrians entries. The event draws huge crowds. Many people camp out curbsite the night before to reserve a good viewing spot (I did this when I was in high school). The event is free, or you can purchase tickets for reserved seating. You can also watch The Rose Parade broadcast live on several channels.
- WHEN: Every year early in January, often on New Year’s Day or the day after.
- WHERE: In Pasadena, California, beginning at the corner of Green Street and Orange Grove Boulevard. The The 5 1/2-mile Rose Parade route travels north on Orange Grove, turns east onto Colorado Boulevard, where the majority of the parade viewing takes place, then turns north onto Sierra Madre Boulevard, ending at Villa Street.
FEBRUARY
The Queen Mary Scots Festival (Long Beach)
- WHAT: The Queen Mary Scots Festival features Scottish music, and entertainment in celebration of The Queen Mary’s Scottish heritage. The ship is a SoCal attraction popular with local and visitors. Expect parades, pipe bands, highland dancing, competitions, parades, exhibits, food and drink.
- WHEN: Every year in February.
- WHERE: The Queen Mary Event Park, 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, California.
- DEAL: When available, I post The Queen Mary discount tickets here.
Hollywood Beer and Music Festival
- WHAT: The Hollywood Beer and Music Festival is a collaborative effort of #Rockstarbeer Productions and many local breweries. Local food trucks provide food and bands will entertain. There’s an admission fee. But ticket deals are sometimes available via secondary sources.
- WHEN: Annually in February.
- WHERE: Reserve Lot at Hollywood and Vine, 1735 N. Vine, Hollywood, California.
