Los Angeles is the ultimate playground for fun and adventure. Whether you’re into music, art, culture, food, or just having a good time, LA has something special for you. With the most fabulous festivals and celebrations catering to all kinds of interests and passions, it’s like a never-ending party. So, to make sure all the LA girls know where to go, we’re sharing secrets on the top 6 festivals in and around LA that you may or may have not heard of.
1. Coachella
Dates: April 12-14 & 19-21, 2024
Location: Empire Polo Club – 81-800 Avenue 51, Indio, CA 92201
We know it, we love it, it’s the biggest event of the year, it’s… COACHELLA! The music and arts festival has been taking place for over 20 years and we absolutely love it every year. Lasting a whole weekend, this iconic event happens twice every April. Coachella features some of the best musical performers around the world like Beyoncé, Harry Styles, and BLACKPINK. Snap the cutest selfies for the gram at giant sculptures, interactive exhibits, and colorful backdrops too.The desert wonderland is filled with campgrounds, stages, vendors, vibrant colors, and some of the most unique and adorable fits you’ll ever see. Camping at Coachella is a great way to embrace the experience and meet other fun-loving festival-goers. They also have vendors, food trucks, or you can hit up the farmer’s market exclusively for onsite campers. So grab your cutest outfits, lounge in hammocks, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
2. Lightning in a Bottle Festival
Dates: May 22-27, 2024
Location: 13601 Ironbark Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311
Situated 29 miles south of Bakersfield, and 111 miles north of Los Angeles, scenic Buena Vista Lake hosts the Lightning in a Bottle Festival (LIB). Featuring EDM talent like Skrillex, Labarinth, and Fatboy Slim, this high-energy event is six straight days of non-stop dancing and vibing. There’s a lot to love about LIB! It’s sustainable, it’s vegetarian, and it’s very LGBTQ friendly. They pride themselves on their dedication to EDM music, yoga, and visual art, ensuring that you have a lot to do throughout the festival.
3. L.A. Times Festival of Books
Dates: April 20 & 21, 2024
Location: University of Southern California – 3551 Trousdale Pkwy Los Angeles, CA 90089
Calling all bookworms and current “booktok” residents! The Los Angeles Times is a haven for book lovers that you’ll definitely want to visit. Find your next favorite author, genre, or book to add to your TBR list. This LA festival offers hundreds of booths of exhibits, performances, panels, and author signings for every literature lover. Going strong since 1996, this festival offers outdoor and indoor events that feature poets, artists, musicians, writers, filmmakers, and more. The festival runs for an entire weekend and although some panels charge for a ticket, overall it’s a free festival for every book lover.
4. Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival
Dates: June 15 & 16, 2024
Location: 2301 N Highland Ave Hollywood, CA 90068
Get ready for endless jazz hands at the Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival, previously known as the iconic Playboy Jazz Festival. Sponsored by Playboy Enterprises, this event is the perfect LA summer kick-off party and has been since 1979. With everything from fresh faces to established jazz musicians, this festival has the most soulful and rhythmic lineup ready to keep the good vibes going all day long. Tickets and the lineup are released together, about seven months before the event, and they sell out fast so make sure to get them while you can.
5. Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival
Dates: TBD November 2024
Location: 1000 Vin Scully Ave Los Angeles, CA 90012
Another one of our favorite LA music festivals is hosted by Tyler the Creator. This festival has been on hiatus since the COVID-19 pandemic but is set to return November 2023. Located at Dodger Stadium, the festival showcases two days’ worth of incredible music performances that are guaranteed to have us dancing with joy from start to finish. The good vibes last all weekend with delicious food, activities, games, and even carnival rides. This festival is a dream come true for all the music lovers out there, so get ready to embrace the magic.
6. Tournament of Roses Parade
Dates: 8 AM – January 1, 2024
Location: 1001 Rose Bowl Dr Pasadena, CA 91103
Ok we know this isn’t exactly a festival , but the iconic Rose Parade is the kick-off party of the year (surrounded by millions of roses of course!). The Rose Parade will leave you in admiration with its vibrantly elaborate floral floats. All made of roses; the castles, animals, cars, and more are a sight you definitely won’t want to miss boo. And guess what? If you’re into sports, you can even catch the big Rose Bowl football game after the parade. If you find yourself in the area during this time of year, you’ll want to experience this one-of-a-kind parade.
Whether you discover these 7 best festivals in LA on a whim or plan your trip around them, we hope you love what you experience. Now for the best places to grab a bite after leaving a festival, here are the best late-night restaurants in LA!
