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Kick off summer fun with carnival rides. Photo courtesy of the Fountain Valley Summerfest
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5/26/23 - By Kylie Williams

Fairs and summer festivals in Los Angeles are an essential SoCal tradition. A good festival has something fun for everyone in the family—teens can try new foods or shop at retail booths, kids can enjoy crafts, inflatables, and carnival rides, toddlers can dance to live music, and babies can sit snugly in a stroller, taking in the sights—and all this at an event that parents are genuinely excited about. 

Whether you are a pirate enthusiast, a Lego master builder, an art aficionado, or maybe you need an excuse to get outside this summer, there's a summer festival for everyone. 

For more summer fun, check out our Summer Activities Guide for Los Angeles Kids, which includes the best beaches in LA, favorite water parks in SoCal, and everywhere you can jump in a lake in Los Angeles.

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Race over to FuelFest this summer. Photo by Kylie Williams
Race over to FuelFest this summer. Photo by Kylie Williams

June Summer Festivals Near Los Angeles

Koroneburg Renaissance Festival

Corona
Saturday, May 25 - Sunday, June 23
The Koroneburg Renaissance Festival returns for another season. With lots of audience-participation content, the Faire offers opportunities to learn about ye ol' German 1450-1600 A.D. history. READ MORE

FuelFest 2024

Irwindale
Saturday, June 1
Do you have a child who loves all things cars? FuelFest is a day-long celebration of all things fast with live music, drag racing, interactive exhibits, sponsor showcases, and an incredible display of rare vehicles. Little gearheads can check out all the fun on a real racetrack at Irwindale Speedway.  Kids under the age of 12 are free with a paying adult.  READ MORE

Eat Drink Local Festival

Santa Clarita - FREE
Saturday, June 1
Santa Clarita starts a new tradition with the first ever Eat. Drink. Local. Festival. Local food trucks, local wineries and breweries, local bands and DJs, and a swapmeet featuring local small businesses all come together in Central Park for one crucial cause: to aid the homeless students of the city. Kids can have a ball in Kids Kingdom with inflatables, slime making, balloon twisting, and face painting.   READ MORE

40th Annual Montrose Arts & Crafts Festival

Montrose - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, June 1 & 2
The Montrose Arts & Crafts Festival is one of the oldest events of its type in California. Montrose Shopping Park Association sponsors this two-day festival. More than 250 fine artists, crafters, food vendors are on-site for this charming festival. A lively kids zone features inflatables, pony rides, and more.  READ MORE

Pacific Islander Festival

Long Beach
Saturday & Sunday, June 1 & 2
The Aquarium of the Pacific hosts its twenty first annual Pacific Islander Festival, celebrating the rich and diverse cultures of the Pacific Islands. READ MORE

Reggae Summerfest

Santa Ana - FREE
Sunday, June 5
The Bowers gets the season started with a Reggae Summerfest. The free event includes family activities, musical performances, and tasty treats (while supplies last).  READ MORE

36th Annual Palos Verdes Street Fair and Music Festival

Palos Verdes - FREE
Friday - Sunday, June 7 - 9
The 36th annual Palos Verdes Street Fair & Music Festival is the largest carnival in the South Bay. The heart of Palos Verdes comes alive with more than 200 exhibitors.  READ MORE

8th Annual Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival

Newport Beach
Saturday, June 8
The 8th annual Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival celebrates the maritime heritage of Newport Harbor and wooden boats past and present. The weekend is filled with maritime craftsmanship, art, exhibits, food, music, and a boat parade. READ MORE

Downtown Burbank Arts Festival

Burbank - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, June 8 & 9
This free event in the heart of Downtown Burbank features over 180 handmade artisan booths on San Fernando Boulevard. Media City Church offers a free bubble experience that is fun for the whole family. In addition, the event features a Chalk Block, where chalk artists create masterpieces inspired by their favorite films. Vote for the "crowd favorite." READ MORE

Fountain Valley Summerfest

Fountain Valley
Thursday - Sunday, June 13 - 16
Fountain Valley's Summerfest is back, featuring carnival rides, games, food vendors, a beer garden, and a full schedule of entertainment that includes tribute bands and local performers.  On Friday and Saturday nights, Summerfest concludes with a drone light show presented by Hyundai.  READ MORE

Venice Summer Fest

Mar Vista - FREE
Saturday, June 22
The Venice Summer Fest Returns to the Mar Vista Arts District to kick off summer. Admire classic cars, play games and listen to live music, try the cuisine at various food trucks, and maybe even bring home the puppy you've been hoping for at this festival with all the good vibes.  READ MORE

California Watermelon Festival

Hansen Dam
Saturday & Sunday, June 22 & 23
Enjoy a slice of happiness (and unlimited slices of watermelon!) at the California Watermelon Festival.  READ MORE

Pasadena Chalk Festival

Pasadena - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, June 22 & 23
Billed as the world's largest street painting festival, the 31st Annual Pasadena Chalk Festival features more than 500 artists and 200 murals adorning the sidewalk outside of the Pasadena Convention Center.  READ MORE

Riviera Village Summer Festival

Redondo Beach - FREE
Friday - Sunday, June 28 - 30
This three day street festival in Riviera Village features over 300 exhibitors, high end arts and crafts booths, a beer & wine garden, and live entertainment throughout the day. In addition, there is an international food court and carnival rides for the kids. Admission is free! READ MORE

Sawdust Art & Craft Festival

Laguna Beach
Friday, June 28 - Sunday, September 1
The Sawdust Art & Craft Festival, which dates back to the 1960s, offers a chance to enjoy the fine arts and crafts of Laguna Beach artists.  READ MORE

Pirate Invasion Festival

Long Beach
Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30
Hundreds of costumed pirates (and three pirate ships) descend on Harry Bridges Memorial Park, accompanied by a colony of mermaids, for two days of all things seaworthy at the Biggest Pirate Fest in the West. There is also a pub crawl for guests 21 and over.  READ MORE
Enjoy life size Lego creations. Brick Fest Live photo by Kylie Williams
Enjoy life size Lego creations. Brick Fest Live photo by Kylie Williams

July Summer Festivals Near Los Angeles

4th of July Block Party

DTLA - FREE
Tuesday, July 4
Downtown's Gloria Molina Grand Park and The Music Center host a block party, touted as Los Angeles County’s largest free July 4th celebration.​ Music performances showcasing L.A.’s global and diverse sounds are presented on two stages.  In addition to a Independence Day fireworks, Grizzly Entertainment performs a spectacular drone show. This year also welcomes the return of the Gloria Molina Grand Park Ferris Wheel.  And as if that wasn't enough, the park presents a digital playground for children and families to explore digital and Augmented... READ MORE

626 Night Market (Arcadia)

Arcadia
Friday, July 5 - Sunday, September 1
The 626 Night Market features hundreds of food stands, merchandise, arts and crafts, games, music, and entertainment for all ages. It is the original (and largest) Asian-themed night market in the country. READ MORE

Festival of Arts Fine Art Show

Laguna Beach
Saturday, July 6 - Friday, August 30
Laguna Beach’s Festival of Arts—a juried fine art show featuring 140 of Southern Orange County’s top artists in an open-air gallery setting—has been a staple of Laguna life since the community's earliest days.  READ MORE

2024 Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival

Griffith Park - FREE
Wednesday, July 10 - September 1
Et tu, Griffith Park?  Free Shakespeare returns to Griffith Park for a full summer of theater under the stars. READ MORE

42nd Lotus Festival

Echo Park - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, July 13 & 14
Every year the Lotus Festival highlights a different Asian or Pacific Island country to promote and educate the community about the country and its culture. This year, the event celebrates the people of The Philippines. Families enjoy the dragonboat races, children's area, food court, lantern launches, handcrafted artwork, and more.  READ MORE

Brick Fest Live (Pasadena)

Pasadena
Saturday & Sunday, July 13 & 14
Brick Fest Live is a Lego Fan Experience for enthusiasts of all ages. Among the many brick-based highlights are life-size models, building activities, Lego car derbies, photo ops, and more. Exclusive merchandise is available for purchase.  READ MORE

Celebration of India Family Festival

Santa Ana - FREE
Sunday, July 14
Celebrate with the Bowers Museum during free summer family festivals. Enjoy live performances, art making, face painting and complimentary treats while supplies last. READ MORE

Orange County Fair

Costa Mesa -
Friday, July 19, 2024 - August 18
The Orange County Fair is back! This year's theme is "Always a Good Time"  Highlights of the fair include animals, tons of food, carnival rides, art exhibits, and more. Carnival ride tickets are $1 each, and unlimited ride wristbands are available for $44 for Wednesdays or Thursdays at the fair.  READ MORE

Love Long Beach

Long Beach
Saturday & Sunday, July 20 & 21
This two-day festival celebrates all the things that make Long Beach lovable. Highlights include DJs, music, arts and crafts, food court, vendors, yoga, sound healing, massage, and chill areas. READ MORE

San Clemente Ocean Festival

San Clemente
Saturday & Sunday, July 20 & 21
This annual festival, which has its roots in the lifeguard community, features dory boat races, a kids' surfing contest, the great rubber duck race, a "dolphin dash," a fishing derby, a youth pavilion, and more.  READ MORE

Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival

Long Beach - FREE
Saturday, July 27
Dragon boats—long, sleek, and powered by many rowers with oars—are raced competitively in events like the Asian Games. Dragon boat competitions are also held each year in China and elsewhere to honor the life and death of ancient poet Qu Yuan (340-278 BC).  READ MORE

Oxnard Salsa Festival

Oxnard
Saturday & Sunday, July 27 & 28
It's getting hot in Oxnard this weekend. The city celebrates all things salsa–food, music, and dance–with contests and a whole slate of family-friendly activities. At the Kid Zone, children can create unique salsa-themed crafts. They can also get their bodies jumping and moving in a variety of inflatables. READ MORE

US Open of Surfing

Huntington Beach
Saturday, August 3 - Sunday, August 11
The world's largest surfing competition takes place right here in SoCal! The US Open of Surfing at the Huntington Beach Pier is a weeklong celebration of surf culture. The event is free to the public, so grab your sunscreen and your little groms and head to the pier to watch some of the best surfer dudes in the world shred some waves.  READ MORE

International Surf Festival

Manhattan Beach
Wednesday - Sunday, July 31 - August 4
Hang ten in Manhattan Beach this weekend for the International Surf Festival. The three signature events for the festival are the Judge Taplin Lifeguard Medley Relay, the Dwight Crum Pier-to-Pier Swim, and the Charlie Saikley 6-Man Volleyball Tournament.  Other events include a surfing contest, a body surfing contest (great for kids), a beach run, paddleboard races, a dory race, and other youth events. READ MORE
The International Surf Festival will be a swell of a good time. Photo courtesy of Doriann Gonzalez
The International Surf Festival will be a swell of a good time. Photo courtesy of Doriann Gonzalez

August Summer Festivals Near Los Angeles

Ventura County Fair

Ventura
Wednesday, July 31 - Sunday, August 11
Ride 'em, Cowboy!  Ventura County Fair rides off into the sunset with the PRCA Rodeo all weekend.The "country fair with ocean air" is back for 11 days of magic for summer 2024. Kids can ride the many carnival rides and play games on the midway, watch the Alaskan pig races, meet some animal friends at the petting zoo, tour the livestock areas, and more.  READ MORE

Jazz and Blues Festival

Santa Ana - FREE
Sunday, August 4
The Bowers Museum hosts family-focused festivals on select Sundays in the summer. For the month of August, Bowers celebrates jazz and blues with live music, arts and crafts, face painting, and treats. All the fun takes place in the Key Courtyard.  READ MORE

Nisei Week Japanese Festival

Little Tokyo - FREE
Saturday, August 10 - Sunday, August 18
Learn about the rich cultural heritage of Japan during Nisei Week in Little Tokyo. Nisei Week is one of the longest running ethnic festivals in the United States. Guests can try Japanese cuisine, watch the gyoza eating contest, marvel at the vehicles in the car show, wave at the floats during the Grand Parade, and enjoy a performance of Taiko drumming.  READ MORE

BBQ Music Fest

Huntington Beach
Friday - Sunday, August 16 - 18
BBQ chefs from around the country gather to grill ribs, chicken, sausage, pulled pork, and other succulent delicacies at this 3-day festival. Award-winning pitmasters battle local barbecue gurus to see whose ribs are the most irresistible. READ MORE

Fiesta La Ballona

Culver City - FREE
Friday - Sunday, August 23 - 25
Culver City's premier community event, Fiesta La Ballona, treats families to outdoor concerts, carnival rides (wristbands available for purchase), a petting zoo, K-9 demonstrations, and pony rides all weekend long. Other highlights include a pancake breakfast and a magic show.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Crossroads Riverview Park
Riviera Village
Griffith Park - site of the Old Zoo
Pasadena Convention Center
Orange County Fair & Event Center
Various Beach locations