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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

Summer festivals mean celebrating community or something more specific—surfing, chalk, or watermelon. Fairs and festivals in Los Angeles are an essential SoCal summer tradition. A good summer festival can bring the whole family together—teens can try new foods or shop at retail booths, kids can enjoy crafts, inflatables, carnival rides, or activities, toddlers can dance to live music, and babies can snugly sit in a stroller, taking in the sights—and all this at an event that parents are genuinely excited about. 

Whether 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 27 - Sunday, June 25, 2023
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

Summer Jam

Mid-Wilshire - Friday, June 2, 2023
Free
This party is sure to be a blockbuster: the Academy Museum hosts a free party to kick off the summer season at the museum.  Summer Jam takes place on The Walt Disney Company Piazza and features art-making activities, photo activations, and music - all free and open to the public. READ MORE

FuelFest 2023

Irwindale - Saturday, June 3, 2023
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. Kids under the age of 12 are free with a paying adult. READ MORE

VegFest Vegan Festival

Santa Clarita - Saturday, June 3, 2023
Santa Clarita celebrates health, fitness, and all things vegan at the 4th Annual VegFest: A Festival to End Homelessness. Enjoy live music, bounce houses, vegan food trucks, beer and wine, a specialty farmer's market, Kids Kingdom, face painting, yoga in the park, and more.  READ MORE

Pacific Islander Festival

Long Beach - Saturday & Sunday, June 3 & 4, 2023
The Aquarium of the Pacific hosts its twentieth annual Pacific Islander Festival, celebrating the rich and diverse cultures of the Pacific Islands. READ MORE

Downtown Burbank Arts Festival

Burbank - Saturday & Sunday, June 3 & 4, 2023
Free
This free event in the heart of Downtown Burbank features over 175 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

Palos Verdes Street Fair and Music Festival

Palos Verdes - Friday - Sunday, June 9 - 11 2023
Free
The 35th 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

Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival

Newport Beach - Saturday, June 10, 2023
The 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

Fountain Valley Summerfest

Fountain Valley - Thursday - Sunday, June 15 - 18, 2023
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 Summerfest ends the night with a fireworks display and on Saturday the night concludes with a drone light show.  READ MORE

Jefferson Park Zine Fest

Pasadena - Saturday, June 17, 2023
Free
Learn how to make a zine and enjoy readings, crafts, workshops, raffles, music, and games at the Jefferson Branch Library. Attendees recieve free zines.  READ MORE

California Watermelon Festival

Hansen Dam - Saturday & Sunday, June 17 & 18, 2023
Enjoy a slice of happiness (and unlimited slices of watermelon!) at the California Watermelon Festival. This year, the festival is themed "80s pop culture" and guests will enjoy nostalgic photo ops, 80s music, and "hip" art installations. READ MORE

Pasadena Chalk Festival

Pasadena - Saturday & Sunday, June 17 & 18, 2023
Free
Billed as the world's largest street painting festival, the 30th 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 - Friday - Sunday, June 23 - 25, 2023
Free
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

Venice Summer Fest

Mar Vista - Saturday, June 24, 2023
Free
The Venice Summer Fest Returns to the Mar Vista Arts District to kick off summer. Admire classic cars, play games, 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

Sawdust Art & Craft Festival

Laguna Beach - Friday, June 25 - Sunday, September 3, 2023
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

626 Night Market (Arcadia)

Arcadia - Friday, June 30 - Sunday, July 2, 2023
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
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 - Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Free
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, paying homage to hip-hop's 50th anniversary. For the first time, the sky is illuminated not by fireworks, but by drones, as a spectacular 3D drone show lights up the night sky. And as if that wasn't enough, the park presents a digital playground for children and families to explore digital and Augmented Reality (AR)... READ MORE

Festival of Arts Fine Art Show

Laguna Beach - Wednesday, July 5 - Friday, September 1, 2023
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

Pirate Invasion Festival

Long Beach - Saturday & Sunday, July 8 & 9, 2023
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. This year, the team added a pub crawl for guests 21 and over.  READ MORE

Orange County Fair

Costa Mesa - Friday, July 14, 2023 - August 13, 2023
The Orange County Fair has a few last surprises before it ends for the season. On Friday, fair-goers can Meet the Lakers (including shooting guard Max Christie). On Sunday the Fair races for the finish with the Speedway Fair Derby. READ MORE

42nd Lotus Festival

Echo Park - Saturday & Sunday, July 15 & 16, 2023
Free
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 Indonesia. Families enjoy the dragonboat races, children's area, food court, handcrafted artwork, and more.  READ MORE

Alondra Park Ho'olaule'a

Lawndale - Saturday & Sunday, July 15 & 16, 2023
Free
Join the largest Hawaiian festival in Southern California and catch the spirit of Aloha. This annual festival is held the third week of July in Alondra Park. Enjoy Polynesian entertainment and food (malasadas and shave ice!), arts and crafts, games, drawings, and prizes.  READ MORE

Love Long Beach

Long Beach - Saturday & Sunday, July 22 & 23, 2023
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

Oxnard Salsa Festival

Oxnard - Saturday & Sunday, July 29 & 30
NOTE:  The Oxnard Salsa Festival is being postponed until 2024 READ MORE

Brick Fest Live (Pasadena)

Pasadena - Saturday & Sunday, July 29 & 30, 2023
Brick Fest Live is a LEGO Fan Experience for enthusiasts of all ages. READ MORE

US Open of Surfing

Huntington Beach - Saturday, July 29 - Sunday, August 6, 2023
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
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

International Surf Festival

Manhattan Beach - Wednesday - Sunday, August 2 - 6, 2023
Hang ten in Manhattan Beach this weekend for the 60th 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

Ventura County Fair

Ventura - Wednesday, August 2 - Sunday, August 13, 2023
Ride 'em, Cowboy!  Ventura County Fair rides off into the sunset with the PRCA Rodeo all weekend. READ MORE

Nisei Week Japanese Festival

Little Tokyo - Saturday, August 12 - Saturday, August 19, 2023
Free
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

Fiesta La Ballona

Culver City - Friday - Sunday, August 25 - 28, 2023
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
Orange County Fair & Event Center
Pasadena Convention Center
Various Beach locations
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