Los Angeles is the most diverse county in the US and many cultures have large enough communities to hold one or more cultural festivals each year. Here are some of the highlights, listed alphabetically by culture.
1. Anatolian Cultures and Food Festival
Photo © 2009 Kayte Deioma, used with permission
The Anatolian Cultures and Food Festival celebrates all the cultures that have occupied present-day Turkey against a backdrop of stunning set pieces representing the different regions in the area.
2. Armenian Festivals
Photo © 2007 Kayte Deioma, used with permission
The Armenian community in Los Angeles is spread around Glendale, Hollywood and Montebello. There is an annual Armenian Independence Day Festival in Little Armenia in Hollywood each May, but they don't maintain a consistent website. The Glendale Armenian Festival doesn't have a consistent web presence either, but these two do:
Armenian Food Fair and Fest in Montebello
Armenian Festival of Orange County
3. Asian Pacific Islander Lotus Festival
Photo © 2001 Kayte Deioma, courtesy of www.KayteDeioma.com
The Lotus Festival at Echo Park celebrates the many cultures of Asia and the Pacific Islands with music, dance, food and cultural exhibits. It's usually the second weekend in July.
4. Bengali Festivals
Photo © 2004 Kayte Deioma, used with permission
The Bangladesh Day Parade and Festival take place down Vermont Avenue the last weekend of March. The Bengali New Year Celebration is in Little Bangladesh, five-block area around 3rd and Alexandria in Los Angeles, in May.
5. Cambodian New Year
Photo © 2004 Kayte Deioma, used with permission
Long Beach has the largest Cambodian population outside of Cambodia, and the community celebrates Cambodian New Year in April with multiple Cambodian New Year Events.
6. Chinese and Vietnamese New Year Events
Courtesy of Divine Performing Arts
There are a variety of events around Los Angeles to celebrate the Chinese and Vietnamese Lunar New Year, which generally occurs in February, but occasionally as early as January. Here is a list of the largest Chinese and Vietnamese New Year Events in LA and OC.
7. Cuban Music Festival
This annual event occurs in May in Echo Park near Downtown LA and features the music, food, arts and crafts of Cuba.8. Ecuadorean Festival
The Ecuadorean Fiestas Patrias in Los Angeles celebrate Ecuadorean Independence Day, which is officially August 10. It usually takes place the closest Saturday to that date at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Site.
9. Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture
Photo © Kayte Deioma, used with permission
The Festival of Philippine Art and Culture (FPAC) is an annual festival celebrating Filipino arts, crafts, music and dance at Pt. Fermin Park in San Pedro in September.
10. French Bastille Day Festival
The annual Bastille Day celebration of French culture takes place in July at Elysian Park near Dodger Stadium.Continue to German through Vietnamese Ethnic Festivals on Page 2-3.
