Best Fall Festivals To Attend In Los Angeles
While Southern California sees subtle changes in its seasons, residents still seek out ways to celebrate them. This fall, Los Angelenos are invited to several festivals in and around the area. From hanging out at the farm watching the pigs race and picking apples, to a weekend of Mexican culture and music, festivals are abundant in the fall months here in Los Angeles. Tickets are often sold ahead of time and event coordinators suggest planning ahead.
LA County Fair
1101 W. McKinley Ave.
Pomona, CA 91768
(909) 623-3111
www.lacountyfair.com
Dates: September 2-25, 2016
The LA County fair has always drawn tremendous crowds from all over since it began back in 1921. Today's fair has incorporated contemporary musical artist, wine tastings, craft beers and gourmet foods into its platform, bringing even more generations together. But not to worry; there are still many of the farm-friendly event staples like the petting zoo and livestock beauty contests festival goers love. Take a ride on any of the dozen thrilling rides, or grab a seat for one of the featured artists performing like Bad Company, Blondie and Chicago, just to name a few.
Related: Best Fall Salads In Los Angeles
Chinatown Los Angeles Mid-Autumn Moon Festival
N. Broadway and W. College St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012<
www.chinatownla.com
Date: September 17, 2016
There is nothing more spectacular than the Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival in LA's very own Chinatown. The festival is free to the public, and everyone is welcome. Enjoy a day of live music, an outdoor baccarat lounge, a craft beer garden, live cooking demos and lots of other entertainment. Explore the history of the festival as well as the meaning of 2016's year of the red fire monkey sign. The festival continues into the night with more activities, fireworks and parades. The Griffith Observatory has generously provided telescopes so attendees can view the Harvest Moon.
Italian Feast of San Gennaro Los Angeles
Hawthorn Ave. and Highland Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
www.feastofla.com
Dates: September 23-25, 2016
If anyone knows how to throw a festival, it would be Italians. The 17th annual Italian Feast of San Gennaro is always a great time. The festival's origin comes from NYC's very own Little Italy, a celebration dedicated to the catholic Saint Gennaro, and has been recreated by all the East Coast Italians that migrated left. While there are some differences, the gusto behind the West version is just as sincere and packed with great food, music, rides, Italian culture, celebrities and fun. But most important, everyone is familia while you're there.
Screamfest Horror Film Festival
TCL Chinese 6 Theatre (3rd Floor)
6925 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 461-3331
www.screamfestla.com
Dates: October 18-27, 2016
Film festivals are abundant in Los Angeles this time of year, but the Screamfest Horror Film Festival is by far one of the favorites. In its 16th year, Screamfest is the largest and longest running horror film festival in the United States, showcasing new works by American and international filmmakers. Many films that premiere at Screamfest often get national distribution and have launched the careers of up and coming actors. Aside from the films, Screamfest provides lots of celebrity eye candy for the fans. Some past attendees and guests have been Lance Henriksen, Traci Lords, Rumer Willis, Dee Wallace, Danny Trejo, Slash and James Franco.
Underwood Family Farms Fall Harvest Festival
3370 Sunset Valley Road
Moorpark, CA 93021
(805) 529-3690
www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com
Date: October 1, 2016 - October 31, 2016
Underwood Family Farms hosts an annual fall harvest festival that makes Los Angelenos yearn for the change in seasons. A perfect way to spend the day with family, this fall festival has everything for every country bumpkin. Not only is this family-run farm a produce market, but it invites visitors to pick pumpkins, make their way through an old fashioned corn maze, take a ride on a wagon, catch the pig races and fun animal shows, enjoy live music and an antique tractor parade and, of course, eat! Hot dogs, hamburgers, homestyle dessert pies and corn on the cob are just a few of what is offered. Check the website for event showtimes, admission prices and more.
Solvang Danish Days
1st St. and Copenhagen Drive
Solvang, CA 93463
(805) 686-9386
www.solvangdanishdays.org
Date: September 16, 2016 - September 18, 2016
It's Danish Days in Solvang and what a fun weekend it is to visit. Parades, concerts, music and dance, wood-carving demos, antique shopping and the best Danish food in the Los Angeles area bring a celebration to downtown Solvang. The town, along with visitors from both Northern and Southern California, line the streets in Danish-style costumes to folk dance and mingle. Danish Days also features Hans Christian Anderson story-telling by Randel McGee, authentic pastries (aebleskiver) and Danish sausage (medisterpoise) and wine tasting from the nearby Santa Ynez Valley. In addition, there is a Viking beer and wine garden, a chainsaw carver, an old world artisan marketplace, a children's parade, and much more.
Riley's Apple Farm
12201 S. Oak Glen Road
Oak Glen / Yucaipa, CA 92399
(909) 797-4061
www.rileysapplefarm.com/index.html
Dates: Begins August 9, 2016
Weekends at the apple farm are a fun way to enjoy Los Angeles in the fall. Riley's Apple Farm (three acres) is one of the original fruit farms in Oak Glen which harvests apples, pumpkins, raspberries and blackberries. One of the greatest features at Riley's Apple Farm is that visitors can pick the apples right from the trees. Plan for hayrides, archery, tomahawk and knife throwing, cider pressing and good old fashioned country fun. Apple picking is best in September and can end anywhere from early October to late November.
Related: Best Apple Pie In Los Angeles
Dia de los Muertos Festival
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
6000 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 469-1181
www.ladayofthedead.com
Date: October 29, 2016 from 12pm to 12am
Celebrating its 17th year, The Dia de Los Muertos festival in Los Angeles is a yearly tradition in the city. Festival organizers encourage calaca (skeleton) attire for maximum enjoyment. The event includes a traditional procession, Aztec blessings, musical and dance performances, costume contests, children's art projects, Mexican fare and more than one hundred altars created by members of the community to their ancestors and loved ones. Revelers will definitely want to plan ahead for this Day of the Dead party by pre-purchasing tickets and carpooling.
Farmers Market Fall Festival
The Original Farmers Market
189 The Grove Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
www.farmersmarketla.com
Date: October 15 & 16, 2016
The Farmers Market is a decades-old iconic open market where vendors come together selling a cornucopia of produce, meats, baked goods and more. During the fall season, visitors take part in a favorite event that has held its ground since 1934. With live music, a petting zoo and arts and crafts for kids, a world-famous pie eating contest and much more, The Fall Festival here is an exciting event you won't want to miss out on.
With live music, a petting zoo and arts and crafts for kids, a world-famous pie eating contest and much more, you won't want to miss out on this exciting yearly event!
Moompetam: Native American Festival
Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 590-3100
www.aquariumofpacific.org
Dates: September 17 & 18, 2016
To celebrate local Native American cultures, the Aquarium of the Pacific will be hosting its annual Moompetam Festival. This weekend celebration will feature traditional cultural crafts, storytelling, other educational programs, live demonstrations, music and dance celebrating the indigenous California Indian maritime cultures, including Tongva, Chumash, Acjachemen, Costanoan, Luiseno, and Kumeyaay.
Oktoberfest at the Alpine Village
Alpine Village Center
833 W. Torrance Blvd
Torrance, CA 90502
(310) 327-4384
www.alpinevillagecenter.com
Date: September 9, 2016 - October 29, 2016
Home of the oldest Oktoberfest celebration in Southern California, Alpine Village will once again be the site of the event this year. With traditional Bavarian fun supplied by Oom Pah Pah party bands, as well as great German fare, and delicious German beers brewed by Warsteiner, it's a yearly event that seems to always live up to the hype. The event runs for over a month, so you'll have plenty of time to head down to Alpine Village this Fall and celebrate over and over again!
The LA Feline Film Festival
California Science Center
700 Exposition Park Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90037
(323) 724-3623
www.lafelinefilmfestival.com
If a cute cat video lifts your spirits, imagine what an entire festival dedicated to the genre would do. Well, you don't have to wonder any longer! The LA Feline Film Festival will be commencing this October, and the fur will fly in more ways than one. Celebrity cats and their people will be making appearances along with some cat loving celebrities. Cat related films will be screened; cat products and art will also be presented rounding out this catpalooza of 2016. A portion of the festival proceeds will be donated to community cat organizations.
