What’s on in Los Angeles

Tournament of Roses Parade

2 January annually

Rose Parade: Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena. Rose Bowl Game: Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena

This festival has been a Pasadena tradition for over a century and is one of the most colourful events in the world. The New Year's Day celebrations feature the Rose Parade, which is a breathtaking spectacle of marching bands, equestrian units and magnificent floats, completely covered in flowers and petals. Float construction takes about a year to complete and the Post Parade is an opportunity for the public to admire the fantastic workmanship and the floral creativity from close up. After the parade the Rose Bowl Game takes place between two college champions and is renowned as the 'Superbowl' of college football.

Website www.tournamentofroses.com

Doo Dah Parade

TBC 2025

Old Town Pasadena

Known as the 'other' parade, the Doo Dah Parade began as a parody of the Rose Parade. Where the latter had a list of rules and regulations and invited performers, the former decided to exult in the opposite with no theme, no judges and no commercials.

Every year, thousands of marching groups and acts travel through the streets in a colourful procession of humour, eccentricity and mayhem. They do almost anything they please and attract enormous crowds of spectators along the route.

Entries are unusual and entertaining, and have included Dead Rose Queens, The Spawn of Captain James T. Kirk, the Royal Doo Dah Orchestra, the Invisible Man Marching Band, Caesar's Circus, BBQ and Hibachi Marching Grill Team, and Bungee Barbies, among others.

Website www.pasadenadoodahparade.info

Whale Watching

January — March annually

During the annual migration of the Californian Gray Whale from Alaska to Mexico, whales can be seen passing along the California Coast and numerous whale watching excursions are available from Los Angeles city harbours or further south from the city of Dana Point. In January, the annual Whale Fiesta celebrates the start of the season at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, and offers a family day filled with activities, exhibitions, contests, arts and crafts, food, music and talks. In March the Dana Point Festival of Whales features fairs, street processions and non-stop entertainment for the whole family.

Chinese New Year Festival

8 February 2025

Chinatown

The greatest annual spectacle in Chinatown is the colourful Chinese New Year celebrations, which is famous for its Golden Dragon Parade involving a magnificent procession of painted, undulating dragons. Contests, fairs, firecrackers and lots of authentic food highlight the festivities.

Academy Awards

2 March 2025

Kodak Theatre, Hollywood

The annual presentation of the Oscars is the biggest movie-related event in the world, and recognises excellence in the film industry among producers, actors, directors, technicians and writers. Every year the world's attention is on the entertainment community to see who will receive the celebrated gold statuettes representative of the highest honour in filmmaking.

Website www.oscar.com

Knotts Scary Farm

19 September — 2 November 2024

Knott's Berry Farm, Beach Boulevard, Buena Park

Although Knott's Berry Farm is a year-round family attraction in Los Angeles, locals and tourists flock to the park each October when it puts on its annual Halloween Haunt to become Knott's Scary Farm. Rides and attractions are converted to fit the macabre Halloween theme, and more than a dozen mazes and 'scare zones' are constructed. Park employees dress as werewolves, vampires, zombies and other ghoulish creatures, and there are seven special live shows. Visitors are encouraged to dress in costume as well. Knott's Scary Farm is not appropriate for small children.

Website www.knotts.com

Cinco de Mayo

5 May annually

Various

Although it's actually a Mexican holiday, Cinco de Mayo (5 May) is equally big in the United States, especially in those states near to the border or with a large Mexican population. The day commemorates Mexican victory over the French in the battle of Puebla in 1862. Throughout various cities across the United States there are many celebrations in bars, pubs, cantinas and restaurants, much like St. Patrick's Day in March, though with more tequila and less green beer. In cities with stronger Mexican populations there may be many festivals and traditional dancing.

Los Angeles