Annual Events

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

Japan Film Festival Los Angeles – “Dedicated to delivering a better appreciation of contemporary Japanese culture to the LA community,” JFFLA presents a wide range of films every year.

Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles – “Devoted to a greater appreciation of Indian cinema and culture by showcasing films, honoring entertainment industry performers and business executives, and promoting the diverse perspectives of the Indian diaspora.”

MAY

Aloha Expo – “A 2-day festival featuring an outdoor cultural marketplace, island cuisine, and continuous Hawaiian and Polynesian music and dance.” Held in Santa Fe Springs.

Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival – “The premier showcase for the best and brightest of Asian American and Asian international cinema.”

APRIL

JUNE

JULY

Kababayan Fest – Held every year at Knott’s Berry Farm, this festival is geared towards Filipino American youth culture. Past features include popular Filipino and Filipino American singers, dance teams, stand up comedians, food, and vendors.

AUGUST

Nisei Week Japanese Festival -

Historic Filipinotown Festival and 5K Run / Walk – Celebrates the 9th anniversary of the designation of Historic Filipinotown in Los Angeles.   It features food trucks, music, dance performances, and more!

Philippine Cultural Arts Festival, San Diego – Focusing on Philippine Traditional Performing Arts. Many other ethnic performing groups also perform in the Festival. Additionally, contemporary performing arts such as popular music, hip-hop, jazz, Polynesian dance and martial arts have been included in the past.

Exhibition of Korean-American Calligraphy Association – Features over 70 works of Korea American Calligraphy Association.

SEPTEMBER

Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture – “Art exhibits, literary readings, performances, and film screenings, that all culminate in a two-day festival weekend” celebrating Philippine Arts and Culture.

Mid-Autumn Moon Festival – Takes place in LA Chinatown and features “an evening of fun and cultural activities.”

Los Angeles Korean Festival – This festival celebrates the Harvest Moon, or “Hangawe,” the Korean Thanksgiving, and seeks to introduce Korean culture to 2nd generation Koreans as well as the general community.

Thai Cultural Day – Held in North Hollywood, this event seeks to preserve and promote Thai arts and culture with such activities as classical and folk dances, classical music, children’s folk games, and cooking demonstrations.

Los Angeles Penafrancia Celebration – a Bicolano festival in honor of the region’s patroness, Our Lady of Penafrancia.

Filipino International Film Festival Los Angeles – FIFFLA seeks to promote Filipino talent and Filipino culture through cinema. Along with presenting all manners of feature films, shorts, animations, and documentaries, FIFFLA offers panels, educational programs, youth classes, industry workshops, networking receptions and galas for the benefit of Filipino artists and community.

OCTOBER

Southeast Asia Day – Held at the Aquarium of the Pacific, this event celebrates  Cambodian, Thai, Vietnamese, Burmese, Laotian, and Indonesian cultures and features  ”live performances, including music, dance, cultural craft demonstrations,” and arts and crafts for children. ”Ethnic dishes will available for purchase.”

San Diego Asian Film Festival – Yes, it’s not in LA or Orange County, but it’s still a big event in the API community.

Gala Concert of Philippine Dances and Music, San Diego – “showcases  SAMAHAN’s rich repertoire in vivid and colorful costumes. The exhilarating dances and lively music of the Rondalla and Kulintang Music Ensembles promise an enjoyable evening.”

NOVEMBER

Autumn Festival – This weekend-long festival at the Aquarium of the Pacific celebrates the cultures of Japan, China, Korea, and the Philippines and features traditional crafts, music, dance, demonstrations, cultural arts exhibits, ethnic cuisine, storytelling, taiko drumming, dancers, acrobats, martial arts demonstrations, origami, and purchasable hand-made crafts.

DECEMBER