February 2026 events calendar for Los Angeles

Welcome the Year of the Horse amid the lush greenery of South Coast Botanic Garden every weekend this February. Enjoy an afternoon of festive Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean traditions, with activities including the Korean game Yutnori, the Vietnamese game Bầu Cua Cá Cọp or the Chinese game of Mahjong. Enjoy the grounds on a Zodiac Stroll, the new dragon walk or a morning tai chi class. You’ll also find storytelling, a wishing tree, live music, a themed photo op and specialty food and cocktails (available for purchase from 10am–4pm). Admission is $18, but for $9 more, you can catch a performance by lion dancers, martial artists, drummers and folk dancers (Sat, Sun at 11am, 1pm, 3pm).

Cure a case of the Mondays with a restorative sound bath at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center’s private Garden of the Clear Stream, an urban oasis in Little Tokyo. At the start of every week in April, you can bring a mat and enjoy an hour of healing sounds and reflection amid the garden’s lush flora and cascading waterfall. Afterward, stick around to purchase lunch and a matcha and enjoy them in the garden.

Now that her astonishing Coachella set and the first leg of her tour are behind us, Angelenos can partake in the mayhem once again: Lady Gaga will return her Mayhem Ball tour to the Forum in February. Expect Mayhem’s dance-pop return to work its way into much of the set alongside plenty of old favorites.

This display of film and video art, billed as “a sweeping odyssey into the depths of human experience,” will take over all six stories of the abandoned, historic Variety Arts Theater in Downtown L.A. (the theater served as the setting for this past Halloween’s immersive haunt Delusion, and the expansive space was as impressive as the production itself). Over a century of visual storytelling will be explored, blurring the line between visual art and cinema. The contemporary video works by artists including Marina Abramović, Doug Aitken, Chris Burden, Cyprien Gaillard, Arthur Jafa and Precious Okoyomon—juxtaposed with cinematic works by the likes of Walt Disney and Georges Méliès—come from the time-based art collection of the Germany-based Julia Stoschek Foundation.

KCRW’s School Night series—which has hosted the likes of Father John Misty and Odesza since it started in 2010—is back, this time with a new home: century-old Lincoln Heights bar the Airliner, which recently fully redesigned its music venue and upstairs listening room. Though the sets are short, the price is certainly right, as is the lineup curated by resident DJ and KCRW tastemaker Chris Douridas. It’s the perfect excuse to stay out late on a school night.

The New York export returns to L.A. for the art fair’s seventh West Coast edition. After debuting in the surreal setting of the Paramount backlot and then decamping to a space next to the Beverly Hilton, the event has since settled on a site-specific tent in the southeast corner of Santa Monica Airport. Frieze’s massive tent is packed with a lineup of 100 impressive galleries—and its surrounding grounds with lounges and local-favorite food—but the price of admission will likely keep out the most casual art fans. Thankfully, Frieze is about more than just the fair: Its arrival attracts major openings at free gallery shows all across the city in the days surrounding the event.

Plant people will want to make their way Downtown to check out the West Coast debut of PlantCon, the largest plant hobbyist convention in the world. Held in the Magic Box space of the Reef, the botanical fair features a 200-booth plant market with sustainable and green businesses, seminars, exhibitions and workshops—try your hand at bonsai, terrarium design or making your own moss ball.

Scope out poolside cabanas stocked with top-notch showings from 56 galleries from around the world (including several based in Los Angeles) when this contemporary art fair returns to the Hollywood Roosevelt as part of L.A. Art Week. Modeled after the intimate hotel fair format of the ’90s, Felix is welcoming 20 first-time exhibitors, pairing emerging galleries with established names. A single-day pass will cost you $75, while a run of show pass (valid for all days of the fair) is $100.

A display of over 30 mummified people and animals is back at the California Science Center. This time around, you can see a selection of specimens never before shown in Los Angeles. Mummies are, of course, most often associated with ancient Egypt, and while Egypt is represented here, you’ll also see mummified remains that were discovered in Germany, Hungarian, Peru—even the University of Maryland. Memorable artifacts include two “bundle” mummies making their West Coast debut, amulets and organ jars, an ancient Egyptian cat mummy and a shrunken sloth head. The museum’s IMAX theater will be screening the complementary Mummies 3D: Secrets of the Pharaohs.

Founded over 30 years ago as a group of independent filmmakers’ response to Sundance, Slamdance Film Festival is returning to Los Angeles for the second year. With a mantra of “by filmmakers, for filmmakers,” Slamdance focuses on emerging artists and counts the Russo brothers, Christopher Nolan, Gina Prince-Bythewood, the Safdie brothers, Rian Johnson, Sean Baker and more of today’s most notable directors as alums. A lineup of some 140 shorts, experimental films and features—including several made here in L.A.—will play for a week at the Directors Guild of America (7920 W Sunset Blvd), the Landmark Sunset (8000 W Sunset Blvd) and 2220 Arts + Archives (2220 Beverly Blvd). See the full lineup here; highlights include the opening-night film, Quentin Tarantino-produced The Projectionist, as well as The Untitled Ruby Slippers Documentary, directed by Seth Gordon.

What better place to celebrate the Lunar New Year than the Huntington Library’s beautiful Chinese garden? Usher in the Year of the Horse with lion dancers, mask-changing performances, martial arts demonstrations, floral art and music, from Chinese opera to traditional Vietnamese music, during this two-day event. Kids will enjoy storytime, arts and crafts and a Lego display. Look out for some sweet and savory treats just for the occasion (think banh mi and creamy shaved ice) from on-site food trucks. Advance ticket reservations are required.

Discover the next big thing at the 15th edition of this art fair, which is more accessible than most (meaning you can find original art for under $500) and places an emphasis on experiencing art, offering immersive installations, performances and DJs. For this latest and largest installment, the Other Art Fair has a new Culver City location and is honoring the one-year anniversary of the Eaton Fire by partnering with nonprofit Altadena Brick by Brick. Browse work by 160 independent artists, play a game of ping-pong on artist-designed tables, commission your own mini hand-drawn portrait at the Faux-To Booth, step inside an inflatable installation made out of 1,500 recycled plastic bags and more. 

Catch sets from up-and-coming performers, local legends and global talents during this free music series at the Getty, which features a pair of shows from a different band each weekend. The concerts kick off in February with Inuit soul musicians Pamyua and continue in March with gospel choir Jimetta Rose & the Voices of Creation and April with Persian poets Mahsa and Marjan Vahdat. Get there early to check out the museum’s exhibitions, then head to the Harold M. Williams Auditorium for the show.

Rose Bowl Stadium will be transformed into Kalos for the weekend as thousands of Pokéfans descend upon Pasadena to catch ’em all. Explore themed habitats, encounter regional Pokémon in the wild—including some characters making their Pokémon GO debuts—and connect with other players. New this year is a nighttime celebration, Mega Night, which will keep the fun going till 8pm with more gameplay and live entertainment ($20 ticket add-on).

Shop and browse centuries’ worth of rare volumes and hear literary talks during this book fair. Over 50 exhibitors from London, New York and elsewhere will fill the historic Raymond Theatre and the neighboring Courtyard by Mariott (180 N Fair Oaks Ave) with first editions, hard-to-find books, prints, photographs and other ephemera. Proceeds benefit the Library Foundation of Los Angeles and the LAPL Palisades Branch, which burned down in January.

The Houston Brothers are teaming up with chef Jasper Lynn to celebrate the Lunar New Year with an elevated night market experience. Each of the eight venues that make up the culinary and nightlife Downtown destination will get in on the action, serving up a different chef-driven dish (think Wagyu with Sichuan chimichurri or fire-roasted Hokkaido scallops with white-truffle chili crunch). In between bites, try your luck at the Mahjong lounge. Unlimited food is included in your ticket price; a VIP ticket will get you access to a three-hour open bar, plus an after-party.

Both the Grove and the Americana at Brand observe Lunar New Year with the type of polished, curated displays that you’ve come to expect from the L.A. shopping meccas. Some stores and restaurants are offering special promotions and limited-time items for the holiday, and if you’re a Caruso Signature member, you can pick up a lucky red envelope and a collectible tote bag with custom embroidery on February 21 at the Grove and February 22 at the Americana (non-members might also be able to snag an envelope while supplies last—check with the Caruso Concierge). For some free fun, swing by the Americana that afternoon for a parade (1–4pm) featuring traditional lion and dragon dances, as well as performances by the Korean Dance Team and live music.

The Pacific Asia Museum’s galleries have been closed for months in preparation for this immersive new exhibition, which is taking over the entire museum and marks a new, artist-centered shift to its programming. The ambitious show will use the visual language of mythology to take visitors on an immersive journey through the immigrant experience, combining objects from USC PAM’s 5,000-year-spanning historical collection with new media technology and works by over 20 contemporary artists, led by L.A.-based Korean American muralist Dave Young Kim. Highlights include a wrap-around video installation in a reconstructed airplane cabin and an AI feature that puts visitors in the shoes of an immigrant. Along the way, mythical creatures—dragons, cranes, guardian spirits and shapeshifters—nod to intergenerational legacies.

Got a list of L.A. museums you haven’t visited yet? Clear your calendar for Museums Free-for-All, when museums all over the region throw open the doors for free admission. Nearly 30 museums will drop their admission fees on Sunday, February 22. It’s the perfect opportunity to knock a couple of cultural to-dos off your list, like the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, LACMA, the Autry, the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, Craft Contemporary, the Skirball and more. You’ll still have to pay to see any exhibitions that require a special ticket and for parking, but we can’t say no to free admission.

Black-owned, artist-first fair BUTTER will make its L.A. Art Week debut this month at Inglewood’s Hollywood Park. Spotlighting the work of 40 artists—a range of independent, emerging, mid-career and established names, including many from Los Angeles—the fair notably highlights the artistry of the African diaspora and gives 100% of art sales proceeds directly to the artists, cultivating a sense of community in the process. 

Whether or not you follow soccer, you probably know by now that Los Angeles is hosting eight matches of the World Cup in summer 2026. In celebration of its arrival, this LACMA show will display Lyndon J. Barrois Sr.’s ode to the world’s most beloved sport. The artist’s miniature “sportraits” re-create classic moments in both women’s and men’s soccer using materials like gum wrappers, glue and paint—even if you’re not a sports fan, the playful sculptures and stop-motion animations will win you over.

Every year, the L.A. Zoo hosts an animal-filled celebration of the Lunar New Year. (2026 is the year of the horse, and though the zoo may not be home to horses, you can see their cousins, the zebras.) Take a self-guided tour through the animals of the Chinese zodiac, watch special feedings of the zoo’s inhabitants, and write down your hopes for the new year on the Wall of Well Wishes. You can also catch the Asian Arts Talents Foundation’s Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese dance performances, as well as calligraphy demos and Chinese fan decorating. All weekend activities are included in the price of zoo admission.

Step back into the era of grunge, supermodels and the dawn of the internet at this free exhibition at the ASU FIDM Museum in DTLA. This retrospective explores the decade’s spirit of rebellion and experimentation, featuring high-fashion couture from icons like Vivienne Westwood and Gianni Versace alongside the flannel shirts, slip dresses and bold prints that defined everyday style. Through a curated mix of garments, vintage magazines and video footage, visitors can trace how 1990s innovation continues to shape contemporary trends.

Santa Monica Place is welcoming the Year of the Horse with red and gold lanterns, cherry blossom wishing trees, arts and crafts for kids and shopping deals for adults. Stop by on the afternoon of February 21 for a free, family-friendly event—expect Chinese lion dance performances and martial arts demos, dough and balloon artists, live music and special Lunar New Year blessings spelled out by a calligraphy artist. While you’re there, pick up a red envelope with exclusive offers from the shopping center’s retailers and restaurants, valid through March 2.

You’ve probably seen the nostalgic black-and-white photos of Los Angeles on LA Explained’s Instagram account. And now you can see historical sites in person on its walking tour series, where, instead of just your typical tourist spots, you’ll also see often-overlooked landmarks, historic homes, architectural gems and hidden pathways and hear stories about the city’s history and rise of the film industry. The current lineup includes tours through Hancock Park and Windsor Square, Melrose Avenue, Whitley Heights and Sunset Boulevard, and some even include snacks and shopping at select spots on the itinerary.

Head to Benny Boy Brewing for a free Lunar New Year concert by multilingual singer and accordionist Jessica Fichot, who returns to channel the swing era of Shanghai with her band. Expect to hear classic Chinese New Year songs, jazz songs sung in Mandarin and Mandopop. Pair pours from the Lincoln Heights brewery and cider house with food from Yakitori Cartel (noon–6pm) and Zef BBQ and the Dumpling Dream (6–11pm). The San Gabriel Valley Chinese Cultural Association will close out the night with drumming and roaming lion dancers.

First up on the Academy Museum’s 2026 calendar is a deep dive into Studio Ghibli’s Ponyo. One of Hayao Miyazaki’s most beloved films, Ponyo was notable for its focus on hand-drawn animation, with not only the characters but the backgrounds drawn frame-by-frame rather than using animation cels or CGI. Last year, Studio Ghibli donated original production materials to the Academy Collection, so this show will highlight those items, including art boards, posters, a Studio Ghibli animation desk and original drawings—some of which will be displayed in North America for the very first time—pairing them with immersive and interactive elements like an animation table and a play environment for kids.

The Museum of Latin American Art celebrates Black History Month with cultural performances, workshops and artist conversations during this free family festival. Enjoy DJ sets, Afro–Puerto Rican music, Cuban dancers, drumming and more at this celebration of the cultural diversity of the Americas and the African influence in Latin America. MOLAA’s free event also includes a bunch of food vendors and art workshops.

We’re pretty spoiled when it comes to live scores in Los Angeles, whether it’s orchestra-backed screenings at the Hollywood Bowl or ensemble-accompanied showings at iconic movie palaces. Time to add another very cool entry to that second category: Wordless Music, Sister Midnight and KCRW will host a series of live scores of A24 films at the architecturally-stunning United Theater on Broadway in Downtown L.A. The lineup includes Under the Skin (Feb 20) with the 30-person Worldless Music Orchestra, Pearl (June 12) and Heriditary (Oct 23) with a 40-member variation of the same ensemble, and Eighth Grade (Dec 11) featuring a three-person electronic outfit.

Not to be confused with a similarly named fest at L.A. State Historic Park a few years ago, this Skyline comes from mega promoter Insomniac. For the fifth edition of the fest, held now next to the Sixth Street Viaduct at Ace Mission Studios, you’ll find Richie Hawtin, Marco Carola, Chris Stussy, I Hate Models, Joseph Capriati, VTSS and many more on the house and techno-heavy lineup that celebrates the city’s underground scene.

“Let’s hang out at the Pier” is something Santa Monica locals probably say next to never, but this monthly series is trying to change that. Every third Thursday from September to May, you’ll find everything from live music to storytelling to a classic car show on the Santa Monica Pier, all free to attend. 

The historic theater is putting on a mix of music, film, theater, dance and comedy programs to mark the Lunar New Year during this multi-week festival, which kicks off the playhouse’s year-long spotlight on Asian and Asian American voices. Highlights include a performance by experimental pop artist Jett Kwong (Feb 20); Tam Tran Goes to Washington, a family-friendly play put on by the East West Players (Feb 21); the first public screening of a documentary about composer Earl Kim (Feb 21); a laugh-out-loud show by the first and longest-running Asian American improv troupe, Cold Tofu (Feb 21); and an afternoon of dance by the Vietnamese American Thủy Vân Dance Company (Feb 22). See the full lineup of events here.

Join in one of L.A.’s oldest traditions at the 127th annual Golden Dragon Parade. The colorful procession of lion dancers, dance troupes, music groups and more will make its way through Chinatown (kicking off at Hill Street at Temple, traveling toward Bernard, then right onto Broadway then back to Broadway & Temple) on Saturday, February 21, from 1 to 4pm. The parade historically coincides with a free Lunar New Year festival in the Central Plaza as well.

RECOMMENDED: Lunar New Year in Los Angeles

It’s an event, to say the least, when the world’s biggest cartoon band brings its chart-topping show to town. Murdoc & Co. are of course helmed by Damon Albarn and cult cartoon artist Jamie Hewlett, with a cast of impressive (as in, spit-out-your-drink-impressive) collaborators. Albarn and the Gorillaz live band will be performing upcoming album The Mountain in full, joined by special guests, during two one-off dates at the Palladium this February.

Scope out dozens food and craft booths while dragon dances, kung fu demonstrations, live candy sculpting and other entertainment play out across a street festival. For those new to celebrating the holiday, the fest’s “cultural passport” experience teaches you how different regions celebrate Lunar New Year. This annual event takes place just on Alhambra’s Main Street and celebrates the diversity of the San Gabriel Valley.

This South Bay Lunar New Year celebration offers live entertainment, dancers, arts and crafts, food trucks and more at Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles. The free, family-friendly event typically boasts a petting zoo, too, where visitors can get close to roosters, sheep, goats and pigs—maybe even horses in honor of the Year of the Horse. Parking is also free; head to 22nd and Miner streets to park and catch a free ride to the event from the San Pedro Downtown Trolley. 

Participate in a 5K or 10K run/walk, a 2K dog walk, a kiddie run or a 20- or 50-mile bike ride that will take you along the L.A. River and through Griffith Park during this weekend-long Lunar New Year tradition centered in the heart of historic Chinatown. All courses start and end at Chinatown Central Plaza, which will host a concurrent, free family-friendly festival with a beer garden, kids’ activities and live entertainment, if you want to celebrate without breaking a sweat. Don’t miss the weekend opening ceremony, with lion dancers and the traditional lighting of 100,000 firecrackers. Check the website for a detailed schedule of events.

Coinciding with the Firecracker Run’s Paw’er Dog Walk, this third annual Lunar New Year celebration specifically caters to dogs and their owners. The Blossom Plaza event includes Year of the Fire Horse–themed pet photography sessions and custom portraits, plus shopping from local pet-centric businesses and cultural activities. 

Celebrate the history, diversity and wildlife of our fair city with the locally beloved Bob Baker Marionette Theater. This puppet-filled ode to L.A. first debuted in 1981 for the city’s bicentennial, and while it retains its retro charm, it’s been refreshed for 2026 with new animal puppets and updates that reflect Los Angeles today.

Comedy renaissance man Paul Scheer leads this always-excellent mix of improvisers, who perform monthly at Largo. Regular guests include the likes of Rob Huebel, Jason Mantzoukas, Rob Riggle, Carl Tart, Seth Morris, Mary Holland, Owen Burke, Edi Patterson, Tim Baltz and more.

Explore the Autry into the evening at the Griffith Park museum’s Thursday-night series that spotlights the city’s emerging and established artists, musicians, poets and writers. Programming ranges from free salsa lessons to DJ sets to old-timey radio plays. The museum galleries stay open late, too, plus drinks and food trucks are also on offer.

The beloved late singer, who’s ascended to music and fashion icon status since her untimely death in 1995, is the focus of a new show at the Grammy Museum. Co-curated by the singer’s sister, Suzette Quintanilla, the exhibition peeks behind the curtain of Selena’s life, artistry and career, exploring how her legacy continues as a symbol of empowerment for both young women and Latin communities. Though the exhibition is limited to a single gallery on the fourth floor, it’s packed with iconic items: You can see the singer’s personal artifacts displayed for the first time outside of the Selena Museum in Corpus Christi, Texas, including her Grammy Award, cellphone, hand-drawn fashions and microphone, still marked with her signature red lipstick. In preparation for the opening, artist Mister Toledo created a mural of the singer outside the museum.

Robert Therrien’s Under the Table has long been one of the most popular pieces in the Broad’s collection (you know the one—the giant table and chairs that you ask your friend to snap a photo of as you stand underneath). Well now the museum is hosting the largest-ever solo exhibition of the artist’s work, displaying more than 120 pieces, including many that have never been shown in museums before. Expect more huge housewares and striking works, plus some intimate drawings and surprises from the late L.A.-based artist. The specially ticketed show will fill the first-floor galleries through April 5, 2026.

Anonymous feminist art collective the Guerrilla Girls—whose members gained notoriety for donning gorilla masks and fighting the patriarchy—is coming up on its 40th anniversary, and the Getty Center is marking the occasion with a behind-the-scenes look at the group. See photography, protest art and the group’s famed posters—sporting statistics, bold visuals and satirical humor—that showcase the tactics the members used to demand recognition for women and artists of color. The Guerrilla Girls have even created a newly commissioned work for the exhibition. And you can add your own mark on the “graffitti wall” installation, giving visitors a creative outlet for their complaints about the world today. 

Don’t go in the water, but do go to the Academy Museum to see the largest exhibition ever dedicated to Steven Spielberg’s original summer blockbuster, Jaws—which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The museum was already home to the last surviving model shark from filming, but now you can go behind the scenes and see some 200 original objects from the film across multiple galleries. Some highlights: a re-creation of the Orca fishing boat, the dorsal fin used both in Jaws and its sequels, costumes worn by the central trio and a room full of vintage film posters and merch promoting the film. There are interactive elements, too: You can have your own Chief Brody dolly-zoom moment (and see the lens used to film the famous shot), play the iconic John Williams two-note score and control a replica of the mechanical shark.

The Natural History Museum’s taxidermy dioramas turn a century old this year, and to celebrate the museum is reviving an entire hall of displays that’ve been dark for decades. Expect some fresh approaches to these assembled snapshots of the wilderness, including alebrijes made of recycled materials, a crystalline depiction of pollution and a tech-driven display of the L.A. River.

The California Science Center is inviting kids to get in the game with a new 17,000-square-foot exhibition about the power of play and the human body in motion. Besides teaching about the science behind sports, it also offers interactive challenges and video coaching from a team of Los Angeles-based mentor athletes including dancer Debbie Allen, the Dodgers’ World Series hero Freddie Freeman, Olympic medalist softball player Rachel Garcia and more. And for the first time ever, the center has commissioned public art—all by local artists—to complement the exhibition, including a Dodgers mural by Gustavo Zermeño Jr. The free exhibition will run at the Science Center through the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Following the release of his new film, Mickey 17, director Bong Joon Ho steps into the spotlight at the Academy Museum’s latest “Director’s Spotlight” exhibition (past subjects have included Spike Lee and Agnès Varda). The first-ever museum show dedicated to the Oscar-winning South Korean filmmaker will trace Ho’s career, creative process and cinematic influences. See over 100 storyboards, research materials, posters, concept art, creature models, props and on-set photos from the director’s archive and personal collection.