Plan ahead and discover annual regional events in Southern California — local festivals, creative cultural gatherings, and seasonal celebrations — all worth the detour.

In September, Palm Springs delivers LGBTQ+ Cinema Diverse and Scorsese films on the big screen, while Eric Clapton hosts his seventh Crossroads guitar festival in LA. In October, there’s a weekend of design in Palm Springs and the Halloween Carnaval in West Hollywood for party lovers. November sees the Greater Palm Springs Pride and the LA Auto Show.

 

Special Events in Southern California: Worth the Detour

 

POKÉMON X KOGEI | Playful Encounters of Pokémon and Japanese Craft
Now through January 7, 2024, Los Angeles

A masterful union of two of Japan’s most celebrated icons – centuries-old craft (including lacquer, ceramics, and textiles) seen through the imagined world of Pokemon.

Cinema Diverse Film Festival
September 14-24, 2023, Palm Springs

International film festival presenting LGBTQ+ cinema from around the world. Feature films to short films at the Palm Springs Cultural Center.

PS Rewinds: Summer of Scorsese
September 16, 2023, Palm Springs

See the master’s films on the big screen, the way they were meant to be seen. Think epics: Taxi Driver and Mean Streets, both set in New York and Casino, set in Las Vegas.

Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival
September 24, 2023, Los Angeles

The seventh of these festivals in aid of Crossroads Centre Antigua, legendary Eric Clapton brings together guitarists, past present, and future. Trade guitars and tech stuff too.

Mini Modernism Week
October 19-22, 2023, Palm Springs

Ahead of February’s Modernism Week, celebrate mid-century architecture and design. The weekend features more than 50 events and 45 decorative and fine arts dealers.

Dia de Los Muertos
October 28, 2023. Los Angeles

8th Annual: The Hollywood Forever Cemetery provides the perfect setting to commemorate the Day of the Dead. It features vibrant traditional costumes, musical performances, altars, and calaca (skeleton) makeup.

West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval
October 31, 2023, West Hollywood

One of the largest Halloween street parties in the world, this event features live entertainment, fantastic costume contests, and full-on revelry on Santa Monica Boulevard.

Greater Palm Springs Pride
November 4, 2023, Palm Springs

Celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in Palm Springs, this event features a parade, festival, and a series of parties, bringing together locals and welcoming visitors.

LA Auto Show
November 17-26, 2023, Los Angeles

116 Annual: Test drives and rides, latest models, custom and exotic cars – the LA Auto Show unveils the world’s greatest automotive and mobility innovations.

Kali, Artographer, 1932-2019
November 19, 2023-April 8 2024, Palm Springs

The works and life of Kali, formerly Joan Archibald. who experimented with film techniques for decades, leaving an extraordinary legacy of alternative photography. At the Palm Springs Art Museum.

 

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Full Calendars of Events

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