LOS ANGELES: Hispanic Festivals

The City of Los Angeles promotes its history through festive celebrations that take place during the year.

If you encounter newcomers to Southern California who primarily speak Spanish, you learn that one of their favorite attractions is Downtown Los Angeles, where Spanish is spokes at Olvera Street and other nearby tourist haunts.

LOS TRES REYES   A celebration of the Epiphany of the Magi (visit of the Three Kings) with music and a colorful theatrical procession on Olvera Street.

FIESTA DE LA CANDELARIA -
El Pueblo Historical Monument
125 Paseo de la Plaza
Los Angeles
Free, calleolvera.com
Fiesta de la Candelaria This final seasonal event commemorates the presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple. Participants may join the procession and bring an elaborately dressed doll to be blessed. Best dressed doll winners will receive a prize. Dia de la Candelaria, aka Candlemas, is observed 40 days after Christmas, on February 2. According to Christian tradition, Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem 40 days after his birth to complete Mary's ritual purification after childbirth. Candlemas takes place on historic Olvera Street in Downtown L.A., featuring the traditional blessing of elaborately dressed dolls that depict the infant Jesus in the Temple. Traditional blessing of elaborately dressed dolls depicting the presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple.

MARDI GRAS CHILDREN'S WORKSHOPS  Fat Tuesday” Olvera Street style with Brazilian singing and dancing, a festive parade and mask making for student groups.

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS This centuries-old tradition of blessing the animals, for the benefits they provide mankind, is celebrated in the Plaza. All pets welcome.

OLVERA STREET  ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION   Celebrating Olvera Street, one of the oldest streets in Los Angeles, a Mexican marketplace opened in the 1930s. Free refreshments.

CINCO DE MAYO Daily Celebration of Mexico's victory over French forces in Puebla, Mexico in 1862 with popular and traditional music, dancing and food.

LOS ANGELES CITY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION  Anniversary of the founding of Los Angeles with Los Pobladores historic re-enactments, artisan demonstrations, exhibits, food, entertainment and plenty of birthday cake!

MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY – Daily. Celebration of Mexican Independence from Spain with popular and traditional entertainment, cultural activities, historic displays, food, artisan exhibits and more. 

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS  Colorful, ancient Mexican ceremony in remembrance of departed loved ones with beautifully decorated altars, exhibits and entertainment. Pre-Columbian Novenario procession and blessings each night 

VIRGEN DE GUADALUPE CELEBRATION  Celebrating the Virgen de Guadalupe's appearance to native Mexican St. Juan Diego in 1531. Food, shopping and family entertainment.

LAS POSADAS This nine night presentation of the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem is portrayed with singing, ballet folklorico entertainment, a candlelight procession on Olvera Street and a children's piñata breaking each evening.

Please note that all festivals are subject to change.

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.