Love is in the air with tons of events going on across Southern California this February. From Mardi Gras to President’s Day Weekend, there are plenty of events to keep you occupied all month. Check out the full list of events in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego County, and the Inland Empire to spice up your month!Orange County Events:
San Juan Capistrano Kid’s Pet Parade
Saturday, February 15thSignups at 10AM; Parade begins 12PMwww.swallowsparade.comSign-up at 10AM and walk at noon in the San Juan Capistrano Kid’s Pet Parade. Kids between the ages of 5 and 12 can show off their favorite animals and compete in a variety of contests for: Best team costume, Best household pet, Best exotic pet, best farm animal and best bird. Entry fee is $5 and the day also includes food, games and more fun. A special “Judges Choice” prize will be awarded and this winner will be given the opportunity to be in the Swallows Day Parade!
Fight Club OC
Thursday, February 20th7PMsocafights.comHeld at the OC Fair Grounds at the Hangar Building, Fight Club OC sells out so if you’re interested, don’t wait to buy tickets. SoCa Fights will also be returning in March at the Marconi Automotive Museum and The Gardens Casino. The night of MMA and Boxing has the first bout starting at 7PM with doors open at 6PM.
Paws FUR Pink Orange County
Saturday, February 22nd7AM-11AMpawsfurpink.comThis dog-friendly event partially benefits Susan G. Komen Orange County and National Canine Cancer Foundation and celebrates the unconditional love we share with our four-legged family members. Run, walk, or wag your way to better health while raising funds for breast cancer at Irvine Regional Park. The schedule of events includes a vendor expo, 5K fun run, 1-Mile Dawdling Doodle Walk, yoga session, costume contest, and awards.
Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
Friday, February 28th – Tuesday, April 21stBooths located throughout the parkdisneyland.disney.go.comThe perfect time to plan a trip to Disney’s California Adventure is during the Food & Wine Festival. There will be even more Festival Marketplaces to enjoy this year, plus enhanced Festival-inspired menus at existing restaurants and eateries, where you can sip and savor delicious flavors from across the Golden State. Special events throughout the festival include culinary demonstrations, beer and wine tastings and seminars, brewmaster beer dinners, winemaker dinners, and more.
Irvine Park Railroad Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, February 29th – Sunday, March 1st10AM-4PMwww.irvineparkrailroad.comYou can celebrate 24 years of fun at the Irvine Park Railroad Anniversary Celebration with train rides, panning for gold, carnival games, hayrides, face painting and more. Parking is $5 per vehicle and activity tickets are $2 each.
UVSA Tết Festival
tetfestival.org The Tết Festival of Southern California is recognized as the nation’s largest Vietnamese Lunar New Year Festival. The annual celebration only grows every year with more collaborations with local community organizations. Festivities include balut, watermelon, and pho eating contests, youth performances, modern dance, children’s and adult pageants, a culture village and more.
LA Events:
Scotsfestival & International Highland Games
Saturday, February 15th – Sunday, February 16th9AM-6PMqueenmary.comLive out your Braveheart fantasies at the Scotsfestival & International Highland Games held at the Queen Mary. Enjoy professional and amateur competitions in piping, drumming, massed bands, darts, Highland dancing, and Highland athletics. If you’re not interested in the athletics, there’s also whiskey tasting sessions, craft beer samplings, the Queen Mary’s coronation, knighting ceremonies and Wee Highland games for the kids.
Long Beach Mardi Gras Parade & Festival
Saturday, February 15th1PM-5PMlbmardigras.comCarnevale returns with fun for all ages, music performances, shows, Venetian mystery masquerade photography and of course dress up, all with no charge. Produced by Shoreline Village, Long Beach Mardi Gras is a signature annual event that transforms the Village and brings out over 15,000 participants. Dancers, stilt walkers, mimes, clowns, musicians – all are welcome!
Dine Out Long Beach Restaurant Week
Sunday, February 23rd – Saturday, February 20thVarious restaurants across Long Beachdineoutlongbeach.comIf there’s a restaurant you’ve been waiting to try, Long Beach Restaurant Week is the perfect time to indulge. Simply dine at any participating restaurant and enjoy value-oriented prix-fixe menus for lunch and dinner at some of the city’s best restaurants. Check out the website for participating eateries and a chance to start booking your reservations!
LA Cookie Con & Sweets Show
Saturday, February 29th – Sunday, March 1stwww.lacookiecon.comBring your sweet tooth to LA Cookie Con and indulge in everything dessert worthy. Held this year at the Fairplex in Pomona, the event will feature celebrity guests, competitions, samples, vendors, panels, demos, and surprises. The show has sold out for the last four years so get your tickets ASAP.
Los Angeles Lantern Festival
Saturday, March 7th12PM-5PMcamla.org/lalanternfestivalTruly a magical night, admission is totally free for the Annual Los Angeles Lantern Festival held at the Chinese American Museum. The free signature event culminates the Lunar New Year festivities with community booths, museum tours, live entertainment, music, arts & crafts, and food trucks. Enjoy a night of fun and culture beneath the vibrant lanterns. This year will feature magic, dancing, martial arts and more.
Inland Empire Events
Palm Springs Modernism Week
Friday, February 13th – Monday, February 23rdTickets available onlinewww.modernismweek.comIf you love midcentury modern architecture and design, then Palm Springs Modernism Week is the perfect way to enjoy the vintage culture that defines Palm Springs. Now in its 15th year, the annual 11-day festival will feature more than 350 events including the Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale, tours of iconic homes in more than 30 neighborhoods, and the popular Signature Home Tour on both weekends. All events are open to the public and some are even free!
Art Palm Springs
Friday, February 13th – Monday, February 17thOpening Night, Feb. 13thwww.art-palmsprings.comWhile you’re in town for the Palm Springs Modernism Week, don’t forget to stop by the Palm Springs Fine Arts Fair where local galleries will be exhibiting works from over 300 artists, all under one roof. Often referred to as “The Arts Event of the Year” in Palm Springs, the Fine Art Fair showcases everything from painting and sculpture to photography and other visual arts.
Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival
Friday, February 14th – Sunday, February 23rdTickets available onlinewww.datefest.orgCheck out the nightly musical pageant, headline entertainment, Monster Truck and BMX shows, camel and ostrich races (it does exist), date and produce displays, arts and crafts, carnival rides, and deliciously fried fair food. Check out the website for all the details, extra value days, and ticket info. All concerts are included in the price of your festival ticket and this year’s headliners include Chris Janson, Banda Machos, and Mariachi Sol de Mexico®.
Sourdough Bread Festival
Friday, February 22nd – Saturday, February 23rd10AM-5PMhsresort.comLearn about the health benefits of fermented foods, taste the wide-ranging types of fermented foods and learn how to make your own at home with hands-on classes. Held at the Highland Springs Ranch & Inn, tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, and kids are free. Learn more about sourdough bread, local breweries making mead, cider, and beer and more.
Fire & Ice Chili Cook-Off and Craft Beer Festival
Saturday, February 29th11AM-3PMwww.fireandicecorona.orgThe Fire and Ice Chili Cook-off and Craft Beer Festival in Corona is a fun and family-friendly event designed to raise funds for multiple local charitable causes. All of the money raised by this event will be used to further those causes. Winners will be selected for best Texas Red Chili, Mexican Verde Chili, Restaurant Chili, People’s Choice Chili and best beer!
Polar Plunge in Big Bear
Saturday, March 7thActivities begin 10AMwww.bigbear.comBrave the cold waters of Big Bear Lake to help raise funds for the Special Olympics at the annual Polar Plunge. Here’s how it works: Participants race into the frigid waters, decide how deep they’ll go and how long they stay in the water. Dive deep or just dip your toes it, it all goes towards a great cause. And don’t forget to dress up in costume so you don’t miss out on any of the festive fun!
San Diego County Events
California’s American Indian & Indigenous Film Festival
Thursday, February 20th – Saturday, February 22ndHeld at Pechangawww.caiiff.comHeld at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, the California American Indian & Indigenous Film Festival showcases the finest work in American Indian film and media. Check out exclusive viewings, interactive dialogues with industry professionals and panel discussions.
Gaslamp Mardi Gras Celebration
Friday, February 21st – Tuesday, February 25th3-Day Event; 6PM – 2AMgaslampmardigras.comThere are three days of partying going on for the Gaslamp Mardi Gras Celebration. Early bird tickets are already sold out, but there are still tickets available for Friday, Saturday and Tuesday. The party crawl full of beads and brews takes you to over a dozen parties with entertainment and +11 hosted welcome shots for the price of just one ticket.
Sycamore Canyon Trail Races
Saturday, February 29th4:30AM-10:30AMdirtyfeet.us
The Sycamore Canyon Trail Races are run on a loop course in the beautiful Goodan Ranch Sycamore Canyon Preserve just east of San Diego. Races start as early as 4:30AM for early requesters and the cutoff is 10:30PM for the course. Check out the website for more details on relays, course info, and travel.
