Events Guide to LA

16 Awesome Things To Do in LA in February

February may be known as the month of love, but Valentine’s Day isn’t the only thing going down this month! Whether you’re celebrating with fireworks for the Chinese New Year, dancing and dress goth or getting your fill of celebrities, here are 17 awesome things to do in LA in February.

San Pedro First Thursday: February 2

In San Pedro, the first Thursday of every month is celebrated with a bit of art, food and exhibits all more different than the last! With new artists frequenting the scene, rotating exhibits, and new types of food trucks, you’ve got to try to hit this event up! Aside from the trendy food trucks and art, the restaurant scene makes sure to provide you with a culinary experience on this monthly event. It’s quite the walk so make sure to dress comfortably!

Golden Dragon Parade & Chinese New Year Festival: February 4

Happy Chinese New Year! This is not only the year of the rooster but one of L.A.’s oldest traditions going on 118 years! This annual Chinese New Year parade and festival in Downtown’s Chinatown is always going off and overwhelms just about every sight. What can you expect from this tradition? Think East meets West with a little bit of kung fu, traditional music acts, trendy food trucks for noshing and a craft beer garden filled with local breweries. Kids wills also have plenty to do with face painting, storytelling and paper folding.

Street Art House: February 4 – February 10

If you’re into the LA street art scene but don’t like getting stuck in traffic to see it all, you’re in luck! The Street Art House, featuring various artists is hosting an event where you can experience the real sites all in one room! Here you’ll be able to witness new original artwork by some of the most prominent street artists from around the world, along with private collectors and curators. Not to mention that 10% of all the original art sales will support a new after school mural project by LA’s BEST.

Taste of Night Market: February 5-6

If you’re into the 626 Night Market, then you’ll love this. Creators of said market have created an exclusive tasting event on Los Angeles’ Westside. Taste international cuisine from local chefs and up-and-comers in the food industry. Activities and performances will revolve around the theme of the Lunar New Year 2016, the Year of the Rooster!

Lucha VaVOOM: February 8-9

If you’re looking for a visual spectacle, then it’s off to Lucha VaVOOM! This event brings a unique mix of “sexo y violencia” to the Mayan such as its popular Cinco de Mayo performance. You’ll witness good vs. evil played out in a sinful circus of masked Mexican wrestling, burlesque stripteasing and comedic commentating. Sound weird, colorful and crazy? That’s because it is! Drink all the tequila and eat all the tamales you can while you watch Aztec dancers and luchadores like Li’l Cholo and Crazy Chickens.

Lady and the Tramp Screening: February 10-19

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, what could be more romantic than seeing the Disney’s famous love story between Lady and the Tramp? Fun fact: Did you know that the script evolved out of years of personal pet stories shared by the studio’s animal-loving writers and executives? How adorable! This timeless classic is playing at El Captian around Valentine’s Day. You can also reenact the famous spaghetti scene yourself at a candlelit dinner before the movie, catered by Miceli’s.

Mortified Doomed Valentine’s Show: February 11

Imagine a show and tell of people’s most embarrassing, awkward, and seminal moments throughout their lives. That is what you’ll get at Mortified Doomed Valentine’s Show. Here, you can celebrate (or commiserate) February 14th with the various stories of past V-Days gone wrong. All ages are welcome, but there will definitely be beer and wine served to drink away the pain of the awful stories told.

 

Edwardian Ball: February 11

San Franciscans know this tradition all too well. devoted to the macabre work of writer and illustrator Edward Gorey and the Edwardian era (1901-1910), that has spread to our very own Los Angeles! Simply step into the past to a time of darkness and glamour at this costume and dance party. The party will have live music, themed stage shows, an absinthe bar and parlor games. This year’s ball will showcase Gorey’s “whodunit” noir classic, “The Deadly Blotter,” with a live version of the story accompanied by original music, choreography and circus theatrics. If you’re looking for costume inspiration, Victorian, steampunk, or goth.

Cupid’s Undie Run: February 11

Have you ever seen a group of people run around LA in their underwear mid-winter? Then you’ve probably witness the Cupid Undie Run! This annual, Valentine’s Day tradition allows you to run around Santa Monica in your undies! But it’s all for a good cause! The event raises money for the Children’s Tumor Foundation, so dressing down to your skivvies is actually quite charitable this time of year! The party starts at noon at the Victorian and the run kicks off at 2pm.

L.A. Chinatown Firecracker Run: February 11-12

Another healthy tradition is the Firecracker Run held in Chinatown every year. You can participate in the 5K or 10K and even try the 20 or 30-plus mile bike ride help in the Chinatown Central Plaza! This family-friendly event is the perfect way to get the whole family healthy and out in a part of town you might not otherwise visit!

The LA Girl Society Sees Fifty Shades Darker and Laduree Macarons: February 12th

If you love Valentine’s Day but don’t have a Valentine, you’re in luck! The LA Girl Society is hosting its second, girl’s only event of 2017! Nosh on delicious Laduree Macarons at the Grove before enjoying the second installment to the Fifty Shades series, Fifty Shades Darker. This event is indulging in all things, sexy, girly and Valentine’s Day-esque!

Chocolate and Art Show: February 17-18

Chocolate and art all in one place? If this sounds like your very own version of heaven then you can’t miss this event happening over the course of two days! This unique, underground event allows artist to showcase their work all while promoting the nonprofit organization Artist for Trauma. In addition to the masterpieces you will witness, there will be live music, body painting, a chocolate fountain, and lots of food!

Air + Style: February 18-19

Looking for something a little extreme? Shaun White’s two-day ski and snowboarding fest at Expo Park is perfect for you adrenaline junkies. The centerpiece of the extreme sport showcase is a massive ski slope that will occupy a field adjacent to the stadium. In addition to the snowboarders that take to the slopes on both days, there will also be some entertaining sets from Major Lazer, Flume, TV on the Radio, Vince Staples and more.

AirTalk’s FilmWeek Oscar Preview: February 19

Who’s ready for a star-studded event? Public radio station KPCC’s weekly show “FilmWeek” will once again record its yearly preview of the Academy Awards in front of a live audience. You can gain expert insight into the upcoming Oscars and hear critics debate who’s likely to take home an Oscar. Host Larry Mantle will talk to the show’s in-house film critic cast.

Bob Baker Day: February 25-26

Bob Baker is turning 93! And we’re celebrating this man at his very own Bob Baker Marionette Theater with puppet shows, live music, comedy and more. Last year’s festivities included a performance by DJ Lance Rock and the Yo Gabba Gabba crew, a community show and a variety show with ventriloquism from Beakman World’s Paul Zaloom and a juggling act from Lindsay Benner. The celebration spills out onto First Street with an outdoor stage of puppet shows and live music, plus art displays and puppetry workshops. Bob Baker puppeteers will also present behind-the-scenes tours in between shows.

LA Art Book Fair: February 23-26

Finally, Printed Matter presents LA Art Book Fair where you can enjoy several artists’ books, catalogues, monographs, periodicals and zines all for free! Bibliophiles will be impressed to find over 250 international presses, booksellers and independent publishers from twenty-one countries come together to share in their own West Side version of the New York’s Art Book Fair.

If you’re looking for more things to do in LA, check out our Guide to LA section, Best Places to Shop in LA post or 50 Awesome Things to do With Kids and Family!