Calendar of Events

January

Tournament of Roses, Pasadena. A spectacular parade marches down Colorado Boulevard, with lavish floats, music, and extraordinary equestrian entries, followed by the Rose Bowl football game and a nightlong party along Colorado Boulevard. Call tel. 626/449-4100 or see www.tournamentofroses.com for details. January 1.

Native American Film Festival, Los Angeles. Cinematic works by or about Native Americans express their visions, diversity, and ideas. Call the Southwest Museum at tel. 323/221-2164 for the schedule and details. Mid-January.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade, Long Beach. This annual parade down Alameda and 7th streets ends with a festival in Martin Luther King, Jr. Park. For more information, contact the city manager at tel. 562/570-6711. Third Monday in January.

Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, Palm Springs area. Celebrating its 49th year in 2008, this PGA golf tournament classic raises money for charity and includes a celebrity-studded Pro-Am. For spectator information and tickets, call tel. 760/346-8184. Mid- to late January.

February

National Date Festival, Indio (Palm Springs area). Crowds gather for 2 weeks to celebrate the Coachella Valley desert's most beloved cash crop with events like camel and ostrich races, the Blessing of the Date Garden, and festive Arabian Nights pageants. Plenty of date-sampling booths are set up, along with rides, food vendors, and other county-fair trappings. Call tel. 800/811-3247 or 760/863-8247, or visit www.datefest.org. Two weeks in February.

Chinese New Year & Golden Dragon Parade, Los Angeles. Dragon dancers and martial arts masters parade through the streets of Downtown's Chinatown. Chinese opera and other events are scheduled. For this year's schedule, contact the Chinese Chamber of Commerce at tel. 213/617-0396 or visit www.lachinesechamber.org. Late January or early February.

Nissan L.A. Open Golf Tournament, Pacific Palisades. The PGA Tour makes its only Tinseltown appearance at the Riviera Country Club overlooking the ocean. Expect to see stars in attendance. For information, call the Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce at tel. 213/482-1311. Mid-February.

Mardi Gras, West Hollywood. The festivities -- including live jazz and lots of food -- take place along Santa Monica Boulevard, from Doheny Drive to La Brea Avenue, and in the alley behind Santa Monica Boulevard. Contact the West Hollywood Convention & Visitors Bureau at tel. 800/368-6020 for details. Late February or early March.

March

Los Angeles Marathon. This 26-mile run attracts thousands of participants, from world champions to the guy next door; the big day also features a 5K run/walk and a bike marathon on the same route. The run starts in Downtown Los Angeles. Call tel. 310/444-5544 or visit www.lamarathon.com for registration or spectator information. First weekend in March.

Santa Barbara International Film Festival. For 10 days each March, Santa Barbara does its best impression of Cannes. There's a flurry of foreign and independent film premieres, appearances by actors and directors, and symposia on cinematic topics. For a rundown of events, call tel. 805/963-0023. Early to mid-March.

California Poppy Blooming Season, Antelope Valley. Less than an hour's drive north of Los Angeles lies the California Poppy Reserve, part of the state park system. In spring, miles of hillside blaze with brilliant hues of red and orange, dazzling the senses of motorists who flock to witness the display. For information and directions, call tel. 661/723-6077. Mid-March to mid-May. For information on the annual California Poppy Festival, held at full bloom (usually in late Apr), call tel. 661/723-6077 or visit www.poppyfestival.com.

Nabisco Dinah Shore, Rancho Mirage (Palm Springs area). This LPGA golf tournament takes place during the last week of March near Palm Springs. After the celebrity Pro-Am early in the week, the best female pros get down to business. For further information, call tel. 760/324-4546. Other special-interest events for women usually take place around the Dinah Shore, including The White Party, the country's largest annual lesbian gathering.

American Indian Festival and Market, Los Angeles Natural History Museum. At this showcase of Native American arts and culture, the fun includes traditional dances, storytelling, and arts and crafts, as well as a chance to sample Native American foods. Admission to the museum includes festival tickets. For further details, call tel. 213/744-DINO. Late March.

April

Toyota Grand Prix, Long Beach. An exciting weekend of Indy-class auto racing and entertainment in and around downtown Long Beach draws world-class drivers from the United States and Europe, plus many celebrity contestants and spectators. Contact the Grand Prix Association at tel. 888/82-SPEED or www.longbeachgp.com. Mid-April.

Renaissance Pleasure Faire, San Bernardino. This annual event in the relatively remote Glen Helen Regional Park is one of America's largest Renaissance festivals. It features an Elizabethan marketplace with costumed performers. The fair provides an entire day's activities, including shows, food, and crafts. You're encouraged to come in period costume. For ticket information, call tel. 800/52-FAIRE, or log on to the national website, http://renaissance-faire.com. Weekends from late April to Memorial Day.

May

Cinco de Mayo, Los Angeles. A weeklong celebration of the Mexican victory over the French Army in 1862 takes place throughout the city. There's a carnival atmosphere with large crowds, live music, dancing, and food. The main festivities are held at El Pueblo de Los Angeles State Historic Park, Downtown; call tel. 213/628-1274 for information. Other events are held around the city. The week surrounding May 5.

National Orange Show, San Bernardino. An Inland Empire tradition since 1911 -- when there were more orange groves than houses in Southern California -- this weeklong county fair includes stadium events, celebrity entertainment, livestock shows, crafts and food booths, and carnival rides. Call tel. 909/888-6788. Second half of May.

Venice Art Walk, Venice Beach. This annual weekend event, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2004, gives visitors a chance to take docent-guided tours of galleries and studios, plus a Sunday self-guided art walk through the private home studios of more than 50 emerging and well-known artists. For details, call the Venice Family Clinic, which coordinates the event (tel. 310/392-WALK), or visit its website at www.venicefamilyclinic.org. Second half of May.

Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride Parade and Festival, Shoreline Park, Long Beach. There are health-awareness booths, rock and country music, dancing, food, and more than 100 decorated floats. Call tel. 562/987-9191. Second half of May.

Doheny Blues Festival, Doheny State Beach, Dana Point. This festival features great live music (past acts have included the likes of Little Richard, Bo Diddley, and Chuck Berry) on three stages -- blues, rock, and soul -- at a waterfront grass park with two stages at opposite ends of the venue. Arts and crafts vendors, memorabilia, and unique displays surround the International Food Court, with restaurants and beverages of all types. Proceeds benefit the Surfrider Foundation, San Clemente Chapter. Call tel. 949/262-2662 or log on to www.omegaevents.com. Mid- to late May.

June

Playboy Jazz Festival, Los Angeles. Bill Cosby is the traditional master of ceremonies, presiding over the top jazz musicians at the Hollywood Bowl. Call tel. 213/480-3232. Mid-June.

Christopher Street West Festival & Parade, West Hollywood. In its 38th year in 2008, this West Hollywood event is one of the largest lesbian and gay pride festivals and parades in the world. Outdoor stages, disco- and Western-dance tents, food, and revelry culminate in Sunday's parade down Santa Monica Boulevard. Call tel. 323/969-8302 or log on to www.lapride.org. Third week in June.

Los Angeles Film Festival, Los Angeles. With an attendance of over 60,000, the festival showcases more than 175 American and international indies, short films, and music videos during a 10-day event in late June. Call tel. 866/345-6337 or log onto www.lafilmfest.com.

Mariachi USA Festival, Los Angeles. At this 2-day family-oriented celebration of Mexican culture and tradition at the Hollywood Bowl, festival-goers pack their picnic baskets and enjoy music, folkloric ballet, and related performances by top grupos. The all-day, all-night celebration is one of the largest mariachi festivals in the world. For tickets, call tel. 800-MARIACHI or 323/850-2000 (the Hollywood Bowl), or log on to www.mariachiusa.com. Late June.

July

Lotus Festival, Echo Park. Celebrants gather to witness the spectacular blooms of Echo Lake's floating lotus grove. In keeping with an Asian and South Pacific islands theme, the festivities include tropical music and entertainment, ethnic foods, exotic birds, and plenty of lotus-inspired arts and crafts for sale. Admission is free. Call tel. 213/485-8743 for information, or log on to www.laparks.org/grifmet/lotus.htm. Second weekend of July.

Beach Festival, Huntington Beach. Two weeks of fun in the sun featuring two surfing competitions -- the U.S. Open of Surfing and the world-class Pro of Surfing -- plus extreme sports like BMX biking, skateboarding, and more. The festival includes entertainment, food, tons of product booths and giveaways -- and plenty of tanned, swimsuit-clad bodies of both sexes. For more information, call tel. 714/969-3492 or log on to www.surfcityusa.com. End of July.

Festival of Arts & Pageant of the Masters, Laguna Beach. A 60-plus-year tradition in artsy Laguna, this festival centers on a fantastic performance-art production in which actors re-create famous old masters paintings. Other festivities include live music, crafts sales, art demonstrations and workshops, and the grassroots Sawdust Festival across the street. Grounds admission is $3 to $5; pageant tickets range from $15 to $80. Call tel. 800/487-FEST or 949/494-1145; there's online info at www.foapom.com. July through August.

August

Nisei Week Japanese Festival. This weeklong celebration of Japanese culture and heritage -- and L.A.'s oldest ethnic festival -- is held in the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center Plaza in Little Tokyo. Festivities include parades, food, Taiko Drum performances, arts, and crafts. Call tel. 213/687-7193 or log on to www.niseiweek.org. Mid-August.

African Marketplace and Cultural Fair. African arts, crafts, food, and music are featured at this cultural-awareness event. It's one of the largest festivals in the world celebrating the cultures of Africa and the African Diaspora. It's spread over 3 weekends at Rancho La Cienega Park, 5001 Rodeo Rd. Call tel. 323/734-1164 or visit www.africanmarketplace.com. Weekends from mid-August to Labor Day.

September

Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona. Horse racing, arts, agricultural displays, celebrity entertainment, and carnival rides are among the attractions at one of the largest county fairs in the world, held at the Los Angeles County Fair and Exposition Center. Call tel. 909/623-3111 or visit www.fairplex.com for information. Throughout September.

Long Beach Blues Festival. Great performances by blues legends such as Etta James, Dr. John, the Allman Brothers, and Ike Turner make this an event you won't want to miss if you love the blues. Located in the middle of the athletic field at Long Beach State, the event serves cold beer, wine, and food throughout. Call tel. 562/985-5566 or log on to www.kkjz.org. Labor Day weekend.

Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival, Los Angeles. This event pays tribute to the roots of jazz in gospel and blues, as well as celebrating the avant-garde and Latin jazz scene. It's also a great opportunity to visit the Watts Towers. Call tel. 213/847-4646 or log on to www.trywatts.com or www.wattstowers.net. Late September.

October

Catalina Island Jazz Trax Festival. Contemporary jazz greats play at Avalon's legendary Casino Ballroom. This enormously popular festival takes place over 2 consecutive 3-day weekends. Call tel. 760/323-1171 or see www.jazztrax.com for advance ticket sales and a schedule of performers. Early October.

Hollywood Film Festival. More than 50 films from the U.S. and abroad are screened, with celebrities in abundance. There's also a variety of workshops and marketplaces for aspiring actors and filmmakers. Call tel. 310/288-1882 or visit www.hollywoodawards.com for info and tickets. Mid-October.

West Hollywood Halloween Costume Carnaval. This is one of the world's largest Halloween parties. Over 400,000 people, many dressed in outlandish drag couture, party all night along Santa Monica Boulevard. Call tel. 310/289-2525 or visit www.visitwesthollywood.com for info. October 31.

November

American Film Institute's Los Angeles International Film Festival. Some of the biggest names in the international film community gather to see new movies from around the world. Call tel. 866/AFI-FEST or visit www.afifest.com for info and tickets. Early November.

Catalina Island Triathlon. This is one of the top triathlons in the world. Participants run on unpaved roads, swim in the cleanest bay on the West Coast, and bike on challenging trails. There's also a "kid's tri." Call Pacific Sports at tel. 714/978-1528 or visit www.PacificSportsLLC.com. Early November.

Doo Dah Parade, Pasadena. This outrageous spoof of the Rose Parade features such participants as the Briefcase Precision Drill Team and a kazoo-playing marching band. Call tel. 626/440-7379 or visit www.pasadenadoodahparade.com. Near Thanksgiving.

Hollywood Christmas Parade. This spectacular, star-studded parade marches through the heart of Hollywood. For information, call tel. 323/469-2337. Sunday after Thanksgiving.

December

Christmas Boat Parade of Lights. Sailors decorate their crafts with colorful lights. Several Southern California harbors hold nighttime parades. Participants range from tiny dinghies with a single strand of lights to showy yachts with Nativity scenes twinkling on deck. Call the following for information: Ventura Harbor, tel. 805/382-3001; Long Beach, tel. 562/435-4093; Huntington Harbour, tel. 714/840-7542.