Culture Calendar
Asian festivals, night markets, and culture events in Greater Los Angeles and Orange County.
Santa Anita Park and Alameda County Fairgrounds, California
The 626 Night Market organization says the market returns summer 2026 in Southern and Northern California, with stops at Santa Anita Park and the Alameda County Fairgrounds.
Image: Guillaume Paumier (user:guillom) / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Westminster, California
Orange County's longest-running Vietnamese night market is back for summer: Friday through Sunday evenings, June 19 through August 9, 2026, at Asian Garden Mall in Westminster. Free admission, free parking, and street food worth the drive.
Image: DHN / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Torrance, California
Donguri Republic, Studio Ghibli's official merchandise shop, opened its first U.S. pop-up June 23 at Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance with 400-plus licensed items through December 31, 2026.
Image: Studio Ghibli via VIZ Media
Anaheim, California
Orange County's largest temple Obon fills a July weekend with taiko, bon odori, and a full festival food lineup: July 18–19, 2026 at Western High School in Anaheim. Free to attend, with free parking and shuttle service.
Image: Orange County Buddhist Church
Los Angeles, California
West LA Buddhist Temple Obon runs July 25–26, 2026 in Sawtelle Japantown with bon odori dancing, taiko, carnival games, and Japanese food booths. Saturday hours are 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Sunday 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Image: West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
Gardena, California
Gardena Buddhist Church Obon runs August 1–2, 2026 with taiko, bon odori dancing on the street, food booths, bingo, and carnival games. Festival hours are 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. both days.
Image: Gardena Buddhist Church
Pasadena, California
88rising's Head in the Clouds returns August 8, 2026 at Brookside at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena with KATSEYE, XG, Rich Brian, Dabin.kr, KiiiKiii, and more. Gates open at 2:00 p.m.; curfew is 11:00 p.m.
Image: Goldenvoice / 88rising
Arcadia, California
626 Night Market's summer 2026 Arcadia weekend runs August 14–16 at Santa Anita Park with 200+ Asian food, merchandise, and entertainment vendors. The organizer lists this as the final Southern California stop before Pleasanton.
Image: Guillaume Paumier (user:guillom) / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Los Angeles, California
JANM's free Natsumatsuri Family Festival runs August 15, 2026, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at Terasaki Budokan in Little Tokyo with cultural performances, crafts, and activities for families.
Image: Japanese American National Museum / Photo by Kazz Morohashi
Los Angeles, California
The 18th Los Angeles Tanabata Festival displays kazari at JACCC August 15–23, 2026, during Nisei Week in Little Tokyo.
Image: Los Angeles Tanabata Festival
Los Angeles, California
Nisei Week runs August 15–23, 2026 in Downtown Los Angeles Little Tokyo with the Grand Parade, Plaza Festival at JACCC, coronation ceremonies, and Ondo street dancing to close the festival.
Image: Nisei Week Foundation / Photo by Kevin Kuromi
Anaheim, California
K-PLAY! FEST returns to Anaheim Convention Center August 22–23, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with vendor and artist alley, random play dance, photocard trading, karaoke, food, and fan-hosted K-pop programming.
Image: K-PLAY! FEST
Long Beach, California
Long Beach Buddhist Church Obon runs Saturday, August 29, 2026, with memorial service, taiko, and evening bon odori dancing at the temple.
Image: Long Beach Buddhist Church
Irvine, California
OCO Natsu Matsuri runs August 29, 2026, 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at Tanaka Farms in Irvine with taiko, ondo dancing, a float parade, games, food, a beer garden, and sake tasting. Pre-purchased parking is required; no walk-ins.
Image: Orange County Optimist Club
Los Angeles, California
L.A. Comic Con returns October 30 through November 1, 2026 at the Los Angeles Convention Center with 800-plus exhibitors, 200-plus panels, and dedicated anime programming at Anime and Akiba Station.
Image: L.A. Comic Con
Past Los Angeles listings stay up briefly for recaps and next-year bookmarks.
Los Angeles, California
The City of Los Angeles Lotus Festival returns July 11–12, 2026 at Echo Park Lake, honoring Sri Lankan culture with dragon boat races, two stages of performances, a food court, and the Lights of Dreams lantern event.
Image: Ramsey Isler / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Riverside, California
Spirit of Japan Riverside runs July 11–12, 2026 at White Park with Japanese festival food, sake tastings, cultural programming, and live performances. Hours are 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9:00 p.m. Sunday.
Image: Spirit of Japan
Oxnard, California
Oxnard Buddhist Temple Obon runs Saturday, July 11, 2026, 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with food, dance, and music. Admission is free.
Image: Chuck Kirman / Ventura County Star
Anaheim, California
Taste of Japan runs June 19–21, 2026 at STC Anaheim GardenWalk with free general admission, more than 100 Japanese food and culture vendors, main-stage performances, and a 21+ Kanpai Yokocho sake and beer garden.
Image: Adrian / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Costa Mesa, California
626 Night Market's 2026 Orange County weekend ran May 29–31 at OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa with Asian street food, merch, and live performances. The organizer's next SoCal stop is August 14–16 at Santa Anita Park.
Image: Francisco Anzola / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Film, TV, music, and culture coverage from Goldscene. Not just what's on the calendar.
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Brand Watch
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Today's Radar
Secret released the special mini album Secret Flavor on June 18 at 6 p.m. KST, marking a 12-year group hiatus with a trio lineup of Jeon Hyosung, Jung Hana, and new vocalist Yebin under RBW, led by the title track Ice Cream.
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