California, United States — Events
Whale Watching
During the annual migration of the Californian Gray Whale from Alaska to Mexico, whales can be seen passing along the California Coast and numerous whale watching excursions are available from Los Angeles city harbors or further south from the city of Dana Point. In January, the annual Whale Fiesta celebrates the start of the season at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, with a family day filled with activities, exhibitions, contests, arts and crafts, food, music and talks. In March the Dana Point Festival of Whales features fairs, street processions and non-stop entertainment for the whole family.
Chinese New Year Festival
The greatest annual spectacle in Chinatown is the colorful Chinese New Year celebrations, which is famous for its Golden Dragon Parade involving a magnificent procession of painted, undulating dragons. Contests, fairs, firecrackers and lots of authentic food highlight the festivities.
Spring Break
Spring break is traditionally a time of study leave in preparation for the start of the fourth term. However, in America and even Canada the week-long spring break has become synonymous with parties, relaxation and a last chance to let loose before the final slog toward the final exam period a few months later in May. During spring break revelers from across North America descend upon the beaches of Mexico, as well as other beaches in the region, for a week-long party.
International Beer Festival
The biggest beer festival in the city is an annual event that features hundreds of beers from around the world, including Thailand, Japan, England and Germany as well as local brews and allows visitors to taste as much as they like. Live bands and a wide selection of food from local restaurants add to the atmosphere.
Doo Dah Parade
Known as the ‘other’ parade, the Doo Dah Parade began as a parody of the Rose Parade - where the one had a list of rules and regulations and invited performers, the other decided to exult in the opposite with no theme, no judges and no commercials. Every year thousands of marching groups or acts are led through the streets in a colorful procession of humor, eccentricity and mayhem, doing almost anything they please and attracting enormous crowds of spectators along the route. Entries are unusual and entertaining, and have included Dead Rose Queens, The Spawn of Captain James T.
Cinco de Mayo
Although it is actually a Mexican national holiday, Cinco de Mayo (5 May) is equally big in the United States, especially in those states near to the border or with a large Mexican population. The day commemorates Mexican victory over the French in the battle of Puebla in 1862. Throughout various cities across the United States there are many celebrations in bars, pubs, cantinas and restaurants, much like St. Patrick’s Day in March however with more tequila and less green beer. In cities with stronger Mexican populations there may be numerous festivals and traditional dancing.
Uncorked!
The San Francisco Wine Festival is a celebration of wine, providing opportunity to taste, learn about and enjoy wines produced from San Francisco’s local wine-making region. Various events take place along Beach Street including chef demonstrations, wine tasting seminars, and a chocolate and wine pairing seminar.
San Francisco Carnaval
Every Memorial Day weekend, the Mission District hosts San Francisco’s version of the Mardi Gras celebrations with music and dancing, food and craft stalls, contests, street performers, and a parade with lavish floats, marching bands and colorful costumes. The Grand Parade is an exotic celebration of different traditions and cultures from around the world, with floats and dancers depicting vibrant multi-cultural themes, from samba and Chinese Lion dancers, to African drummers, and accompanied by the hip-swinging music of Latin America, Brazil, and the Caribbean.
San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival
The Bay area has been hailed as one of the dance capitals of the country and the annual Ethnic Dance Festival is the most significant contributor to its reputation as such. The festival presents dance styles from around the globe introducing a diverse range of cultural traditions, from Scottish dancers to belly dancing. Weekends only.
Haight Ashbury Street Fair
One of the city’s most famous neighborhoods, Haight Ashbury was the center of the hippie movement in the 1960s, and the summer Haight Street Fair is a vibrant and colorful celebration of its cultural heritage and creative roots. Two stages provide a variety of musical presentations and entertainment, and the streets are filled with food and drinks vendors, art and craft stalls and street performers.
