The Most Exciting Events in Los Angeles & Nearby Cities This February
Cards on the table, California in February doesn’t get the hype it deserves.
Summer gets Instagram posts. December gets the holiday sparkle. But February? February is California’s cool, low-key overachiever. Meanwhile, it's the month where the crowds thin out, the sun still shows up to work, and the event calendar somehow explodes with festivals, concerts, art shows, food fairs and cultural celebrations. And the California weather in February? Mild, sunny and just cool enough to justify a stylish jacket you don’t actually need by noon. If you have been searching for places to visit in February, this is your sign. California quietly turns into a playground this time of year, minus the peak-season chaos.
One thing to know: February events aren’t neatly in one spot. They are scattered across neighborhoods and cities. You might brunch in Santa Monica, catch a concert in Hollywood and end the night at a festival downtown. That’s why groups who travel together smartly have the most fun. TourVanGo has spent years transporting groups to festivals, concerts and private events across the state, and the pattern is clear: when everyone rides together, the trip feels smoother and way more fun.
So here’s your 2026 guide to the best February events across California.
February Events in Los Angeles You Shouldn’t Miss
When it comes to February events in Los Angeles, the city basically says, “Why choose one vibe when you can have all of them?” LA in February is part art gallery, part concert hall, part sports arena, and part global food festival.
The art world shows up big with Frieze Los Angeles 2026 which runs February 26-March 1, 2026 at Santa Monica Airport, with public days open February 27-March 1, and ticket prices for general admission are typically around $85-$106.50 (students/youth cheaper and preview/VIP higher), and children 2 years and older require a ticket while kids under 2 enter free when accompanied by an adult.
For a few days, the city fills with international artists, collectors and people who look effortlessly stylish while pretending not to check price tags. Even if you don’t know modern art from a modern couch, the installations and atmosphere are worth it.
Then Lunar New Year rolls in and turns parts of LA into a full cultural celebration. Chinatown, the Port of Los Angeles and nearby Alhambra light up with lion dances, fireworks and some of the best street food you’ll find all year. It’s loud, joyful and incredibly welcoming. Chinese New Year 2026 falls on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, ushering in the Year of the Fire Horse and kicking off a traditional 15-day Lunar New Year (Spring Festival) celebration that runs through early March.
Sports fans get their moment too. NBA All-Star Weekend 2026 brings celebrity sightings, fan events and watch parties all over the city. It runs Feb 12-15, 2026, with fan events, Rising Stars and celebrity games, All‑Star Saturday, and the All‑Star Game on Feb 15 at 5 p.m. PT, with ticket prices from $45+ for early events up to $1,000+ for VIP or floor seats.
And of course, LA doesn’t do quiet concert months. Los Angeles’s live music scene in February 2026 is packed with shows ranging from intimate club nights to arena tours, including Galdive at The Roxy on Feb. 2, hip‑hop legend GZA with a live band Feb. 4‑5, pop and R&B acts like Say She She and Jessie J in early February, blockbuster performances by Cardi B (Feb. 15‑16) and Lady Gaga’s The MAYHEM Ball throughout mid‑ to late February, experimental and indie sets like Sudan Archives (Feb. 20) and Gorillaz at the Hollywood Palladium (Feb. 22‑23), metal theatrics with Ghost (Feb. 23), and folk‑rock with Brandi Carlile (Feb. 27), with tickets varying by artist and venue but generally available now through official and resale platforms.
Because everything is spread across Downtown, Hollywood, and the Westside, many groups plan full-day adventures, and somehow still wish they had more time.
For Groups Planning a Full Weekend
People who are searching for things to do in California in February often end up building full weekend plans in LA. A typical day might look like this: art fair in the afternoon, sunset dinner, concert at night, late-night dessert run after. Repeat. The real challenge isn’t planning fun, it's surviving LA traffic without turning on each other. Traveling together keeps the mood fun. No splitting into cars, no lost friends, no 20-minute parking debates. Just good music, good company and someone else handling the driving.
What to Do in Burbank & Glendale in February
If downtown LA feels like too much main-character energy, Burbank and Glendale are your chill but still-cool alternatives. Burbank is basically where Hollywood goes to work. Studio screenings, fan events and film-related experiences pop up often in February. If your group loves movies or TV, this city feels like a behind-the-scenes pass.Glendale brings a slower but stylish vibe. Live theater, cultural shows and community festivals make it ideal for a relaxed but still social night out. Plus, the restaurant scene here is seriously underrated.These cities are perfect when you want fun without fighting mega crowds.
February Events in San Diego for Groups & Weekend Trips
San Diego in February feels like a vacation that forgot to be stressful. The weather in San Diego in February is one of its biggest flexes. Sunny, mild and perfect for being outdoors all day. You’ll see people at the beach in hoodies and sunglasses, classic California contradiction. Museum Month lets you explore dozens of museums at discounted rates, which is great for culture lovers or anyone who enjoys pretending they are “learning while traveling".
The San Diego Lunar New Year Festival adds color and celebration to the month. The festival takes place on February 13-15, 2026, running all day each day at Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park in San Diego’s City Heights neighborhood, and admission is free for visitors of all ages to enjoy traditional performances, food, cultural activities and entertainment.
Food and craft beer festivals keep the social calendar full. The 15th annual San Diego Brew Fest is scheduled for January 10, 2026 at NTC Park in Liberty Station, with General Admission around $50 (1 p.m.–4 p.m.) and Early Admission around $65 (noon-4 p.m.) for unlimited beer samples and live music.
The Rum Curious Summit 2026 takes place Saturday, February 21, 2026 from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the JULEP Venue in San Diego, with ticket prices ranging from about $20+ for designated drivers to around $95+ for general admission and up to $150+ for VIP experiences featuring seminars, tastings and exclusive rum access, and the event is for ages 21+ given the nature of the spirit tastings.
And then there’s whale watching. February is peak migration season, and seeing whales in the wild tends to make even the most serious adults act like excited kids. San Diego is ideal for groups who want fun without frenzy.
Music, Culture & Parades in San Francisco
San Francisco in February is where culture lovers feel at home.
If you are wondering what to do in San Francisco in February, start with the Noise Pop Festival. It runs February 19 through March 1, 2026, with hundreds of performances and events across more than two dozen venues in the San Francisco Bay Area, from indie rock and jazz shows to art talks and after-hours sets. General festival badges are around $300 for full access, while individual show tickets vary depending on the artist and venue.
Because events take place in a mix of clubs and halls, age limits range: many evening shows are 21+, while some daytime and all-ages events are open to everyone. Indie music, film and art spread across multiple venues turn the city into one big creative hub.
Then comes the Chinese New Year Parade, one of the largest outside Asia. Giant floats, performances, fireworks and packed streets make it unforgettable. Winter food and wine events across the Bay Area highlight seasonal flavors, and tech conferences bring global energy to the city. Between SoMa, Chinatown and the waterfront, you can build a full itinerary without repeating a vibe.
Food & Local Festivals in Sacramento
Sacramento is the quiet overachiever of February destinations. The city’s farm-to-fork culture shines with seasonal pop-ups, chef events and local markets. Craft beverage festivals draw social crowds who appreciate good drinks and good company. Art walks and local markets add personality, making Sacramento great for groups who love shared experiences over flashy scenes.
Romantic & Seasonal Events Across California
February brings romance, but not just the candlelit-dinner kind. Wine country in Napa and Sonoma feels cozy and social this time of year. Sunset harbor cruises along the coast deliver postcard views. Candlelight concerts are ongoing in many cities in 2026 with multiple show dates (e.g., around late January through March and beyond depending on location), and ticket prices typically start around $35‑$90+ depending on the program and seating zone, with all shows requiring advance online purchase since there are no tickets available at the door. And themed dinners create memorable nights. Valentine’s markets and festivals pop up across the state, but they’re just as fun for friends as they are for couples.
Which City Wins February?
Google might say Paris or New York. But for things to do in California in February, the Golden State quietly dominates.
Los Angeles brings big-city excitement
San Diego offers coastal calm
San Francisco delivers culture and music
Sacramento wins on food and charm.
And with Super Bowl 2026 watch parties and sports buzz happening statewide, February comes with bonus energy.
From February events in Los Angeles to wine country weekends and coastal festivals, California in February is packed with experiences worth planning for. The only thing that can slow down a great trip? Logistics.
That’s why groups heading to concerts, festivals and city-hopping weekends often book a luxury Sprinter van with TourVanGo. Comfortable, stylish and easy, so the fun starts before you even arrive.
Because the best memories don’t start at the event. They start on the way there.