Celebrations
Plan your year with the library! Use our roundup of heritage month celebrations, annual events, and festive gatherings to fill your calendar with free activities for all ages.
Honor the rich diversity of our communities all year long. Head to your local library for live performances and hands-on workshops, or explore our digital heritage pages, book lists, and online resources. Whether in person or online, find new ways to learn, celebrate, and connect.
Heritage and History Months
African American History Month
February
Join us in honoring the rich history, culture, and achievements of African Americans through powerful stories, art, literature, and community legacies.
Women's History Month
March
Celebrating the contributions and achievements of women throughout history.
Arab American Heritage Month
April
Spotlighting Arab American literature, art, and community voices.
Armenian Heritage Month
April
Discover the rich history, culture, and achievements of Armenian Americans. Explore our curated book lists, exhibits, and community resources.
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May
Honoring Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month through events, resources and curated book lists.
Jewish American Heritage Month
May
Celebrating Jewish-American authors, history, and community traditions. Explore book lists and resources.
LGBTQIA+ Pride Month
June
Celebrating LGBTQIA+ literature, history, and community pride.
Latino Heritage Month
September - October
Celebrate Latino Heritage Month with us! Join free bilingual festivals, craft workshops, live music, and author talks, or explore curated book lists, digital collections, and local history stories all month long.
Filipino American History Month
October
Showcasing Filipino heritage, art, and literary traditions.
Native American Heritage Month
Honoring Indigenous cultures, histories, and contemporary perspectives.
Annual Festivals and Special Events
Central 100 Celebration (ongoing) - Celebrating a Century of the Light of Learning
150th Anniversary - Special historic milestone programs celebrating our library's rich history.
Big Read (January) - A community-wide reading program bringing people together around a single book
Lunar New Year (February) - Welcome the Lunar New Year by honoring the rich traditions, vibrant cultures, and shared heritage of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and other Asian communities.
Nowruz Festival (March) - Celebrating the Persian New Year with traditional displays and cultural performances.
El día de los niños/El día de los libros (April) - Connecting children and families to multicultural books and literacy activities.
AAPI Joy Festival - Celebrate the diversity of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities in Los Angeles at AAPI Joy, a free festival for all ages.
June Jubilee/Juneteenth (June) - An annual community gathering featuring music, history, and family activities.
Teens of L.A. Film Festival (July) - Showcasing original short films created by local youth.
Los Angeles Maker Faire (July) - The region's largest celebration of science, creativity, invention, and fun! With hundreds of exhibitors from across California, there is something for everyone.
Los Angeles Libros Festival (September) - Our premier bilingual book festival featuring authors, storytellers, and workshops for all ages.
Diwali (October) - Celebrate the richness of South Asian culture at a vibrant, all-ages Diwali festival, free and open to everyone.
Dia de los Muertos (November) - Celebrate Day of the Dead with stories, music, and art, in Spanish and English, at this fun event for the entire family. Free and open to all.
Seasonal and Cultural Traditions
- New Year Celebrations — Cultural traditions welcoming the new year across diverse communities.
- Fall Traditions - Community programs exploring autumnal customs, crafts, and harvests.
- Winter Celebrations — Holiday programs, crafts, and festive stories from around the globe.
Library Campaigns and Community Initiatives
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January) — Day of service initiatives, lectures, and reflective reading lists.
National Library Week (April) — Celebrating the essential role libraries play in our communities.
Summer Reading Challenge (June-August) — Annual reading goals, incentives, and events for kids, teens, and adults.
Banned Books Week (October) — Raising awareness about intellectual freedom and the freedom to read.
Library Card Sign-up Month (September) — Discover all the resources, tools, and services your card unlocks.
Digital Inclusion Week (October) — Promoting digital literacy, device access, and online equity.
LA Nature Quest (October)— Outdoor exploration, environmental programs, and community science.
Indie-Pendent Voices (November)— Celebrating self-published authors, local zines, and independent media.