1. L.A. County Fair
#1 Festival & Fair
L.A. County Fair offers live entertainment, rides, games, and vendors selling food and crafts. In 2011, attendance surpassed projections and hit 1,491,123, making it the second highest-attended fair in the event’s 89-year history. Next: August 31-September 30, 2012
L.A. County Fair offers live entertainment, rides, games, and vendors selling food and crafts. In 2011, attendance surpassed projections and hit 1,491,123, making it the second highest-attended fair in the event’s 89-year history. Next: August 31-September 30, 2012
Photo: Courtesy of L.A. County Fair
2. Orange County Super Fair
#2 Festival & Fair (up from #3)
Last year the Orange County Super Fair shattered attendance records, drawing more than 1.4 million attendees (up 21 percent over 2010) to what has become one of North America’s largest fairs; it was the seventh largest in 2011, up from the ninth largest in 2010. Next: July-August 2013
Last year the Orange County Super Fair shattered attendance records, drawing more than 1.4 million attendees (up 21 percent over 2010) to what has become one of North America’s largest fairs; it was the seventh largest in 2011, up from the ninth largest in 2010. Next: July-August 2013
Photo: Courtesy of O.C. Fair & Event Center
3. Coachella
#3 Festival & Fair
To meet the massive demand, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival’s producer Goldenvoice expanded the program to two weekends this year. The event takes over the Empire Polo Fields in Indio. Next: April 12-14 & 19-21, 2013
To meet the massive demand, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival’s producer Goldenvoice expanded the program to two weekends this year. The event takes over the Empire Polo Fields in Indio. Next: April 12-14 & 19-21, 2013
Photo: Seth Browarnik/WorldRedEye.com
4. Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
#4 Festival & Fair
The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books’s 17th annual event took over the University of Southern California. After a move last year from that university’s cross-town rival, U.C.L.A., the event packed in more than 100,000 attendees. Next: April 20-21, 2013
The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books’s 17th annual event took over the University of Southern California. After a move last year from that university’s cross-town rival, U.C.L.A., the event packed in more than 100,000 attendees. Next: April 20-21, 2013
Photo: Jerod Harris
5. Abbot Kinney Festival
#5 Festival & Fair
Abbot Kinney Festival draws a laid-back crowd of nearly 150,000. The volunteer-produced event dates back to 1984, offering live music, arts and crafts booths, and food offerings. Next: September 29, 2012
Abbot Kinney Festival draws a laid-back crowd of nearly 150,000. The volunteer-produced event dates back to 1984, offering live music, arts and crafts booths, and food offerings. Next: September 29, 2012
Photo: Colin Young-Wolff
6. Sunset Strip Music Festival
#6 Festival & Fair
Sunset Strip Music Festival draws more than 30,000 attendees to see 100 bands over three days in West Hollywood. Next: August 2013
Sunset Strip Music Festival draws more than 30,000 attendees to see 100 bands over three days in West Hollywood. Next: August 2013
Photo: Nate Christenson
