L.A. Chinatown Firecracker 5K/10K Runs/Walk, 1K Kiddie Run, 2K PAW’er Dog Walk & 18^th Annual 20/50-Mile Bike Rides — Celebrating 48 years, the L.A. Chinatown Firecracker is one of the largest and oldest running races in the U.S. with its upcoming Lunar New Year run, walk, cycling and dog walk events takes place over the weekend of February 28-March 1, 2026, from the historic Los Angeles Chinatown Plaza.

Each registered participant receives a commemorative 2026 Firecracker race bib, exclusive collectible finisher’s medal, commemorative t-shirt (even for registered kids and dogs), goodie bag, and much more. In addition, participants and guests will enjoy the Lunar New Year Celebration in the heart of historic Chinatown with an opening ceremony filled with lion dancers and the traditional lighting of 100,000 firecrackers. The Firecracker post events festival is a two-day expo including exhibitors, beer garden, vendors, activities for children, plenty of live entertainment, and free to the public.

The 5K run/walk is an out and back course that takes participants past the main entrance to Dodger Stadium. The 10K course is a challenging run through the hills of Elysian Park. From N. Broadway, the course climbs up into the park to higher elevations. The course winds high over the Figueroa Tunnels above the 110 freeway, through tree-lined rolling hills providing a spectacular 180-degree view of the city. The 48^th Annual Firecracker runs are approved 2026 USATF Sanctioned Events.

In Chinese astrology, it’s the year of the Horse. Those born in a horse year are thought to be active, optimistic, and cheerful, and the year itself is associated with adventure, prosperity, and decisive action. It amplifies the Horse’s natural traits of self-reliance and adventurousness, creating a powerful, fast-moving, and sometimes restless force. In 2026, it’s the Fire Horse, known for its kind spirited and passionate drive. With lava lines grazing its body and a glowing tail, the Fire Horse embraces its fiery nature and surpasses all obstacles. It’s also hard to miss the Fire Horse’s tall antlers — a nod to the mythical Qilin, who symbolizes prosperity and longevity, and a blazing ring of fire that encapsulates growth and transformation.

The 48^th Annual L.A. Chinatown Firecracker is produced by the nonprofit L.A. Chinatown Firecracker Run Committee (LACFRC), a group of volunteers who donate their time and energy to organize and stage events and programs promoting healthy lifestyles, fitness, cultural awareness, supports education and encourages community participation. LACFRC continues to give back with proceeds reinvested in the community providing service and programs benefiting elementary schools and local nonprofit organizations.

To date, generous sponsors include CWLab International, Ltd., Angel City Brewery, and San Antonio Winery.

WHEN:
February 28-March 1, 2026

• Sat, Feb 28: 50-mile Bike Ride; 8 a.m. – via Chinatown, LA River Bike Trail, Griffith Park, Burbank, Glendale, Tujunga, La Crescenta, Montrose, La Canada Flintridge,  El Sereno and Lincoln Heights
• Sat, Feb 28: 20-mile Bike Ride; 8:15 a.m. – via Chinatown, LA River Bike Trail, Griffith Park
• Sat, Feb 28: 2K PAW’er Dog Walk; 9 a.m.
• Sun, March 1: 5K Run/Walk; 8:00 a.m.
• Sun, March 1: 10K Run/Walk; 8:40 a.m.
• Sun, March 1: 1K Kiddie Run: 9:45 a.m.; includes Kiddie Fun Zone (Carnival Games, Face Painting, Pony Rides, Arts & Crafts activities, Rock Climbing, Puppet Show, and much more)

WHERE:
Los Angeles Chinatown Central Plaza
943 N Broadway, Downtown Los Angeles 90012

REGISTRATION:  $35 – $75

HOW TO REGISTER AND MORE INFORMATION:
• Firecracker L.A. Website: https://firecracker10k.org/
• Registration: https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/LosAngeles/LAChinatownFirecracker
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefirecracker10k
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firecracker10k/
• Twitter: https://x.com/firecracker10k• Email: info@firecracker10k.org or Call 818-925-8434
• #firecrackerLA; #48years

The Aquarium of the Pacific will host its twenty-fourth annual African American Festival, which features music, dance, historical displays, and the Aquarium’s Heritage Award ceremony. Guests can also experience presentations, including storytelling, hip hop and break dance, drum circles, and live bands during the festival. They can also visit participating booths with displays.

On the Saturday of the festival at 1:00 p.m., the Aquarium will honor the organization Black in Marine Science (BIMS) with the Heritage Award. BIMS is a global network aimed at driving innovation and providing technical assistance in marine science to empower communities worldwide. 

WHEN:          Saturday and Sunday, February 21 and 22, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.           

WHERE:        Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802

COST:           Included with general admission: $44.95 per adult (ages 12+), $34.95 per child (ages 3-11), $41.95 per senior (ages 62+), and free for Aquarium members and children under age three / Reservations required 

INFO:            (562) 590-3100 or aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/african_american_festival/ Reservations required.

Credit: The Aquarium of the Pacific.

Santa Monica Place welcomes the community to ring in Lunar New Year and usher in the Year of the Horse with a free, family-friendly celebration on Saturday, February 21, from 2 – 5 p.m., hosted by comedian Paul “PK” Kim. The celebration features cultural performances, art and activities for all ages, set beneath red and gold lanterns that symbolize good fortune for the year ahead. 

Guests will enjoy traditional Chinese lion dances by Bruce Wen and The Shaolin Entertainment Group, along with martial arts performances by LA Wushu Club, a Los Angeles-based group dedicated to traditional Chinese wushu. Additional event highlights include balloon artistry, live demonstrations by Chinese dough artist Chris Lee and Lunar New Year blessings offered by calligraphy artist Emmy Lam as a special keepsake. Children can explore the Kids Craft Area, while live music performances provide entertainment throughout the afternoon. 

Attendees will receive red envelope offers and promotions from participating retailers and restaurants. Visitors are also invited to share their hopes for the year ahead by hanging wishes on the cherry blossom Wishing Trees located in Center Plaza.

Cherry blossom Wishing Trees, lantern displays and red envelope promotions will be available from February 12 to March 2. 

WHEN

Saturday, February 21, 2 – 5 p.m. 

• LA Wushu Club Martial Arts Performances: 2 p.m. & 3 p.m.
• Lion Dance Performances: 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.

WHERE

Santa Monica Place is located at 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica, at Broadway and Third Street Promenade. The celebration will take place on level one in Center Plaza.

Credit: Santa Monica Place.

Cerritos Towne Center invites the community to celebrate the Year of the Horse at its annual Lunar New Year Celebration. Family-friendly and free to attend, the lively celebration will have incredible Lion Dance performances and talented stilt walkers. There will be festive photo opportunities throughout the center, kids crafts and a Lucky Red Envelope Giveaway for children, while supplies last. 

WHEN:
Saturday, February 21 from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

WHERE:

The Edwards Stadium Courtyard at Cerritos Towne Center

12731 Towne Center Dr, Cerritos, CA 90703

RSVP:

No RSVP required. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit cerritostc.com

Credit: Cerritos Towne Center.

Boleros de Noche is celebrating ten years of preserving Latin America’s most passionate and poetic musical genre in the U.S.. This genre has been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, highlighting its status as a global treasure.

Boleros De Noche has spent the last 10 years organizing high-quality cultural events that unite an intergenerational audience to enjoy live bolero music.

Coming to the historic Bovard Auditorium at USC campus is Boleros de Noche’s ‘Cabaret Series’ on Saturday, February 14, 2026. Featuring Chicago’s Tres De Reyes and Lucía, winner of the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, showcasing her fresh and soulful interpretations.

Tickets Available Now https://bdncabaretseries.eventbrite.com/

Tres de Reyes is a contemporary bolero trio formed in June 2025 to honor and continue the legendary legacy of Los Tres Reyes. Led by Bebo Cárdenas, former lead vocalist of Los Tres Reyes for 15 years alongside founders Gilberto and Raúl Puente, the trio delivers an authentic and deeply emotional sound rooted in tradition.

Joining Cárdenas are brothers Adrián Ramírez and Ab Ramírez, accomplished musicians with extensive experience in bolero and popular music. Both were part of the acclaimed project 4 en Do, directed and produced by Armando Manzanero. Adrián Ramírez is a two-time Latin Grammy Award–winning producer whose credits include Alejandro Fernández, Guadalupe Pineda, Luis Fonsi, and Joan Sebastian.

Tres de Reyes fuses classic bolero romance with fresh arrangements and exceptional musicianship, captivating audiences while honoring a cherished Latin music tradition.

“Lucia” is a 24-year-old vocalist from Veracruz, México, whose singular artistic vision bridges the gaps between Jazz, Latin, and Pop music.  Lucía Gutierrez Rebolloso began her musical journey at two with her parents’ son jarocho band, “Son de Madera,” and studied vocals at Universidad Veracruzana, earning a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies in 2022. She made history as the first Mexican artist to win the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition.

Lucía has collaborated with artists like Natalia Lafourcade and Aloe Blacc and has performed at venues including Carnegie Hall. She recently released her debut album, produced by Grammy-winner Matt Pierson, featuring her interpretations of jazz standards.

For a decade, Boleros De Noche, an annual music event series launched in 2015 as an effort to preserve, uplift, and celebrate Latin American bolero music in Los Angeles.  Since its launch, Boleros De Noche has presented over 15 successful concerts featuring international and local artists. All our events combined have impacted more than 15,000 people.

Over the past three years, Boleros De Noche has reached several major milestones. Our advocacy efforts were recognized by the City of Los Angeles, which officially declared August 5 as Día del Bolero. Among more than 500 applicants for the LA County Performing Arts Recovery Grant, Boleros De Noche was selected as one of only 40 recipients, honoring our meaningful contributions to the Los Angeles performing arts sector.

During this time, the series sold out multiple performances at the Ford Theatre, featuring ®Grammy Award-winning artists like Gaby Moreno and Marisoul from La Santa Cecilia. In 2025, Boleros De Noche expanded nationally, welcoming 1,700 attendees at the Chicago Symphony Center and producing two sold-out Cabaret Series, along with a full 1,200-seat concert at the Ford Theatre.

Stay tuned for more information on upcoming shows at The Ford and La Plaza de Cultura y Artes as part of the 10th anniversary celebration of Boleros de Noche.

Bovard Auditorium at USC Campus

3551 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, CA 90089

Parking Options:

USC Campus Garages: McCarthy Way Structure (near Figueroa & 35th St) and the Royal Street Structure are closest. Payment: Use the Text2Park app (small fee) or Pay-By-Plate kiosks located in the garages; credit cards accepted. Rates: Around $4 per hour, up to $20 daily, potentially higher for major events.

Street Parking: Limited metered spots on Figueroa Street and Jefferson Boulevard (max 4 hours).

Nearby Garages/Lots: You can find other options like the one at 901 W 34th St or 665 W Jefferson Blvd via apps like SpotAngels or Parkopedia, but check for validation or specific event restrictions.

Key Tips: No Free Parking: Don’t expect free, dedicated parking right at the auditorium.

Prices and availability can change during big USC events.

Do not park in “Reserved” spaces.

Get familiar with Text2Park or ParkMobile for ease.

Watch Lucia perform “What A Difference A Day Makes/ Cuando Vuelva A Tu Lado.”

Southern California’s premier theatre company, Musical Theatre West (MTW) is thrilled to open its highly anticipated 2026 season with the bold, moving, and visually striking musical: “Man of La Mancha.” Opening Valentine’s Day Weekend and running select nights from February 13 through March 1 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, the production invites audiences into a world where imagination becomes a lifeline and courage transforms even the harshest realities. Tickets are available by phone at 562-856-1999 or online at musical.org.

DETAILS:

Man of La Mancha unfolds as a story within a story, following Miguel de Cervantes as he invites a community of prisoners to help him bring his tale to life. What begins as a stark, stripped-down world transforms through imagination, humor, and shared belief, as the characters become co-creators in Don Quixote’s quest to see the world not as it is, but as it could be. Blending whimsy with emotional depth, the production celebrates resilience, dignity, and the power of storytelling to set us free. By the final moments, audiences will be left to wonder whether Don Quixote was mad…or simply brave enough to dream out loud.

*This production is rated PG-13 for mature themes, including depictions of violence and sexual assault.

WHEN:

Opening Weekend: Friday, February 13, 2026

Runs through Sunday, March 1, 2026

Select dates and times

Full schedule available at musical.org

WHERE:

Carpenter Performing Arts Center

6200 E Atherton Street

Long Beach, California

TICKETS:

Tickets start at $25 and are available for purchase by phone at 562-856-1999 or online at musical.org. Fees may apply. Student rush tickets for $15 are available at the Box Office one hour prior to showtime, with a valid student ID. 

Credit: MUSICAL THEATRE WEST

Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM, Inc.), in partnership with YAPPY STUDIOS, will bring the Third Street Promenade to life on Saturday, February 14, 2026, as Santa Monica Block Fest Vol. III transforms all three blocks of the Promenade into one of the city’s largest free nightlife and music events to date.

Beginning at 5 p.m., the multi-block celebration will span the 1200, 1300 and 1400 blocks of Third Street Promenade and feature live DJs, custom stages, pop-up bars and immersive nightlife programming, with seasonal Mardi Gras and Valentine’s Day–inspired elements woven throughout the evening.

Santa Monica Block Fest Vol. III reflects the continued evolution of the Promenade under Santa Monica’s Entertainment Zone (EZSM), a city-approved initiative designed to support outdoor drinking, activate nightlife programming, boost foot traffic and drive economic activity for local businesses.

Event highlights include three dedicated stages hosted by LA-based music collectives, with Beat Repeat on the 1200 block, Product Pluto on the 1300 block and YAPPY STUDIOS on the 1400 block. Lounges, themed activations and a diverse lineup spanning house to vinyl sets offer multiple ways to experience the festival. The pop-up bars will keep the energy flowing throughout the Entertainment Zone.

For event updates, schedules and behind-the-scenes previews,  please visit DowntownSM.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook at @DTSantaMonica, as well as TikTok at @DowntownSantaMonica.

Credit: Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM, Inc.)