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Best Spring Festivals Near Los Angeles

610 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival - Weekend 1 - Day 2
(credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

It doesn't take much getting locals of Southern California out and about playing in the sun and celebrating springtime. There is so much to do year-round in the Los Angeles area, but there is something different about springtime. The spring festival lineup is inviting this year. While time travelers love the elaborate nature of the Renaissance Faire, music fans gather in the desert for Coachella. Earth Day welcomes the eco-conscious, and Descanso Gardens delights with roses. And everything's coming up strawberries in May at the Oxnard Strawberry Festival. There's lots to do, so start making your plans.

The Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire
(credit: Joe B./yelp)

The Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire
Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area
15501 Arrow Highway
Baldwin Park, CA 91706
(626) 969-4750
www.renfair.com
Date: Saturdays & Sundays - April 8, 2017 - May 21, 2017

Channeling the Renaissance days of Kings and Queens, the annual Renaissance Faire sets the stage for a six-week experience featuring elaborate costumes, dazzling entertainment by court jesters and jousting knights, jugglers, international musicians and performers, crafts, games, rides and food. The Renaissance Faire welcomes guests near and far to recreate the spring day of 1574, when "the world arrived to entertain" Queen Elizabeth. Advance tickets are available at $29.95 for a single day per adult and $15 for a single day per child (5-12 yrs old). Season passes are also offered.

Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
Image from 2009. (credit: Karl Walter/Getty Images)

Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival
Empire Polo Club
81-800 Ave. 51
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 342-2762
www.coachella.com
Date: Two weekends: April 14-16 and April 23-25, 2017

Time to plan your festival wear. It's Coachella time - the biggest concert of the year. Set in the desert in Indio, east of Los Angeles, Coachella will host top musical artists and groups like Beyonce, Bishop Briggs, Capital Cities, Kaleo, Kendrick Lamar, Lorde, Porter Robinson, Radiohead, The Head And The Heart, The XX, Warpaint, Bon Iver, Bastille and many, many more. There are always surprise musical appearances as well, so be prepared for someone to grace the stage. In addition to the music, festival-goers can check out the interactive art displays, participate in amusing games, and eat their way through the awesome food vendors. Don't have your weekend pass yet? The event is sold out now, but you can visit Stubhub or Craigslist to buy tickets.

earth day growing plant
(credit: shutterstock)

Earth Day Celebration
Grand Park, The Music Center and DWP
200 N. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
www.grandparkla.org
Date: April 19, 2017 from 9am - 2pm

Earth Day is a celebration that began in 1970. Now in its 47th year, Earth Day continues to spread environmental messages throughout the world, including in Los Angeles. Together, the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP), Grand Park and The Music Center (which powers Grand Park) will host a myriad of activities, displays and performances. If you live or own property within the City of L.A., you can pick up one free tree. You'll need to provide verification of your address via a driver's license or LADWP bill. Bring E-waste to designated drop-offs, learn about sustainable landscaping and composting, and create art from recycled items. The usual Friday Grand Park activities will be taking place including yoga and fitness classes, food trucks and music.

Related: Best Eco-Friendly Hotels In Los Angeles

Descanso Gardens
(credit: Descanso Gardens)

Rose Festival
Descanso Gardens
1418 Descano Drive
La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011
(818) 949-4200
www.descansogardens.org
Date: May 20 & 21, 2017 from 9am to 4pm

It's a celebration of roses at Descanso Gardens in mid-May! This two day festival invites visitors for an up close opportunity to tour the special collection of rare roses at Descanso Gardens, as well as participate in activities surrounding the beauty of the rose. Guests can partake in a rare rose discovery station where they can get up close and look at rare and special roses, take part in floral art activities, and take a guided walk through the Rose Garden with horticulturists. Patina will offer grilled foods at various stations in the Promenade and Rose Pavilion. The Rose Festival is free with a $9 admission into Descanso Gardens.

california strawberry festival
(credit: California Strawberry Festival)

California Strawberry Festival
3250 S. Rose Ave.
Oxnard, CA 93033
(805) 385-4739
www.strawberry-fest.org
Date: May 20 & 21, 2017 from 10am - 6:30pm

Strawberry festival-goers truly eat their way through the annual California Strawberry Festival. How could you not when there are more than 50 booths offering brilliant strawberry concoctions like strawberry nachos, strawberry pizza, deep-fried strawberries, berry kabobs, strawberry beer, margaritas and smoothies. It's a berry serious event which also features pie eating and a strawberry shortcake build-off contests, celeb chef demos, live music, a kids' strawberry-themed play land, and arts and crafts vendors.

Related: Best Frozen Drinks In Los Angeles

Sheryl Craig is a writer with a passion for interesting finds and treasures in Los Angeles. She has a background in journalism and public relations. A mother of two daughters, Sheryl integrates her healthy lifestyle into raising her children. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.


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