Anaheim Convention Center – Local Festivals

Major events are always rolling through the Anaheim Convention Center, but the surrounding Anaheim neighborhood has its own roster of community festivals and fairs. Festivals are used as a way to develop community and celebrate traditions. Anaheim hosts many of these gatherings throughout the year. The events range from the commemoration of cultures and artwork to food.

When you visit the Anaheim Convention Center, you might be in town during one of their community festivals. Most of the festivals take place in Downtown Anaheim, which isn’t far from the convention center. Take advantage of the venue’s prime location and attend events with the locals.

Art Crawl Experience

Every year on the second Saturday in the months of February, May, August, and November, the Downtown Anaheim Arts District hosts the Art Crawl Experience, or “ACE.” This crawl takes place on Anaheim Boulevard, Harbor Boulevard, and the popular Center Street Promenade. This general area is about an 11-minute drive from the Anaheim Convention Center.

This event was started by local artists and community leaders with the goal of bringing arts and culture to Downtown Anaheim. They believed the best way to do so was to showcase artwork in public spaces with street artisans, pop-up galleries, and brick-and-mortar galleries.

Visitors can view amazing artwork and live performances, such as music, dance, and fire dancers, as they walk along the participating streets. Craftspeople sell original, handmade items. If you get hungry, gourmet food trucks also line the surrounding streets. Eateries and shops allow their space to be transformed into pop-up galleries as well, so you can grab food and keep gazing at artwork.

Annual Black History Parade & Cultural Fair

Aiming to remember legacies, learn from the past, and make connections through shared common values, the Annual Black History Parade & Cultural Fair creates cultural awareness and promotes the historical contributions of black people throughout the United States, particularly those from Orange County. The parade and fair will educate, entertain, and inspire guests of all ages.

To take part in this celebration of ethnic heritage, head to Center Street Promenade, which is about three miles from the Anaheim Convention Center. This annual event takes place on the first Saturday of February, rain or shine.

Anaheim Japan Fair

The Anaheim Japan Fair is new to the lineup of festivals hosted in Anaheim. Like the previously mentioned events, this fair is located on Center Street Promenade, making it easily accessible to those visiting the Anaheim Convention Center.

Performers from Anaheim, Southern California, and Japan participate in the Anaheim Japan Fair. This gives guests the opportunity to learn about Japanese traditions in pop culture and entertainment. Demonstrations in calligraphy and art also take place. Merchandise related to these exhibitions is available for purchase.

Entertainment isn’t the only thing being offered at this fair. A major part of Japanese culture is the food. Over 25 food vendors are there to give visitors a taste of Japanese cuisine. In addition, Japanese beer and sake brands are sold. Stop by and get a taste of Japan!

Proud to Be Me

Another new event coming to Downtown Anaheim is the Proud to Be Me street festival. This is a celebration of Chicano culture, which refers to those of Mexican descent. The idea for this festival was inspired by the poet and journalist, Abel Salas Joins, who has written for the Los Angeles Times Magazine, Los Angeles Magazine, LA Weekly, The New York Times, and many more publications. Drive over from the Anaheim Convention Center to experience this family-oriented event in April.

Proud to Be Me transforms Center Street Promenade into a space to celebrate Chicano art and culture. There are cars, zoot suits, mariachi bands, and more.

Knott’s Boysenberry Festival

Knott’s Berry Farm is a major theme park in Anaheim. As its name suggests, this theme park started off as a humble berry farm and the birthplace of the boysenberry. Every spring, Knott’s celebrates this flavorful berry with the 31-day Knott’s Boysenberry Festival that runs from the end of March through April. Admission to this festival gives you access to the whole theme park.

During this festival, there will be over 75 boysenberry-inspired dishes and drinks, from boysenberry-glazed chicken shawarma to pies and wine tastings. Guests are encouraged to pick up a tasting card in order to sample some of the most popular boysenberry dishes offered.

Food isn’t the only thing you will find during this festival though. Throughout the park, there is live music and entertainment, such as the Boysenberry Blues and Snoopy’s Boysenberry Jamboree. You may even find yourself participating in a boysenberry pie eating contest! To join in on the fun, take a 14-minute drive from the Anaheim Convention Center over to Knott’s Berry Farm.

Vegan Faire

Healthy Junk is a vegan eatery 11-minutes from the Anaheim Convention Center located on Center Street Promenade. In July, Healthy Junk presents Vegan Faire, which fills the street with healthy food vendors, products, and services for one day.

The street is lined with healthy food and lifestyle goods and services. There are even workshops for guests to learn more about food, environment, local artisans, and overall wellness. In addition to goods, food, and workshops, live entertainment is also scheduled. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or just looking to try new things and make healthier lifestyle choices, come learn and have fun and stuff your face at the Vegan Faire.

Sweet Street

Do you have a sweet tooth? If so, for one day in April, Center Street Promenade turns into Sweet Street, a festival dedicated to delectable desserts. Since it’s so close to the Anaheim Convention Center, treat yourself to something sweet for the day.

The street is lined with vendors selling various desserts. There are cupcakes, chimney cakes, cookies, cakes, ice cream, and syrupy sweet waffles. Stroll down the street and give in to those decadent cravings.

Disneyland Park Food & Wine Festival

If you are visiting Disneyland Park in April, you have the opportunity to go to the Disneyland Park Food & Wine Festival. You don’t have to be a culinary master or wine connoisseur to enjoy your time at this event. Chefs come to Disneyland Park to share their recipes and tips and tricks with guests at all skill levels. The park is about a mile from the Anaheim Convention Center, so it’s easy to get there for this event. Bear in mind that you do need a Disneyland Park admission ticket to attend this festival though.

Many events do not require a reservation, but there are some that do. Culinary demonstrations from local and Disney chefs, live music, and cocktail, beer, and wine tastings do not require reservations. However, if you want a more intimate session with chefs, buffets, wine receptions, or mixology classes, you will need to schedule a reservation.

The types of demonstrations and attractions for the festival are subject to change year to year. If you know that you are going to be at Disneyland Park in April, check their website to see what is scheduled for the festival.

Orange County Beer Fest

Want to spend your day finding your new favorite brew with other beer lovers? You can by attending the Orange County Beer Fest in Anaheim in March. It takes place at the Phoenix Club, which is a 13-minute drive away from the Anaheim Convention Center.

At the Orange County Beer Fest, attendees have 50 breweries and have over 100 international and domestic beers to choose from. Pair that beer with some awesome food as food trucks flock to the Phoenix Club. From pizzas to burgers, food truck alley has your cuisine cravings covered. While you’re munching away and drinking that ice-cold beer, you can also enjoy some live music.

Tickets for general admission and VIP admission are both sold online. And the one really special thing about this festival is all proceeds go to Noah’s B-ark, a local animal shelter in the greater Los Angeles area. You’ll be funding food, shelter, and veterinary bills for rescue animals in California.