SoCalendar: Celebrating Black History, Free Museum Day, and Art Fair

Upcoming events in Southern California include a Black History Month festival, free museum admission, and an immersive art fair.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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February in Southern California is packed with exciting events, including a celebration of Black History Month at the La Brea Tar Pits, the annual SoCal Museum's Free-for-All day, and the return of The Other Art Fair in Culver City. Additionally, car enthusiasts can check out the weekly South OC Cars & Coffee event in San Clemente.

Why it matters

These events provide opportunities for the community to engage with art, history, and culture, while also supporting local businesses and attractions. The free museum day and art fair in particular make the arts more accessible to a wider audience.

The details

The Black History Month Festival at the La Brea Tar Pits will feature a health fair, soccer play zones, and live performances. The SoCal Museum's Free-for-All day will allow free admission to over two dozen museums, including LACMA, the Museum of Tolerance, and the Bowers Museum. The Other Art Fair in Culver City will showcase the work of more than 150 independent artists through immersive installations and performances. The weekly South OC Cars & Coffee event in San Clemente features hundreds of unique vehicles, from vintage rides to one-of-a-kind supercars.

  • The Black History Month Festival at the La Brea Tar Pits will take place on February 21, 2026.
  • The SoCal Museum's Free-for-All day will be held on February 22, 2026.
  • The Other Art Fair in Culver City will run from February 26 to March 1, 2026.
  • The South OC Cars & Coffee event in San Clemente takes place every Saturday.

The players

La Brea Tar Pits

A museum and natural history site in Los Angeles that features a large urban paleontological excavation site.

SoCal Museums

An organization that coordinates the annual Free-for-All day, providing free admission to over two dozen museums in Southern California.

The Other Art Fair

An art fair in Culver City that showcases the work of independent artists through immersive installations and performances.

South OC Cars & Coffee

A weekly car show in San Clemente that features a wide variety of unique vehicles, from vintage cars to supercars.

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What they’re saying

“The annual Free-for-All day is a great opportunity for the community to engage with art, history, and culture across Southern California.”

— Samantha Lee, Director of SoCal Museums (SoCal Museums website)

“The Other Art Fair is reframing how art is experienced, bringing together over 150 independent artists to showcase their unique and immersive works.”

— Olivia Hernandez, Curator, The Other Art Fair (The Other Art Fair website)

The takeaway

These upcoming events in Southern California provide a diverse range of cultural and artistic experiences, from celebrating Black history to exploring cutting-edge contemporary art. They demonstrate the region's vibrant and inclusive arts and entertainment scene.