Animé Los Angeles will return to the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center next week, inviting fans of anime, gaming, Japanese culture, cosplay, and pop-culture fandoms to dive headfirst into an out-of-this-world weekend.
Now drawing nearly 20,000 attendees each year, ALA has evolved from a modest fan gathering back in 2005 into a full-scale celebration that still keeps a welcoming spirit at its center.
This year’s theme is “Isekai” — the anime trope of being transported to another universe.
If you knew about “Isekai” before that explanation, this weekend was made for you.
At ALA 2026, expect immersive programming that leans into fandom creativity and escapism, from lively panels and hands-on workshops to demos led by industry experts and community guests.
Cosplayers dressed as characters from League of Legends, a multiplayer online battle arena video game, during Anime Los Angeles at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Jan Abestilla is dressed as Josuka from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure during Anime Los Angeles at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cosplayers dressed as characters from the video game Lethal Company during Anime Los Angeles at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ku’uleialoha Hoapili is dressed as Undertaker from Black Butler during Anime Los Angeles at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Cosplayers dressed as characters from League of Legends, a multiplayer online battle arena video game, during Anime Los Angeles at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Throughout the weekend, attendees can roam the bustling and expansive exhibit hall where independent creators and vendors showcase original art, crafts, collectibles, and fandom must-haves.
Cosplay, of course, will be everywhere — on the show floor, in dedicated meetups, and even in crowd-favorite events like cosplay chess.
Then, when the sun goes down, the energy will shift to dances and DJ-driven nightlife that keeps the convention buzzing well into the evening.
One of Animé Los Angeles’ most beloved traditions will also make a colorful return. At the Ribbon Station, ribbons become living scrapbooks as attendees collect, trade, and show off these badges that mark memories, jokes, achievements, and chance encounters with kindred animé lovers.
With four packed days of panels, performances, and creativity, Animé Los Angeles continues to prove why it keeps growing year after year — no portals to parallel worlds required.
The event will get underway from Jan. 8 through Jan. 11. Visit animelosangeles.org to view the full schedule of events.
Disney on Ice
Let’s be honest. When you put a famous franchise ‘on ice,’ it often gets dismissed as cheesy or childish.
But if you’re looking for a family-friendly outing that’ll actually delight audiences of all ages, “Disney on Ice” at the Long Beach Arena now through Jan. 4 is an ice spectacle that’s worth a place on your calendar.
First launched in 1981 as Walt Disney’s “World on Ice,” this touring ice show has been skating across arenas worldwide for more than four decades, bringing Disney stories to life with professional figure skaters portraying classic characters like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, and Donald Duck.
Belle performs with the “Beauty and the Beast” ensemble in the Disney On Ice production “Dream Big.” The ice skating show will be at the Long Beach Arena on April 20-23 and the Citizens Business Bank Arena on April 27-30.
Ariel and “The Little Mermaid” ensemble perform in the Disney On Ice production “Dream Big.” The ice skating show will be at the Long Beach Arena on April 20-23 and the Citizens Business Bank Arena on April 27-30.
Elsa performs in the Disney On Ice tour “Dream Big.” The ice skating show will be at the Long Beach Arena on April 20-23 and the Citizens Business Bank Arena on April 27-30.
Feld Entertainment
The Disney on Ice touring production will present “Dream Big” at the Long Beach Arena on Thursday, April 20-23 and Ontario Business Bank Arena on April 27-29.
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Belle performs with the “Beauty and the Beast” ensemble in the Disney On Ice production “Dream Big.” The ice skating show will be at the Long Beach Arena on April 20-23 and the Citizens Business Bank Arena on April 27-30.
The show was renamed “Disney on Ice” in 1998 and has since become a staple of live family entertainment, evolving with new themes, music, and choreography every year.
Expect an upbeat celebration of Disney’s greatest hits, as classic characters dance to fan-favorite tunes and act out stories on ice.
Part concert, part ballet, and part theatrical showcase, this production blends high-energy skating, acrobatics, interactive sing-alongs, and dazzling special effects.
Surely you know that one of the charming parts of attending a “Disney on Ice” show is the family-friendly atmosphere, so be sure to sing along and soak up the experience with fellow Disney lovers of all ages.
Beyond the nostalgia and spectacle, though, “Disney on Ice” offers a collective experience that’s rare in today’s digital world — families laughing together, kids wide-eyed with wonder, and even grown-ups rediscovering the joy of Disney.
For showtimes and tickets, go to shorturl.at/A9jFm.
The Peking Acrobats
Prepare to be amazed — and humbled — when The Peking Acrobats take the stage at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Jan. 17.
This internationally acclaimed troupe blends ancient tradition with jaw-dropping athleticism, offering a performance that is as much a cultural spectacle as it is an exhibition of human skill.
For more than three decades, The Peking Acrobats have redefined what audiences in the United States and around the world expect from acrobatic performance.
Their art is rooted in a Chinese tradition that stretches back more than 2,000 years, evolving from early entertainment forms to the polished, global-touring ensemble you’ll see on stage later this month.
The evening promises a mix of gravity-defying feats and expressive physical storytelling.
For example, through towering stacks of chairs, hair-raising balancing of hands, and tumbling bodies, these acrobats make us feel the exhilaration of going beyond our physical capabilities.
The show also evokes the energy of a traditional Chinese carnival, combining handcrafted costumes, expressive music (typically featuring traditional instruments), and theatrical pacing that keeps audiences of all ages engaged.
Bring friends, family, and anyone who delights in human possibility in the new year.
For tickets, go to shorturl.at/SGrAj.