Where to Celebrate Armenian Holidays in Los Angeles

Most Armenian holidays in Los Angeles happen at Armenian churches, schools and community centers. You'll find them in Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, Little Armenia in East Hollywood, Montebello, the San Fernando Valley and Santa Clarita. Remembrance sites matter too, above all the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument in Montebello. That's the short answer. The full answer takes a year.

This guide goes month by month. Each holiday gets a short card: when it falls, what it means, where in LA people mark it and what you'll find when you get there. Maybe your family has been here for four generations. Maybe you arrived from Yerevan or Beirut last spring. Maybe you live near a parish and have always wondered what the February bonfire is about. Nearly every celebration below is open to you. For this year's dates and times, check the live listings on Armat Platform.

The Armenian Holiday Calendar for 2026 at a Glance

Here's the whole year on one screen. Save it so you can find it again.

Heads up: Easter, Vartanants, Vardavar and several other feasts move every year. The church calendar from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin sets them, and local parishes announce exact service times. Before you go, check the Armat listing or call the parish office.

Holidays are only part of the picture. For concerts, film nights and festivals the rest of the year, see our guide to Armenian cultural events in Los Angeles.

Armenian Churches in Los Angeles and the Neighborhoods Around Them

Holiday life in LA almost always starts at a parish. Two Armenian Apostolic jurisdictions serve the western United States. The Western Diocese of the Armenian Church has its seat at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral in Burbank. The Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church has its headquarters in La Crescenta. Both share the same faith, the same liturgy and the same feast days.

Here is why the split matters to a visitor: each jurisdiction keeps its own parish directory and event calendar. If you're looking for a church near you, check both.

Armenian Catholic and Armenian Evangelical congregations also have homes in the region. They mark Christmas, Easter and April 24 as well, though their worship style and calendar details differ. If you plan to attend, ask the congregation directly.

For the history behind these communities, read our piece on Armenian neighborhoods and heritage in LA.

Glendale

For many families, Glendale is the center of Armenian life in Southern California. The city has parishes from both jurisdictions, Armenian day schools and bakeries that stay open late before holidays. Armenian events in Glendale peak around April 24 and September 21, when civic observances join the church calendar. The City of Glendale posts public commemorations and city events.

The Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California is planned for Glendale's Central Park. Check the museum's website for its current programs.

Burbank

St. Leon Armenian Cathedral, the seat of the Western Diocese, sits in Burbank. Major feast days draw big crowds here, Christmas Eve and Easter most of all. If you only ever attend one cathedral service in LA, I'd pick a feast day at St. Leon. The building and the choir both leave an impression. Follow the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church on Armat for diocesan events.

Here's a short look inside the cathedral:

Little Armenia, Los Angeles: Events, Bakeries and Busy Holiday Weeks

The City of Los Angeles designated Little Armenia in East Hollywood in 2000. It's a walkable stretch of churches, grocers, bakeries and community offices. In many years, April 24 brings large community gatherings to Hollywood. During holiday weeks the bakeries get busy and parking disappears, so take the Metro B Line if you can.

This walking tour of Glendale and Little Armenia is worth the time:

Pasadena

Pasadena has long-established Armenian parishes, schools and youth groups. Feast-day services here tend to feel more neighborhood-sized than the big cathedral liturgies. That makes Pasadena a good choice when you're bringing a friend for the first time.

Montebello

Montebello has two landmarks. Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Cathedral belongs to the Western Prelacy, and the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument stands in Bicknell Park. Follow Holy Cross Armenian Church for feast-day services and its popular food festival. The City of Montebello shares park information for the monument.

San Fernando Valley and Santa Clarita

Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Granada Hills and Santa Clarita all have active parishes. St. Peter Armenian Church of Van Nuys and St. Sarkis Armenian Church of Santa Clarita both list community events on Armat. Valley parishes often host the most family-friendly Vardavar and picnic days, partly because they have the room.

Clubs, dance troupes and cultural groups host holiday programs too. Our directory of Armenian cultural organizations in Los Angeles is a good place to find them.

Winter: New Year, Christmas and Trndez

Winter is the busiest stretch of the year. Three holidays land within about six weeks of each other.

Armenian New Year Traditions (Nor Tari / Amanor), January 1

What it is: In many Armenian families, New Year is the biggest family holiday of winter, bigger even than Christmas. Gaghant Baba (Western: Kaghand Baba), the Armenian Santa Claus figure, brings the gifts. Tables stay set for days while relatives and neighbors drop by.

Where in LA: Mostly at home. Restaurants and banquet halls across Glendale, Burbank and the Valley also host New Year's Eve parties.

What to expect: Long tables, dried fruits and nuts, anoushabour (a wheat pudding with dried fruit) and plenty of toasts. Read about the traditions behind the Armenian New Year table, and brush up on traditional Armenian toasts (kenats) before you raise a glass.

Tip: If someone invites you over on January 1 or 2, bring something sweet. The visiting is the whole point.

Armenian Christmas in Los Angeles: Why January 6?

The date: Armenian Christmas falls on January 6 because the Armenian Apostolic Church keeps an older Christian custom. It marks the Nativity (Surb Tsnund, "Holy Birth") and the Theophany, or Baptism of Christ (Astvatsahaytnutyun, "Revelation of God"), on the same day. The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem follows the Julian calendar, so its January 6 lands on January 19 on the civil calendar. Most LA parishes celebrate on January 6.

Where in LA: Every Armenian Apostolic parish, from St. Leon in Burbank to Holy Cross in Montebello and the Valley churches.

What to expect: On the evening of January 5, churches hold the Christmas Eve Badarak (Eastern: Patarag), the Divine Liturgy, also called the lamp-lighting service. On Christmas Day the liturgy closes with Jrorhnek (Western: Churorhnek; say "jur-or-NEK"), the Blessing of Water. The priest dips a cross into water mixed with holy oil, and the parish honors a "godparent of the cross." Many people take blessed water home.

Tip: Christmas Eve fills up fast. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early and plan on street parking. For what lands on the table afterward, read about traditional Armenian Christmas dishes.

Trndez Celebration in Los Angeles (Tearnndaraj), February 13 to 14

What it is: Tearnndaraj (Western: Derendez; usually shortened to Trndez, said "tern-DEZ") marks the presentation of the infant Jesus at the Temple, 40 days after January 6. On the eve, parishes light a bonfire from candles lit at the altar. Couples married in the past year jump over the flames first, and everyone else follows.

Where in LA: Church courtyards and parking lots across Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena and the Valley.

What to expect: A short evening service, then the fire, with music, dancing and lots of kids.

Tip: In my opinion, Trndez is the best first Armenian holiday for a newcomer. It's short, it's outdoors, it's joyful, and nobody expects you to know the words. Some families carry a little of the flame home on a candle.

Spring: Lent, Easter and April 24

Spring holds both the most joyful feast of the year and its most solemn day.

Vartanants (Feast of St. Vartan), Thursday Before Great Lent

What it is: Vartanants (also Vardanants) honors St. Vartan Mamikonian and his companions, who fell at the Battle of Avarayr in 451 AD. They fought for the right to practice Christianity under Sasanian Persian rule. The church remembers them on the Thursday before Great Lent (Medz Bahk; Eastern: Mets Pahk). In 2026 that was February 12.

Where in LA: Church services, plus assemblies and plays at Armenian schools and youth groups.

What to expect: Students reciting poetry, history presentations and an evening liturgy.

Tip: School programs often welcome families. Check the school's organizer page before you go.

Women's Day (March 8) and Motherhood and Beauty Day (April 7)

Many Armenian families treat the weeks from March 8 to April 7 as a season for honoring women. April 7, Motherhood and Beauty Day, coincides with the Feast of the Annunciation. Expect flowers, school performances and community luncheons. Our March 8th shopping guide points you to gifts from Armenian women-owned businesses.

Armenian Easter in Los Angeles (Zatik), a Movable Date

How the date works: Zatik (Western: Zadig; say "za-TEEK") follows the Gregorian Easter calculation, so most LA parishes celebrate on the same Sunday as Western Easter. In 2026 that was April 5. In 2027 it falls on March 28.

What it is: The feast of the Resurrection, which follows Great Lent and Holy Week (Avak Shabat).

Where in LA: Every Armenian parish. Holy Week services fill the evenings leading up to Easter Sunday.

What to expect: An Easter morning liturgy and the greeting "Krisdos haryav i merelots" ("Christ is risen from the dead"). The reply is "Orhnyal e harutyunn Krisdosi" ("Blessed is the resurrection of Christ"). At home, families dye eggs deep red by boiling them with onion skins. Then comes egg tapping. Two people knock egg tips together, and whoever's egg stays whole wins the cracked one.

Tip: For the deepest red, use the dry skins of about 10 to 12 yellow onions per dozen eggs and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes. Bring a few eggs to the family gathering. Someone will challenge you.

Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day in Los Angeles, April 24

What it is: On April 24, 1915, Ottoman authorities arrested Armenian intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople. Armenians mark that day as the start of the Armenian Genocide, in which about 1.5 million people died, according to the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute. Armenians around the world observe April 24 as a day of remembrance.

Where in LA: April 24 events in Los Angeles take several forms:

• Gatherings at the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument in Bicknell Park, Montebello
• Community marches and gatherings in Hollywood and Little Armenia
• Civic observances in Glendale
• Requiem services in churches
• Programs at Armenian schools and on campuses, including the USC Armenian Student Association and the Armenian Students' Association at UCLA

Attending a Remembrance Event: What to Know

• Dress: Simple and modest. Many people wear black or dark colors.
• Behavior: Stay quiet during prayers and moments of silence, and follow the organizers' directions.
• Photography: Fine at public gatherings, but avoid close-ups of people praying or grieving unless they agree.
• Kids: Welcome. Bring water and shade, and explain beforehand why people are sad.
• Logistics: Expect street closures and full lots near large gatherings. Arrive early, use transit and carry water.

First Republic Day, May 28

May 28 marks the founding of the First Republic of Armenia in 1918. Community groups and schools hold talks, concerts and flag ceremonies. It's a smaller observance in LA, so check listings closer to the date.

Summer: Vardavar, Grapes and Picnic Season

Summer is picnic season. It's also the wettest holiday of the year, on purpose.

Vardavar in Los Angeles (Feast of the Transfiguration), 98 Days After Easter

What it is: Vardavar (Western: Vartavar; say "var-da-VAR") celebrates the Transfiguration of Christ. It falls 98 days after Easter: July 12 in 2026 and July 4 in 2027. The feast carries an older folk custom along with it. People splash each other with water.

Where in LA: Church grounds after the liturgy, school events and park gatherings, especially in the Valley and Glendale.

What to expect: Water guns, buckets, water balloons and soaked grandparents laughing about it.

Tip: Dress for water, keep your phone in a zip bag and leave a towel and dry clothes in the car. Ask before soaking a stranger. Most people say yes.

The Blessing of the Grapes at Your Armenian Church (Khaghoghorhnek) and the Feast of the Assumption

What it is: The Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God (Astvatsatsin) falls on the Sunday nearest August 15. In 2026 that was August 16, and in 2027 it's August 15. After the liturgy, the priest leads Khaghoghorhnek (say "kha-gho-ghor-NEK"), the Blessing of the Grapes. By tradition, families wait for this blessing before eating the season's first grapes.

Where in LA: Every Armenian Apostolic parish.

What to expect: Blessed grapes handed out after church. Many parishes also serve madagh (Eastern: matagh), a blessed meal shared with everyone, and a picnic often follows.

Tip: Bring a bag. You'll probably go home with a bunch of grapes.

Church picnic and festival season: Summer and early fall bring parish picnics and food fairs. Watch the St. Sarkis annual picnic in Santa Clarita and the Holy Cross Armenian Food Fair & Fest in Montebello for this year's dates.

Fall: Independence, the Holy Cross and the Alphabet

In fall the tone turns civic, scholarly and reflective.

Armenian Independence Day in Glendale and Beyond, September 21

What it is: On September 21, 1991, Armenians voted in a referendum for independence from the Soviet Union.

Where in LA: Concerts, cultural nights and community celebrations in Glendale, Burbank and elsewhere. Flag-raising events change from year to year, so confirm locally. Keep an eye on listings like Armenian Cultural Night.

What to expect: Dance troupes, music, speeches and a festive crowd.

Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Khachverats), Mid-September

Khachverats (Western: Khachveratz) ranks among the Armenian Church's five major feasts. It honors the Holy Cross and falls on the Sunday nearest September 14, which was September 13 in 2026. The liturgy includes a procession of the cross and a blessing toward the four directions.

Feast of the Holy Translators (Targmanchats), October

What it is: Targmanchats (Western: Tarkmanchats) honors St. Mesrop Mashtots, who created the Armenian alphabet around 405 AD, along with the scholars who translated the Bible into Armenian. The church calendar sets it on a Saturday in October.

Where in LA: Armenian schools make the most of this one, with recitations, alphabet displays and plays. Follow Armenian Mesrobian School, named for Mesrop Mashtots, and other schools for programs. The USC Institute of Armenian Studies also hosts talks on language and culture.

Spitak Earthquake Remembrance, December 7

On December 7, 1988, a devastating earthquake struck northern Armenia near the town of Spitak. LA parishes and organizations mark the day with requiem services and moments of silence. Many local families helped with relief efforts at the time, so the date carries personal memories for them.

Which Armenian Holiday Fits You?

Not sure where to start? Match the event to what you're after.

First Time at an Armenian Holiday Event? What Visitors Should Know

Here's the checklist I'd hand a friend.

• Dress: Smart casual or nicer. In church, cover your shoulders and skip very short hemlines. Some women cover their heads, but you don't have to.
• Arrival: Come early for big feasts. On ordinary Sundays, people come and go during the long liturgy.
• Candles: Buy thin candles near the entrance, light one and say a quiet prayer or wish.
• Standing: You'll stand for much of the liturgy. Follow the people around you.
• Language: The Badarak is in Classical Armenian (Grabar). Many parishes add English readings, sermons or printed guides, so ask yours.
• Donations: Services are free. You'll often see a collection plate or box, and anything you give is appreciated.
• Photography: Skip photos during the liturgy unless the parish allows them.
• Kids: Welcome everywhere. Bring snacks and step outside if they get restless.

For Non-Armenian Friends and Partners

You belong here. Armenian parishes in LA welcome guests of every background, and plenty of members first came through marriage or friendship. When in doubt, stand when others stand and sit when they sit. Communion is usually for baptized Christians who have prepared for it, so feel free to stay in your seat. Most people will happily explain what was going on once the service ends.

For Recent Arrivals Looking for Community

Holidays are the easiest way in. Join a parish choir, a youth group or a school parent committee. Students can check our roundup of Armenian student organizations in LA. Whether you come from Yerevan, Tehran, Beirut or Aleppo, you'll hear the full mix of Eastern and Western Armenian on a holiday morning.

Armenian Holiday Food in LA and Where to Find It

The food on the table tells you what season it is.

Gata is a sweet layered bread, sometimes baked with a coin inside for luck. Nazook (Eastern: nazuk) is a rolled pastry with a sweet filling. Both sell out before big holidays, so order a day or two ahead. Read why harissa means so much, then find Armenian-owned bakeries and restaurants to support. To search your own neighborhood, try our tips on locating Armenian-owned shops in LA.

How to Find This Year's Armenian Holiday Events in LA

Let's break it down:

1. Start with Armat's event listings. Search by holiday or neighborhood on Armat Platform.
2. Follow organizer pages. Parishes, schools and groups post updates there. Our guide to finding Armenian community events near you in LA walks through the process.
3. Check both church jurisdictions. The Western Diocese and the Western Prelacy each post parish calendars.
4. Check school and student calendars. Vartanants, April 24 and Targmanchats programs often appear there first.
5. Save the dates. Add the movable feasts to your calendar as soon as the Easter date is set.

If a listing looks out of date, call the parish office. The office staff will know the final schedule. For search tips outside LA, see this guide to finding Armenian events anywhere.

Organizers: Is your parish or group hosting a Trndez bonfire or a Vardavar picnic? List your holiday event on Armat so families can find it, and read how Armenian event organizers can reach more people.

Frequently Asked Questions About Armenian Holidays in Los Angeles

Next Steps: Plan Your Armenian Holiday Year in LA

Find one holiday on this calendar you've never been to and add it to your own calendar. Browse this month's events on Armat Platform, follow your local parish or organization and pick up your gata from an Armenian-owned bakery. Happy holidays, or as you'll hear at the door, shnorhavor.

Sources

• Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America
• Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
• Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Armenian Apostolic Church
• Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute
• City of Glendale, California
• City of Montebello, California
• Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California
• USC Dornsife Institute of Armenian Studies
• Battle of Avarayr, Wikipedia