Now in its SIXTEENTH year, The Los Angeles Old Time Social is a festival celebrating American old time fiddle and banjo music in Los Angeles. In 2026, there will be a Friday Night Concert at a private home in El Sereno on Friday, May 15th and then we will return to the magickal Velaslavasay Panorama Theater on Saturday, May 176th. We will come together for a full day of workshops, musical cakes, and a big ol’ square dance!
We cap off our fun by heading out to the Topanga Banjo and Fiddle Contest at the Gillette Ranch on Sunday, May 17th.
The social is all-volunteer run by old time music & dance freaks. Here’s what a few them say:
The Los Angeles Old Time Social is a time and a place, once a year, when our community
Ben
gathers to play, dance, enjoy and share our music and community with old friends and new.
LAOTS is a chance to party with my community and expose new people to homemade
Susan Michaels
handmade old time music and dance.
The Los Angeles Old Time Social is a three day event of concerts, workshops and dancing
Kelly
celebrating old time fiddle and banjo music and dance traditions for old and new audiences
in Los Angeles.
LAOTS is one of the only festivals in Southern California dedicated to old time Appalachian music, maintaining a high level of musicianship and teaching and thus creating community.
Ruth