Top 5 Coffee Festivals in Los Angeles 2025

• Los Angeles Coffee Festival (Aug 22–23): Latte art demos, industry talks, and networking at the LA Convention Center. Tickets: $70–$479.
• CoffeeCon Los Angeles 2025 (Spring): Consumer-focused, featuring tastings, roasting classes, and live entertainment.
• Latte Art Competition Festival (Aug 22–23): Watch top baristas compete in the LAWCO championship with cash prizes up to $6,000.
• California Coffee & Tea Festival (Fall): A mix of coffee and tea tastings, workshops, and eco-focused vendors.
• Brew & Beats Coffee and Music Festival (Winter): Specialty coffee meets live music, DJ sets, and evening cocktails.

Quick Comparison

Whether you're a casual coffee lover or a serious enthusiast, these festivals offer something for everyone. Get ready to sip, learn, and connect!

#lacoffeefestival Los Angeles coffee festival 2019

1. Los Angeles Coffee Festival at the Los Angeles Convention Center

Mark your calendars for August 22–23, 2025, as the Los Angeles Coffee Festival makes its return to the Los Angeles Convention Center. This event is a cornerstone of the West Coast specialty coffee scene, bringing together coffee enthusiasts, industry professionals, and roasters alike.

The festival promises a packed schedule of activities and workshops. One of the standout features is Latte Art Live, where attendees can watch skilled baristas create intricate designs with milk-pouring techniques. It's a chance to witness latte art at its finest. Beyond this, the event offers a variety of ticket options to suit different interests.

For those planning ahead, early-bird General Admission tickets are available until 11:59 am ET on Tuesday, August 20. Plus, you can snag a $10 discount for General Admission tickets through a special promotional link.

While the festival is open to coffee lovers, its primary focus is on the business-to-business side of the specialty coffee industry. It's an excellent opportunity for networking, offering interactive sessions and discussions led by seasoned experts. Attendees can connect with suppliers and gain insights from industry leaders, making it a must-attend event for anyone in the coffee business.

2. CoffeeCon Los Angeles 2025

CoffeeCon Los Angeles 2025 marks a decade of celebrating all things coffee, uniting coffee lovers, roasters, artists, and food vendors for an event centered around the consumer experience. This year’s festival promises expert-led sessions featuring some of the most respected voices in the coffee world.

One highlight is a ticketed coffee tasting session hosted by Kenneth Davids, the editor and founder of Coffee Review. Attendees will dive into the nuances of three to four distinct coffees, exploring factors like variety, processing methods, and terroir. Another standout session is a roasting lecture led by Mike Ebert of Firedancer Coffee Consultants. Participants will taste a single coffee roasted in different ways and learn about:

• The physical transformations coffee undergoes during roasting
• Techniques for managing sensory characteristics
• The structure of roasting machines
• Key maintenance tips for optimal performance

For a lighter touch, the CoffeeeSquad will keep the energy high with their comedic performances, alongside live music and prize giveaways. While the exact dates for the 2025 event are yet to be announced, attendees can expect a mix of workshops, tastings, and educational experiences, as has been the tradition.

Here’s a quick overview of key sessions planned for CoffeeCon Los Angeles 2025:

3. Latte Art Competition Festival

The Latte Art Competition Festival is set to take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center on August 22–23, 2025. At the heart of the event is the Latte Art World Championship Open (LAWCO), where 64 skilled baristas go head-to-head in a high-stakes, bracket-style, sudden-death competition.

This festival celebrates pure artistic talent. Competitors rely solely on milk and espresso to create their designs - no etching tools or powders allowed. Each masterpiece is judged across seven key categories:

Winners take home impressive cash prizes: $6,000 for the champion, $2,500 for second place, and $1,500 for third. The judging panel includes notable figures like Rachel Apple, a Head Judge for the Cup of Excellence and a key member of the US Barista Championships committee, highlighting the event's dedication to artistic excellence.

Beyond the competition, the festival offers hands-on workshops led by LAWCO judges. These sessions, priced between $49 and $299, focus on teaching advanced techniques used in competitions. To participate, applicants must submit five examples of their latte art, showcasing at least three different designs to demonstrate their range of skills.

Following the success of the New York 2025 LAWCO - where Weian "Andy" Liang from San Francisco claimed victory - the festival continues its tradition of excellence. Attendees can also enjoy workshops and demonstrations by renowned champions like Chris Deferio, a three-time latte art champion and US Barista Championship finalist.

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4. California Coffee & Tea Festival

Adding a tea twist to LA's 2025 coffee festivities, the California Coffee & Tea Festival is set to elevate the local beverage scene with an exciting mix of specialty drinks.

Hosted at the Los Angeles Convention Center from August 22–23, 2025, the event promises a vibrant display of artisanal teas and specialty coffees. This year's festival builds on the momentum of its previous editions, featuring a stellar lineup of returning vendors. Highlights from the 2024 festival include 1883 Maison Routin, celebrated for their top-tier syrups, AIYA America, experts in matcha products, and Califia Farms, known for their plant-based beverages.

Beyond the vendor booths, attendees can dive into live demos, tastings, and hands-on sessions. Tea lovers can look forward to workshops covering brewing techniques, sustainable sourcing practices, and the latest industry trends.

Registration kicks off in late spring 2025. Whether you're a beverage professional or a passionate enthusiast, this festival offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect, learn, and explore the ever-evolving world of coffee and tea.

5. Brew & Beats Coffee and Music Festival

Closing out LA's 2025 festival lineup, Brew & Beats brings together the perfect duo: artisanal coffee and live music, with a dash of interactive fun.

After a successful run last year, the 2025 edition is stepping it up a notch. Expect more coffee vendors, live DJ sets, and exciting attractions that blend the worlds of coffee and music into one vibrant celebration.

Taking inspiration from events like Summer Forever Fest, Brew & Beats offers a one-of-a-kind experience where coffee enthusiasts and music lovers can unite.

What to Expect:

• Specialty Coffee Tastings: Sample unique brews from local vendors.
• Live DJ Performances: Enjoy a mix of music genres to keep the energy high.
• Interactive Fun: Join in on activities like a cosplay catwalk.
• Evening Cocktails: Sip on themed drinks crafted for the night crowd.
• Raffle Prizes: Participate in drawings held throughout the event.

For the latest updates on schedules and tickets, check out their official Instagram page: @brew_beats.

Conclusion

Los Angeles' coffee scene is buzzing in 2025, with a lineup of festivals that spotlight its dynamic and ever-growing community. Here’s a handy guide to the top events shaping the city's coffee culture:

Each of these festivals highlights the unique flavors and creativity that define LA’s coffee culture, while fostering the community spirit that makes it so special. As 2024 U.S. Barista Champion Frank La puts it:

"This is a community who wants to support people's dreams and aspirations. The diversity in LA [fosters] lots of mom-and-pop and independently owned shops that are unique … We share our love of coffee in menus that explore coffee through the lens of our heritage and upbringing."

Expect immersive experiences at every turn - whether it's the Los Angeles Coffee Festival, which anticipates drawing 10,000 attendees, or the intimate yet impactful workshops and tastings at other events. From latte art competitions to hands-on brewing sessions, these gatherings celebrate the heritage, creativity, and innovation that make LA’s coffee culture stand out.

Looking for even more ways to dive into LA’s coffee scene? Check out Best Coffee Shops in Los Angeles, a curated guide featuring over 200 standout spots organized by neighborhood and vibe - perfect for rounding out your coffee adventures.

FAQs

How do the Los Angeles Coffee Festival and CoffeeCon Los Angeles 2025 differ in activities and audience focus?

The Los Angeles Coffee Festival is a hub for coffee professionals, packed with workshops, seminars, and chances to connect with others in the industry. It’s a must-attend for café owners, baristas, and anyone looking to dive into business strategies or refine their advanced brewing skills.

Meanwhile, CoffeeCon Los Angeles is all about the coffee lovers and home brewers. With its focus on hands-on activities like tastings, interactive brewing sessions, and classes, it offers a fun and welcoming way to explore the world of coffee.

How do I sign up for the Latte Art World Championship at the Latte Art Competition Festival, and what are the judging criteria?

If you're dreaming of competing in the Latte Art World Championship, start by following Coffee Fest's social media channels for updates on application openings. Once applications are live, you'll need to pay an entry fee and submit five examples of your latte art, showcasing at least three distinct designs.

Judges will assess your work based on visual appeal, creativity, pattern consistency, contrast, and overall technique. Keep in mind, all designs must be free-poured - no etching tools or additives allowed. The competition uses a bracket-style system, where the highest-scoring participants move on to the next round.

What sets the California Coffee & Tea Festival apart from other coffee events in Los Angeles, and what can tea lovers look forward to?

The California Coffee & Tea Festival offers a rare blend of experiences for lovers of both coffee and tea, making it a haven for beverage enthusiasts. Visitors can dive into interactive tastings, participate in hands-on workshops, and browse a diverse selection of vendors showcasing specialty teas and expertly brewed coffee.

For tea lovers, the festival is a treasure trove. Expect sessions that delve into various tea types, teach advanced brewing methods, and uncover the fascinating history behind this age-old drink. If you're passionate about coffee, tea, or both, this event promises an experience you won't want to miss!

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