The City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and Friends of Watts Towers Arts Center present a two-day showcase of music, rhythm culture, art, cuisine, and community with the 44th Annual Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival on Saturday, September 26, 2026, and the 49th Annual Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival on Sunday, September 27, 2026. Both festivals run from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Watts Towers Arts Center Campus (1727 East 107th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90002). Admission and parking are free.
On Saturday, the Day of the Drum Festival celebrates percussion traditions from across the globe. The Watts Towers stage will host a lineup of acclaimed performers, including Danza Azteca Xochipilli (Aztec traditional dance and drumming); TAIKOPROJECT (based in Little Tokyo, one of LA’s leading taiko drumming group); S.H.I.N.E. Muwasi (women-led West African rhythms and empowerment); Kati Hernandez and Kimbambula (expressive Afro-Cuban dance); Gan Gan Akojopo (Nigerian talking drums featuring Rasaki Aladdin, Tunde Akangbe, and Munyungo Jackson ); Drum Talk (world-renowned touring musicians); and Bloco Obini (high energy Afro-Brazilian drumming Kahlil Cumming).
On Sunday, the Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival highlights outstanding salsa, funk, gospel, and hip hop alongside classical and contemporary jazz 1 traditions. The festivities will kick off with a Yoruba ground blessing by Alaadun to unite all cultures, setting the foundation for dynamic live performances throughout the day. This year, Los Angeles’ longest-running jazz festival will feature ADAAWE (Afro-fusion), Todd Cochran Trio (contemporary jazz ensemble), Bobby Matos Tribute Band (Latin jazz and salsa), Larry Nash and The Jazz Symphonic All Stars (reimagined jazz classics), Caribbean Allstars (merging the traditions of reggae, calypso, soca, and Caribbean steel drum music), and MEDUSA Tha Gangsta Goddess (“The Godmother of West Coast Hip Hop”). The School of Healing Martial Arts will also lead a community Tai Chi class.
In addition to the musical offerings, festivalgoers will have access to the Universal Drum Circle, curated art exhibitions at the Charles Mingus and Noah Purifoy Galleries, thoughtful children’s programming, gardening activities, and local vendors providing food, arts, and crafts.
Festival Details
Location: Watts Towers Arts Center Campus – 1727 East 107th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90002 Transit: Accessible via Metro Rail Blue Line (103rd Street/Watts Towers Station)
Tickets: Free Admission & Parking | Food, Arts & Crafts vendors | ADA Services Available
For more information, call 213.847.4646 or visit wattstowers.org.
