I hate when I find out about an amazing event after it has already happened, or too late to plan on going. To make arranging this year’s vacations and weekend getaways easier, I’ve created a list of all of the can’t-miss vintage events in the U.S. happening in 2024. From film festivals to old school dances, vintage themed events celebrate the movies, music, design and fashion of yesteryear. These historical happenings provide the opportunity to connect with other vintage style and history enthusiasts from all over the country.
Related: How to Pack a Carry-On for a Two-Week Trip
Steam your travel suit, pack your stylish luggage and take a trip back in time at these unique experiences across the U.S.
Vintage Events 2024
Noir City 21st Annual Film Noir Festival
Oakland, California
January 19-28, 2024
As much as I enjoy film noir movie nights in the comfort of my own home, seeing one in a movie theater is even better. Presented by the Film Noir Foundation, Noir City is produced and hosted by Eddie Muller, host of Noir Alley on Turner Classic Movies. The 21st Annual Film Noir Festival included over 20 films, including foreign language films and themed double bills.
The festival kicked off in Oakland, California in mid-January, but there are events throughout the U.S. for the rest of 2024. You can catch Noir City in Seattle in February, in Portland in July, Chicago in September and more. Visit noircity.com for more information.
Modernism Week
Palm Springs, California
February 15-24 and October 24-27, 2024
Modernism week is an 11-day festival in Palm Springs celebrating modernist architecture and design. You can tour homes and attend exclusive cocktail parties in not-so-humble abodes that seem to have been frozen in time. In addition to free events, you can also purchase tickets to home tours. Want to see where Elvis and Priscilla Presley honeymooned in 1967? Check out the House of Tomorrow Home Tour. There is also a smaller-scale Modernism Week during October. Ticket prices vary; visit modernismweek.com for more information.
Dapper Day Expo
Anaheim, California
April 6-7 and November 2-3, 2024
Do you dream of walking into a room where everyone is spectacularly dressed? Dapper Day celebrates the refined fashion of the past with outings throughout the year, giving retro and vintage lovers opportunities to step out in style together. The Dapper Day Expo is held twice a year at the Disneyland Hotel and features over 75 exhibitors including vintage sellers, accessory and shoe vendors, beauty brands and more, plus there’s live music and dancing. Visit dapperday.com for details.
Manhattan Vintage Show
New York
February 2-4, April 12-14 and October 18-20, 2024
Vintage fashion enthusiasts can “experience the thrill of the hunt” to a nth degree at the Manhattan Vintage Show, held three times a year in New York City. Over 90 dealers offer a world of vintage treasures to explore and shop. There’s also food, a bar, DJs and a photo booth onsite. Visit manhattanvintage.com for information on how to attend or apply as a dealer.
15th Annual TCM Classic Film Festival
Hollywood, California
April 18-21, 2024
Turner Classic Movies works with Hollywood studios, film archives and private collectors to bring classic movies back to the big screen for this annual film festival. This year’s theme, Most Wanted: Crime and Justice in Film, explores what defines true justice. The lineup of films ranges from 1924 through 1974, including The Mad Miss Manton (1938) starring Barbara Stanwyck and North By Northwest (1959) starring Cary Grant. Festival passes start at $399. Visit filmfestival.tcm.com for details.
Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend
Every spring, The Orleans hotel in Las Vegas transforms into a rockabilly paradise. The Viva Las Vegas weekend is jam-packed with live bands, DJ sets, meetups, movies and special events including dance classes, fashion shows, burlesque performances, swimsuit contests and more. The Hi Roller ticket, which includes access to all events, is $195. Visit vivalasvegas.net for more details.
Arizona Tiki Oasis
Scottsdale, Arizona
April 25-28, 2024
Craving a tropical drink under the sun? Get your summer started early at the Arizona Tiki Oasis in Scottsdale. This “island lifestyle meet-up” is held at the Hotel Valley Ho, a mid-century delight, and includes rooftop and pool parties, cocktail tastings, mixology classes and history tours. There’s also an outdoor market and art show if you’re interested in bringing home a souvenir. Event tickets start at $149; seminars sold separately. Visit aztikioasis.com for details.
The Avalon Ball
Avalon, California
May 18, 2024
A grand ballroom. Romantic ocean views. Make like an Old Hollywood movie star and board a ferry to Catalina Island for the Avalon Ball. Hosted by the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles, guests of the ball can dress to the nines and dance to music from the 1920s and 1930s, performed by a live band, on a 10,000 square foot dance floor. Arrive earlier in the week and catch the Avalon Silent Film Showcase on May 13. General admission to the ball starts at $65 (early bird). Visit artdecola.org for details.
Jazz Age Lawn Party
New York
June 8 and August 10, 2024
Party—or should I say, picnic—like Gatsby at this dapper daytime event on Governors Island, New York. Don your drop waist dress or boater hat and bask in the sun with the sounds of a live jazz orchestra in the background at the 19th annual Jazz Age Lawn Party. Events include a Charleston dance lesson, pie baking contest, vintage bathing suit parade and Paper Moon photo booth. Tickets start at $55. Visit jazzagelawnparty.com for details.
1940s Summer Ball
Boulder, Colorado
June 15, 2024
You’ll be transported 80 years into the past at the 16th annual 1940s Ball in Boulder, Colorado. A Boulder Airport hangar is transformed into a ’40s film set with live music, lights, props and WWII era vehicles. This year’s performers include Tammy Savoy, Dandy Wellington, The Glenn Miller Orchestra and more. You can even meet Carmen Miranda and Bob Hope—reenactors, that is. Participate in an interactive scavenger hunt, take a dance lesson or see a classic flick at the drive-in movie theater. Tickets start at $85. Visit 1940sball.org for details.
WWII USO Swing Dance
Fayetteville, North Carolina
June 29, 2024
Whether you prefer a big band or a quiet, Casablanca-themed cafe, you’ll find it in one of three themed areas and four bars at the WWII USO Swing Dance in Fayetteville. In addition to dinner and entertainment, there’s also a swing dance competition, a memory wall for WWII veterans and a temporary tattoo station. This event is organized by major fashion history fans, so you’ll want to bring your A-game. General admission tickets are $50. Visit the10dressesproject.org for details.
Tiki Oasis
San Diego
July 31-August 4, 2024
Tiki Oasis in San Diego claims to be “the largest and longest-running festival in the world for lovers of Island lifestyle and purveyors of Polynesian Pop.” Not much information is available at the time of writing this article, except that tickets will be on sale in March. Visit tikioasis.com for updates.
1940s White Christmas Ball
Boulder, Colorado
December 7, 2024
From the same organizers as the 1940s Summer Ball, this winter event has been called the “must do activity for the holiday season” by the Denver Post. Get your hair done in a festive style at the 1940s vintage salon, shop for gifts at the Christmas vintage fair, enjoy a traditional holiday dinner and other nostalgic delights. Tickets aren’t on sale quite yet; check 1940sball.org for updates.
And here’s one to bookmark for next year:
Ahoy Vintage Cruise – Deco Dance
Southampton, England to New York
May 16-23, 2025 and September 26 – October 3, 2025
Do you dream of elegant travel on an ocean liner? Ahoy Vintage Cruises organizes themed transatlantic crossings for history buffs and old souls. Pack your best vintage cruise outfits and evening attire for a week aboard the Queen Mary 2. You’ll have the chance to meet up with other vintage style lovers at events and nightly dances. Ahoy is celebrating 100 years of art deco with two cruises in 2025: in May with Matt Tolentino and his Orchestra and in late September with Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra. Cruises depart Southampton, England and arrive in New York. Visit ahoyvintagecruises.com for details and make sure to book through Ahoy Vintage Cruises to participate in the events.
Think your event should be on the list? Contact me and tell me all about it.
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