Los Angeles is the best city to meet celebrities in 2026, ahead of New York City and Las Vegas. This list covers 10 cities ranked by where celebrity activity actually happens: film and TV production, premieres, awards, festivals and sport. You will have the best chance of a sighting at an event, not on a street.
| Rank | City | Why celebrities go | Key fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, California | Studios, premieres and awards season | 19,694 shoot days (2025) |
| 2 | New York City, New York | Met Gala, Broadway and TV tapings | Met Gala, first Monday of May |
| 3 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Residencies, fights and parties | Events and shows |
| 4 | Miami, Florida | F1, Art Basel and nightlife | F1 Miami Grand Prix since 2022 |
| 5 | Vancouver, British Columbia | Hollywood North | Hollywood North |
| 6 | Chicago, Illinois | Lollapalooza and local TV | Lollapalooza since 2005 |
| 7 | Monte Carlo, Monaco | The Grand Prix and the Casino | Grand Prix extended to 2035 |
| 8 | London, England | Premieres and West End | UK production spend £6.8 billion (2025) |
| 9 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Hollywood South | Hollywood South |
| 10 | Paris, France | Fashion Week and the Left Bank | Fashion weeks |
The 10 best cities to meet celebrities, ranked by where the action is
We have dropped the old lists of which star lives on which street. Where people live is private, and it changes. Instead we ranked each city by how much celebrity-driven activity it has: production, premieres, events and the festivals that draw famous guests. Our order is our judgment from dated activity figures.
1. Los Angeles, California: Studios, premieres and awards season
FilmLA counted 19,694 on-location shoot days in 2025, down 16.1 percent from 23,480 in 2024, but a Q4 rebound and the expanded California tax credit suggest it is recovering. LA is still where films and TV shows are made, where the premieres happen and where the most stars are in town at the same time. Go for the Walk of Fame, studio tours, and Malibu if you want a beach day.
2. New York City, New York: Met Gala, Broadway and TV tapings
The Met Gala, formally the Costume Institute Benefit, is held on the first Monday of May in Manhattan, and Broadway, talk shows and fashion weeks bring performers through all year. Film and TV shoots are constant, so a celebrity on a street corner is a normal sight.
3. Las Vegas, Nevada: Residencies, fights and parties
Vegas draws famous guests for headline shows, major boxing and sports events and the nightclub scene. You are more likely to see a star at a show, a restaurant or a big event than in a neighbourhood.
4. Miami, Florida: F1, Art Basel and nightlife
Miami hosts the Formula One Miami Grand Prix, first held in 2022 around Hard Rock Stadium, and Art Basel Miami Beach, the fair’s Miami edition since 2002. Both bring stars, artists and collectors to town.
5. Vancouver, British Columbia: Hollywood North
Vancouver and Toronto are the main cities of the Canadian film industry that is nicknamed Hollywood North. Productions shoot here year-round, so spotting a crew is easier than spotting a star.
6. Chicago, Illinois: Lollapalooza and local TV
Lollapalooza has been held in Grant Park each year since 2005 and brings big musical acts to the city. Chicago is also a steady location for TV series.
7. Monte Carlo, Monaco: The Grand Prix and the Casino
Formula One has extended the Monaco Grand Prix contract to 2035, with the race now moved to early June. During race week, the harbour is full of yachts and well-known guests. Plan far ahead, since hotels fill.
8. London, England: Premieres and West End
The UK’s film and high-end TV production spend hit a record £6.8 billion in 2025, with London the centre of that industry, according to the BFI. Premieres in Leicester Square, the West End and Notting Hill are where you will see stars.
9. New Orleans, Louisiana: Hollywood South
New Orleans has long courted film and TV with incentives and local crews and has the nickname Hollywood South. Mardi Gras and the Jazz Fest bring many guests, though changing incentives mean production levels vary from year to year.
10. Paris, France: Fashion Week and the Left Bank
Paris Fashion Week and the haute couture shows draw the biggest names in fashion and entertainment. The best chance is outside shows, in the cafes and hotels around the Right Bank during the weeks of the shows.
Keep reading
- Why rich people live in Monaco: what draws the wealthy to Monte Carlo
- The 15 best gambling cities in the world: if Las Vegas and Monte Carlo are on your list
- The world’s most expensive cities: where the celebrity cities sit on price
FAQ
What is the best city to meet celebrities?
Los Angeles, where studios, premieres and awards season are concentrated. FilmLA counted 19,694 on-location shoot days in 2025.
Which events bring celebrities to New York?
The Met Gala, held on the first Monday of May, plus Broadway and fashion weeks.
Is Monaco good for meeting celebrities?
Yes in Grand Prix week. Formula One has extended the Monaco race to 2035.
How big is UK film production?
The BFI reported £6.8 billion of film and high-end TV production spend in the UK in 2025.
Where do celebrities live?
We no longer list private addresses or home towns of named stars. Where people live is private, and it changes.
How did we rank the cities?
By dated production and event data, with the strongest and best documented first.
How we put this list together
We used production statistics, event calendars and public reports from 2025 and 2026, and removed the old lists of named residents. Rankings are our judgment.
Last updated: October 2026.
