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A new year is turning and with it a new bounty of options to help you explore the best of Los Angeles.
On tap for this January in L.A., you’ll find the 2025 Oshogatsu Family Festival, Fire Kinship at the Fowler Museum , Shark Lagoon Nights at AoP, Japanese New Year at The Huntington, the Drive-By Theatre Festival in NoHo, Full Moon Forest Bathing at the Arboretum, a Lunar New Year Festival in Monterey Park, and more. Let’s get into the full rundown below!
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M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
California State Parks Host First Day Hikes (January 1) – FA TP > Start 2025 on the right foot with a First Day Hike at Malibu Creek State Park. Taking place on January 1 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., join guided adventures like a 4-mile movie and film history hike, a 5-mile habitats hike, or a bilingual Junior Ranger nature walk (in Spanish and English). More info here.
The Rose Parade (January 1) -> The 136th Rose Parade returns to Pasadena for 2025 with its iconic assemblage of decorative displays, floral arrangements, eye-catching floats, marching bands and horse-drawn carriages, all traversing a 5 and a half mile route along (mostly) Colorado Blvd. More info here.
Floatfest: A Rose Parade Showcase (January 1-3) -> Following the 136th Rose Parade, visitors will have a chance to view the detail and design of float entrants up close at Floatfest, a ticketed ($25) showcase taking place at select times in the afternoon. More info here.
Free Admission at USC Pacific Asia Museum (through January 4) – M FA > Now through January 4, USC Pacific Asia Museum offers free admission for the holiday season. Take advantage of the special offer to check out their latest exhibition, Cai Guo-Qiang: A Material Odyssey, which explores Cai’s artistic process of using gunpowder and pyrotechnics to create drawings, paintings, and events.
Oddities & Curiosities Expo (January 4-5) – M > This unique expo returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center with an extraordinary showcase of over 150 vendors and artists providing a unique shopping experience for enthusiasts of the strange, offering rare and unique items such as antiques and handcrafted oddities. Beyond shopping, the immersive expo includes tarot readings, sideshow performers, and concessions throughout the day. Tickets start at $12. More info here.
2025 Oshogatsu Family Festival—Year of the Snake (January 5) – M FA > Kickstart January with an annual tradition in Little Tokyo, the Oshogatsu Festival. Put together by the Japanese American National Museum, the family-friendly affair heralds the year of the snake with a day of traditional Japanese food, entertainment and special activities including interactive storytimes, candy sculpture demonstrations, and scavenger hunt, and more. Plus, there is free admission all day at JANM. More info here.
Salinas de San Pedro Salt Marsh Open House (January 5) – FA > For one day only, head to Cabrillo Beach for a day exploring the wetlands. Managed and cared for by the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, this salt marsh hosts a diverse community of salt-tolerant plants, invertebrates, fish, and birds. Accompanied by CMA Educators and dedicated volunteers, you’ll have the opportunity to observe and explore the wonders of this unique habitat. This experience is free and welcomes participants of all ages. More info here.
First Wednesday Lecture at The AoP (January 8) -> Every first Wednesday evening of the month, the Aquarium of the Pacific hosts a guest lecture and cocktail reception at the Pacific Visions Theater. For January 8, join them for a night focused on theme “Living With the “Wild” Wolves in California”. Tickets are $5 in advance, or $10 the day of. More info here.
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Animé Los Angeles (January 9-12) – M > Animé Los Angeles brings a 4-day, fan-centric anime convention to the Long Beach Convention Center this January. Expect 200+ participant artists, cosplay contests, tabletop gaming, a Manga Lounge, karaoke, and more. Single-day tickets range from $40-$60. More info here.
Yoga on the Mountain (January 11) – FA > The Santa Monica Mountains Fund’s Yoga on the Mountain series returns to King Gillette Ranch on the second Saturday of January.. Join instructors Greg and Dawn for an outdoor yoga experience with live acoustic music under sycamore trees. The event is free to attend, but tickets are required. Starts at 10 a.m. More info here.
Full Moon Forest Bathing (January 11) -> Head to the LA Arboretum for a guided sensory experience inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin yoku, inviting you to experience the garden grounds under the shimmering light of the full moon. Tickets for non-members are $35 person. Starts at 5:30 p.m. More info here.
Yoga Expo (January 11) – M > The nation’s largest traveling yoga convention comes to the Pasadena Convention Center this January with a one day event featuring classes, panel discussions and a yoga marketplace. A single all-day pass starts at $65 per person. More info here.
Fire Kinship at the Fowler Museum (opens January 11) – FA TP > The Fowler’s second PST Art exhibition, Fire Kinship, posits a counter-narrative around the use of fire that seeks a return to Native practices in which fire is regarded as a vital aspect of land stewardship, community well-being, and tribal sovereignty. The exihibixotn opens with an evening celebration on January 11 featuring a welcome from a local California Indian community followed by a celebration with food, dance, and music. Fire Kinship remains on view through July 13, 2025. More info here.
Self-Care Yoga at CAAM (January 11) – M FA > California African American Museum stretches into 2025 with a fresh edition of their monthly, sixty-minute flow session led by yoga and meditation teacher Constance Hartwell. No previous experience is necessary, but you’ll want to bring a mat. More info here.
New Year Night Market at Superchief Gallery LA (January 11) – M FA > Superchief Gallery LA opens 2025 with a New Year Night Market on the second Saturday of the month. Expect DJa-spun tunes backing 30+ vendors offering merch and food, all presented alongside the gallery’s latest art show, FOOS GONE WILD: Law Abiding Citizens. The event runs 3 to 9 p.m. and is free to attend. More info here.
Japanese New Year at The Huntington (January 12) -> Mark the new year at The Huntington’s Japanese Heritage Shōya House with traditional “Shōgatsu” (New Year’s) activities—including taiko drumming, botanical craft-making, ikebana floral displays, and a mochi-pounding demonstration. The event runs noon to 3 p.m. and is included with admission, which starts at $29 for adults. All ages invited to attend. More info here.
Locals Night at the Santa Monica Pier (January 16) – M FA > Every third Thursday from September to May, Locals’ Night brings at the Santa Monica Pier offers a free evening of youth activities, a car show, local DJs and live music from local bands, and art exhibits. It’s always free to attend, and it’s one of our favorite events/locations to get our steps in. More info here.
Long Beach MLK Parade (January 18) – FA > The 37th Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Celebration will begin with 10 a.m. parade kickoff at the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue and Anaheim Street. A post-parade celebration is slated to go from noon to 5 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Park., where guests can catch performances, a kids zone, food and other vendors. More info here.
MLK Concert (January 18) – FA > The Santa Monica Symphony and Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a free concert at Barnum Hall performing symphonies and songs such as Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing to We Shall Overcome. The concert is free, but is ticketed, as space is limited. More info here.
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Synthesizer Sound Bath (January 18) – FA TP > Guests can bathe in soundwaves as 30 synthesizers harmonize to create a unique half-hour sonic experience at the Vintage Synthesizer Museum in Highland Park. Co-presented by dublab. Free tickets will be available starting January 2. More info here.
40th annual Kingdom Day Parade (January 18) – M FA > The 40th annual Kingdom Day Parade returns to Leimert Park for one of the biggest Dr. Martin Luther King celebrations in the world. The 2025 theme is “Peace and Unity, Let it Start with Us”. Free to attend. More info here.
City of Monterey Park Lunar New Year Festival (January 18-19) -> City of Monterey Park celebrates Lunar New Year with a two-day festival offering live entertainment, food booths, family activities, and vendors. Starts at 10 a.m. both days. More info here.
Common Ground Dinner: A Community Meal for Civil Rights (January 21) -> The Skirball Cultural Center’s special series of share meals continues in January with a evening of food and conversation celebrating the enduring power of solidarity, allyship, connection, and collective action in Los Angeles while using tableware from the Common Ground installation. Full menu TBD, but tickets are $90. Starts at 7 p.m. More info here.
Sound Experience at The Getty (January 25) – FA > Nigerian-born, Los Angeles-based experimental producer and composer Colloboh comes to The Getty to create a unique sound experience that melds technological processes, multi-sensory environments, modular synthesizers, and activated visual effects. The sound bath is presented in collaboration with dublab, and inspired by the The Getty exhibition Sensing the Future: Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T.). It takes place inside the Harold Williams Auditorium beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets are free, but must be reserved in advance. More info here.
Por El Río Closing Reception (January 25) – M FA > Clockshop marks the closing of Por El Río at Los Angeles State Historic Park with a closing reception highlighted by a conversation with exhibition artists Christopher Suarez and Carlos Agredano, plus DJ’d tunes from Sonido Sapo and Bianca Lexis, and light refreshments for guests. Runs from 2 to 4 p.m. More info here.
Drive-By Theatre Festival (January 25-26) -> To kickoff the 2024 season at Zombie Joe’s Underground, the indie North Hollywood theater hosts their 21st annual Drive-By Theatre Festival, a brand new, fast-paced collection of mini-plays all written, produced, and performed in two days (or less). Shows take place nightly at 8:30 during the three-day run. Tickets are $20 in advance, or $25 at the door. Get more info here.
Festival of Abilities (January 25-26) -> The Aquarium of the Pacific’s annual Festival of Abilities is a two-day celebration of the creative talents and abilities of people with disabilities. AoP will feature special programming which includes live performances and workshops by dancers, musicians, and artists who have learned adaptive skills to hone their craft. This festival will include sign language interpreters, and the Aquarium will have visitor guides in Braille and audio tours available for guests. All activities are included with general admission, cost $29.95 for kids 3-11 and $44.95 for adults. More info here.
Pasadena Cheeseburger Week (January 26- February 1) -> Did you know the cheeseburger was invented in Pasadena? Head to the city during Pasadena Cheeseburger Week where dozens of restaurants, lounges and casual spots will offer special burgers and deals to celebrate. More info here.
Happy Birthday Marion! (January 26) – FA > The Santa Monica Conservancy celebrates the life of silent film actress and socialite Marion Davies with a free day of festivities at the Annenberg Community Beach House. The event runs 1 to 3 p.m. Get more information and register to attend here.
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Over the Moon at The Hammer (January 26) – FA > The Hammer’s Family Flicks series kicks off 2025 with a nod to Lunar New Year via the animated feature, Over the Moon. A young girl, Fei Fei, is determined to prove the existence of a legendary moon goddess, Chang’e. Fei Fei builds a rocket ship and takes viewers on a musical expedition beyond the stars. Starts at 11 a.m. Recommended for ages 6+. More info here.
Dance Camera West Festival (January 29- February 2) -> Celebrate the art form of dance at this annual film festival at Barnsdall Gallery Theatre featuring a packed schedule of free and ticketed screenings and programs. More info here.
Demo Festival 2025 (January 30) – M FA > The largest motion design festival in the world comes to Downtown Los Angeles for one day only, presented alongside LACMA’s Digital Witness: Revolutions in Design, Photography, and Film. For 24 hours, screens in 16 cities across Europe and North America—including one at the intersection of Olympic Blvd. and Francisco St.—will showcase a selection of the best motion works from around the globe. Free and open to the public. More info here.
Shark Lagoon Nights (January 31) – FA TP > Free Shark Lagoon Nights are back at the Aquarium of the Pacific starting this January, offering guests the chance to get up close and personal with the Aquarium’s shark roster, including the opportunity to touch smaller sharks such as bamboo sharks. You will also see rays and large sharks in the Aquarium’s Shark Lagoon. Free to to attend and no RSVP required. Runs 6 to 9 p.m. More info here.
Emotionally Available Improv (January 31) – M FA > Is part of your 2025 plan to become a bit more in touch with your emotions. Launch that journey with a few laughs via a free performance of Emotionally Available Improv, popping up at Lawless Brewing on the last final Friday of January. Starts at 7 p.m. in the Game Room. Free to attend. More info here.
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