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Sometimes life is about more than just having fun… even if that that the primary focus of our website/newsletter.
This January 30 to February 1 in L.A. starts with ICE Out Los Angeles (read more below), followed by Miyawaki Forest Planting Day, a Swap Shop x Circular Library Clothing Swap, the Love Thy Neighbor: A Twilight Zone Charity Reading at Dynasty Typewriter, a Black History Month Kickoff at Smorgasburg, and more.
Things To Do This Weekend
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
ICE Out Los Angeles – FA > Instead of to-dos for this Friday, we’re cancelling plans and urging readers to participate in a general strike scheduled across the country on January 30. Many Los Angeles area restaurants will close operations on Friday in solidarity with the protestors in Minneapolis, and there are multiple protests planned around L.A. county on the same day, with the largest expected to be at L.A. City Hall beginning at 1 p.m. Why are we making this callout? Because, this is what fascism looks like. And it’s up to us (the people) to either acquiesce or turn the tide. We Like L.A. has no problem plainly stating which side of that debate we choose.
Yoga on the Mountain at King Gillette Ranch – FA > On Saturday, the Santa Monica Mountains Fund’s Yoga on the Mountain series returns to King Gillette Ranch on the last day 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.
Miyawaki Forest Planting Day – M FA > Witness a historic environmental milestone at Gloria Molina Grand Park this Saturday to mark the creation of Los Angeles’ first urban Miyawaki Forest. This high-density, rapid-growth ecosystem is designed to restore biodiversity in the heart of DTLA. The day begins with a ceremonial land acknowledgment and features a hands-on “Legacy Workshop” where you can help plant native species. Guests can also enjoy live DJ sets by Hello Stranger, an Aztec dance blessing by Yankuititl, and an eco-focused partner village. The event is free to attend, though an RSVP via Eventbrite is encouraged. Runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. More info here.
Garrick Ohlsson and Richard O’Neill at BroadStage -> Two Grammy-winning titans of the classical world, pianist Garrick Ohlsson and violist Richard O’Neill, unite this Saturday for a masterful 75-minute program at BroadStage. Ohlsson, celebrated for his technical brilliance, and O’Neill, known for his “velvety” tone, will perform a selection of Schubert and Rachmaninoff, including Schubert’s Arpeggione and Rachmaninoff’s Sonata for Viola and Piano. Arrive by 6:45 p.m. to catch a pre-show performance in the lobby by the young musicians of Elemental Music. Tickets for this performance start at $45. Starts at 7:30 p.m. More info here.
Swap Shop x Circular Library Clothing Swap – FA > Refresh your wardrobe sustainably this Saturday at the Circular Library on Abbot Kinney. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Swap Shop community gathers to exchange pre-loved adult clothing and accessories. The rules are simple: bring 1 to 5 items in good condition to receive the same number of “new” pieces in return. While RSVPs are preferred, this event is free to attend even if you don’t have items to swap. More info here.
Koreatown Lunar Night Market 2026 – FA > Celebrate the Year of the Horse in Ktown this Saturday at the Koreatown Plaza with a free festival featuring Lion Dances, Korean drumming, and AAPI-owned vendors. Head to the basement food court for staples like Tonkatsu House and Pao Jao. The first 350 attendees can also grab $15 food vouchers! Runs 3 to 6 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Love Thy Neighbor: A Twilight Zone Charity Reading -> Step into the fifth dimension at this Saturday at Dynasty Typewriter with a star-studded live script reading of two iconic Twilight Zone episodes: “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street” and “It’s A Good Life.” This one-night-only fundraiser features an incredible ensemble including Gates McFadden, Sean Gunn, Khary Payton, and Rekha Sharma. Beyond the sci-fi nostalgia, a portion of proceeds supports Hello Neighbor, a nonprofit providing essential resettlement and legal services for refugees and immigrants. Tickets are $45 for in-person general admission or $30 for the livestream, with no item minimum required at the venue. 18+ event. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. More info here.
City of Monterey Park Lunar New Year Festival – FA > This Saturday and Sunday, the City of Monterey Park celebrates Lunar New Year with a two-day festival offering live entertainment, food booths, family activities, and vendors. It all takes place in Downtown MP on Garvey Avetween Garfield and Alhambra Aves. Starts at 10 a.m. both days. More info here.
Game Tasting at Doheny – M FA > This Sunday, join the USC Game Innovation Lab and USC Libraries for an immersive day of tabletop gaming that explores play as a catalyst for social change. Part of the “Let’s Play” series, this tasting features fifteen stations with modern classics like Wingspan and Carcassonne alongside student-designed prototypes. You can participate in guided sessions or explore the open-play zone with games like Monarch that challenge traditional themes of power and gender. Admission is free, though participants must RSVP and sign up for specific gameplay time slots in advance. The event is hosted in the Friends of the USC Libraries Lecture Hall at the Doheny Memorial Library on the USC campus. Starts at noon. More info here.
Black History Month Kickoff at Smorgasburg -> Celebrate the start of Black History Month this Sunday at Smorgasburg LA with a special spotlight on Black-owned businesses. This Sunday’s kickoff features a curated lineup of talent, including mushroom-based vegan dishes from Champignon Eats, Afro-Caribbean flavors from With Bee, and Southern fish fry from Hot Grease Co. Beyond the food, you can shop activewear from The Small Shop LA or pop art posters from Studio Maxe. The atmosphere will be electric with live music by Icyola, an instrument “petting zoo” for kids, and DJ sets from the Twelve Slsb crew. Entry to the market at ROW DTLA is free, and the first two hours of parking in the onsite garage are also free. Runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More info here.
Our Electric Future: Palisades Community Celebration – FA > Resilient Palisades and the Pali Veg Fest have teamed up for a day focused on recovery and clean energy at Paul Revere Middle School this Sunday. The community event features hands-on demonstrations of home-hardening tech like solar-powered roof sprinklers and induction cooking, alongside panel discussions on rebuilding after wildfires and financing green home upgrades. Families can enjoy live music by The Amazing Music Store Band, kids’ solar-car building workshops, and vegan bites from The Vegan Joint. With over 20 participating organizations including the LADWP and the California Native Plant Society, it’s a comprehensive resource for residents looking to build a more resilient neighborhood. Admission is free. Runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Bad Luck Bagels Pop Up at Tomat (February 1) -> Tomat in Westchester hosts a feel-good, do-good pop-up with Bad Luck Bagels this Sunday, starting at 10 a.m. and running until sold out. A portion of proceeds will support CHIRLA, the nonprofit advancing the civil and human rights of immigrants and refugees across L.A., Minnesota, and beyond. Charlie Pennes will being the bagels while Tomat co-owner and chef Harry Posner smokes trout and pastrami for next-level bagel sandwiches. More info here.
A Chili Crisp Crab Melt at Luke’s Lobster (starting January 30)-> Luke’s Lobster kicks off 2026 with heat, launching its first limited-time special of the year in collaboration with cult-favorite Fly By Jing. The Chili Crisp Crab Melt turns up the flavor with 2 oz of sweet Jonah crab, gooey cheddar, crunchy cabbage, and a bold chili crisp mayo made with Fly By Jing’s Xtra Spicy Sichuan Chili Crisp, all pressed on classic white bread and served with chips ($18). Snag it for a limited time starting Friday at Luke’s Lobster shacks, including the Santa Monica location. More info here.
Bridgerton Afternoon Tea Service at Chado Tea Room (January 29 through March 15) -> Chado Tea Room rolls out a Bridgerton-inspired Afternoon Tea to celebrate the Netflix series premiere, running January 29 through March 15 at all locations. The limited-time service ($69 per person) features an elegant spread of pastries and tea sandwiches paired with your choice of a Bridgerton-inspired tea blend. Look for highlights like lemon pudding tea cake, tea-marinated truffled eggs, and Lady Danbury’s cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches. More info here.
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