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Los Angeles provides no limit of things to do, some awesome and some not so awesome. Since time is precious in this fast paced city we curate a list of things to do in Los Angeles for every weekend that’ll help you decide how you want to spend your limited supply of attention (not to mention dollars!).
This weekend in L.A. from Friday, January 2 to Sunday, January 5 features The Smell’s anniversary party, Cosmic Karaoke, Second City Hollywood Open House, Day of The Doors, the Yoga Expo, Oshogatsu Family Festival and MUCH more.
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Remember you can always go to our L.A. events calendar page to get an updated rundown of what’s happening around the city.
Hope you find the rundown useful and, as always, enjoy your weekend!
Keep in mind that while we retain complete editorial control of our content, for some of the ticketing options provided we utilize affiliate links and receive a commission if you purchase through our links.
Friday January 3rd, 2020
1 . The Smell turns 22 this year and they’re throwing a party this Friday to celebrate being an all-ages, alcohol and drug-free, punk rock/noise/experimental venue in Downtown Los Angeles. Performers for the night include Together Pangea, Bob Baker Marionettes, and Whaja Dew.
2. Never been to LACMA? First-time Fridays is a cool opportunity for new visitors to the museum. Simply let the ticket office know you’re a newbie and you’ll receive a free poster, discounts and a welcome gift. Plus, if you have a valid L.A. County residents you can get free admission after 3 p.m.
3. Discover the best in foreign-language cinema during the Golden Globe Nominees Series, a week of special screenings from Dec. 29 to Jan. 4 at the Egyptian and Aero Theatres.
4. Gay Asstrology, an LGBTQIA+ Dance Party happening on the first Friday of every month invites queer energy, community, and a love of astrology to The Satellite in Silver Lake. It’s Capricorn season so everyone under that sign gets free admission to the party.
5. The Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanic Garden presents Moonlight Forest, where crafted lanterns line the garden grounds, some depicting animals, shimmering exotic flowers, and figures from Chinese legends. Happening Wednesdays through Sunday from November 9 through January 12, 2020. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
6. It’s First Fridays at The Village in Redondo Beach. Merchants and art galleries stay open till 8 p.m. and guests can catch live music next to the Aloha Bungalow.
7. Get into the winter spirit when ICE at Santa Monica returns with a 8,000 square foot ice skating rink. Running November 1, 2019 through January 20, 2020.
8. The Paley Center for Media celebrates the holidays with family-friendly experience PaleyLand. Guests can enjoy daily screenings of classic holiday TV programs, a Candy Cane Forest , arts and crafts, dreidel games, and free hot cocoa. No reservations are required. Open Wednesdays through Sundays till January 5, 2020. FREE
9. Check out the Norton Simon Museum’s collection of art and a fantastic outdoor garden for free on the first Friday of every month (after 5 p.m.) FREE
10. Head down to Scum and Villainy Cantina in Hollywood for Cosmic Karaoke night. There is no cover for this event.
Saturday January 4th, 2019
11. Second City Hollywood will once again host an Open House with free workshops in stand up, improv, acting, writing and singing. There will also be free admission to select shows. Reservations are highly recommend for both workshops and shows. FREE
12. The Yoga Expo heads to the Pasadena Convention Center for a full day of workshops, yoga experiences and namastes.
13. The Griffith Observatory hosts a public star party once a month from 2-9:45 p.m. where folks can get a look at the sun, moon, plants and other objects in the sky through a variety of telescopes. FREE
14. Don’t Tell Comedy pops up in Santa Monica this Saturday with some of the biggest names in comedy. Performers are kept under wraps and the location will be emailed to all ticket holders. BYOB!
15. One of L.A.’s most magical holiday traditions, L.A. Zoo Lights returns November 15, 2019 through January 5, 2020 with thousands upon thousands of LED lights illuminating the zoo. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
16. The fourth annual Day of The Doors celebrates the iconic band through a day filled with pop-ups, photos on exhibit, a film screening and more. Everything takes place at the original Morrison Hotel, 1246 S. Hope St.
17. OUE Skyspace host Yoga in the Sky a monthly morning yoga class 1,000 feet above the city. Class begins at 7 a.m. and is taught by SoHo Yoga. Unlimited Skyslide rides and light refreshments will follow the class. Guests must bring their own mats.
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18. Stop by the Echoplex for Daft Disko a French Disco House dance party inspired by artists like Phoenix, Kavinsky, Disclosure, Daft Punk and more.
19. Hey Y’all Comedy hosted by Margot Evans is a live stand-up show happening at the Long Beach Federal Underground that showcases a variety of seasoned comics and local up and coming acts. The headliner this month is Beny Mena.
20. Descanso Gardens’ Enchanted Forest of Light wraps up its 2019-2020 run this weekend. The annual event features a host of interactive displays, light sculptures, and nighttime activities spread out over the grounds of Descanso Gardens.
21. The El Capitan Theatre is the prime spot to see Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker, audiences will be treated to exclusive experiences that include the Evolution of the Stormtrooper™ costume exhibit plus costumes from the new movie. Before each movie, ticketed guests can also snap a photo with First Order Stormtrooper™ at a meet-and-greet and enjoy an all-new laser and light show. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar) Open on Christmas too!
22. Corey Helford Gallery’s sixth annual Art Collector Starter Kit group show highlights affordable 12” x 12” works from 100 top New Contemporary artists, giving new art collectors and enthusiasts a chance to buy an original piece from artists. The show will be on view through January 18, 2020.
Sunday January 5th, 2019
23. Celebrate the Year of the Rat at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles during the Oshogatsu Family Festival a day of art, food, dance and more.
24. There’s a Cheese & Beer class happening at Boomtown Brewing this Sunday. Milkfarm will provide the cheese, host a presentation, Q&A, offer samples and a live cracking of an 85 pound wheel of the famed Solo di Bruna (Brown Cow) Parmigiano Reggiano.
25. Chocolate Sundaes Comedy Show is a free event happening at The Laugh Factory Hollywood featuring top comedians and a DJ.
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26. Spend the first Sunday of 2020 challenging your fitness during the New Year’s Race in Downtown. Starting in Grand Park, the race features a 5K and a 10K race with a pre- and post-race festival. Highlights include booths, food trucks and a beer garden.
27. Friendship Buddies is a free stand-up comedy show that takes place at the Verdugo Bar back patio features some of the best comics in Los Angeles and beyond. Show starts at 8p.m. FREE
28. The annual LA Kings Holiday Ice happening at L.A. LIVE’s Microsoft Square is a daily outdoors holiday skating rink. Open November 30, 2019 through January 12, 2020.
Food Pick for the Week
This week’s pick by Christina Champlin, Co-Founder of We Like L.A.
Pastry chef and Scratch Restaurants owner Margarita Kallas-Lee has created a limited edition ice cream flavor for Wanderlust Creamery. Available all January, the flavor named “The Cheese Course” is inspired by Kallas-Lee’s Scratch|Bar & Kitchen signature dessert, a triple creme ice cream served with smoked honey and brioche. The triple creme cheese comes from the Central Coast’s Stepladder Creamery and Kallas-Lee’s own toasted brioche. Smoked honey will be swirled together to create “The Cheese Course,” which will be offered at the the Wanderlust Creamery Tarzana and Atwater Village locations. 100% of the profits from the scoops sold will go to the charity Project Angel Food in memory of Scratch Restaurants previous Director of Operations, Gabriel Wischmeier, who passed away unexpectedly in September.
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