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We’re getting an early start on lunar new year festivities this weekend, along with plenty of other picks to
In view this January 9-11 in Los Angeles, you’ll find The Music Center’s Innovation Social, the LA Art Show, Winter FitspoLA at The Bloc, the Polar Pear Plunge in Santa Monica, a Synthesizer Sound Bath, a New Year’s Tea Ceremony, Japanese New Year activities at The Huntington, and more.
Things To Do This Weekend
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
LA Art Show – M > From Wednesday to Sunday, Los Angeles’ largest and longest-running art fair returns to the Convention Center’s West Hall for its 31st edition. Under the direction of Kassandra Voyagis, the 2026 fair showcases a massive global expansion, featuring over 100 exhibitors from 23 countries. High-profile highlights include a solo debut of abstract paintings by Sylvester Stallone and a strong international showing with first-time galleries from Ireland, Poland, and the U.K. This year also marks the premiere of the Latin American Pavilion, an invitation-only platform highlighting emerging artists from across the Americas. Whether you’re a serious collector or just looking for a deep dive into the contemporary scene, the show offers 200,000 square feet of art ranging from modern sculpture to celestial oil paintings by self-taught artist Chris Rivers. Tickets for the Wednesday opening party are $250. GA tickets for Thursday to Sunday are $40. Get more info here.
Animé Los Angeles – M > This Thursday to Sunday, Animé Los Angeles brings a 4-day, fan-centric anime convention to the Long Beach Convention Center. Expect 200+ participant artists, cosplay contests, tabletop gaming, a Manga Lounge, karaoke, and more. Single-day tickets at $45. More info here.
The Music Center’s Innovation Social -> M FA TP > This Friday, experience the future of storytelling at The Music Center’s latest Innovation Social. These free, speakeasy-style gatherings (previously known as the Black Bar Social) feature reality-bending projects that merge performance and technology. The January “Reflections on Loss, Hope and Renewal” iteration will demonstrate how immersive tools such as AR and VR can help communities after collective events like the Los Angeles wildfires. Event runs 6 to 9 p.m. More info here.
Prometheus with Esa-Pekka Salonen – M > The LA Phil’s Conductor Laureate Esa-Pekka Salonen returns this weekend to launch the Body and Sound festival with a multisensory performance of Scriabin’s Prometheus: Poem of Fire, this Friday to Sunday. The visionary production features a massive lighting sculpture by artist Grimanesa Amorós, designed to translate the composer’s synesthetic visions into a literal “poem of light.” The eclectic program also includes Sibelius’s shimmering The Oceanides, Gabriella Smith’s climate-conscious Rewilding, and Debussy’s radiant La damoiselle élue. It’s a rare chance to see Salonen back on his home turf for a high-concept weekend that bridges classical mastery with cutting-edge visual art. Tickets start at $51, and Friday’s performance includes a complimentary pre-concert drink in the Blue Ribbon Garden. More info here.
New Year Soundbath & Tea Ceremony -> Start the year on a serene note at a private garden residence in Pasadena this Saturday. Sound healer Braden Pontoli and culinary curator Tomoko Imade Dyen lead a restorative afternoon featuring an immersive soundscape of crystal bowls and vocal chants paired with a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Guests can settle into the lush outdoor setting with an opening tea service, followed by a sixty-minute sound journey and a closing social hour with light bites and energizing tea. It’s a perfect “reset” for those looking to swap New Year’s chaos for peace and tranquility. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own yoga mats and blankets to maximize comfort. Tickets are $65. Runs 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. More info here.
Polar Bear Plunge -> Made a bold move to start 2026, and try a chilly dip at the Annenberg Community Beach House’s annual Polar Bear Plunge this Saturday in Santa Monica. The morning begins at 10 a.m. with an invigorating mass plunge into the Pacific, featuring a 300-yard buoy swim for the truly brave and a “no judgment zone” for those who just want to dip their toes. Once you’ve braved the surf, you can retreat to the heated pool to thaw out, grab a hot chocolate, and snap a photo with Pat the Polar Bear. Pool admission—which covers the heated swim and hot showers—is $10 for adults and $4 for youth. Parking is available on-site for $3 per hour or $8 for the day. More info here.
New Exhibitions at TAM – FA > The Torrance Art Museum kicks off its 2026 season on Saturday with a pair of new exhibition openings. In the Main Gallery, Defending Ethical Integrity: The New Degenerate Art explores the intersection of art and censorship, featuring provocative works by artists like Paul McCarthy and Nadya Tolokonnikova of Pussy Riot. Reclaiming a term once used to suppress modern art, the exhibition serves as a defiant platform for dissent and social critique. Simultaneously, Gallery Two hosts Nine Visions x Nine Artists, showcasing diverse new projects from Southern California artists supported by the MRH Fund. Opening night begins with a moderated discussion at 4 p.m., followed by public reception from 6 to 9 p.m.. Admission is free. More info here.
Winter FitspoLA at The Bloc – M FA TP > Kickstart your 2026 resolutions this Saturday at The Bloc’s open-air plaza for the first FitspoLA event of the season. The morning kicks off at 9:30 a.m. with a core-strengthening mat Pilates session led by Ashlee Carignan, followed by a high-energy Zumba dance party hosted by LA Fitness at 11 a.m. It’s a great way to sweat it out in the heart of DTLA alongside wellness pop-ups and plenty of community energy. While the classes are free to the public with an RSVP, you’ll need to bring your own mat and water. More info here.
2026 Oshogatsu Family Festival—Year of the Horse – M FA > January in Little Tokyo means the return of the annual Oshogatsu Festival this Sunday. Put together by the Japanese American National Museum, the family-friendly affair heralds the year of the horse 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.
Synthesizer Sound Bath – FA> This Sunday, guests can bathe in sound waves as 40 synthesizers harmonize to create a unique 1.5 hour sonic experience at the Vintage Synthesizer Museum in Highland Park. Tickets cost $15 and guests can come a go anytime during the bath. More info here.
Matisse’s Surprises, with John Walsh – FA > Art historian John Walsh kicks off a captivating four-part lecture series at The Hammer this Sunday, diving into the legendary sixty-year career of Henri Matisse. The opening session, Exactitude is Not Truth, explores the artist’s early breakthrough on the Riviera, where he moved beyond conservative realism to embrace the jolting, dazzling colors that defined modernism. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of the Fauves or looking for a deep dive into art history, Walsh’s insights provide a fresh perspective on how Matisse consistently reinvented himself through every decade of his life. Admission is free, though early arrival is recommended as seating in the Billy Wilder Theater is on a first-come, first-served basis. Lectures begin at 3 p.m. More info here.
Japanese New Year at The Huntington -> Mark the new year at The Huntington’s Japanese Heritage Shōya House with traditional “Shōgatsu” (New Year’s) activities this Sunday including taiko drumming, botanical craft-making, and ikebana floral displays. The event runs noon to 3 p.m. and is included with admission, which starts at $34 for adults. All ages invited to attend. More info here.
Morton Feldman: Centennial Marathon – FA > Immerse yourself in the “glacial stillness” of mid-century minimalism as Piano Spheres celebrates the 100th birthday of composer Morton Feldman with a massive two-day musical marathon. Day one kicks off this Sunday at Culver City’s Wende Museum, inside the A-Frame Theater. The program features a six-hour lineup of Feldman’s famously long and ethereal works, including the haunting Piano and String Quartet. Performed by world-class specialists like Gloria Cheng and the Eclipse Quartet, the music is designed to be a meditative experience where time seems to stretch and suspend. It’s a rare opportunity for contemporary music fans to hear these massive scores in an intimate, historic setting. Free to attend with RSVP. Runs from 3 to 9 p.m. More info here.
Torrance Lunar New Year Festival -> Celebrate the Year of the Horse this Sunday at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center for one of the South Bay’s most vibrant community festivals. Hosted by the South Bay Chinese American Association, the day-long event features a massive marketplace, lion and dragon dance experiences, and plenty of authentic Asian street food. Between exploring the arts and crafts booths, you can catch free multicultural performances on the outdoor stage or dive into the “Anime & Cosplay” zone for some pop-culture flair. While the outdoor festival is free with an RSVP, a separate ticketed stage show featuring professional musicians and dancers will take place inside the Armstrong Theatre at 2 p.m. for $50. The main festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Nobu LA Goes Gold for the Golden Globes -> Nobu Los Angeles is celebrating awards season with Golden Globes inspired specials. Available in-house through January 11, 2026, the Golden Yuzu Lobster ($83) pairs lobster with asparagus and shiitake mushrooms, finished with bright yuzu and gold leaf. For at-home viewing, Nobu LA is also offering a $125 Golden Globes takeout package from January 9–11, featuring Yellowtail Jalapeño, a Caviar Cup, Lobster Salad with Spicy Lemon Dressing, assorted nigiri, and Miso Black Cod.
The Return of Smorgasburg (January 11 ) -> Smorgasburg is back at ROW DTLA this Sunday with a grand reopening that brings 13 brand-new vendors into the mix. New highlights include Hot Grease slinging ultra-crispy fried snapper with seasoned fries and housemade sauces, modern Peruvian street food from Piruchi, Taiwanese breakfast classics by Eat Souula, and Ruru’s Golden Tea serving karak chai topped with playful cold foam flavors.
Ukrainian Christmas Dinner ( January 11) -> The Ukrainian Cultural Center in East Hollywood hosts a Schedriy Vechir (“Generous Evening”) Holiday Gala featuring a traditional Ukrainian Christmas dinner and live performances by local choirs, musicians, and dance ensembles. The fundraising event runs from 2–5 p.m., with tickets priced at $81.88 for adults and $44.52 for children. More info here.
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