40 Awesome Things to do This Weekend in L.A. [1-8-16 to 1-10-16]

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 decided to curate a list of things to do in Los Angeles every week end that’ll help you decide how you want to spend your limited supply of attention (not to mention dollars!).

This weekend includes a huge LEGOs convention, a no-pants Metro ride, All Space Considered at the Observatory, a burgers and brewfest, FREE frozen yogurt, and plenty more options to choose from.

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So grab some friends or go at it alone, but most importantly have fun and enjoy yourself!

[RELATED: The Best Way to Find Discount Events in Los Angeles]

Griffith Observatory at Night
Credit: Brian Champlin / We Like L.A.

[REMINDER: In some cases We Like L.A. does receive revenue when visitors click on ticket links and make purchases, however we maintain complete editorial control over the events we suggest. Basically, it only makes it on to the website if we think it is cool!]


Friday January 8th, 2016

1. All Space Considered

The Griffith Observatory hosts a monthly forum where some of the most amazing phenomena in the known universe are explained and discussed. It’s called All Space Considered and it takes place on the first Friday of every month (this month the event takes place on the second Friday of the month due to New Year’s).

2. KURIOS — Cabinet of Curiosities At Dodgers Stadium

Step into the world of Cirque du Soleil’s KURIOS a place of wonders where your imagination can alter reality. Interested? Get more information and discount tickets via Goldstar!

3. The Contenders Film Series

Each year MOMA hand picks a section of films from the last 12 month they believe will stand the test of time for their annual The Contenders series. Each screening also includes a conversation with the filmmaker. The series takes place at the Hammer from January 6-20. Tickets are $15.

4. 1984 At The Broad Stage

This smash hit straight from London’s West End, makes’s it’s U.S. debut at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica. See George Orwell’s novel come to life through radical staging that blurs the line between the past and present and what’s fiction and reality. Keep in mind our friends at Goldstar have some discount ticketing options for this performance throughout the month of January (while supplies last).

5. Objects Without Meaning Sample Sale

Score up to 90% off the minimalist LA label’s womenswear and denim during this two-day sample sale. Happening Friday (10:00am – 6:00pm) and Saturday (11:00am – 4:00pm.)

Location: 120 E 8th St Los Angeles, CA 90014

6. Elvis Presley Themed Ice Cream And Impersonator For The King’s Birthday

Elvis Presley’s birthday is this Friday and the folks at Salt & Straw will be offering a decadent twist on The Kings well-known favorite treat with chunks of homemade bacon-peanut butter Oreos swirled into a malted banana pudding ice cream appropriately named “Happy Birthday Elvis.” An impersonator will be at the Larchmont shop that night from 8:00pm – 9:00pm too!

7. Lunchtime Yoga Retreat

Get your sun salutations on in the middle of Downtown in Grand Park! The free yoga class starts at 12:15pm and runs to 1:00pm.

8. Manzanar: The Wartime Photographs of Ansel Adams

The Skirball presents Manzanar: The Wartime Photographs of Ansel Adams in association with the Japanese American National Museum on view now through February 21, 2016.

9. Free Museum Day At The Long Beach Museum Of Art

The Long Beach Museum of Art is free every Friday!

10. 7th Annual Fireside At the Miles Performance Series Kickoff

Santa Monica Cultural Affairs announces the 7th annual Fireside at the Miles performance series at the historic Miles Memorial Playhouse from January 8 – February 26. Each Fireside Concert features a different mix of contemporary music, opera, jazz, storytelling, dance, poetry, beat boxing, a capella singing and more. Performances take place beside the large period fireplace where guest gather on comfy couches. For a complete line-up please visit www.MilesPlayhouse.Org and click on Fireside at the Miles.

11. $1 Cup Of Morning Joe At Otus Thai Kitchen

We spotted an awesome deal over at Otus Thai Kitchen on La Brea. As seen on their Instagram, they are trying out a new morning coffee happy hour that will run weekdays from 6:30am – 9:00am. Grab a coffee for just a buck and espresso drinks are half off during this time.

12. Free Meditation Classes At The Springs DTLA

Urban wellness oasis The Springs is offering free meditation class, Monday through Fridays at 1:00pm! Grab one of their fresh pressed juices after, it’s pretty much the best in town.

13. CHILL at the Queen Mary

Experience the Ice Kingdom, glacier glide ice tubing, ice skating and plenty of holiday entertainment athe  fourth annual CHILL! (ongoing) at the Queen Mary. P.S. The Ice Kingdom will be introducing the New Holiday Ice Bar for adults!  Runs until Sunday. For more information and discounted tickets visit our friends at Goldstar.

Saturday January 9th, 2016

14. Bricks LA 2016

A massive Lego convention comes to the Pasadena Convention Center this Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $5 and gains access to dozens of Lego vendors, artists, displays, interactive demos, and more. Oh, and kids 5 and under are free!

15. Santa Anita Park Burgers & Brew Fest

Spend a day with burgers, beer and world-class Thoroughbred racing at Los Angeles landmark, Santa Anita Park. A Burgers & Brew Fest package includes Club House admission, six gourmet burger bites from SoCal’s best burger joints, along with eight 3 oz. craft brew tastings. Score discount tickets via Goldstar.

16. FREE Frozen Yogurt All Day At The New Pico Rivera Menchies

For all our fellow froyo enthusiasts out there you can head over to Pico Rivera this Saturday for freebies to mark a week-long grand opening celebration for the grand opening of the new Menchie’s franchise on Whittier Blvd. Starts at 11:00am.

17. Gypsan Sample Sale

Gypsan is having a Sample Sale this Saturday from 11:00am – 4:00pm, score up to 80% off the label’s boho line during its first-ever sample sale. P.S. items start at just $5!

Location: 5117 York Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90042

18. The Dollface Dames Burlesque Show at Magicopolis

L.A. based burlesque troupe The Dollface Dames take over the Magicopolis stage for a night of tease, balloon popping, belly dance and even clogging? Lets just say they do a lot in their 80 minute show. But the fun doesn’t end there the Magicopolis bartenders double as magicians! Grab half price tickets and spend your money at the bar!

19. Rainbow Bar & Grill Remembers Motörhead’s Lemmy Kilmister

Motörhead’s Lemmy Kilmister passed away recently, and one of his favorite LA haunts the Rainbow Bar & Grill on the Sunset Strip will be holding their own remembrance services from 2:00pm to last call this Saturday.

20. Punk Rock Swap Meet

The Punk Rock Swap Meet is an all-ages indoor swap meet and music event in Pico Rivera. Expect a raffle, door prizes and a book signing for punk writer and L.A. Beat columnist Michael Essington’s Born Frustrated.

21. Sip Cocktails, See The Sights With The Historic Hollywood: Stars & Bars Gang!

Get a taste of Old Hollywood and sip on classic cocktails as an awesome guide share history tidbits, celebrity stories and more on Urban Adventures tour of Historic Hollywood. For more information and discount tickets check out our friends at Goldstar.

22. Reptile Super Show

Check out reptiles, amphibians and turtles at this weekend long expo at the Fairplex in Pomona. Open to all ages this is a great place to find supplies for the reptile in your life and brush up on some skills with educational workshops. Admission is $14 for adults and $9 for children 12 and under (the website has a printable coupon good for $1 off admission.)

23. Improv Comedy for Kids by Teens 

Like improv? We bet your kids might like it too! Now in it’s 11th award winning year Comedy for Kids, by Teens stars LA Connection class members. These teens have been trained to entertain kids with games and sketches aimed for youngsters but that doesn’t mean you wont be laughing as well! Get more information and discount tickets via Goldstar.

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24. 50% Off Juice & Meal Cleanses At Cafe Gratitude! 

Café Gratitude’s current cleanse promotion going on now through January 31st is perfect for those who partied too hard during the holiday. Get 50% off their 1,3, and 5 day cleanse programs at all locations.

25. Escape Reality At Magicopolis

Husband-and-wife duo Steve Spill and Bozena Wrobel perform a vaudeville-style magic show that’s fun for the whole family. Expect optical illusions, levitation, mind reading, disappearances and a nail-biting Houdini-type escape called the Table of Terror! Get more information and discount tickets via Goldstar.

26. The Hateful Eight Costumes & The Autry

Quentin Tarantino is a master in elaborate costumes and his latest film, The Hateful Eight, is no exception. Costumes from the film will be on view in the Imagination Gallery of The Autry. Designed by Courtney Hoffman and on loan from Cine-Manic Productions, Inc., the display features costumes worn by Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell and Jennifer Jason Leigh.

27. Holiday Ice Rink In Pershing Square

From November 12 – January 18 Angelenos can skate in the heart of DTLA at Pershing Square. Each skate-session costs $9, and it’s $4 for skate rental.

28. Chinatown Gallery Openings On Chung King Road

All opening receptions are from 7:00pm – 11:00pm.

Sunday January 10th, 2016

29. Annual No-Pants Metro Ride

For the 8th year in a row, GuerilLA will be helping organize L.A.’s No-Pants Metro Ride. Those who wish to accept this mission have to travel pants-less throughout the Metro system this Sunday. Choose from five rendezvous points and end up in Hollywood for a pants-less pub crawl of sorts. What to bring: $7 for a Metro Day Pass on your TAP card ($8 if you need to purchase a TAP card and the Day Pass), pants you can easily remove, and something in which to keep them. Underwear is NOT optional.

30. Le Salon de Musiques

Known for it’s warm and interactive stage-free musical experience, Le Salon de Musiques features chamber music in an intimate environment on the fifth floor of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The concert pays homage to four genius Russian masters: Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov and Shostakovich. Performances by Pacific Trio, soprano So Young Park and pianist Francois Chouchan are scheduled for this night. Kristi Brown-Montesano (Le Salon de Musiques’s musicologist), will be on hand to introduce and give context to each work, after the performances there will be a Q&A with musicians, as well as a Champagne and a gourmet high-tea buffet catered by Patina. Get more information and discount tickets via Goldstar.

31. The Farriers Package at Santa Anita

Why not spend a day at the races with a package that includes admission to the races, box seating and a racing program, along with a pint of local craft beer from the Farriers bar. Get more info and discounted tickets via Goldstar.

32. “Doug Benson Watches The Golden Globes” + Potluck!

Doug Benson and Karen Anderson will be taping a new episode of the “Dining With Doug And Karen” podcast before the Globes air. This event is FREE (with rsvp) but it is a potluck so things like bags of chips and drinks are not encouraged, bring a real dish, and try to impress Doug and Karen as they sample everyone’s creations live on the podcast.

33. 5th Annual Pasadena Cheeseburger Week

From January 10-15 the city of Pasadena along with 40 participating restaurants, bars, pubs, and lounges will offer specials on cheeseburgers in celebration of Cheeseburger Week.

34. Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention

Shop for new and old comic books, costumes, toys, collectibles and meet your favorite stars of sci-fi and comic past. This event will feature the original cast of Star Trek, other celebrities,tons of merchandise, and so much more. The Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention will take place at The Reef this Sunday and this year Billy Dee Williams a.k.a. Lando Calrissian will also be apart of the festivities. To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of James Cameron’s Alien appearances by Michael Biehn (Hicks), Lance Henriksen (Bishop), Jenette Goldstein (Vasquez), Mark Rolston (Drake), Ricco Ross (Frost) and Carrie Henn (Newt) are scheduled. Convention admission is a modest $12.

35. Mostly Musicals At The E  Spot Lounge 

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Shake off the holiday dulldrums with night of fun and uplifting songs at Musical Musicals presented by the E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Discount tickets available via our friends at Goldstar starting at $7.50.

36. Star Wars: The Force Awakens At El Capitan

Hollywood’s legendary El Capitan Theatre presents a special engagement of Lucasfilm “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” December 18, 2015 through February 7, 2016. Before the movie, El Capitan guests will be treated to an all-new Laser Lightsaber Curtain Show and can explore El Capitan’s exclusive display of costumes and props from the movie. Get more information and discount tickets via Goldstar.

37. Competitive Drinking Film League presents ROCKETBEER

The Competitive Drinking Film League presents ROCKETBEER a movie drinking game where you watch a film (The Rocketeer) about a guy in the 1930s with a rocket strapped to his back AND play a drinking game… get it? Rocket + beer, anyway, you win free beer if you’re on the winning team and their’s no cover! $5 craft beer and free popcorn too!

38. Pay What You Can Day At Craft And Folk Art Museum

Every Sunday it’s pay what you can day at the Craft and Folk Art Museum.

39. Free Day At Museum of Latin American Art

The Museum of Latin American Art has free admission every Sunday!

40. Free Day At The Pacific Asia Museum

Admission to the Pacific Asia Museum is free on the second Sunday of each month.


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Have an upcoming event you’d like suggest for listing? Drop us a line at [email protected].

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