While you are seaside, celebrate the New Year at Tashlich by the Sea, which involves wearing white and casting old bread into the ocean. The bread symbolizes a year’s worth of burdens. Jewish or not, we could all do with a little bit of unloading. Many synagogues host a Tashlich up and down the coast. Nashuva in Venice ends the day with the blowing of the shofar and a drum circle. On Friday, I plan to do something I never even knew existed, though apparently it’s a tradition that goes back five years. The Pharaohs Festival on Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica is a celebration of all things Egyptian, including hieroglyphics, henna tattoos, food, music, and a Pharaohs’ bazaar.

There are many more things to do this week on our Daily Events Calendar.

1. Pop Up Pool Day/Tashlich by the Sea – Monday
Spend New Year at the beach. The Annenberg Pool reopens for the day, and in Venice Nashuva Temple celebrates this high holy day seaside.
See all Monday events

2. Tiny Tot Screening of Frozen – Tuesday
The El Capitan hosts special screenings of current releases geared to the comfort of our wee ones. Lights are dimmed but not dark. Cool off and meet Olaf!
See all Tuesday events

3. Mexican Independence Day – Wednesday
Olvera Street is fun any day, but this day is special in honor of Mexico's independence from Spain.
See all Wednesday events

4. Aquarium of the Pacific Homeschool Days – Thursday
We love the aquarium, but it can get pretty crowded with busloads of school children. On homeschool days, no field trips are scheduled. Aquarium educators are accessible to all.
See all Thursday events

5. Pharaohs Festival – Friday
Dancin’ by the Nile, the ladies love his style, King Tut! An experience of all things Egyptian arrives on the Third Street Promenade.
See all Friday events

There are always plenty more activities on our daily events calendar and in our monthly GoList. And if you don’t receive our newsletters full of suggestions for family fun, you really should subscribe…it’s free!