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Fun Free Activities for Kids in January 2025: 12 Free Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids

Welcome the Year of the Snake at the Oshogatsu Family Festival. Event photo by Doug Mukai for JANM
Welcome the Year of the Snake at the Oshogatsu Family Festival. Event photo by Doug Mukai for JANM
12/29/24 - By Toby B

Free things to do in Los Angeles will provide a nice break to your wallet after the spending spree in December. There are plenty of fabulous free Los Angeles activities in January. From walks in nature to the Oshogatsu Family Festival to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day parades and days of service, January's best events are 100% FREE. So, give your credit cards a rest while everyone enjoys these free activities in Los Angeles with kids. 

For more free things to do in Los Angeles with kids, visit these always-free, kid-friendly LA museums, discover free museum days for kids in Los Angeles, and browse our Guide to Free Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids. Free events are continually added to our Los Angeles event calendar, too. 

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Start the year off at the Rose Parade. Photo by David Photography via Flickr 2.0
Start the year off at the Rose Parade. Photo by David Photography via Flickr 2.0

Free Activities To Do with Kids in Los Angeles in January

2026 Rose Parade

Pasadena - FREE
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
The 137th Tournament of Roses Parade blooms again, marching down Colorado Boulevard. This year's theme is “The Magic in Teamwork," and the Grand Marshall is truly magic: sports legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson! READ MORE

First Day Hikes: Jr Ranger Nature Walk (English and Spanish)

Calabasas - FREE
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Get a fresh start to the new year! Families can enjoy a 2-mile, 2 hour round-trip walk along Malibu Creek to the Visitor Center. Along the way, participants learn how plants, animals, and humans are interconnected. READ MORE

Norwalk Las Posadas Celebration 2025

Norwalk - FREE
Saturday, January 4, 2025
Norwalk holds a traditional cultural celebration, featuring a candlelit procession at the City Hall lawn. This festive event features folklorico dance, traditional treats, food trucks, cultural activities for children, and live music. READ MORE

2025 Oshogatsu Family Festival

Little Tokyo - FREE
Sunday, January 5, 2025
2025 slithers in at the Japanese American National Museum: this year's Oshogatsu Family Festival celebrates Year of the Snake. The popular annual event features cultural performances, crafts, and activities for families and kids of all ages.  With free admission all day, the festival is the last chance to see all of the Museum's exhibitions before the Pavilion closes for renovation. READ MORE

Art + Play for Babies at OCMA

Costa Mesa - FREE
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Babies and their caregivers are invited to OCMA for a morning of creative arts and crafts with museum staff. This activity is specially geared for tiny ones ages 0-2 and their caregivers.  READ MORE

OCSA Connects Community Arts Festival

Santa Ana - FREE
Saturday, January 11, 2025
Arts-minded children can enjoy a full day of play at the OCSA Connects Community Arts Festival, a free community event, hosted on the Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) campus. Kids and their families are invited to come and enjoy live performances by OCSA’s talented students while engaging in arts activities, interactive play areas, and creative games. READ MORE

Kingdom Day Parade (New Date)

Exposition Park - FREE
Saturday, January 18, 2025
The Kingdom Day Parade, one of the nation's largest events celebrating the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., is back. Having been postponed due to the recent wildfires, the parade is now scheduled for February 17 (President's Day.)  Though no longer on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the parade is now in the middle of Black History Month. This year's theme is "Peace and Unity, Let it Start with Us." READ MORE

MLK Peace and Unity Parade Celebration

Long Beach - FREE
Saturday, January 18, 2025
Long Beach's Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Celebration returns for its 37th year. The annual event celebrates the life and legacy of a visionary who changed the world by promoting equality, justice, and peace. This year's event is themed "Together We Rise." READ MORE

Monterey Park Lunar New Year Festival

Monterey Park - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, January 18 & 19, 2025
Monterey Park's Lunar New Year Festival takes place in the downtown business district, featuring 5 blocks of booths, rides, and entertainment and drawing tens of thousands of visitors. The 2025 Festival celebrates Year of the Snake. READ MORE

Rancho Cucamonga Lunar Festival

Rancho Cucamonga - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, January 18 & 19, 2025
It's the Year of the Snake, and this massive celebration at the RC Sports Center honors this holiday with lanterns, lion dances, and other cultural entertainment. Opening ceremonies on Saturday showcase Taiko drummers, traditional dances and Shaolin Kungfu. READ MORE

LA Works MLK Day of Service 2025

Exposition Park - FREE
Monday, January 20, 2025
WILDFIRE UPDATE: "Many Angelenos outside the immediate fire zones are looking for ways to help those impacted. In light of the devastating wildfires, we are adjusting the event’s activities to support recovery initiatives and help affected individuals and families. Some activities that will now be supporting displaced families include, but are not limited to, blanket making, assembling meal kits, and assembling hygiene kits."   The spirit of Martin Luther King's dream of lives on! LA Works holds a Day of Service Volunteer Festival in honor of MLK Day. READ MORE

The Wallis Winter Family Fest: From Tehran to Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills - FREE
Saturday, January 25, 2025
The Wallis' winter Family Fest celebrates Iranian culture and creativity. This free immersive and interactive journey features performances and workshops that inspire imagination and movement. READ MORE

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