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MLK Weekend 2025 in Los Angeles: 16 Best Things To Do With Kids

Honor MLK by volunteering or doing a unity walk. Photo courtesy of CAAM King Day 2025
Honor MLK by volunteering or doing a unity walk. Photo courtesy of CAAM King Day 2025
1/15/25 - By Toby B

Looking for the best things to do in Los Angeles during MLK weekend? Here are some events and activities to add to your list for the holiday weekend.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is 'What are you doing for others?'" This year, the sentiment resonates even more profoundly as Los Angeles faces the aftermath and recovery from devastating county-wide fires. National MLK Day of Service events, such as Big Sunday's 13th Annual MLK Day Clothing Drive and the LA Works MLK Day of Service, offer families a chance to spend a day giving back in honor Dr. King's memory, and in support of our fellow Angelenos. 

Additionally, Lunar New Year observances in the Southland offer opportunities for reflection and renewal. Families can ring in Year of the Snake at two-day events in Monterey Park and Rancho Cucamonga.

Our hearts and thoughts are with those affected by the fires. Please check venue websites before attending any events this weekend for updates on possible event cancellations and business closures as a result of the air quality and fire conditions. ​Here are ways to help with the Los Angeles wildfires. 

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Celebrate the Year of the Snake. Photo courtesy of the Monterey Park Lunar New Year Festival
Celebrate the Year of the Snake. Photo courtesy of the Monterey Park Lunar New Year Festival

Best Things To Do MLK Weekend in Los Angeles with Kids

Drop-in Workshop for Teens: Acting

Mid-Wilshire
Friday, January 17, 2025
How dramatic: January's Drop-in Workshop for Teens focuses on the craft and techniques of acting in film. 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

Colburn School Early Childhood Open House 2025

DTLA - FREE
Saturday, January 18, 2025
Please note: This event was originally scheduled for an earlier date. Families are invited to come and explore the Early Childhood Creative Arts Program at the Colburn School.  The sequential curriculum helps support key developmental milestones in children ages 7 months to 7 years while instilling them with a love of music, dance, singing, and more. Guests can take a sample class, meet faculty and the Early Childhood Department Chair, Dr. Nita Baxani, and attend an orientation at this free family-friendly event. READ MORE

Something to Crow About

Highland Park
Starts Saturday, January 18, 2025
Something to Crow About is the original Bob Baker Spectacular, originating in 1959 when the theater was just a glint in Bob Baker’s eye. The audience enters through red barn doors to experience this historic and revitalized show, which has the scope of a Broadway musical plus the Wonderland touch of Hollywood. READ MORE

Ina Buckner-Barnette: The Sunshine Storyteller

West LA - FREE
Saturday, January 18, 2025
Ina Buckner-Barnette, the Sunshine Storyteller, visits Children's Book World for an interactive storytelling concert for preschoolers.  This "Movers and Shakers" themed event celebrates trailblazing Black inventors, artists, and leaders. READ MORE

Nothin' But Sand Beach Cleanup

Venice - FREE
Saturday, January 18, 2025
Kids can get involved and help the environment by participating in this monthly beach cleanup. The first event in 2025 is held at Venice Beach Pier. READ MORE

Burrr-bank North Pole Plunge

Burbank
Saturday, January 18, 2025
Please note: This event was originally scheduled for an earlier date. Putting the brrrr in Burbank! The Verdugo Aquatic facility is open for an afternoon of wintry fun at the pool. 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

Monster Jam (Anaheim)

Anaheim
Saturday & Sunday, January 18 & 19, 2025
Monster trucks smash, crash, and battle their way through Angel Stadium in the Stadium Championship Series.  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

STOMP at the Soraya

Northridge
Saturday & Sunday, January 18 & 19, 2025
You see a shopping cart, they see a musical instrument.   STOMP returns to the Soraya for three performances. READ MORE

18th Annual Southern California Slack Key Festival

Redondo Beach
Sunday, January 19, 2025
Hawaiian music comes to the mainland at the 2025 Southern California Slack Key Festival.  Taking its name from a finger-picking style of guitar playing indigenous to Hawaii, the Slack Key Festival brings the art of ki ho'alu guitar to Redondo Beach. 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

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Unity Walk

Santa Clarita - FREE
Monday, January 20, 2025
The community can come together for a Unity Walk in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at Santa Clarita's Central Park. The event kicks off with a brief program focusing on Dr. King’s legacy and contributions to our Nation, all centered around this year’s theme - “Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence 365,” honoring his life and impact. READ MORE

Big Sunday's 13th Annual MLK Day Clothing Drive & Community Breakfast

West Adams - FREE
Monday, January 20, 2025
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Big Sunday once again hosts an in-person event for volunteers, friends, and community members to help sort, count, and pack donated clothing to prepare it for nonprofit recipients. READ MORE

CAAM King Day 2025

Exposition Park - FREE >br> Monday, January 20, 2025
King Day at CAAM is a day on, not off! The community is invited to come together to honor Martin Luther King Jr. with a performance by the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, discussions with the King Study Group, family activities, food trucks, and more. New this year:  a community service book donation drive supporting the Little Free Library at the Crenshaw Family YMCA. READ MORE

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