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Last weekend to Build Your Kingdom! Photo courtesy of Discovery Cube
Last weekend to Build Your Kingdom! Photo courtesy of Discovery Cube
1/22/20 - By Toby B

This weekend is all about what we can do. We can defy any limits or expectations. We can root root root for the home team (and they can root for us!). We can go to museums for free. We totally rock!

We can explore the far reaches of our solar system or the most hidden corners of our planet. We can play in the Southern California snow. We can kick up our heels and celebrate like the party animals we are,  whether our spirit creature be rat, whale, or teddy. But, no, you cannot have unlimited screen time. 

Sorry, that last part was just for my kid. The rest of you can web surf to your heart's content and even run with scissors if you want. Totally fine by me. Just do me a solid and keep reading for our can-do picks for this weekend. Because yes we can! ....

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Cirque Éloize Hotel. Photo by Brice Robert
Cirque Éloize Hotel. Photo by Brice Robert

Things To Do All Weekend

Festival of Human Abilities

Long Beach
Aquarium of the Pacific presents its 21st annual Festival of Human Abilities, a two-day celebration highlighting the creative talents and abilities of people with disabilities. READ MORE

Annual Lunar New Year Celebration (The Citadel)

Commerce
The Citadel presents its annual Lunar New Year celebration. Year of the Wood Dragon is celebrated with Lunar New Year inspired entertainment taking place throughout the center and in Center Court. READ MORE

Cirque du Soleil - Volta (Dodger Stadium)

Santa Monica
VOLTA performs one more breathtaking trick:  finishing up its Dodger Stadium run before launching into Orange County. READ MORE

UVSA Tet Festival

Costa Mesa
Each year, those of Vietnamese descent celebrate the coming lunar year with Tet Nguyen Dan. It celebrates the Lunar New Year, the beginning of spring, and a way to start fresh.  In 2023, the UVSA Tết Festival theme is Long Vân Hội Ngộ, which depicts the story and idea of the dragon and the clouds meeting. Their meeting symbolizes luck, prosperity, and our biggest hopes and dreams coming to life. READ MORE

Knott’s Peanuts Celebration

Buena Park
Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the Peanuts gang take over Knott’s Berry Farm, for this unique family event celebrating the Peanuts. READ MORE

Circus Vargas: Mr. V's Bigtop Dream

Burbank
The Circus is in town! Circus Vargas raises its tent in Burbank. Circus Vargas’ latest extravaganza pays tribute to the company's founder, the late Clifford E. Vargas. READ MORE

Cirque Éloize Hotel

Northridge
Cirque Éloize’s new creation is a dazzling show inspired by the world’s greatest hotels. The glamour and flash of a Golden era come to life in this family-friendly spectacle.  READ MORE

Lunar New Year at Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal City
Aw rats!  This is your last weekend to catch the Lunar New Year themed extras at Universal Studios. READ MORE

Kiddee Matinees

Hollywood
On Saturdays and Sundays, families can catch a matinee screening of a kid-friendly movie at the New Beverly Cinema.   READ MORE

Temporary Closure: Touch the Stars 3D (IMAX film)

Exposition Park
UPDATE:  As of Monday, March 16, the California Science Center will be closed until further notice.  READ MORE

Temporary Closure: Exhibition: National Geographic Presents: Earth Explorers

Sylmar
UPDATE: The Discovery Cube is temporarily closed beginning March 15  through March 31. READ MORE

Lunar New Year at Disneyland

Anaheim
The Mouse celebrates Year of the Dragon, as Disneyland Resort puts its trademark spin on Lunar New Year festivities. New this year: a touch of red panda!  Guests can meet Meilin Lee and her mom Ming Lee from Turning Red on San Francisco Street. READ MORE

POSTONED: All Join In!

Santa Monica
UPDATE: As of now, all performances are postponed. READ MORE

Exhibit : Castle Builder: Build Your Kingdom!

Santa Ana - Closing Weekend!
The drawbridge is about to close on Discovery Cube OC's castle building exhibit. READ MORE
Dodgers Fanfest. Photo courtesy of LA Dodgers
Dodgers Fanfest. Photo courtesy of LA Dodgers

Things To Do Saturday, January 25

2024 DodgerFest

Elysian Park
It's time to root, root, root for the home team! Fans can celebrate the Dodgers (and vice versa) at the annual DodgerFest. The day includes a 90-minute stage presentation featuring interviews with new Dodgers Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow, as well as visits from familiar faces like Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Joe Kelly, Dave Roberts and more. READ MORE

Museums Free-For-All

Multiple Venues
 Museums throughout Southern California once again open their doors for free in celebration of the annual "Museums Free-For-All." Some museums require (or encourage) advance reservations. READ MORE

SFY: Symphonies for Youth

Downtown
The LA Philharmonic is back with another season of its Symphonies for Youth series, designed for kids ages five to 11. The first concert of the season offers a kid-friendly take on one of Shakespeare’s most popular stories and one of Mendelssohn’s most famous musical works: A Midsummer Night’s Dream: . READ MORE

Lake Forest Snowfest 2022

Lake Forest
The whole family can go sledding at Pittsford Park during the annual day of snow play. Sleds and saucers are provided to slide down Mount Pittsford. There is also a free snow play area for kids 10 and under open during the entire event.  READ MORE

Saturday Mornings At The Opera

Downtown
LA Opera thinks you're never too young to enjoy the classics, offering Saturday morning, hour-long, interactive performances.  From a bed of pillows, children enjoy an interactive, family-friendly opera under the glittering chandeliers of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.   READ MORE

Hands on History

Santa Monica
Kids learn about the iconic Santa Monica Pier in January's free workshop. READ MORE

Monster Jam (Anaheim)

Anaheim
Monster trucks smash, crash, and battle their way through Angel Stadium.  READ MORE

AMC Theatres Sensory Friendly Films

Multiple Locations
Select AMC Theatres show current releases in a special monthly screening for families affected by autism. The program provides a special opportunity for families to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment. READ MORE

Welcome to Jazz - A Swing-Along-Celebration of America's Music with The Big Lucky Band

West LA
Carolyn Sloan, author of Welcome to the Symphony, visits Children's Book World with her newest book Welcome to Jazz. Carolyn reads from the book and performs with The Big Lucky Band in an interactive jazz concert for kids and families. READ MORE

Lunar New Year Festival (USC Pacific Asia Museum)

Pasadena
USC Pacific Asia Museum's annual Lunar New Year festival celebrates the Year of the Dragon. Guests can enjoy a traditional lion dance, storytelling, calligraphy and crafts, food trucks, free admission to the museum, and a final chance to view the special exhibition, Another Beautiful Country. READ MORE

2024 Tet Parade

Little Saigon (Westminster)
Little Saigon is home to the largest Vietnamese community outside of Vietnam. More than 15,000 spectators are expected for the annual Little Saigon Tet Parade, the largest and most watched event of its kind in the US. The parade celebrates Year of the Dragon and the Vietnamese-American community of Orange County centered in Little Saigon.  READ MORE

Winter Wonderland

Sherman Oaks
There's snow in the forecast at Dixie Canyon Community Charter in Sherman Oaks. READ MORE

Annual Lunar New Year Celebration (The District)

Tustin
The District at Tustin Legacy hosts its annual Lunar New Year event to kick off the Year of the Dragon.  The first 500 guests receive a lucky red envelope (containing a crisp $2 bill!) READ MORE

Lunar New Year at Outlets at San Clemente

San Clemente
The Outlets at San Clemente celebrates the Lunar New Year. The free, family-friendly event includes free face painting, balloon, twisting, and arts & craft at the center court READ MORE

Norton Simon Family Day: Summer at the Seaside

Pasadena
Hot enough for you?  Norton Simon visitors can beat the summer heat while viewing artworks that capture majestic views of the beach and sea. Participants then create artworks of their own in the lower-level courtyard, with inspiration from seaside paintings by artists like Louis-Eugène Boudin, Gustave Courbet and Claude Monet. READ MORE

Lunar New Year (Santa Monica Place)

Santa Monica
Santa Monica Place’s Lunar New Year celebration returns with traditional Chinese lion dance performances, crafts for kids, and a Chinese dough artist. READ MORE

Your Kicks: ’90s Shoe Design Workshop

Exposition Park
Guests can draw their own sneaker designs at this free workshop at the California African American Museum. READ MORE

10th Annual Lunar New Year Festival (LA Waterfront)

San Pedro
This year's Lunar New Year Festival at the LA Waterfront is held at the newly opened Wilmington Waterfront Promenade.  (The Promenade's Grand Opening celebration is earlier the same day!) This free community event celebrates Year of the Dragon with cultural entertainment and crafts.  Event highlights include a petting zoo and fireworks finale (weather permitting). READ MORE

Teddy Bear Concert - Meet the String Family

Eagle Rock
At these concerts, kids are welcome... and so are favorite teddy bears! July's concert introduces the String Family. READ MORE

Lunar New Year (Pacific Symphony)

Costa Mesa
Pacific Symphony’s annual festivities honoring the Lunar New Year celebrate the Year of the Dragon in a colorful presentation of Eastern and Western music and dance. READ MORE
Photo courtesy of RockSTAR Music Program
Photo courtesy of RockSTAR Music Program

Things To Do Sunday, January 26

Whale Fiesta

San Pedro
Whale be there,, rain or shine!! In the case of poor weather, all activities will move inside. The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium celebrates the migration of the Pacific gray whale and the beginning of whale watching season.Returning this year: a life-size pod of inflatable whales!  Guests can get an up-close-and-personal encounter with the 100-foot blue whale, the largest animal on the planet, and step inside a humpback and gray whale. READ MORE

LMU Concerts of Music for Children

Westchester
Update: This event has been canceled. READ MORE

Lunar New Year Celebration (Farmers Market)

Fairfax
The Grove and the Farmers Market celebrate the Lunar New Year with fun for the whole family.  READ MORE

Annual 5k Run/Walk & Kids Fun Run

Van Nuys
The 10th annual 5k Run/Walk & Kids Fun Run is at Lake Balboa (Woodley Park). Runners receive a t-shirt, a finisher medal, and a pancake breakfast to celebrate their hard work. Lara Scott of K-Earth 101 acts as Master of Ceremonies. READ MORE

STAR Winter RockFest

Hollywood
More than 120 elementary school kid rock ‘n’ roll bands rock out at the El Rey Theatre. READ MORE

Happy Birthday Marion

Santa Monica
Santa Monica Conservancy docents turn the spotlight on Marion Davies—actress, philanthropist, famed party hostess, and mistress of media tycoon William Randolph Hearst—in honor of her birthday. Dressed in Gold Coast attire, the docents highlight aspects of Davies’s life and personality that may have escaped public notice. READ MORE

826LA@Hammer: Fortnite v. Fortnight: How to Build Words and Conquer

Westwood
What does the video game Fortnite have in common with Shakespeare? Both can teach us about how words and phrases are created and popularized.  Participants in this workshop use language to invent fabulous treasures, describe fortifications, and plan daring heists.  READ MORE

Fowler Families: Ready, Set, Sculpt!

Westwood
Fowler visitors can discover the dynamic colors, surprising materials, and personal memories shared by artist Rina Banerjee in the special exhibition Make Me a Summary of the World, before creating a sculpture that expresses their own unique story. READ MORE

Wild & Scenic Film Festival

Torrance
Palos Verdes Land Conservancy presents an exciting selection of adventurous and inspirational films celebrating the wonder and majesty of nature.   READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Dodger Stadium - Parking Lot 1
The Soraya - Valley Performing Arts Center
Disney California Adventure Park
Santa Monica History Museum
AMC Theatres - Participating Locations
The California African American Museum
Wilmington Waterfront Promenade
Murphy Recital Hall at Loyola Marymount University
The Grove and The Farmers Market
Lake Balboa (Woodley Park)
Annenberg Community Beach House
West High School Performing Arts Center