The 19 Hottest January Events in Los Angeles
Often, January can feel like one of the cooler months of the year in terms of things to do, thanks in part to the holiday rush of the last two months. So at EatDrinkLA, we’re taking a look back – 100 years back, to be exact – to see how the year 1924 might be affecting the hottest January events in Los Angeles. Think big studios, Mulholland Drive, and the creation of one of the most popular food items in the world – let’s see if you can guess which one.
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Lightscapes
Don’t turn down the lights quite yet; Los Angeles is still a winter wonderland for the first week of January.
- Lightscape at the L.A. Arboretum in Arcadia features a complete garden takeover until January 2nd. Each section is timed perfectly with music for an uplifting, immersive experience that all ages will enjoy. Purchase here and save almost $15 per ticket.
- Enchanted at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada, Flintridge offers a nightly light-up of the botanical gardens and a chance to feel what it’s like to walk a forest at night. The lights are accompanied by an ethereal, meditative soundtrack that you can enjoy on Spotify on the car ride home. The event runs from now until January 7th. Tickets are available here.
- L.A. Zoo Lights features light-up animals at night while the real animals sleep tight. Enjoy it until January 7th. Discounted tickets are available here for select nights.
The Rose Parade
The bleachers for The Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena have been out since before Christmas for this annual January 1st tradition. Grab your tickets here to enjoy seating for the 135th year, or try your luck with free sidewalk viewing. The parade takes place from 8 to 10 a.m. and will be televised.
L.A. on Ice
Enjoy these last three outdoor rinks before the city hangs up its skates.
- Skate by the sea at the 4th annual Ice Rink at Paséa Hotel & Spa until January 1st in Huntington Beach. Tickets can be found here and are $35 for 90 minutes.
- Ice at Santa Monica takes place near the Third Street Promenade at 5th Street and Arizona and is open DAILY from 11:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. It’s on now until January 15th. Tickets are just $20 and can be purchased on-site or pre-purchased online to secure your time.
- Pershing Square Holiday Ice Skating Rink is open now until January 7th in DTLA. Tickets are $20, and time slots can be pre-purchased beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Three Kings Day
Christians and people with kids love a good Three Kings Day, or celebration of the Epiphany, which is a night where if you leave your shoe outside, it will be filled with goodies. This year, it falls on January 6th, and if you’re looking for something sweet to keep everyone busy with during the daylight hours, then Vallarta Supermarkets has got you covered. Their Panaderia section will be selling traditional Rosca de Reyes bread, which is a circular loaf with a tiny plastic baby inside. If you find it, you owe your family a tamales party.
The Art Scene
Visit the newish exhibit at The Broad Art Museum in DTLA titled Desire, Knowledge, and Hope (with Smog), showcasing works by Los Angeles-based artists from the collection. Many are on view for the first time, so even if you’ve been before, it’s time to go again! Tickets are free and new spots open up daily as well as the last Wednesday of every month at 10 a.m.
Next, you’ve got Dance Camera West’s 22nd Annual Dance Film Festival at the Barnsdall Art Park in Hollywood from Thursday, January 25 through Sunday, January 28th. Enjoy Screenings, Receptions, Workshops, and more, and explore the lengths you can go to when you combine the beauty of dance with the cinema. Tickets begin at $15, and more information can be found here.
Also in art news is the return of the Immersive Van Gogh experience in Montebello, California. Timed tickets begin at just $30 on select days.
National Pastrami Day (January 14th)
In honor of National Pastrami Day, some hot pizza shops in Los Angeles are collaborating for a citywide Pastrami on Pizza Festival on Sunday, January 14th.
The festival is the brainchild of RC Provisions, LOL Caesar’s, Off The Menu, and @PIZZA who then got restaurants like Prince Street Pizza, LaSorted’s, Ozzy’s Apizza, Pizzana, D Town Pizza, Quarantine Pizza, and more involved to craft their own pastrami pies.
Visit Instagram for more information; otherwise, just pick your favorite pie shop from the image below and order something special.
The Return of Smorgasburg LA
The incredible outdoor food festival, Smorgasburg LA, is back in action this Sunday, January 14th. Every year, for their grand “re-opening,” they debut about a dozen new food vendors – on top of the already seventy or so in the lineup! Expect to enjoy Lobsterdamus ramen, Saucy Chick Rotisserie, Sus Arepas, Tacos 1986, and Kavahana – a kava beverage out of the Pacific Islands that is a perfect alternative to alcohol.
The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at ROW DTLA. Entry is free, and there is ample parking.
Iconic Dinners
Head to A.O.C. on Sunday, January 14th, for the 20th anniversary of Cassoulet Night. The three-course meal presented by Chef Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne features the slow-cooked dish of duck confit, sausage, and white beans among other dishes. This is the first time in four-years that they’ve been able to celebrate of the famed dishes from the restaurant Lucques.
Tickets can be purchased for $95 a person through the restaurant or with OpenTable Experience. Reservations are available from 5 to 10 p.m.
Live Music
Did you know there’s FREE Live music almost every night of the week at 7 p.m. at Topanga Social in the Westfield Topanga Mall? If you’ve never been before, it’s like having some of the best restaurants in Los Angeles, like Amboy Burgers, Katsu Sando, and Tail O’ The Pup, under one roof and at your greasy fingertips. It’s unlike any food court you’ve ever been to.
Also happening on the live music front is some fresh Jazz every Tuesday and Wednesday night. Visit Bar Lis Hollywood on Tuesdays beginning at 9 p.m. for Jazz Electic LA, and Wednesdays from 7 to 10 p.m. belong to Rudolph’s Bar at Freehand Los Angeles.
The Cheeseburger Centenial
Did you guess right? Yes, it’s the Cheeseburger that is 100 years young, and legend has it that it was invented in Pasadena, California by Lionel Sternberger at The Rite Spot. In honor of the commemoration, hotels in Pasadena are offering FREE Cheeseburgers along with your stay, and restaurants like Slab Pasadena are offering a free house beverage with purchase.
Pasadena Cheeseburger Week will take place from January 21st to the 27th where you can fill in a whole Cheeseburger Passport to win prizes.
Also, in Cheeseburger Anniversary news, Hollywood Burger is celebrating its 8th anniversary with FREE BURGERS at both its locations. Just be among the first 100 customers to say the phrase, “Happy Burgerversary,” on January 29th, 2024 and you’re in!
