The new year is finally here, and with it comes tons of exciting activities. While the glow of the holidays begins to dim, there are still plenty of wonderful ways to keep you busy for the month. Whether it’s a vibrant parade, planning a bucket list, or taking a short trip to enjoy post-storm snow, you’ll get to kick off the year with tons of new discoveries and experiences. Here are all the things to do this January around Los Angeles.
1. Step into another world and experience cosmic displays at the stunning Astra Lumina
The Astra Lumina experience in Los Angeles is an incredible experience for anyone and any age. This multisensory exhibit showcases the wonders of the night sky through interactive displays that bring this natural haven to life. You’ll traverse the stars, and galaxies, and tour the solar system using a fascinating combination of illuminated visuals and soundscapes which are designed to stimulate the senses and evoke emotions. Reserve your tickets and get ready to wander into the cosmos at Astra Lumina.
📍 Location: South Coast Botanic Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
2. Experience the gentle glow of candlelight at one of these classical concerts
The wildly popular Candlelight Concerts will be setting the winter nights aglow with these mesmerizing musical concerts set in some of L.A.’s most beautiful venues. Wrap yourself in the nostalgia with awe-inspiring renditions of classics across genres. Whether it’s a tribute to Pink Floyd, Taylor Swift, or other greats — you’ll find something for every musical taste. Here are the seasonally-themed editions coming this January:
- January 18: Sherman Oaks – The Best of Hans Zimmer
- January 19: Sherman Oaks – A Tribute to Whitney Houston
- January 19: Downtown LA – A Tribute to Adele
- January 25: Santa Monica: A Tribute to Juan Gabriel
- January 25: Santa Monica – A Tribute to Pink Floyd
- January 26: Downtown LA – A Tribute to Taylor Swift
- January 27: Downtown LA – Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with Orchid Quartet
3. Embrace the magic of a SoCal winter by escaping to these breathtaking snow-capped mountains
Believe it or not — you can embrace some winter wonderland vibes in sunny California! Grab your gear and head to these magnificent SoCal mountains for an exhilarating escape from the ordinary. From sledding down the stunning peaks to skiing adrenaline-pumping slopes, January is the perfect time to carve some unforgettable memories in the golden state. Get the full list of where to find snow near Los Angeles here!
4. Catch the world’s first art amusement park in Los Angeles before it leaves
Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy — is a mesmerizing showcase of the world’s first art amusement park that has opened its doors to the public in Los Angeles. Those who enter its doors will witness one-of-a-kind rides and interactive installations by 15 world-renowned artists — which include Delaunay, Salvador Dalí, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, David Hockney, Rebecca Horn, and Roy Lichtenstein. This unique exhibit is only here until mid-January — so grab your tickets before it’s too late here!
🗓 When: Now until January 14, 2024
📍Location: 1601 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90023
5. Explore these surreal places you won’t believe are around L.A.
Los Angeles is filled with enchanting places, from tiled gems to enchanting structures based on fairytales, every corner offers a new adventure. Many of which will transport you to another city and sometimes another realm. Explore some of our favorite weird and wonderful places across Los Angeles that will make you feel like you’ve stepped into another world here.
6. Venture into the unknown and awaken your senses at Dining In The Dark
Venture into the unknown and awaken your senses in a whole new way this new year! Step into a world of mystery and culinary adventure at Dining in the Dark, where blindfolds bring food to life. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and challenge your perception. Try something new this month, and grab your seat to Dining In The Dark here!
🗓 When: January 23, 2024
📍 Location: 4212 Lankershim Boulevard, Toluca Lake, CA
7. Celebrate music at the Hip Hop Til Infinity exhibition
Just in time for Hip Hop’s 50th birthday, Hip Hop Til Infinity has arrived in Los Angeles. This incredible exhibition is a visual mixtape that brings you on an immersive trip through the history of Hip Hop. After a highly successful NYC edition, this exhibition is celebrating Hip Hop’s momentous anniversary right here on the West Coast!
🗓 When: January 12, 2024, through February 2024
📍 Location: Hip Hop Til Infinity – 6400 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
8. Start the new year with ambient music and the outdoors with this collective
Floating is an outdoor collective that gathers every week to connect through nature and music. They offer two outdoor experiences, Soundscapes, and Soundbaths. Their Soundscapes combine beautiful nature and the power of art. It includes live musical experiences from local performers at their favorite nature-filled spots. Their Soundbaths are weekly outdoor meditations that involve vibrational therapy through singing bowls. It is said that these peaceful experiences aid in chronic stress, increase mindfulness, and promote total relaxation. Learn more about it here!
9. Find some alone time at one of these lush hidden gardens around L.A.
Image by @emanalami via Instagram[/caption]
Speaking of connecting with nature — whether it’s the glorious national parks or a retreat at some of California’s incredible outdoor destinations, West Coast residents are spoilt for choice when it comes to pockets of greenery to explore. So if you’re looking for a little outdoor solitude but don’t necessarily have a day to dedicate to the whole of Griffith Park, then here are the lesser-known spaces in L.A. to explore to clear your mind for the year ahead.
10. Unlock your fitness goals at TheFitExpo convention
Whether you’re passionate about fitness or just starting on your wellness journey, TheFitExpo is dedicated to meeting your fitness needs from active participation in workout classes, Q&A seminars, contests, and competitions to shopping and sampling the industries’ leading products and services. You’ll even get the chance to meet some of your favorite fitness athletes and celebrities in person at TheFitExpo Los Angeles. Grab your tickets to FixExpo here!
11. Feast at one of these four restaurants that are on Michelin’s most-anticipated restaurant openings for 2024
Los Angeles is known as a foodie paradise, so we know good food when we have it. Now, we have even more bragging rights. The Michelin Guide released its new list of the most-anticipated restaurant openings from Michelin chefs for 2024, and four of the sixteen are right here in Los Angeles. Check out Michelin Guide’s anticipated L.A. restaurants here!
12. Attend this BTS & CONTROL Gallery conversation with Juxtapoz editor Evan Pricco
BEYOND THE STREETS & CONTROL Gallery are hosting a conversation with Juxtapoz editor Evan Pricco and featured artists as a part of their extended run of EXHIBITION 009: UNDER PRESSURE. The talk will take place on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. Polo Cutty, Kristofferson San Pablo, and LEFT E join Evan Pricco to discuss the intricacies of the show, their process, and airbrush as an influential medium.
Their exhibition UNDER PRESSURE is on view now through January 27, 2024. Exclusive merchandise and printed matter will be available within the gallery gift shop for the duration of the run.
🗓 When:
- Conversation: Thursday, January 11, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. — RSVP to attend the talk at: rsvp@control.gallery
- Exhibition: Free to the public — Now through January 27, 2024
📍 Location: 434 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
13. Celebrate the Year of the Dragon at LA’s Chinese New Year Festival
Come for the vibrant traditions and stay for the food. If you didn’t get your fix of celebrations on January 1, you can ring in the Lunar New Year at the two-day Monterey Park festival on January 27 and 28. Gather to the heart of L.A.’s Chinese community to experience a festive street fair filled with blocks of folk art, authentic Taiwan meals, and a carnival featuring vibrant ancient-style costumes! Find all the details about the Lunar New Year Festival 2023 here!
🗓 When: January 27 and 28, 2024
📍 Location: Monterey Park, CA 91754
14. Step into this Bubble World experience near L.A. before it closes its doors
This Bubble World experience is a multi-sensory adventure, transporting you to another universe to explore every imaginable kind of bubble. Step into over 10 immersive rooms, each with its own imaginative theme, and see why it’s one of the best immersive experiences in L.A. It’s the perfect experience for the whole family, and it’s closing soon. Secure your tickets to Bubble World here!
🗓 When: Now through mid-February 2024
📍 Location: 1345 N. Montebello Blvd, Montebello, CA 90640
15. Come face-to-face with moving dinosaurs at Dinos Alive
Grab the kiddos and head on over to the Dinos Alive Exhibit: An Immersive Experience features over 80 specimens of life-sized moving replicas such as T-rex, Stegosaurus, and Ankylosaurus, this exhibit promises to transport you to the Jurassic where you’ll interact with the largest animals to ever set foot on our planet, using a blend of virtual creatures and detailed replicas. Get your g¡tickets to Dinos Alive here!
📍 Location: 1345 N. Montebello Blvd, Montebello, CA 90640
16. Take Up Salsa Or Bachata And Dance Away In A Victorian Club
It’s almost a requirement to pick up a new hobby in the new year and get back into shape after the holidays, but why not make it fun? At night, this ornate Victorian home becomes a vibrant club where you can learn salsa and bachata with incredible Latin music. Dancers of all levels are welcome to groove into the night. Find out more about these exciting bachata and salsa classes here.
📍 Location: The Victorian, 2640 Main Street, Santa Monica, 90405-4002
17. Sing your heart out at iHeartRadio ALTer Ego
Every year, the biggest names in Alternative Rock come together for iHeartRadios’s annual ALTer Ego concert and event. For year seven, they are going all out with Fall Out Boy, The 1975, The Black Keys, Thirty Seconds To Mars, and more! Grab your tickets here.
🗓 When: Saturday, January 13, 2024
📍 Location: Honda Center, 2695 E Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92806
18. Put these two tidefalls on your road trip bucket list
We all love a waterfall and no California resident can live without a healthy quota of beach days, so when you combine that you get the natural—and rare—magic of a tidefall. And the West Coast happens to be home to two of them. So, get out your bucket list and add these two gems immediately. Find out more here.
19. Visit a national park for free on the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Part of your New Year’s resolutions might be to get out more, so you might as well do it at one of the country’s prized natural settings—and for free. On January 16, the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., all 400 national parks will be free. If you’re wondering which park to visit amongst all the incredible choices, you can check out our list of top parks you need to visit at least once in a lifetime. Find out more about free national park entry here.
20. Cruise Over The Pacific With The Sound Of Jazz And A Champagne Brunch
Start the new year on a serene note with a jazz-filled brunch cruise. Step aboard this stunning yacht in Newport and feast your eyes on incredible scenery—and a scrumptious spread. As you sip on free-flowing mimosas and help yourself to the incredible buffet, you’ll listen to the sounds of a talented jazz band playing toe-tapping soundtracks. Reserve your two-hour brunch cruise here.
📍 Location: 2431 West Coast Highway #101, Newport Beach, 92663
21. Decompress at one of these cabins with hot tubs
Shake off any 2023 stress by escaping to one of these breathtaking cabins. Around SoCal, the term “cabins” is interpreted as anything ranging from sustainable farm lofts in the desert to a wooden cabin nestled amongst the snow-capped mountains. We’ve gathered five incredible ones in and around L.A. that guarantee sheer relaxation—in other words, they come with a hot tub. Check our the full list of hot tub abodes here.
22. Hike to these aqua thermal springs and treat yourself to a healing soak
All around Southern California, you can find stunning outdoor spas. These cascading thermal pools known as hot springs can often be reached with an easy trek and are filled with sulfur which is known for its healing properties. Is there anything better than rewarding yourself with a free, hot soak after a long year? Check out all the hot springs around L.A. here.
23. Sip The Finest Vintages At Uncorked Wine Festival At Union Station
This year’s Uncorked Wine Festival might just be the best one yet, with a variety of wineries from around the world showcasing their finest vintages hosted at the stunning Union Station. Guests will get to sample wines from over 150 wineries while enjoying live music, DJs, delicious food, and a variety of activities within the Art Deco gem. Even if you don’t know the difference between a sauvignon and chardonnay, you’ll leave feeling one (tipsy) step closer to being a sommelier.
🗓 When: January 27, 2024, from 5 to 9 p.m.
📍 Location: Union Station, 800 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
24. Visit this glass chapel overlooking the Pacific Ocean
Tucked away in the lush cliffside woods of Palos Verdes is this stunning glass chapel, designed by Lloyd Wright—son of famed American architect Frank Lloyd. It looks like it’s straight out of The Enchanted Isles from The Lord of the Rings, but you don’t have to be a LOTR fan to appreciate this stunning place. Find out all the details of this architectural masterpiece here.
📍 Location: 5755 Palos Verdes Dr S, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
25. Plan your ski season at Big Bear
Take an enchanting ride under the stars at Snow Summit. The only thing better than skiing under gorgeous blue skies is night skiing through a winter wonderland snow with a glowing trail of lights. Beginner and intermediate snowboarders and skiers will be able to glide down the beautifully illuminated Upper Miracle Mile and Summit Run or along the legendary Westridge Park. Find out more here.