Tournament of Roses
Through Jan. 2. The world-famous Rose Parade in Pasadena features marching bands, equestrian units and an astonishing array of flower-bedecked floats; the Rose Bowl sees top college football teams go head to head at Rose Bowl Stadium, nearby the parade route. Dec. 28–Jan. 2. Float decorating, Bandfest, Equestfest, Rose Parade (Jan. 1, 8 am), Rose Bowl (Jan. 1, 2 pm). Free curbside viewing of parade on first-come, first-served basis; grandstand seats $50–$90 on sharpseating.com. Rose Bowl tickets start at $150 plus fees. Fees for other events vary. Rose Parade: Orange Grove, Colorado and Sierra Madre boulevards, Pasadena, 626.795.4171; Rose Bowl Stadium: Orange Grove Boulevard, Lida Street and Fair Oaks and Linda Vista avenues, Pasadena, 213.365.3675. tournamentofroses.com
Journey of a Dress
Jan. 11-Apr. 1. They say clothes make the man. But it was a dress that made one woman in particular: Diane von Furstenberg. The designer fêtes the 40th anniversary of her iconic wrap dress with Journey of a Dress, opening Jan. 11 in the historic May Co. Building in the Miracle Mile District. The exhibit features a retrospective of vintage and contemporary Diane von Furstenberg designs, chronicling the history of the wrap dress from the first sample to today. It also features portraits of the designer, a muse to many artists. On display are works by Andy Warhol, Chuck Close, Helmut Newton and Annie Leibovitz, among others. 6067 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. dvf.com
Jason and the Argonauts
Jan. 14-Feb. 2. Beverly Hills is abuzz over the fall debut of the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, which repurposes the historic Beverly Hills Post Office and adds the 500-seat Goldsmith Theater and the 150-seat Lovelace Studio Theater. In addition to the new space, the theater makes their foray into innovative children’s programming with Scotland’s Visible Fictions Theatre Company’s comical take on the classic Greek myth, which is creatively presented with two actors, a variety of action figures and one incredible wooden cart. 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.746.4000. thewallis.org
L.A. Art Show
Jan. 16-19. The largest art fair during L.A. Arts Month is this one at the Los Angeles Convention Center downtown. This year’s fair focuses on modern and contemporary art, and 90 galleries show off their finest works by established and emerging artists. Also find original and fine prints at the Print Fair. Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St., downtown, 323.822.9145. laartshow.com
Photo L.A.
Jan. 16-19. The photographic art exposition presents its 23rd edition at the historic L.A. Mart downtown, hosting lectures and exhibiting world-class work, including that of this year’s honoree, celebrity photographer Douglas Kirkland. Shuttle buses transport attendees to the coinciding L.A. Art Show, nearby. Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main St., Santa Monica, 323.458.8551. photola.com
A Word or Two
Opening Jan. 19. A fixture of theater, TV and film for 60 years, the lauded Christopher Plummer brings his one-man show to the Ahmanson Theatre downtown for a limited engagement. Plummer wrote the autobiographical play, which details his lifelong love of the written word. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
DineLA Restaurant Week
Jan. 20-31. More than 300 of Los Angeles’ best restaurants are offering specially priced three-course prix fixe lunch and dinner menus during this wildly popular annual event. Dine at new restaurants like Herringbone LA, Mud Hen Tavern, and Allumette alongside returning favorites such as Crossroads, FIG Restaurant Santa Monica, and Petrossian Paris Restaurant & Boutique. discoverlosangeles.com
Cat Art Show Los Angeles
Jan 25-26, Feb. 1-2. Browse works from classic to contemporary at the largest exhibition of cat inspired artwork for sale ever exhibited. Extending beyond our favorite internet memes, the inaugural Cat Art Show Los Angeles displays works from more than 50 globally recognized artists, including Tracey Emin, Shepard Fairey, Jonathan Yeo and Ray Caesar, who explore the feline role as both muse and inspiration. Jan. 25, 7-10 p.m.; noon-5 p.m. all other dates. Jan 6205 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. catartshowla.com
2014 NHL Stadium Series: Anaheim Ducks vs. Los Angeles Kings
Jan. 25. Dodger Stadium sets the stage for an icy rivalry when the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks face off on the legendary baseball-field-turned-skating-rink. The first hockey game to be hosted at the facility, which has held eight World Series since its inception 51 years ago. Bundle up in winter woollies to take in the chilly action, with rink temperatures hovering around a cool 22 degrees Fahrenheit to stabilize the 2-inch-thick playing surface—courtesy of 20,000 gallons of water. 1000 Elysian Park Ave., L.A. kings.nhl.com
Golden State of Cocktails
Jan. 27–30. Raise a glass to the second-annual conference and festival devoted to California cocktail culture. Industry leaders including Cedd Moses (the Varnish) comprise the advisory panel for the event, which features bar crawls and a grand finale party at Union Station. See website for ticket prices, hours and locations. goldenstateofcocktails.com
Art Los Angeles Contemporary
Opening Jan. 30. In its fifth year, L.A.-centric ALAC brings more than 70 galleries to the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica to showcase their top artists. Artist talks, museum-curator-led panel discussions, and film screening and performance series round out the agenda. Barker Hangar, 3021 Airport Ave., Santa Monica, 323.851.7530. artlosangelesfair.com