Descanso Gardens’ Enchanted Forest of Light, Magical Chinese Lantern Festival, Uncorked Wine Fest and more … Check out the top Los Angeles weekend events for January 2-5.
Edited by Alicia Luchak.
EVENTS
Tournament of Roses Post Parade: A Showcase of Floats
Through Jan. 2. Put on some comfortable walking shoes and meander amongst all of the ornate floats from the Rose Bowl Parade, up close and personal! Admire the fine details and craftsmanship and learn more about the stories behind the process through “White Suitors,” the tournament volunteers. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $20 per person. 626.449.4100. tournamentofroses.com
The Yoga Expo
Jan. 4. Grab your mat and head to the Pasadena Convention Center to start 2020 with mindfulness and Zen. A pass gets you unlimited yoga and meditation classes and workshops, as well as access to local, sustainable food and a one-of-a-kind yoga marketplace. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 300 E. Green St., Pasadena. theyogaexpo.org
Dogs! A Science Tail
Through Jan. 5. For all the dog lovers who have yet to check out the hands-on canine-centric interactive science experience at California Science Center, don’t worry—there’s still time! Learn all about how dogs view, hear and smell the world around them with 9,000 square feet of immersive puppy-themed exhibits and demonstrations. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Exposition Park, 700 Exposition Park Drive, downtown. More info
Enchanted Forest of Light
Through Jan. 5. Take a stroll through Descano Gardens with your family and friends and enjoy the illuminated masterpieces and interactive Instagram-worthy sights. Collections include coast live oaks, roses, the Oak Woodland, the Ancient Forest, the Japanese Garden and an award-winning camellia garden. M, F-Su 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tu-Th 9 a.m.-8 p.m. $4-$9, under 5 free. 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, 818.949.4200. Tickets
The Magical Chinese Lantern Festival
Through Jan. 5. Surround yourself in a weekend of light and color with over 1,000 hand-crafted lanterns, live entertainment, tasty bites and more! The Magical Chinese Lantern Festival will be packed with exciting extras for the whole family, like live demonstrations from Chinese folk artists and on-stage showcases from Kung Fu masters. 5:30-10 p.m. $15.50-$63. 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona. Tickets
New Year’s Race
Jan. 5. Get a head start on your fitness resolutions at this race starting at DTLA’s Grand Park. The evening event consists of a 9.3 Challenge, Resolution 5K, kids run and post-run HIIT workouts from Basecamp Fitness. newyearsrace.com
FOOD + DRINK
Socalo
Now Open. Renowned chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, known for their popular restaurant Border Grill, brings their modern Mexican flavors to Santa Monica. The new California canteen and Mexican pub has indoor and outdoor seating, plus Mexican craft beers, wine and cocktails. Mmenu highlights include sweet or savory house-made granolas, guava cheese empadas, jackfruit tinga tacos and the Baja seafood platter. Gateway Hotel, 1920 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.451.1655. socalo.com
Uncorked L.A.
Jan. 4. Sip more than 200 wines and Champagnes from across the globe at historic Union Station during this fifth annual event. Gourmet food trucks, live music and a custom photo booth are also offered. Cocktail or dress attire is requested but not required. 6-9 p.m., VIP entry 5 p.m. $65 GA, $80 VIP. 21+. Union Station, 800 N. Alameda St., downtown, 323.395.7263. uncorkedwinefestivals.com
W Hollywood’s Award-Season Cocktails & Viewing Party
Jan. 5. During the Golden Globes, celebrate the best movies of 2019 while sipping limited-time themed cocktails and tasty bites in at the W Hollywood’s Golden Globes Watch Party. At the hotel’s bars The Living Room and Station Hollywood, enjoy cocktails like Irishman with Jameson Irish Whiskey, sweet vermouth, green chartreuse, simple syrup and orange bitters; and JoJo Rabbit, with vodka, ginger, carrot and lemon. Also available are drinks like Lillet Nas X and Lizz-Old Fashioned. Cocktails available throughout award season. Viewing party starts at 5 p.m. W Hollywood, 6250 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. More info
ARTS + CULTURE
Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake
Through Jan. 5. Choreographer Matthew Bourne’s powerful interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece is reimagined here, but it retains its iconic elements, including replacing the female corps de ballet with a “menacing male ensemble.” Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. Tickets
Disney’s Frozen
Now Playing. Bring the kids to the Pantages to see the popular animated film Frozen come to life on stage, available through February 2. The Tony-nominated Broadway musical based on the wintry Disney favorite arrives in Hollywood. Expect to hear the film’s catchy songs, plus an expanded score with a dozen new numbers. Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770. Tickets
Photos: Tournament of Roses courtesy The Pasadena Tournament of Roses. The Yoga Expo courtesy @theyogaexpo/Facebook. Descanso Gardens’ Enchanted Forest of Light courtesy Descanso Gardens. Dogs! A Science Tail courtesy California Science Center. The Magical Chinese Lantern Festival courtesy @ChineseLanternFestival/Facebook. New Year’s Race courtesy @newyearsracelosangeles/Facebook. Socalo courtesy Socalo. Uncorked LA courtesy @uncorkedwinefestivals/Facebook. W Hollywood’s Award-Season Cocktails & Viewing Party courtesy W Hollywood. Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake courtesy the Ahmanson Theatre. Disney’s Frozen courtesy @hollywoodpantagestheatre/Instagram.
