From food feasts around the city to a fresh crop of world-class theater performances, here are the top Los Angeles things to do in January.
Edited by Christina Wiese.
Awards Show Spa Treatments at The Ritz-Carlton
Jan. 1-Mar. 1. Indulge in A-list, over-the-top luxury treatments even if you’re not walking the red carpet this awards season. Guests can choose from three different offerings: Hollywood Glamour Manicure and Pedicure, the Red Carpet Ready Experience (includes Champagne and Shimmer body treatment, radiance facial and more) and the Elegant Entourage Package (includes own personalized aroma, makeover, blow out and more). $150-$980. The Ritz-Carlton Spa, 900 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown. ritzcarlton.com
National Bloody Mary Day
Jan. 1. Welcome 2018 with a refreshing, spicy twist on the Westside. The InterContinental Los Angeles Century City invites guests for a unique Tomatillo Green Mary (St. George Green Chile Vodka and Verde Ancho Reyes liqueur topped with a splash of Haymaker Sauvignon Blanc) while the Beverly Wilshire hosts a Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar. Copper Lounge at InterContinental Los Angeles Century City: 2151 Avenue of the Stars, L.A. intercontinentallosangeles.com; The BLVD at Beverly Wilshire: 9500 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. fourseasons.com
New Year’s Day Brunch at The Huntington
Jan. 1. Ring in the new year with an al fresco brunch under the splendid dome of the Rose Hills Foundation Garden Court. Expect a delicious variety of savory dishes, sweet treats and endless mimosas. Two seatings: 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. $100 adults, $50 children ages 2-10. Reservations required. Admission to the grounds not included with brunch ticket. 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, 626.405.2100. huntington.org
Tournament of Roses
Through Jan. 2. Enjoy the Rose Parade (Jan. 1, 8 a.m.), Rose Bowl Game (Jan. 1, 2 p.m.) and post-parade float showcase in Pasadena. Free curbside viewing of parade on first-come, first-served basis; grandstand seats for $55-$70 on sharpseating.com. Rose Bowl tickets start at $315. Post-parade tickets $15. Check website for detailed schedule and locations. 626.449.4100. tournamentofroses.com
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City Highlights Tour at Skyspace LA
Ongoing. Skyspace now offers a complimentary City Highlights tour with every general admission ticket. Fall in love with L.A. by learning more about the city’s history, pop culture, art, film and architecture. Daily tours last 35-40 minutes and depart on the hour beginning at 11 a.m. from the north-facing side of the 69th floor. 633 West Fifth St. #840, downtown, 213.894.9000. Tickets
Innovative Dining Group: dineL.A. Winter Restaurant Week Preview
Jan. 5-11. In celebration of IDG’s 20th Anniversary Year, enjoy exclusive early access to the dineL.A. menus from restaurant powerhouses Sushi Roku, BOA Steakhouse, Katana and ROKU. See website for all Los Angeles locations. innovativedining.com
Winter @ The Wallis
Jan. 6-Mar. 22. Grab a front-row seat to world-class dance, music and theater at this third annual winter series. The 2018 program features 18 events and kicks off with premier violinist Sarah Chang and pianist Julio Elizalde. Additional highlights include The Wallis debut of the L.A.-based dance company Lula Washington Dance Theatre, a weekend celebrating the great jazz legend Arturo Sandoval, the return of the innovative United Kingdom-based theater company Kneehigh with The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk and more. $20-$125. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.746.4000. thewallis.org
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa Festival of Lights
Through Jan. 6. See more than 5 million holiday lights, the world’s largest manmade mistletoe, horse-drawn carriage rides and a 30-ft multicolor pixelated tree showcasing a four-minute lights show with music. 3649 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside, 951.784.0300. missioninn.com
CHILL at the Queen Mary
Through Jan. 7. The Queen Mary’s all-new Chill experience features the U.S.’ first-ever Ice Adventure Park and a tribute to cultural traditions from around the world, with a global sampling of food, music and live entertainment. The 38,000-square-foot Ice Adventure Park offers ice skating, an ice track, Amsterdam Bumper Boats, a zip line, ice shuffleboard, a two-story ice-tubing slide and more. Check website for hours. $19.99-$44.99. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 877.342.0752. queenmary.com
Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Through Jan. 7. This winter season, the wizarding village of Hogsmeade transforms with festive decor, lights, garlands and wreaths. Stroll the streets while you try bites and Butterbeer from the Three Broomsticks, take in a showing by the Frog Choir and see the all-new holiday spectacle with dazzling lights against the majestic backdrop of the Hogwarts castle. See website for schedule and pricing. Universal Studios, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City. universalstudioshollywood.com
Enchanted: Forest of Light
Through Jan. 7. This local favorite returns for another year at Descanso Gardens. Additions for this year include a brand new Aqueous display, plus new enhancements to the Flower Power and Ancient Forest light displays. See website for hours. Descanso Garden Members $23-$25; GA $28-$30; Under 2 free. descansogardens.org
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Happy Place
Through Jan. 7. Smile and laugh your way through L.A.’s newest Instagram-worthy destination. Created for all ages, expect one-of-a-kind installations, multi-sensory immersive rooms and too many selfie moments to count. $28.50. 1242 Palmetto St., downtown. happyplace.me
L.A. Zoo Lights
Through Jan. 7. This L.A. holiday tradition returns for its fourth year to set the zoo aglow with thousands of LED lights, a disco ball forest and much more. Breathtaking new features include a musical holiday tree experience, a reimagined water show and a glittering North Pole, among others. See website for full schedule and pricing. 5333 Zoo Dr., L.A. lazoo.org
New Year’s Race
Jan. 7. Welcome a new calendar year with a fitness win in downtown Los Angeles. Participants can choose from a 5K or 10K race, both culminating in an after-party featuring a beer garden, music and art exhibitions in Grand Park. 3-10 p.m.; 5K starts at 5 p.m.; 10K starts at 6:30 p.m. See website for course map and registration information. newyearsrace.com
‘Spamilton: An American Parody’
Through Jan. 7. Didn’t score tickets to Hamilton? This play, touted by the New York Post as the “next best thing to seeing Hamilton,” is a hilarious parody of the musical from the comedic force behind the long-running hit Forbidden Broadway. See website for showtimes and ticket prices. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
Santa Monica Restaurant Week
Jan. 8-14. As part of California Restaurant Month, participating Santa Monica restaurants—including Obicà Mozzarella Bar, Lunetta, Tar & Roses, Sushi Roku and Locanda del Lago—and their chefs will craft healthful, custom dishes starring this year’s special restaurant week ingredient: the pomegranate. See website for full list of participating eateries. santamonica.com
Disney’s ‘Aladdin’
Opening Jan. 10. This new theatrical event from the producer of The Lion King features all your favorite songs from the beloved Disney film, as well as new music written by Tony and Academy Award winner Alan Menken. See website for showtimes and ticket prices. Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770. hollywoodpantages.com
L.A. Art Show
Jan. 10-14. One of the nation’s largest international art fairs connects more than 70,000 art lovers with 100 galleries displaying paintings, sculptures, photographs and other artworks in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center. This year, the show welcomes Design L.A. Art, a designated area for exhibitors of modern furniture, accent decor, architectural objects and jewelry. See website for hours and prices. 1201 S. Figueroa St., downtown. laartshow.com
An Evening with . . . Rian Johnson
Jan. 11. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, in partnership with Film Independent at LACMA, presents an intimate evening with filmmaker Rian Johnson (Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Looper, Brick). A screening of George Lucas’ American Graffiti will accompany the conversation. $15-$20. LACMA Bing Theater, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., 323.857.6000. lacma.org
Winter dineL.A. 2018
Jan. 12-26. Nearly 400 of L.A.’s top restaurants offer specially priced prix-fixe menus for lunch and dinner during this biannual dining event, which is marking its 10th anniversary by reflecting on the growth of the L.A. dining scene over the past decade and showcasing 10 notable restaurants and chefs who have played a large part in its evolution. See website for list of participating eateries. dinela.com
Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square
Through Jan. 15. Skate among the skyscrapers at this ice-skating rink, presented by Bai, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary at Pershing Square. See website for hours and skate-session schedule. $13 per one-hour skate session, including skate rental. 532 S. Olive St., downtown. holidayicerinkdowntownla.com
Ice at Santa Monica
Through Jan. 15. This 8,000- square-foot outdoor skating rink in downtown Santa Monica brings holiday spirit to the beach. M-Th 2-10 p.m.; F 2 p.m.-midnight; Sa 10 a.m.-midnight; Su 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Admission, including skate rental, $15. Corner of 5th Street and Arizona Avenue, Santa Monica, 310.260.1199. iceatsantamonica.com
LACMA’s Target Free Holiday Monday: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Jan. 15. Visitors and locals alike are invited to a free day of fun and learning at the largest art museum in the western United States. Expect art workshops for all ages, bilingual tours and live music with Diana Purim & Eyedentity at 12:30 and 2:45 p.m. in the afternoon. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. lacma.org
Pasadena Half Marathon & Expo
Jan. 19-21. The second annual race (Jan. 21) features historic Pasadena landmarks and a movie-esque finish line on the majestic Rose Bowl field. Race finishers will receive a complimentary, ice-cold pint of Angel City beer. Prior to the race, stop by the Pasadena Convention Hall for a Health and Fitness Expo (Jan. 19-20). See website for more information. pasadenahalf.com
Indie Beauty Expo
Jan. 24-25. At celebrity esthetician and spa owner Jillian Wright’s expo, discover the world’s largest curated collection of top independent beauty, lifestyle and wellness brands. Experience and shop an array of indie products while you sip cocktails and a DJ spins. Wednesday is open to consumers and Thursday is for industry professionals. W 5-9 p.m.; Th 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $29.99; VIP $99. California Market Center, 110 E. 9th St., Penthouse 13C, downtown, 718.928.9954. indiebeautyexpo.com
Art Los Angeles Contemporary
Jan. 25-28. Art Los Angeles Contemporary, the “International Contemporary Art Fair of the West Coast,” returns to Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar with an international roster of galleries including Chicago’s M. LeBlanc, which is showing Hans-Jörg Mayer’s Peitsche (2017). F-Sa 11 a.m.-7 p.m., S 11 a.m.-6 p.m. $25-$65. 3021 Airport Ave., Santa Monica. artlosangelesfair.com
‘Candide’
Opens Jan. 27. Voltaire’s 1759 satire about optimism and disillusionment comes to life in composer Leonard Bernstein’s comedic operetta of the same name. Conducted by James Conlon, the production stars two-time Tony winner Christine Ebersole and six-time Emmy winner Kelsey Grammer, who plays both author Voltaire and optimistic philosopher Pangloss. Tenor Jack Swanson portrays the young, innocent protagonist. Candide is a co-production of the Glimmerglass Festival, Opéra National de Bordeaux and Théâtre du Capitole deToulouse. See website for showtimes and ticket pricing. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown. laopera.org
Chinese New Year Celebration
Jan. 27. East meets West in this first-ever fusion showcase at the Arcadia Performing Arts Center. Guests are invited to welcome 2018, the Year of the Dog, with live music, buffet appetizers and more. 5-9 p.m., VIP Red Carpet Club 5-7 p.m. $9+. Arcadia Performing Arts Center, 188 Campus Dr., Arcadia. arcadiapaf.org
‘Elliot, A Soldier’s Fugue’
Opens Jan. 27. The first in a trilogy of plays by Pulitzer Prize winner and Tony Award nominee Quiara Alegría Hudes (In the Heights), Elliot is a powerful portrait of a Puerto Rican military family. See website for showtimes and ticket prices. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
Night on Broadway
Jan. 27. This free arts and music festival takes over DTLA’s Broadway corridor with programming on 10 stages, 10 city blocks and six historic theaters. 3 p.m.-midnight. Free, all ages. See website for schedule and participants. nightonbroadway.la
Uncorked l.a. wine festival
Jan. 27. This third-annual wine-tasting fest features over 150 wines from across the globe, a bubbly bar, gourmet food trucks, live music, a custom photo booth and more. Cocktail attire requested. 6-9 p.m.; VIP entry 5 p.m. $60; VIP $70. 21+. Union Station, 800 N. Alameda St., downtown, 323.395.7263. uncorkedwinefestivals.com
‘Golden Kingdoms: Luxury and Legacy in the Ancient Americas’
Through Jan. 28. Part of the ongoing Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA initiative, catch the Getty Center’s exhibition about luxury arts in the ancient Americas before it takes its final bow this month. Free, parking $15. Tu-F, S 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sa 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Closed Mondays. N. Sepulveda Blvd. & Getty Center Dr., L.A., 310.440.7300. getty.edu
Motivate. Elevate. Celebrate
Jan. 28. Angel City Brewery welcomes fitness fanatics for an afternoon of yoga courtesy of Green Tree Yoga, treats by Clif Bar and rock climbing in the parking lot. Modern Hiker will also be on-site to share the best L.A. hiking trails and answer any hiking-related questions. Noon-5 p.m. Free. Angel City Brewery, 216 Alameda St., downtown. angelcitybrewery.com
Southern California: Museums Free-For-All
Jan. 28. More than 30 of Southern California’s top museums will open their doors for a complimentary day of fun and education. Los Angeles participants include California African American Museum, California Science Center, The Broad, Descanso Gardens and Skirball Cultural Center, among others. See website for complete list. Free. socalmuseums.org
‘Stories of Almost Everyone’
Opens Jan. 28. Featuring over 40 international artists, the Hammer Museum’s latest exhibition explores our personal willingness to believe the stories that are conveyed by works of contemporary art. Tu-F 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sa-Su 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 10899 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., 310.443.7000. hammer.ucla.edu
‘Ironbound’
Opens Jan. 30. This moving work by award-winning playwright Martyna Majok spans 22 years to tell the story of Darja, a Polish immigrant who gets by with a cleaning job and her sheer will. Gil Cates Theater, Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood, 310.208.5454. geffenplayhouse.org
‘Water by the Spoonful’
Opens Jan. 31. The second in Hudes’ (In the Heights) trilogy of plays (see Elliot listing above), Water follows the four disparate members of an online chat room for recovering addicts. See website for showtimes and ticket prices. Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
Museum of Failure
Through Feb. 4. Celebrate history’s failed products and services at this quirky, experiential exhibit. Expect artifacts spanning from the 17th century right up to present day, including the Segway, one of Apple’s few unsuccessful devices and a movie case from Blockbuster (RIP). GA $15, seniors/military/A+D members $8. A+D Architecture and Design Museum, 900 E. 4th St., downtown. failuremusuem.com
Cirque du Soleil: ‘LUZIA’
Through Feb. 11. Billed as “A Waking Dream of Mexico,” this Cirque du Soleil show consists of visual surprises and acrobatic performances (e.g., hoop diving and surrealistic animals) bringing multiple places, faces and sounds of Mexico to the stage. Check website for schedule. Tickets start at $50, under 2 free. Dodger Stadium, 1000 Vin Scully Ave., L.A. cirquedusoleil.com
‘Caravaggio: Masterpieces from the Galleria Borghese’
Through Feb. 18. For a limited time only, experience a rare exhibition featuring three celebrated works by world-famous Italian painter Caravaggio. The three paintings—Boy with a Basket of Fruit, Saint Jerome and David with the Head of Goliath—highlight Caravaggio’s bold, naturalistic style and will be viewed alongside The Getty’s exceptional collection of Italian masterpieces. Tu-F, Su 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sa 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Closed Mondays. Free. 1200 Getty Center Dr., L.A. getty.edu
‘Green Diamonds: Natural Radiance’
Through Apr. 1. The dazzling new exhibition at the Natural History Museum of L.A. County welcomes some of the world’s rarest colorful diamonds to Southern California. Free with paid to the museum. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily $12 adults, seniors and students; $6 children 6-12; Free for Museum members and children age 2 and under. 900 W. Exhibition Blvd., L.A. nhm.org
‘Tattoo’ at The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHMLA)
Through Apr. 15. New traveling exhibition at NHMLA explores more than 5,000 years of tattoo history and culture. Different from its iteration at other museums, this exhibit will feature content dedicated to the vibrant tattoo scene in L.A., highlight the dynamic work of female tattooists and also have a working tattoo parlor on-site with live demonstrations and special times for tattoo appointments. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily $12 adults, seniors and students; $6 children 6-12; Free for Museum members and children age 2 and under. 900 W. Exhibition Blvd., L.A. nhm.org
Candide photo by Karli Cadel. The Broad photo by Christina Wiese. Cirque du Soleil Photo: Matt Beard © 2017 Cirque du Soleil.
