Santa Monica Restaurant Week, Moonlight Forest, Chinese New Year, Photo L.A. and more. Start 2020 with these 20+ top Los Angeles things to do in January.
Edited by Alicia Luchak.
Japanese Oshogatsu Festival
Jan. 1. Welcome the decade with the whole family at a traditional Japanese New Year’s celebration. At the 22nd Annal Oshogatsu Festival, presented by Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California, you can enjoy interactive activities and live entertainment all day. Stop to join the Nisei week Queen and her court for a mochi lesson and see taiko drummers, lion dancers—also known as Shishimai—and kimono and Harajuku-style fashion shows. 10:50 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Weller Court and Japanese Village Plaza. japanese-city.com
Tournament of Roses
Through Jan. 2. 131st Rose Parade (Jan. 1, 8 am), 106th Rose Bowl Game (Jan. 1, 1 pm), Post Parade: A Showcase of Floats (Jan. 1-2). Free curbside viewing of parade on first-come, first served basis; grandstand seats for $60-$110 on sharpseating.com. Rose Bowl tickets start at $100. Check website for detailed schedule, locations and tickets. 626.449.4100, tournamentofroses.com
Uncorked L.A.
Jan. 4. Sip over 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 on offer. Cocktail or dress attire is requested but not required. 6-9 pm; VIP entry 5 pm. $65; VIP $80. 21-plus. Union Station, 800 N. Alameda St., downtown, 323.395.7263, uncorkedwinefestivals.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. theyogaexpo.org
Descanso Gardens’ Enchanted Forest of Light
Through Jan. 5. 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 am-5 pm; Tu-Th 9 am-8 pm. $4-$9, under 5 free. 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, 818.949.4200 Tickets
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
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
Santa Monica Restaurant Week
Jan. 6-12. To celebrate California Restaurant Month and highlight the coastal city as an award-winning culinary destination, Santa Monica restaurants and their chefs offer custom, healthy dishes starring this year’s special ingredient: the kumquat. See website for a list of participating eateries. More info
Moonlight Forest
Through Jan. 12. Be dazzled at the Arboretum’s magical lantern art festival. The immersive experience features nearly 60 luminous displays—including new Ocean Visions and Polar Dreams exhibits— plus live entertainment and food trucks. 5:30, 7 & 8 p.m. $20-28. 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, 626.821.3222 Tickets
What the Constitution Means to Me
Opening Jan. 12. Heidi Schreck’s boundary-breaking play, a 2019 Tony nominee for best play and Pulitzer Prize finalist, breathes new life into our Constitution and imagines how it will affect the next generation of Americans. Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772 Tickets
The Last Ship
Opening Jan. 14. Musical icon and multiple Grammy Award winner Sting stars in this heartfelt musical, which he also wrote the music and lyrics for. The story follows the tensions in a shipbuilding community when the local shipyard is closing. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772 Tickets
2020 Winter DineL.A.
Jan. 17-31. Over 400 of L.A.’s top restaurants offer specially priced prix fixe menus for lunch and dinner during this popular biannual dining event. See website for list of participating eateries, including Marco Polo at the newly opened Silver Lake Pool & Inn, vegan spot Nic’s on Beverly and Upstairs at Ace Hotel DTLA. Also on offer are a series of dinner-only tasting menus ($99+) from many of L.A.’s top Michelin- rated fine-dining chefs and restaurants. dinela.com
Happy Chinese New Year, Charming Jing-Jin-Ji
Jan. 18. Welcome the Year of the Rat at the city of Beverly Hills’ ninth annual Chinese New Year celebration. The performance will consist of a variety show, a “Jing-Jin-Ji” photo exhibition and a cultural heritage crafts display and demonstration at the Saban Theatre. Check website for schedule and tickets. Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd.,Beverly Hills, 800.345.2210, lovebeverlyhills.com
iHeartRadio ALTer Ego
Jan. 18. The Forum. Featuring Billie Eilish, the Black Keys, blink-182, Coldplay, the Lumineers, Rex Orange County and Shaed. 3900 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood, 310.330.7300 Tickets
The Bai Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square
Through Jan. 20. Skate among the skyscrapers at this ice-skating rink, which materializes every holiday season at Pershing Square. See website for full schedule of free community and special events, hours, skate-session schedule and prices. 532 S. Olive St., downtown, holidayicerinkdowntownla.com
ICE Presented By Plaza at Santa Monica
Through Jan. 20. This 8,000-square-foot outdoor skating rink in downtown Santa Monica brings holiday spirit to the beach. M-Th 2-10 pm; F 2 pm-midnight; Sa 10 am-midnight; Su 10 am-10 pm. Admission, including skate rental, $15. 1324 Fifth St., Santa Monica, 310.260.1199, downtownsm.com
Until the Flood
Opening Jan. 24. In this stunning theatrical experience, Pulitzer Prize finalist and celebrated performer Dael Orlandersmith pulls from her extensive interviews with Missouri residents to explore the social uprising in Ferguson, Missouri, following the shooting of teenager Michael Brown. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 213.628.2772 Tickets
Los Angeles Lakers Vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Jan. 28. Watch L.A.’s dual basketball teams take each other on at Staples Center in a “Hallway Series” matchup. 1111 S. Figueroa St., downtown, 213.742.7100 Tickets
Photo L.A.
Opening Jan. 30. This internationally recognized-yet-accessible photography exposition—the longest-running international photographic art fair on the West Coast—features a roster of over 65 local and international galleries and dealers, collectives, leading not-for-profits, art schools and global booksellers. Th 6-9 pm; F 11 am-8 pm. See website for tickets. Barker Hangar, 3021 Airport Ave., Santa Monica, 323.965.1000, photola.com
Disney’s Frozen
All month. 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
Shirin Neshat: I Will Greet the Sun Again
All month. See poetic and political pieces by internationally acclaimed Iranian artist Shirin Neshat—over 230 photographs and eight immersive video installations, including some never before- seen works—at the Broad’s exhibition. 221 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.232.6200 Read more. Get $5 off adult tickets with code WHEREMAG. The Broad, 221 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.232.6250. Tickets
