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Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Los Angeles This Weekend
Friday, Jan. 16 -- Monday, Jan. 19
Looking for events and activities in Los Angeles this weekend? Here are some of the best things to add to your list this weekend.
Best Things To Do This Weekend in and Near Los Angeles
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Drop-in Workshops for Teens
Mid-Wilshire - FREE
Friday, January 16, 2026
The Academy Museum's Education team invites teens to join museum educators on the third Friday of every month for free drop-in workshops. Participants can be inspired by the museum’s exhibitions and screenings, explore the museum, hang out, and get creative. How dramatic: January's Drop-in Workshop for Teens looks at acting. Website
MLK Peace and Unity Parade Celebration
Long Beach - FREE
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Long Beach's Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Celebration returns for its 38th year. The annual event celebrates the life and legacy of a visionary who changed the world by promoting equality, justice, and peace. Website
The Wallis Family Fest: Lunar New Year
Beverly Hills - FREE
Saturday, January 17, 2026
The Wallis' winter Family Fest celebrates the Lunar New Year. This free interactive event features lively performances, immersive creative workshops, and traditional foods. Website
Nothin' But Sand Beach Cleanup
Pacific Palisades - FREE
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Kids can get involved and help the environment by participating in this monthly beach cleanup. In January, the cleanup takes on Will Rogers State Beach. Website
Rancho Cucamonga Lunar Festival
Rancho Cucamonga - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, January 17 & 18, 2026
It's the Year of the Horse, and this massive celebration at the RC Sports Center honors this holiday with lanterns, lion dances, and other cultural entertainment. Website
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Concert at the Skirball Cultural Center
Brentwood - FREE
Saturday, January 17, 2026
The Skirball welcomes the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (ICYOLA), the largest Black majority orchestra in the nation. During this evening, over one hundred musicians and choir singers raise their instruments and voices in song to honor the memory of MLK's commitment to delivering civil rights for Black America. This event is free; reserve your space online. Website
Monster Jam (Anaheim)
Anaheim
Saturday & Sunday, January 17 & 18, 2026
Monster trucks smash, crash, and battle their way through Angel Stadium in the Stadium Championship Series. Website
Big Feelings Weekends at the Cayton
Santa Monica
Saturday - Monday, January 17 - 19, 2026
The Cayton Children’s Museum is launching a new monthly program and we have some Big Feelings about that. Website
Dancing in the Light: Healing with the Arts
Harvard Heights - FREE
Sunday, January 18, 2026
January's Dancing in the Light event is a celebration of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. The event is held at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, and includes a class co-taught by Ms. Allen herself. Website
Dancing in LA: A Performance Series
Exposition Park
Sunday, January 18, 2026
The Natural History Museum debuts its new series with live performances of traditional dances from Korea. Website
19th Annual Southern California Slack Key Festival
Redondo Beach
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Hawaiian music comes to the mainland at the 2026 Southern California Slack Key Festival. Taking its name from a finger-picking style of guitar playing indigenous to Hawaii, the Slack Key Festival brings the art of ki ho'alu guitar to Redondo Beach. Website
Cinemark National Popcorn Day
Multiple Locations
Sunday, & Monday, January 18 & 19, 2026
On National Popcorn Day, moviegoers can bring their own bucket or container to any Cinemark theatre, and get it filled to the brim with buttery popcorn for only $5. Literally anything can be a bucket! Folks can get creative and bring in any container, tote, or bag. Cinemark will fill it with popcorn for $5 - up to 400oz (equivalent of 2 XL popcorns), and provides a food grade liner to use on your container. Website
King Day Parade
Leimert Park - FREE
Monday, January 19, 2026
The Kingdom Day Parade, one of the nation's largest events celebrating the life of Martin Luther King, returns to celebrate MLK's life and legacy. This year, the cast of The Neighborhood, including Tichina Arnold, Marcel Spears, Sheaun McKinney, Beth Behrs and Max Greenfield, as well as Grand Marshall Cedric the Entertainer, headline the 2026 parade. Website
California African American Museum King Day 2026
Exposition Park - FREE
Monday, January 19, 2026
The community is invited to come together to honor Martin Luther King Jr. with a performance by the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, discussions with the King Study Group, family activities, food trucks, and more. Returning this year: a community service book donation drive supporting the Little Free Library at the Crenshaw Family YMCA. Website
LA Works MLK Day Volunteer Festival 2026
LA Memorial Coliseum, Exposition Park - FREE
Monday, January 19, 2026
The spirit of Martin Luther King's dream of lives on! LA Works holds a Day of Service Volunteer Festival in honor of MLK Day. This year's event invites the community to join together to bring about Dr. King's vision of a Beloved Community, addressing areas of need including wildfire recovery, uplifting displaced families, and standing with immigrant communities under threat of deportation. Website
41st Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
Santa Monica - FREE
Monday, January 19, 2026
One of SoCal's largest celebrations of Dr. King's birthday is held in Santa Monica.This year’s event embraces the timely theme “Injustice Anywhere Is a Threat to Justice Everywhere." Website
Big Sunday's 14th Annual MLK Day Clothing Drive & Community Breakfast
Florence - FREE
Monday, January 19, 2026
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Big Sunday once again hosts an in-person event for volunteers, friends, and community members to help sort, count, and pack donated clothing to prepare it for nonprofit recipients. Website