At a Glance
- Third Weekends at LACMA launches in January with free family art, drum circles, and curator talks.
- Jan. 17 brings the Long Beach MLK parade & festival plus a Solar System Encounter in Santa Ana and Pollypalooza for a shelter dog.
- Jan. 19 offers a rare winter Pop-up Pool Day at the Annenberg House.
- Why it matters: These low-cost cultural and family events give Angelenos fresh ways to beat winter blues without leaving the county.
Los Angeles museums, shelters, and public spaces are staging five distinct events across three January days, giving residents quick, mostly affordable ways to celebrate art, science, and community spirit without a long drive.
Third Weekends at LACMA
LACMA’s newest monthly program debuts this month. Each third weekend will spotlight:
- Complimentary family art activities
- A drop-in outdoor drum circle
- Curator-led gallery talks
- Pop-up performances
Admission to the museum itself is not included, but many activities are free and do not require a ticket. The series intends to keep the same basic schedule every month, so families can build it into their routine.
MLK Day Weekend Events
Long Beach Parade & Festival
Jan. 17, the city hosts its annual parade down MLK Jr. Avenue followed by a festival at King Park. Scheduled features:
- Live gospel and R&B acts
- Youth poetry slam
- Food trucks and craft booths
- Volunteer service projects run by local nonprofits
Doors open at 10 a.m., parade starts at 11 a.m., festival ends at 4 p.m. Admission is free; parking is $10 in city lots.
Volunteer Opportunities
Several beach clean-ups and food-bank sorts begin as early as Jan. 15. Check each organization’s site for sign-ups; most supply tools and lunch.
Solar System Encounter
Discovery Cube Orange County supersizes the cosmos from Jan. 17 through Feb. 23. The exhibit includes:
| Feature | Size | Interactive Element |
|---|---|---|
| Sun Sphere | 6 ft tall | Light sensors make it glow |
| Jupiter Model | 4 ft wide | Infrared camera shows “storms” |
| Moon Walk | 12 ft crater | Weight-scale shows lunar weight |
The display sits on the museum’s second-floor atrium; entry is included with general admission ($19.95 adults, $14.95 kids). Planetarium shows cost extra and run every 45 minutes.
Pollypalooza for a Shelter Star
Best Friends Pet Adoption Center in West L.A. throws a party Jan. 17 for Polly, a cattle-dog mix who has waited 10 months. Event perks:
- Free pup cups and dog-safe cake
- DJ spinning family-friendly tunes
- Kids’ corner with pet-themed crafts
- Discounted adoption fee of $50 (normally $150)
Doors open noon-4 p.m. and entry is free even if you’re just there to dance and cuddle dogs.
Pop-up Pool Day
The Annenberg Community Beach House pool will open for one of its rare winter sessions on Jan. 19, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., weather permitting. Quick facts:
- $10 adults, $5 kids/seniors
- Heated pool kept at 82 °F
- Lifeguards on duty
- Bring your own towel; rentals $3
Parking is $15 in the adjacent state lot. The pool normally reopens for spring in March.
Key Takeaways
These January weekends prove you don’t need summer sunshine to find creative fun in L.A.:
- LACMA offers repeat value every month.
- Long Beach honors MLK with music and service.
- Discovery Cube OC shrinks the solar system to kid size.
- Best Friends turns pet adoption into celebration.
- Annenberg House makes a winter splash for under $15.
Mark the dates, pack the sunscreen (yes, even in January), and you can hit multiple events in one three-day stretch.
