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Best things to do in Los Angeles and Southern California: January 3 - 5
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Courtesy Annenberg Community Beach House
)
Happy New Year! 2025 is here and with it more music, more art, more movies — all the things. The last quiet weekend before everyone starts circling back again (ugh) is a great time to catch the Oscar-caliber films you haven’t seen yet, stroll through the last-chance art exhibits that close soon, and see the last of the holiday lights before they are all gone.
Plus it’s a big weekend for at-home sports: the Clippers are seated fifth and play Atlanta on Saturday, the Rams play at home on Sunday against the Seahawks, Michigan goes up against USC in men’s basketball on Sunday, and the number one-ranked UCLA women’s basketball team plays Indiana on Saturday (but that one you’ll have to catch on TV).
For more to explore, visit LAist.com where you can find out what it’s like to go to a Wicked singalong (and then find one in your area!), learn where to recycle your Christmas tree (I am sorry but it’s time), and if you got sick over the holidays, nurse that cold with L.A’s best matzo ball soup.
Events
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Fri, Jan 3'White Noise & Lightning' book talk
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Book Soup
8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood
Take a deep dive into '90s rock history with original members of supergroup The Continental Drifters.
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Book Soup
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Sun, Jan 5Holidays on the Hill: Classical Sundays Skate Session
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The Hill Los Angeles
555 Universal Hollywood Dr., Studio City
Classical California (KUSC) provides the chillest Sunday ice skating soundtrack you can imagine.
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The Hill Los Angeles
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Sun, Jan 5Los Angeles Oddities & Curiosities Expo 2025
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Los Angeles Convention Center
1201 South Figueroa St., Downtown L.A.
From taxidermy to antique medical devices, this is your place to be this weekend if you like odd finds.
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Los Angeles Convention Center
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Sat, Jan 4Comedy Writing Workshop, Week 1 of 5
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West Hollywood Public Library
625 North San Vicente Blvd. , West Hollywood
Head to the WeHo library for this five-week master class on stand-up.
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West Hollywood Public Library
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Sat, Jan 4Black Flag
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Whisky a Go Go
8901 W. Sunset Blvd. , West Hollywood
Punk rockers Black Flag return to their roots with a show at the Whisky.
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Whisky a Go Go
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Sun, Jan 5Batiashvili plays Beethoven
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Walt Disney Concert Hall
111 S. Grand Ave., Downtown L.A.
Violinist Lisa Batiashvili revisits the Beethoven concerto that made her.
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Walt Disney Concert Hall
Outdoor Pick
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Sat, Jan 4Annual Polar Bear Plunge
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Annenberg Community Beach House
415 Pacific Coast Hwy., Santa Monica
Give yourself a shocking start to the new year among other cold water enthusiasts.
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Annenberg Community Beach House
Sponsored message
Viewing Pick
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Sat, Jan 4'The Fabulous Baron Munchausen' screening
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The Egyptian Theatre
6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
Czech director Karel Zeman’s 1962 film is the Egyptian’s adventure movie pick this weekend.
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The Egyptian Theatre
Dine & Drink Deals
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Sat, Jan 4Dry January Tasting Market
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Burden of Proof
1012 Mission Street, #Ste. B , South Pasadena
Taste a range of elixirs from non-alcoholic makers at Burden of Proof’s Dry January tasting market.
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Burden of Proof
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Fri, Jan 3Happy Hour with Lyre's
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The New Bar
1821 S. Lincoln Blvd., Venice
Join the New Bar for a non-alcoholic happy hour with drinks brand Lyre’s.
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The New Bar
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Sat, Jan 4Party on the Patio
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De La Playa Records & Leisure
110 S Ave 56, Highland Park
Taste some mocktails from Bar Non while enjoy tasty bites and groovin' to DJs.
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De La Playa Records & Leisure
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
