Best Things to Do This Weekend and New Year’s Week: Dec. 28 - Jan. 4

Artist and Holocaust survivor Gabriella Karin was born in 1930 and she regularly speaks about the atrocities her family endured during World War II. This week, she joins the Holocaust Museum in L.A. to share her story.

Sink into the new album Coast 2 Coast from French synthpop-inspired duo Pearl & the Oysters on Friday night. This all-ages show from Pretty but Wicked and KCRW brings Paris-to-L.A. transplants Juliette Pearl Davis and Joachim Pollack to the Echoplex.

Learn about and celebrate the seven principles of Kwanzaa as Ovation Hollywood (formerly known as Hollywood & Highland) hosts their second annual outdoor Kwanzaa event, with dance performances, crafts, and even a drumming demo. And as if that isn’t enough – Tamara “Breezee” Brown from DTLA’s Mwokaji Bakery and Food Network’s Halloween Baking Championship is bringing the treats for cookie decorating. She made my wedding cake, so I can vouch for the deliciousness personally!

Late Show with Stephen Colbert writer Michael Cruz Kayne brings his personal experience with grief to the Upright Citizens Brigade. In a “pared-down” version of the show he did to much acclaim at the Audible Theater in New York City in 2023, Kayne uses his standup style to help others come to terms with loss, and laughs along the way.

Check out the floats before their big debut by coming out to watch the decorators put on their final flowery touches.

Skip the countdown and lace up your sneakers at midnight for a quick 5K through the Rose Bowl parade route.

Can’t make it to the parade? You can still hear marching bands from around the area perform ahead of the big day as they strut their stuff at Pasadena City College. There are three performances, so check the schedule and look out for your favorites.

Living on the West Coast has many benefits. But maybe the best is getting to ring in the New Year twice – once at 9 p.m. with our East Coast friends and once at midnight. Of course, double celebrations mean double fireworks for those staying up until the clock strikes 12, so venture to Marina del Rey or Long Beach to see the sky light up.

Kick off 2024 with KCRW DJ Anthony Valdez at the original Venice speakeasy.

Emmy-winning comedian Patton Oswalt is doing two shows on New Year’s Eve on the Hollywood Improv main stage; catch his latest alongside guest performers Saul Trujillo and Jeanne Whitney.

It’s not too late to make the Roaring ‘20s happen, so put on your best flapper dress for the Prohibition Party at the aptly art deco Union Station building in DTLA. Chromeo is playing a DJ set and, of course, you can take the train there.

If you want to ease yourself into the new year, perhaps a sound bath in Los Feliz is just the ticket. Seven quartz “singing bowls” will soothe your mind and get you ready to face all the things that 2024 has to offer.

First Day Hikes happen all across the state on Jan. 1 each year, with rangers leading guided hikes in many of California’s state parks. This one in Malibu will take visitors on a three-mile trek to the rock pool and visitor’s center.

We’d be remiss if we didn’t recommend bringing the whole family to see the classic Cary Grant/Rosalind Russell film His Girl Friday at the New Beverly on Saturday afternoon. The screwball comedy from 1940 shows a different newsroom world than we live in now, that’s for sure. Typewriters, rotary phones, mimeograph machines…

Pick up some very special tamales this holiday season from Chef Yunia Funes Mata at the Olmeca pop-up at the Golden Poppy Market on Saturdays. You can even pre-order!

Watch the horses on opening weekend at the historic Santa Anita racetrack while enjoying beers and ciders from craft producers, including Golden Road, Skyduster, and Elysian.

If you’re going to go all out on New Year’s, might we suggest doing it at Here’s Looking at You? The Koreatown spot – which has landed on the New York Times’s Best Restaurants in America list as well as the recent 101 Best Restaurants in L.A. in the L.A. Times, is hosting two seatings of a special $110 tasting menu.