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Barbie Exhibit, Lunar New Year, and More Top Things To Do in Los Angeles This Weekend

Barbie: You Can Be Anything: The Experience opens at Discovery Cube. Photo courtesy of the event.
Barbie: You Can Be Anything: The Experience opens at Discovery Cube. Photo courtesy of the event.
1/29/25 - By Toby B

Looking for the best things to do in Los Angeles this weekend? Here are some of our favorite events and activities to add to your list this weekend

This weekend, we look towards the future as Los Angeles continues on the path of recovery. The Skirball reopens, inviting the community for Roots and Renewal: Honoring the New Year of the Trees, a free day in celebration of Tu B'Shevat. The Dodgers invite fans for DodgerFest, in anticipation of what will no doubt be another winning season. Discovery Cube LA teams up with Barbie to show kids the possibilities for their future are limitless, with the exhibit Barbie: You Can Be Anything: The Experience. And Cambria's Camp Ocean Pines serves up summer plans with its LA Pizza Party - there's free pizza in it for you!

Our hearts and thoughts are with those affected by the fires. Please check venue websites before attending any events this weekend for updates on possible event cancellations and business closures as a result of the air quality and fire conditions. Here are ways to support First Responders and families affected by the Los Angeles wildfires. 

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Celebrate Lunar New Year at the LA Zoo. Photo by Jamie Pham.
Celebrate Lunar New Year at the LA Zoo. Photo by Jamie Pham.

Best Things To Do This Weekend in Los Angeles

UVSA Tet Festival

Garden Grove
Friday - Sunday, January 31 - February 2
Each year, those of Vietnamese descent celebrate the coming lunar year with Tet Nguyen Dan. It celebrates the Lunar New Year, the beginning of spring, and a way to start fresh.  This year's event is held at Garden Grove Park. In 2025, the UVSA Tết Festival theme is “A Spring of Remembrance” or “Xuân Hoài Niệm”, honoring the efforts of the Vietnamese community in building a home abroad.  READ MORE

Barbie: You Can Be Anything: The Experience

Sylmar
Opens Saturday, February 1
You can be anything, and this new exhibit at Discovery Cube LA can help you explore the possibilities - with a little help from Barbie! Barbie You Can Be Anything: The Experience encourages kids to play out their dreams by exploring things they like, such as creating, nurturing, solving problems, leading, and being adventurous. They then learn which professions fit those skill sets. READ MORE

Lunar New Year Festival (USC Pacific Asia Museum)

Pasadena - FREE
Saturday, February 1
USC Pacific Asia Museum's annual Lunar New Year festival celebrates the Year of the Snake. Guests can enjoy a traditional lion dance, storytelling, calligraphy and crafts, food trucks, free admission to the museum, and a chance to view the special exhibition, Cai Guo-Qiang: A Material Odyssey.​ READ MORE

Black History Month 2025 (Forest Lawn)

Glendale - FREE
Saturday, February 1
Forest Lawn marks Black History Month with a free family-friendly celebration. The evening features a community resource fair and reception with light refreshments followed by a one-night-only performance of music, dance, poetry, and special-guest speeches celebrating African American icons, culture, and history. READ MORE

2025 Tet Parade

Little Saigon (Westminster) - FREE
Saturday, February 1
Little Saigon is home to the largest Vietnamese community outside of Vietnam. More than 15,000 spectators are expected for the annual Little Saigon Tet Parade, with an additional 250,000 viewers watching on broadcast and streaming channels, making it the largest and most watched event of its kind in the US.  The parade celebrates Year of the Snake and the Vietnamese-American community of Orange County centered in Little Saigon. This year's theme is "Spring of Resiliency." READ MORE

2025 DodgerFest

Elysian Park
Saturday, February 1
It's time to root, root, root for the home team! Fans can celebrate the Dodgers (and vice versa) at the annual DodgerFest. A highlight of the day is the on-stage interview show featuring players, coaches and alumni. Add-on options include VIP tours centered around Jackie Robinson and Dodger Stadium tours, photo ops with the 2024 World Series trophy, selfie and autograph sessions, Vin Scully experience, and meet and greet sessions. READ MORE

Chinese New Year Festival 2025

San Marino
Saturday & Sunday, February 1 & 2
Visitors can experience the beauty of Chinese music, dance, and culture at the Year of the Snake celebration, set against the stunning backdrop of the The Huntington’s Chinese Garden. READ MORE

San Gabriel Lunar Lantern Festival

San Gabriel
Saturday & Sunday, February 1 & 2
The City of San Gabriel presents its annual Lunar New Year Festival in the historic Mission District between Broadway and Santa Anita Blvd. The event includes the unveiling of lantern displays, as well as live performances. READ MORE

Lunar New Year at the LA Zoo

Griffith Park
Saturday & Sunday, February 1 & 2
It's the Year of the Snake (and a whole lotta other creatures) at the LA Zoo. READ MORE

LA Pizza Party

Glendale - FREE
Sunday, February 2
Camp Ocean Pines hosts a free Family Pizza Party in LA County. Families looking for a great summer camp for their kids can join a fun, family-friendly pizza party and discover everything the Cambria, CA-based camp has to offer. READ MORE

Whale Fiesta

San Pedro - FREE
Sunday, February 2
The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium celebrates the migration of the Pacific gray whale and the beginning of whale watching season. Returning this year: inflatable whales!   READ MORE

Tu B'Shevat Festival

Mid-Wilshire
Sunday, February 2
J Los Angeles' annual Tu B'Shevat Festival celebrates the Jewish holiday of the New Year for Trees with exciting activities, delicious treats, and interactive experiences.  Guests can explore the significance of trees and nature while enjoying crafts, food from local vendors, educational resources on sustainability, and engaging activities for all ages. Highlights this year include animal interactions, a rock wall, and - new! - a roller rink. READ MORE

Renaissance Chocolate Faire

Santa Ana - FREE
Sunday, February 2
The Bowers Museum's latest free festival mixes the Renaissance and chocolate. Huzzah! READ MORE

Roots and Renewal: Honoring the New Year of the Trees

Brentwood - FREE
Sunday, February 2
The Skirball Cultural Center reopens on Sunday, February 2. Inspired by the traditions of Tu B’Shevat, the Jewish New Year of the Trees, the Skirball invites visitors back for a free community day, honoring trees and reclaiming community. READ MORE

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