Why Winter's Better In Northridge: Beat The Blues With These Local Picks

Winter may be here, but the fun doesn’t slow down in Northridge. From family outings to seasonal events and easy day trips, there’s plenty around town to keep your calendar full. Just remember to double-check hours, weather updates and ticket details before heading out. And if you want even more local winter ideas, keep scrolling — you’ll find a way to get personalized suggestions based on what you love to do.

Lunar New Year Celebration
South Coast Botanic Garden — Palos Verdes Estates
Jan. 14-15, 21-22 and Feb. 7-8

The celebration will feature interactive stations, a wishing tree and Zodiac Stroll, and a new dragon walk and morning tai chi class. Other highlights include lion dancers, martial artists, folk dancers, drummers, specialty foods and hand-mixed cocktails. More info.

Astra Lumina
South Coast Botanic Garden — Palos Verdes Estates
Through February

Stunningly intricate light displays overtake the South Coast Botanic Garden for Astra Lumina. Visitors can walk through nine thematic areas, each offering a different immersive experience of light and sound. More info.

Ice at Santa Monica
Arizona Avenue and 5th Street — Downtown Santa Monica
Through Jan. 19

Santa Monica's outdoor ice skating rink is still offering a winter wonderland experience, despite recent warm temperatures. There's an 8,000-square-foot main rink alongside a 720 square-foot tot rink for smaller skaters. More info.

"The Notebook" musical
Pantages Theatre — Hollywood
Through Jan. 25
Cozy up and bring some tissues for the musical version of "The Notebook," the beloved novel and iconic film. Following its Broadway debut in 2024, the musical has been on a North American tour that ends with its run at the Pantages. More info.

American Icon: A Mustang Immersive Experience
539 S. Mission Road, Boyle Heights
Through Feb. 8

This experience invites visitors to immerse themselves in the six-decade history of the Ford Mustang, including through a "4D thrill ride." More info.

Dine LA
Across Los Angeles County
Jan. 23-Feb. 6

The region's twice-annual restaurant week is back for its winter installment, with over 460 restaurants across the county offering special lunch and dinner menus that start at $15. More info.

In Bloom: Flowers in Contemporary Art
Forest Lawn Museum — Glendale
Through Feb. 15

This exhibition explores a range of contemporary approaches to flowers, including paintings, sculptures, installations and video. More info.

Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles Concert
Skirball Cultural Center
Jan. 17

The nation's largest Black-majority youth orchestra will play a free Martin Luther King Jr. tribute concert. More info.

iHeartRadio ALTer Ego
Kia Forum — Inglewood
Jan. 17

This one-night-only concert brings together Green Day, Twenty One Pilots, Cage the Elephant, Sublime, Gigi Perez, Mt. Joy, Almost Monday and Good Charlotte — playing their first Los Angeles show in a decade. More info.

MLK 2026 Volunteer Festival
LA Memorial Coliseum
Jan. 19

Billed as the largest Martin Luther King Jr. Day volunteer festival on the West Coast, this event will include hands-on volunteer activities like building food boxes and hygiene kits, a family area and food trucks. More info.

Noho Market LA
5223 Lakershim Blvd., North Hollywood
Jan. 25, February dates TBD

Twice a month, this market at Noho Plaza features artists, vintage resellers, designers and other small businesses. More info.

Luminous Legacy Ball
Cal State Northridge
Feb. 14

This event, billed as honoring "the brilliance of black history and the radiance of tomorrow," features a competition for categories including fashion, makeup and more. Grand prizes start at $1,500. More info.

PlantCon
Magic Box, downtown LA
Feb. 21-22

The nation's largest plant convention is coming to the West Coast for the first time ever, featuring workshops, presentations and a 200-booth plant market with sellers from around the world. More info.

LA Chinatown Firecracker
Chinatown Plaza, Los Angeles
Feb. 28-March 1

In its 48th year, the Lunar Near Year celebration will feature a two-day festival with entertainment and a beer garden, along with a 50- and 20-mile bike rides, a 2K dog walk, 5K and 10K and a 1K kiddie run. More info.

Want ideas that fit your family and your budget? Enter your ZIP code and preferences — kid-friendly, outdoor, educational and more — for winter getaway recommendations made for you.

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