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Free Activities for Kids in January 2023: 22 Free Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids

Explore what lives under the sea on a tide pool walk. Photo courtesy of the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
Explore what lives under the sea on a tide pool walk. Photo courtesy of the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
1/6/23 - By Brian Steele

There are so many fun and free activities to do in Los Angeles with kids, which is reason #52996 why we love living here.

The holidays are over, but just because the decorations are getting packed up doesn't mean the fun has to stop. We know your wallet might be a little empty after the spending spree that is December. The good news is, there are plenty of fabulous free events and things to do in Los Angeles this January, as everything from a whole bunch of storytimes to MLK celebrations to the Oshogatsu Family Festival are all 100% FREE. So grab your winter coat and give your credit cards a rest while everyone enjoys these free family-friendly activities. 

Plus, we are always adding free events to our Los Angeles event calendar as they pop up, and we keep all our roundups of free outings for families in our Guide to Free Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids. 

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Dance with Studio D on the Plaza. Photo courtesy of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Dance with Studio D on the Plaza. Photo courtesy of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Fun, Free Activities To Do in Los Angeles in January

Burbank Rose Parade Float Viewing

Burbank - Wednesday - Sunday, January 4 - 8, 2023
Anyone who'd like one last peek at Burbank's entry in this year's Rose Parade can catch the community float in its final public viewing across from the Burbank Central Library, at the corner of Glen Oaks and Olive. READ MORE

Los Tres Reyes Magos / The Three Kings

Olvera Street - Friday, January 6, 2023
A traditional procession and historical reenactment celebrates the Christian holiday of Epiphany, commemorating the three kings or wise men who arrived at the nativity with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh for the baby Jesus.  READ MORE

Pageant of the Masters Volunteer/ Casting Call

Laguna Beach - Friday - Sunday, January 6 - 8, 2023
Ever wonder what it would be like to step into a famous piece of art? If you can stand still for 90 seconds, you could experience just that by volunteering for the renowned Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach, “where art comes to life!”  READ MORE

Tide Pool Walk

San Pedro - January 6 - 8 and January 21 & 22, 2023
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium educators conduct tours of the Point Fermin tide pools. Venture out on a naturalist-led ramble on the rocks to see animals in their natural habitat. READ MORE

Home Depot Kids Workshops

Multiple Locations - Saturday, January 7, 2023
All your kids' projects are treasures.  Some are also treasure chests. Home Depot offers a free monthly workshop for kids ages 5 - 12. The workshops teach basic DIY skills and tool safety. Kids go home with their craft and a free Kids Workshop apron, commemorative pin, and certificate of achievement.    READ MORE

Las Posadas Celebration 2023

Norwalk - Saturday, January 7, 2023
Norwalk holds a traditional cultural celebration, featuring a candlelit procession at the City Hall lawn. This festive event features caroling of holiday songs, light refreshments, cultural activities for children, and special performances by mariachis, ballet Folklorico, and Aztec dancers.    READ MORE

Kids Crafting with reDiscover Center

Culver City - Saturdays, January 7 & 28, 2023
The whole family can get crafty with reDiscover! Culver City's reDiscover Center hosts this fun, kid-friendly event for ages 4-8 on the plaza at Ivy Station Culver City. Participants tap into their inner maker and create something new out of recycled and reclaimed materials. READ MORE

2023 Oshogatsu Family Festival

Little Tokyo - Sunday, January 8, 2023
Hop down the bunny trail: it's the Year of the Rabbit! The Japanese American National Museum welcomes the Year of the Rabbit with cultural performances, crafts, and activities for families and kids of all ages.  READ MORE

D. Yoder Family Sundays

San Clemente - Sunday, January 8, 2023
D. Yoder Family Sundays are held on the first Sunday of each month, offering activities and a thematically based program. Admission to the casa is free on these special Sundays.  READ MORE

Musical Story Time by Books and Cookies

Culver City - Every Tuesday starting January 10, 2023
Books and Cookies visits Ivy Station for free Musical Story Time and Kids Crafts on the lawn. The fun includes reading stories, singing, dancing, jamming with musical instruments, playing with the parachute, and getting crafty.  READ MORE

Play at Palms Movie Night Under the Stars

Lakewood - Friday, January 13, 2023
Bundle up for a cozy night under the stars watching some of Hollywood's blockbusters at Palms Park.  READ MORE

Studio D on the Plaza

Costa Mesa - Saturdays, January 14, 21 & 28, 2023
Segerstrom Center for the Arts starts out the year with free community classes for people of all ages and abilities. The last three Saturdays of January, enjoy these complimentary music and movement classes taught by Studio D faculty members and accompanied by live musicians.  READ MORE

Santa Monica Symphony: Annual Martin Luther King Day Concert

Santa Monica - Saturday, January 14, 2023
The Santa Monica Symphony's Annual Martin Luther King Day Concert is free, but all attendees must pre-register to attend. The concert includes great orchestral works, including Gershwin's iconic Rhapsody in Blue.  READ MORE

Idyllwild Arts Presents a Westside Ballet Masterclass with Robyn Gardenhire

Santa Monica - Sunday, January 15, 2023
Students aged 12 to 17 years old who are interested in exploring dance can attend a free ballet masterclass with Robyn Gardenhire, the Founder and Artistic Director of City Ballet of Los Angeles. The 90-minute class focuses on ballet with a contemporary combination at the end. READ MORE

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Multiple locations - Monday, January 16, 2023
On select days throughout the year, all national parks are open to the public with no admission fee. READ MORE

CAAM King Day 2023

Exposition Park - Monday, January 16, 2023
For the first time since the pandemic, CAAM will host their annual King Day in person. This celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. includes a performance by the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles and family activities hosted by the Los Angeles County Library. This year's theme is MLK: A Legacy of Service.  READ MORE

Free Day at the Arboretum

Arcadia - Tuesday, January 17, 2023
Free Day at the Arboretum has become so popular that tickets must now be booked in advance.  READ MORE

Public Run Day Southern California Live Steamers

Torrance - Saturday, January 21, 2023
The Southern California Live Steamers offer free rides on their miniature railroad in Wilson Park. READ MORE

Chinese New Year Celebration

DTLA - Saturday, January 21, 2023
The Central Library is hosting a lunar festival to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Enrich your knowledge of Asian cultures with crafts and cultural performances. No registration necessary.  READ MORE

A Chance to Dance by the Los Angeles Ballet Company

Exposition Park - Sunday, January 29, 2023
One Sunday each month during Los Angeles Ballet's season, LAB dancers offer free ballet classes and more.  April's theme is Dance in Full Bloom! The day's classes are usually centered around a theme. After several years of virtual events, the Los Angeles Ballet is offering their dance courses in person. Some classes are specifically geared towards children, like Children's Creative Movement, so make sure to check the schedule to find specific times. READ MORE

Happy Birthday Marion

Santa Monica - Sunday, January 29, 2023
Santa Monica Conservancy docents turn the spotlight on Marion Davies—actress, philanthropist, famed party hostess, and mistress of media tycoon William Randolph Hearst—in honor of her birthday. Dressed in 1920s and 30s attire, the docents highlight aspects of Davies’s life and personality that may have escaped public notice. READ MORE

Free Weekly Storytime at Casa Romantica

San Clemente - Every Wednesday in January
Enjoy storytime in a beautiful outdoor courtyard at the Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens every Wednesday morning in February. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens
John Adams Middle School Performing Arts Center
National Parks - Multiple Locations
Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Southern California Live Steamers Station
Annenberg Community Beach House
Casa Romanitca Cultural Center and Gardens