2018 San Diego Auto Show
10:00 am – 9:00 pm, December 28-30
10:00 am – 6:00 pm, December 31
10:00 am – 7:00 pm, January 1
San Diego Convention Center, San Diego
http://www.sdautoshow.com/
Check out the newest and latest cars, trucks, exotics, and more. General admission costs $15, with discounts available for military, seniors, and children.
Dinosaur Time Trek – Shark Edition
2:00 pm – 7:00 pm, December 29
9:00 am – 7:00 pm, December 30-31
9:00 am – 5:00 pm, January 1
Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim
http://www.dinosaurtimetrek.com/city/anaheim-ca/
Bring your friends and family to this dinosaur exhibit in Anaheim this weekend. Check out all the dinosaur exhibits or participate in arts & crafts, while children can play in the inflatables section. Admission ranges from $20 to $26 – see the website for pricing details.
T.S.O.L. – Live in Southern California
9:00 pm – 2:00 am, January 4, The Casbah, San Diego
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, January 5, The Observatory, Santa Ana
4:00 pm – 10:00 pm, January 6, Majestic Ventura Theater, Ventura
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, January 7, The Regent, Downtown Los Angeles
http://www.facebook.com/TsolOfficial
Legendary punk rock band T.S.O.L. will headline a handful of shows this week in Southern California. Ticket prices to these all-ages shows vary by location, so check with the venue for prices.
AMA Expo West 2018
11:00 am – 5:00 pm, January 5
10:00 am – 5:00 pm, January 6
10:00 am – 4:00 pm, January 7
Ontario Convention Center, Ontario
http://amaexpo.com/ama-expo-west/
Aeronautics hobbyists will not want to miss this expo taking place this weekend in Ontario. This expo will feature models, toys, gadgets, services, demos, and more about model airplanes. Admission widely ranges from $5 to $36 – see the website for a breakdown on prices.
First Fridays
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, January 5
Various locations
Long Beach: http://firstfridayslongbeach.com/
Venice: http://www.abbotkinney1stfridays.com/
This monthly artwalk occurs on the first Friday of every month. Each location offers different activities, but most will contain food & drink specials, art exhibits & displays, street performers, and more. Venice and Long Beach have the two largest gatherings of all First Fridays. Other locations include Westchester, Fullerton, and City of Industry. Most First Fridays locations cost nothing to attend, while the local businesses uphold their standard rules (e.g. bars 21+ only).
8th Annual Citrus Heritage Run
6:00 am – 12:00 pm, January 6
Arlington Heights Sports Park, Riverside
http://citrusheritagerun.com/
Go on a run this Saturday morning in Riverside. Choose from a 5K, half-marathon, or full marathon. The registration fee will depend on your age division and the distance you want to run – check the website for a breakdown of pricing.
Bricks LA 2018
9:00 am – 5:00 pm, January 6-7
Pasadena Convention Center, Pasadena
http://www.bricksla.com/
The ultimate all-ages Lego convention comes to the Pasadena Convention Center this weekend. For just $5 admission, gain access to dozens of Lego vendors, artists, displays, interactive demos, and more.
15th Annual Los Angeles Fit Expo
10:00 am – 5:00 pm, January 6-7
Los Angeles Convention Center, Downtown Los Angeles
http://www.thefitexpo.com/
Experience everything related to fitness at this expo coming this weekend. Single day admission costs $30, while the weekend combo only costs $45. All attendees receive access the entire exhibit floor, competitions, seminars, demos, autograph sessions, free samples, and more.
The Yoga Expo – Los Angeles
10:00 am – 6:00 pm, January 6
Pasadena Convention Center, Pasadena
http://theyogaexpo.org/event_los_angeles
This Saturday in Pasadena, check out all things yoga with demos, vendors, seminars, products, activities, workshops, and more. This all-ages event costs $35 to attend, and provides full access to all workshops, programs, and the show floor.
2018 Reptile Super Show
10:00 am – 6:00 pm, January 6
11:00 am – 5:00 pm, January 7
Fairplex, Pomona
http://reptilesupershow.com/
Check out all things reptiles and amphibians at this weekend expo at the Fairplex in Pomona. Open to all ages, attendees will find reptiles, amphibians, turtles, supplies, cages, lights, supplements, educational workshops, and more. Admission costs $14 for adults and $9 for children 12 and under – check the website for a printable coupon good for $1 off admission. Parking costs $10 per vehicle.
Hello Kitty Cafe Pop-Up – San Diego Appearance
10:00 am – 8:00 pm, January 6
Fashion Valley, San Diego
http://hellokittycafe.us/
http://www.facebook.com/events/136413487070007/
SoCal Hello Kitty fans will not want to miss this rare opportunity to experience the Hello Kitty Cafe. This weekend, visitors will enjoy macarons, minicakes, and other Hello Kitty treats not found anywhere else.
2018 New Year’s Race + Health & Fitness Expo
12:00 pm – 7:00 pm, January 6
9:00 am – 4:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 12:00 am, January 7
Downtown Los Angeles
http://www.newyearsrace.com/
Kick off the new year with this fun run lasting your choice of 5k, 10k, or a half marathon. Registration varies depending on age and the course, but all participants receive with registration a medal, a shirt or sweater, admission to the expo & fair, a goodie bag, post-race recovery foods, and more. A health & fitness expo will take place at the Biltmore Hotel on Friday and Saturday afternoon, and all race participants can attend that expo. The race starts on 7th Street and goes up to around Grand Park and Chinatown, while half marathon runners will run through Dodger Stadium. This event WILL close off multiple streets in Downtown Los Angeles, something that rarely occurs, so you definitely will not want to miss this sight.
Indulge LA – Los Angeles Chocolate Festival & Pastry Show
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm, January 6
Omni Hotel, Downtown Los Angeles
http://www.indulgela.net/
Come to Indulge LA, an all-ages expo where guests will experience the best of chocolates, wines, and champagnes from around the world. General admission costs $100 and starts at 4pm, while VIP admission costs $150 and starts at 3pm. Admission covers unlimited chocolates, pastries, food, wine, champagne, spirits, and other goodies, such as a souvenir glass.
Warfest 2018
5:00 pm – 12:00 am, January 6
Gaslamp, Long Beach
http://www.facebook.com/events/961806830627354/
A bunch of great local punk rock bands will play an all-ages show this Saturday night in Long Beach. Tickets to this show cost $15. Arrive before 6pm to park there for free; arrive afterwards, and pay $10 for parking.
7th Annual Pasadena Cheeseburger Week
January 7-12
40+ Participating Restaurants, Pasadena
http://www.pasadenarestaurantweek.com/
During this six-day period, over 40 different restaurants, bars, pubs, and lounges in Pasadena will offer specials on their signature cheeseburgers, or will craft special items just for this week.
San Diego Vintage Flea Market
9:00 am – 3:00 pm, January 7
The Observatory Parking Lot, North Park, San Diego
http://sdvintagefleamarket.com/
At this free all-ages outdoor market, visitors will find modern to vintage inspired clothing, housewares, furniture, smalls, and more for sale from the various local vendors.
41st Annual Los Angeles Comic Book & Science Fiction Convention
9:00 am – 5:00 pm, January 7
The Reef, Los Angeles
http://www.comicbookscifi.com/
Comic book and sci-fi fans will not want to miss this expo taking place in Los Angeles this Sunday. This event will feature multiple celebrities, dozens of merchandise vendors, and lots more. Admission costs $13 for entry at 10am, or $15 for early entry at 9am.
Oshogatsu Family Festival 2018
11:00 am – 5:00 pm, January 7
Japanese American National Museum, Los Angeles
http://www.janm.org/events/2018/oshogatsufest
Celebrate the year of the dog at this free and all-ages celebration. Visitors will find food, arts & crafts, cultural activities, live entertainment, and more.
I & I Brewing’s 6th Anniversary Celebration
12:00 pm – 8:00 pm, January 7
I & I Brewing, Chino
http://iandibrewing.com/
http://iandi.brownpapertickets.com/
I & I Brewing turns six years old this weekend, and to celebrate, they will have a celebration at their tasting room in Chino this Sunday. Admission costs $10 and comes with a pint glass and one beer pour. When purchasing admission, you must select a time that you will show up at, and you cannot enter until after your selected time.
A Punk, A Camera, and An Empty Stomach 