15 free fun things to do in January in Southern California
Well, well, here we are in January 2026 already. How did that happen? If you’re feeling let down after the holiday hoopla, don’t despair. There are still fun free things you can do this month to keep up your spirits. Here are a few:
Jan. 3 — La Quinta: How about visiting the Adventures in Wonderland Escape Room at the La Quinta branch of the Riverside County Library? Sign up in advance for yourself and your group of up to six people. All ages from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Cheshire Cat hid the Queen of Heart’s scepter and crown but blamed the Mad Hatter! Help the Mad Hatter find the items before the Queen puts him on trial. Call 760-564-4767 or visit the branch to register your group of up to six players. La Quinta Library in the Civic Center, 78275 Calle Tampico, La Quinta. playinlaquinta.com/event/adventures-in-wonderland-escape-room/
Jan. 3 — Orange: Bring your notebook and journaling materials such as pens, pencils or watercolors for this activity: Arts at the Oaks: Nature Journaling from 9-11 a.m. at Santiago Oaks Regional Park. A portable chair, hat and water are also a good idea. This learning session will cover the basics of art theory and practices, journal anatomy and maximizing your senses. Plan to meet up outside the nature center, and expect to move a bit along the trail before sitting to record the beauty around you. Bad weather cancels. The program is free; parking costs $5. Santiago Oaks Regional Park 2145 N. Windes Drive, Orange. Advance registration required at: letsgooutside.org/activities/2026/01/03/arts-at-the-oaks-nature-journaling-4/
Jan. 5 — Laguna Niguel: Do you like crafts? Are you an adult? Then come and make a decorative winter diorama from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Laguna Niguel branch library. No registration is required, it’s first come, first served through the Crafty Adults program. 30341 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel. ocpl.libcal.com/event/15997594
Jan. 5 — Wildomar: It’s Movie Night at the Wildomar Library from 5-7 p.m. and this month’s selection is “A Minecraft Movie,” 2025, rated PG. Chairs will be available, but you can bring your own blankets and snacks. 34303 Mission Trail, Wildomar. rivlib.libcal.com/event/15984513
Jan. 6 — Los Angeles: Head to historic Olvera Street downtown — the oldest street in Los Angeles — to celebrate the arrival of Los Tres Reyes, also known as the Three Kings, on Dia de los Reyes. This is also known as Epiphany. The event begins at 7 p.m. and there’s a short procession led by Ballet Coco, followed by traditional sweet bread at the plaza. The traditional Rosca, or sweet bread, is given to all. Inside of the bread are randomly placed plastic babies (representing the baby Jesus). Tradition dictates that the person(s) who finds the baby has to plan the party for next year. But at Olvera Street, the lucky ones who find these babies will win a prize that evening — a gift from the Kings! Olvera Street, 845 N. Alameda Street, Los Angeles. olveraevents.com/threekings-tresreyes-olverastreet
Jan. 9 — Costa Mesa: Bring the kids or just your own curiosity to the Centennial Farm at the Orange County Fairgrounds. The tour and parking are free on Discovery Days, when “farmers” are stationed around the working demonstration farm available to answer questions and provide information. Upon check-in at the front table, you will receive a map to aid you in seeing all Centennial Farm has to offer. Children should wear comfortable clothes and shoes and can pet a chick and plant a radish seed. This is for all ages. Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more people. ocfair.com/centennial-farm/tours-and-reservations/self-guided-tours/
Jan. 10 — Garden Grove: Are you crafty? Come and make a decorative winter diorama at 2 p.m. at the Tibor Rubin Garden Grove branch library. No registration is required, it’s first come, first served through the Crafty Adults program. Garden Grove Tibor Rubin branch, 11962 Bailey St., Garden Grove. https://ocpl.libcal.com/event/15994554
Jan. 11 — Silverado Canyon: “Hoofprints and Horizons: a Gentle Family Hike with a Horse” is a guided walk featuring a friendly horse, allowing hikers the chance to interact with one of these beautiful animals while exploring the Red Rock Wilderness. Some rocks here are 40 million years old. Everyone will be walking — not riding — including the horse. 10 a.m. -1 p.m. All ages are allowed, but kids under 5 must be secured. You must sign up in advance at letsgooutside.org/activities/2026/01/11/hoofprints-and-horizons-a-gentle-family-hike-with-a-horse-10. And don’t bring your own horse. Meet up at the creekside staging area for the Red Rock Wilderness, 5524 Santiago Canyon Rd. Silverado.
Jan. 17 — Westwood: Take a plant stroll at the monthly 10 a.m. Drop-In Botanical Garden Tour at the UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden. Join a Garden Educator for a free one-hour guided tour. Hear stories of plants in the garden. All ages are welcome. Plan to meet at the La Kretz Garden Pavilion at the northern end of the garden. Restrooms are available there. Plan on arriving a few minutes early as the tour will leave on time at 10am. Park in UCLA Parking Structure 2 (payment required) near the Westholme Avenue entrance to campus, or at metered parking spots in Westwood. Metered street parking can also be found on Manning Ave, which can be accessed from Charles E. Young Drive or Hilgard Avenue. The Garden Pavilion is at 707 Tiverton Drive, Los Angeles. eventbrite.com/e/january-drop-in-botanical-garden-tour-tickets-1977743401754
Jan. 17 — Chino Hills: Enjoy a New Year’s Wellness Hike at Chino Hills State Park to start your new year with good intentions. It’s an easy three-mile roundtrip hike among friends that typically takes about two hours. Hike and parking are free. All ages and hiking levels are welcome, as well as dogs on a leash. Bring water, a hat, sunscreen, sturdy shoes and maybe bug spray. Event runs 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Meet in front of the state park sign. Hike leaves at 8 a.m. Chino Hills State Park, 4721 Sapphire Road, Chino Hills eventbrite.com/e/wellness-new-years-hike-at-chino-hills-state-park-tickets-1849452284569
Jan. 18 — Los Angeles: Enjoy the New Year Japanese Style at the downtown Central Library’s Mark Taper Auditorium.Experience the beauty of Japanese New Year traditional through a live Ikebana demonstration, enchanting Koto music, and an elegant Kimono showcase. It’s a peaceful and inspiring culture afternoon. 2-3:30 p.m. in English and Japanese. Los Angeles Central Library, 630 W. 5th St. Los Angeles. (There’s one hour of parking for $1 with library validation at 524 South Flower St. garage.) lapl.org/whats-on/events/new-year-japanese-style-ikebana-koto-and-kimono
Jan. 19 — Pasadena: Get up early to attend the Arlington Garden Third Sundays Free Native Plant Classes by Artemisia Nursery. Class is from 9 to 11 a.m. and designed to teach how to grow native plants from seed, cuttings, and more. Everyone who’s registered can bring home seeds, cuttings, soil and pots. This is taught by self-described native plant nerd and musician Antonio Sanchez. This is held every third Sunday and attendees can expect over time to work with White Sage, Monkeyflowers, Hummingbird Sage and many more fun and local native plants. Arlington Garden, 275 Arlington Drive, Pasadena. eventbrite.com/e/arlington-garden-third-sundays-free-native-plant-classes-tickets-1972882321131
Jan. 18 — Villa Park: Drop by the Villa Park Town Center from 7 to 10 a.m. to join a monthly meetup for car enthusiasts. Bring your car, look at cars, talk about cars and drink coffee. You never know what kind of interesting cars will show up. There’s no registration or fee required, just come on down. This recurs every third Sunday of the month. Villa Park Town Center at The Coffee Grove, 17769 Santiago Blvd., Villa Park. thecoffeegrove.com/events/upcoming-events/
Jan. 19 — Claremont: Enjoy a free stroll through the California Botanic Garden, which opens for free every Martin Luther King Jr. Day. (Reservations required.) This 86-acre garden with some 22,000 plants is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in winter. Picnicking is not allowed in the garden, but there are picnic tables outside. Sorry, no pooches allowed. 1500 N. College Ave., Claremont. Get a free ticket here: calbg.org/event/free-day-martin-luther-king-jr-day-126
Mondays-Thursdays — Van Nuys: The beautiful SuihoEn Japanese Garden welcomes visitors Mondays through Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This garden of six acres with paths, ponds, waterfalls, stone lanterns and more was designed to emulate strolling gardens built during the 18th and 19th centuries for Japanese lords on their estates. It’s a demonstration garden of the city water reclamation plant next door. Call before you come, because sometimes it’s closed, especially when it rains and on City of L.A. holidays. Free parking. 6100 Woodley Ave. Van Nuys. 213-791-0238. thejapanesegarden.com