Things to do in the San Fernando Valley, LA area, Jan. 8-16
Here is a sampling of things to do in the San Fernando Valley and the greater Los Angeles area.
Today
Natural History Museum Los Angeles County: New: “Unearthed – Raw Beauty,” an exhibit of mineral specimens displayed in their natural and uncut form, through April 18, 2027 (https://nhm.org/unearthed-rare-mineral-exhibition). Ongoing exhibit: “Fierce! The Story of Cats,” is an international traveling exhibit, from the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle in France, runs through Feb. 18 (this exhibit requires an add-on ticket price to the museum’s general admission; nhm.org/cats). Hours: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Sunday (but closed on the first Tuesday of the month and some holidays). Admission $18; $14 ages 62 and older and ages 13-17; $7 ages 3-12; free for ages 2 and younger, but a ticket is required. Location, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles. www.facebook.com/nhmla. nhmlac.org
The 45th Annual Black Doll Show – William Grant Still Arts Center: The exhibit’s theme for 2026 is “Sower of Seeds – Creating a New Tomorrow” and inspired by the author Octavia E. Butler. The exhibit is curated by Heather Hilliard-Bonds. Hours: noon-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. The exhibit runs through Feb. 14. Location, 2520 S. West View St., Los Angeles. 323-734-1165. www.facebook.com/william.g.artscenter. Details: wgsac.wordpress.com/the-45th-annual-black-doll-show/
The LA Art Show: The 31st edition of the “largest and longest-running art fair” of modern and contemporary art from more than 90 exhibitors from around the world, today-Jan. 11. Hours: noon-8 p.m. Jan. 8-10; noon-6 p.m. Jan. 11. Admission $44.96 (purchase in advance or at the door). Los Angeles Convention Center, West Hall, 1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles. Frequently asked questions: https://www.laartshow.com/faqs/. Details: www.laartshow.com
Holiday Ice Rink – Pershing Square: The largest outdoor ice skating rink in the city of Los Angeles is open for one-hour ice skating sessions, noon-9 p.m. daily through Jan. 11, 2026. Check the website for ticket prices and purchasing sessions before you go. Location, 532 S. Olive St., Los Angeles. https://www.facebook.com/HolidayIceRinkDTLA. holidayicerinkdowntownla.com
L.A. Zoo Lights – Animals Aglow: Final weekend for the self-guided walking tour with a nature-focused display of lantern sculptures and lights through different landscapes including river, alpine and rain forests, runs Jan. 8-11. Hours: 6-10 p.m. Rain does not cancel. Timed tickets start at $29 and up for ages 13 and older; $19 and up for ages 2-12 (however, higher admission on “premium” nights). Frequently asked questions: https://lazoo.org/plan-your-visit/special-experiences/zoolights/zoolights-faq. Location, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles. www.lazoolights.org
Friday
Granada Hills Grubfest and the Granada Hills Farmers Market: The Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce presents the food truck “Grubfest,” 5-10 p.m. Jan. 9 (on Chatsworth Street between Zelzah and White Oak avenues; www.granadachamber.com/food-trucks/); and the Farmers Market, 6-9 p.m. (winter hours; White Oak Avenue between Chatsworth and Los Alimos streets; www.granadachamber.com/56292-2/) on Jan. 9. Both events run on Fridays; check website for seasonal changes in hours. 818-368-3235. www.granadachamber.com/
Book Soup: Lovell Holder discusses and signs “The Book of Luke,” 7 p.m. Jan. 9. Upcoming: Teresa Svoboda discusses and signs “Hitler and My Mother-in-Law – A Memoir,” 7 p.m. Jan. 15. Brook W. Flagg discusses and signs “I Go There With You – The U2 Sites of Southern California, from Significant to Sacred,” 3 p.m. Jan. 18. David Denby discusses and signs :Eminent Jews – Bernstein, Brooks, Friedan, Mailer,” 7 p.m. Jan. 20. Chris Appleton discusses and signs “Your Roots Don’t Define You,” 7 p.m. Jan. 23 (this is a ticketed event; use the link on the website). Location, 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 310-659-3110. booksoup.com/
Saturday
Old Town Newhall Farmers Market: A certified market, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays. Location, parking lot, 24500 Main St., Newhall. 661-253-4300. Santa Clarita Farmers Markets: tinyurl.com/2evb6evz. Details: www.facebook.com/OldTownNewhallFarmersMarket
NoHo Farmers Market: 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturdays. Location, 500 Colfax Ave., Valley Village. 818-471-0793. farmersmarketnorthhollywood.com
Canoga Park Farmers Market: A certified market, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturdays. Rain or shine. Location, 7248 Owensmouth Avenue, between Sherman Way and Wyandotte Avenue. Coastal Pacific Markets, 805-643-6458. Email: pacific209@hotmail.com. www.facebook.com/canogafarmersmarket
El Nido Farmers Market – Pacoima: El Nido Family Centers and the City of Los Angeles present the market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. Location, Pacoima Family Source Center, 11243 Glenoaks Blvd. www.elnidofamilycenters.org/farmers-market
Woodland Hills Farmers Market: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays. Location, 5650 Shoup Ave. 818-300-3023. Facebook: tinyurl.com/ybbchwbb
Let’s Not Have Dinner With Genghis Khan – Culinary Historians of Southern California: A talk by author-scholar and president of the Culinary Historians of Southern California Charles Perry, 10:30 a.m. Jan. 10. Free admission, but a registration is requested. Use garage parking at 524 S. Flower St., Los Angeles (take ticket for parking with you and get it validated if you have a library card; $1 with library validation; see details on the Eventbrite website for parking instructions). The CHSC is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Los Angeles Central Library, Mark Taper Auditorium, 630 W. Fifth St., Los Angeles. www.facebook.com/chsocal. www.chsocal.org. Details and to register to attend on Eventbrite link: tinyurl.com/ybrjwr79
Vroman’s Bookstore: Chanel N. Grant reads from and signs “Michael Goes to School,” 11 a.m. Jan. 10 (children’s event). Alexander Berman and Camille Stochitch discuss and sign “Love Goes Viral,” 4 p.m. Jan. 10 (young adult event). Upcoming: Kadir Nelson discusses and signs “Basket Ball – The Story of the All-American Game,” 4 p.m. Jan. 11 (children’s event and ticketed in advance on Eventbrite: $26.61 for one adult and one book; $32.41 for one adult, one child and one book; see the website for the ticket link). Denise Nicholas discusses and signs “Finding Home – A Memoir,” 7 p.m. Jan. 13. Justina Blakeney and Ronnie Blakeney, PhD, discuss and sign “Grow – Pathways to Passion, Purpose and Peace – Guidebook and Card Set,” 7 p.m. Jan. 15 (ticketed event; $41.70; see the website for the ticket link). Location, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 626-449-5320. vromansbookstore.com
Sunday
Rose Bowl Flea Market: Find collectibles or new treasures, 5 a.m. Jan. 11 (also, every second Sunday of the month). Admission $23.21 for early admission, 5-8:45 a.m.; $15.83 for regular admission, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; free for ages 11 and younger. Purchase is online-only. Location, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena. rosebowlstadium.com. rosebowlstadium.com/events/calendar/list. Details and to purchase admission: tinyurl.com/2h2fcmme
Encino Farmers Market: ONEgeneration presents the market, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays. Location, 17400 Victory Blvd. (between Balboa Boulevard and White Oak Avenue). Farmers market manager, 818-708-6611 or email: farmersmarket@onegeneration.org. www.onegeneration.org/farmers-market/
Farmers Market – The Vineyards at Porter Ranch: The certified market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 11, and Sundays. Bring your own reusable shopping bags. The Vineyards, 20000 Rinaldi St., Porter Ranch. https://www.thevineyards.com/event/weekly-farmers-market-66
Good Times Farmers Market: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays. Los Angeles Valley College, parking lot A, 5800 Fulton Ave. (at Burbank Boulevard), Valley Glen. 818-282-5490. Email: goodtimesfarmersmarket@gmail.com. goodtimesfarmersmarket.com/
Japanese American National Museum’s Oshogatsu Family Festival: The event ushers in 2026, and also the upcoming lunar new year — Year of the Horse — with cultural activities including mochitsuki (Japanese rice pounding ritual with Kodama Taiko), creating origami horses, ukulele performances, and amezaiku (the art of candy-crafting) master Shinobu “Shan” Ichiyanagi demonstrating candy sculpture of horses and other animals of the Asian zodiac, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Jan. 11. Free admission, but make a reservation on the website to attend. This year the event is being held at the Japanese-American Cultural and Community Center, 244 San Pedro St., Los Angeles. janm.org/onthego. Details, the day’s schedule, and to make a reservation: https://www.janm.org/events/2026-01-11/2026-oshogatsu-family-festival-year-horse
Love Letters: Stefanie Powers and Patrick Wayne perform the play by A.R. Gurney, 1 p.m. Jan. 11. Tickets $63 and up (use the promo code: HOLDEN). Proceeds benefit the William Holden Wildlife Foundation (https://whwf.org/). El Portal Theatre, Mainstage, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. 818-508-4200. https://elportaltheatre.com/loveletters.html
Celebrating Campo de Cahuenga: The event commemorates the 1847 signing of the Treaty of Cahuenga that ended “hostilities” in California between Mexico and the United States, noon-4 p.m. Jan. 11. The site — considered the “birthplace of California” — is California Historical Landmark No. 151 and Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 29. Free admission. Location, 3919 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Information about Campo de Cahuenga: tinyurl.com/2z3uy4tz. www.facebook.com/groups/Campodecahuenga/
Tuesday
Diesel, A Bookstore: John McMahon discusses and signs “Inside Man,” 6:30 p.m. Jan. 13. Purchase a copy of the book in advance to reserve one seat (outdoors in the store’s courtyard). 310-576-9960. www.dieselbookstore.com
Wednesday
Canyon Country Farmers Market: A certified market, 3-7 p.m. Wednesdays. Canyon Country Community Center, parking lot, 18410 Sierra Highway, Canyon Country. 661-253-4300. Santa Clarita Farmers Markets: tinyurl.com/2evb6evz. www.facebook.com/CanyonCountryFarmersMarket/
Thursday
Burbank African Violet Society: A Members’ Roundtable – Our Hobbies and Interests,” 10 a.m. Jan. 15. The meeting also includes silent auction tables and a raffle. Little White Chapel Christian Church, social hall, (use the parking lot and entrance to the hall from Jeffries Avenue), 1711 N. Avon St., Burbank. 661-940-3990. www.burbankafricanviolets.weebly.com
UPCOMING
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Unity Walk: The city of Santa Clarita presents the walk with the 2026 theme “Mission Possible 2: Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way,” 9 a.m. Jan. 19. Meet at the city’s new public art installation, “When Cloud Met a Cloud.” Make a reservation to attend by Jan. 12 by email to Diana Rodriguez: drodriguez2@santaclarita.gov. or by phone: 661-255-4939. Central Park, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita.
Cherry Blossom Garden Club – Bingo and Lunch: The club holds a new year get-together. 11 a.m. Jan. 22. Reservations and $20 (paid by check, and indicate sandwich preference, ham, turkey or tuna on the check) required by Jan. 15. Mail check to Irene Strauss, 19200 Wells Drive, Tarzana, CA 91356. Location for the meeting, Sepulveda Garden Center, 16633 Magnolia Blvd., Encino. 818-482-0415. Call Irene Strauss for questions, 818-344-3333.
Fritz Coleman: The honorary mayor of Toluca Lake performs his “Unassisted Residency” comedy show, 3 p.m. Jan. 25. Tickets $40; $50 for cocktail table seats (you must purchase 2 tickets for this option). El Portal Theatre, Monroe Forum, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. 818-508-4200. https://elportaltheatre.com/fritzcoleman.html
DineLA Restaurant Week 2026: Participating restaurants offer a special lunch/dinner menu, Jan. 23-Feb. 6. Reservations are recommended. Meal times and prices vary by restaurant (restaurants offer set prices for lunch/dinner; $15, $25, $35, $45, $55, $65+). Beverages, tax and tip are extra charge. Facts: www.discoverlosangeles.com/dinela/FAQ. Find list of restaurants by cuisine, neighborhood, and price: www.discoverlosangeles.com/dinela
Topanga Vintage Market: Find collectibles and other treasures plus new handcrafted items, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 25. Rain or shine. Admission $5; free for ages 12 and younger. No pets allowed. Free parking. Upcoming dates: Feb. 22; March 22; the market is held on the fourth Sunday of the month. Pierce College, enter from Victory Boulevard at Mason Avenue, Woodland Hills. 310-422-1844. Updates: www.facebook.com/TopangaVintageMarket. topangavintagemarket.com/
Glendora Genealogical Group: A a professional genealogist discusses “Dropsy, Quinsy or Consumption – Just What Did They Have?” at 6 p.m., and also, a genealogy webinar at 7 p.m. Jan. 27. Free admission. La Fetra Senior Center, Elm Room, 333 E. Foothill Blvd., Glendora. 909-592-4030.
Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance – Granada Hills Centennial: Celebrate Valentine’s Day and the 100th anniversary of the community of Granada Hills at this event with the theme “Love Thru the Ages,” 6 p.m. Feb. 13. The dinner-dance includes a buffet, DJ, and a photo booth. Cash-bar. Fun dress code: wear red or pink. Tickets $60 per person (available through Feb. 6). Knollwood Country Club, 12024 Balboa Blvd., Granada Hills. Granada Hills Community Foundation, 818-425-6326.Details on the centennial: https://www.granadahills100.com/. Tickets through this link: https://www.granadahills100.com/event/centennial-valentines-day-dance/
ONGOING
Autry Museum of the American West: Ongoing special exhibit: “Creative Continuities: Family, Pride, and Community in Native Art,” through June 2027 (theautry.org/creative-continuities). Museum hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Admission $19; $14 ages 62 and older, and ages 13-18 and also students older than 18 with ID; $8 ages 3-12 (theautry.org/visit). Location, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles. theautry.org
Museum of the San Fernando Valley: Hours: 1-5 p.m. Tuesday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday (check the website to confirm days open). Free admission; donations appreciated. Rancho Cordillera del Norte, 18904 Nordhoff St. (southwest corner of Nordhoff and Wilbur Avenue), Northridge. 818-347-9665. Email: themuseumsfv@gmail.com. themuseumsfvnow.org
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum: The museum presents “Cowboys – History and Hollywood,” through April 19, 2026 (https://www.reaganfoundation.org/library-museum/special-exhibits/cowboys). Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily (except closed on some holidays). Tickets $25; $22 ages 62 and older and college students with ID; $18 ages 11-17; $15 ages 3-10; free for ages 2 and younger. Location, 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley. https://www.reaganfoundation.org/library-museum
Valley Relics Museum: Take a trip down San Fernando Valley memory lane, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday (check the website for hours; subject to change). Admission $15; free for ages 10 and younger. The museum is located at 7900 Balboa Blvd., Hangar C3 and C4, entrance is on Stagg Street, Van Nuys. 818-616-4083. www.facebook.com/valleyrelics. valleyrelicsmuseum.org
Send calendar listings at least two weeks in advance to be considered to handres@scng.com.