Happy New Year and welcome to 2026! Events are heating up across L.A. County as the city shakes off its holiday break. From Animé Los Angeles to live performances at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, there’s something for everyone. Plus, this is your last chance to catch Metro discounts at select local ice rinks before they melt away. Wherever you plan to go, Metro can get you there. Keep reading for details.
Holidays in L.A.
Holiday Ice Rink at Pershing Square
Experience the Holiday Ice Rink at Pershing Square, a downtown L.A. winter tradition for more than 20 years. This massive 7,200-square-foot ice surface offers professional-quality skating in the heart of the city. Located next to Pershing Square Station (B and D lines) and a short walk from the A and E lines via Historic Broadway Station, it’s one of the easiest ice rinks to reach without worrying about traffic or parking. Open now through Jan. 11. Tickets start at $22.
Go Metro: Take the B or D Line to Pershing Square Station or take the A or E Line to Historic Broadway Station and walk to the rink.
Ice at Santa Monica Presented by Disney+ and Hulu
Ice Rink at Santa Monica is back for its 17th season, delivering an unforgettable holiday experience in the heart of the city. Located at the corner of Arizona Avenue and Fifth Street, this outdoor rink offers a one-of-a-kind California experience: skating under the sun by day, followed by the sparkle of stars at night. Best of all, Metro’s E Line drops you just a few blocks away at Downtown Santa Monica Station, making your trip easy, fun and sustainable.
Go Metro: Take the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica Station, and it’s a short walk to the ice rink.
Metro riders get $5 off general admission to experience the holiday season at both ice rinks with promo code “MetroHoliday,” valid January 5–11
All Weekend
This week marks one year since the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires. From the ashes, a new nonprofit was born to help survivors find healing through filmmaking. Ashes to Films exists to turn loss into stories, and this weekend’s festival in Cypress Park showcases that powerful mission.
Experience stories of perseverance, creative recovery and the capacity to heal through creativity. The festival highlights filmmakers who have created meaningful work under extraordinary circumstances, proving that art can rise from even the darkest moments. It’s a celebration of resilience, community and the transformative power of storytelling. Huron Substation, 2640 Huron St. Tickets start at $40.
Go Metro: Take the A Line to Lincoln/Cypress Station, and it’s a 10-minute walk to Huron Substation.
Animé Los Angeles celebrates 20 years of anime, cosplay and culture at the Long Beach Convention Center. This community-focused convention offers a more relaxed atmosphere where you can reconnect with old friends and make new ones while diving into an abundance of diverse programming. From panels and screenings to cosplay contests and artist vendors, there’s something for every anime fan. It’s all about bringing people together to celebrate a shared love of anime, cosplay and fandom. Jan. 9-11. Tickets start at $55.
Go Metro: Take the A Line to Downtown Long Beach Station, and it’s about a 10-minute walk to the Long Beach Convention Center.
The Little Mermaid at Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center
Dive under the sea with the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center’s reimagined stage production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.” Experience Ariel’s journey to find her voice in this beloved musical featuring stunning visuals, strobe lighting, fog effects and all the theatrical magic that brings this underwater world to life. Tickets start at $65. Use discount code WebsaleMermaid for 40% off full-price tickets. Jan. 9-11.
Go Metro: Take the K Line to Redondo Beach Station, and it’s about a 20-minute walk to the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center.
The LA Art Show returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center this weekend, transforming more than 180,000 square feet into an unparalleled international art experience. More than 90 galleries, museums and nonprofit arts organizations from around the world showcase painting, sculpture, works on paper, installation, photography, design, video and performance art. Tickets start at $40.
Go Metro: Take the A or E Line to Pico Station, and it’s about a 10-minute walk to the Los Angeles Convention Center. Or Take the J Line straight to the convention center stop.
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to get fit this year, this event is for you. The Fit Expo takes over the Los Angeles Convention Center this weekend, bringing together thousands of fitness fanatics, bodybuilders and influencers for a weekend of sweat, strength and skill. Expect workout demos, health seminars, supplement vendors and plenty of motivation to kickstart your fitness journey. Jan. 10-11. Tickets start at $39.67.
Go Metro: Take the A or E Line to Pico Station, and it’s about a 10-minute walk to the Los Angeles Convention Center. Or Take the J Line straight to the convention center stop.
L.A. Zoo Animal Lights: Animals Aglow
Light up your life at the L.A. Zoo Lights, the city’s wildest holiday tradition. Lanterns, lights and exotic animals await. The event features a giant walk-in kaleidoscope, seasonal treats and cocktails, and photo ops throughout the park, including Santa Claus himself. Tickets start at $19. Through Jan. 11.
Go Metro: Take the A Line to Lincoln/Cypress Station and transfer to Bus Line 296 or take the bus directly and get off at L.A. Zoo stop in Griffith Park.
Friday, January 9
LA Lakers Basketball
The Lakers take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. Watch LeBron, AD and the purple and gold take on Giannis and the Bucks in what promises to be an electrifying showdown. 7:30 p.m.
Go Metro: Take the A or E Line to Pico Station, and it’s about a 10-minute walk to Crypto.com Area. Or Take the J Line straight to the arena stop.
Sunday, January 11
South L.A. Café Vision Board Party
Start the new year right with a vision board party at South L.A. Cafe on Vermont Avenue. Get focused, inspired and aligned for the year ahead as you cut, paste and dream big with your community. It’s a perfect way to set intentions and connect with neighbors while mapping out your 2026 goals. Bring your creativity and ambition — supplies and good vibes provided. 8488 S. Vermont Ave. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Free.
Go Metro: Take Bus Line 204 to Vermont/83rd Street and walk a short distance to the cafe. Or take Bus Line 206 to Normandie/Manchester and walk about 15 minutes to the cafe.
Go Metro Forecast
After a rainy start to the new year, Southern California is in for a stretch of dry weather heading into the weekend. Friday will be cool with a mix of sun and clouds and highs in the 60s.
By Saturday, a Santa Ana wind pattern will set in, bringing warmer, drier conditions. The winds will be moderate and mainly affect the usual wind-prone areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Because the ground is still damp from recent storms, there’s a higher chance of downed trees or power lines, even though fire danger remains low.
The weekend will bring plenty of sunshine and above-normal temperatures. Highs will climb into the low to mid-70s by Sunday, with chilly overnight lows in the 40s in valleys and the 30s in inland areas.
Looking ahead, dry weather is expected to continue through much of next week, with no significant rain in the forecast until later in January.
Go Metro This Weekend
To plan a transit trip, you can use Google Maps, Apple Maps, the Transit or Moovit apps or the trip planner on metro.net.
Know of a great Metro-accessible event happening in L.A.? We want to hear about it! Send us your suggestions for future weekend roundups at bryantke@metro.net or tag us on social media @metrolosangeles.
To keep up with real-time updates on our buses, rails and elevators just head to alerts.metro.net
Check back next week for another weekend roundup!
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