Things to do in Los Angeles today

Ponyo loves Sosuke! And we love this exhibition at the Academy Museum dedicated to the wholesome Hayao Miyazaki film. Studio Ghibli donated more than 100 objects to the Academy Collection, and you’ll find everything from an animation desk to colorful art boards to dozens of frame-by-frame pencil drawings of the scene when Sosuke first finds Ponyo. Though you may recognize a couple of items from the museum’s debut Hayao Miyazaki retrospective, the vast majority of Ponyo pieces are new—and some have never been displayed in North America before. It’s also a colorful and super kid-friendly exhibition; you can watch clips of the gorgeously hand-drawn movie, recreate the wave-running scene and even make your own stop-motion animation. You’ll find it on the museum’s second floor, inside the first few galleries of the “Stories of Cinema’ space.

Join in one of L.A.’s oldest traditions at the 127th annual Golden Dragon Parade. The colorful procession of lion dancers, dance troupes, music groups and more will make its way through Chinatown (kicking off at Hill Street at Temple, traveling toward Bernard, then right onto Broadway then back to Broadway & Temple) on Saturday, February 21, from 1 to 4pm. The parade historically coincides with a free Lunar New Year festival in the Central Plaza as well. RECOMMENDED: Lunar New Year in Los Angeles

There’s nothing Christmassy nor even wintry about this hour-long Palos Verdes trail, yet its nine stellar installations are the most cosmically mesmerizing of the budding after-dark botanical garden shows that’ve come to blanket L.A. toward the end of the year. Astra Lumina, which debuted in 2022, returns to South Coast Botanic Garden with the same array of celestial-inspired displays. Last year’s edition was basically identical to its debut. But if you loved your first trip to Astra Lumina or haven’t been at all, we still think this is a worthwhile (albeit somewhat expensive) event—perhaps better suited for a date night than a large family affair. While some other year-end light shows seem less focused on moment-to-moment encounters and more on the photogenic snaps you’ll walk away with, Astra Lumina feels truly experiential. You’ll venture through scenes that interpret the arrival and departure of stars in an earthly garden: Archways pulsate with light and mist, perforated lanterns spell out a stargazing journey, shooting stars chase up and down a cylindrical frame, shimmery bulbs blanket a forest floor and tranquil lanterns float among the trees. There’s plenty of wonderfully atmospheric fog along much of the trail, including in a shower of lasers so thick that you’ll swear you can touch them. (It’s also worth mentioning how lovely it is to experience a celebration of the night sky in one of the few locations in L.A. where it’s actually dark enough to see plenty of...

Got a list of L.A. museums you haven’t visited yet? Clear your calendar for Museums Free-for-All, when museums all over the region throw open the doors for free admission. Nearly 30 museums will drop their admission fees on Sunday, February 22. It’s the perfect opportunity to knock a couple of cultural to-dos off your list, like the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, LACMA, the Autry, the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, Craft Contemporary, the Skirball and more. You’ll still have to pay to see any exhibitions that require a special ticket and for parking, but we can’t say no to free admission. Make sure to scope out the full list of participating museums. (We’d suggest skipping any of L.A.’s always-free museums, though, as you can visit those admission-free on any other weekend.)

The masters of alfresco rooftop movie viewing have returned for another season of screenings to LEVEL in Downtown L.A. Known for excellent film choices and a steady supply of snacks and booze, Rooftop Cinema Club is your snazzy, comfortable and less stressful alternative to other outdoor movie screenings. You don’t even need to bring your own camping chair—Rooftop Cinema Club provides you with your very own comfy lawn chair (with optional blankets for purchase to up the coziness). And instead of listening to the movie over loudspeakers, you’ll get a set of wireless headphones so you never have to miss a word. Find the full schedule on their site, or in our outdoor movie calendar.

This display of film and video art, billed as “a sweeping odyssey into the depths of human experience,” will take over all six stories of the abandoned, historic Variety Arts Theater in Downtown L.A. (the theater served as the setting for this past Halloween’s immersive haunt Delusion, and the expansive space was as impressive as the production itself). Over a century of visual storytelling will be explored, blurring the line between visual art and cinema. The contemporary video works by artists including Marina Abramović, Doug Aitken, Chris Burden, Cyprien Gaillard, Arthur Jafa and Precious Okoyomon—juxtaposed with cinematic works by the likes of Walt Disney and Georges Méliès—come from the time-based art collection of the Germany-based Julia Stoschek Foundation.

What better place to celebrate the Lunar New Year than the Huntington Library’s beautiful Chinese garden? Usher in the Year of the Horse with lion dancers, mask-changing performances, martial arts demonstrations, floral art and music, from Chinese opera to traditional Vietnamese music, during this two-day event. Kids will enjoy storytime, arts and crafts and a Lego display. Look out for some sweet and savory treats just for the occasion (think banh mi and creamy shaved ice) from on-site food trucks. Advance ticket reservations are required.

Santa Monica Place is welcoming the Year of the Horse with red and gold lanterns, cherry blossom wishing trees, arts and crafts for kids and shopping deals for adults. Stop by on the afternoon of February 21 for a free, family-friendly event—expect Chinese lion dance performances and martial arts demos, dough and balloon artists, live music and special Lunar New Year blessings spelled out by a calligraphy artist. While you’re there, pick up a red envelope with exclusive offers from the shopping center’s retailers and restaurants, valid through March 2.

Welcome the Year of the Horse amid the lush greenery of South Coast Botanic Garden every weekend this February. Enjoy an afternoon of festive Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean traditions, with activities including the Korean game Yutnori, the Vietnamese game Bầu Cua Cá Cọp or the Chinese game of Mahjong. Enjoy the grounds on a Zodiac Stroll, the new dragon walk or a morning tai chi class. You’ll also find storytelling, a wishing tree, live music, a themed photo op and specialty food and cocktails (available for purchase from 10am–4pm). Admission is $18, but for $9 more, you can catch a performance by lion dancers, martial artists, drummers and folk dancers (Sat, Sun at 11am, 1pm, 3pm).

This South Bay Lunar New Year celebration offers live entertainment, dancers, arts and crafts, food trucks and more at Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles. The free, family-friendly event typically boasts a petting zoo, too, where visitors can get close to roosters, sheep, goats and pigs—maybe even horses in honor of the Year of the Horse. Parking is also free; head to 22nd and Miner streets to park and catch a free ride to the event from the San Pedro Downtown Trolley.