Patch Parents: Best Things To Do With Kids In January In California

CALIFORNIA — California offers plenty of family-friendly things to do in January, so start 2025 on a high note with activities, events and more for all ages.

From Lunar New Year celebrations, to Disney On Ice shows and Monster Jam experiences, here are some of the best things to do with kids in January in the Golden State.

Northern California

Celebrate the Year of the Snake. There are a variety of family-friendly Lunar New Year celebrations in Northern California. Events include the Flower Market Fair Jan. 25-26 and Chinese New Year's Day Opening Ceremony on Jan. 29 in San Francisco. Other events include Oakland Little Saigon Tết Festival on Jan. 19 in Oakland and Lunar New year Festival on Jan. 25 at Children's Museum of Sonoma County in Santa Rosa.

Feel the thrill of full-throttle fun. Monster Jam is rolling into Sacramento. See massive Monster Jam trucks and world champion drivers Jan. 24-26 at Golden 1 Center.

Go on a Glowfari. Experience the illuminating lantern festival at the Oakland Zoo. Glowfari runs on select dates through Jan. 26.

See Napa aglow. The Napa Lighted Art Festival is a free illuminated art walk created by local and international artists in Downtown Napa. The event features 11 lighted art sculptures for five weeks and projection artwork on three downtown buildings. The festival runs Jan. 18-Feb. 16.

See San Francisco shine bright. Illuminate SF's Festival of Light covers the city in outdoor installations of light art. Dozens of site-specific artworks by creators from all over the world will be on display across the city's many neighborhoods through the end of January.

Visit a national park. In honor of the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., national parks will waive entrance fees for everyone on Jan. 20, 2025, as the first fee free day of the year.

Central California

Celebrate the Year of the Snake. There are a variety of family-friendly Lunar New Year celebrations in Central California. Events include the IllumiNature Lunar New Year Celebration on Jan. 25 at Fresno Chaffee Zoo.

Experience the zoo in a new light. IllumiNature features hundreds of handmade lanterns glowing throughout the Fresno Chaffee Zoo in Fresno. The event takes place on select nights in January.

See Stockton aglow. Stockton Lantern Festival offers an immersive walk-through experience at Stockton Ballpark. The lantern festival runs on select nights through Jan. 19.

See your favorite Disney friends. Disney on Ice Presents Magic in the Stars is coming to Fresno. Take a magical journey with Mickey, Minnie and friends Jan. 30-Feb. 2 at Selland Arena.

Taste the best of Stockton. Stockton Restaurant Week takes place Jan. 17-26. Discover hand-picked dishes, popular favorites and new creations from local restaurants at a special fixed price.

Visit a national park. In honor of the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., national parks will waive entrance fees for everyone on Jan. 20, 2025, as the first fee free day of the year.

Southern California

Celebrate Mardi Gras. SeaWorld San Diego brings the excitement of Mardi Gras to Southern California with its family-friendly take on a beloved New Orleans classic. The event series features live music, colorful costumes, and delectable Creole and Cajun dishes.

Celebrate the Year of the Snake. There are a variety of family-friendly Lunar New Year celebrations in Southern California. Events include the Lunar New Year Festival from Jan. 18-19 in Monterey Park, Rancho Cucamonga Lunar Festival from Jan. 18-19 in Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside Lunar Festival from Jan. 25-26 in Riverside, and Tết Festival on Jan. 25 in Santa Ana.

Feel the thrill of full-throttle fun. Monster Jam is rolling into Southern California. See massive Monster Jam trucks and world champion drivers Jan. 4-5 and Jan. 11-12 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego and Jan. 18-19 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim.

Get an Inside Look at SeaWorld San Diego. Animal care experts and educators take park-goers behind the scenes and share their firsthand experiences during the theme park's Inside Look event series Jan. 11-12 and Jan. 18-20.

See life-like dinosaurs. The interactive dinosaur experience Jurassic Quest is roaring into Southern California. The event, which is billed as "the largest and most realistic dinosaur experience in North America," will take place Jan. 3-5 at the Pasadena Convention Center, Jan. 10-12 at the Anaheim Convention Center and Jan. 17-20 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in San Diego.

See your favorite Disney friends. Disney on Ice Presents Magic in the Stars is coming to Long Beach and San Diego. Take a magical journey with Mickey, Minnie and friends Jan. 2-5 at Long Beach Arena and Jan. 23-26 at Pechanga Arena San Diego.

Taste the best of Los Angeles. Dine LA Restaurant Week kicks off Jan. 24 and runs through Feb. 7. Enjoy special lunch and dinner menus at hundreds of local restaurants.

Taste the best of San Diego. San Diego Restaurant Week kicks off Jan. 26 and runs through Feb. 2. The eight-day edible extravaganza features more than 100 restaurants from Oceanside to Chula Vista offering variations of multi-course menus.

Visit a national park. In honor of the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., national parks will waive entrance fees for everyone on Jan. 20, 2025, as the first fee free day of the year.

Patch Parents is written by Patch Editor Kristina Houck, a mom of three boys. Have a story idea? Email kristina.houck@patch.com.