Weekday Picks: Roses, Horses, and Happy New Year! December 28-January 1

12/28/15 - By Jacqueline Stansbury

Growing up in Los Angeles, I enjoyed a New Year's Day tradition that my own children have yet to experience up close: the Rose Parade. My parents staked out curbside viewing several times when I was small, and one year we even watched the floats get decorated before the parade. It nags at me that the closest my own children have come to this quintessential, rain-or-shine LA experience is the television screen in our living room. I can't guarantee we will get there this year, either; nevertheless, I am highlighting two opportunities this week—one before and one after the parade. See the floats as they are assembled, or see them as they are disassembled. Or just get your family to the parade.

There may be a few of you who have not made it to Star Wars:The Force Awakens yet, and others whose children are clamoring for a second viewing. There’s nothing better than a movie matinee in the quiet week between Christmas and New Year’s. A fun alternative to Star Wars is the Marx Brothers double feature at Santa Monica’s Aero Theatre.

Finally, New Year’s Eve is not a holiday aimed at children, but the Discovery Cubes in LA and OC have a few ideas, as do the Zimmer Museum and Kidspace. One kid-friendly thing that caught my eye is the Skating Plus New Year’s Eve Party in Ventura. The roller rink celebrates with the clocks set forward to reach “midnight” at 3pm, after which parents can take the kids home, tuck them into bed, and crack open a bottle of well-deserved bubbly.

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If you and yours are in town this week, there are plenty of good ways to enjoy a staycation using the Mommy Poppins Daily Events Calendar, December Go List, and Holiday Fun Guide.

1. Rose Parade Float Decorating – Monday
Pasadena is not just about parading. The stars are the floats: the materials and assembly of these extraordinary vessels are worthy of consideration. Tickets do sell out. Call in advance.
See all Monday events

2. EquestFest – Tuesday
Everything’s coming up horses. Here is an opportunity to see them up close at home, before they make their public appearance. Enjoy food to eat, horses to meet, and riders to greet. For horse lovers this event is more fun than the parade itself.
See all Tuesday events

3. Holiday Light Festival Train Ride – Wednesday
If you missed out on an opportunity to enjoy holiday lights before Christmas, or want to squeeze in one more, the Griffith Park Railroad (not to be confused with the Live Steamers, also in Griffith Park) has a few more rides left before the season ends.
See all Wednesday events

4. Skating Plus New Year’s Eve Party – Thursday
This roller rink in Ventura has a fun solution to the quandary of whether or not to keep the wee ones up until midnight: change the clocks. 3pm is the new midnight, complete with a balloon drop, festive hats, and noisemakers. The festivities re-commence at 8pm for teens who may not be fooled by this time changing sleight of hand.
See all Thursday events

5. Post Parade: A Showcase of Floats – Friday
If you make it to the actual parade, you’ll be done. For those who can barely wake up enough to watch it on TV in holiday pajamas, this is a way to see the floats after the show and before they are disassembled.
See all Friday events

There are always plenty more activities on our Daily Events Calendar and in our monthly GoList. And if you don’t receive our newsletters full of suggestions for family fun, you really should subscribe…it’s free!

Photo credit: Prayitno