This week is all about punches. Some who will be throwing them, others who have rolled with them and then those who don’t really punch but paw, we guess. Watch the claws!

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1. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. PARADE (Saturday)

The 32nd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Celebration is all set to kick off Saturday at 10 a.m. from the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Anaheim Street. Vice Mayor and Sixth District Councilman Dee Andrews announced this year’s theme is “Continuing the Legacy,” highlighting the continuous efforts of those building on King’s legacy of peace, freedom and community. After the parade, which ends around 1 p.m., head to Martin Luther King Jr. Park where, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., the celebration continues with entertainment, food, merchandise and vendors at 1950 Lemon Ave. (Asia Morris)

Another great thing: On Monday, Jan. 20, join Leadership Long Beach on MLK National Day of Service to participate in your choice of 20 different service projects citywide, from landscaping at Willow Springs Park to painting trash cans at Jordan High School. To fill out the volunteer waiver and select your project, click here. The kickoff rally takes place at 8 a.m. at Seaside Park, near 14th Street and Chestnut Avenue.

Giving us a moment’s pause: You can also volunteer (and receive service hours) by helping with the parade on Saturday. Sign up by calling (562) 570-6816.

2. PHANTOMS (Friday)

Los Angeles-based electronic duo, Phantoms, will be performing in Long Beach at a warehouse venue locals probably already know, but that out-of-towners will most assuredly get a kick of out of experiencing Friday night to the upbeat dance music of Kyle Kaplan and Vinnie Pergola. Music by the quietly lit Bodybite and “Dancefloor Puppeteer” Matt Suave will precede the up-and-comers. (AM)

Another great thing: As has come to be expected with any event organized by InspiredLBC at the Ice House Arts Complex, there will be brand new murals and painted pillars by 14 different artists throughout the space; a gallery of larger than life-sized artworks definitely worth checking out.

Giving us a moment’s pause: “Street art murals” that aren’t on the street should probably just be called… murals; large-scale, indoor, gorgeous murals. We’re really digging this one by KAT BING, who also designed the flyer for the show.

Doors open at 7 p.m.; Phantoms goes on at 10 p.m. Tickets are $25, to purchase click here. The event page says you’ll have to wait until the day of the show to find out exactly where it is, but if you follow @inspiredlbc on Instagram, you may have already guessed the location: 625 West Anaheim Street.

3. MOVIE NIGHT WITH THE FELINE GOOD SOCIAL CLUB (Thursday)

Feline Good Social Club opens up its kitty heaven this Thursday, inviting guests to come pet, play and snuggle with their friendly felines and watch Disney’s “Aristocats.” Light refreshments will be provided, but you can bring any extra snacks you’d like to munch on. This cat lounge, the only kind in the city, hosts over a dozen cats in their abode, lined with plush rugs, handmade cat furniture and countless toys. At a place like Feline Good Social Club, everybody wants to be a cat. (Cheantay Jensen)

Another great thing: Aside from giving the city a place for people to come relax and enjoy the company of some furry friends, Feline Good Social Club doubles as an adoption agency. All the cats brought into the lounge, currently by non-profit rescue Long Beach Felines, are sheltered in the space, helping them become more acclimated to people and, hopefully, find them a forever home.

Giving us a moment’s “paws”: Watching a movie all about cats, with cats? How, puuuurfect. Yes, we were dying to use this pun.

Watch “The Aristocats” with Feline Good Social Club for $20 on Thursday, Jan. 16 at 301 Atlantic Ave. Screening starts at 6:30 p.m. To buy your tickets, click here.

4. UFC 246 MCGREGOR VS COWBOY AT GALLAGHERS PUB (Saturday)

It’s the first UFC fight of the year and the household name that is “The Notorious” Connor McGregor is back fighting for the first time since 2018, this time against Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. Gallagher’s Pub will be showing the welterweight bout for free at their Irish pub, where the Guinness flows like water. It’s first come first served, so best be there early to nab that spot with ample views to their screens. Keep in mind, this is an Irish pub, so if you’re vying for the “Cowboy” best keep that to yourself. (CJ)

Another great thing: UFC 246 AT R BAR (Saturday)

If you’re looking for a spot to stake for the fight where you’re guaranteed a space to sit, R Bar in downtown is selling seats at their bar top and tables for $10. General admission is free, but unless there’s a knockout five minutes into the fight, plopping down for the spectacle sounds much more appealing.

Giving us a moment’s pause: Blood, so much blood.

UFC 246, McGregor vs Cerrone starts at 7 p.m. at Gallaghers Pub and Grill at 2751 E. Broadway. Admission is free.

UFC 245, McGregor vs Cerrone also starts at R Bar (106 W. 3rd St) at 7 p.m. General admission is free, to buy a seat at a table or their bar top is $10.

5. ‘WEATHERING WITH YOU’ (Thursday)

Day Two of the two-day premiere of “Weathering With You” is Thursday with a special, Fathom Events, um, event at numerous theaters, including a couple local screens—Cinemark at The Pike and the Regal Long Beach Stadium 26.

If you’re not familiar with “Weathering With You,” already a huge hit in Japan, it may help to tell you it is the latest offering by director Makoto Shinkai.

If you’re not familiar with Makoto Shinkai, it may help to tell you his previous film was “Your Name,” the gorgeous, mystical, romantic animated feature that was the biggest movie in Japan in 2016.

“Weathering” has found a similarly enthusiastic audience, being similar in scope in that it deals with frustrated young people feeling alone, then finding love, amidst lush, striking animation. The film adds to that with what the Japanese deal with more and better in their films than anybody else: our responsibility to honor and live within the forces of nature. (Steve Lowery)

Another great thing: The film will show twice, tonight. A 7 p.m. version dubbed into English and a subtitled version showing at 8 p.m.

Giving us a moment’s pause: When do we get to find love amidst lush, striking animation? What, never? OK, cool.

Cinemark at The Pike is located at 99 South Pine Ave; Regal Long Beach Stadium 26 is located at 7501 Carson Blvd. For tickets, click here.

6. LONG BEACH VEGAN SOCIAL (Saturday)

It’s halfway through the month of “Veganuary” and we at the Long Beach Post are sticking to our promise to give up animal products for the entirety of the month. For the past two weeks we’ve been trying out plant-based alternatives to all the foods we normally devour and hitting up the dozens of restaurants around the city that are dedicated to or, at least, offer vegan options. But, this Saturday, The Hawk is saving us some of the trouble of scouting out these places by hosting a Vegan Social at their cocktail bar.

Six plant-based businesses are bringing their vegan food and drink including Asian comfort food from MANEATINGPLANT, Chicana Vegana’s Mexican-American cuisine, San & Wolves Filipino baked goods, Swamiji’s natural risen plant-based pizza, Organic Junkie’s veggie and acai bowls, and Tiger Matcha’s premium Japanese matcha. (CJ)

Another great thing: Just because the month is halfway through doesn’t mean you still can’t participate with us in our “Veganuary” journey. To learn more about what we’re doing and to join in on all the fun, check out this post and stay tuned for other vegan related content we’ll be publishing the rest of the month.

Giving us a moment’s pause: We’re dying to sink our teeth into those vegan ube buns San & Wolves are toting.

Long Beach Vegan Social at The Hawk runs from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 468 W. Anaheim St. The event is free to attend, although to get into the bar you’ll need to be at least 21. For more information, click here.

7. CLIMATE CHANGE SYMPOSIUM (SUNDAY)

The League of Women Voters of the Long Beach area (LWVLBA) are presenting their sixth annual climate change symposium in partnership with the Aquarium of the Pacific. Each year they present the latest in findings and potential solutions to climate change, but this year they’re bringing in keynote speaker and moderator for the symposium, Dr. Jerry R. Schubel, president and CEO of the Aquarium of the Pacific and lead author of the Aquarium’s Climate Resilience Assessment Report for the City of Long Beach to discuss the social costs of climate change.

Other scientists and experts include Dr. Reinhard Flick of Scripps Institution of Oceanography to talk about rising sea levels, Mark Jackson from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to discuss extreme weather and Dr. Holly Buck of the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, UCLA to explain carbon sequestration.

This unique conference aims to inform the public on the latest climate change research while arming the attendees with tools and tips to help people mitigate climate change. Attending the symposium is free, but advance reservations are required because of limited seating capacity. To do so, you can call or text 562-548-4010 or email: [email protected]. (CJ)

Another great thing: DISCOUNTED LATE NIGHT AT THE AQUARIUM (Sunday)

Once the symposium is over, why not check out all the Aquarium has to offer? This Sunday the Aquarium is selling discounted tickets ($19.95) and are keeping their doors open a few hours longer; 8 p.m. See the space all lit-up and check-out all the nighttime activities of the animals, the exception being Lorikeet Forest.

Giving us a moment’s pause: Sunday’s are one of the busier days at the Aquarium, so those who aren’t looking to navigate through all the baby-strollers should find these late night, extended hours ideal. Plus, discount tickets! We like discounts.

The Climate Change Symposium is held in the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Ocean Theater. The event runs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., but guests are asked to check in before 3 p.m. at the Visitors Entrance. Check-in begins at 2 p.m. The Aquarium of the Pacific is located at 100 Aquarium Way. The event is free and open to the public.

The Aquarium of the Pacific’s Discounted Late night begins from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, click here. The Aquarium of the Pacific is located at 100 Aquarium Way.