7 fantastic Bay Area things to do this weekend, Jan. 27-29

There are a LOT of fun things to do, see, eat and drink in the Bay Area this weekend, from great shows and exhibits to delicious Lunar New Year dishes and cocktails. So let’s get to it, shall we?

As with everything these days, be sure to double check websites for any last-minute health guidelines. Meanwhile, if you’d like to have this Weekender lineup delivered to your inbox every Thursday morning for free, just sign up at www.mercurynews.com/newsletters or www.eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.

1 WATCH: Harrison Ford’s new show

He may be one of our biggest movie stars, but Ford is killing it on the tube these days, too. First there was the Western drama “1923” with Helen Mirren; now there’s the new dramedy, “Shrinking,” a “Ted Lasso”-like charmer that tops our roundup of new shows and movies you should know about.

2 EAT: A culinary celebration of Lunar New Year

Different communities have different ways of marking the new year holiday, and so do some of the Bay Area’s best restaurants. Here’s a rundown of some of the mouthwatering specials on tap.

3 PLAY: Fun in Sunnyvale

Yes, the Silicon Valley city is more than just a place to work for the pocket protector crowd. There are cool hikes and neat places to sup and nosh there, too. Here’s a day-trip planner.

4 LAUGH: Sketchfest is in full swing

San Francisco’s legendary comedy/improv festival SF Sketchfest is serving up a crazy-fun mix of shows through Feb. 5. Here are some of the most promising.

5 MAKE & EAT: A champion chicory salad

With its bold colors, crunchy texture and bold orange-and-fennel flavors, this delicious salad can almost make you forget we’re in the dead of winter.

6 SEE & HEAR: Dazzling shows and exhibits

The Bay Area has got it going this weekend and beyond, with a rich choice of new and classic plays, a folk music legend and terrific (and inexpensive) art exhibits. Here’s just a sampling.

7 PLAY: A winning ‘One Piece’ game

The classic “One Piece” manga series has proved problematic for video game developers. But this new release gets it right.