Los Angeles Auto Show, holiday pop-ups, Thanksgiving celebrations and more … Check out the top Los Angeles weekend events for November 28- December 1.

Edited by Alicia Luchak.

 

EVENTS

 

Queen Mary Christmas
Starts Nov. 29. Enjoy holiday spirit aboard Queen Mary as it transforms into an epic adventure-filled wonderland. Highlights include live entertainment, festive libations, strolling performers, sweet treats, light shows, gingerbread and stocking decorating, ice-skating and shopping. Don’t miss the meet-and-greet with Ol’ Saint Nick in his Captain’s Quarters. See website for schedule and ticket prices. $20 on-site parking. Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 800.437.2934. queenmary.com

 

 

Unique Markets Holiday Pop-Up
Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 14-15. At Unique Markets’ holiday pop-ups (Nov. 30-Dec. 1 at Hudson Loft, Dec. 14-15 at the Santa Monica Pier), shop the wares of hundreds of the best local independent designers and emerging brands, who’ll be selling home decor, clothing, jewelry, art, food, beauty and wellness items, stationery, kids items and more. There will also be free drinks, snacks, holiday portraits and gift wrapping. 10 am-5 pm. Daily admission $15; VIP $35, under 12 free. Hudson Loft, 1200 S. Hope St., downtown; Santa Monica Pier, 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica. uniquemarkets.com/losangeles

 

 

The Hollywood Christmas Parade 
Dec. 1. Welcome the holidays at this annual parade, complete with a concert beforehand and a celebrity grand marshal. The procession winds through Hollywood and features floats, balloons, characters, marching bands and equestrians. Concert 5 pm; parade 6 pm. Grandstand tickets $22-$85. The route starts on Hollywood Boulevard at Orange Drive and travels east to Vine Street, south on Vine to Sunset Boulevard and west on Sunset, back to Orange. 866.727.2331. thehollywoodchristmasparade.org

 

 

Los Angeles Auto Show 
Through Dec. 1. Test-drive the auto industry’s latest models and explore 1,000 vehicles at this annual car show—one of the world’s largest. Check website for hours. $6-$35; VIP Guided Tours $35-$85, under 6 free. Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St., downtown, 310.444.1850. laautoshow.com

 

 

 

 

WearNYLA Holiday Pop-Up Shop
Through Dec. 23. For the next month, you can amp up your winter wardrobe (or buy your family and friends the perfect holiday gifts) at WearNYLA, the chic online label turned pop-up store. Try on and buy your favorite pieces from the site in-person while enjoying exclusive perks like special discounts and complimentary gift wrapping, all while meeting the ladies behind the contemporary online boutique. Plus: This Friday through Monday, use code UNWRAP30 for 30% off the entire website. Open daily 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. 1241 3rd St. Promenade, Santa Monica. wearnyla.com

 

 

THANKSGIVING

 

Cafe Gratitude’s Annual Free Thanksgiving Meal  
Nov. 28. Show your gratitude by giving back. Cafe Gratitude is continuing its 15-year tradition of helping those in need with sustainable water and a fresh plant-based Thanksgiving meal. If you or someone you know is experiencing food or housing insecurity, stop by early for a free and healthy feast. For those who can, volunteer or donate! All proceeds go to Immigrant Defenders Law Center, a social justice law firm delivering full-scale deportation defense to nearly 600 immigrants annually. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. To volunteer, visit the website or call 424.231.8000. 512 Rose Ave., Venice. cafegratitude.com

 

 

Terranea Resort
Nov. 28. For those who like to have options, the oceanfront Terranea Resort has several highly celebrated eateries that will be partaking in the Thanksgiving festivities. Choose from a festive ballroom buffet (complete with a cider station, Champagne and a dessert bar); fine-dining and ocean views at Mar’sel; a healthy—yet delicious—meal at Solvia (carefully curated by the in-house nutritionist); rotating whiskey and sake flights at Bashi; casual dining with panoramic coastal views at Nelson’s; upscale Mediterranean cuisine at the Catalina Kitchen; and the Grill’s poolside turkey sandwiches. 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, 855.938.4047. terranea.com

 

 

Turkey Trot Los Angeles
Nov. 28. Spend Thanksgiving morning in downtown L.A., taking in a scenic 5K or 10K route through the area’s historic streets. The race starts and finishes at City Hall and takes runners past Grand Park and Walt Disney Concert Hall. There is also a Widdle Wobble 1K for kids. Proceeds benefit charity the Midnight Mission. 5K 8 am; 10K 9 am; Widdle Wobble 10:15 am. $24-$67. 200 N. Spring St., downtown, 310.821.7898. turkeytrot.la

 

 

 

Viviane
Nov. 28. Join Viviane for a poolside Thanksgiving feast, all day long. To start, choose between butternut squash soup and brassica with mixed greens. For the main course, guests are given the option of slow-roasted turkey, roast beef or butternut squash risotto—each comes with side dishes like garlic mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, traditional stuffing, fresh cranberry fruit conserve and more. For dessert, enjoy your own personal mini pie—either Granny Smith apple with vanilla ice cream or pumpkin with whipped cream. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. $65. Avalon Hotel Beverly Hills, 9400 W. Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.277.5221. More info

 

 

 

FOOD + DRINK

 

Locala
Now Open. The historic Mayfair Hotel’s newest fine dining establishment, Locala, is the perfect mix of high-class contemporary and craveable street food, along with additions from executive chef Karo Patpatyan’s Armenian background. Indulge in mouthwatering menu items like succulent Spanish octopus aguachile with young coconut, avocado, cucumber, red onion lime yuzu broth and sumac, or the flavorful bacon-wrapped Kobe Street Dog with gruyere cheese and mustard seed in a brioche bun. The Mayfair Hotel, 1256 W. 7th St., downtown, 213.632.1200. Make reservation

 

 

Pinky’s
Now Open. The coolest L.A. bars are always hiding right under your nose. Los Feliz has a new hidden hot spot full of Tiki decor, a live DJ spinning unexpected contemporary mixes and fun ways to imbibe. Drink highballs on tap or check out the creative cocktail list, which includes gems like the frozen Capri-Fun in a reusable plastic pouch and Drunk Commitments, with sour-cherry-infused rye, caymus, madeira, giffard madagascar, Tiki bitters and an aromatic cinnamon bubble. Open daily 7 p.m. – 2 a.m. 1816-B N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz, 323.763.0351. pinkyslosfeliz.com

 

 

Ever Bar’s Winter Get-Away Cocktails 
Nov. 29 – Dec. 31. Starting this weekend, you can sip on cozy chalet-themed drinks at Ever Bar’s holiday pop up. From now through the new year, listen to the rotating lineup of live musicians while you peruse the new menu for cocktails with fun names like Gengerbread Man, Boots with the Fur, the Hans Gruber Eggnog and more. Visit the website for full cocktail menu and performance schedule. 4 p.m. to close. The Everly, 1800 Argyle Ave., Hollywood. everlyhotelhollywood.com

 

 

 

ARTS + CULTURE

 

The Thanksgiving Play 
Through Dec. 6. See Thanksgiving in a new light after watching Larissa FastHorse’s satire at the Geffen, which follows three “woke” white thespians as they struggle to plan a politically correct elementary school pageant for the holiday. Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater, Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., L.A., 310.208.5454. Tickets

 

 

 

 

Shirin Neshat: I Will Greet the Sun Again
Ongoing. Originated by the Broad, Shirin Neshat: I Will Greet the Sun Again is the largest exhibition to date of internationally acclaimed artist Shirin Neshat’s approximately 30-year career. Taking its title from a poem by Iranian poet Forugh Farrokhzad, the exhibition (with over 230 photographs and eight immersive video installations) offers a rare glimpse into the evolution of Neshat’s artistic journey as she explores topics of exile, displacement and identity with beauty, dynamic formal invention and poetic grace. Read more. Get $5 off adult tickets with code WHEREMAG. The Broad, 221 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.232.6250. Tickets

 

 

The Nutcracker
Opens Dec. 1. The Los Angeles Ballet performs the beloved holiday tale about Clara and her Nutcracker—set in 1912 Los Angeles—at the Alex Theatre, Royce Hall at UCLA, Dolby Theatre and Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. The Dolby Theatre shows feature the Los Angeles Ballet Orchestra. See website for schedule and prices. Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale, 818.243.2539; Royce Hall at UCLA, 10745 Dickson Court, L.A., 310.825.4401; Dolby Theatre, Hollywood & Highland, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.308.6300; Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach, 310.937.6607. Tickets

 

 

Photos: Queen Mary, Mathew Martinez.  Unique Markets Holiday Pop-Up courtesy @uniquemarkets/Facebook. The Hollywood Christmas Parade courtesy @xmasparade/Facebook. WearNYLA Holiday Pop-Up Shop courtesy WearNYLA. Los Angeles Auto Show courtesy @LAAutoShow/Facebook. Turkey Trot courtesy @turkeytrotLA/Facebook. Terranea Resort Thanksgiving courtesy Terranea. Cafe Gratitude’s Annual Free Thanksgiving Meal courtesy Cafe Gratitude. Viviane Thanksgiving courtesy Viviane. Locala courtesy Mayfair Hotel. Pinky’s credit Josh Telles. Ever Bar‘s Winter Get-Away Cocktails courtesy Kristin Teig. The Thanksgiving Play courtesy @geffenplayhouse/Facebook. Shirin Neshat: I Will Greet the Sun Again courtesy The Broad. The Nutcracker credit Reed Hutchinson.