Events
Four Magical Concerts This Weekend
Dec. 20-22. Experience the season in song with FOUR incredible holiday concerts, December 20-22 at Walt Disney Concert Hall. The Grammy award-winning Los Angeles Master Chorale presents the glory of Handel’s Messiah, be a part of the choir for Messiah Sing-Along, enjoy your favorite popular carols at the joyous Festival of Carols, and introduce the kiddos to song with Carol for Kids! Showtimes vary. 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Get Tickets Now
Holidays Made Here at Warner Bros. Studios
Now Open. Gilmore magic takes over Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood this holiday season as Gilmore Girls is brought to life in a limited-time immersive celebration marking the show’s 25th anniversary. The experience invites fans to step into a holiday-dressed Stars Hollow, complete with walkthroughs of Lorelai’s house, Luke’s Diner and themed dining moments inspired by the Dragonfly Inn. Included with the Studio Tour and open daily with extended hours until 8 p.m., the event also weaves in behind-the-scenes stories from holiday film favorites such as Gremlins and Elf, while surprise cast appearances from Scott Patterson, who portrayed Luke Danes.From 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Stars Hollow access 10 a.m.–8 p.m. 3400 Warner Blvd., Burbank. wbstudiotour.com
Ben Platt Brings Holiday Residency to the Ahmanson Theatre
Until Dec. 21. The holiday season arrives early at the Ahmanson Theatre with a limited two-week concert residency featuring Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winner Ben Platt. The engagement brings a new live show blending selections from Platt’s own catalog with classic Broadway standards, supported by a rotating lineup of surprise special guests each night. While guest names remain under wraps, past collaborators from his 2024 Broadway residency have included Cynthia Erivo, Nicole Scherzinger, Jennifer Hudson, Kacey Musgraves, Sam Smith, Micaela Diamond and Shoshana Bean. Showtimes vary. 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. centertheatregroup.org
SoFi Stadium Tours
Tickets Available. Go beyond the game with a behind-the-scenes SoFi Stadium Tour. Step onto the field, explore VIP suites and locker rooms and go backstage where your favorite artists perform. Home to the Los Angeles Rams, Chargers and world-class events, SoFi Stadium is a must-see for sports and music fans alike. Perfect for all ages—and a great gift for any fan—SoFi Stadium Tours offer an unforgettable look inside one of the world’s most iconic venues. 1001 S. Stadium Drive, Inglewood. Buy Tour Tickets
Food + Drinks
Casa Dani Introduces Limited-Time Holiday Dishes
Until Dec. 31. The holiday season arrives at Casa Dani with three limited-time Spanish Mediterranean additions from Chef Dani García, created to complement the restaurant’s existing menu during December dinner service. The seasonal offerings include lamb chops “a la sartén” (paired with roasted carrots, crispy kale, dates and harissa sauce), grilled Sole Royale (topped with tomato and olive gremolata finished with basil olive oil imported from Spain) and Casa Dani Bravas (featuring crispy diced potatoes served with spicy tomato sauce and garlic aioli). Open daily from noon-2:30 p.m. and 5-9:30 p.m.10250 Santa Monica Blvd, #1799, Los Angeles. sbe.com
Caribbean Christmas Market Returns to Smorgasburg LA
Dec. 21. Island energy takes over Smorgasburg as Bridgetown Roti returns to host the second annual Caribbean Christmas Market. The one-day celebration brings together a lineup of Caribbean pop-ups including Bridgetown Roti, BodegaDelights, Simply Wholesome, Dilan’s Caribbean Grill and Melnificent Wingz, alongside a stand from Chef Jon Harris of Linden. Smorgasburg favorites Chef Bee and Back Yard Jerk will serve throughout the day, while DJs ROZAY and Yala provide a nonstop soundtrack of island sounds. In between bites, guests can shop holiday gifts from Soul Food Candle Co. and Chicken Wing Studio, rounding out a festive close to the year. Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 777 Alameda, Los Angeles. la.smorgasburg.com
Silky’s Southern Comfort
Dec. 20. A new pop-up supper club series launches this season, created by chef and writer Magdalena O’Neal, the debut installment takes place inside furniture brand Dupe’s Downtown showroom, where guests will sit down to a five-course dinner with beverage pairings featuring dishes such as cajun shrimp cocktails and crab hush puppies. The evening begins with a pre-dinner cocktail hour offering complimentary flash tattoos on a first-come, first-served basis and concludes with a custom Silky’s keepsake to take home. Saturday at 6 p.m. 514 E. 8th Street Fourth Floor, Los Angeles. Get Tickets Now
New Seasonal Cocktail Menu Arrives at A.O.C.
Now Serving. A new seasonal cocktail menu is now being poured at A.O.C., marking the next chapter for longtime team member Ignacio Murillo. Designed to reflect Southern California’s shifting produce and cooler months, the menu introduces specialty drinks such as the kentucky holiday with bourbon, la cabra with mezcal and the sea haze blending gin, grapefruit, cranberry and india pale ale, alongside perennial favorites including the kingbird, espresso jalisco and green goddess. Hours vary. 8700 W. 3rd Street, Los Angeles. aocwinebar.com
Christmas Afternoon Tea in Los Angeles
Now Serving. Already underway for the season, a festive christmas afternoon tea is now being served at Chado Tea Room locations in Downtown LA, Hollywood, Torrance and Pasadena, offering a polished holiday spin on one of the city’s most established tea traditions. Highlights include an apple, cranberry and pecan salad with cinnamon-apple tea vinaigrette, smoked salmon on rye with lemon-dill cream cheese and a mini christmas pudding finished with brandy cream. Priced at $69 per person. For specific hours and locations, visit chadotearoom.com
Arts + Culture
Stevie Wonder’s House Full of Toys Benefit Concert
Dec. 18-21. More than 25 years into a cherished holiday tradition, R&B legend Stevie Wonder returns to the Fonda to host his annual christmastime house full of toys benefit concert. The longtime benefit invites concertgoers to give back by bringing an unwrapped toy, which will be donated to children in need, blending live music with a community-driven spirit of generosity. Thursday-Sunday at 8 p.m. 6126 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. fondatheatre.com
The Long Beach Nutcracker
Dec. 20-21. A Southern California holiday staple, Long Beach Ballet’s The Nutcracker stands out as one of the region’s few productions to feature a live full orchestra alongside a horse, a flying sleigh and theatrical special effects including pyrotechnics. While the beloved story remains timeless, the company continues to elevate the experience with large-scale spectacle, returning this December for six performances as the production marks its 43rd anniversary. Saturday at 2 & 7:30 p.m. Sunday at 2 p.m. 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. longbeachnutcracker.com
“Holidays Around the World” at Benny Boy Brewing
Dec. 19. A free holiday concert brings global flair to Lincoln Heights with a live performance by L.A.-based, Paris-born singer and accordionist Jessica Fichot. Sung in French, Mandarin Chinese, English and Spanish, the performance blends traditional melodies with Fichot’s original songs, creating a cross-cultural soundtrack for the season. Guests can enjoy pours from the brewery and cider house alongside food from tirzah’s mexi-terranean, served from 4-11 p.m., making it an easy, festive stop for an evening out. Friday at 7 p.m. 1821 Daly Street, Los Angeles. bennyboybrewing.com
Warner Music Experience Holiday Store
Until Dec. 21. Holiday shopping gets a music-forward twist as Warner Music Group launches a seasonal pop-up at the W Hollywood, taking over the hotel’s ground floor for three weekends this month. The experience features apparel and music from nearly 100 artists spanning generations and genres, from Joni Mitchell to Ed Sheeran. Special editions of Green Day’s Dookie on December 21 and opportunities to win coveted items such as My Chemical Romance Hollywood Bowl tickets and a vintage Talking Heads poster. Now-Sunday at 10 a.m. 6250 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. uproxx.com
Photo credit: Katie Ging courtesy of Long Beach Nutcracker. Ben Platt courtesy of Evan Zimmerman. Stevie Wonder courtesy The Fonda. Lamb Chops “A la Sartén” courtesy of Casa Dani. AOC courtesy of Suzanne Lanza. All images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
