Events
Holidays Made Here
Through Jan. 5. Celebrate the New Year in Stars Hollow with Warner Bros. Studio Tour’s Holidays Made Here. You can explore the Gilmore Girls‘ sets adorned with festive decor, including the gazebo, Luke’s Diner and Lorelai’s house. Enjoy Scotty P’s Big Mug Coffee, Pop-Tarts and pastries while viewing original props and costumes. Activities include trivia, costume meetups and cookie decorating for a nostalgic holiday experience. Thursday-Sunday, 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Departure times 3400 W. Riverside Drive, Burbank. wbstudiotour.com
Chinatown First Fridays
Jan. 3. Explore the unique mix of small businesses, contemporary art and cultural spaces in L.A.’s historic Chinatown during a special evening featuring extended gallery hours, DJ performances and local pop-up vendors along West Plaza and Chungking Road. Friday, 5-9 p.m. 943 N. Broadway, Los Angeles. More Information
Last Call: Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza
Through Jan. 5. Watch Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza at the Santa Monica Pier, marking its first tented show in Los Angeles in five years and a return to the beachside city since 2014. Performed under the big top, this production offers a more intimate experience with closer seating and preshow performer interactions. KOOZA combines gravity-defying balancing acts with a vibrant blend of Parisian flair, Indian music and ’70s funk. Hours vary. 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica. cirquedusoleil.com
Arcane Comes to Life: Step into the Last Drop Bar Experience
Open. Boba Bear in Koreatown transforms into Arcane’s Last Drop Bar, celebrating the Netflix series’ second season. This pop-up immerses guests in the steampunk-inspired world of Zaun, offering themed soju cocktails, non-alcoholic “Shimmers” served in glowing glass tubes, games, photo ops, cocktail-making classes and cosplay contests. Tickets start at $10, include a beverage (excluding Shimmers) and welcome all ages. Monday–Thursday, 2 p.m.–1 a.m.; Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m.–2 a.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.–1 a.m. 414 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles. More Information
Food + Drinks
Dry January at Stella West Hollywood
Now Serving. Chef Rob Gentile and his team have crafted Stella’s beverage menu, featuring zero-proof options inspired by classic Italian cocktails, such as the G&T with Seedlip Spice 94 (lavender, grapefruit, tonic and lime) and their dry negroni (made with Wilderton Apertitivo, Ghia NA Aperitif and tonic). Tuesday–Thursday, Sunday at 5:30–10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 5:30–11 p.m. 8899 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood. stellawesthollywood.com
Rasarumah
Open. Chef Johnny Lee brings his signature following to a cozy, vibrant space, exploring Chinese, Malaysian and Southeast Asian flavors. The menu features dishes like black cod steamed in banana leaf with sambal and herbs, chicken and pork jowl satay and wagyu beef cheek rendang served with roti. Thursday-Monday, 5-10 p.m. 3107 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. rasarumah.com
Bar Etoile
Open. This recently-launched Melrose restaurant blends the charm of a Parisian bistro with the ambiance of Los Angeles dining. The menu features dishes like trout rillettes with biquinho peppers and classic steak frites, paired with an expertly curated selection of natural wines and cocktails, including a standout martini. Tuesday-Saturday, 4-11 p.m. 632 N. Western Ave., Los Angeles. baretoile.com
Lud’da
Open. Beverly Grove’s hidden gem offers a relaxed ambiance, a Turkish-inspired menu and prime people-watching from its sidewalk patio. Guests can enjoy cocktails paired with dishes like grilled lamb-and-beef meatballs with tzatziki, dolmas and creamy hummus topped with mushrooms while taking in the neighborhood’s lively energy. Hours vary. 7563 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. luddalosangeles.com
Arts + Culture
Last Call: Once Upon a Mattress
Through Jan. 5. Sutton Foster stars as Princess Winnifred in Once Upon a Mattress at the Ahmanson Theatre, a reimagined take on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Princess and the Pea. With melodies like “Shy” and “In a Little While,” the production blends classic charm with fresh humor. Directed by Tony-nominated Lear deBessonet and adapted by Amy Sherman-Palladino, the story follows Winnifred’s journey to transform a repressed kingdom with honesty, determination and charm. Hours vary. 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles centertheatregroup.org
Batiashvili Plays Beethoven
Jan. 3-5. Violinist Lisa Batiashvili revisits Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, showcasing her acclaimed pure tone and precise intonation, with conductor Robin Ticciati leading the LA Phil. The program also features Dvořák’s Prague Waltzes and his vividly expressive Eighth Symphony. Friday-Saturday at 8 p.m. Sunday at 2 p.m. 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. laphil.com
L.A. Zoo Lights
Through Jan. 5. Discover a stunning display of larger-than-life animal lanterns and holiday-inspired sculptures in this immersive, nature-themed celebration. This year’s event introduces new installations with photo opportunities available for an additional fee. 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles. lazoo.org
Astra Lumina
Through Jan. 31. Part of the Lumina Enchanted Night Walk series, the 17th installation at South Coast Botanic Garden takes visitors on a celestial journey through luminous pathways, cosmic visuals and astral melodies. This immersive experience combines light, sound and projection to forge a unique connection with the stars before they return to the heavens. Hours vary. 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes. astralumina.com
Photo credit: Couple looking at lights courtesy of Astra Lumina. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
