From holiday celebrations around the city to awe-inspiring light shows, here are the top LA weekend events for December 21-24.
Edited by Christina Wiese.
EVENTS
L.A. County Holiday Celebration
Dec. 24. On Christmas Eve, the 58th annual Emmy-winning L.A. County Holiday Celebration returns with a family-friendly show featuring bands, choirs and dance companies that honor L.A.’s many neighborhoods and cultures. Doors 2 p.m.; First-come, first-seated. Free. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.0711. musiccenter.org
‘White Christmas’ Sing-Along
Dec. 23. Make merry with thousands of like-minded revelers at the iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall. With all the lyrics on screen, you can sing to your heart’s content along with Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney and Danny Kaye in the beloved 1954 film White Christmas. 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. See website for ticket prices. 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown. laphil.com
Winter Wonderland Celebration at Malibu Country Mart
Dec. 23. Head to the heart of Malibu for a day of family-family festivities and shopping. On deck for this weekend is a special visit from Santa’s reindeers, photos with Santa and carolers filling the air with Christmas tunes. Noon-4 p.m. 3835 Cross Creek Rd., Malibu. malibucountrymart.com
SPONSORED
Family Funday at OUE Skyspace LA
Ongoing | Every Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy unlimited Skyslide rides for kids at California’s tallest outdoor attraction! Skyspace LA, California’s premiere destination for panoramic, 360-degree views of the City of Angels, is now offering a special Family Funday ticket package. The Family Funday packages includes admission for a family of four to ride the exhilarating Skyslide for $20 each. Sa-Su, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 633 West Fifth St. #840, downtown, 213.894.9000. Tickets
Artists & Fleas
Dec. 23. Stock up for the holidays at this year-round L.A. staple featuring the vibrant, artistic community of Venice. Situated on Abbot Kinney, shop from over 50 art, design and vintage merchants before taking a stroll down America’s Coolest Block. 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Free. 1010 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice. artistsandfleas.com
BOLD (Beverly Hills Open Later Days) Holidays
Through Dec. 23. Travelers and locals alike are invited to enjoy the best of Beverly Hills this holiday season. Shops will extend their hours on Friday and Saturday evenings to complement an array of activities including Santa Claus at The Paley Center, live DJ sets and a stunning geometric, iridescent light installation. See website for full lineup. lovebeverlyhills.com
Cocoa with Santa
Dec. 23. Reimagine the traditional Santa experience at this immersive and elevated meet-and-greet featuring surprise gifts, cocoa, dessert, snacks, craft activities and photo opportunities. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Westfield Century City, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. westfield.com
Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Through Jan. 7. This holiday season, the wizarding village of Hogsmeade transforms with festive decor, lights, garlands and wreaths. Stroll the streets while you try bites and Butterbeer from the Three Broomsticks, take in a showing by the Frog Choir and see the all-new holiday spectacle with dazzling lights against the majestic backdrop of the Hogwarts castle. See website for schedule and pricing. Universal Studios, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City. universalstudioshollywood.com
Enchanted: Forest of Light
Through Jan. 7. This local favorite returns for another year at Descanso Gardens. Additions for 2017 include a brand new Aqueous display, plus new enhancements to the Flower Power and Ancient Forest light displays. See website for hours. Descanso Garden Members $23-$25; GA $28-$30; Under 2 free. descansogardens.org
FOOD + DRINK
Melody
Now Open. Housed in a decades old bungalow, the new brainchild from SoCal natives Eric Tucker and David Andreone fuses the sleepy, sunbaked French Riviera with the vibrant culture of Los Angeles. Dishes are designed to be shared and focus on sustainable seafood, ethically raised meats and heirloom vegetables. A rotating wine selection, rooted in small producers, complements the French-inspired fare. Secondhand furniture and lighting alongside handpicked plates and music playing on vinyl complete the eclectic dining experience. Open for dinner service W-Su and weekend brunch. 751 N. Virgil Ave., L.A. melodyla.com
Flight Club at Cafe Birdie
Dec. 21. Kick start your holiday festivities with a touch of sparkle from the Highland Park Cal-Mediterranean dining destination. Wine director Andrew Corbett curates the three sparkling wine selections and will be joined by Casey O’Brien from Springboard Wine Company who will also provide wine samples from Spain, France and from Italy, among others. 7-10 p.m. $15. 5631 N. Figueroa St., L.A. cafebirdiela.com
Westbound: Miracle on Santa Fe
Through Dec. 31. Drink and make merry at DTLA’s speakeasy-inspired bar as it transforms into a kitschy, over-the-top Christmas wonderland. Falling snow, visits from Santa and more complement 15 speciality cocktails including How the Gimlet Stole Christmas (gin and pine-caraway sage cordial), Chailent Night (Monkey Shoulder Whisky, Martini Rubbino Vermouth and chai-spiced rum butter), Run Run Rudolph (blanco tequila, coffee liqueur, iced hot chocolate and Mexican spices), among others. Tu-Sa 5 p.m.-2 a.m., Su 5 p.m.-midnight. $7-$17. Westbound, 300 S. Santa Fe Ave., downtown. westbounddtla.com
Kendall’s Brasserie
Dec. 24. Travel to France through a three or four-course menu that features regional holiday favorites like seafood and pearls with Maine lobster, shrimp, sea scallops, and lobster cognac sauce; roasted rack of lamb with cassoulet beans, roasted tomato and garlic jus. $58-$68. 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.7322. patinagroup.com
Discover the best places to dine on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Los Angeles.
Union Pasadena
Dec. 24. Kick off the holiday over a Feast of Seven Fishes menu, highlights of which include olive oil-poached abalone; Santa Barbara quit with cannelloni beans; saffron gnocchetti sari with Nantucket bay scallops, Calabrian chile and anchovy bread crumbs. Two seatings 5 and 7 p.m. $125/person; $40 wine pairing. 37 E. Union St., Pasadena, 626.795.5841. unionpasadena.com
ARTS + CULTURE
The Not Exactly Xmas Show
Dec. 21. Israel’s iconic singer-songwriter and guitarist David Broza returns to L.A. to present his signature concert. Expect an eclectic evening of singing in Hebrew, Spanish, English and Arabic, featuring a world-class group of seasoned and rising stars from around the globe. 7:30 p.m. $55+. 1310 11th St., Santa Monica, 310.434.3200. thebroadstage.org
‘The Nutcracker’
Dec. 23-24, 29-31. Is there a more quintessentially wintry work than The Nutcracker? 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. See website for schedule and ticket information. losangelesballet.org
‘Tattoo’ at The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHMLA)
Through Apr. 15. Just in time for the holidays, NHMLA is making it easier than ever for locals and college students to visit the museum’s traveling exhibition with new, discounted ticket prices. Exploring more than 5,000 years of tattoo history and culture, the exhibit also features content dedicated to the vibrant tattoo scene in L.A., highlight the dynamic work of female tattooists and also have a working tattoo parlor on-site with live demonstrations and special times for tattoo appointments. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, closed Christmas Day. Adults: $8 M-F, $10 Sa-Su or $8 if purchased online for Sa-Su. College students: $6. Kids: $4 M-F, $5 Sa-Su. 900 W. Exhibition Blvd., L.A. nhm.org
L.A. County Holiday Celebration photo by Gennia Cui. ‘White Christmas’ Sing-Along photo courtesy of LA Phil. Artists & Fleas photo courtesy of Artists & Fleas. Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter photo courtesy of Universal Studios Hollywood. Enchanted: Forest of Light photo by Jake Fabricius. The Not Exactly Xmas Show photo by Gil Lavi. ‘Tattoo’ photo by Jake Verzosa.
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