From indulgent spa treatments to fabulous end-of-year celebrations, here are the top LA weekend events for December 28-31.

Edited by Christina Wiese.

EVENTS

Holiday Lights Train Ride
Through Dec. 30. Embark on a holiday train ride through magical scenes and tens of thousands of lights along the festively decorated one-mile track. $4. Griffith Park, 4400 Crystal Springs Drive. griffithparktrainrides.com

 

 

 

 

Tournament of Roses
Through Jan. 2. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the Rose Parade by helping put the final touches on the flower-covered floats (Dec. 28-30). Also happening prior to the parade, Pasadena City College will host Bandfest (Dec. 29-30), which features field shows by the parade’s top-notch marching bands. The Tournament of Roses culminates on New Year’s Day with the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game. Check website for detailed schedule and locations. 626.449.4100. tournamentofroses.com

 

Event Guide: Tournament of Roses in Pasadena

 

Museum of Failure
Through Feb. 4. Celebrate history’s failed products and services at this quirky, experiential exhibit. Expect artifacts spanning from the 17th century right up to present day, including the Segway, one of Apple’s few unsuccessful devices and a movie case from Blockbuster (RIP). GA $15, seniors/military/A+D members $8. A+D Architecture and Design Museum, 900 E. 4th St., downtown. failuremuseum.com

 

 

 

 

L.A. Zoo Lights
Through Jan. 7. This L.A. holiday tradition returns for its fourth year to set the zoo aglow with thousands of LED lights, a disco ball forest and much more. Breathtaking new features for 2017 include a musical holiday tree experience, a reimagined water show and a glittering North Pole, among others. Special programming includes VIP Experiences, Holiday Happy Hours and Family New Year’s Eve. See website for full schedule and pricing. 5333 Zoo Dr., L.A. lazoo.org

 

 

 

Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square
Through Jan. 15. Skate among the skyscrapers at this ice-skating rink, presented by Bai, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary at Pershing Square. See website for hours and skate-session schedule. $13 per one-hour skate session, including skate rental. 532 S. Olive St., downtown. holidayicerinkdowntownla.com

 

 

 

 

Ice at Santa Monica
Through Jan. 15. This 8,000- square-foot outdoor skating rink in downtown Santa Monica brings holiday spirit to the beach. M-Th 2-10 p.m.; F 2 p.m.-midnight; Sa 10 am-midnight; Su 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Admission, including skate rental, $15. Corner of 5th Street and Arizona Avenue, Santa Monica, 310.260.1199. iceatsantamonica.com

 

 

 

 

NEW YEAR’S EVE

Angel City Brewery’s No Cover New Year’s Eve
Dec. 31. Ring in 2018 at the iconic DTLA brewery without breaking the bank. Enjoy live music, specialty beers and dishes from Downtown Taco Co. and Kai Kai Dumplings. At midnight, expect a toast with a twist featuring glasses of Bir Royale, Angel City’s swanky new golden ale inspired by the Kir Royale French cocktail. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Free. 216 Alameda St., downtown. angelcitybrewery.com

 

 

 

EVE at Universal Studios Hollywood
Dec. 31. The giant Hollywood New Year’s Eve celebration features party areas with DJs, fireworks, specialty desserts, beer, wine and champagne throughout the Universal Studios theme park. See website for hours. $110+. 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, 800.864.8377. universalstudioshollywood.com

 

 

 

 

Honeycut’s Annual Champagne Supernova
Dec. 31. The downtown party rings in the new year with an open bar and complimentary sparkling wine. Expect endless rivers of white and pink bubbles all night long. Also, find DJ tunes from Dan & Lindsay Mancini (TSR Airlines). Tickets are limited to 100 people. $80+. 819 S. Flower St., downtown, 213.688.0888. honeycutnye.com

 

 

 

 

New Year’s Eve Midnight Menagerie at Neat
Dec. 31. Don your swankiest outfit and head to Neat for a night of drinking and dancing, channeling the 1920s. Tickets bought in advance include open bar access to select drinks from 9-11:30 p.m. Also enjoy live music, light bites and a complimentary midnight champagne toast. 11780 W. Pico Blvd., L.A. Tickets

 

 

 

 

N.Y.E.L.A
Dec. 31. Grand Park and the Music Center’s free celebration offers L.A.’s biggest dance party, complete with live music, food, inflatable art and photo booths. Expect a countdown to midnight that includes 3-D digital video mapping on the side of City Hall. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. 200 N. Grand Ave., downtown. grandparkla.org

 

 

 

 

Prohibition NYE
Dec. 31. The Roaring ’20s come alive at the Ticket Concourse at Union Station downtown. Party all night with theatrical burlesque, live jazz ensembles, a premium open bar featuring champagne and specialty cocktails and L.A.’s own GOLDROOM headlining the main stage. The night culminates in a 60-foot, midnight ball-drop celebration. $150+. 800 N. Alameda St., downtown. Tickets

 

 

 

Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox
Dec. 31. The powerhouse pop-jazz phenomenon that has toured the world with their throwback renditions of current hits, brings their genre-twisting sounds to Walt Disney Concert Hall for two New Year’s Eve Performances at 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown. laphil.com

 

 

 

FOOD + DRINK

Dopolavoro
Now Open. Inspired by the neighborhood markets of Europe, downtown Los Angeles’ newest culinary destination offers a variety of specialty grocery items, including pre-made meals, from around the globe. The highly curated selection includes cheese, charcuterie, wine, gastronomic (dry goods, jarred items, baking items) bits, plus a unique Pasta Lab featuring fresh pasta and sauces that can be combined for a quick and easy meal. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 808 S. Spring St., downtown. dopolavorodtla.com

 

 

Salt & Straw
Through Dec. 28. The iconic ice cream purveyor is churning out five brand new flavors to celebrate the holiday season. Choose from Peppermint Cocoa, Apple Brandy & Pecan Pie, Gingerbread Cookie Dough, Caramelized Grapefruit Eggnog and Butter Roasted Chestnut, alongside their year-round staples. Available at all five LA locations. saltandstraw.com

 

 

 

Croft Alley x The Rosy
Through Dec. 31. Steps away from the Hollywood Walk of Fame, The Hollywood Roosevelt continues to reinvent itself with the debut of a new collaboration with beloved Melrose eatery, Croft Alley. Menu highlights include a Cauliflower Grilled Cheese (cauliflower, béchamel, fontina) and a fresh Risotto Bowl (coconut brown rice, red cabbage slaw, egg crepe, bok choy, toasted shallots). 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.856.1970. croftalley.com

 

 

 

STYLE + BEAUTY

Chocolate-Infused Treatments at The Ritz-Carlton Spa
Through Dec. 31. Renowned L.A.-based chocolatier, Valerie Gordon, has joined forces with The Ritz-Carlton Spa to offer exclusive, luxurious treatments this winter season. Pampering begins with a cup of Valerie’s hot chocolate blend before indulging in one of four options: Chocolate Peppermint Pedicure, Chocolate Spice Organic Facial, Chocolate Glow Body Ritual, or Whiskey-ing Away for the Holidays—a hot stone massage in which essential oils evoke the essence of whiskey. $95-$185. Call for appointments. 900 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown, 213.763.4400. ritzcarlton.com

 

 

ARTS + CULTURE

‘Hamilton’
Through Dec. 30. The national tour of the Broadway hit brings its brilliant raps about Founding Father Alexander Hamilton (played by Michael Luwoye) to the Pantages stage. See website for tickets and showtimes. Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770. hollywoodpantages.com

 

 

 

 

‘Something Rotten!’
Through Dec. 31. This funny, irreverent ode to musicals tells the story of two brothers in the 1590s who try to outshine the Bard by writing the very first musical. See website for tickets and showtimes. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org

 

 

 

 

‘Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors’
Through Jan. 1. The Broad presents the hotly anticipated traveling exhibition comprised of six kaleidoscopic mirrored environments alongside large-scale installations, key paintings, sculptures and works on paper from the Japanese artist’s 65-year career. The Broad is the only space in California to host this exhibition. Advance tickets $25; limited same-day standby tickets $30. 221 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.232.6200. thebroad.org

 

Tournament of Roses photo courtesy of Pasadena Tournament of Roses. Museum of Failure photo by Sofie Lindberg. L.A. Zoo Lights photo by Jamie Pham. Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox photo courtesy of the LA Phil. Dopolavoro photo courtesy of Dopolavoro. ‘Hamilton’ photo by Joan Marcus. ‘Something Rotten!’ photo by Jeremy Daniel. Yayoi Kusama, Infinity Mirrored Room—The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away, 2013. Wood, metal, glass, mirrors, plastic, acrylic panel, rubber, LED lighting system, acrylic balls and water. Courtesy of David Zwimer, NY. Copyright Yayoi Kusama. 

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