From surreal acrobatic performances to hotly anticipated restaurant pop-ups, here are the top LA weekend events for December 7-10.
Edited by Christina Wiese.
EVENTS
‘The Contenders’
Through Dec. 19. Experience 10 nights of groundbreaking films just before awards season. The series, organized by The Museum of Modern Art, features Jordan Peele’s Get Out, Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird, Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon’s The Big Sick, among others. Filmmakers and actors (including the aforementioned) will be on-hand for post-screening discussions. 7:30 p.m. $20 GA, $10 Hammer Museum members. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. hammer.ucla.edu
Cirque du Soleil: ‘LUZIA’
Opens Dec. 8. Billed as “A Waking Dream of Mexico,” this Cirque du Soleil show consists of visual surprises and acrobatic performances (e.g., hoop diving and surrealistic animals) bringing multiple places, faces and sounds of Mexico to the stage. Check website for schedule. Tickets start at $50, under 2 free. Dodger Stadium, 1000 Vin Scully Ave., L.A. cirquedusoleil.com
Holiday Movie Night at Malibu Wines
Dec. 8. Bundle up for an evening of wine, cheese and laughter as holiday classic, Elf, screens under the stars. 21+. Movie starts at 7:30 p.m. Free, each party encouraged to purchase a bottle of wine. Table reservations optional. Malibu Wines 31740 Mulholland Hwy., Malibu, 818.865.0605. malibuwines.com
Fiesta Mexicana: Feliz Navidad
Dec. 9. Valley Performing Arts Center and Star Entertainment join forces to bring an encore performance of this Mexican fiesta. Celebrate Christmas with traditional music and dance by artists such as Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles, Mariachi Garibaldi de Jamie Cuellar and a show-stealing 35-member children’s mariachi band. 7 p.m. $38-$78. Valley Performing Arts Center, Great Hall, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. valleyperformingartscenter.org
Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade
Dec. 9. Hop into the holiday spirit at the 55th annual parade of decorated boats in Marina del Rey, preceded by a fireworks show. Enjoy real snow, sledding, arts and crafts, face painting, a DJ and food trucks in the park from noon-6 p.m. Fireworks 5:55 p.m., parade 6-8 p.m. Free. Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey, 310.670.7130. mdrboatparade.org
Echo Park Craft Fair
Dec. 9-10. Explore a new wave of local talent alongside top international design brands at this L.A. holiday staple. Expect ceramics, jewelry, handcrafted beauty products, clothing designs, woodworking, textile art and much more at this creative gathering housed at the legendary Mack Sennett Studios. Sa 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Su 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $10 one day entry, $16 two day entry. Mack Sennett Studios, 1215 Bates Ave., L.A. echoparkcraftfair.com
Renegade Craft Fair
Dec. 9-10. The world’s largest curated showcase of independent craft and design returns to Los Angeles for its ninth year. Discover one-of-a-kind gifts, DIY workshops, photos ops, local food trucks and seasonal cocktails at this highly anticipated event. For the winter marketplace, Renegade will partner with CERF+ to help raise funds for their Disaster Relief Fund which provides aid to makers and artisans affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria and the wildfires in Northern California. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 1245 N. Spring St., L.A. renegadecraft.com
Cocoa with Santa
Dec. 9, 16, 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. Westfield Century City, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. westfield.com
CicLAvia: Iconic Wilshire Boulevard
Dec. 10. Walk, run, bike or skate through L.A.’s normally congested roadways as they transform into a car-free park. The four-mile route along Wilshire will weave through Koreatown, Westlake and downtown Los Angeles. See website for details. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. 213.355.8500. ciclavia.org
Hanukkah Festival: LA/LA
Dec. 10. Inspired by the Getty’s PST: LA/LA initiative, this annual festival explores the themes of Hanukkah through the traditions of L.A.’s rich and diverse Latin American communities. Groove to musical performances by Latin Jewish bands, create art celebrating light and hope or learn about Mexican chocolate with culinary historian Maite Gomez-Rejón. Classic Hanukkah dishes like latkes and sufganiyot (jelly donuts) will be on hand. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $12 GA; $9 Seniors/Students/Children ages 2-12; Free for members and children under 2. skirball.org
Manhattan Beach Holiday Fireworks
Dec. 10. The picturesque beachside city’s annual holiday celebration features a Skechers-sponsored snow park, a Santa float and live music, capped off by a fireworks show over the pier. Snow park and float 4 p.m.; fireworks 7 p.m. Free (new, unwrapped toy or cash donation to benefit the YMCA Adventure Guides Toy Drive requested for snow park admission). 2 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach. mbfireworks.com
FOOD + DRINKS
Roberta’s
Dec. 6-23. For a limited time only, Brooklyn’s buzzy pizza establishment returns for a second pop-up at Culver City’s Platform LA. Expect signature pies such as the Margherita and the Famous Original (tomato, mozzarella, parmigiano, caciocavallo, oregano, chili) alongside new specials like the Ursual Parade (mozzarella, parmigiano, littleneck clams, calabrian chili, parsley, garlic, lemon). Natural wines courtesy of Hayden’s wine shop will also be on hand. W-Su noon-9 p.m. $8-$24. Platform LA, 8850 Washington Blvd., Culver City. platformla.com
NoMad Pop-Up at Walker Inn
Dec. 10-12, 17-19. Ahead of its highly anticipated January 2018 L.A. opening, NoMad will be transforming Koreatown’s Walker Inn into a holiday playground. Sip on “Naughty” and “Nice” selections, a candy cane piña colada, a pumpkin-spiced Mai Tai, among others. Su-Tu 6 p.m.-2 a.m. The Walker Inn, 3612 W. 6th St., L.A., 213.263.2709. thewalkerinnla.com
La Colombe Silver Lake
Now Open. The Philly-based coffee purveyor, known for establishing ethical practices with growers, recently welcomed its third caffeine haven in Los Angeles. In addition to the new destination, La Colombe now offers unique L.A. menu items including Mango Rooibos Chili Iced Tisana (inspired by popular Mexican street food), Raw Organic Hemp Mylk as a milk alternative, pastries from Sugarbloom Bakery, savory sandwiches from Bread Lounge and Liquiteria’s refreshing juices. M-F 6:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Sa-Su 7 a.m.-7 p.m. 3900 Sunset Blvd., L.A. lacolombe.com
Taco Tuesday at The Roof Garden
Upcoming | Dec. 12, 19, 26. Heat up your weeknight dinner plans with a trio of tacos and unbeatable rooftop views. Created by executive chef David Codney, choose from Al Pastor, Octopus, Pollo Pibil, Chimichurri Camerones and Carne Asada tacos, each served in a handmade tortilla and garnished with herbs from the hotel’s own rooftop garden. 5-9 p.m. Three tacos for $19+. 9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.975.2855. beverlyhills.peninsula.com
ARTS + CULTURE
‘George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker’
Dec. 7-10. The Music Center hosts the world premiere of the new George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker by Miami City Ballet. Set to Balanchine’s iconic choreography, the performances will include live vocals from the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus. Check website for show times. $34-$125. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.0711. musiccenter.org
‘The Nutcracker Suite’
Dec. 8-23. Experience the world’s best-known ballet from directly inside the Land of the Sweets. The audience becomes the first act and will spend one hour in a dreamland of dancing sweets and snowflakes 350 feet above the city, while familiar character surprise and delight throughout the festivities. Traditionalists need not fear, sugarplums and dewdrops will dance their beloved roles during the second act. See website for show times. $40-$105. American Contemporary Ballet, 700 S. Flower St., Suite 3200, downtown. acbdances.com
Holiday Festivities at Walt Disney Concert Hall
Dec. 9. The iconic hall plays host to a festive lineup this December including this weekend’s Festival of Carols by the Los Angles Master Chorale. Other monthly highlights include the Holiday Sing-Along which invites guests to join in on seasonal favorites (Dec. 16), the L.A. Master Chorale takes on Handel’s “Messiah,” (Dec. 17) followed by its 37th Annual “Messiah” Sing-Along the next night. And finally, on December 23, sing along with Bing Crosby and his beloved 1954 film White Christmas. See website for schedule. 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown. laphil.com
‘The Nutcracker’
Dec. 9-10, 15-17, 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
‘The Heart of Robin Hood’
Through Dec. 17. This wildly inventive retelling of the great English myth goes above and beyond with daring acrobatics, outrageous comedy and soul-stirring songs. See website for showtimes. $35-$125. Wall Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Bram Goldsmith Theater, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.746.4000. thewallis.org
Cirque du Soleil show photo: Matt Beard © 2017 Cirque du Soleil. The Contenders / The Big Sick photo by Sarah Shatz. Fiesta Mexicana photo by Luis Luque. Hanukkah Festival: LA/LA photo by Mercie Ghimire. Roberta’s photo by Deidre Schoo. The Nutcracker Suite photo by Will Davidson. ‘The Heart of Robin Hood’ photo by Kevin Parry for The Wallis.
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