
This weekend is chock-full of winter festivals to explore and seasonal eats and drinks to enjoy. Check out our 17 top weekend events in Los Angeles for December 13-16.
By William Yelles.
EVENTS
Dec. 13. Candela La Brea puts a new spin on the Mexican tradition of a posada—a re-enactment of the procession of Mary and Joseph’s search for a lodging in Bethlehem, which was historically performed just before Christmas—followed by a celebration. The event also features a live DJ, musical performances, authentic Mexican treats, cocktails, tastings, desserts and more. 7:30 p.m.-1 a.m. $45. Candela La Brea, 831 S. La Brea Ave., L.A. Tickets
Starts Dec. 13. Outdoor ice skating returns to downtown Burbank. After taking to the ice, enjoy holiday shopping at the nearby mall or grab a bite from one of the area’s many eateries. Su-Th 10 a.m.-10 p.m., F-Sa 10 a.m.-11 p.m. $12. Corner of Third Street and Orange Grove Avenue, behind Burbank City Hall. dtnbur.com
Dec. 14-15. The one-of-a-kind musician, actor and artist Taylor Mac celebrates the season in his unique, hilarious way with his brand-new holiday show featuring Mac’s longtime collaborators: costume designer Machine Dazzle, music director Matt Ray and an eight-piece backing band. 8 p.m. $29-$119. Royce Hall, UCLA, 10745 Dickson Court, Westwood, 310.825.2101. cap.ucla.edu
Dec. 15. Baldwin Hills Crenshaw’s annual holiday festival will feature a diverse lineup of live musical acts, sledding, food trucks and a holiday toy giveaway benefiting children from South L.A. Real snow will be brought in for activities such as a five-lane snow slide. Noon-4 p.m. Free. 3650 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., L.A. baldwinhillscrenshawplaza.com
Dec. 15. The seaside property will transform into a winter wonderland trimmed with festive holiday decor and thousands of twinkling lights. Take complimentary photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, see live carolers and participate in arts and crafts. Following the recent Woolsey Fire, the Mart has added a special community event directed at mental health and wellness. Bring a toy to donate for the toy drive. Noon-4 p.m. Free. 3835 Cross Creek Road, Malibu, 310.456.7300. malibucountrymart.com
FOOD + DRINK
Now Available. The holiday may be over, but it’s not too late to celebrate at the decidedly nonkosher The Oinkster. The seasonal-specialty Chanukah Sandwich consists of slow-roasted sliced brisket with housemade horseradish mayo and a fried potato pancake served on a toasted French roll with a side of au jus. While you’re there, try the Peppermint Bark Shake: Peppermint Fosselman’s ice cream with chunks of white and dark chocolate and candy-cane pieces. Su-Th 11 a.m.-10 p.m., F-Sa 11 a.m.-11 p.m. 2005 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock, 323.255.6465. theoinkster.com
Now Available. To celebrate its 10th anniversary since first opening in San Francisco, the artisanal ice cream shop’s outpost in Venice is scooping up seasonal fan-favorite flavors including Peanut Butter Curry, Honey Baked Ham with Bacon Peanut Brittle, and the always-popular Jesus Juice (red wine, Coca-Cola and cinnamon). Su-Th 1-9 p.m., F-Sa 1 p.m.-midnight. 1653B Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 424.387.8161. humphryslocombe.com
Now Available. A wholesome twist on the classic chocolate chip cookie makes its debut at the recently opened cake shop in the upscale Palisades Village shopping complex. Made with only five core ingredients (almond flour, coconut oil, maple syrup, Himalayan pink salt and vegan chocolate chips), the cookie is vegan, grain-free, dairy-free and refined-sugar-free. 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Sweet Laurel, 15279 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades, 310.442.2722. sweetlaurel.com
Now Available. Barbecue restaurant and bar Barrel & Ashes celebrates the holiday season with a special cocktail menu, “The 12 Gin and Tonics of Christmas,” featuring 12 intentionally paired gins and tonics. Cocktails include Nine Primates Dancing (Monkey 47 Gin, green apple, thyme, aegean tonic) and Ten Lords a LA-eaping (City Bright Gin, sage, cranberries and aromatic tonic). M-Th 11 a.m.-10 p.m., F 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sa 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m., Su 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. 11801 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, 818.623.8883. barrelandashes.com
Starts Dec. 15. Simone, the new Arts District restaurant from James Beard Award-winning chef Jessica Largey, commences weekend brunch service featuring Largey’s much-anticipated fried chicken. Brunch also brings a menu of five different bloody marys— from a Little Tokyo-inspired version to a clarified iteration with a salsa macha oil repurposed from the kitchen. 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. 449 S. Hewitt St., downtown, 424.433.3000.
simoneartsdistrict.com
ARTS + CULTURE
Opens Dec. 12. One of the all-time classic Christmas stories comes to life onstage in a 1940s-style radio broadcast. Simon Helberg (The Big Bang Theory) stars. See website for showtimes and ticket prices. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena, 626.356.7529. pasadenaplayhouse.org
Dec. 13-14. The second event in The Broad Stage’s National Geographic Live series features photographer Florian Schulz, who shares images from his multiyear quest to document the Arctic. Schulz tracked families of polar bears, followed the vast caribou herds and captured the northern lights in stunning detail. 7:30 p.m. $55-$90. 1310 11th St., Santa Monica, 310.434.3200. thebroadstage.org
Dec. 15. The 30 galleries and creative businesses at the Bergamot Station arts complex band together for their annual Winter Open House. See a variety of special exhibitions, plus enjoy festive food, artist talks, live music and more. See website for complete schedule. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica. visitbergamot.com
Dec. 15. Five-time Grammy Award winner Dianne Reeves rings in the holidays at The Soraya with timeless jewels from her album Christmas Time Is Here. The reigning diva of jazz was recently designated as a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts. 8 p.m. $34-$86. The Soraya, CSUN, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge, 818.677.3000. thesoraya.org
Opens Dec. 15. The Lythgoe Family Panto returns to the Pasadena Civic Auditorium with its newest production, The Wonderful Winter of Oz, a holiday-themed, family-friendly musical in the style of a traditional British family pantomime. On Christmas Eve, Dorothy (Mackenzie Ziegler) gets swept away by a “freak” Kansas blizzard and lands in a world of munchkins and witches. Kermit the Frog is Oz; Marissa Jaret Winokur is Glinda. See website for showtimes and ticket prices. 300 E. Green St., Pasadena, 626.449.7300. visitpasadena.com
Through Dec. 16. In this world-premiere adaptation, Tony Award winner Jefferson Mays breathes new life into the classic Christmas tale, turning it into a one-man show in which he plays Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim et al. See website for showtimes and ticket prices. Gil Cates Theater, Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood, 310.208.5454. geffenplayhouse.org
STYLE + BEAUTY
Dec. 14-16. Get some holiday shopping done at this Los Angeles-based brand’s sample sale. Shop men’s and women’s styles, plus home goods, footwear and accessories. F 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sa 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Su 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 1128 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. jamesperse.com
Dianne Reeves photo by Jerris Madison. “The Posada” photo courtesy Candela La Brea. Burbank ice rink photo courtesy Downtown Burbank Partnership. Taylor Mac photo by Little Fang Photography. Baldwin Hills Crenshaw photo courtesy @bhcgram/Instagram. Chanukah Sandwich photo courtesy The Oinkster. Simone photo by Rob Stark. “Into the Arctic Kingdom” photo by Florian Schulz. Bergamot Station Winter Open House photo courtesy Bergamot Station. “Wonderful Winter of Oz” photo courtesy Lythgoe Family Panto. “Christmas Carol” photo by Chris Whitaker.
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