There is no shortage of ways to celebrate Christmas this weekend in Los Angeles. Here are our top L.A. weekend events for December 20-25.
By William Yelles.
EVENTS
DIFF Drive to Make a DIFFerence
Dec. 21. Designer sunglass maker DIFF will be hosting a drive to give back to the local community for the holidays. Bring 2+ items to donate. Items include canned food, baby formula, toiletries, clothing, school supplies and pet supplies. In return, you’ll receive a free pair of DIFF sunglasses. Donations are going to Project NEEDS, which provides food and supplies to the homeless and partners with Pets of the Homeless to offer pet food, supplies, and services to the animal companions of the homeless in the community. 7 a.m.-3 p.m. 15606 Broadway Center St., Gardena. diffeyewear.com
“Lunch at Lorelai’s”
Starts Dec. 22. Calling all Gilmore Girls fans. Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood is offering fans of the beloved series an opportunity to stroll through their favorite TV town Stars Hollow and enjoy a delicious holiday spread in Lorelai Gilmore’s backyard. In addition, take pictures at the iconic Stars Hollow Gazebo and Lorelei’s re-decorated house. Plus revisit favorite scenes with the original sets, costumes and props. See website for hours and ticket prices. 3400 W. Riverside Drive, Burbank, 818.977.8687. wbstudiotour.com
CHRISTMAS
“Skid Row Xmas”
Dec. 21. A concert to benefit L.A.’s homeless features headliners Sublime with Rome performing a live acoustic set, and DJ sets by C-Minus, Mark Moreno, LD and KROQ DJ Jeremiah Red. Additionally, the LA Car Club will be on-site with low-riders and classic cars in every color of the Christmas light spectrum for guests to experience, and celebrity street artists RISK, Retna, and Shepard Fairey will be displaying artwork. 21+. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. $50. Mayfair Hotel, 1256 W. Seventh St., downtown. Tickets
Los Angeles Youth Ballet “Nutcracker”
Dec. 21-23. Internationally renowned ballet dancer Brooklyn Mack guest stars in Los Angeles Youth Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker by award-winning choreographer Andrea Paris-Gutierrez. F 7 p.m., Sa 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Su 2 p.m. $25+. The Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale, 818.243.2539. alextheatre.org
“All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914”
Dec. 22. The Broad Stage presents Theater Latté Da’s production of the highly celebrated docu-musical about an extraordinary moment in history when Allied and German soldiers laid down their arms to celebrate Christmas together, sharing food and drink, playing soccer, singing carols and burying each other’s dead. 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $59-$99. 1310 11th St., Santa Monica, 310.434.3200. thebroadstage.org
Brian Setzer Orchestra
Dec. 22. The 15th annual Brian Setzer Orchestra Christmas Rocks! tour makes a stop in Los Angeles at The Microsoft Theater. The show features music from the 19-piece orchestra’s best-selling holiday albums as well as original Brian Setzer hits. $49.50-$109.50. 777 Chick Hearn Court, downtown, 213.763.6030. microsofttheater.com
“It’s a Wonderful Life”
Dec. 22-23. Watch Jimmy Stewart’s life be saved by divine intervention in Frank Capra’s inspiring holiday classic courtesy of American Cinematheque at both of their venues. $12. Sa 7:30 p.m., Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; Su 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana Ave., Santa Monica. 323.466.3456. Tickets
PaleyLand
Through Dec. 23. The Paley Center for Media holiday tradition features craft activities and games, along with screenings of classic Christmas TV specials. New this year is an immersive Candy Cane Forest, perfect for Instagram shots. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 465 N. Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills, 310.786.1000. paleycenter.org
“White Christmas” Sing-Along
Dec. 23. Join fellow revelers at a special White Christmas sing-along presented with lyrics on screen. Arrive early and warm up your vocal cords with a merry band of carolers and complimentary hot cocoa. 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. See website for ticket prices. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 323.850.2000. laphil.com
Feast of the Seven Fishes
Dec. 24.Cecconi’s honors its Venetian roots with several specials inspired by the Italian Christmas Eve tradition Feast of the Seven Fishes. Served alongside classic plates like lobster spaghetti and table-side Dover sole, chef Samuele Pricoco is offering additional seafood-focused dishes including stuffed crab pappardelle with saffron tomato and basil and sea bream al cartoccio with mussels, clams, olives and russet potato. Call for reservations. 8764 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 310.432.2000. cecconiswesthollywood.com
Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration
Dec. 24. Performing artists from across L.A. County come together in this 59th annual holiday tradition. See website for list of performers. 3 p.m. Free. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.3099. musiccenter.org
“Love, Actually Live”
Through Dec. 31. For the Record’s multimedia theatrical celebration of Love, Actually brings the beloved Christmas film to life with carols and pop hits performed by a cast including Rumer Willis and Steve Kazee. See website for show times and ticket prices. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.746.4000. thewallis.org
For more holiday happenings, be sure to check out our complete list of where to dine out in L.A. for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
FOOD + DRINK
Chulita
Now Open. Chulita, the new Atla California-style modern Mexican restaurant from restaurateur Shireen Imani, has opened its doors for nightly dinner service on Venice’s Rose Avenue. Botanas y mezcales, or “Mexican drinking food,” is the focus of the menu. Health-conscious highlights include gluten-free tortillas made with cassava flour, fundido with cauliflower purée, and ceviche with seasonal fruit, such as pears and kiwis. 5:30-11 p.m. 533 Rose Ave., Venice, 424.252.9886. chulita.com
ARTS + CULTURE
“Mary Poppins Returns” at the El Capitan
Now Playing. Hollywood’s legendary El Capitan Theatre presents a special engagement of Disney’s Mary Poppins Returns along with costumes from the movie, interactive Cherry Tree Lane photo ops, and the debut of the all-new El Capitan Theatre curtain show. See website for show times and ticket prices. 6838 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 800.347.6396. elcapitantheatre.com
Alexa Meade Holiday Pop-Up
Through Dec. 23. Don’t miss your last chance to experience Alexa Meade’s immersive, interactive art installation. Meade painted every surface of this pop-up gallery from floor to ceiling, along with special accessories and attire as part of Beverly Hills’ city-wide BOLD Holidays celebrations. See website for complete list of events. M-Sa noon-8 p.m., Su noon-6 p.m. Free. 262 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills. lovebeverlyhills.com
STYLE + BEAUTY
Senreve Holiday Pop-Up
Dec. 21-23. Just in time for last-minute gift shopping, San Francisco-based luxury handbag brand Senreve—a favorite with celebrites—will be setting up a pop-up shop at Westfield Century City (second floor, across from Nordstrom). 10 a.m.-11 p.m. 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Century City. senreve.com
Photos: “White Christmas” ©Paramount Pictures, courtesy LA Phil. “Lunch with Lorelai” courtesy Warner Bros. “Skid Row Xmas” courtesy @mayfairhotella/Instagram. Los Angeles Youth Ballet/”Nutcracker” by Iker Gutierrez. “All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914” courtesy The Broad Stage. Brian Setzer Orchestra by Greg Hild. PaleyLand courtesy Brian To/The Paley Center for Media. Feast of the Seven Fishes courtesy Cecconi’s. Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration courtesy The Music Center. “Love Actually Live” by Lily Lim. Chulita by Wonho Frank Lee. “Mary Poppins Returns” ©2018 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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