Tournament of Roses, Rooftop Rum & Salsa Evening, New Year’s Celebrations … Check out the top Los Angeles weekend events for December 26-29.
Edited by Alicia Luchak.
EVENTS
Tournament of Roses
Dec. 26- Jan. 1. Float decorating, Bandfest, Equestfest, Sip & Savor, 131st Rose Parade (Jan. 1 at 8 a.m.), 106th Rose Bowl Game (Jan. 1 at 1 p.m.) and more. Free curbside viewing of parade on first-come, first-served basis; grandstand seats for $60-$110 on sharpseating.com. Rose Bowl tickets start at $160. Check website for detailed schedule, locations and tickets for other events. 626.449.4100. tournamentofroses.com
Yuletide Cinemaland
Dec. 27-28. Much more than an outdoor movie screening, Street Food Cinema’s Yuletide Cinemaland is a nostalgic Christmas-lover’s playground. Bring your friends, family and holiday spirit for victorian home tours, costumed carolers, a piano singalong in the Perry mansion, Scrooge’s Dance Hall, a light tunnel, festive drinks and more. This weekend, watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Hook or Edward Scissorhands. Each movie is played twice so attendees can explore the activities without missing any movie moments. See our holiday roundup for other dates. $10-$25. Heritage Square Museum, 3800 Homer St., Northeast Los Angeles. Schedule & Tickets
Rum and Salsa Evening
Dec. 28. As part of Skyspace’s night series of events, the rooftop bar with sweeping city views is throwing a night dedicated to salsa dancing. Start the night off with salsa lessons and then grab yourself a free drink and dance the night away to the musical stylings of Angel Luis Figueroa and his band, FLACO. While you’re up there, be sure to take a complimentary spin on their famous translucent glass skyslide, and glide 1,000 feet above downtown L.A. $25. 633 West 5th St., downtown, 213.894.9000. Tickets
Santa’s North Pole Village at Wisdome LA
Through Dec. 30. Explore an immersive holiday world in a life-size elfin village with a 4D northern lights inspired show, 360-degree snowflake adventure ride, wintry “bubble room,” ultra festive photo ops, candy land crafts and more in downtown arts district. Additional highlights include ice skating (extra cost), gingerbread house creating, ornament decorating, photos with Santa or a group picture inside a giant snow globe. Bring gifts for Toys-for-tots donation and receive a present from Kris Kringle. $30 adults, $25 children. Wisdome LA, 1147 Palmetto St., downtown. Tickets
NEW YEAR’S EVE
Grand Park + Music Center’s “Who is LA 2020” Countdown
Dec. 31. More than 50,000 people are expected to ring in the new year at Grand Park and The Music Center’s 7th annual free music and dance party. Celebrate with 40+ food trucks, seven city blocks full of activities and two stages with music performances throughout the night. At 11:59 p.m., head to the countdown stage and watch the giant 3D projection count down to the new year. After, dance the night away at the “get down” stage. This year, the event’s theme is “Who is L.A. 2020?” 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Entrance at four locations: Hill Street and Temple Street, 1st Street and Main Street, 3rd Street and Broadway, and 1st Street and Olive Street, downtown. More info
SPONSORED
NYE with Kristin Chenoweth
Dec. 31. Ring in the new year with the Tony and Emmy Award winner. The wildly talented Kristin Chenoweth brings her sparkling charm and many talents to Walt Disney Concert Hall on the final night of 2019 with two performances of material drawn from throughout her career—including music from her new album, For the Girls. Don’t miss Kristin Chenoweth and special guests Shoshana Bean and Cheyenne Jackson on December 31. Get your tickets today!
Walk With Sally’s NYE Casino Night
Dec. 31. Kick off 2020 at a “Play For Charity” casino to raise money for Walk With Sally and party Vegas-style. This year, joined by Westdrift Hotel and Berry Bly Productions, the non-profit invites you to celebrate with a lineup of DJs spinning into the new decade, photo booths, a red carpet, midnight champagne toast and a full casino with top-tier prizes. Guests automatically start the night off with $100 worth of playing chips. A portion of ticket sales go towards Walk With Sally to benefit families affected by cancer—but 100 percent of proceeds from the casino are donated to the charity. 9 p.m. $60-$75. 1400 Parkview Ave., Manhattan Beach. Tickets
WP24’s Sky-High New Year’s Eve
Dec. 31. Celebrate the end of the decade with Wolfgang Puck’s Asian fusion-style restaurant and lounge, WP24. Treat yourself to a luxurious last meal with a six-course tasting menu, desserts, bottomless punch and some of the most breathtaking views of the downtown skyline. Seatings from 6-9 p.m. $169. The Ritz-Carlton, 900 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown, 213.743.8824. wolfgangpuck.com
HANUKKAH
Blitzen’s Cozy Sunday Screening of Hebrew Hammer
Dec. 29. At Here and Now’s over-the-top holiday pop-up bar, watch the snow fall outside as you enjoy drinks like Put on Your Yarmulke and eat fun Hanukkah bites like warm Matzoh Ball soup coups and latkas. For this week’s Cozy Sunday, slip into some festive jammies and enjoy a screening of Hebrew Hammer. In the spirit of giving, the bar teamed up with PATH (People Assisting the Homeless), so you get a free cup of punch when you bring in a quart-sized bag of toiletries to donate. See website for more activities, like Thursday’s Drag Queen Bingo. 300 S. Santa Fe Ave., downtown. hereandnowdtla.com
Menorah Lightings at Santa Monica Plaza
Through 29. Celebrate the festival of lights with local synagogues and community groups, like the Los Angeles Museum of Holocaust, with ceremonial menorah lightings during the eight nights of Hannukah. While you’re there, be sure to check out the 8,000-square-foot ice-skating rink, with Ice Breakers musical performance by Mostly Kosher on Sunday. Lighting begins at sundown. See website for schedule and list of participating groups. 1300 block of Third Street Promenade, between Santa Monica Blvd. and Arizona Ave., Santa Monica Place. downtownsm.com
FOOD + DRINK
Citrin
Now Open. Alongside the reimagined intimate dining destination Mélisse, fresh new eatery Citrin is now coming to Santa Monica with over five times the seating and and a fun new rock n’ roll inspired cocktail menu. The comfy-chic restaurant combo offers contemporary California cuisine and wine pairings with both local and European labels. Enjoy signature dishes from Michelin-starred chef Josiah Citrin like lobster bolognese, wild Japanese yellowtail “Buri,” Santa Barbara rockfish and truffle pasta with house-made tagliatelle and white truffles shaved table-side. 1104 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.395.0881. citrinandmelisse.com
Tacos. Mezcal. Repeat.
Now Open. Until summer of 2020, the mixing room at the JW Marriot at LA Live will be serving up an extensive tequila list a new expansive Latin American-inspired menu. The refreshed space has more than 60 mezcal and tequila options—and will only continue to grow. Sip and explore the signature cocktail menu while enjoying bites like smoked cochinita pibil tacos, beef short rib taquitos, and Mexican white shrimp ceviche. Plus, stop by for Taco Tuesday specials whenever the lakers have a home game! 900 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown, 213.216.3390. More info
ARTS + CULTURE
The Nutcracker
Dec. 28-29. 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. The Dolby Theatre shows feature the Los Angeles Ballet Orchestra. See website for schedule and prices. Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale, 818.243.2539; Royce Hall at UCLA, 10745 Dickson Court, L.A., 310.825.4401; Dolby Theatre, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.308.6300; Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach, 310.937.6607. Tickets
Love Actually Live
Through Dec. 29. For the Record’s first-of-its-kind, theatrical cinema experience brings the beloved Christmas film Love Actually to life with carols and pop hits performed by an all-star cast of singers and an orchestra. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.746.4000. Tickets
Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake
Through Jan. 5. Choreographer Matthew Bourne’s powerful interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece is reimagined here, but it retains its iconic elements, including replacing the female corps de ballet with a “menacing male ensemble.” Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. Tickets
Photos: Tournament of Roses courtesy The Pasadena Tournament of Roses. Yuletide Cinemaland courtesy Street Food Cinema. Rum and Salsa Evening courtesy Skyspace. Santa’s North Pole Village credit Vitaly Cheresh. Grand Park and Music Center courtesy Grand Park + Music Center. NYE with Kristin Chenoweth courtesy LA Philharmonic. Walk With Sally NYE Casino courtesy Walk With Sally. WP24’s Sky-High New Year’s courtesy WP24. Blitzen’s Movie Screening courtesy Here & Now. Menorah Lightings at Santa Monica Plaza courtesy Downtown Santa Monica. Citrin courtesy Citrin Hospitality. Tacos. mezcal. repeat. courtesy JW Marriot. The Nutcracker credit Reed Hutchinson. Love Actually Live credit Kevin Parry. Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake courtesy the Ahmanson Theatre.
