Los Angeles

Weekend roundup

November 14-17

The Fireworks Spectacular at the Grove’s Tree Lighting last year

Burbank Winter Wine Walk, the Grove’s 18th Annual Tree Lighting, AFI Fest and more … Check out the top Los Angeles weekend events for November 14-17.

Edited by Alicia Luchak.

EVENTS

The Bai Holiday Ice Rink at Pershing Square 
Opening Nov. 14. Skate among the skyscrapers at this ice-skating rink, which materializes every holiday season at Pershing Square. It’s kicking off its 22nd season with a festive series of free community and special events. See website for full schedule of programming, hours, skate-session schedule and prices. 532 S. Olive St., downtown. holidayicerinkdowntownla.com

Tender Fest
Nov. 15. In honor of the chicken tender, Off the Menu and John Terzian present “a celebration of all things pounded, breaded and fried.” Some of L.A.’s biggest celebrity chefs—Nancy Silverton, Wolfgang Puck, Timothy Hollingsworth and Chris Oh—will battle it out in the “conTENDER competition.” In addition to a stacked lineup of great bites from places like Caulipower and Hot Motha Clucker, there will also be museum of chicken-tender history, a launch of a collaborative merch line with Pizza Slime, live music and much more. 10 p.m. $65-$150. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. Tickets

Burbank Winter Wine Walk 
Nov. 16. Burbank kicks off the holiday season with a free Holiday Street Fair featuring vendors, live entertainment, holiday lighting and snowfall from 6:45-8 p.m. The Winter Wine Walk offers samples from a roster of world-class wineries and breweries. Holiday Street Fair noon-8 pm; all ages, free. Winter Wine Walk 4-7 pm; 21+, tickets $50, Santa’s VIP Holiday Lounge $99. 301 N. San Fernando Blvd., Burbank. burbankwinterwinewalk.com

Running Universal Featuring Jurassic World 
Nov. 16-17. 
Sprint your way through Universal Studios Hollywood and its historic backlot in a 5K or 10K race (kids can get in on the fun with a 1K Raptor Run), then experience the thrilling new Jurassic World—The Ride. 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, 818.622.3801. universalstudioshollywood.com

The Grove’s 18th Annual Tree Lighting
Nov. 17. Kick off the holidays at the Grove with a fireworks spectacular, music, dancing and the first “snowfall” of the season. Some performers who will be taking part in the festivities include Aloe Blacc, Isaac Spade of the Fray, Tori Kelly, the Tenors, Malea Emma and, of course, Santa Claus. All celebrations are complimentary and open to the public. 7:30-9:30 p.m. 189 The Grove Drive, L.A., 323.900.8080. thegrovela.com

FOOD + DRINK

INKO NITO x Boomtown Brewery Beer Dinner
Nov. 14. In a very special collaborative dinner, INKO NITO’s chef Randolfo Vaz has put together a four-course tasting menu featuring 6-ounce beer pairings from Boomtown Brewery. Menu highlights include a sashimi selection paired with MIC Czech Pilsner; panko-fried chicken and Brussels sprouts with Nose Job IPA; and robata-grilled prawn, corn and ribs paired with Ingenue Belgian White Ale. 7-9 p.m. $42. INKO NITO, 225 S. Garey St., downtown. Tickets

“Masters of Napa” Wine Dinner
Nov. 14. This Thursday, sip and savor at a five-course dinner at Del Frisco’s Grille in Santa Monica, featuring wine pairings from some of Napa Valley’s most celebrated winemakers, such as Cakebread Cellars, Duckhorn Vineyards and Nickel & Nickel Winery. 6:30-8:30 p.m. $150. Del Frisco’s Grille, 1551 Ocean Ave., Suite 105, Santa Monica, 949.431.0376. RSVP 

Poppy + Rose Brunch Takeover
Nov. 16-17. Enjoy $8 Micheladas with fried chicken and waffles by the pool this weekend when Poppy + Rose’s chef Michael Reed takes over Viviane with his delectable brunch menu. In addition to the a la carte menu and pricing, you can also buy $5 beers from Boomtown Brewery’s pop-up beer tent or enjoy a $12 Build-Your-Own-Spritz from the botanical bar, Jardesca. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Viviane, 9400 W. Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.277.5221. Make a reservation

EAT.COOK.LA Book Club Supper
Nov. 17. In celebration of the release of Aleksandra Crapanzano’s new book EAT.COOK.LA, Lucques chefs Suzanne Goin and Caroline Style put together a carefully curated multi-course menu inspired by the writing, alongside chefs that Crapanzano featured in her publication. Some menu highlights include caramelized cippolini onion tarte tatin, chanterelle lasagna with parmesan pudding, balsamic bbq pork ribs and brown butter jam blondies. The author will be available throughout the evening to meet with guests and sign copies of her book. $85. 8474 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. Tickets

ARTS + CULTURE

AFI Fest
Nov. 14-21. Presented by Audi, the American Film Institute’s annual film festival offers world-premiere screenings and events in the heart of Hollywood. Queen & Slim, written by Emmy winner Lena Waithe, opens this year’s fest. See website for schedule. Individual tickets $12-$20; passes $250-$500. TCL Chinese Theatre, 6925 Hollywood Blvd.; TCL Chinese 6 Theatres, Hollywood & Highland, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Third Floor; The Hollywood Roosevelt, 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 866.234.3378. fest.afi.com

L.A. Comedy Festival 
Nov. 14-24. Back for their 26th year, the L.A. Comedy Festival is blessing Los Angeles with a stacked weekend of hilarious cinematic content. This showcase attracts up-and-comers and established comics alike, providing a platform for the best comedy shorts, features, TV pilots, web series, film sketch comedies and animation. Check website for schedule and ticket information. Let Live Theater, 916 N. Formosa Ave., L.A. lafilmfestivals.com

L.A. Dance Project 
Nov. 14-24. Since bowing in 2012, L.A. Dance Project has graced venues around the world. But this fall, the contemporary dance company is saluting its roots and creative collaborators with L.A. Dances, a six-week festival comprising 10 L.A. premieres (six of them are world premieres) of dance works presented at its downtown performance/rehearsal space. During Program C, audiences can catch five, including two dances by celebrated LADP artistic director Benjamin Millepied. See website for full schedule. 2245 E. Washington Blvd., downtown. ladanceproject.org

Photos: Bai Holiday Ice Rink at Pershing Square credit Red Apple Photography. Tender Fest courtesy Tender Fest. Burbank Winter Wine Walk courtesy @burbankwinterwinewalk/Facebook. Running Universal Featuring Jurassic World courtesy @UniversalStudiosHollywood/Facebook. Tree Lighting at the Grove courtesy of Caruso. INKO NITO x Boomtown Brewery Beer Dinner courtesy Boomtown Brewery. “Master of Napa” Wine Dinner courtesy Del Frisco’s Grille. Poppy + Rose Brunch Takeover courtesy White Oak Communications. AFI Fest credit Universal Pictures. L.A. Comedy Festival courtesy @lafilmfestivals/Instagram. L.A. Dance Project credit Benjamin Millepied

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