Events
Get Ready for The Godfrey Hollywood’s First Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
Starts Dec. 1. The Godfrey Hollywood hosts its first annual Christmas tree lighting, featuring a festive atmosphere and a special celebrity guest to be announced. The event supports local nonprofit Paw Works, offering opportunities to meet adoptable dogs and partners with LAFD for the Spark of Love Toy Drive—guests are encouraged to bring a toy to support children in need. Celebrate the season with community, holiday cheer and a touch of Hollywood flair. Sunday, from 3-6 p.m. 1400 Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles.
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L.A. Kings Holiday Ice
Starts Nov. 29. The annual L.A. Kings ice skating rink returns to L.A. Live, offering an outdoor skating experience around a towering Christmas tree and an LED holiday light show on the plaza’s large screens. Four nightly sessions are available, with tickets, including skate rentals, sold exclusively on-site. Starts this Friday at 5 p.m. 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. lalive.com
Turkey Trot Returns to DTLA
Nov. 28. The 12th Annual Turkey Trot Los Angeles returns to Downtown L.A. on Thanksgiving Day, offering 5k and 10k run/walk options. Over 6,000 participants, many in festive costumes, will start at Los Angeles City Hall and follow a route past landmarks like Disney Concert Hall, the Broad Museum and Spring Street. The event benefits The Midnight Mission, aiming to raise $100,000 to support services for those experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles. Race day packet pick up starts at 6 a.m. City Hall at 200 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles. turkeytrot.la
Holiday Piano Bar
Nov. 29. Celebrate the season at the Holiday Piano Bar, an event filled with music, cheer and festive charm. Enjoy live piano performances of holiday classics and modern hits, join singalong sessions with holiday favorites and relax in a cozy, decorated setting with sparkling lights and garlands. Each ticket includes one holiday-themed cocktail. Starts Friday at 6 p.m. 71 Studio Bar, N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles. Reserve Now
The Hollywood Christmas Parade
Dec. 1. A long-standing L.A tradition, the Hollywood Christmas Parade features floats, balloons, marching bands, equestrian units and celebrity appearances. The parade follows a U-shaped route starting at Hollywood and Orange and ending at Sunset and Orange. Reserved grandstand seats are available for purchase, benefiting Toys for Tots, while free curbside seating is also an option. Sunday at 6 p.m. For specific routes visit thehollywoodchristmasparade.org
Food + Drinks
Rasarumah
Now Open. Chef Johnny Lee and Last Word Hospitality present rasarumah, a Historic Filipinotown restaurant spotlighting Malaysian and Southeast Asian flavors. Housed in a former brassiere factory, the menu features satay skewers, Malaysian fried chicken called Ayam Berempah, rojak, noodles and large-format dishes like chili crab. Drinks include wine, sake, shochu, beer and non-alcoholic options curated by wine director Evelyn Goreshnik. Thursday-Monday, 5-10 p.m. 3107 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. rasarumah.com
Thanksgiving at Marelle
Now Serving. The Sandbourne Santa Monica hotel’s Marelle offers Thanksgiving brunch and dinner by Chef Lunetta. Brunch, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., features holiday dishes like pumpkin spiced pancakes and cocktails such as bloody marys and mimosas. Dinner, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., includes a $95 prix fixe menu with options like roasted turkey, ora king salmon and herb-crusted prime rib, plus sides and desserts like pumpkin pie. Specialty cocktails include boozy hot cocoa and a chocolate espresso martini. 1740 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica. Reserve Now
Panda Inn Reopens in Pasadena
Now Open. Following a January 2023 renovation, Panda Inn Pasadena reopens with a refreshed exterior, updated menu and modernized design. Highlights include a new sushi bar, décor inspired by the Cherng family’s culinary journey, expanded patio seating and private dining areas. The updated menu, featuring creations by Yangzhou chefs, balances tradition and innovation with influences from Yangzhou, Taipei, Yokohama, Hollywood and Pasadena. Open daily, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 3488 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. pandainn.com
Giving Thanks at Shutters on the Beach
Nov. 28. Celebrate Thanksgiving by the coast at Shutters on the Beach with a three-course prix fixe menu for $125 per person. The thoughtfully crafted menu features appetizers like burrata with beets and salmon carpaccio, entrées including butternut squash wellington and heirloom turkey and desserts such as pumpkin pie, vegan panna cotta and maple pecan tart. Thursday, 5-9 p.m. 1 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. shuttersonthebeach.com
Intercrew Holiday Menu
Until Nov. 30. Offering a Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving menu, Intercrew in Koreatown features a meal that includes a complimentary pumpkin old thankful cocktail. Highlights include roasted sweet potato with Italian meringue, duck confit pot pie and roasted turkey with Yukon mashed potatoes, green beans, brioche stuffing, gravy and bourbon cranberry, with apple pie and vanilla ice cream for dessert. $85 per person. Closed on November 28. Open Wednesday, Friday-Sunday, hours vary. 3330 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Reserve Now
Arts + Culture
SoCal’s favorite holiday tradition returns!
Starts Dec. 12. There is only one The Nutcracker that features the superstar dancers of American Ballet Theatre, gorgeous sets and costumes by Tony winner Richard Hudson and Tchaikovsky’s timeless score played live by Pacific Symphony. Experience why The New York Times calls it “a visual feast like no other.” Dec 12 – 22, only at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.8784. scfta.org
Leslie Odom, Jr. The Christmas Tour
Dec. 1. Returning to Walt Disney Concert Hall, Leslie Odom Jr. presents an evening of holiday music, featuring selections from The Christmas Album, celebrated by Broadway World for its festive warmth. Known for his Tony and Grammy-winning role in Hamilton and Oscar-nominated performance in One Night in Miami, Odom brings his signature style to the holiday season. This Sunday at 7:30 p.m. 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. laphil.com
Digital Witness: Revolutions in Design, Photography, and Film
Now Open. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art opened its latest exhibition, “Digital Witness: Revolutions in Design, Photography, and Film,” showcasing works by 200 artists, designers and creators. The exhibit explores the evolution of digital manipulation tools from the 1980s to today and runs through July 13, 2025. Adult tickets start at $23 for L.A. County residents and $28 for non-residents. Hours vary. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. lacma.org
Los Angeles Auto Show
Until Dec. 1. The L.A. Auto Show, held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, is recognized as a premier global automotive event. Spanning 10 days, it features world and North American debuts, cutting-edge technology and innovation. Enjoy test drives, including an outdoor EV track, celebrity appearances and a showcase of the latest in automotive design. Catering to car enthusiasts, families and professionals, the event highlights the passion for cars while offering a look at the industry’s future. Hours vary. 1201 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles. laautoshow.com
Photo credit: Sugar Palm courtesy of Viceroy Santa Monica Turkey run courtesy of Turkey Trot LA. Getty Images for Panda Inn courtesy of Jon Kopaloff. Marelle courtesy of Stan Lee. Digital Witness: Revolutions in Design, Photography, and Film courtesy of LACMA. L.A. Car show courtesy of the AutoMobility LA/LA Auto Show 2024. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
