EVENTS
LA County Holiday Celebration
Dec. 24. The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion downtown showcases the cultures of L.A. with holiday-inspired music and dance. From tap dance to Tagalog songs, more than 20 entertainment groups share their traditions in this Emmy Award-nominated show. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.3099. www.lacountyarts.org
SPORTS
LA Lakers vs. Chicago Bulls
Dec. 25. Basketball fans rejoice as the NBA shifts into high gear. In their first regular season game, the LA Lakers take on the Chicago Bulls. See how the teams match up when they face off at Staples Center at L.A. Live downtown. Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., downtown, 800.745.3000. www.nba.com/lakers
EAT | DRINK
Drago Centro Feast of Seven Fishes
Dec. 24. Chef Celestino Drago and Chef Ian Gresik offer a seven course Italian feast, drawing on the Southern Italian tradition of eating seafood on Christmas Eve. Dine on everything from blue point oysters, to main lobster cappuccino, crispy salt cod, black and white pasta with clams and mussels and more. 213.228.8998. www.dragocentro.com
Petrossian
Dec. 24. Spend Christmas Eve in decadence as executive chef Giselle Wellman creates a prix fixe menu that features egg royal, with caviar, soft scrambled eggs, vodka whipped cream; potato tart with caviar, smoked salmon, crème fraîche, dill; lobster ravioli; aged rib eye and more. 310.271.0576. www.facebook.com/PetrossianWestHollywood
A Jewish Christmas Eve at Mezze
Dec. 24. Chef Micah Wexler channels some childhood favorites for a not-so-traditional Christmas Eve spread in addition to their regular menu. Dine on matzoball soup, potato knish, smoked sable fish, grandma’s chopped chicken livers and more. 310.657.4103. www.mezzela.com
Tres by José Andrés
Dec. 24-25. For Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day brunch dine on a number of holiday specialties in addition to SLS classics such as SLS eggs Benedict with eggs 63, toasted brioche and hollandaise air, 12 quail eggs sunny side up (also known as huevos a la Cubana ‘Andy Garcia’); olive oil pancakes with honey or maple syrup and seasonal mixed berries; and Rotisserie Jidori chicken served with olive oil mashed potatoes and rosemary. 310.246.5551. www.slshotels.com
HOLIDAY
Chill at W Hotel Los Angeles
Through Jan. 1. Hit the pool deck at the W Hotel Los Angeles Hotel and find it transformed into a winter wonderland complete with skating rink, cocktails from its Ice Bar, comfort food, specially outfitted cabanas and more, including children’s activities. W Hotel Los Angeles, 930 Hilgard Ave, Westwood, 310.208.8765. www.wlosangeles.com/chill
LA Downtown On Ice
Through Jan. 16. Skate on LA’s largest outdoor ice skating rink under the sun and stars at festive Pershing Square downtown. Info + detailed session schedule www.laparks.org. Pershing Square, 532 South Olive St., downtown, 213.847.4970.
Ice at Santa Monica
Through Jan. 16. The mild seaside temperatures in Santa Monica don’t prohibit one of the season’s coolest cold-weather pasttimes. Downtown Santa Monica adds an 8,000-square-foot outdoor ice-skating rink to the corner of 5th Street and Arizona Avenue—for “a little taste of winter without the bite.” M–Th 2–10 pm, F 2 pm–midnight, Sa 10 am–midnight, Su 10 am–10 pm. Admission, skate rental $12. 1324 5th St., Santa Monica, 805.701.7248. iceatsantamonica.com
SHOPPING
H.D. Buttercup Half Yearly Sale
Dec. 26-Jan. 15. Shop for up to 70% off the west coast’s most comprehensive and eclectic assortment of high-end home fashion collections and designs from around the world, including Lillian August, Timothy Oulton, Cisco Home and More. 3225 Helms Ave., L.A., 310.558.8900. hdbuttercup.com
THEATER
Fela!
Through Jan 22. Legendary Nigerian Fela Kuti was a musical dynamo and a political powder keg who used his supercharged and sexy Afrobeat sound and charismatic spirit to ignite and inspire a generation to dare challenge a government of oppression. FELA! is both rave and theatrical wonder. Thanks to Fela’s captivating music and the visionary direction and choreography of Tony Award® winner Bill T. Jones, this tale of courage, passion and love will shake you: body and soul. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772.
Wicked
Through Jan 29. Back by popular demand! L.A.’s favorite musical flies back to the Pantages this holiday season after a record-breaking two-year run. Called “A phenomenon that keeps growing” by The Los Angeles Times and “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster” by The New York Times, “Wicked” is the untold story of the witches of Oz and how they became known as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., L.A., 323.468.1770. www.broadwayla.org
Cirque du Soleil: Iris
Continuing. Watch out, Vegas! L.A. has finally earned its own Cirque du Soleil spectacle, fittingly themed around the history of film. The long-anticipated Iris: A Journey Through the World of Cinema, written and directed by director-choreographer Philippe Decouflé, runs at Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre; it will be the exclusive host to this production. Described as a “lyrical, fanciful, kinetic foray into the seventh art,” Iris uses dance, acrobatics, live video, filmed sequences and animation to tell the history of cinema and its genres. More than 70 performers don 200 costumes for the show, which is scored by Grammy and Emmy Award winner and L.A. native Danny Elfman. Performances Tu–Su. $43–$133; VIP Ticket $253. 877.943.4747. www.cirquedusoleil.com