Christmas Eve feasts, cozy holiday parties, festive musical performances and more … Check out the best ways to get into the spirit this holiday season in Los Angeles.
Holiday Market
Dec. 14-15. Get some last-minute holiday shopping in at this marketplace at hip Hauser & Wirth gallery in the Arts District. Vendors include Milla Chocolates and Otherwild. 901 E. 3rd St., downtown. hauserwirth.com
Malibu Country Mart’s Holiday Happenings
Dec. 14, 21. Take the family to a seaside winter wonderland full of twinkling lights, an oversized menorah and a menu of different eight types of creative “camp s’mores” like “the s’alty” (two graham crackers, a jumbo mallow, dark chocolate and a pretzel) or “the s’wirly,” which has a piece of birthday cake in it. Partake in holiday crafts, write letters to Santa, and stop by for appearances by live carolers, Mr. and Mrs. Claus and even their reindeer! Noon-4 p.m. Malibu Country Mart, 3835 Cross Creek Road, Malibu. malibucountrymart.com
Marina Del Rey Holiday Boat Parade
Dec. 14. The theme of this year’s annual parade of decorated boats, preceded by a fireworks show, is “Kids Make Holidays Bright.” Fireworks 5:55 pm; parade 6-8 pm. Beforehand, enjoy real snow, sledding, arts and crafts, face painting, a live DJ and food trucks in the park from 11 am-4 pm. Free. Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey, 310.670.7130, mdrboatparade.org
Shogun Santa Is Coming to Town
Dec. 14-15, 21-22. Spread holiday cheer while supporting the Little Tokyo Business Association at the Japanese Village Plaza. The one-of-a-kind “Shogun Santa” will take the stage to meet with the kiddos and pose for photos. Free admission, but donations are encouraged! 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 335 E. 2nd St., L.A. golittletokyo.com
Yuletide Cinemaland
Dec. 14-29. 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 in a historic town square, costumed carolers, a piano sing-along in the Perry Mansion, Scrooge’s Dance Hall, a light tunnel, delectable food, festive drinks and much more! Each night will (of course) feature a holiday film classic—played back-to-back, so that attendees can wander and explore the activities without missing any movie moments. Heritage Square Museum, 3800 Homer St., L.A. Schedule and tickets
Handmade Ornaments Show
Through Dec. 22. Wander Echo Park’s iam8bit gallery and comb through unique handcrafted tree ornaments that bring a refreshing twist of creativity to holiday shopping. In an age where the season can get so overly commercialized and mass-produced, the sixth annual Handmade Ornaments Show’s one-of-a-kind multimedia pieces will be perfect additions to your Christmas tree. F 5-9 p.m; Sa 1-9 p.m; Su 1-5 p.m. Free admission. All ages welcome. iam8bit, 2147 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A. More info
Menorah Lightings at Santa Monica Plaza
Dec. 22-29. Celebrate the Festival of Lights with local synagogues and community groups with ceremonial menorah lightings during the eight nights of Hanukkah. Each night will feature special appearances from local organizations, like Kehillat Israel, Adat Shalom and the Los Angeles Museum of Holocaust,. While you’re there, be sure to check out the 8,000-square-foot ice-skating rink, with an Ice Breakers musical performance by Mostly Kosher on Sunday. Lighting begins at sundown. See website for schedule and list of participating groups. 1351 Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica. downtownsm.com
Milky Way Hanukkah Specials
Dec. 22-29. In honor of the “Festival of Lights,”Milky Way is offering classic Hanukkah specials for eight days and nights. Starting this Sunday, the cozy family-run kosher restaurant will be offering a special Latke & Salmon Entrée with fresh potato latkes and smoked salmon; as well as Latke Platter with a dozen crispy latkes– both served with a house-made apple compote and sour cream. Plus, any kids celebrating the holiday get a Hanukkah Gelt full of festive sweets. 9108 W. Pico Blvd., Beverly Hills. milkywayla.com
NoMad Los Angeles Holiday Spectacular
Through Dec. 22. Take in the festive decor while you sip fun themed drinks in the NoMad’s Coffee Bar’s holiday cocktail pop-up. Choose from fun drinks like the spiked Ho, Ho, Hot Chocolate; Lump of Coal; Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel; Candy Cane Colada; Winter Wonderland Milk Punch; Into the Woods and more. To make your “spirits” extra bright, the bar team will be presenting drinks in snow globes, alpine-themed martini glasses and more fun surprises. 649 S. Olive St., downtown, 213.358.0000. thenomadhotel.com
Feast of Seven Fishes
Dec. 24. For Christmas Eve, double Michelin-starred award-winning chef Michael Cimarusti has put together multicourse meals that highlight his Italian roots and fresh seafood at his two restaurants. Upscale sustainable eatery Providence will be serving delectable dishes such as Capasante with black truffle and sunchoke, and Pasta Mista with cozze, vongole and camarone. Connie and Teds’ more laid-back menu will include items like the chef’s half-dozen oysters, grilled calamari, crab cake and cacciucco alla livornese. Providence: $175 per person. 5955 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, 323.460.4170. providencela.com; Connie and Teds: $39 per person. 8171 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, 323.848.CRAB. connieandteds.com
L.A. County Holiday Celebration
Dec. 24. This annual free show—celebrating its 60th anniversary this year—returns to Dorothy Chandler Pavilion with bands, choirs and dancers who represent L.A.’s many cultures. 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.7211. dorothychandlerpavilion.net
Lawry’s Christmas Eve Feasts
Dec. 24. Have a traditional holiday meal at Lawry’s The Prime Rib—or order a feast to-go—for Christmas Eve. Those who decide to join in-house for the festivities can also enjoy the vibrant holiday decorations and live entertainment. All month leading up to (and including) Christmas Eve, there will be cheerful holiday music sung by live carolers. Christmas Eve feasts include Lawry’s signature roasted prime rib, carved tableside, served with the original spinning bowl salad, creamed corn and spinach, mashed potatoes and Yorkshire pudding. To-go orders should be made by Dece. 21 at noon, by phone or online. 100 La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.652.2827. lawrysonline.com
Spago Christmas Eve Dinner
Dec. 24. Spend the night before Christmas at Spago with three mouthwatering courses and live holiday carols by the Santa Sisters. The lush, contemporary bistro’s prix fixe dinner of locally sourced cuisine starts off with a glass of Ca’Del Bosco. $185 per person, $75 for children under 10. 4-9:30 p.m. 176 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills. Book a table
STK Christmas Eve & Day
Dec. 24-25 For holiday dinner, STK Steakhouse will be serving a feast of roasted “linz” prime rib with truffle madera sauce, while kids can indulge in a 4-ounce beef filet with mac and cheese with sautéed broccoli. Plus, for dessert there’s chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream, topped with whipped cream. $58 per person, $24 for children. 930 Hilgard Ave, West Beverly Hills. 310.659.3535 stksteakhouse.com
Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air Christmas Eve & Day
Dec. 24-25. Christmas Eve through Christmas night, enjoy prix fixe menus and festive entertainment at Wolfgang Puck. Christmas Eve, enjoy a decadent four-course meal and a yule log dessert at $195 per adult. For Christmas Day brunch, enjoy three courses including a dessert feast and caviar bar at $195 per adult—plus a visit from Father Christmas from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. For Christmas dinner, indulge in a four-course feast while enjoying a live musical performance by holiday carolers at 6 p.m, for $175 per adult. Christmas Eve seatings from 5-8:30 p.m.; Christmas Day seatings from 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Christmas dinner seatings from 5-9 p.m. Children ages 12 and under dine for $65. 701 Stone Canyon Road, Bel-Air, 310.909.1644. wolfgangpuck.com
Grand Park Winter Glow
Through Dec. 25. This month, Grand Park is transformed with multicolored lights and festive interactive art installations. L.A.-based multimedia designers featured include Cassandra Carillon, Carlos G Rodas, Aphidoidea and more. Take a stroll through vivid exhibits like Coralation (a 15-foot light-filled dome with touch sensors and virtual underwater life), Seen & Unseen (a glittering collection of vibrant black lights that create a unified picture of downtown L.A.) and more, along with holiday-inspired pieces like the illuminated L.A. County Christmas Tree, the Grand Park Pink Light Tree and the Grand Park Menorah. Grand Park Performance Lawn and the Music Center Plaza, 200 N. Grand Ave., downtown. grandparkla.org
Maude’s Tuscan White Christmas
Dec. 25. On Christmas Day, Maude’s executive chef Chris Flint will be serving a six-course prix fixe menu beginning with a pumpkin and white truffle soup and ending with white truffle gelato and chestnut cake with persimmon and pine nuts. Other dishes include chicken liver crostini, chestnut bread, smoked fig with gorgonzola and truffle, potato ravioli, mushroom risotto and pheasant with cannelloni bean puree and braised kale. 1-4 p.m. $250 per person. 212 S. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.859.3418. mauderestaurant.com
The Pikey’s Christmas Dinner & Boxing Day
Dec. 25-26. Curl up next to the stockings hung by the chimney with care at the Pikey’s prix fixe dinner. At the English pub, you can dine on dishes like roasted duck with swiss chard, fresh citrus and duck jus, and sea scallops with mushrooms, garlic cream and herb oil—among others. There will also be vegan choices like focaccia; roasted carrot and parsnip with rosemary and confit garlic; crispy potatoes and herb sauce; and Brussel sprouts with cauliflower and red pepper sauce. Finish with a classic Figgy Pudding with whipped crème fraîche. Return the following day to celebrate Boxing Day with an extra lengthy happy hour from noon-7 p.m. Christmas dinner served from 1-10 p.m. $55 for full meal; $28 for vegans and vegetarians. 7617 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 323.850.5400. thepikeyla.com
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
The Nutcracker
Through Dec. 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, Hollywood & Highland, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.308.6300; Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach, 310.937.6607. Tickets
Santa’s North Pole Village at Wisdome LA
Through Dec. 30. Explore an immersive holiday world in a life-sized 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 so much more in downtown’s Arts District. On top of the many complimentary features, you can pay extra for ice skating, gingerbread house creating, ornament decorating, photos with Santa or a group picture inside a giant snow globe. Plus, you can give back! Bring unwrapped gifts for a Toys For Tots donation, and you’ll receive a special present from Kris Kringle. $25 for children, $30 for adults. Wisdome LA, 1147 Palmetto St., downtown. Tickets
Blitzen’s
All Month. There’s no place like Blitzen’s for the holidays. At Here and Now’s over-the-top holiday pop-up bar, watch the snow fall outside as you enjoy treats like You Go Glenn Cocoa, Yule Shoot Your Rye Out and warm Matzoh Ball Soup. 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. Join in on festivities like Drag Queen Bingo, a Holiday Puppy Pageant, caroler performances and appearances from Santa. On Sundays, slip into your coziest jammies and enjoy a screening of the classic holiday movies like Elf, Home Alone and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. See website for a full schedule. 300 S. Santa Fe Ave., downtown. hereandnowdtla.com
Ever Bar’s Winter Get-Away Cocktails
All Month. Starting this weekend, you can sip on cozy chalet-themed drinks at Ever Bar’s holiday pop-up. From now through the new year, listen to a rotating lineup of live musicians while you peruse the new menu for cocktails with fun names like Gengerbread Man, Boots With the Fur, the Hans Gruber Eggnog and more. Visit the website for a full cocktail menu and performance schedule. 4 p.m. to close. The Everly, 1800 Argyle Ave., Hollywood. everlyhotelhollywood.com
“Holiday Party”
All Month. Co-owners of South Bay restaurant Company for Dinner—celebrity chef Brooke Williamson and her husband, Nick Roberts—have created an elaborate pop-up holiday Tiki bar, decked out in festive decor by Fun Fete L.A. Through the 31st, sip on cocktails from a colorful Hawaiian Christmas bar menu, including drinks like Tiki Nog, Navidad Tropical, Naughty + Nice, Tiki Toddy, Zero-Proof Jungle Juice, Hawaiian Sun Luau Punch and Pass-o Guava Nectar. Plus, enjoy signature menu items from the couple’s fast-casual Hawaiian eatery Da Kikokiko, like their popular poke bowls and musubi. Stop by for the weekly series Sundays with Santa to snack on snow cones and cotton candy, partake in family-friendly arts and crafts, and meet with Kris Kringle himself. Closed on Christmas Day and Mondays. Su Noon-11 p.m.; Tu-W 5 p.m.-midnight, Th-Sa 5 p.m.–1 a.m. Runway Playa Vista, 12751 Millennium Drive, Suite B125, Playa Vista. holidaypartypopup.com
Queen Mary Christmas
Through Jan. 1. Enjoy holiday spirit aboard the Queen Mary ocean liner as it transforms into an epic adventure-filled wonderland. Highlights include live entertainment, festive libations, strolling performers, sweet treats, light shows, gingerbread and stocking decorating, ice-skating and shopping. Don’t miss the meet-and-greet with Ol’ Saint Nick in his Captain’s Quarters. See website for schedule and ticket prices. $20 on-site parking. Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 800.437.2934. queenmary.com
