Things To Do

34 Totally Fun Things To Do in L.A. This Week You Ought to Know About [12-14-15 to 12-18-15]

December 14, 2015 by Christina Champlin

Every week in Los Angeles there are tons of great things to do (even before the weekend gets started) that we think you ought to have on your radar. With that in mind, we put together a list every Monday morning to keep you in the know about what’s happening in the city you love (or maybe just like).

This week includes a holiday sing-along at the Music Center, a Seinfeld art installation, a light saber battle in Pershing Square, The Force Awakens premiere at El Capitan, Winter Fest OC, and much more.

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Hope you find the rundown useful and, as always, enjoy your week!

[RELATED: The Best Way to Find Discount Events in Los Angeles]

1st Street Bridge Los Angeles

The view of DTLA from 1st Street Bridge. Credit: Brian Champlin / We Like L.A.

[REMINDER: In some cases We Like L.A. does receive revenue when visitors click on ticket links and make purchases, however we maintain complete editorial control over the events we suggest. Basically, it only makes it on to the website if we think it is cool!]


Monday December 14th, 2015

1. Magic Mondays at The Odyssey 

Every Monday night head over to West L.A. to catch a rotating lineup of magic and illusion featuring magicians from the Magic Castle, Penn & Teller: Fool Us, America’s Got Talent, Tosh.0, Masters of Illusion and more! Starts at 8:00pm at The Odyssey Theater.  More information and discount tickets available via Goldstar.

2. Shakespeare In The Shed At Angel City Brewery

Shakespeare in the Shed is taking on Twelfth Night. The production tells timeless tales fast, fresh and streamlined to one act of no more than 90 minutes. All casting is gender, age and ethnicity blind. Since the show is located inside a brewery please order some some delicious brews to go with your free show.

3. CHILL at the Queen Mary

The Queen Mary will once again be overtaken by a deep freeze for the fourth annual CHILL!  Experience the Ice Kingdom, glacier glide ice tubing, ice skating and plenty of holiday entertainment. P.S. The Ice Kingdom will be introducing the New Holiday Ice Bar for adults! For more information and discounted tickets seven days a week, visit our friends at Goldstar.

4. Holy Cow Culver City Happy Hour All Night Long

BBQ + Monday Night Football is a winning combination no matter what team you root for. At Holy Cow Culver City, Monday Night means Happy Hour All Night Long with $3 Cans, $5 Drafts and $10 quarts plus $5 plates of Chili Tators, Bull Nachos, Buffalo Nuggets, Pigs n a Blanket Sliders, and plenty of Fried Pickles and Battered Onions.

5. LA Zoo Lights

The LA Zoo will once again be transformed into a fantastical wonderland where glowing light animals roam the lands. Check out decked-out animal-themed LED lights, lasers, 3D projections, and spectacular new water, light and music displays. Enjoy holiday treats and goodies, all under the stars. Real reindeers will also be on display down at Reindeer Romp Village and Santa (on select dates) will even make a few stops at the beloved zoo during the holiday. Happening seven days a week! For more information and discount tickets check out Goldstar.

6. Month-Long Public Art Exhibition Takes Over Billboards Across Los Angeles

The Billboard Creative will place 33 contemporary artists’ works on billboards across Los Angeles displayed at major intersections throughout the city. The first billboard display will go up on December 1 with plans to have all the rest installed by December 7. The works will be up for one month only.

Tuesday December 15th, 2015

7. The Nutcracker

Come see The American Ballet Theatre perform a holiday favorite, The Nutcracker at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Larger-than-life scenery, gorgeous costumes and more than 100 dancers from American Ballet’s professional and student companies will put on this grand performance of The Nutcracker for a limited time only. For more information and discounted tickets visit Goldstar.

8. Free Day At Descanso Gardens

Free admission to Descanso Gardens happens on the third Tuesday of every month!

9. Holiday Flavors At Sweet Rose Creamery

Get into the holiday spirit L.A. style, with ice cream from Sweet Rose Creamery! December flavors include Eggnog, Rum Raisin, Cranberry Compote with Salty Pistachio, Persimmon Sorbet, and more. If you want something warm try a seasonal beverage like housemade Hot Chocolate (available at all the shops except the Brentwood location) and Eggnog and Chai Lattes (only available at the Mid-City and Santa Monica locations).

10. Lights on Display in Sherman Oaks

Sherman Oaks resident Mike Ziemkowski takes his Christmas decorating a bit more seriously than you, and that’s perfectly fine by us. From computer controlled lighting to DMX controlled intelligent light to animatronic characters synched to an epic preprogrammed playlist of holiday tunes and a Snowman DJ called DJ Jingles this free display is something you have to see live. Runs now until January 1.

11. LA Kings Holiday Ice At L.A. LIVE

Enjoy outdoor ice skating at L.A. LIVE! The annual LA Kings Holiday Ice brings outdoor ice skating to L.A. LIVE’s Microsoft Square. The rink will run through December 31, 2015.

12. New Cocktail Menu At The Larchmont

A feast for your eyes the new drinks at The Larchmont are full of foraged herbs, greens and holiday cheer. Order the Crimmsmas a cranberry rosemary infusion or get festive with a gin and St. Germaine cocktail called Rain Flower. The drinks are almost too pretty to drink, just take a look at this Savory Martini for example!!!

Wednesday December 16th, 2015

13. Replica Of Seinfeld: The Apartment

A replica of Jerry’s apartment from ‘Seinfeld’ is coming to L.A. just in time for Festivus. From December 16-20 from 10:00am – 7:00pm guests at the pop-up installation can crash through a door like Kramer, or gather around a Festivus pole to air grievances or even perform feats of strength. The pop-up is free and open to the public.

14. Free Wine Tasting Night At Andaz

This Wednesday, from 6:00pm – 8:00pm, Andaz West Hollywood will be offering a complimentary wine tasting in partnership with V Wine Room. Experts at V Wine Room will guide wine-lovers through a selection of curated red and white wines from boutique California wineries. This month, the V Wine Room sommeliers will showcase a selection of festive, locally produced sparkling wines perfect for holiday entertaining. The event will take place in Andaz’s Wine Gallery on the first floor, 21+ only.

15. Lunchtime Yoga Retreat + Yarnover Truck

Get your sun salutations on in the middle of Downtown in Grand Park! The free yoga class starts at 12:15pm and runs to 1:00pm. The Yarnover truck is also stoping by giving free lessons on knitting and crochet in Grand Park’s Marketplace near City Hall and Spring St.

16. The Grill On The Alley Star Wars Cocktail Menu

The classic steakhouse located at Hollywood and Highland is featuring four Star Wars inspired cocktails with hilarious names like: Java the Hut, Darth and Stormy, Jedi Rancher and my personal favorite, Chocolate Chip Wookie.

17. Holiday Ice Rink In Pershing Square

From November 12 – January 18 Angelenos can skate in the heart of DTLA at Pershing Square. Each skate-session costs $9, and it’s $4 for skate rental.

18. Heirloom Grain And Brew Dinner

What do you get when you mix a L.A. chef, a badass lady farmer, two mad-scientist beer brewers and a conscientious baker? Magic of course, in the form of a five course meal to be exact. Going down at Maximiliano. For more information and tickets check out their official Eventbrite page.

Thursday December 17th, 2015

19. Knott’s Berry Farm’s “Knott’s Merry Farm”

Christmas is in full effect at Knott’s Berry Farm! Charlie Brown and friends are the theme this year. Watch Snoopy dance on ice in the “Merry Christmas, Snoopy!” show and Chuck celebrates the holiday with the Peanuts gang in the live show “Christmas Time Is Here, Charlie Brown.”  Our friends at Goldstar is offering discount ticket packages all throughout the month!

20. 3rd Annual Del Frisco’s Grille Ugly Sweater Party & Toy Drive

Del Frisco’s Grille in Santa Monica is celebrating the holiday season with ugly sweaters, come in for this free event Thursday, from 6:00pm – 10:00pm in your ugliest and sparkliest sweaters and enjoy complimentary appetizers (6:00pm – 8:00pm) $7 Candy Cane Cocktails and $5 Santa Monica Brew Works 310 Draft Beers. There will also be caroling by the award-winning Santa Monica Chorus and Best Sweater Contests. Bring in an unwrapped toy for their donation drive and get a complimentary VIP cocktail.

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21. Throwback Thursday Screening: Big Trouble In Little China

This Thursday catch a feature screening of Big trouble In Little China at The Laemmle Theater in NoHo. Grab some movie themed munchies from a food truck parked out front and bring your meal inside the theater to eat while you watch. There will also be a playlist specifically curated for the movie before the lights dim.  More information and discount tickets available via our friends at Goldstar.

22. Big Bar Star Wars Night

On the 17th, before the midnight release of Star Wars, Big Bar is joining the Darkside with a themed mixtape, Big Bar Storm Troopers and a featured Darkside cocktail list. Try the sinister Tai Fighter made with cynar 70, appleton estate, pierre ferrand dry curacao, lime, orgeat and the darkside.

23. MOCA Free Night

Every Thursday evening from 5:00pm – 8:00pm admission is free to both the MOCA on Grand and The Geffen Contemporary.

24. Free Night At The Skirball Cultural Center 

The Skirball Cultural Center is free to all every Thursday.

Friday December 18th, 2015

25. A Lightsaber Battle In Pershing Square

To celebrate the opening weekend of The Force Awakens a costumed group meet-up will take place in DTLA’s Pershing Square with hundreds (or perhaps thousands) of participants expected to show up at this FREE lightsaber battle. Don’t have a lightsaber? No problem the event is selling them for $10 BUT our friends at Goldstar is hooking it up with half priced lightsabers at the event while supplies last!

26. Winter Fest OC

Starting this Friday a “wonderland of attractions and entertainment” will hit the OC Fair & Event center offering a host of winter themed and Christmas-inspired experiences over the course of a two and a half week run. Winter Fest promises a massive six lane ice slide, the Worlds Largest Ornament, magic shows, carnival rides, Holiday day themed foods and more.

27. Music Center Holiday Sing-Along

Interested in being part of a massive public performance? Head over to The Music Center this Friday, for a grand night of signing under the stars, belting out holiday tunes with fellow Angelenos. No experience is necessary, admission is free but tickets are required so come early to reserve a spot.

28. Free Museum Day At The Long Beach Museum Of Art

The Long Beach Museum of Art is free every Friday!

29. Odd Market

For one day only, the Odd Market is setting up shop at Bunker Hill’s Wells Fargo Center Plaza (333 S. Grand Ave.) from 10:00am – 4:00pm. Expect to shop unique vendors in jewelry, fashion, art, vintage home goods and gourmet food.

30. Holiday Movie Night At Third Street Promenade Screens Home Alone Free!

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Free screening of Home Alone for Holiday Movie Night at the Third Street Promenade will also provide hot chocolate and kids crafts. Kid activities begin at 6:00pm and movie screens at 7:00pm.

31. California Market Center Holiday Sample Sale

Visit the California Market Center for amazing shopping deals during their Holiday Sample Sale event. Score incredible gifts in hundreds of showrooms carrying apparel for men, women, children as well as gift & home items all way below-retail prices.

32. Groundlings Holiday Show

The Groundlings Holiday Show is an evening of all-new sketches and some improvisation, known to poke fun at every possible holiday tradition. Count on the always original and hilarious Groundlings troupe to kick off your holiday season the right way. Spreading their holiday cheer this Friday and Saturday!

33. The Rink In Downtown Burbank

Downtown Burbank’s most festive holiday tradition returns for outdoor ice skating and festive events. The Rink in Downtown Burbank will run from December 10, 2015 through January 3, 2016.

34. Star Wars: The Force Awakens At El Capitan

Hollywood’s legendary El Capitan Theatre presents a special engagement of Lucasfilm “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” December 18, 2015 through February 7, 2016. Before the movie, El Capitan guests will be treated to an all-new Laser Lightsaber Curtain Show and can explore El Capitan’s exclusive display of costumes and props from the movie.


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Have an upcoming event you’d like suggest for listing? Drop us a line at [email protected].

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