42 Totally Fun Things To Do in L.A. This Week You Ought to Know About [12-7-15 to 12-11-15]

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 the reopening of the Petersen, KROQ’s Locals Only, Poolside Cinema, the DTLA Art Walk, Nat Geo Live, and much, much more to choose from.

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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]

Venice Canals Daytime
The Venice Canals. 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 7th, 2015

1. Petersen Automotive Museum Opens

The Petersen Automotive museum finally opens to the general public Monday! This $90 million dollar redesign took 15 months to complete and with it came some sleek design feature and exhibits.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Celebrate National Cotton Candy Day At Barton G.

Yards of pink bubblegum cotton candy are spun and layered in the shape of an over the top TWO-FOOT edible wig dessert, aptly named Marie Antoinette’s Head ($25). Marie’s hairdo for Winter features grape, cherry, strawberry, and blue raspberry-flavored cotton candy rosettes served alongside a slice of Raspberry & Strawberry Cream Cheese Cake with Fresh Berries and Schlag. This is something you’ll have to see to believe.

5. 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.

6. Family Chanukah Menorah Lighting At Westfield Topanga

Join Westfield Topanga and Chabad of West Hills for a special family Chanukah Menorah lighting. Families are invited to come partake in the celebration, where children can create their own Menorah to take home, enjoy free latkes and doughnuts, and listen to festive music as the menorah is lit. For more information, please visit the official Facebook event page.

7. Gallery iam8bit Annual Unique Ornament Sale

The super fun ornament sale returns to gallery iam8bit. Artists from around the world have crafted hundreds of original ornaments all starting at an affordable $10. Happening now through December.

8. A Tribute Show For The Late Chris Burden

Yes, we all know about Urban Lights outside of LACMA but did you know the late Chris Burden’s earliest work was in performance art? Actual Size gallery is pleased to present Locker Number 5, an exhibition about the late artist, Chris Burden by two Los Angeles-based creatives, Jason Keller and James Melinat. The exhibition opens Monday, December 7th, 2015 and runs through Friday, December 11th, 2015 at the Actual Size Gallery. Come experience an exact replica of a locker used by Chris Burden to perform what later became known as his Five Day Locker Piece in April of 1971. A reception will be held on Friday, December 11th from 6:00pm – 8:00pm.

9. 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.

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.

Tuesday December 8th, 2015

11. 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.

12. Free Day At The Autry National Center Of The American West

The Autry National Center of the American West is free this Tuesday.

13. Poolside Cinema Screens It’s A Wonderful Life

The winter edition of Mr.C’s poolside cinema has arrived. Spend an evening beneath Mr.C’s poolside tent enjoying dinner, cocktails, popcorn and of course a classic film. Tuesday’s event will features It’s a Wonderful Life. Doors open at 6:00pm, movie starts promptly at 7:00pm. Email [email protected] to reserve your spot today.

14. 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.

15. LACMA Free Day

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is free this Tuesday, it’s also free for L.A. County residents with valid I.D. after 3:00pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays all month long.

Wednesday December 9th, 2015

16. Escape Room LA: The Detective

Picture you’re trapped inside a 1940’s film noir where you have to solve a slew of mysteries to escape. Work with your fellow detectives as you race against the clock. Do you have what it takes? Test your sleuthing skills and grab some discounted tickets via Goldstar.

17. La Perla and Frette Sample Sale

Prive is hosting a La Perla and Frette sample sale December 9th-12th in Santa Monica. Basically the world’s most luxurious bedding and lingerie are getting steep discounts of up to 60% off! Happening Wednesday-Thursday (10:00am – 7:00pm) Friday (10:00am – 6:00pm) and Saturday (10:00am – 4:00pm) cash and credit are accepted. No handbags and outerwear are allowed inside the sale.

Location: 1656 Lincoln Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90404

18. Yoga With A View

Join yoga instructor Jake Ferree for a revitalizing rooftop yoga session in the Panorama Lounge at Andaz West Hollywood. Keep the good vibes going by bringing donated items for the LA LGBT Youth Center, which supports and provides services for homeless LGBT youth in Southern California. Acceptable donation items include travel size toiletries, toilet paper, packaged underwear/socks, belts, and black ties. After doing some good for your body and spirit, treat yourself with a complimentary wine tasting in the Panorama Lounge and designer pop-up shop by LASC and Lolë Women at 8:00pm. Tickets are available at www.jakeferree.com for $20. Proceeds from ticket sales will also go towards the LA LGBT Youth Center.

19. Celebrate National Eggnog Month With Two Special Potions At Messhall

Get into the Holiday spirit with Messhall’s bar master, Austin Mendez’s Nog-ish cocktails from the bar’s new Harry Potter Potions collection. Order up a Amortentia or Pumpkin Juice to celebrate December National Eggnog Month!

Thursday December 10th, 2015

20. SPIN’s Year In Music Party (FREE)

SPIN’s Year in Music party celebrating some of the best music and artists of 2015 will take place at The Regent in DTLA and will feature Best Coast, Tink, Alex G and guest DJs Yacht. RSVP for free here.

21. The Downtown Art Walk

The Downtown Art Walk has been an L.A. cultural phenomenon bringing in art enthusiasts and locals together every second Thursday of each month. Art galleries, shops, bars and more open up for one big party celebrating art and DTLA for one fine night.

22. Daybreaker Los Angeles

Daybreaker returns to L.A. and this time it will be at Wanderlust in West Hollywood! Start your morning right with awesome people, coffee, juice, and a DANCE PARTY, music provided DJ Just Beth.

23. Free Day At The Japanese American National Museum

The Japanese American National Museum is free this Thursday from 5:00pm to 8:00pm.

24. The Rink In Downtown Burbank Is Back!

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.

25. MOCA Free Night

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

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26. Throwback Thursday Screening: Spaceballs

This Thursday catch a feature screening of Spaceballs 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.

27. Holiday Open House + Concert At One Colorado

One Colorado is hosting a Holiday Open House, come visit the Courtyard and Alleys of Old Town Pasadena, where you’ll find loads of festive activities like a photo booth, a live choir and even Santa! A concert with Dead Winter Carpenters will also take place in the courtyard. In addition guest can score some in-store and restaurant promotions only for this special night.

28. Free Night At The Skirball Cultural Center 

The Skirball Cultural Center is free to all every Thursday.

Friday December 11th, 2015

29. KROQ’s Locals Only at The Wiltern

Catch electro artist Lights along with The Mowgli’s and special guest K.Flay as part of KROQ’s Locals Only performance at The Wiltern Theater this Friday night. Doors open at 5:30pm, show begins at 6:30pm. More information and discount tickets to the concert via our friends at Goldstar.

30. 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!

31. Picture This! At The Virgil

LA’s only live animated comedy show is going down at The Virgil. Hosted by Brandie Posey with comedians Matt Braunger, Jamie Lee, Cole Escola, Howard Kremer,Ian Abramson and Jay Weingarten with animation by Ashlyn Anstee, Matt Kiel,Mike Mayfield and Mike Hollingsworth. The event it totally free!

32. Discount Tickets to Nat Geo Live’s Spinosaurus

Nat Geo paleontologist Nizar Ibrahim gives a live talk backed by amazing video recreations of the Cretaceous Era Sahara to help tell the story of the largest predatory dinosaur ever discovered: Spinosaurus. The event runs two days (this Thursday and Friday) at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica, but our friends at Goldstar have special discounts to save around $20 for Friday’s show.

33. Holiday Odd Market At FIG@7th

Over 45 vendors of jewelry, fashion, art, vintage home goods and gourmet food will take over FIG@7th in DTLA for this two-day Odd Market featuring plenty of live entertainment including bands, a breakdancing competition and DJs.

34. Triforium 40th Birthday Public Party

Joseph Young’s six-story, 60-ton public artwork Triforium is turning 40 this month, join The Triforium Project for a picnic, DJ sets from dublab, history tours, special speakers and free birthday cake, courtesy of Charm City Cakes.

35. Wildfox Sample Sale

Wildfox’s uber popular sample sale is coming to the Cooper Design Space’s mezzanine three. This insane two-day blowout takes place Friday (10:00am – 6:00pm) and Saturday (10:00am – 5:00pm), the sale promises tees, dresses, sweaters, rompers, denim, swimwear, sunnies, footwear, loungewear, and more for $10 to $50.

Location: Cooper Design Space 860 S Los Angeles St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

36. Lunchtime Yoga Retreat

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.

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37. Gilt City Warehouse Sale

One of the most sought after sales to hit Los Angeles the Gilt City Warehouse Sale gives lucky shoppers major discounts (up to 80% off!) on brands like Lanvin, Dior, Helmut Lang, and more at Gilt City’s massive warehouse extravaganza. Complimentary wine and snacks will also be provided. The sale runs Friday through Saturday.

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

The Long Beach Museum of Art is free every Friday!

39. 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.

40. Xmas Art Show

L.A. punk gallery KBG is having their second annual Xmas Art Show Friday in Chinatown with performances by cover band Joy Revision, Silver Star, Siggy and first-wave L.A. punk Taquila Mockingbird. Festivities continue Saturday night too.

41. The Trend Boutique Holiday Warehouse Sale

The Trend Boutique is hosting a massive warehouse sale in DTLA, everything will be priced from $9-$99. In addition, they’ll be running giveaways and promotions throughout the sale dates- check event page for full schedule and details.

42. Ukulele Christmas Orchestra

Any Angelenos out there with Ukulele skills? The Music Center is celebrating the holidays with the Ukulele Christmas Orchestra. Amateur Ukulele players 18 and older are invited to perform in the free program! This event is only for those performing, so make sure to RSVP beforehand to earn a spot.


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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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