Things To Do

34 Awesome Things to do this Thanksgiving Weekend in L.A. [11-24-16 to 11-27-16]

November 23, 2016 by Christina Champlin

Los Angeles provides no limit of things to do, some awesome and some not so awesome. Since time is precious in this fast paced city, we decided to curate a list of things to do in Los Angeles every week end that’ll help you decide how you want to spend your limited supply of attention (not to mention dollars!).

This Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 24 to Nov. 27) includes an Enchanted Forest of Light, LA Zoo Lights, a Turkey Trot, a block party in Eagle Rock, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, a Cinespia winter film screening,  and LOTS more to choose from.

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Also remember you can always go to our L.A. events calendar page to get an updated rundown of what’s happening around the city.

Enjoy!

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Thursday November 24th, 2016

1. Have a Happy Thanksgiving! And remember if you don’t want to cook this Thursday we have a list of the 17 Best Places to Eat Out on Thanksgiving in L.A.

2. The 4th Annual Turkey Trot returns to DTLA this Thursday! From City Hall to Bunker Hill and Spring Street, turkey trotters can get a dose of physical activity prior to their Thanksgiving feasts.

3. Ranger Ernie Thanksgiving hike across Griffith Park (10 mile-hike). FREE

4. The 46th annual Dinner in the Park at Union Station Homeless Services in Pasadena will feed thousands of homeless and low-income individuals and families this Thanksgiving. The event brings members of the community together to share holiday cheer with those who have nowhere to go this holiday. Open to the everyone the event is suitable for anyone interested in making donations, sharing a free Thanksgiving meal with fellow community members and those passionate about ending homelessness in San Gabriel Valley. FREE

Friday November 25th, 2016

5. Enchanted: Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens will offer visitors a colorful one-mile path route through 10 distinct light displays at unique points within the garden. Happening Nov. 25 and runs through Jan. 8. Check for Discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

6. Sherman Oaks resident Mike Ziemkowski takes his Christmas decorating very seriously. From DMX controlled intelligent light to animatronics to a snowman called DJ Jingles the free display is a beloved tradition in Los Angeles absolutely worth driving to. Check out our write-up from last year for more information. FREE

7. Snow Los Angeles has arrived with L.A.’s first-ever snow tubing park which also includes nine acres of winter wonderland featuring an hourly blizzard and a Giant Snowman Forest Light Show.

8. Every Friday of November, Greenbar Distillery in Downtown Los Angeles will host cocktail classes featuring seasonal, holiday and prohibition era drinks. This weeks theme is Holiday Cocktails.

9. Largest outdoor ice skating rink returns to Pershing Square for its 19th winter run. The 7,200 square-foot Holiday Ice Rink® Pershing Square will be open every day of the holiday season through Jan. 16.

10. The Queen Mary’s signature winter attraction, CHILL, returns with a holiday theme of Alice in Winterland, promising an interactive and immersive experiences for the whole family to enjoy.  Check for discounted tickets all week before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

11. The Virus: An Immersive Escape Room Experience happening all weekend. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

12. El Capitan Theatre will screen Disney’s Moana. There will be a live concert of classic Disney music by The Side Street Strutters Jazz Band and a live appearance by Moana! DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

13. The Alchemist’s Lab is an escape room experience putting you right in the shoes of a junior detective at Scotland Yard in the 19th century. Do you have what it takes to uncover the devious plans of the alchemist? Happening throughout the weekend. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

14. The LA Auto Show is every car enthusiasts dream with close to a thousand cars on display. From Nov. 18-27 experience various car exhibits, model debuts and more at the LA Convention Center.

15. Darren Criss stars in Hedwig and the Angry Inch at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. John Cameron Mitchells groundbreaking rock musical is revived by Criss, Tony Award Winner Lena Hall and Tony Award wining Director Michael Mayer. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

16. ICE at Santa Monica is back! Get into the winter spirit by going ice skating, sip on hot chocolate and listening to festive tunes. Happening now till Jan. 16, 2017.

17. Celebrate Record Store Day! Check out the official site here for the dull schedule of events happening around Los Angeles.

18. On Fridays Royce’s Arcade Warehouse hosts ‘Threeplay Fridays’ from 4 to 7 p.m. For $3 you get three hours of unlimited play of games such as Donkey Kong, Street Fighter 2, Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga and many more.

19. Red Bull Sound Select return for 30 Days in LA, a month-long series of events featuring concert, dance parties, movie nights and more. Tickets are still available on select days check out the line up and schedules here.

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20. Free admission days this Friday for: Long Beach Museum of Art and Museum of Latin American Art (5 to 9 p.m.)

Saturday November 26th, 2016

21. Cinespia is bringing a Winter Film Screening Series to Historic DTLA theaters starting this Saturday with a screening of Adam’s Family Values at the Palace Theatre.

22. CAFAM is hosting their annual Holiday Marketplace, featuring one-of-a-kind contemporary jewelry, art, textiles, housewares and other hand-crafted gifts.

23. The Electric Dusk Drive-In is back at a new location on Fletcher Street at the LACCD Van De Kamp college campus complete with an astroturf outdoor seating area. This weekend they will screen two movies The Fast and the Furious at 6:30 p.m. and The Terminator at 9 p.m. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

24. A surprise special guest will be doing stand-up at L.A.’s legendary Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip this Saturday. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

25. Grab a partner and compete in The Amazing Santa Monica RaceDISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

26. Support your local shops on Small Business Saturday. Happening in various locations and stores around Los Angeles.

27. 6th Annual We Heart Eagle Rock Block Party is back on Small Business Saturday with sidewalk sales, “fun areas” with family portraits, a health + fitness zone, art activities, a petpalooza and more.

Sunday November 27th, 2016

28. The 85th annual Hollywood Christmas Parade returns on Sunday with grand marshall Olivia Newton-John and live musical performances to benefit the Marine Toys for Tots program.

29. LA Zoo Lights is back! Now in its third year, the after-hours event showcases animal-themed LEDs, lasers, 3D projections, and animated displays throughout the zoo. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

30. Sundays with the Gardener at Hauser Wirth & Schimmel Public Garden happens every weekend from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Resident gardener Jake Mumm will help guests learn to care for plants and lead demonstrations suitable for all ages. This is a drop-in event, no reservation required. FREE

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31. Los Angeles director and author of The Krampus and the Old, Dark Christmas, Al Ridenour will return for his third annual presentation, about Krampus. Happening at the Goethe-Institut, Ridenour will share new slides, rare video clips, and costumed surprises dreamed up by Krampus Los Angeles. There are two ticketed times for this event one at 6 p.m. and on at 8 p.m.

32. The Federal Bar presents another installation of Gary Calamar’s Mimosa Music Series. The free show will feature legendary singer-songwriter Angela McCluskey this Sunday!

33. The NASA’s Pavilion sound experience is now of view at The Huntington Library. A “soundscape” experience that represents the movement of the International Space Station and 19 Earth Science satellites the shell like sculpture emits sounds each interpreting one of the satellites’ missions. Open to the public till Feb. 27, 2017.

34. Free admission days this Sunday for: Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can) and Museum of Latin American Art


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