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A new month is here. The holidays are in swing. Let’s get into the spirit of the season.
In view this December 1-5 in Los Angeles, you’ll find tree lighting celebrations at The Music Center, in San Gabriel, Santa Monica, Pasadena, and more, plus the debut of the WEHO Winter Ice Rink, a Grand Illuminations Opening Night in DTLA, the Hot Chocolate Nutcracker in Redondo Beach, a Black Friday Holiday Party At CAAM, a Krampus Rumpus & Holiday Market, and more.
Things To Do This Week
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
L.A. County Tree Lighting Ceremony at The Music Center (December 1) – FA M TP > L.A. County’s official holiday tree lightning event at The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza returns on Monday. The annual free celebration to of open to the public, offering live music, art-making, snow flurries and complimentary hot chocolate. Runs 5 to 8 p.m. More info here.
Benson Movie Interruption – M > What’s better than seeing a terrible/awesome movie with your friends and making fun of it while you watch it? How about live commentary from some of entertainment’s funniest movie lovers. This Monday at Dynasty Typewriter, Doug Benson hosts a “your choice” version of his Movie Interrupted series with special guests including Jon Gabrus, Jonathan Mangum, Amy Miller, and Greg Proops. Attendees are invited to bring in a Blue Ray / DVD of their choice, and the audience will vote on what to watch before the show begins. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 the day-of. More info here.
WEHO Winter Ice Rink -> Beginning Monday, the WeHo Winter Ice Rink returns to the Great Lawn at West Hollywood Park for the winter season. In addition to 90-minute skating sessions (skate rental included in the ticket price), guests can visit the adjacent Winter Village, which features skate viewing areas, photo opportunities, a charming general store, and special pop-up theme nights. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for ages 3-14. Sessions are offered daily, with times varying. The rink runs through December 21. Check the event website for the full schedule of skating sessions, which begin at 4 p.m. on weekdays. More info here.
City of San Gabriel Tree Lighting – FA > The City of San Gabriel invites the community to kick off the holiday season with its Holiday Tree Lighting and Taste of San Gabriel at Plaza Park this Tuesday. The festive evening features samples from local restaurants like Paris Baguette and Wahib’s Mediterranean Grill, alongside entertainment from the San Gabriel High School Marching Band and the Jefferson Middle School Choir. Families can enjoy activities including a trackless train, holiday crafts, hot cocoa, and photos with Santa, who will arrive on the Fire Department’s vintage Mack Truck. The celebration runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m. More info here.
Grand Illuminations Opening Night – FA M> DTLA Alliance’s Grand Illuminations is bringing a holiday light spectacle to Downtown Los Angeles hosted at The Yard at Cal Plaza. Here you’ll find special installations by LA-based artist group Liquid PXL including large-scale kinetic sculptures, ten radiant Electric Dandelions and a custom designed 25-food LED light tree. It’s all open to the public through January 4. The light sculptures debut during a Grand Holiday Celebration this Wednesday when things kick off with a lightning ceremony, live music, a holiday marketplace curated by The Goddess Mercado and refreshments from 4 to 7 p.m. More info here.
Chain Holiday House -> Chain, the celebrity-driven pop-cuisine enterprise, is hosting its an intimate Holiday House at the Chain House location in Silver Lake beginning this Wednesday. Designed as an all-inclusive, two-hour tasting tour, the event features a chaotic and kitschy holiday party atmosphere and unique, chef-driven collabs with popular partners, including Arby’s, Panda Express, and Dunkin’. Guests will enjoy a multi-course meal, specialized holiday cocktails/mocktails designed by Thunderbolt LA, and access to a vintage gift shop. Tickets start at $74.99. The pop-up runs through December 13. More info here.
MeUndies Holiday Undie Run – FA > MeUndies is hosting its first-ever Holiday Undie Run at The Penmar in Venice this Thursday. Attendees are invited to kick off the festive season by lacing up and stripping down for a fun, community-focused 3-mile run, welcoming all paces and people. Runners will receive a free pair of MeUndies Holiday undies upon arrival to wear during the event. Post-run festivities include tacos, Juneshine, and a special visit from a naughty North Pole celebrity. Check-in begins at 6:30 p.m., and the run starts at 7 p.m. Registration is free! More info here.
Downtown Santa Monica Tree Lighting – FA > Downtown Santa Monica hosts the Official City of Santa Monica Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Third Street Promenade this Thursday. The evening features special performances by local choirs, a performance of the Nutcracker, and “snowfall” on the Promenade. After Santa lights the holiday tree, guests can enjoy a holiday market, holiday crafts, hot cocoa, and take free photos with Santa. Special holiday programming begins at 5 p.m., leading up to the ceremony, which runs from 6 to 8 p.m. More info here.
Downtown Culver City 2024 Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Sled-tacular – M FA TP> Downtown Culver City welcomes the holiday season this Thursday with 50 tons of fresh snow, fun sledding activities, live music, and a tree Lighting ceremony with special guests Zooey Deschanel and Charlie Cox. Event starts at 5 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Hot Chocolate Nutcracker -> Beginning this Thursday, the Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA) presents its award-winning production of “Hot Chocolate Nutcracker” at Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. The highly-anticipated performance follows a young girl, Kara as she steps into a land of wonder journeying to fantastical places such as Candy Cane Land, Egypt, the Indian Rainforest/Bollywood, Jazzland, Russia and the Land of the Kimono Dolls. Tickets start at $54.59. Performances run through December 15. More info here.
Pitch-A-Friend at Angel City Brewery – M FA > It says a lot if a friend is willing to stan you to a group of total strangers, right? That’s the premise behind Pitch-A-Friend, where presenters run through a series of 3 to 5 minute slide deck presentations (in all earnestness) followed by a singles mixer where you can meet-and-greet with the friends who come so highly recommended. And if you have a great single friend you want to pitch, you can apply to be a presenter too! Next up in the series is this Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Angel City Brewery. Free to attend. More info here.
Puzzle Mania! – M FA > This Thursday evening, the Mark Taper Auditorium at Central Library hosts a discussion celebrating the release of the new Puzzle Mania! book, featuring The New York Times Games editors Joel Fagliano (creator of the Mini Crossword) and Everdeen Mason in conversation with literary podcast host Traci Thomas. They will explore how beloved digital games like Wordle and Spelling Bee translate into a new book format, perfect for puzzle-obsessed friends and family game night. The program begins at 7 p.m. More info here.
Home Alone in Concert at WDCH – M > The LA Phil’s 2025 The Deck the Hall Holiday Concerts series starts this Friday to Sunday with special 35th-anniversary screening of the beloved classic, Home Alone. The hilarious and heartwarming film will be shown while John Williams’ charming score is performed live to picture by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and DTLA Voices, led by conductor David Newman. Performances are offered on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. More info here.
Krampus Rumpus & Holiday Market -> This Friday to Sunday, Benny Boy Brewing hosts its third annual Krampus Rumpus & Holiday Market, extended for three days this year. Expect festive cheer blended with scary entertainment, featuring live German bands, spooky alpine stories, and a large holiday craft market with Krampus-themed items. The terrifying highlight is the return of the full horde of devils from Krampus Los Angeles, who storm the beer garden at sundown. Tickets are $35-$40, depending on which night you attend. 21+ only. More info here.
Tree Lighting at Pasadena City Hall – M FA > On Friday, Pasadena City Hall gets the holiday treatment with a special tree lighting ceremony hosted by the mayor of Pasadena. The celebration features local singers and dancers, crafts for kids provided by Armory Center for the Arts, light refreshments, and an appearance by Santa Claus. Runs to 5 to 7 p.m., with the lighting taking place at 6 p.m. More info here.
First Friday in Chinatown – M FA > L.A.’s Chinatown stays open late for an evening of exploring the unique small businesses, restaurants and contemporary art and culture spaces that make up the historic neighborhood. This month, First Friday is bigger than ever teaming up with dozens of businesses, music, extended hours at art galleries, and the Damnoen Saduak Thai Market on Mei Ling Way. More info here.
Black Friday Holiday Party At CAAM – M FA > The California African American Museum (CAAM) invites the community to celebrate the season with a Black Friday Holiday Party on December 5. This free, all-ages event offers a festive evening in community, featuring music, delicious treats, and activity stations for all ages. Guests will also have exclusive after-hours access to all of CAAM’s current exhibitions, including solo shows by American Artist and Sadie Barnette. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Japanese Curry Takes Over L.A. This December -> Comfort food season hits a new level this December as Japanese curry steps into the spotlight across Los Angeles. The All Japan Curry Manufacturers Association is rolling out a citywide campaign, “Let JAPANESE CURRY Melt Your Heart,” and nine LA restaurants are joining in with limited-time dishes that go way beyond the classic curry-and-rice setup. Expect traditional takes from tonkatsu favorite Kagura, plus wildly creative spins from local hotspots including RYLA, Little Fatty, Fatty Mart, French Touch, Lenzini’s Pizza, and even ceviche specialist The Hummingbird. Each spot will debut an original dish inspired by the deep, cozy flavors of Japanese curry and they’re only available December 1–31. More info here.
In Good Spirits -> Downtown LA Proper Hotel is getting festive with In Good Spirits, its new mezcal-forward holiday pop-up inside Dahlia’s chic, low-lit lounge. Expect seasonal mezcal cocktails, bar bites, wines, beers, and N/A sips, plus a nightly mix of vinyl DJs, acoustic sets, live music, tarot readings, and more. Reservations are open now for December 5–20, Thursday through Saturday, from 7 p.m. to midnight.
Après The Tree -> Kick off the holiday season with Après The Tree, a new fireside experience at American Beauty at The Grove. Settle into the string-lit patio for an hour-long winter unwind featuring Bluefin Tuna Tartare, mini The Win~Dow burgers, a split of champagne, and more. The $50-per-person experience runs Sundays through Thursdays starting December 1, with reservations available on Resy.
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