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Ho! Ho! Ho! Thanksgiving is out of the way, and we can all rejoice that it’s finally socially acceptable to blare Christmas music 24/7.

While the rest of the United States will continue to complain about their frosty weather, we in Los Angeles can throw on a scarf and be completely content from now until February.

If you’re a huge fan of all things to do with Christmas, this is your time of the year to shine. Take a look at our list of fun-filled Christmas activities that will keep you busy during the long awaited, 25-day countdown.

Happy holidays!

[RELATED: 20 Stylish Gifts for the L.A. Fashionista in Your Life]

1. Go Ice Skating at Pershing Square

Channel your inner Gracie Gold and lace up for DTLA’s Holiday Ice Skating Rink! Open now until January 17^th, there will be several unique icebreakers: if you’re feeling extra funky, there will be a DJ on Thursday nights from 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. If you’re in search of love, there will be a “Single in the City” event taking place December 11^th from 8:30 p.m- 9:30 p.m. If you’ve got little ice skaters, families should check out the Winter Holiday Festival going on December 13^th & 14^th from 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Admission is $9.

2. Snuggle up for an Outdoor Screening of Elf

On December 18^th at 6PM, there will be an outdoor screening of everybody’s favorite Will Ferrell holiday classic, Elf! Hot chocolate will be sold at the event, so all you need to bring are a few blankets and your holiday spirit.

Located @ the Third Street Promenade & Wilshire Blvd.

More Information

3. Give Back to Los Angeles

We wrote recently about a whole gambit of volunteer opportunities in Los Angeles generally, but if you’re looking to volunteer specifically this Christmas, there are several great organizations still looking for participants! Check out Project Food Angel, Union Station Homeless Services, and Food on Foot.

Project Food Angel: http://support.angelfood.org/site/PageNavigator/homepage.html

Union Station Homeless Services: http://unionstationhs.org/event/dip2/ 

Food on Foot: http://www.foodonfoot.org/

4. Be Classy: Attend the Ballet

The Los Angeles Ballet will be touring performances of The Nutcracker around Los Angeles this season! Be sure to buy tickets for shows at the Alex Theatre, Dolby Theatre, Royce Hall @ UCLA, or Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center!

More information

5. Shopping in a Winter Wonderland: The Grove & The Americana at Brand

While these outdoor malls emanate happiness year round and are wonderful for retail therapy, the addition of new holiday décor and snow machines will make want to drop your shopping bags and belt, “Let it Go.”

If you hate parking during the holiday rush, Uber Black Rides will be offering free rides to the Grove or Americana this season! Keep in mind, if you spend less than $450 at the mall, you’ll be expected to find your own ride home!

6. Win tickets to KROQ’s 25^th Almost Acoustic Christmas

KROQ’s Almost Acoustic Christmas is taking place at the Forum in Inglewood, CA December 13^th and 14^th. Night one features rock bands like Linkin Park, Incubus, and Fall out Boy,  while night two features Imagine Dragons, Smashing Pumpkins, Vance Joy, Modest Mouse, Weezer, and U2.

Tickets may be sold out, but there is still a chance to win tickets online here.

You can also win tickets if you’re caller 25 (800-520-1067) when you hear the cue on KROQ every hour, on the hour, Monday-Friday.

7. Find the Perfect Christmas Tree

If your spruce-scented Glade candles aren’t quite cutting it, it may be time to get a real Christmas tree to fill your home with the incessant smell of the holidays. In the Hollywood area, Mr. Jingles Christmas Trees has a variety of trees standing from 2 ft – 9 ft.

8. Christmas Carol in your Car

Just because most of us don’t have the ability to ride reindeer sleighs does not mean our daily commute has to be boring.

If you’re looking to put together your own Christmas album to jam to in your car, take a listen to the YouTube embedded below (like over 3 hours of Christmas songs!) for you to inspire to get into the holiday spirit. Then of course you can sort out your own playlist on iTunes, Spotify, or whatever streaming music service you prefer.

9. The Arclight’s Holiday Screenings

If the Arclight wasn’t perfect before, the 2014 holiday screening line-up will be sure to make you smile!

December 7^th: White Christmas

December 21^st: It’s a Wonderful Life

December 23^rd: A Christmas Story

December 12^th, 14^th, and 15^th: Love Actually

December 18^th: Scrooged

More information

 10. Walk through Candy Cane Lane

You don’t have to drive all the way to Disneyland to see spectacular light displays. Since 1952, Candy Cane Lane’s neighborhood tradition has been brightening up Woodland Hills. Competitive residents that live along Lubao Ave & Oxnard St. attempt to outdo each other’s lights each year, and the result is dazzling!

What’s your favorite holiday activity in Los Angeles? Let us know in the comments below!

When you live in a city full of marginally talented comedians, it’s only polite to adhere to the principle rule of improv and say “yes” to as many comedy shows as you can. After all, they say laughter is the best medicine, so why not live life hopped up on a near fatal dose of prescription comedy?

Of course in the city of angels there are literally dozens of comedy shows to choose from, many of which are free. But where to start?

Well, to help you narrow down your itinerary, here’s a handy list of the 10 best free comedy shows in L.A. that are sure to keep you giggling, chortling, cackling, and possibly guffawing, all at the bargain basement price of zero dollars.

And though I can’t promise you’ll die laughing at every bit, at least you’ll have saved some serious dough in search of comedy gold.

So without further adieu, here’s our top 10 (in no particular order).

1. The Blind Barber Secret Show

At what other comedy show can you order thirteen types of grilled cheese sandwiches, old sport?

Barbershop by day, speakeasy by night, the Blind Barber retains a relatively low profile located next to the Culver City Best Buy. It is also home to the very exclusive stand-up show, The Blind Barber Secret Show.

When & Where:

The last Monday of every month @ 8PM, The Blind Barber, 10797 W. Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

More information

2. Comedy Living Room

Founded two years ago, three roommates had the brilliant idea to host a comedy show in the comfort of their Hollywood home. Anything goes at Comedy Living Room; known for having surprise guests drop by, you’ll never know if it’ll be Paul Scheer, Kumail Nanjiani, or John Mulaney bursting through the front door.

Not to mention, the roommates recently welcomed a puppy by the name of “Bullseye McFly” to their home, making Comedy Living Room paws down, the greatest.

When & Where:

Once a Month @ 8PM, 737 North Cherokee Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90038

Pro-Tip: If you want to get seats in the actual living room, show up 20 minutes before the doors open! Otherwise, you may find yourself part of the kitchen scene: closer to alcohol, but not as comfy. You decide.

More information

3. The Grind at Mi’s Westside Comedy Theater

With shows every night of the week and a beer and wine bar with no drink minimum, Mi’s is the place to go in Santa Monica.

Free improv shows on Mondays at 8PM and 10PM and Thursdays at 10PM followed by an improv jam.

When & Where:

1323-A Third Street Promenade (the “a” stand for alley) Santa Monica, CA 90401

More information

4. Fringe with JC Coccoli

Free Beer, Free pizza, Free stand-up. Fringe with JC Coocoli may be the deathly hallows of comedy.

Mondays @ 10PM, 1739 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, California 90027

More information

5. Sleepaway Camp

If you’ve grown tired of regular stand-up shows, Sleepaway Camp will surely spice things up. Every Tuesday night you can count on Sleepaway Camp to provide a unique mix of of stand-up, live theatre, and video presentation.

When & Where:

Tuesdays @ 9PM, The Downtown Independent, 251 S Main St, Los Angeles, California 90012

More information

6. ASSSSCAT

Not only is it a UCB favorite, but it’s also fun to say. While ASSSSCAT has a show on Saturday for $10 (8pm over at UCB Franklin on 5919 Franklin Ave), the poor and patient souls of L.A. will want to wait in line for the free Sunday show.

When & Where:

Sundays @ 7:00PM, UCB Sunset 5419 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

More information

7. The BrewHAHA: The Comedy Show Drinking Game

An interactive approach to stand-up comedy, BrewHAHA combines the art of laughter and drinking. Before the comics perform, a few drinking game rules are revealed to the audience; When a comic breaks a rule, the audience gets to drink. It’s genius. You’ll want to show up early to claim the prime seat real estate in this Silverlake backyard.

When & Where:

Once a month, Doors open @ 7:30 PM, Show starts @ 9PM, 4221 Normal Ave, Los Angeles CA 90029

More information

8. Power Violence

An experimental comedy show with no limits, there should be no question what your plans are on Sunday night! It’s time to put your typical line-up of Walking Dead, Homeland, and Once Upon a Time on the BACK BURNER and get to Power Violence immediately!

Where & When: Sundays at 9PM, 6470 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90038

9. Prom Night

A perfect combination of cheap drinks, vegan cookies, and USC hotties, Prom Night is quickly becoming one of the most popular stand-up shows in the Downtown LA area.

When & Where:

Every other Thursday @ 8:30 PM, Nature’s Brew, 2316 S Union Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90007

More information

 10. Your Local Late Night Comedy Show

While a backyard with Christmas lights and comedians in flannel may be your cup of tea, there is something magical about seeing a comedian in suit!

They’ve been around the block and are the best in the field – Legendary Conan O’ Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, and Craig Ferguson do not disappoint.

Whether your heart desires the comedy of Coco, Jimmy the Pig, or the soon-to-wrap Ferguson, you can reserve free tickets for all their shows at 1iota.com

When & Where:

CONAN: Warner Brothers Studio Lot, 6510 Forest Lawn Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90068

The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson: CBS Television City, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Jimmy Kimmel Live!: 6840 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90068

Do you know of other free comedy shows in L.A. that you think should be added to the list? Let us know in the comments section what your recommendations are!