Things To Do in L.A. This Week [11-21-2022 to 11-25-2022]

A short week means a short (ish) rundown, but there are still A LOT of holiday-themed activities kicking off over the next few days. But if all you really want to do is eat a giant meal and hangout with loved ones, we’re totally on board for that!

From November 21-25 in Los Angeles, you’ll find Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens, the 16h Annual Thanksgiving Feast Show, the Los Angeles Turkey Trot, Winter Fest in the O.C., Lights on Display in Sherman Oaks, Holiday Road in Calabasas, and more. Enjoy your Thanksgiving week!

Things To Do This Week

Enchanted: Forest of Light -> Descanso Gardens’ annual light show is back, showcasing a range of wondrous, illuminated installations, including a magical “stained glass” creations built in the Rose Garden by contemporary sculptor Tom Fruin. The one-mile walk also features geometric installations from HYBYCOZO on the Main Lawn; Flower Power lights, and sparkling adornments added to Descanso’s Ancient Forest. Tickets cost $34-$40 for non-member adults. Runs daily through January 8, except for off-days on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. More info here.

L.A. Auto Show -> The nation’s top auto show continues this week at Los Angeles Convention Center, as it powers through a ten-day affair featuring a a who’s who of automotive exhibitors, plus vehicle test drives, activations, and family-friendly entertainment. Single day tickets start at $22 for adults. Runs through November 27. Get more info here.

16th Annual Thanksgiving Feast Show -> This Wednesday, The Elysian Theater Need takes family holiday dysfunction to a whole new level with an improvised comedy performance featuring some of L.A. best players, each embodying one of your (least) favorite Thanksgiving attendee stereotypes. And as bonus, there will even be food served to the audience, so if you come hungry you too can be part of the dysfunctional feast. Tickets are $15. Show starts at 8 p.m. Get more info here.

L.A. Zoo Lights -> The Los Angeles Zoo’s brightest annual tradition transforms the zoo grounds into a world of light and holiday magic. The after-hours event offers brightly lit displays and festive family-friendly experience every night throughout the entire holiday season. This week, the event runs Wednesday, is off for Thanksgiving, then pops up again for the weekend Friday to Sunday. Adult tickets range from $34-$39, depending on the desired date to attend. More info here.

Pershing Square Holiday Ice -> The 7,200 square foot skating rink in the heart of DTLA returns starting this week, kicking off with a kick-off with an opening celebration this Wednesday at 11 a.m. GA tickets, including skate rental, cost $20 for adults. The rink runs daily through New Year’s Day. Get more info here.

Ice Santa Monica -> Downtown Santa Monic’a Ice brings 8,000-square-foot pop-up rink to the corner of Fifth Street and Arizona Avenue, running daily through January 16, 2022. Skate rental and all-day admission runs $20 per person. Get more info here.

Lightscape at The L.A. Arboretum -> The L.A. Arboretum’s annual lights display continues this Wednesday–Sunday (skipping Thanksgiving Day), brightening up the holiday season with a one-mile trail of installations and twinkling displays. GA adult tickets range $37-$39, depending on the date selected for purchase. Get more info here.

Los Angeles Turkey Trot -> This Thursday, the annual Turkey Trot 5k/10k fundraiser carves a path through Downtown Los Angeles, with a route that breezes past Grand Park, Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Broad, MOCA, historic Spring Street. Registration costs $49-$64, and proceeds from the event benefit the Midnight Mission, which provides vital services to those experiencing homelessness in and around DTLA. Register and get more info here.

Winter Fest O.C. -> Starting this Friday, Winter Fest returns to the OC Fair & Event Center for 26 days and nights of family-friendly entertainment, including outdoor ice skating, a nine-lane 150-foot-long ice tubing slide, ice bumper cars, and LED mini golf, plus nightly Holiday celebration featuring snow flurries and Santa appearances. Pre-sale tickets (available through November 24) start as low as $14.95 for kids, and $19.95 for adults. Get more info here.

Lights on Display in Sherman Oaks -> One of the most elaborate home lighting displays of the holiday season is back starting this Friday. Sherman Oaks resident Mike Ziemkowski has a brand new edition of Lights on Display for 2022, but per usual you’ll find an elaborate mix of computer controlled lighting, DMX controlled intelligent light, and a bevy of animatronic characters synched to a pre-programmed playlist of holiday tunes. The experience is free to check out, and will run Thursday to Sunday through New Year’s Day following this week’s opening. Get more info here.

Fourth Fridays on 4th Street -> Retro Row in Long Beach comes alive on the fourth Friday of the month with special pop-ups, live performances, and extended store hours from shops on 4th St between Temple and Cherry. The event runs 6 to 9 p.m. Get more info here.

Cookin’ With Gas -> This Friday and Saturday, the Groundlings Main Company, Alumni and Sunday Company members team up together for a special holiday edition of Cookin’ With Gas, the long standing weekly show where performers improvise based on audience suggestion. Tickets for the shows are $22, and both nights begin at 8 p.m. Get more info here.

Holiday Road -> This Friday-Sunday, Holiday Road returns to King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas for its third year, bringing a 1-mile walking trail of immersive scenes and holiday-themed activities for all to enjoy. The experience continues on select dates through December 30. Tickets range from $29.99-$44.99. Get more info here.

Dining & Drinking

(picks by Christina Champlin)

Genever Self Care Night -> This Wednesday, relax and unwind before the chaos of the holiday with complimentary massages, manis, and self-care packages with the purchase of a cocktail at women-owned cocktail bar Genever. The “Thanks Taking” event runs 6 to 10 p.m. and services are subject to demand. 

Hainan Chicken Pot Pie at Pearl River Deli -> Just for this week the popular Hainan chicken at Chinatown’s Pearl River Deli gets a Thanksgiving makeover as a pot pie. Made with chicken, carrots, peas, corn, and potatoes in a ginger scallion bechamel sauce, the pie comes fully baked in an all-butter pie crust for $60. It feeds four to six people and all you need to do is reheat. Orders can be made through Hot Plate for pick up Wednesday or Thursday.

World Cup, Beers & Breakfast Burritos All Week at Propagator -> Firestone Walker’s Propagator in Venice will be opening at 11 a.m. starting this Monday and through Saturday throughout the FIFA World Cup tournament, offering $6 pints of Firestone’s signature Hopnosis IPA and a $14 breakfast burrito special. All six TVs will be playing the games all week. 

Planning Your Thanksgiving Options -> Have you planned your Thanksgiving yet? There’s still time to submit take out orders or make a reservation. I’ve put together a round-up of 10 standouts from pies to Thai food, whole roasted turkeys and prix fixe menus. Check out the guide here and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

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