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Hopefully you’ll be spending this Christmas holiday with the ones you love (that’s what the holidays are here for, right?). But if being out and about is part of your plan, well, we’ve got a few ideas.
Scan our Christmas weekend suggestions below, and of course whatever you decide on, we hope you have the merriest of weekends!
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Things To Do This Weekend in Los Angeles
Cocoa & Carols at Runway -> Runway Playa Vista wraps up their Friday night holiday programming this week with a season ending evening of gourmet hot cocoa and sing-alongs, all backdropped by a festive ginger bread house. Caroling takes place from 6 to 8 p.m., with 100 servings of cocoa (first come, first served) to be given away. More info here.
Arturo Sandoval at Disney Concert Hall -> This Friday, 10-time Grammy-winner Arturo Sandoval brings an evening of jazzed-up holiday favorites to the Walt Disney Concert Hall beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $47 per person. Get more info here.
The Nutcracker -> Long Beach Ballet’s dazzling production of The Nutcracker continues at the Terrace Theater at the Long Beach Convention Center this Thursday and Friday. Tickets range from $25-$129. Get more info here.
Beastie Boys EXHIBIT at Beyond the Streets -> Beyond the Streets and CONTROL Gallery have teamed up to create the most comprehensive Beastie Boys exhibition ever assembled in Los Angeles, which includes never-before-seen historical artifacts, ephemera, and photographs. EXHIBIT recently opened at the BTS flagship location on La Brea Ave and will run through January 13. This week, the exhibition is open Wednesday to Saturday. Reserve free advance tickets here.
Pershing Square Holiday Ice -> The 7,200 square foot skating rink in the heart of DTLA is in full swing for the holiday season. 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. The rink runs daily through January 16, 2022. Skate rental and all-day admission runs $20 per person. Get more info here.
Gingerbread House Bar & Holiday Movie Nights at I|O Rooftop -> The Godfrey’s I|O Rooftop has been reimagined into a Gingerbread House Bar serving festive holiday drinks inside a cookie-inspired space. I|O is also hosting weekly Holiday Movie Nights with a minimum of two cocktails or $40 spend. This Friday they’ll screen A Nightmare Before Christmas and A Christmas Story. Complimentary popcorn will be given out for the screenings. More info here.
LA County Holiday Celebration -> The 63rd annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration returns live to The Music Center this Saturday with a diverse lineup of L.A.-based performers, including choral groups, dance troupes and local artists. If you can’t make it out for the show, remember the performance will also be broadcast on PBS SoCal and streamed live on pbssocal.org. More info here.
Shogun Santa -> Shogun Santa pops up in Little Tokyo this Saturday for a festive photo op, first at Japanase Village Plaza from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., then at Little Tokyo Galleria from 4 to 6 p.m. More info here.
It’s a Wonderful Life -> Secret Movie Club and the Million Dollar Theater host a Christmas Eve matinee of It’s a Wonderful Life this Saturday. The movie starts at 11 a.m. Tickets are $14 for early bird, or $16 on the day of the screening. More info here.
Die Hard on Christmas Eve -> If action and explosions are more of your holiday prerequisites, the New Beverly Cinema screens Die Hard on Christmas Eve, allowing you to yippee-ki-yay your way straight into the Santa’s big day. There will be two showtimes; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Note that online tickets have sold out, but some extras will be available at the box office about one hour before each screening. More info here.
Holiday Road -> While most ticketed light displays and immersive experiences will close up shop for Christmas holiday weekend, Holiday Road at King Gillette Ranch is staying open on Christmas Eve with their one-mile walking trail of immersive scenes and holiday-themed activities. Adult admission for Saturday starts at $34.99 per person, with kids 2 and under free. And yes, they’ll be closed on Christmas Day. More info here.
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Winterfest in the O.C. -> Speaking of open for Christmas, Winterfest at the O.C. Fair & Event Center will be open both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, offering an 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. GA tickets for this weekend start at $21.56 for adults, or $17.56 for kids. More info here.
Christmas Lights in L.A. -> Sometimes the best holiday memories are made by piling in the car, cruising from neighborhood to neighborhood, and scouring for the best lights displays in the city. If that’s your aim this weekend, here are a few ideas:
- Candy Cane Lane in Woodland Hills
- Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena
- Venice Canals
- Upper Hastings Ranch in Sierra Madre
- Sleepy Hollow Lights in Torrance
- Lights on Display in Sherman Oaks
- The Lilley Hall home in Toluca Lake
Bonus: Boxing Class on Boxing Day -> If you need to work off some of your holiday indulgences, suit up for a shadow boxing class on Fairmont Century Plaza’s rooftop this Monday. The luxury hotel has partnered with BoxUnion for a 45 minute total body workout taught by instructor Prince Terrence. Tickets cost $20 a person and include a gift bag from Fairmont Spa Century Plaza and complimentary parking. Yoga mats are limited. Bring your own mat if you can. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
There’s still time to book a reservation for a meal on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Below are a few last minute suggestions.
Drago Centro Feast of the Seven Fishes Tasting Menu -> On Christmas Eve, Executive Chef Celestino Drago will prepare a special Sicilian inspired Feast of the Seven Fishes Tasting Menu. Priced at $145 per person, the menu features a number of innovative Italian dishes including Lobster Cappuccino to Beet Spaghetti with Langoustine and a Takoashi Octopus Salad with miniature vegetables. More info here.
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Christmas Day Menu at ALK -> ALK, The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood’s signature restaurant will be open on Christmas offering a three course menu with vegan options available. For $95 a person, the prix fixe menu includes Heirloom Cauliflower Popcorn, Herb Cured Chimmicuri Steak, and Apple Mascarpone Bruschetta. More info here.
The Raymond 1886 Christmas Eve Tasting Menu -> For the holidays the Pasadena restaurant will prepare a special Christmas Eve tasting menu. Priced at $135 a person, the three course menu includes a comforting Onion Soup with herb croutons and Parmesan; Half Roasted Mary’s Chicken in a caper butter sauce; and “Santa’s Delight” a.k.a. homemade cookies and milk. Pair the dinner with The Raymond 1886’s award-winning wine list or a cocktail from the 1886 bar. More info here.
Brews & Brunch on Native Son LA at Native Son LA -> Gather your friends for a casual brunch at Native Son brewery in Downtown Los Angeles. Start with the Nativity Son Spritz made with pinot noir from Santa Barbara County, cranberry juice, sparkling rosé, and fortified wine Mommenpop Kumquat. The brunch menu will be available on that day with the addition of two festive specials; a Turkey Meatball Plate with pommes puree, gravy, and cranberry sauce, and a Bananas Foster for dessert. More info here.
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