Posted by Every week in Los Angeles there are tons of great things to do (even before the weekend gets started) that we think you ought to have on your radar. With that in mind, we put together a list every Monday through Friday morning to keep you in the know about what’s happening in the city you love (or maybe just like).
This week, from Monday, December 3 to Friday, December 7, features LA Times 101 Best Restaurants, Love Actually at The Wallis, 29Rooms at The Reef, Chinatown After Dark, The Hipsters by the Pacific Opera Project, Echo Park Craft Fair and MUCH more.
advertisements
Remember you can always go to our L.A. events calendar page to get an updated rundown of what’s happening around the city.
Hope you find the rundown useful and, as always, enjoy your week!
Keep in mind that while we retain complete editorial control of our content, for some of the ticketing options provided we utilize affiliate links and receive a commission if you purchase through our links.
Monday December 3rd, 2018
1. Grand Park’s Winter Glow is a free immersive art experience covering 12 acres of Grand Park in Downtown Los Angeles. The art, projection and light displays will illuminate paths and play off of the park’s most iconic elements, including the Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain. The holiday-inspired event will run nightly from December 1 to 25. FREE
2. LA Times 101 Best Restaurants We Love will take place at The MacArthur. The guide with the same name will be published that day and the party will feature some of L.A.’s best dishes featured in the massive guide.
3. Descanso Gardens’ Enchanted: Forest of Light returns for another installment with a host of interactive displays and nighttime activities from November 18 through January 6, 2019 daily. This seasonal event runs daily. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
4. Step into a world of limitless creativity and unlock new realms of photography inside Canon PORTALS, coming to Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica (Nov. 29 – Dec 16). The ongoing series of events features photo-walks, workshops, and on-site camera experts. FREE
5. Astronomy on Tap hosted by Caltech Astronomy happens once a month at Der Wolf in Pasadena. Professionals will give informal talks about a variety of topics while enjoying German beers with the public.
6. LA Auto Show returns with thousand cars on display. From Nov. 30 to Dec. 9 experience various car exhibits, model debuts and more at the LA Convention Center.
7. Rooftop Cinema Club returns with holiday themed screenings at their Los Angeles venues at LEVEL in Downtown LA and Hollywood location, NeueHouse. The spaces will turn into a Winter Wonderland with holiday decorations, snow and festive food. This weekend they will screen Elf, It’s a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Story and more.
8. The annual LA Kings Holiday Ice happening at L.A. LIVE’s Microsoft Square is a daily outdoors holiday skating rink. Open November 10, 2018 through January 6, 2019.
Tuesday December 4th, 2018
9. For The Record presents the world premiere production of Love Actually Live at The Wallis. The musical will bring one of the most beloved holiday movies to life through an all-star cast and 15-piece orchestra. Playing December 4-31. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
10. Support a good cause and fill your belly during Chefs Stand Up happening at The Standard in DTLA. The series invites some of the best, award-winning chefs from across the country to create a one-time-only meal and artwork combination. This month Alex Raij and Eder Montero from La Vara, Txikito, El Quinto Pino, and Saint Julivert in NYC.
11. LACMA’s latest exhibit, Outliers and American Vanguard Art, highlight a period in American art history when avant-garde artists and outliers (that is, artists without formal training) intersected.
12. One of L.A.’s most magical holiday traditions, L.A. Zoo Lights returns November 16, 2018 through January 6, 2019 with thousands upon thousands of LED lights illuminating the zoo. This seasonal event runs daily. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
13. Sherman Oaks resident Mike Ziemkowski’s elaborate Christmas themed animatronic characters will return once again with Lights on Display a dazzling light show with a playlist of holiday tunes. Free to the public, the 13-minute show runs nightly 6 to 10 p.m. from November 23 through January 1, 2018. FREE
14. Its Holiday Tree Lighting time for the city of San Gabriel. Festivities begin at 6p.m. at Plaza Park across from City Hall. Ornament making, live entertainment by local schools and youth groups, and an appearance by Santa Claus will all be part of the celebration. FREE
15. It’s that time of the year to celebrate the holiday season, which is the main purpose of Fa La Land, a pop up museum at Row DTLA. Guests will enjoy a wide variety of installations like a Jingle Bell Toy Factory and a fluorescent “Fa La Forest.” Fa La Land runs Nov. 18 through Jan. 6, 2019. Happening Tuesdays through Sundays. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
16. The Bai Holiday Ice Rink returns to Pershing Square from Nov. 15, 2018 to Jan. 21, 2019 daily featuring a 7200 square foot outdoor ice-skating experience. A wide variety of events will take place throughout the duration of the rink.
17. The Foodie Space (Nov. 21- Dec. 30) is the latest interactive pop-up museum designed for serial foodie photo-taker’s. Located in Pasadena the museum claims to poke fun at society’s obsession with social media and #foodporn. Food-themed exhibits include a giant bowl of phở, glitter fries that you can marry and more. Happening Tuesdays through Sundays.
18. Free museum day: Kidspace Children’s Museum (from 4 to 8 p.m.), Natural History Museum and Page Museum at La Brea Tarpits
Wednesday December 5th, 2018
19. Join Refinery29 in an immersive installation during 29rooms at The Reef (December 5-9). The event will feature 29 different interactive spaces created by artists both local and international. Experience include anonymous palm reading, sound bath, a blindfolded multi-sensory ASMR tunnel, live dance performances, and more.
20. This Wednesday the New York Times celebrates their new section Past Tense, and its first issue, California: A State of Change, with a live event at the Japanese American National Museum. The evening features a boozy reception followed by readings from Times journalist Amanda Hess, critic at-large Melena Ryzik, and Surfacing reporter Walter Thompson Hernandez. PLUS: Listen in on a conversation between novelist Walter Mosley and “Song Exploder” podcast host, Hrishikesh Hirway. Use the promo code SONGEXPLODER to get 50% off tickets.
21 The Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanic Garden presents Moonlight Forest, where crafted lanterns line the garden grounds, some depicting animals, shimmering exotic flowers, and figures from Chinese legends. Happening Wednesdays through Sunday till November. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
22. BLVD Kitchen in Sherman Oaks will host an open house this Wednesday inviting guests to enjoy wine, hot cider, bountiful samples from chefs and preview upcoming culinary classes. The store front will also have 10-25% off on gifts.
23. Stop by Salazar every first and third Wednesday from November to February for a Mezcal Tasting Series with select mezcal brands. You’ll hear the history and culture of each brand and taste different expressions paired with snacks.
24. Celebrate the holiday season during a Queen Mary Christmas (daily Nov. 23 – Jan. 6) The special occasion will see Christmas spirit lining the famous Long Beach vessel including an 80-foot Christmas tree, a variety of holiday activities, an outdoor staking rink, musical performances, a 4D showing of The Polar Express, and dinner shows on select dates. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
25. Beautycon is offering a pop up experience titled Beautycon POP from Nov. 16 through Dec. 16 daily featuring immersive galleries, makeup brands, vendors, a salon and other beauty related activities.
26. Get into the winter spirit when ICE at Santa Monica returns with a 8,000 square foot ice skating rink. Running November 3, 2018 through January 21, 2019.
Thursday December 6th, 2018
27. Every first and third Thursday of the month Brennan’s in Marina Del Rey hosts their famous turtle races. Since 1974, this tradition brings these little speedsters out of their sanctuary (located in the bar) for an exciting game that support charities. Race starts at 9 p.m.
28. Chinatown After Dark going down at Far East Plaza happens every first Thursday of the month and is a testing ground for chefs in our city as well as a place to enjoy local music.
29. Head down to The Fairplex at Pomona for the Chinese Lantern Festival where the theme is “The Wild,” featuring animals represented in lanterns from five different areas of the world, Antartica, Asia, Oceania, Africa and America. Some of the larger pieces stand all the way up to 23 feet tall. The festival run every Thursday through Sunday from Nov. 15 – Jan. 16.
advertisements
30. Winterfest at Santa Anita Park kicks off the holiday season in style. This family-friendly event includes a visit from Santa Claus, horse drawn carriage rides a Santa’s Village and petting zoo, carolers, seasonal foods, 80+ vendors and much more. Winterfest continues Thursdays through Sunday from November 23 through December 2. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
31. Since 1969 Bob Baker’s Marionette Theater’s adaptation of the Nutcracker has been warming hearts and delighting kids and adults during the holidays. The show includes over 100 handmade puppets at the Pasadena Playhouse. Running now until Dec. 30.
32. Culver City Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration in Downtown Culver City will get the businesses on that street in the holiday spirit. They’ll be providing hot beverages, cookies and other treats to the public while local choirs, the Mayor and city council members and an appearance by Dixie of Dixie’s Tupperware Party, courtesy of the Kirk Douglas Theatre entertain. FREE
33 Artist Ken Salter brings his experiential installation Garden of Strange Loops: So Tonight that I Might See to Gallery 30 South in Pasadena. The exclusive exhibit will allow guests to interact with a “Reflecting Pool” while sensors track the guests movements and transform them into one-of-a-kind psychedelic images in an instant. Events will be held through January 27, 2019.
34. Party With is Los Angeles’ new Instagram-ready experience. Opening it’s doors on Friday Nov. 16 in Westfield Santa Anita Mall, folks can expect 15 premium photogenic installations like an infinity rainbow and a room filled with sparkling disco balls. Party With runs through January 27 and is open Thursdays through Sundays. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
35. Free museum day: Japanese American National Museum (from 5 to 8 p.m.), MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.), Skirball Cultural Center (noon to 5 p.m.) and Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m.)
Friday December 7th, 2018
36. The Pacific Opera Project presents “La bohème,” or “The Hipsters” throughout the month of December. Set to current times the show follows the story of several Los Angelenos during a cold SoCal winter as they tackle the city’s housing crises, love, jealousy and more. Happening on select days this month at Highland Park Ebell Club. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
37. The Echo Park Craft Fair returns to Mack Sennett Studios in Silver Lake on December 7-9 with over 120 curated artist, makers and food vendors.
38. Street Food Cinema and Heritage Square Museum team up for Yuletide Cinemaland. Enjoy a festive outdoor movie screening experience in a Victorian town square surrounded by Christmas carolers, food trucks, hot chocolate, mulled wine and craft beer. Kicking off the series is a screening of A Christmas Story. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
39. Enjoy a special performance of The Nutcracker (Dec. 1 – 24.) by the American Contemporary Ballet on the 18th floor of California Plaza in downtown. After the show, guests are invited by The Fairy for a celebration with live music, champagne, and more.
40. The Griffith Observatory hosts a monthly forum where some of the most amazing phenomena in the known universe are explained and discussed. It’s called All Space Considered and it takes place on the first Friday of every month. FREE
41. Here and Now transforms it’s newly opened space into a holiday bar called Blitzen’s from November 28 through December 31. Get transported to the the North Pole and enjoy a snow machine, themed entertainment like Bad Santa and carolers, and seasonal food and drinks.
42. Holiday Concerts in the Pasadena Playhouse District, takes place on Friday nights from November 30 through December 21. This week Little Brazil will perform in Vroman’s Courtyard FREE
43. The Holiday Light Festival Train Ride at Griffith Park is a festive one mile ride on the tracks with tens of thousands of lights to get you in the Holiday spirit. Running daily Nov 23 through Dec. 23 and then again from December 26 to December 30.
advertisements
44. Since its the first Friday of the month check out all the cool events happening around town including block parties and art walks for First Fridays.
45. L.A.’s pop-up museum catalogue is growing larger this fall with The Pizza Experience – a multi-sensory pizza themed walkthrough. Explore giant installations, an oversized cheese pool, a pizza hall of fame, pizza theme-flavored snacks throughout, actual pizza slices and more. The Pizza Experience runs through January 7. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
46. Free museum day: Norton Simon Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)
Drink Pick for the Week
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpC9tUHBPwX/
This week’s pick by Christina Champlin, Co-Founder of We Like L.A.
On December 5, 1933 prohibition officially bit the dust. In honor of that day, bars all over Los Angeles celebrate Repeal Day through parties and cheap drink specials. You’ll want to take advantage of $1 Old Fashioned, Mules and .35 cent martinis and manhattans. Cheers and drink responsibly.
- The Mermaid bar in Little Tokyo will have $1 Old Fashioned and Champagne from 5 to 8 p.m.
- The Other Door in North Hollywood will offer .35 cent Bathtub Martini and Manhattan cocktails plus 50 cent Corpse Reviver and Rum Daisy. Starting at 6 p.m. till close.
- Score $1 mules at Idle Hour in North Hollywood from 5-7 p.m. or until supplies run out.
- The Melrose Umbrella Company will transform their space into 1933 with bootleg barrels, a vintage 1928 Model A Ford, 1930’s inspired entertainment, drink specials, Angles Envy bourbon and an Old Fashioned making station.
- Apotheke LA will throw a party featuring prohibition cocktail specials, jazz music, and prizes for best dressed.
- The Exhibition Room in Long Beach is a Prohibition-style hidden museum and bar. Celebrate repeal day with cocktails and live music from The Alexanders and Suitcase Stompers.
- Seven Grand in DTLA will be serving discounted classic cocktails all night long. That means you can score Old Fashioneds, Whiskey Sours, Sazeracs, Mint Juleps, and Manhattans on the cheap!
- Bar Franca will roll out Ilegal Mezcal cocktails along side other drinks specials all night long.
Want to get our to-do lists straight to your inbox every week? Sign up for our email program.
Have an upcoming event you’d like suggest for listing? Drop us a line at [email protected]
advertisements
