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Looks like it’s going to be a (very) wet Christmas for all here in SoCal. First and foremost, stay apprised of the upcoming atmospheric river as you plan out your week.
The to-dos are a little light for this December 22-26 (holidays and all), but we’ve still got a few standouts for you to consider, which you can check out below. Hope you have a good one!
Things To Do This Week
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Handsome Holibobs Extravaganza – M > Comedians Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, and Mae Martin bring their popular podcast to Dynasty Typewriter this Monday for the Handsome Holibobs Extravaganza. The trio of handsome hosts will field questions from friends and share ridiculous stories in their signature conversational style for this special live holiday taping. Fans who cannot attend in person can purchase access to a digital livestream that remains available for seven days after the show. General admission tickets are $30 in advance or $17.50 for the livestream. Starts at 4:30 p.m. More info here.
Holiday Plant Bingo -> This Monday, Common Space Brewery in Hawthorne hosts a botanical-themed bingo night to celebrate the season. This festive gathering features nine rounds of plant-focused bingo where players can compete to win various indoor plants and specialized accessories. Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite holiday attire, such as ugly sweaters or Santa hats, to add to the atmosphere. Tickets include game entry and a raffle for additional prizes, while craft beers are available for purchase separately. Event tickets are $15. Runs 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. More info here.
Arturo Sandoval Swinging Holiday Concerts – TP > Multiple Grammy-winning trumpeter Arturo Sandoval brings his signature jazz flair to Walt Disney Concert Hall this Tuesday for a high-energy evening of seasonal classics. Part of the Deck the Hall holiday series, the Swinging Holiday performance features Sandoval and his band delivering virtuosic arrangements of festive favorites. Known for his technical brilliance and infectious stage presence, the legendary musician offers a jumping and jiving alternative to traditional carols in one of the city’s most iconic acoustic venues. Tickets for this performance start at $55. Concert begins at 8 p.m. More info here.
Sketch Party -> Sketch Party’s twice-monthly drawing/drinking meet-up comes to Benny Boy Brewing this Tuesday. They’ll hook you up with sketch paper, pens, pencils, and markers, then it’s up to you to create, mingle, hang out, and enjoy BB’s solid lineup of craft beers and ciders. All artistic levels welcome. Free to attend. Runs 7 to 11 p.m. 21+ only. More info here.
LA County Holiday Celebration – M FA > On Wednesday, the 66th annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration returns live to The Music Center with a diverse lineup of L.A.-based artists performing holiday favorites. 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. Runs 3 to 6 p.m. More info here.
Love Isn’t Blind -> The popular comedy dating experiment Love Isn’t Blind arrives at Temple Beth Israel of Highland Park this Wednesday for a special Christmas Eve edition. How does it work? Men compete for a bachelorette without speaking, participating in games that include calling their moms and unlocking their phones. The evening concludes with the timeless tradition of a Chinese food buffet, which is included with every ticket. Audience members can even wear wristbands indicating their relationship status to facilitate mingling. Tickets for the show and dinner $44.05. Event runs 7 to 10 p.m. More info here.
Astra Lumina: An Enchanted Night Walk Amongst The Stars -> The South Coast Botanic Garden again morphs into a multi-sensory celestial pathway where guests will walk amongst the stars thanks to brilliant lights, cosmic visions, and astral song. Expect nine immersive zones decked out with radiant light installations, 360º soundscapes, and cosmic narratives. Adult tickets start at $32.90 and there’s an additional fee for parking. More info here.
Enchanted Forest of Light -> Descanso Gardens’ dazzling winter tradition, Enchanted Forest of Light continues now through January 4. Wander through a one-mile pathway of large-scale, interactive installations, including the glowing stained-glass cottages by Tom Fruin and the geometric works of HYBYCOZO. New this year are two special ‘Music & Mixology’ nights on December 10th and 11th, featuring live “yacht rock” hits from Yachty by Nature while you sip craft cocktails. Timed entry starts at 5:30 p.m. on open dates. Adult, non-member tickets run $27-$45. This week, the experience will be open on Monday, Tuesday or Friday. More info here.
Holiday Road -> Holiday Road continues an over-the-top light display to King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas for its final stretch of the season. This immersive mile-long walking trail features larger-than-life holiday installations, fields of candy canes, and appearances by Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their elves. Guests can enjoy a festive holiday bar and numerous photo opportunities while wandering through thousands of twinkling lights. The experience is designed for all ages, with food and seasonal treats available on-site for purchase. Tickets start at $24.99, plus parking fees. Runs 5 to 9 p.m. this week on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. Closed Christmas and Christas Eve. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Firstborn Christmas Eve Dinner (December 24) -> Firstborn goes all in on Christmas Eve with a one-night-only prix fixe that feels equal parts cozy, nostalgic, and distinctly Chinatown. Chef Anthony channels childhood holiday memories through a modern American lens, serving a five-course, family-style feast for $110 per person. The menu opens with warm Japanese sweet potatoes with sesame sabayon, followed by pumpkin congee topped with confit pork belly, and char siu duck leg sausage paired with duck XO sauce, grilled endive, and green apple. The main event is aged Liberty duck breast served alongside a duck-fat scallion pancake and classic condiments. A luxe truffle supplement adds tofu dumplings with black winter truffles for an additional $60. Dessert closes the night with a ginger cookie layered with buckwheat cream, pear, and puffed rice. Reservations are recommended and available via OpenTable, with seatings from 4 to 8:30 p.m.
Christmas Brunch Buffet at Fitoor (December 24-25) -> Fitoor Santa Monica is leaning fully into the holidays with a festive brunch buffet served on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, plus a rotating holiday cocktail cart running through the end of December. Priced at $105 per person, the brunch delivers an expansive spread with stations dedicated to Burmese Khow Suey, chaat, Frankie and dips, dosa, mains, and desserts. Highlights include pani puri, samosa chaat, egg roast curry, Hyderabadi dum ka murgh, mutton keema biryani, and prunes crème brûlée. Throughout December, the holiday cocktail cart keeps things lively, switching up weekly with festive drinks or seasonal small plates and sweets as it moves through the dining room. It’s a joyful, high-energy way to kick off the holidays. Reservations can be made via Opentable.
A New Orleans Style Holiday at Harold & Belle’s (December 25) -> Harold & Belle’s, the longtime Creole institution that’s anchored Jefferson Park since 1969, is opening its doors on Christmas Day from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. The family-owned spot will serve a special holiday menu alongside its full à la carte offerings. For $45, guests can opt into a festive holiday plate featuring Cajun turkey or beef pot roast with traditional sides, finished with the restaurant’s beloved Louisiana bread pudding. Prefer to stick with the classics? The full menu is available too, with staples like gumbo, étouffée, jambalaya, and other Creole favorites bringing true New Orleans flavor to Christmas in L.A.
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