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Two weeks away from Christmas, and the holidays are in full effect!
In view for this December 12-14 in Los Angeles, you’ll find the Marina Del Rey Holiday Boat Parade, the Echo Park Community Parade, Angel City Brewery’s Holiday Block Party, the Downtown Burbank Winter Arts Festival, a Holiday Sing-Along at Disney Concert Hall, a Festival of Tea at Smorgasburg, LA Opera’s 3rd annual Celebración de las Artes, a Hanukkah Festival at the Skirball Cultural Center, and more.
Things To Do This Weekend
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
DS Night Market Expands to Daytime Hours – M > Chinatown’s indie Thai-focused DS Night Market is leveling up its weekend game with newly expanded daytime hours, giving the community even more time to eat, shop, and hang. Taking over Chinatown Central Plaza, the market channels the high-energy vibe of Thailand’s street scenes with a lineup of Thai food vendors, local makers selling holiday-ready gifts, and a stage for emerging performers. The market now runs Fridays from 5 to 11 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 9 p.m. Entry is free, and the whole experience is family-friendly. More info here.
Ivy Station Holiday Market – M FA > This Friday, take a walk and shop for gifts from 30+ local vendors at the Ivy Station Holiday Night Market in Culver City. Plus, you’ll find gourmet food trucks, pop-ups, craft beer from Los Angeles Ale Works, photos with Santa, DIY ornament-making, adoptable dogs from spcaLA, and more. Runs 5 to 10 p.m. More info here.
The Pop-Hop Winter Invitational Art Show – FA > The Pop-Hop, a worker-owned bookshop and community space in Highland Park, celebrates five years as a worker-owned co-op with its 2025 Winter Invitational Art Show, running from December 11 through January 4. The exhibit closes out the year with a holiday bash and features the work of over 40 artists from the shop’s creative community, showcasing diverse mediums including drawing, painting, digital art, and sculpture. This is a chance to celebrate the unique magic and history of the space with its founders. An opening reception is scheduled for this Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. More info here.
Comics O’Clock – FA > This Friday, Echo Park’s Heavy Manners Library welcomes Comics O’Clock: A Comic Reading hosted by Mikey Heller. The event features live readings by a diverse lineup of local cartoonists, including Ben Passmore, Gemma Correll, and Rosemary Valero-O’Connell. Attendees can enjoy the unique format where artists read their work aloud, often accompanied by visuals. The event is “pay what you want,” with all donations directly supporting the Heavy Manners Library. It all starts at 7 p.m. More info here.
Hot Chocolate Nutcracker -> Continuing this Friday to Sunday, the Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA) presents its award-winning production of “Hot Chocolate Nutcracker” at Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. The highly-anticipated performance follows a young girl, Kara as she steps into a land of wonder journeying to fantastical places such as Candy Cane Land, Egypt, the Indian Rainforest/Bollywood, Jazzland, Russia and the Land of the Kimono Dolls. Tickets start at $54.59. Performances run through December 15. More info here.
Chain Holiday House -> Chain, the celebrity-driven pop-cuisine enterprise, is hosting its an intimate Holiday House at the Chain House location in Silver Lake, continuing this Friday to Sunday. Designed as an all-inclusive, two-hour tasting tour, the event features a chaotic and kitschy holiday party atmosphere and unique, chef-driven collabs with popular partners, including Arby’s, Panda Express, and Dunkin’. Guests will enjoy a multi-course meal, specialized holiday cocktails/mocktails designed by Thunderbolt LA, and access to a vintage gift shop. Tickets start at $74.99. More info here.
Marina Del Rey Holiday Boat Parade – FA TP > The Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade returns on Saturday for the 63rd installment with the theme “A Nightmare Before Christmas”, offering musical entertainment, food trucks, and a pre-parade lights display. The public can enjoy from viewing spots at Burton Chace Park and Fisherman’s Village. The parade begins at 6 p.m., immediately preceded by the fireworks display. More info here.
The 70th Compton Christmas Parade – FA > Compton native The Game will serve as Grand Marshal for the 70th Compton Christmas Parade which runs along Compton Blvd and Bullis St from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday. More info here.
2nd Annual Krampus Art Show– FA TP > On Saturday, Krampus is coming to Santa Monica as CoprOGallery hosts “The 2nd Annual Krampus Show.” Curated by Monte Beauchamp of BlabWorld, the exhibition features dark and festive works from dozens of participating artists inspired by the mythical creature. The gallery is located on the campus of Bergamot Station, and the opening reception is from 6 to 10 p.m. Exhibition runs through January 3. More info here.
Holiday Sing-Along at Walt Disney Concert Hall – M > A beloved holiday tradition, the Holiday Sing-Along, returns to the Walt Disney Concert Hall as part of the Deck the Hall Holiday Concerts series this Saturday. Hosted by Melissa Peterman and featuring conductor John Sutton, the choir voices/LA, a jazz combo, and the famed pipe organ, this joyous annual event invites hundreds of revelers to join in song for a jolly good time. Two sessions are offered this day. Performances take place at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tickets start at $19. More info here.
Valley Cultural Foundation’s 4th Annual Holiday Arts & Music Festival – FA > This Saturday, enjoy some holiday fun including free photos with Santa, snow play, small business shopping, food trucks and crafts for kids, all presented at the Valley Cultural Foundation’s annual holiday fest at Warner Park. Free to attend. More info here.
The Echo Park Community Parade – FA > The Echo Park Community Parade is back this Saturday with a holiday-themed route along Sunset Blvd in Echo Park, all kicking off at 11 a.m. Free to attend as always. More info here.
Queer Mercado Jingle Mingle – FA > The monthly pop-ups Goddess Mercado and Queer Mercado are combining for the special Goddess & Queer Jingle Mingle holiday fiesta this Saturday. Taking place at the East LA Civic Center, this event features Latina and Queer vendors offering unique arts and gifts, encouraging attendees to shop with intention for the holidays. Guests can enjoy a fashion show, live music, food trucks, an art walk, and creative workshops, in addition to exploring the East LA Farmers Market. The market runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More info here.
Holiday Crazy Crafts Day -> The International Printing Museum in Carson hosts its Holiday Krazy Krafts Day this Saturday, celebrating the beautiful and creative arts of printing, paper, and book making. This hands-on event welcomes all ages, offering more than a dozen activity stations where guests can print custom holiday cards on antique presses, make paper by hand, and foil stamp ornaments. Attendees can also watch press demos, type letters to Santa on vintage typewriters, and even screen print a festive t-shirt. The holiday event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $15. More info here.
Downtown Burbank Winter Arts Festival – FA TP > This Saturday and Sunday, indie artisan market Jackalope has curated a special winter lineup of vendors for the Downtown Burbank Winter Arts Festival. The two-day event covers a stretch of San Fernando Blvd from Magnolia to Angeleno with holiday activities and over 170 vendors offering hand-crafted artisan goods, visual art, photography, jewelry, paper goods, housewares, and more. Runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both dates. Free to attend. More info here.
LA Opera 3rd annual Celebración de las Artes – M FA > On Sunday, LA Opera Connects and Hispanics for LA Opera invite the community to immerse themselves in Latino artistry and culture at the third annual Celebración de las Artes. This free, all-ages community celebration at The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza features a holiday mercado with local vendors, live performances from groups like Boleros With Attitude and Mariachi Elapatlán, and a chance to sing along to holiday favorites with LA Opera’s Zarzuela Project. Guests can also meet the stars of La Bohème and have a custom poem written by RENT Poet. The celebration runs from 4 to 7 p.m. Free to attend. All-ages. More info here.
Angel City Brewery’s Holiday Block Party – FA > Angel City Brewery is closing down Rose and Traction avenues this Sunday for its Annual Holiday Block Party. Presented by Truly LA and Makeshift Muse, this family-friendly event transforms the Arts District into a festive wonderland featuring over 65 local brands, artists, and makers, making it a spectacular one-stop shop for unique holiday gifts. Attendees can enjoy festive entertainment throughout the street and inside both Angel City and Truly LA, plus a holiday-themed photo booth. Runs from noon to 5 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Steep LA x Smorgasburg: Festival of Tea -> Smorgasburg L.A. teams up with Steep LA this Sunday to present the Festival of Tea, a celebration of tea featuring guest vendors, traditional tea ceremonies, and interactive activities. Attendees can also enjoy holiday shopping, music from resident DJs, and specials from Smorgasburg’s regular food and retail vendors. Entry is free, and the first two hours of parking at ROW DTLA are complimentary. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More info here.
Hanukkah Festival at the Skirball Cultural Center > On Sunday, come to the Skirball Cultural Center for their annual Hanukkah Festival, a multigenerational celebration featuring live music, kid friendly activities, tasty traditional treats, and access to exhibition galleries. The Skirball Storytellers will also bring the Hanukkah story to life with a theatrical performance featuring music and puppetry. Then, as sundown approaches, there will be a community candle lighting ceremony. GA tickets start at $20. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
A Holiday Shake Lands at Irv’s Burgers (all month)-> Irv’s Burgers is getting into the holiday spirit with the Peppermint Bliss Shake, a festive blend of vanilla soft serve, crushed peppermint candy, and a swirl of whipped cream. It’s available now through December 31 at all Irv’s Burgers locations.
“Whole Lotta Latkes” at OyBar (December 11-20, 2025) -> OyBar in Studio City is rolling out an eight-night celebration of the mighty latke, spotlighting globally inspired riffs from some of L.A.’s most notable chefs. Each evening brings a new guest creation, from Neela Paniz’s aloo ki tikki with green chili and tamarind chutneys, to Dan Rabilwongse’s French onion–style korokke topped with truffle crème fraîche, to Daniel Patterson’s crispy Japanese sweet potato with dill sauce and smoked trout roe. All dishes are served à la carte alongside the regular menu, and the event is walk-in only. More info here.
OTOTO’s Four Weeks of Ramen (on select days, all month long) -> OTOTO is closing out the year with a slurp-filled countdown: Four Weeks of Ramen, each one featuring a different limited-run bowl. From December 7–13 they’re serving Chicken Shoyu, followed by a vegetarian Curry Ramen with mushroom tempura from December 14–20. The week of December 21–27 brings a classic Shio with chashu pork (note: they’re closed 12/24–25), and the finale from December 28–31 is a Miso loaded with “fancy seafood” (closed 1/1). As always, OTOTO remains walk-in only. More info here.
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