Things To Do in L.A. This Week [12-5-2022 to 12-9-2022]

FIRST: If you’re on the hunt for holiday to-dos, make you check our rundown of things to do for the Christmas season in Los Angeles. Need something for the next few days? Got that covered too.

This week (December 5-9) in L.A. you’ll find panel talks at Japan House and Zócalo Public Square, a tree lighting in San Gabriel, Astra Lumina at South Coast Botanic Garden, a new Andy Warhol photography exhibition, a free pop-up for FX’s Kindred, and more. Hope you find something to tickle your fancy!

Things To Do This Week

Enchanted: Forest of Light -> Descanso Gardens’ annual light is back this November with 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. The experience runs nightly through January 8. Tickets cost $34-$40 for non-member adults. More info here.

Technology and Storytelling at Japan House -> Japanese media artist Masaki Fujihata and composer, multimedia artist and writer DJ Spooky come together for a special panel at Japan House Los Angeles this Tuesday evening. The pair join moderator Michael Emmerich to discuss the role of technology in art and storytelling. The event is free to attend with RSVP. Starts at 7 p.m. More info here.

How Can Women and Girls Win Iran? -> This Tuesday, the latest talk from Zócalo Public Square tackles the issue of government oppression in Iran, focusing on women’s role in the resistance and how they figure into building a more democratic future. The panel features Iran analyst Holly Dagres, artist Sahar Ghorishi, and anthropologist Pardis Mahdavi. After the talk, stick around for complimentary beverages and small bites. Starts at 7 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.

City of San Gabriel Tree Lighting -> The holidays in the 626 get an official kickoff this Tuesday with the tree lighting festivities held at Plaza Park in the City of San Gabriel. Expect  food trucks, refreshments, live entertainment, ornament decorating, and of course a visit from Santa. Runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Get more info here.

Invincible at The Wallis -> The latest production at The Wallis is Invincible, a fresh take on Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, powered by the music of Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo. Performances continue this Tuesday to Sunday, and the production runs on select dates through December 18Tickets range from $29-$105. . 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.

Santa’s Speedway -> A holiday walk built around real-life Nascar track in Irwindale, filled with series of Christmas vignettes and lighting displays, including a Santa’s Village, a 30-foot high Teddy Bear, and a 110-foot free standing Christmas tree. Santa’s Speedway runs this Wednesday to Sunday, and continues on select dates through New Year’s Day. Tickets range $29-$35 for adults. Get more info here.

Lights on Parade -> One of the most elaborate home lighting displays of the holiday season is back in 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 Wednesday to Sunday through New Year’s Day. Get more info here.

Halo Holiday Market -> The Halo Holiday Market is an all-day bazaar featuring local makers, artists, and brands, right in the heart of DTLA. On Wednesday shop one-of-a-kind gifts from handmade jewelry and artist prints to self-care products and gourmet sweets. Free to attend, the market runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More info here.

L.A. Zoo Lights -> The Los Angeles Zoo’s brightest annual tradition will transform the zoo grounds into a world of light and holiday magic. The after-hours event offers brightly lit displays and festive family-friendly experience runs Wednesday through Sunday this week, and on select dates through through January 22. Adult tickets range from $34-$39, depending on the desired date to attend. More info here.

Lightscape at The L.A. Arboretum  -> The L.A. Arboretum’s annual lights display brightens 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. Happening Wednesday through Sunday this week. Get more info here.

Sidney + In The Heat Of The Night + Q&A -> This Thursday, Santa Monica’s Aero Theater Monica hosts a double feature of films featuring Oscar-winner and trailblazer Sidney Poitier. The evening includes a screening of the new Apple Original documentary Sidney, which explores the actor’s iconic legacy. Also on the bill is Norman Jewison’s 1967 In The Heat Of The Night, also starring Poitier. Sidney director Reginald Hudlin will also be on hand for a Q&A. The event is free to attend with RSVP, but seating will be first-come, first-served. Get more info here.

MOCA Together Thursdays -> Both the MOCA Grand Avenue and The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA extend hours to 8 p.m. every Thursday, and on select upcoming dates they’ll also offer a free shuttle connecting the two campuses that runs every twenty minutes from 4 to 8 p.m. Special programming for this Thursday includes DJ’d spun tunes at Aileen Getty Plaza, plus special talk between artist Tala Madani and author Ottessa Moshfegh. Admission to both museums are free. Get more info here.

Holiday Drag Queen Bingo -> This Thursday The Beverly Center is hosting a Holiday Drag Queen Bingo from 5-7 p.m. in The Grand Court. Join Marta Beatchu, Godoy and LaCienega Boulevardez for an entertaining round of bingo as well as complimentary spiked holiday drinks, snacks, live performances and prizes. More info here. 

Astra Lumina: An Enchanted Night Walk Amongst The Stars -> ​​Starting this Thursday, the South Coast Botanic Garden morphs into a multi-sensory celestial pathway where guests will walk amongst the stars thanks to brilliant lights, cosmic visions, and astral song. Astra Lumina is the 17th experience in the Lumina Night Walk series created by Moment Factory. Adult tickets start at $29 and there’s an additional fee for parking. Astra Lumina runs through January 15, 2023. More info here. 

Kindred: A Gallery Through Time -> A two-day pop-up event takes inspiration from the new FX original series Kindred (adapted from the novel Octavia E. Butler), which streams on HULU beginning December 13. The experience bridges the temporal gap between modern day Los Angeles and nineteenth-century Southern United States through a collection of works from emerging black artists and designers, contrasted again a presentation of historic culinary items. Free to attend. Runs this Thursday and Friday only. RSVP and get more info here.

Holiday Road -> Continuing this Thursday to Sunday, Holiday Road at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas offers a 1-mile walking trail of immersive scenes and holiday-themed activities for all to enjoy. The experience runs on select dates through December 30. Tickets range from $29.99-$44.99. Get more info here.

In Motion: Andy Warhol 1974 – 1986 -> For one weekend only (this Friday to Sunday) SIZED STUDIO hosts an exhibition featuring never-before-seen photographs taken by Andy Warhol. The collection of black and white snapshots offers an intimate glimpse into the artist’s life, with subjects including collaborators and contemporaries like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, William S. Burroughs, and Bianca Jagger. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Get more info here.

The Groundlings’ Cozy Winter Cabin The Holiday Show ->  Grab tickets for Cozy Winter Cabin and laugh your way through the holiday season. The all-new comedy sketch show takes place every Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets range between $22-$28 each. More info here.

Holiday Night Market at Ivy Station -> The monthly night market in Culver City  gets a holiday makeover this Friday to include locally-made gifts from artisan vendors, plus food trucks, craft beer, games, a photo booth, face painting, and music. Free to attend. Runs 5 to 10 p.m. More info here.

Dining & Drinking

31-cent Slices at Mulberry Street Pizzeria -> Mulberry Street Pizzeria celebrates 31 years in business with 31-cent cheese pizza slices on Tuesday December 6. The public can stop by from noon to 5 p.m. at any of the five locations to score the deal. 

Krampus’ Cove Pop-Up -> The folks behind the Black Lagoon pop-up bar are back with another themed pop-up at Lost Property Bar in Hollywood this time centered around Krampus. Starting on December 6, the ticketed ($25) tw- hour experience features craft cocktails, guided experiences and other wicked surprises. There will be two seatings every night; 5 p.m and 7:30pm. The bar will be open to the public without tickets from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. More info here.

8 Nights at Birdie G’s -> The final week of Birdie G’s Hanukkah-themed chef series (December 5-8) welcomes chefs Miles Thompson, Ana Sortun, Katianna & John Hong and Christopher Kostow to create their take on Hanukkah dishes. Everything is à la carte and some of Birdie G’s signature Jewish dishes will also be offered. Reservations for each chefs night can be made on Resy. More info here. 

Ayara Thai THC Boat Noodles -> Ayara Thai’s Kancha Boat Noodles are making a rare appearance on December 7-8. Available for pre-order now, Chef Vanda Asapahu’s labor intensive broth contains around 30 different ingredients including a low dose of THC (Fun fact: according to oral history passed down through generations, boat noodles dating back to the 17th century were suspected to contain marijuana). Ayara’s elevated boat noodles come with lean beef, braised beef, tendon, meatball and crispy rinds served with a side of homemade CBD infused chili oil for $25. Reservations for dine-in and takeout are available now for $5 and the proceeds of the reservation will be donated to Union Station Homeless Services. You have to be 21+ to order this dish. More info here.

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