Posted by 
If you’re hosting for the holidays this week and need a few entertaining options to share with your guests, we’ve got a couple suggestions to throw your way.
Coming up this December 16-20 in Los Angeles you’ll find A Christmas Carol reading at Benny Boy, The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show!, Locals Night at the Santa Monica Pier, Groundlings Roasting on an Open Fire, Chanukah at the Original Farmers Market, All Space Considered at Griffith Observatory, and more.
advertisements
Things To Do This Week
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show! -> On Monday, RuPaul’s Drag Race stars BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon bring their internationally acclaimed holiday spectacle to the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. This year’s show promises a night of hilarious comedy, brand-new songs, and beloved fan-favorite numbers. Tickets start at $54.50. Show begins at 8 p.m. More info here.
MoMA Contenders -> The Museum of Modern Art’s renowned series of influential, innovative films is back at the The Hammer with a slate of 11 films for 2024, ranging from future cult classics to historically significant dramas. This week, the series wraps up this week with Late Night with the Devil (Tuesday) The Substance (Wednesday), and Anora (Thursday). General admission is $20. All screenings begin at 7:30 p.m. More info here.
Holidays on the Hill – M > Celebrate the season with Holidays on the Hill at the Hilton Hotel in Universal City, featuring an ice skating rink with stunning views of the Hollywood Hills. Kids can enjoy a Santa’s Workshop and face painting, while adults sip festive cocktails from the Jingle Bell Tavern pop-up bar. Theme nights include “Wicked Wednesdays,” where the rink glows green and music from Wicked sets the mood. Holidays on the Hill runs daily, with skating priced at $25 per person with additional activities costing extra. More info here.
Enchanted: Forest of Light -> Descanso Gardens’ annual light spectacle is back with a range of wondrous, illuminated installations spread throughout the grounds, from 3-D geometric sculptures in the Rose Garden to a glowing meadow grass installation among the oaks. The experience continues on select dates through January 5, including this Monday to Sunday. Adult tickets cost $22-$45 for non-members. More info here.
advertisements
Miracle: A Christmas-Themed Pop-Up Bar -> The global Christmas-themed pop-up bar Miracle returns to Los Angeles this year, expanding to three locations: Neighbors in Playa Vista, The Ordinarie in Long Beach, and Denae’s Diner in Downtown L.A. Expect festive, seasonal craft cocktails served in a setting that embraces over-the-top holiday decor. Guests can also purchase collectible Miracle mugs and glassware, including favorites like the SanTaRex and Krampus mugs. The pop-up runs daily through January 5, 2025, with reservations now open. More info here.
Krampus’ Cove Bar Pop-Up – M > Continuing this Tuesday to Sunday, dive into the dark side of the holidays at Krampus’ Cove, an immersive cocktail pop-up taking over Coles’ French Dip in Downtown Los Angeles. From the creators of the Halloween-themed Black Lagoon, this 21+ experience is inspired by the sinister legend of Krampus, blending seasonal cocktails with an array of entertainment—think live music, themed nights, drag and burlesque shows, and interactive moments with escaped elves, Christmas creeps, and Krampus himself. Tickets start at $23.18 and include a welcome drink and a 1.5-hour experience. More info here.
A Christmas Carol Staged Reading – FA TP > This Wednesday at Benny Boy Brewing, stop by the backyard beer garden for a live reading of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol while you enjoy a bit of hot mulled cider. Shourai BBQ will on hand be selling bites from 5 to 9 p.m. Reading starts at 7:30 p.m. Free to attend. 21+ only. More info here.
The Comedy Patio – M FA > Free standup comedy comes to Grand Central Market this Wednesday in the form of The Comedy Patio, a showcase taking place at Maple Block. Jeff Buck hosts a lineup featuring Daphnique Springs, Sara Weinshenk, Tahir Moore, and Sammy Weiser. Free to attend, but donations happily accepted. Show starts at 7 p.m. More info here.
Locals Night at the Santa Monica Pier – M FA TP > Every third Thursday of the month, the Santa Monica Pier activates with special performances and live entertainment, all free and open to the public. They call it Locals Nights, and for the upcoming December 19 event, the programming includes live music, photos with Santa, and a holiday car show. The main events run from 5 to 8 p.m. All free to attend. More info here.
Chanukah at the Original Farmers Market – FA > The Original Farmers Market hosts an afternoon of hanukah fun this Thursday featuring youth performances by JLA, Lego menorah building, and Chanukah crafts and sing-a-longs. Activities take place on the Market Plaza. Free to attend. Runs 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. More info here.
advertisements
National Geographic Live: Adventures in Caving -> On Thursday, a new edition of NatGeo Live comes to BroadStage this December, highlighting the life and work of Robbie Shone. For more than two decades, Stone has traveled to remote regions to put his lens on the world’s deepest, largest, and longest cave systems. Adventures in Caving offers an in depth look at the mesmerizing beauty in some of Earth’s last true frontiers of exploration. Tickets start at $65. More info here.
All Space Considered at Griffith Observatory – FA > This Thursday, join the curatorial staff at the Griffith Observatory for their monthly discussion on the latest phenomena and news in the world of astronomy during this evening presentation at the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater (also live streamed on the website). Program runs from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Get more info here.
LRG BREW Art Show at Smog City – FA > This Friday to Sunday, Los Ruano Gallery is hosting a benefit art show at the Smog City Brewery and Taproom (1901 Del Amo Boulevard in Torrance) featuring over 15 artists and 75+ original artworks, with selected limited edition prints also for sale. Catch the art nightly from 5 p.m. to close all weekend long. Free to attend. More info here.
Groundlings Roasting on an Open Fire-> This Friday and Saturday evenings, catch the final performances of the 2024 Groundlings Holiday Show, Jordan Black directing an all-new batch of sketches inspired by the yuletide season. Two shows each night, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets start at $32. More info here.
Luminaria Nights -> Claremont’s California Botanic Garden is hosting their signature winter experience on back to back December weekends, including this Friday and Saturday night. Luminaria Nights adorns the garden grounds with peaceful luminaria and string light lined paths, all accentuated by live performers (at least three each night) plus art installations, food, sweet treats, and drinks available for purchase. Each evening runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 for the general public. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Preview Dinner for KOAST -> On Thursday, December 19, Chef Kevin Meehan of Michelin-starred Kali will offer an exclusive preview of his upcoming seafood concept, KOAST, ahead of its 2025 debut. Fusing Nordic and Japanese influences, the menu emphasizes dry-aged fish, fermentation-forward flavors, and reimagined casual dishes. The five-course meal begins with Hawaiian Yellowfin Tuna in vadouvan curry, followed by Scallop Chowder, Angel Hair Pasta with XO sauce, and a standout Dry-Aged Cheeseburger topped with black garlic and caramelized onions, served alongside Old Bay fries. Dessert features a decadent Warm Butter Cake with vanilla pear compote and Chantilly cream. Reservations are $125 per person via OpenTable. More info here.
advertisements
Neighborhood Winery Pop-Up at Two Guns -> Join Neighborhood Winery for a Burgers & Wine” pop-up at Two Guns Espresso in El Segundo on Wednesday, December 18, from 6–9 pm. Enjoy their handmade natural wines crafted from Central Coast grapes, paired with burgers and tallow-fried fries by Spread Please! Limited bottles of wine will also be available for purchase to take home. No tickets required and they’ll be serving and pouring until sold out. More info here.
Holiday Menus at Crustacean -> Celebrate the season with Crustacean Beverly Hills’ holiday prix fixe lunch and dinner menus, available now through December 22. Each menu begins with a glass of champagne and ends with the dessert of the day. The three-course lunch ($58) features dishes like Torched Salmon Sashimi, Roasted Turmeric White Fish with creamy jasmine rice, and Mongolian Lamb served with grilled vegetables and twice-cooked potatoes. The five-course dinner ($98) includes highlights such as Caviar and Crispy Langoustine Roll, King Crab Banh Khot, Orange Chicken Paillard, and Chef An’s famed Garlic Noodles with grilled prawns.
Holiday Pre-Fixe Lunch at Saltie Girl -> This month, seafood hotspot Saltie Girl in West Hollywood is offering a three-course holiday prix fixe lunch for $49 per person. Guests can enjoy selections like Mushroom Soup with Truffle Grilled Cheese, Braised Short Rib, Butternut Squash Tortellini, and a Ginger Loaf Ice Cream Sandwich for dessert.
Want to get the best things to do in L.A. sent straight to your inbox? Join over 60,000 Angelenos who subscribe to our twice weekly email newsletter!
By subscribing, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy and consent to receive emails from We Like L.A. about news, events, offers, and partner promotions.
advertisements
