Posted by Ho! Ho! Ho! Thanksgiving is out of the way, and we can all rejoice that it’s finally socially acceptable to blare Christmas music 24/7.
While the rest of the United States will continue to complain about their frosty weather, we in Los Angeles can throw on a scarf and be completely content from now until February.
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If you’re a huge fan of all things to do with Christmas, this is your time of the year to shine. Take a look at our list of fun-filled Christmas activities that will keep you busy during the long awaited, 25-day countdown.
Happy holidays!
[RELATED: 20 Stylish Gifts for the L.A. Fashionista in Your Life]
1. Go Ice Skating at Pershing Square
Channel your inner Gracie Gold and lace up for DTLA’s Holiday Ice Skating Rink! Open now until January 17th, there will be several unique icebreakers: if you’re feeling extra funky, there will be a DJ on Thursday nights from 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. If you’re in search of love, there will be a “Single in the City” event taking place December 11th from 8:30 p.m- 9:30 p.m. If you’ve got little ice skaters, families should check out the Winter Holiday Festival going on December 13th & 14th from 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Admission is $9.
2. Snuggle up for an Outdoor Screening of Elf
On December 18th at 6PM, there will be an outdoor screening of everybody’s favorite Will Ferrell holiday classic, Elf! Hot chocolate will be sold at the event, so all you need to bring are a few blankets and your holiday spirit.
Located @ the Third Street Promenade & Wilshire Blvd.
3. Give Back to Los Angeles
We wrote recently about a whole gambit of volunteer opportunities in Los Angeles generally, but if you’re looking to volunteer specifically this Christmas, there are several great organizations still looking for participants! Check out Project Food Angel, Union Station Homeless Services, and Food on Foot.
Project Food Angel: http://support.angelfood.org/site/PageNavigator/homepage.html
Union Station Homeless Services: http://unionstationhs.org/event/dip2/
Food on Foot: http://www.foodonfoot.org/
4. Be Classy: Attend the Ballet
The Los Angeles Ballet will be touring performances of The Nutcracker around Los Angeles this season! Be sure to buy tickets for shows at the Alex Theatre, Dolby Theatre, Royce Hall @ UCLA, or Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center!
5. Shopping in a Winter Wonderland: The Grove & The Americana at Brand
While these outdoor malls emanate happiness year round and are wonderful for retail therapy, the addition of new holiday décor and snow machines will make want to drop your shopping bags and belt, “Let it Go.”
If you hate parking during the holiday rush, Uber Black Rides will be offering free rides to the Grove or Americana this season! Keep in mind, if you spend less than $450 at the mall, you’ll be expected to find your own ride home!
6. Win tickets to KROQ’s 25th Almost Acoustic Christmas
KROQ’s Almost Acoustic Christmas is taking place at the Forum in Inglewood, CA December 13th and 14th. Night one features rock bands like Linkin Park, Incubus, and Fall out Boy, while night two features Imagine Dragons, Smashing Pumpkins, Vance Joy, Modest Mouse, Weezer, and U2.
Tickets may be sold out, but there is still a chance to win tickets online here.
You can also win tickets if you’re caller 25 (800-520-1067) when you hear the cue on KROQ every hour, on the hour, Monday-Friday.
7. Find the Perfect Christmas Tree
If your spruce-scented Glade candles aren’t quite cutting it, it may be time to get a real Christmas tree to fill your home with the incessant smell of the holidays. In the Hollywood area, Mr. Jingles Christmas Trees has a variety of trees standing from 2 ft – 9 ft.
8. Christmas Carol in your Car
Just because most of us don’t have the ability to ride reindeer sleighs does not mean our daily commute has to be boring.
If you’re looking to put together your own Christmas album to jam to in your car, take a listen to the YouTube embedded below (like over 3 hours of Christmas songs!) for you to inspire to get into the holiday spirit. Then of course you can sort out your own playlist on iTunes, Spotify, or whatever streaming music service you prefer.
9. The Arclight’s Holiday Screenings
If the Arclight wasn’t perfect before, the 2014 holiday screening line-up will be sure to make you smile!
December 7th: White Christmas
December 21st: It’s a Wonderful Life
December 23rd: A Christmas Story
December 12th, 14th, and 15th: Love Actually
December 18th: Scrooged
10. Walk through Candy Cane Lane
You don’t have to drive all the way to Disneyland to see spectacular light displays. Since 1952, Candy Cane Lane’s neighborhood tradition has been brightening up Woodland Hills. Competitive residents that live along Lubao Ave & Oxnard St. attempt to outdo each other’s lights each year, and the result is dazzling!
What’s your favorite holiday activity in Los Angeles? Let us know in the comments below!
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