Posted by Need stuff to do this December in Los Angeles? Got you covered.
We looked ahead on our calendar to spotlight some of the best events happening in December 2015 around Los Angeles that you should probably have on your radar. After all, better to get your tickets now than wait till the last minute and find out your favorite event is sold out.
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December highlights include Getty Holiday Lights, a Mac & Cheese Smackdown, an international tea festival, the LA County Holiday Celebration, two awesome boat parades, and of course New Year’s Eve parties all over Los Angeles.
Also, if you’re interested in free museums in December, be sure to check out this cheat-sheet of all the free museum days available throughout the month.
Complete rundown starts after the jump. Enjoy!
1. Getty Holiday Lights (Every Saturday in Dec.)
Every Saturday during Holiday Lights at the Getty you can catch a sunset at magic hour, take a stroll through the Central Garden of twinkling tress and stay warm with some complimentary mulled cider.
2. LA Zoo Lights (Now until Jan. 3)
Expect decked-out animal-themed LED lights, lasers, 3D projections, and spectacular new water, light and music displays at this annual after-hours tradition at the Los Angele Zoo. Be sure to check Goldstar for discount ticket options for LA Zoo Lights.
3. CHILL at the Queen Mary (Now until Jan. 10)
CHILL will transform over two million pounds of sparkling ice into massive hand carved ice sculptures, enhanced with LED light in a giant Igloo called The Ice Kingdom, all taking place at The Queen Mary in Long Beach. Be sure to check Goldstar for discount ticket options for CHILL.
4. Home Alone Unauthorized Parody (Dec 3. – Jan. 3)
Liven up your holiday season with this cheeky table-show parody of the iconic Christmas classic Home Alone. Shows start December 3 and run all month. Be sure to check Goldstar for discount ticket options for select performances.
5. South Lake Ave’s Holiday Fest (Dec. 5)
Pasadena’s South Lake Avenue’s annual Holiday-fest is back on Saturday, December 5 bringing plenty of free cheer, festive activities, live music and even horse & carriage rides.
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6. Holiday Harbor Boat Parade (Dec. 5)
This LA Harbor Boat Parade is going with a theme of ‘Santa’s Minions’ to celebrate their 53rd annual event. Be sure to check the link below for information on the best viewing spots and locations along the parade route.
7. LA International Tea Festival (Dec. 5-6)
The 5th Annual Los Angeles International Tea Festival will be making it’s way to DTLA’s Japanese American National Museum on December 5-6 and features 30+ exhibitors and 25+ classes over the span of the weekend.
8. First Ever L.A. Gadget Expo (Dec. 5-6)
Coming to the Reef in DTLA this December 5-6, The Gadget Expo will offer gadget enthusiasts and corporate buyers a huge display of new gadgets for purchase in areas ranging from fitness and mobile technology to transportation gadgets, wearables, multi-tools, every carry-items, design tools and more.
9. Mac & Cheese Smackdown (Dec. 6)
Some of the best restaurants in the city will offer creative takes on the beloved cheesy classic to hungry guest through two hours of tastings and beer pairings to determine who will win the crown of best mac in the city.
10. Petersen Automotive Museum Opens (Dec. 7)
One day after a special sneak preview party on December 6, the redesigned Petersen Automotive museum opens to the general public on December 7.
11. Holiday Odd Market (Dec. 11-12)
Over 45 vendors of jewelry, fashion, art, vintage home goods and gourmet food will take over FIG@7th in DTLA for this two-day Odd Market featuring plenty of live entertainment including bands, a breakdancing competition and DJs.
12. LA Weekly’s Sips & Sweets (Dec. 12)
Curated by L.A. Weekly’s food critic Besha Rodell along with pastry chef Roxana Jullapat, this annual holiday party will feature some of the city’s top bakers, LA’s most respected mixologists and some nifty artisanal crafts shopping. Be sure to check Goldstar for discount tickets for this event.
13. Marina Del Rey Boat Parade (Dec. 12)
The 52nd annual Marina Del Rey Boat Parade will bring the community together with a pre-parade fireworks show, food trucks at Burton Chase Park, festive music, and some 70 boats all lit up competing for top parade honors.
14. A Lightsaber Battle in Pershing Square (Dec. 18)
To celebrate the opening weekend of The Force Awakens a costumed group meet-up will take place in DTLA’s Pershing Square with hundreds (or perhaps thousands) of participants expected to show. After all lightsabers are distributed, a battle will commence…
15. Winter Fest OC (Dec. 18 – Jan. 3)
Starting December 18 a “wonderland of attractions and entertainment” will hit the OC Fair & Event center offering a host of winter themed and Christmas-inspired experiences over the course of a two and a half week run.
16. LA County Holiday Celebration (Dec. 24)
A huge, FREE pre-Christmas celebration and concert at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion featuring more than 20 choirs, music ensembles and dance troupes from all over the city.
17. Indulge 2015 (Dec. 27)
The world’s best chocolatiers, pastry chefs, and confectioners are coming this December to Indulge: L.A., a chocolate & pastry festival that also includes lots of booze and savory foods. Be sure to check Goldstar for discount tickets for this event.
18. Cleopatra’s New Year’s Eve Ball (Dec. 31)
Celebrate New Year’s Eve in style at the World Famous Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre Courtyard in this now 6th annual event featuring DJs, an open bar, a massive LED light wall plus a huge confetti drop when the clock strikes midnight. Be sure to check Goldstar for discount tickets for this event.
19. Grand Park New Year’s Eve Celebration (Dec. 31)
Ring in the new year at the biggest free NYE celebration in the city at the Music Center and Grand Park in DTLA.
20. Prohibition NYE Party at Union Station (Dec. 31)
For 2015 Prohibition NYE expands into the majestic Ticket Concourse of Union Station for an evening of celebration paying homage to the Roaring Twenties. Expect live jazz, DJs, burlesque dancers, an open bar all, and hundreds of swankily dressed Angelenos all ringing in the new year at one of L.A.’s most historic venues.
What are you looking forward to this December in Los Angeles? Let us know in the comments below!
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