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No jokes about eating too much. No shame for hoarding your left overs. No cracks about the annoying relative who nearly ruined your Thanksgiving. Just a good, old-fashioned list of events in the Southland. That’s what we do here. That’s what we’ll always do. And with that mind…
This week in L.A., from Nov. 29 to Dec. 3, features an Enchanted Forest of Light, Santa’s Speedway, the Union Station Tree Lighting Celebration, live jazz at Mr. Musichead, L.A. Comic Con, Seaside Cinema, lots of special Hanukkah menus, and plenty more.
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Monday / Throughout the Week
1. Free Documentary Film Screenings -> This week American Cinematheque is hosting five a series of five National Geographic documentary film screenings over the course of three days, all free to the public with RSVP. On Monday, catch The First Wave and Fauci at The Aero Theater, on Tuesday the Los Feliz 3 screens Becoming Cousteau, and on Wednesday The Rescue and Torn will play at The Aero. More info here.
2. Dodgers Holiday Festival -> Think blue this Christmas season by checking out a new holiday-themed fan fest taking over Dodger Stadium. Guests can explore the newly-renovated Centerfield Plaza and enjoy nightly entertainment options including ice skating rink, light displays, Santa photo-ops, plus holiday-themed treats and drinks. Tickets start at $16. Runs nightly through Dec. 31. More info here.
3. Enchanted Forest of Light -> Descanso Gardens’ annual illuminated, night-time experience is now open for the holiday season, offering an array of vibrant light displays and installations over the course of a one-mile walk at the garden grounds. Special for 2021, an entire town of stained glass creations has been erected in the Rose Garden by contemporary sculptor Tom Fruin. Standard tickets run $32-$35, depending on weekday or weekend reservations. Get more info here.
4. LA Zoo Lights -> The L.A. Zoo’s signature holiday experience is now open, featuring a plus special attractions including a pop-up storybook, the magical disco ball forest, giant glittering snowflakes, and a twinkling tunnel filled with dynamic swirls of color. Run nightly through Jan. 9, except for closures on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Adult tickets start at $22. More info here.
5. Winterlit -> Winterlit transforms the Third Street Promenade into a festive experience featuring tens of thousands of colorful lights, decor and garland, all extending on to 2nd and 4th Streets. illuminating convenient shopping and cozy outdoor dining experiences. More info here.
6. SPARKLE DTLA-> This holiday installation at The Bloc in DTLA feature 18 million hues of lights synchronized to festive tunes alongside a 32-foot Christmas tree and a 16-foot holiday ornament. Runs nightly every hour from 5 to 9 .m. Free and open to the public. More info here.
7. Santa’s Speedway -> Now through Jan. 2, the Irwindale Speedway is hosting a nighttime drive-thu experience offering visitors a host of holiday treats for the eyes, including stables filled with illuminated race cars, Christmas Trees and Snowmen made from tires, a 200-foot long illuminated red Christmas bow, plus a massive tree over 100-feet tall, adorned with 100,000 programmable LED lights. Tickets start at $59 per car. More info here.
8. L.A. Kings Holiday Ice -> The city’s largest outdoor ice rink has returned to L.A. LIVE for the holiday season, with daily hours now through Jan. 22. General admission, which includes skate rental, starts at $25 per adult. More info here.
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9. Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter -> Just in time for the holiday season, the village of Hogsmeade™ at Universal Studios Hollywood gets a special Christmas makeover, along with several seasonal entertainment options. The highlight is a nightly performances of “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts™ Castle,” a dazzling projection display and musical performance. More info here.
10. Snow Drops at The Grove and the Americana -> Both the The Grove and the Americana at Brand are hosting nightly snow flurries (7 p.m. and 8 p.m.) and Santa’s trolly rides now through Christmas Day.
Tuesday
11. Union Station Tree Lighting -> This Tuesday, catch the annual tree lightning celebration at Union Station’s South Patio starting at 6:30 p.m. Entertainment includes live performances from The Beverly Belles and Weekend Celebrity, along with a live mural from artist Septerhed and an appearance by a special guest from the North Pole. Free to attend. More info here
12. House of Gucci at FIDM Museum -> The House of Gucci exhibition at the FIDM Museum showcases a mix of never-before-seen photographs, footage from the film, and costumes curated by costume designer Janty Yates. Free and open to the public during normal museum hours. Runs through Dec. 4. More info here.
13. Are You Still Listening? -> Are You Still Listening is a free monthly comedy show presented by Netflix is a Joke Radio. The series returns this Tuesday to Dynasty Typewriter with a lineup featuring Asif Ali, Bri Pruett, Irene Tu, Holmes Holmes, Steve Furey, and Tre Stewart. The show starts at 8 p.m. RSVP does not necessarily guarantee entry, and admission will be based on first come, first served. More info here.
14. Love Actually at The Wallis > A multimedia adaption of the the holiday classic Love Actually is playing onstage at The Wallis on select dates, now through Dec. 31. Tickets run between $39 to $125 per person. Get more info here.
15. Elf on the Shelf Magical Journey -> Elf on the Shelf is back at the Pomona Fairplex, offering newly upgraded scenic displays, a Christmas village, ice-skating rink, and of course the signature walk-through journey of Christmas from an elf’s perspective. Tickets are $19.95 for children and $24.95 for adults. Runs on select dates through Jan. 2, 2022. More info here.
Wednesday
16. The Kalia Vandever Quartet -> Brooklyn-based trombonist and composer Kalia Vandever headlines a special show this Wednesday at Mr. Musichead Gallery on Sunset. GA tickets run $30, and students can get in for $20. Doors open at 7 p.m., concert begins at 7:30. More info here.
17. Lightscape at the LA Arboretum -> On Friday, Nov. 12, the LA Arboretum opens an illuminated nighttime attraction for the winter season called Lightscape. The mile-long, self-guided walk features thousands of twinkling lights in various themed attractions including a Winter Cathedral, Star Tunnel and Fire Garden. Adults tickets start at $32. Runs on select nights through Jan 16, 2022. More info here.
Thursday
18. RUNWAY Wonderland: Holiday Movie Nights -> For the first three Thursday in December, head to Runway Playa Vista for a night of free Christmas movie screenings and complimentary popcorn. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, friends, family, and furry friends. The schedule features The Grinch on Dec. 2, Elf on Dec. 9, and Home Alone on Dec. 16. Events start at 6:30 p.m. on each Thursday. More info and RSVP here.
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19. Popular Kids Club Comedy -> On Dec. 2, Popular Kids Club Comedy returns with a free outdoor show at Permanent Records (1906 Cypress Ave). This Thursday’s lineup includes Saenz and Newman, Sophie Buddle, Guy Branum, John Michael-Bond, Jon Daly, Audrey Stewart Starts at 8 p.m. RSVP and get more info here.
20. The Nutcracker Suite -> The American Contemporary Ballet is performing an immersive, one-of-a-kind version of the Tchaikovsky classic on Thursdays to Sundays through Dec. 24. Tickets cost between $25 to $140. More info here.
21. Pop-Up Holiday Gift Market -> Chefs from BLVD Kictchen are teaming up with over a dozen local artisans to create a one-of-a-kind gift bazaar just in time for the holiday season. Shop jewelry, candles, body & bath goods, ceramics, handbags, textiles, tablewares, cocktail accessories, artisan coffee, cookbooks, clothing, kitchen gifts, and of course delicious sweet and savory treats, all at a private location in the San Fernando Valley starting this Thursday at 1 p.m. More info here.
Friday
22. L.A. Comic Con -> This three-day event plays host to 800+ diverse artists and vendors, selling comics, collectibles, art, toys, apparel, and everything in-between. Expect panels, events, special exhibits, and meet and greet opportunities. with special guests including Zachary Levi, Ming-Na Wen, Giancarlo Esposito, Bruce Campbell, Nichelle Nichols, Tom Kenny, Tom Welling, and more. Runs Dec. 3-5. General admission for a one-day pass starts at $35. Three-day and VIP passes also available. More info here.
23. Ginger Minj’s Winter Wonderland tour -> Ginger Minj, star of RuPaul’s Drag Race, RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 6, and Netflix’s Dumplin’ and Super Drags,teams up with her bestie, Gidget Galore in this non-denominational, musical romp through the holidays! Experience all of the nostalgic, wintry, and cozy feels as they create festive magic on-stage. Tickets are $30. More info here.
24. Seaside Cinema -> This weekend, the Seaside Cinema & Santa’s Workshop series continues at Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel with screenings of The Grinch on Friday and A Muppets Christmas Carol on Saturday. Activities also include special culinary treats plus letter writing to Santa for the little ones. Events run from 6 to 8 p.m. The series continues through Dec. 25. More info here.
25. Holiday Tree Lighting at 2ND & PCH -> The annual tree lighting event at 2ND & PCH commences this Friday at 5 p.m., and will be accompanied by a host of family-friendly festivities, including special photo opps, character meet and greets, balloons, face painting and more. A pre-show performance will begin at 5 p.m. and the tree lighting starts around 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. More info here.
26. First Fridays Holiday Market -> Bixby Knolls’ monthly First Fridays turns into a holiday market on Dec. 3, offering music, entertainment, artist pop-ups, extended business hours, and even a few appearances from some special holiday characters. More info here.
Dining
27. Clark Street Diner Now Open -> Clark Street Diner is scheduled to open to the public on Nov. 29. Located in the former 101 Coffee Shop, the space keeps the old school diners’ retro booths and stone walls while offering a menu of diner staples alongside Clark Street bread and pastries.
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28. Hanukkah menu at Wexler’s Deli -> The Los Angeles delicatessen is offering a Hanukkah meal for pick-up and delivery at their Santa Monica store. The dinner package which serves four to six cost $295 and includes Wexler’s whole-braised brisket, potato latkes served with creme fraiche and applesauce, roasted heirloom carrots, matzo ball soup, a farmers market salad, and six individual chocolate babka loaves. The meal can be ordered and picked up from Nov. 28 through Dec. 6.
29. Special Hanukkah menu at Kismet -> On Nov. 30, Silver Lake’s Kismet will offer a Hanukkah menu from 5 to 10 p.m. The special dinner ($85) includes latkes and schmear, duck with horseradish, Manischewitz’d carrots, kasha mushrooms, bitter greens, and buckwheat sufganiyot. Reservations are recommended and can be made through Resy.
30. Latke Kits at The Milky Way -> Kosher focused restaurant The Milky Way is offering packaged latke kits for $36 that include a dozen latkes, apple compote, sour cream, and instructions for reheating. Orders can be made for pickup at its Pico-Robertson location and delivery via Doordash.
31. Sufganiyot at Primo’s Donuts -> In celebration of Hanukkah the doughnut shop is offering sufganiyot, a traditional jelly-filled treat (in regular and mini sized) and yeast-raised “Star of David ” sprinkle doughnuts. Both doughnuts are available now until December 6 for pick-up in store or pre-order on Primo’s website.
32. B’ivrit Pop Up -> On Nov. 30 Israeli vegan street food pop-up B’ivrit will make an appearance at Chinatown’s Pearl River Deli in Far East Plaza. The menu includes a Hummus Bowl, Falafel Basket, Falafel Pita and Cauliflower Shawarma. B’ivrit is currently taking preorders through Instagram DM and will have a limited number of items available for walkups the day of.
Any notes or corrections? Want to suggest an event we should add to an upcoming list? Hit us up at [email protected].
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