Posted by Every week in Los Angeles there are tons of great things to do (even before the weekend gets started) that we think you ought to have on your radar. With that in mind, we put together a list every Monday morning to keep you in the know about what’s happening in the city you love (or maybe just like).
This week, from Monday, November 27 to Friday, December 1, features L.A. County’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony, the L.A. Auto Show, a Groundlings Holiday Show, All Space Considered, a Cuban celebration The Music Center, and MUCH more.
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Remember you can always go to our L.A. events calendar page to get an updated rundown of what’s happening around the city.
Hope you find the rundown useful and, as always, enjoy your week!
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Monday November 27th, 2017
1. Time to get festive! The official lighting ceremony for L.A. County’s Christmas tree will take place at Grand Park in Downtown Los Angeles with free hot chocolate and music from Brass Pacifica and the Antelope Valley Master Chorale. FREE
2. Sherman Oaks resident Mike Ziemkowski’s elaborate Christmas themed animatronic characters will return once again with Lights on Display a dazzling light show with a playlist of holiday tunes spun by the beloved DJ Jingles. The show runs every night until January 1, 2018. FREE
3. Enchanted: Forest of Light is in full swing at Descanso Gardens offering guests a colorful one-mile path walk through 10 distinct light displays at unique points within the garden including the Oak Grove and the Japanese Garden. The event runs until January 6, 2018. Check for discount tickets while supplies. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
4. Get ready for another season of ice-skating in Downtown Los Angeles when the Bai Holiday Ice Rink returns to Pershing Square from November 16 through January 15, 2018.
5. Join Boomtown Brewery for Monday Movie Nights, a new monthly movie screening with it’s very own theme. This month its car chases and they’ll be screening Mad Max in their private event space set up with comfy couches, craft beers, popcorn and an option to order from Purgatory Pizza. FREE
6. The Holiday Light Festival Train Ride at Griffith Park is a festive one mile ride on the tracks with tens of thousands of lights to get you in the Holiday spirit. Running now through December 23 and then again from December 26 to December 30.
7. Hot Tub With Kurt And Kristen at The Virgil is one of the most popular weekly variety shows happening on a Monday in Los Angeles.
8. One of L.A.’s most magical holiday traditions, LA Zoo Lights returns November 17 through January 7 with thousands upon thousands of LED lights glowing up the zoo. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
9. Get into the winter spirit when ICE at Santa Monica returns with a 8,000 square foot ice skating rink. Running November 1, 2017 through January 5, 2018.
Tuesday November 28th, 2017
10. Something Rotten!, a hilarious new musical comedy tells the story of brothers playwrights overshadowed by the great Will Shakespeare. Follow them as they try to steal the spotlight and end up unexpectedly end up writing the world’s very first musical. The show runs November 21 through December 30. Check for discount tickets while supplies last. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
11. See the twinkling lights taking over our city during the Holiday Lights tour of Downtown Los Angeles. The tour is two hours long and starts at Union Station in the evening and ends at Pershing Square. Happening throughout the week.
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12. Head to CAAM and hear trans women in the community discuss advocacy and authenticity during TRANSflective: A Conversation on the Beauty of the Transgender Experience. Panelists include City of Los Angeles Commissioner Ceri Zamora, Lezley Saar, Jazzmun Crayton and Ryka Aoki. FREE
13. Down some tacos, drink some locally brewed beers and test your trivia skills this Tuesday during Tacos & Trivia night at Angel City Brewery in DTLA.
14. Schmabaret! a raunchy comedy cabaret starring Adam Ceschin and Carolyn Jania will take over Bar Lubitsch in West Hollywood for a night of original comedy songs in all genre stylings covering taboo topics and recently the ridiculous political climate.
15. There’s a Great Pumpkin Hunt happening at the South Coast Botanic Garden from October 1 through November 30 everyday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Highlights include an imaginative scavenger hunt, light hiking, a pumpkin shop and access to the gorgeous 87-acre grounds.
Wednesday November 29th, 2017
16. Griffith Observatory offers a Sunset Walk & Talk one evening a month. At this free event, guests will enjoy a sunset hike led by a Griffith Park park ranger and a museum guide. FREE
17. Happy Place brings a bright and immersive pop-up experience to the Arts District starting today. Capture perfect Instagram moments and enjoy sweet treats as you journey through one-of-a-kind installations designed to make you smile. Runs on select dates through January 7, 2018.
18. There’s a free mindful awareness meditation going on at the Hammer. Participants are welcome to stay for the entire 30-minute session or leave when they choose. FREE
19. Tituss Burgess heads to The El Rey Theatre this Wednesday for a night of song, comedy and more. Burgess is best known as the self-obsessed aspiring Broadway performer Titus Andromedon on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
20. Horse Thief BBQ, located at Grand Central Market, will screen Dirty Dancing on their patio this Wednesday. FREE
21. Tales from Tinseltown is a storytelling show hosted by Megan Hayes (Hunger Games, Sleepy Hollow) and Oscar Sagastume (Multiple Moth Winner, Buzzfeed). Performers share some of Hollywood’s dirty secrets and maybe a few of their own. Tickets cost $5 and go to Everytown supporting gun safety.
Thursday November 30th, 2017
22. Cuba: Antes, Ahora / Cuba: Then, Now, a celebration of Cuban music and dance, comes to The Music Center in Downtown L.A. from November 30 to December 3 as part of Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA.
23. Fast paced zombie movie 28 Days Later turns 15 on Thursday and the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills is celebrating in style with an undead wonderland featuring a haunted balcony, spin tingling electro music sets, spooky drink specials, a Q&A and one killer anniversary screening. Costumes are encouraged. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
24. Experience the food and culture of East Hollywood’s ethnic neighborhoods through a four hour foodie tour this Thursday. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
25. The Rodarte sample sale is happening for two days only this year. As with the previous sales, you’ll need to RSVP by email to get the full details about the sale [email protected]
26. Rockwell: Table & Stage present the unauthorized musical parody of John Hughes classic Home Alone. Happening Thursday through the weekend. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
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27. The 3rd Annual Handmade Holiday Show taking place at iam8bit in Echo Park will have local artists selling various goods and gifts just in time for the holidays.
28. Black Rabbit Rose, part theater for magic and variety acts and part craft cocktail bar, takes you into their retro-style cabaret shows set in an intimate and mysterious setting. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
29. The annual Riviera Village Holiday Stroll in Redondo Beach features a parade, marching bands from local schools and Santa Claus.
30. Ted Baker sample sale put on by ECLIPSE Sample Sales will have 80% off retail prices off of mens and women’s apparel November 30 through December 3.
31. Free admission at: Japanese American National Museum (from 5 to 8 p.m.), MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.), Skirball and Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m.)
Friday December 1st, 2017
32. The L.A. Auto Show is back for another round of test drives, new car showcases and ‘The Garage” aftermarket hall from December 1-10. Don’t miss Toyota’s “Camry Thrill Ride” experience where guests get to drive with a professional stunt driver through a course complete with evasive maneuvers, donuts, ramp jumps and more, happening at the L.A. Auto Show December 1-3.
33. It’s hard not to make fun of the holidays, laugh about the “most wonderful time of the year” when the Groundlings troupe returns with their beloved Groundlings Holiday Show. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
34. The 2017 Pomona Harvest Festival returns to Fairplex Expo 4 on December 1-3 with a selection of incredible handmade and embellished art and crafts from hundreds of artisans.
35. See the merriest Christmas light show in the city at City Blessing Church in Walnut during Lights on Miracle Hill: 12 Days of Christmas every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from December 1-24.
36. The Griffith Observatory hosts a monthly forum where some of the most amazing phenomena in the known universe are explained and discussed. It’s called All Space Considered and it takes place on the first Friday of every month. FREE
37. There’s a free holiday party at Greenbar Distillery to celebrate the good things that happened this year and at the same time forget all the bad stuff with a craft cocktail and some joyful entertainment. FREE
38. Head to Figat7th in DTLA to check out Monumental Words an art installation on view November 20, 2017 through February 17, 2018. This Friday you can party with the glowing display of massive word sculptures during a Silent Disco party. FREE
39. Take a Downtown Los Angeles foodie walking tour and savor what the bustling neighborhood has to offer. The tour is three hours long, participants will stop at six popular spots to eat and the tour guide will take folks through the history of DTLA. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
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40. The Uptown Village Market happening at Expo Arts Center in Bixby Knolls Long Beach will have local artist selling their goods for the holidays. In addition complimentary refreshments and live entertainment will be on hand.
41. Metro Art presents “L.A. Documentaries at Union Station,” a celebration of the city of Angels through true stories on film. Closing the series is “This is the life” this Friday in the Historic Ticketing Hall. FREE
42. California Market Center, in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles’ Garment District, opens to the public for a big sample sale this Friday (just in time for holiday shopping!)
43. “Sanrio Village” at Tanaka Farms is a special seasonal holiday program in Irvine where guests enjoy a festive wagon tour of the 30-acre farm and photo opportunities and with Sanrio characters and Santa himself. Guests can also explore the Holiday Market Stand, offering arts, crafts, and holiday activities for families and children. Happening from November 24 through each weekend until December 17, 2017.
44. Since its the first Friday of the month check out all the cool events happening around town including block parties and art walks for First Fridays.
45. Free admission at: Norton Simon Museum (5 to 8 p.m.), Pasadena Museum of California Art (noon to 5 p.m.) and Long Beach Museum of Art.
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