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 includes Christmas tree ceremonies and holiday lighting events, ice skating, wine tasting / chamber music at Disney Concert Hall, First Fridays, free museum days, and much, much more.
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Hope you find the rundown useful and, as always, enjoy your week!
[RELATED: The Best Way to Find Discount Events in Los Angeles]
[REMINDER: In some cases We Like L.A. does receive revenue when visitors click on ticket links and make purchases, however we maintain complete editorial control over the events we suggest. Basically, it only makes it on to the website if we think it is cool!]
Monday November 30th, 2015
1. Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies in DTLA
The Christmas season kicks off in Downtown with a pair of tree lighting ceremonies and musical performances. Union Station will host a tree lighting event starting at 5:45pm accompanied by the All-American Boys Chorus. Over at The Music Center they’ll light up the tree for an official L.A. County Ceremony starting at 5:00pm with chamber music ensemble Brass Pacifica and a performance by Valencia High School Chamber Choir. Both events are free.
2. Lights on Display in Sherman Oaks
Sherman Oaks resident Mike Ziemkowski takes his Christmas decorating a bit more seriously than you, and that’s perfectly fine by us. From computer controlled lighting to DMX controlled intelligent light to animatronic characters synched to an epic preprogrammed playlist of holiday tunes and a Snowman DJ called DJ Jingles this free display is something you have to see live. Runs now until January 1.
3. LA Zoo Lights
The LA Zoo will once again be transformed into a fantastical wonderland where glowing light animals roam the lands. Check out decked-out animal-themed LED lights, lasers, 3D projections, and spectacular new water, light and music displays. Enjoy holiday treats and goodies, all under the stars. Real reindeers will also be on display down at Reindeer Romp Village and Santa (on select dates) will even make a few stops at the beloved zoo during the holiday. Happening seven days a week! For more information and discount tickets check out Goldstar.
4. barcito’s Cocktails For A Cause Fundraiser
Come drink for a good cause from 7:00pm – 10:00pm! The fundraiser will feature four 100% Californian cocktails as part of a collaboration between barcito, Loft & Bear artisanal vodka and PATH. $1 from each cocktail sold will be donated to PATH, a family of agencies working together to address homelessness in Los Angeles.
5. Salt & Straw Launches Holiday Flavors
Salt & Straw will start scooping flavors from its Holiday Classics series. Flavors include: Peppermint Cocoa, Bourbon Pecan Pie, Mincemeat Pie, Spiked Butterscotch Eggnog and Butter Roasted Chestnut.
6. Guest Bartender Takeover At EP & LP’s
From 8:00pm – 12:00am, E.P. & L.P. is hosting a guest bartender event on their rooftop. Celebrated mixologists Vincenzo Marianella of Copa d’Oro in Los Angeles and Enzo Cangemi of Babbalucci in New York City will helm the bar for a one-night-only Italian-inspired takeover. Each drink will feature Campari cocktails with traditional Italian ingredients such as Orange Marmalade, Thyme, Truffle Salt Water, and more for just $10.
Tuesday December 1st, 2015
7. Wine Tasting + Chamber Music at the Disney Concert Hall
Come for the wine and stay for the music as resident players from the LA Phil perform an intimate concert featuring selections of Bach, Beethoven, Golijov, and Bartok. Tasting starts at 5:30pm and the concert starts at 8:00pm. Get more information and discount tickets via Goldstar.
8. Free Day At The Natural History Museum
Receive free museum admission the first Tuesdays of every month at The Natural History Museum.
9. PJ Party At Loews Santa Monica
Santa Monica Travel & Tourism is throwing a locals only free Pajama Pool Party at Loews. If you are a local (they will check your id!) put on your comfy holiday jammies and come out to meet your neighbors! Ocean views, food & drink specials, giveaways, spa services live music a photo booth and more are set to make this one memorable night. All you need to do is rsvp.
10. Free Night At Kidspace Children’s Museum
Free family nights at the Kidspace Children’s Museum happen’s every first Tuesday of the month from 4:00pm. to 8:00pm.
11. Free Day At The Page Museum At La Brea Tarpits
Receive free Museum admission the first Tuesdays of every month at The Page Museum.
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12. Try Some Eggnog-Inspired Cocktails!
“Abuelitas Champurrado” at Gracias Madre: A vegan drink made of housemade vanilla bean hazelnut milk, dates, avocado, coconut milk, sea salt, nutmeg, Mexican canela and house aguardiente served with salted, chocolate drizzled organic popcorn.
Bourbon Spiked Eggnog at Sausal: Housemade eggnog with the notoriously high-proof bonded Evan Williams bourbon and a splash of Licor 43, a traditional Spanish liqueur with notes of citrus, spices and vanilla, topped off with a fresh shaving of nutmeg.
Paris, Tennessee at aestus: Made with cream, nutmeg, orgeat, cacao, and Jamaican rum.
Wednesday December 2nd, 2015
13. Disney Pixar’s “The Good Dinosaur” Journeys To El Capitan Theatre
Hollywood’s legendary El Capitan Theatre presents a special engagement of Disney Pixar’s “The Good Dinosaur” Nov. 25-Dec. 13, 2015. Before the movie, El Capitan guests will be treated to an all-new, fun, festive, live musical show, celebrating 20 years of Pixar movies—from 1995’s “Toy Story” to this year’s “The Good Dinosaur”—featuring favorite Pixar characters like Buzz & Woody, Mike & Sulley and for the first time on the El Capitan Theatre stage, Joy & Sadness! Each screening also includes Disney Pixar’s new short, “Sanjay’s Super Team.” For more information and discount tickets all week and weekend, check out Goldstar.
14. CHILL at the Queen Mary
The Queen Mary will once again be overtaken by a deep freeze for the fourth annual CHILL! Experience the Ice Kingdom, glacier glide ice tubing, ice skating and plenty of holiday entertainment. P.S. The Ice Kingdom will be introducing the New Holiday Ice Bar for adults! For more information and discounted tickets seven days a week, visit our friends at Goldstar.
15. Funny Women Festival
Spotlight on female comedians! Party with sketch group Cake Batter during this annual festival at iO West. With more than 300 performers at 120 shows, panels and workshops across four days, we are sure you’ll be entertained.
16. Gallery iam8bit Annual Unique Ornament Sale
The super fun ornament sale returns to gallery iam8bit. Artists from around the world have crafted hundreds of original ornaments all starting at an affordable $10. Happening now through December.
17. LA Kings Holiday Ice At L.A. LIVE
Enjoy outdoor ice skating at L.A. LIVE! The annual LA Kings Holiday Ice brings outdoor ice skating to L.A. LIVE’s Microsoft Square. The rink will run through December 31, 2015.
18. Lunchtime Yoga Retreat
Get your sun salutations on in the middle of Downtown in Grand Park! The free yoga class starts at 12:15pm and runs to 1:00pm.
19. Hollywood Sites & Bites Food Tour
This four hour tour of the sites and taste of what Hollywood has to offer will take you to The Roosevelt Hollywood to the iconic Capital Records and even Melrose avenue. You will make several stops at some of Los Angeles’ most talked-about restaurants for a variety of savory and sweet tastings. Half price tickets are available via Goldstar. Bon appetit!
20. Holiday Ice Rink In Pershing Square
From November 12 – January 18 Angelenos can skate in the heart of DTLA at Pershing Square. Each skate-session costs $9, and it’s $4 for skate rental.
Thursday December 3rd, 2015
21. Home Alone Unauthorized Parody
Liven up your holiday season with this cheeky table-show parody of the iconic Christmas classic Home Alone. Shows start December 3 and runs all month. Be sure to check Goldstar for discount ticket options for select performances.
22. Free Night At The Japanese American National Museum
The Japanese American National Museum has free admission from 5:00pm to 8:00pm this Thursday.
23. Throwback Thursday Screening: Gremlins
This Thursday catch a feature screening of Gremlins at The Laemmle Theater in NoHo. Grab some movie themed munchies from a food truck parked out front and bring your meal inside the theater to eat while you watch. There will also be a playlist specifically curated for the movie before the lights dim. More information and discount tickets available via our friends at Goldstar.
24. Platicas y Pruebas, Chocolate: History And Heritage
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Trace the history of chocolate, food of the gods! From a drink reserved for Mayan and Aztec nobility, to a drink for European aristocrats, how did chocolate become the simple bar we know today? Come find out at this interactive discussion. A tasting of Aztec hot chocolate and champurrado will be included at the this talk facilitated by Artbites founder, Maite Gomez-Rejón.
25. Mystery Theater Sports Bar
Thursday through Sunday Machine Project is turning their space into LA’s hottest sports bar installation. With too many flat screens, refreshing beers, and a program of sports-themed videos by artist covering swimming to soccer to dog agility training. Everyday the space will featurea new line-up of work by dozens of artists, admission is free.
26. Free Night At The Skirball Cultural Center
The Skirball Cultural Center is free to all every Thursday.
27. Take an Insider’s Tour Through East Hollywood’s Ethnic Neighborhoods
Thai Town, Little Armenia and Korea Town are filled with great food, shops and culture. For those interested in getting to know these neighborhoods this tour is the perfect introduction. Tour includes food, transportation and more. For more information and discount tickets visit Goldstar.
28. Culver City Downtown Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration
Downtown Culver City will light up their “green” 22-foot artificial Rocky Mountain pine this year with over 7,500 LED lights. To help usher in the holiday season the city will serve hot cider, cocoa and holiday treats. A special visit from Santa is sure to delight kids and Christmas loving adults. All happening at the Town Plaza between Culver Blvd and Van Buren Pl.
29. MOCA Free Night
Every Thursday evening from 5:00pm – 8:00pm admission is free to both the MOCA on Grand and The Geffen Contemporary.
30. Tehachapi Grain Project & Anniversary Dinner At Love & Salt
To celebrate their one year anniversary, Love & Salt is hosting a collaborative dinner and fundraiser on Thursday at 7:00pm to support the Tehachapi Grain Project and their mission to preserve and grow heirloom grains in California. Love & Salt Chef Michael Fiorelli will join forces with Chef Michael Voltaggio (ink., ink.sack) and Chef Kelly Whitaker (Basta, Cart-Driver in Denver) for a special four-course dinner with 100% of proceeds benefitting the campaign.
31. Downtown Santa Monica Community Tree Lighting & Santa Parade
Every year Santa Monica hosts a series of holiday events and activities in Downtown. On December 3rd the city will host a Community Tree Lighting & Santa Parade, as part of Downtown Santa Monica’s Winterlit. Event kicks off at 5:30pm and wraps up at 8:30pm. Located on the 1300 Block Third Street Promenade, just north of Santa Monica Blvd.
Friday December 4th, 2015
32. All Space Considered
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.
33. The Village Walk Holiday Festival “Jingle in the Jungle”
The Village in Tarzana is hosting a tree lighting ceremony with an evening of free photos with Santa, live reindeer, carolers, live music, a toy and food drive, free face painting, complimentary snacks and refreshments and special discounts at participating Village Walk shops and restaurants.
34. Free Day At The Pasadena Museum Of Art
The Pasadena Museum of California Art has free admission for 12:00pm – 5:00pm this Friday.
35. Northern Grade Menswear Pop-up Bazaar
The pop-up menswear bazaar is taking over an 8,000-square-foot space in the Artist District in DTLA for a three day shopping event. Expect clothing, accessories, footwear, decor, and more from labels like Civilianaire, Iron and Resin, Rogue Territory, Freenote, Ernest Supplies, and more. Of course it’s not a party without booze! Enjoy tastings from Brooklyn Gin, drinks from Churchkey Beer, plenty of food, and music to be provided at this pop-up.
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36. First Fridays at Venice Beach
On the first Friday of the month head down to Abbott Kiney Blvd. in Venice Beach for tons of food trucks, open galleries and late-night shop hours. Get more information via the official event blog.
37. Free Night At The Norton Simon
The Norton Simon Museum has free admission from 5:00pm to close this Friday. On view is European art from the Renaissance to the 20th century, a stellar collection of South and Southeast Asian art spanning 2,000 years to Modern and Contemporary Art from Europe and the United States.
38. Thomas Wylde Sample Sale
Thomas Wylde is having a sample sale. Expect ready-to-wear apparel, shoes, leather, fur, silks and handbags to be marked down at 60% to 80% off. Even new looks from the AW15 collection will also be heavily marked down! Sale runs from Thursday, December 3 from 10:00am – 7:00pm and Friday, December 4 10:00am – 6:00pm.
Location: 3231 – A S. La Cienega Blvd. 90016
39. First Fridays at Bixby Knolls
An art walk, dining and shopping experience where participating businesses in the Long Beach neighborhood of Bixby Knolls businesses unite to promote local artists and musicians through extended operating hours. Fun for all-ages… and free!
Regularly scheduled at 6:30pm-9:30pm on Fridays.
40. Free Day At The Long Beach Museum Of Art
Long Beach Museum of Art is free every Friday!
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