Holiday week? Short week? Family week? Whatever kind of week it is, we’re just thankful there are plenty of options to keep you (and potential out-of-town guests) entertained across the southland.
This November 20-24 in Los Angeles, you’ll find a tree lighting celebration at Union Station, the continuation of the LA Auto Show, Enchanted Forest of Light, Fowler in Motion, Jazz at LACMA, Holiday Road, Winter Fest OC, and more. Check out the full rundown below!
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Things To Do This Week
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Tree Lighting Celebration at Union Station – M FA TP > On Monday Union Station gets the holiday season underway with a festive evening of entertainment on the South Patio, including performances by Mariachi Los Servidores and The Beverly Belles, a tree lighting countdown, arts and crafts stations, and photo ops with Santa Claus. Runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Free to attend, no ticket required. More info here.
Enchanted: Forest of Light – > Descanso Gardens’ annual light is back with a range of wondrous, illuminated installations, including a magical “stained glass” creations built in the Rose Garden by contemporary sculptor Tom Fruin. The one-mile walk also features geometric installations from HYBYCOZO on the Main Lawn; Flower Power lights, and sparkling adornments added to Descanso’s Ancient Forest. This week, Enchanted is open Monday through Wednesday, then and Friday to Sunday (closed for Thanksgiving). Adult tickets cost $35-$45 for non-members. More info here.
LA Auto Show – M TP> The nation’s top auto show returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center for a ten-day affair featuring a who’s who of automotive exhibitors, plus vehicle test drives, activations, and family-friendly entertainment. The LA Auto Show runs daily from November 17-26, with single day tickets starting at $24 for adults. Get more info here.
Ultra Cinematheque 70: Hollywood – M > The American Cinematheque’s Ultra Cinematheque closes out its run this week with screenings of classic films in 70mm. Attendees can catch these cinematic gems for $17 per screening. On Monday, they’ll screen Aliens, then on Tuesday it’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. More info here here.
Free Screening of Beef –FA > There’s a free screening of episode 101 (the premier) and 110 (the finale) of the Netflix hit series Beef on Monday at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica. A Q&A will also be held with creator, showrunner, writer and director Lee Sung Jin, moderated by Jenelle Riley. The program starts at 7:30 p.m., and seating is first-come, first-served. More info here.
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Pershing Square Holiday Ice – M > The annual 7,200 square foot skating rink in the heart of DTLA returns for the holiday season. GA tickets, including skate rental, cost $20 for adults. The rink runs daily from November 16 through January 7, 2024. More info here.
Sketch Party at Benny Boy – FA > Sketch Party’s twice-monthly drawing/drinking meet-up returns to Benny Boy Brewing this Tuesday. They’ll hook you up with sketch paper, pens, pencils, and markers, then it’s up to you to create, mingle, hang out, and enjoy BB’s solid lineup of craft beers and ciders. All artistic levels welcome. Free to attend. Runs 7 to 11 p.m. 21+ only. More info here.
Fowler in Motion – FA > On Wednesday The Fowler has partnered with Inspired Method Fitness founder Jared Rodriguez for workouts designed to release tension and enhance range of motion. Sessions include a flow targeting the neck, shoulders, back, hips, and legs, followed by a full-body training session for all fitness levels. Each class ends with breathwork and deep stretches. More info here.
Lightscape at The L.A. Arboretum -> The L.A. Arboretum lights up the holiday season with a one-mile trail of installations and twinkling displays, taking place at the garden after-hours on select dates. This week they are open Wednesday through Sunday with the exception of Thanksgiving. Lightscape runs through January 2, 2024. GA adult tickets range $29-$35, depending on the date selected for purchase. Get more info here.
The Red Eye at Common Space – FA > On Wednesday (the night before Thanksgiving) Common Space in Hawthorne hosts a dance party with live DJ’s, and (of course) plenty of beer on tap. Runs 6 p.m. to midnight. Free to attend. More info here.
For The Record: Love Actually at The Wallis -> The multimedia adaption of the the holiday classic Love Actually returns to the stage of The Wallis in Beverly Hills on select dates starting this Wednesday and through December 31. Tickets start at $69. More info here.
L.A. Zoo Lights – M > The Los Angeles Zoo’s brightest annual tradition will transform the zoo grounds into a world of light and holiday magic. The after-hours event offers brightly lit displays and festive family-friendly experience every night throughout the entire holiday season. This week they’ll be open Wednesday and then Friday through Sunday. L.A. Zoo Lights will run through January 7, 2023. Adult tickets range from $29-$35, depending on the desired date to attend. More info here.
Astra Lumina: An Enchanted Night Walk Amongst The Stars – > Every Thursday through Sunday evening, the South Coast Botanic Garden morphs into a multi-sensory celestial pathway where guests will walk amongst the stars thanks to brilliant lights, cosmic visions, and astral song. The seasonal attraction runs on select evenings through December 31. Adult tickets start at $35 and there’s an additional fee for parking. More info here.
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Santa’s Secret -> Voss Events presents Santa’s Secret, an adults-only Christmas experience making its West Coast debut at the Beverly Center this Friday. Visitors will journey through immersive and sassy holiday installations, encountering dancing Nutcrackers, sultry gingerbread ladies, rugged lumberjacks and an ice queen in a snow globe. The experience concludes with the revelation of Santa’s best-kept secret: a vintage speakeasy featuring a five-piece band and holiday-themed libations. Each night guests are treated to dazzling performances, including ballet, burlesque, and an X-Mas Barbie extravaganza, all hosted by Drag Queen superstar Asia O’Hara. Santa’s Secrets runs from November 24 to December 31, with tickets starting at $58 on select nights. More info here.
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 starting Friday and through December 31. General admission, which includes skate rental, starts at $25 per adult. More info here.
Holiday Road -> On Friday Holiday Road returns to King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas for its fourth year, bringing a 1-mile walking trail of immersive scenes and holiday-themed activities for all to enjoy. The experience continues on select dates through December 27. Tickets range from $29.99-$39.99. Get more info here.
Jazz at LACMA – FA > On Friday, the 2023 season of Jazz at LACMA comes to a close with a performance by Luther Hughes and the Cannonball-Coltrane Project. The concert takes place at 6 p.m. at Smidt Welcome Plaza. Admission is free, however seating is limited and first come, first served. More info here.
Hikari – A Festival of Lights at Tanaka Farms -> Hikari a Festival of Lights at Tanaka Farms turns the 30-acre Irvine farm into a dazzling spectacle of lights. Go on a wagon ride or explore by foot a lantern lite field and meet some animals in the petting zoo, participate in crafts, grab some food, Santa for a photo and buy gifts a the market stand. Admission start at $35 per adult. More info here.
Winter Fest OC -> This Friday, Winter Fest at the O.C. Fair & Event Center returns with a slate of family friendly activities including an outdoor ice skating, a nine-lane 150-foot-long ice tubing slide, ice bumper cars, and LED mini golf, plus nightly Holiday celebration featuring snow flurries and Santa appearances. GA tickets online for this weekend start at $34.99 for adults, or $29.99 for kids, plus fees. Winter Fest is open on select dates until January 7, 2024. More info here.
Movie Night at Ovation Hollywood – M FA > Ovation Hollywood’s monthly movie night continues with a screening of The Year Without a Santa Claus (1976) in the Center Courtyard this Friday. Get free popcorn and discounted treats from the TCL Chinese Theatre Concessions Stand. Starts at 7 p.m. More info here.
Ice Santa Monica – M > Ice Santa Monica is back with an 8,000 square-foot ice rink pop-up at the intersection of Arizona Ave and 5th St in Downtown Santa Monica. Skate rental and admission is $22. The rink is open daily through January 15. More info here.
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Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Krampus Cove Pop-Up -> The creative minds behind the Black Lagoon pop-up bar are back, this time via a Krampus-themed experience coming to Lost Property Bar in Hollywood beginning this Friday. The ticketed ($25) one-and-a-half-hour experience will feature macabre craft cocktails and an interactive experience with evil elves and Krampus himself. Throughout the week, seatings are available at 6 pm or 8 pm, and on the weekends, you can choose from 3 pm, 5 pm, or 7 pm. The bar will open to the public without tickets from 9:30 pm to 2 am, with Saturday and Sunday doors opening at 8:30 pm for un-ticketed walk-in service. Krampus Cove pop-up will be available every night of the week except Mondays and will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. More info here.
Lucifers Pumpkin Pizzas -> This month, Lucifers Pizza is introducing two new pumpkin pizzas to its menu. Founder Adam Borich has crafted the Roast Pumpkin and Prosciutto pie, which includes pumpkin, prosciutto, roasted garlic, spinach, and mozzarella. Additionally, there’s the Zucha pizza, topped with pumpkin, olives, feta, zucchini, red bell pepper, spinach, and mozzarella. All of Lucifer’s pizzas are meticulously handcrafted using locally sourced ingredients. More info here.
Wine Explorers “Turkey Trot” Wine Tasting -> On the night before Thanksgiving, Gasolina Cafe in Woodland Hills will be hosting its Wine Explorers event, featuring a selection of their top wine picks for the Thanksgiving table. The wines will be thoughtfully paired with sensibly portioned snacks. Tickets are priced at $35 and include three wines along with accompanying snacks. More info here.
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