Posted by Los Angeles provides no limit of things to do, some awesome and some not so awesome. Since time is precious in this fast paced city we curate a list of things to do in Los Angeles for every weekend that’ll help you decide how you want to spend your limited supply of attention (not to mention dollars!).
This weekend, from Friday, December 7 to Sunday, December 9, features 29rooms, Holiday Craft Party, Festival of Carols, Griffith Park Festival of Lights Hike, Venice Canals Holiday Boat Parade, The Disgusting Food Museum 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 weekend!
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Friday December 7th, 2018
1. The Pacific Opera Project presents “La bohème,” or “The Hipsters” throughout the month of December. Set to current times the show follows the story of several Los Angelenos during a cold SoCal winter as they tackle the city’s housing crises, love, jealousy and more. Happening on select days this month at Highland Park Ebell Club. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
2. Join Refinery29 in an immersive installation during 29rooms at The Reef (December 5-9). The event will feature 29 different interactive spaces created by artists both local and international. Experience include anonymous palm reading, sound bath, a blindfolded multi-sensory ASMR tunnel, live dance performances, and more.
3. The Echo Park Craft Fair returns to Mack Sennett Studios in Silver Lake on December 7-9 with over 120 curated artist, makers and food vendors.
4. Street Food Cinema and Heritage Square Museum team up for Yuletide Cinemaland. Enjoy a festive outdoor movie screening experience in a Victorian town square surrounded by Christmas carolers, food trucks, hot chocolate, mulled wine and craft beer. Kicking off the series is a screening of A Christmas Story. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
5. Step into a world of limitless creativity and unlock new realms of photography inside Canon PORTALS, coming to Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica (Nov. 29 – Dec 16). The ongoing series of events features photo-walks, workshops, and on-site camera experts. FREE
6. Winterfest at Santa Anita Park kicks off the holiday season in style. This family friendly event includes a visit from Santa Claus, horse drawn carriage rides a Santa’s Village and petting zoo, carolers, seasonal foods, 80+ vendors and much more. Winterfest continues Thursdays through Sunday from November 23 through December 2. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
7. Enjoy a special performance of The Nutcracker (Dec. 1 – 24.) by the American Contemporary Ballet on the 18th floor of California Plaza in downtown. After the show, guests are invited by The Fairy for a celebration with live music, champagne, and more.
8. 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
9. Here and Now transforms it’s newly opened space into a holiday bar called Blitzen’s from November 28 through December 31. Get transported to the the North Pole and enjoy a snow machine, themed entertainment like Bad Santa and carolers, and seasonal food and drinks.
10. Holiday Concerts in the Pasadena Playhouse District, takes place on Friday nights from November 30 through December 21. This week Little Brazil will perform in Vroman’s Courtyard FREE
11. LA Auto Show returns with thousand cars on display. From Nov. 30 to Dec. 9 experience various car exhibits, model debuts and more at the LA Convention Center.
12. 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 daily Nov 23 through Dec. 23 and then again from December 26 to December 30.
13. Grand Park’s Winter Glow is a free immersive art experience covering 12 acres of Grand Park in Downtown Los Angeles. The art, projection and light displays will illuminate paths and play off of the park’s most iconic elements, including the Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain. The holiday-inspired event will run nightly from December 1 to 25. FREE
14. Rooftop Cinema Club returns with holiday themed screenings at their Los Angeles venues at LEVEL in Downtown LA and Hollywood location, NeueHouse. The spaces will turn into a Winter Wonderland with holiday decorations, snow and festive food. This weekend they will screen Elf, Home Alone, The Holiday and more.
15. It’s that time of the year to celebrate the holiday season, which is the main purpose of Fa La Land, a pop up museum at Row DTLA. Guests will enjoy a wide variety of installations like a Jingle Bell Toy Factory and a fluorescent “Fa La Forest.” Fa La Land runs Nov. 18 through Jan. 6, 2019. Happening Tuesdays through Sundays. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
16. 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.
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17. Get into the winter spirit when ICE at Santa Monica returns with a 8,000 square foot ice skating rink. Running November 3, 2018 through January 21, 2019.
18. Free museum day: Norton Simon Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)
Saturday December 8th, 2018
19. The Walt Disney Concert Hall presents Festival of Carols a celebration of beloved holiday songs sung by the talented Los Angeles Master Chorale. Songs will include both traditional and contemporary arrangements.
20. Head down to Marina Del Rey for two holiday celebrations this Saturday. Snow Wonder will feature real snow for sledding, a fireworks show and fun activities that include face painting, arts and crafts. The Marina Del Rey Boat Parade will feature a plethora of vessels decorated with lights and decorations and guests will be able to enjoy food trucks and a live DJ throughout the evening. FREE
21. This Saturday there’s a Holiday Craft Party happening at Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles. Workshops will range from $1 to $10 each. Guests will also enjoy shopping from vendors, artisanal snacks and beer from Brouwerij West. Admission into the party is free.
22. The Renegade Craft Fair returns to Los Angeles State Historic Park in Chinatown December 8-9 for a diverse showcase of some of indie craft and design artisans and makers plus DIY workshops, local food vendors, seasonal cocktails, DJ sets and more.
23. Smorgasburg takes over the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday for a holiday popup as part of the Santa Monica Pier’s Wonderland by the Water series. Admission is free.
24. Griffith Park Festival of Lights Hike 2018 takes you through Griffith Park with a collection of others holding holiday lights to create a glistening display of night wanderers! The event will see participants starting at the Merry Go Round Lot 2 and finishing at Dante’s Peak, with a brief stop at The Helipad at Griffith Park.
25. Westwood Village will host a festive family day featuring a free outdoor screening of the holiday classic Elf. The movie starts at sundown and other festivities include a visit from Santa Claus, holiday themed photo-booth, live music, kids crafts, and hot cocoa.
26. KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas (Dec. 8-9) takes over The Fabulous Forum with a killer lineup that includes Smashing Pumpkins, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Death Cab for Cutie, Bastille, Greta Van Fleet, Bad Religion, Young the Giant and more.
27. Santee Winter Wonderland is a full day of family friendley fun including face painting, arts and crafts, games, food and shopping in the historic fashion district. The event will be held on 11th Street between Santee Street and Maple Avenue. FREE
28. On Saturday embark on a holiday pub crawl across Santa Monica’s best bars and restaurants. The event will allow participants to receive deals and specials at all participating locations. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in holiday outfits and there will be a scavenger hunt with a grand prize at the end of the night.
29. Imagine a live show built around adults confronting the most embarrassing creative artifacts from their childhood… and then sharing those with a live audience. That’s the concept behind Mortified, an evening of entertainment where adults share embarrassing things they created as kids– diaries, love letters, lyrics, poems, home movies– with a group of total strangers.
30. Echo Park Community Parade will include dancers, clubs, vehicles and more parading down Sunset Blvd. between Vin Scully Ave. to Park Ave. the day will also include live music on the main stage. FREE
31. Not your average holiday market, Bar Sinister’s Fifth Annual Holiday Shopping Bizarre is an alternative party where you can score unique and kind of dark creations while enjoying performances by the Sinister Go Go Girls and additional tantalizing performances in the Purgatory Pleasures Upstairs loft.
32. For The Record presents the world premiere production of Love Actually Live at The Wallis. The musical will bring one of the most beloved holiday movies to life through an all-star cast and 15-piece orchestra. Playing December 4-31. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
33. Sanctuary clothing will host a warehouse sale at their headquarters in Burbank with clothing starting at $10. This is the best time to stock up on coveted trend pieces as well as Christmas gifts. You’ll be shopping for a good cause as 20% of the proceeds will go to the California Fire Foundation in support of victims affected by the Woolsey Fire.
34. Picture This!, L.A.’s only live animated comedy show, is back with another free show at The Virgil in East Hollywood. During this show, see standup comics perform as talented animators, cartoonists and artists draw them live. FREE
35. Descanso Gardens’ Enchanted: Forest of Light returns for another installment with a host of interactive displays and nighttime activities from November 18 through January 6, 2019 daily. This seasonal event runs daily. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
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36. ban.do will host an epic holiday event called “the mall” on December 8-9 at their Hollywood Headquarters. The pop-up will feature tons of ban.do items on sale as well as other brands plus activations like manis from color camp, pretzels from Auntie Anne’s and more.
37. The 72nd Annual Naples Island Holiday Boat Parade comes to Long Beach on Saturday with an entertaining display of boats of in all shapes and sizes. This year’s theme is “Star Spangled Christmas.” FREE
38. One of L.A.’s most magical holiday traditions, L.A. Zoo Lights returns November 16, 2018 through January 6, 2019 with thousands upon thousands of LED lights illuminating the zoo. This seasonal event runs daily. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
39. The Bai Holiday Ice Rink returns to Pershing Square from Nov. 15, 2018 to Jan. 21, 2019 daily featuring a 7200 square foot outdoor ice-skating experience. A wide variety of events will take place throughout the duration of the rink.
40. The Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanic Garden presents Moonlight Forest, where crafted lanterns line the garden grounds, some depicting animals, shimmering exotic flowers, and figures from Chinese legends. Happening Wednesdays through Sunday till November. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
Sunday December 9th, 2018
41. The 37th Annual Venice Canals Holiday Boat Parade will take place this Sunday starting at the corner of Eastern and Sherman Canal at 3:30 p.m. FREE
42. NextDayBetter is a Filipino focused culinary event bringing together tastemakers and game changers for food, libations and a fireside chat with Filipino chefs Alvin Cailan, Chase Valencia, Barb Batiste, Adrienne Borlongan and Johneric Concordia. The conversation will be moderated by Samantha Duenas a.k.a. SOSUPERSAM.
43. Abbot Kinney Holiday Block Party will bring out hundreds of families for a day of holiday fun that includes sledding, shopping food trucks, live entertainment, a street hockey rink and a Wintery Playground. FREE
44. CAAM Maker Fest welcomes all ages for a day of creating led by local artists. Workshops include paper garlands and festive ornaments, figurative collaging and decoupage keepsake boxes. FREE
45. The folks behind the Museum of Failure presens The Disgusting Food Museum (Dec. 9, 2018 through Feb. 17, 2019.) Some of the ‘delicacies’ include maggot infested cheese, bull testicles, and sheep eyeballs. If you’re brave enough, visitors will also get to smell and taste some of the creations at the end of the exhibit over at a tasting bar.
46. Celebrate the holiday season during a Queen Mary Christmas (daily Nov. 23 – Jan. 6) The special occasion will see Christmas spirit lining the famous Long Beach vessel including an 80-foot Christmas tree, a variety of holiday activities, an outdoor staking rink, musical performances, a 4D showing of The Polar Express, and dinner shows on select dates. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
47. Party With is Los Angeles’ new Instagram-ready experience. Opening it’s doors on Friday Nov. 16 in Westfield Santa Anita Mall, folks can expect 15 premium photogenic installations like an infinity rainbow and a room filled with sparkling disco balls. Party With runs through January 27 and is open Thursdays through Sundays. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
48. 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. Free to the public, the 13-minute show runs nightly 6 to 10 p.m. from November 23 through January 1, 2018. FREE
49. The annual LA Kings Holiday Ice happening at L.A. LIVE’s Microsoft Square is a daily outdoors holiday skating rink. Open November 10, 2018 through January 6, 2019.
50. Beautycon is offering a pop up experience titled Beautycon POP from Nov. 16 through Dec. 16 daily featuring immersive galleries, makeup brands, vendors, a salon and other beauty related activities. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
51. Head down to The Fairplex at Pomona for the Chinese Lantern Festival where the theme is “The Wild,” featuring animals represented in lanterns from five different areas of the world, Antartica, Asia, Oceania, Africa and America. Some of the larger pieces stand all the way up to 23 feet tall. The festival run every Thursday through Sunday from Nov. 15 – Jan. 16.
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52 Artist Ken Salter brings his experiential installation Garden of Strange Loops: So Tonight that I Might See to Gallery 30 South in Pasadena this Saturday. The exclusive exhibit will allow guests to interact with a “Reflecting Pool” while sensors track the guests movements and transform them into one-of-a-kind psychedelic images in an instant. The exhibit runs until January 27, 2019.
53. The Foodie Space (Nov. 21- Dec. 30) is the latest interactive pop-up museum designed for serial foodie photo-taker’s. Located in Pasadena the museum claims to poke fun at society’s obsession with social media and #foodporn. Food-themed exhibits include a giant bowl of phở, glitter fries that you can marry and more. Happening Tuesdays through Sundays.
54. Step into a retro-inspired winter wonderland during Miracle at The Everly: Ever Bar happening at The Kimpton Everly Hotel. The Christmas-themed bar open now through December 31 features a candy cane “selfie station,” a 15-foot inflatable Santa Claus, and a dedicated Hanukkah Hut.
55. Free museum day: Museum of Latin American Art and Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)
Drink Pick for the Week
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrBnM1hBaID/
This week’s pick by Christina Champlin, Co-Founder of We Like L.A.
December is the month of the Sagittarius new moon and Bar Franca in DTLA is going all out by hosting a spiritual night of cocktails, herbs, crystals, and aura photography on Friday, December 7 from 7 to 10 p.m. Guests can imbibe crystal-infused cocktails, partake in a tarot card reading by Harriet And The Star, or have their aura photographed by Jung Americans. Neon Altar will also be there with her curated selection of crystals and other products available for purchase.
Bar Franca is located at 438 South Main Street Los Angeles CA 90013
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