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 decided to curate a list of things to do in Los Angeles every week end that’ll help you decide how you want to spend your limited supply of attention (not to mention dollars!).
This weekend (Dec. 16 to Dec. 18) includes Glow Sword Battle L.A., Winter Fest in the O.C., Grand Performances Holiday Concerts, Holly Jolly Day at L.A. LIVE, the Echo Mountain Festival of Lights Hike, and LOTS more to choose from.
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Also remember you can always go to our L.A. events calendar page to get an updated rundown of what’s happening around the city.
Enjoy!
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Friday December 16th, 2016
1. Glow Sword Battle LA will have you pretend fight like they do in a Galaxy far, far away. Join a throng of would-be heroes and villains at a glowing sword battle in Pershing Square. The event is free to attend but if you want a glow sword it will cost $10. Check for discounted tickets (half off!) on the glow swords via Goldstar before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
2. The Holiday Concert Series at Grand Performances will get you in the holiday spirit! Stop by Dec. 16-19 for free holiday concerts. This Friday the The Joey Altruda Trio will perform a tribute to the music of A Charlie Brown Christmas starting at noon. If you can’t make it this Friday they will have a repeat performance on Sunday. FREE
3. Winter Fest, the O.C. winter wonderland, is back from Dec. 16 through Jan. 1. This year’s holiday festival features a festival of lights, snow summit, outdoor ice skating, ice tubing, snowfall and the man of the hour, Santa Claus. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
4. The Music Center will host their annual Holiday Sing-Along this Friday. Join a festive crowd for a grand sing-along under the stars, belting out holiday classics like “Jingle Bells,” “O Christmas Tree,” and “Silver Bells.” No experience necessary. FREE
5. Enchanted: Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens will offer visitors a colorful one-mile path route through 10 distinct light displays at unique points within the garden. Happening now through Jan. 8. Check for Discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
6. The Queen Mary’s signature winter attraction, CHILL, returns this Thursday with a holiday theme of Alice in Winterland, promising an interactive and immersive experiences for the whole family to enjoy. Check for discounted tickets all weekend before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
7. Thrones!, a hilarious musical parody of Game of Thrones is playing at The Hudson Theatres in Hollywood Thursday through Sunday. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
8. Amélie the Oscar-nominated French film is now a new musical. The pre-Broadway production is taking place at the Ahmanson all week. Check for discounted tickets this weekend before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
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9. Sherman Oaks resident Mike Ziemkowski takes his Christmas decorating very seriously. Ziemkowski’s Lights on Display is a beloved local tradition worth driving to. Starts nightly at 5 p.m. through the start of the new year. FREE
10. The Alchemist’s Lab is an escape room experience putting you right in the shoes of a junior detective at Scotland Yard in the 19th century. Do you have what it takes to uncover the devious plans of the alchemist? Happening Friday and Sunday. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
11. Largest outdoor ice skating rink returns to Pershing Square for its 19th winter run. The 7,200 square-foot Holiday Ice Rink® Pershing Square will be open every day of the holiday season through Jan. 16.
12. There’s a Game of Thrones Musical Parody called Winter Is Coming at The Complex theatre. Happening all weekend. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
13. On Fridays Royce’s Arcade Warehouse hosts ‘Threeplay Fridays’ from 4 to 7 p.m. For $3 you get three hours of unlimited play of games such as Donkey Kong, Street Fighter 2, Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga and many more.
14. The Rink in Downtown Burbank invites you to ice skate in a winter wonderland. Perfect for a date or family night, the festive outdoor rink is located right next to hundreds of shops and resturants. Happening all week and weekend. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
15. Union Station’s south patio will provide some holiday entertainment with “Coco Concerts” held beneath the stations towering Christmas tree. The family-friendly celebration will feature a holiday performance from the California Feetwarmers. FREE
16. The Virus: An Immersive Escape Room Experience happening all weekend. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
17. The Groundlings Holiday Show pokes fun at the holidays with all-new sketches and some improvisation.
18. Free admission days this Friday for: Long Beach Museum of Art
Saturday December 17th, 2016
19. The Mixing Room at the JW Marriott L.A. LIVE will host the annual Holly Jolly Day where guests will have private access to the L.A. LIVE ice skating rink, a cupcake decoration station, photos with Santa Claus, chocolate fondue, a life-size gingerbread house made of 1,300 lbs. of spiced cookie dough and more!
20. The Yoga Expo will offer workshops, aerial yoga demos, a sound healing stage, product exhibitors and yoga classes all day long. Practitioners of all level are welcome. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
21. LA Zoo Lights is back! Now in its third year, the after-hours event showcases animal-themed LEDs, lasers, 3D projections, and animated displays throughout the zoo. Happening all week. Check for discounted tickets all week before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
22. The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles Holiday Spectacular will take place at the Alex Theatre in Glendale Saturday and Sunday. The annual holiday music event will feature 200 voices and this year’s special guest, Out magazine’s “Entertainer of the Year,” Cheyenne Jackson. Some discounted tickets may still be available for both nights. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
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23. An exhibit of Keith Haring car originals is coming to the Peterson Automotive Museum featuring a five piece collection of paintings on various autos and bikes starting this Saturday Dec. 17.
24. Tom Wilson, Anthony Jeselnik, Orny Admas and more will be doing stand-up at L.A.’s legendary Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
25. The 70th Annual Naples Island Holiday Boat Parade returns to the canals of Naples Island in Long Beach this Saturday. Check out dozens of big and small boats decorated with festive Christmas lights as they sail through the route. FREE
26. Carson’s Phantom Carriage Brewery will host a Krampus Beer Fest featuring 25 seasonal beers available for one day only. There is no cover charge, you simply pay for the beers you select.
27. There’s a solo exhibit for famed manga artist Katsuya Terada at Giant Robot this Saturday. Opening reception is from 6:30 to 10 p.m.
28. Learn about the secrets of Old Pasadena by participating in a CityRace Urban Adventure Hunt. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
29. The NASA’s Pavilion sound experience is now of view at The Huntington Library. A “soundscape” experience that represents the movement of the International Space Station and 19 Earth Science satellites the shell like sculpture emits sounds each interpreting one of the satellites’ missions. Open to the public till Feb. 27, 2017.
Sunday December 18th, 2016
30. Hanukkah Family Festival comes to the Skirball Cultural Center this Sunday. This year’s festival will focus on the light of creativity and hope. There will be an array of performances and activities such as live music, spoken-word, dancing, arts & crafts, storytelling, and more.
31. A Holiday Paw-ty will take over Angel City Brewery on Sunday! Designed for humans and their canine companions the festive party will include vendors selling goods for your dog, a pet friendly holiday photo booth and the mobile adoption on site put on by the Best Friends Animal Society.FREE
32. Echo Mountain Festival of Lights Hike will take place this Sunday. Put on by Friends of Echo Mountain, hikers will be led up the mountain holding light while photographers placed around the mountain range, capture a time lapses of the group (and lights) hiking the San Gabriel Mountains at night. FREE
33. See The Nutcracker at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. See Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Mouse King and more as 100+ dancers from American Ballet’s professional and student companies take the stage to perform the beloved holiday story. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
34. Head to The Getty this Sunday for a tribute to Leonard Cohen. Don’t expect any speeches or cover bands at this event, instead immerse yourself in four hours of listening to Leonard Cohen’s music, chosen by friends and fans. Happening from 1 to 5 p.m. FREE
35. Pacific Seas An Island Style Holiday Cabaret will take place in the Tiki Room at Clifton’s. Expect characters from your favorite island to make appearances performing celebrated island songs from past and present with holiday flair and authentic Polynesian dancing. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
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36. The HM157 Christmas Extravaganza will feature some of the best up and coming bands in LA, all playing traditional and original Christmas music inside a beautiful Victorian mansion located in Lincoln Heights. Tickets are just $10.
37. American Cinematheque will screen Will Farrell’s Christmas comedy Elf this Sunday. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
38. The Depressed Cake Shop Bake Sale is an extravagant bake sale that helps to raise awareness for mental illness, benefiting the LGBT mental health services.
39. The World Unseen and the ELAC Film Club will host the first Short Film Exposition. Lineup of short films range from a mix of genres that include music videos, short documentaries, narrative fiction, and more from local filmmakers of Los Angeles.
40. Free admission days this Sunday for: Museum of Latin American Art and Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can).
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