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Best things to do Christmas week in Los Angeles and Southern California: December 22-25
Check out Holiday Road at King Gillette Ranch before it leaves on Dec. 27.
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Courtesy Create Entertainment
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Our Picks
Hope your holidays are filled with the best tamales in Los Angeles, the lights of Candy Cane Lane and good times with family and friends. Christmastime in L.A. is a great week to explore the city and do some things you’d normally put off. It’s going to be a rainy one, so break out the once-a-year wellies for your holiday hike or check out a museum or two.
Music-wise, there’s more to Christmas than caroling. On Monday, Grammy-nominated R&B sensation Leon Thomas plays his first of two nights at the Wiltern (he’ll also be there Tuesday), and local legend El Vez brings his holiday revue, “El Vez & the Centuries’ Merry Mex-Mas,” with openers Santa Sabbath, to the Lodge Room. Tuesday, Guatemalan singer-songwriter and guitarist Gaby Moreno is at Zebulon, and rapper Guapdad 4000 is at the Blue Note. He will also be there on Christmas Eve. And if you’re looking for something to do on Christmas Day, electronic trance-rockers Infected Mushroom will be at Bardot.
Elsewhere on LAist.com, you can raise a glass to L.A.’s oldest wine, read up on the music of Avatar with composer Simon Franglen before heading out to see the third installment and find your favorite holiday tipple with our best Christmas cocktails in L.A. list.
Events
Fiddler’s Journey to the Big Screen
Thursday, December 25, 1:30 p.m.
Fine Arts Theatre
8556 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills
COST: $10; MORE INFO
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L.A. Jewish Film Festival
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Eventbrite
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Sponsored message
If Chinese food and a movie is your usual Christmas Day go-to, maybe check out this indie documentary about Fiddler on the Roof and really lean in to Chrismukkah. The L.A. Jewish Film Festival hosts a screening of Fiddler’s Journey to the Big Screen at the Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills.
Telescope Night Under the Stars
Monday, December 22, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Sylmar Branch Library
14561 Polk Street, Sylmar
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Courtesy L.A. Public Library
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Step outside the library with NASA and JPL experts who will be on hand to share views of the moon and Saturn via telescope, weather permitting. All ages are welcome to bring their curious minds and burning questions about our universe. But check the skies (and the website) before you head out: If it's cloudy, the event may be canceled.
Sponsored message
Pickle Night
Monday, December 22, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
POT Studio
3220 W. Jefferson Blvd., West Adams
COST: $50; MORE INFO
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Solstice Hannan
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Unsplash
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Did any of you make the pickle latkes I shared last week? If so, surely this workshop is your next step into full pickle obsession. POT & Yara Community Project will teach you how to make pickles, plus there will be pickle tasting and the chance to paint your own pickle ornament for your tree. All materials — vegetables, jars, ornaments, etc. — are provided.
L.A. County Holiday Celebration
Wednesday, December 24, 3 p.m.
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
135 N. Grand Ave., Downtown L.A.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Sponsored message
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Timothy Norris
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The Music Center
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Spend your Christmas Eve downtown at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion — or watch the celebration live on PBS SoCal — where 20 local artists will perform, hosted by Aloe Blacc and Maya Jupiter. From dance with Le Ballet Debaya to mariachi music with the Mariachi Divas De Cindy Shea, to Christmas favorites with the L.A. Chorale, the diversity and vibrance of L.A. will be on display to usher you into the holidays.
Christmas Hangover
Thursday, December 25, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Los Globos
3030 Sunset Blvd., Silverlake
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Peter Bucks
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Unsplash
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All that family time requires a dance-off. Make your way to Los Globos to turn all that sitting around eating and drinking energy into joyful movement at the club’s annual Christmas Hangover party. No actual hangover required (or even suggested!).
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Holiday Road
Through December 27, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
King Gillette Ranch
26800 Mulholland Hwy., Calabasas
COST: FROM $34.50; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Create Entertainment
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It’s almost the end of the Holiday Road, so get out to King Gillette Ranch for an explosion of lights and holiday-themed fun. The mile-long walking trail is filled with lights, Santa and Mrs. Claus, candy canes, elves — you name it. It’s an over-the-top Christmas stroll, complete with holiday bar, photo ops and more.
Volunteer
Ongoing
Various locations
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Joel Muniz
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Unsplash
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There’s no better way to celebrate the season than spending some time giving back. Check out the L.A. Works database for opportunities near you on and around Christmas, from bringing toys to families affected by the Eaton Fire, to helping with warm clothing drives, to serving holiday lunches and dinners.
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If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
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