Shop at a bunch of holiday markets, including one dedicated to BIPOC artisans. Head to the ocean to catch an illuminated boat parade. Laugh as Hallmark holiday movies get the musical improv treatment. Celebrate the season's music and dance traditions at Nochebuena or The Nutcracker. Drive to the desert for an electronic music festival.
With COVID-19 variants still out there, it's best to check ahead of time to make sure of event updates and vaccine/testing requirements.
46th Annual Boat Parade of Lights
Dana Point Harbor
34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point
Boaters who decorate their vessels for the Fiesta Holiday theme can win up to $10,000 in cash prizes across several award categories. The parade on water begins at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Nochebuena
The Soraya (at CSUN)
18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge
Celebrate the holidays with music by L.A.’s own Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar and the dancers of Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles. The special guest is vocalist Lupita Infante.
COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO
Luminaria Nights
California Botanic Garden
1500 N. College Ave., Claremont
The grounds of the garden, formerly known as the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, are illuminated with traditional luminarias while musicians play contemplative music as you walk the trails. Visit unique sculptures from the (Re)place exhibition, created by Brandon Lomax.
COST: $8 - $15; MORE INFO
Home Alone in Concert
Walt Disney Concert Hall
111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A.
The L.A. Phil, conducted by David Newman, performs John Williams’ score during the screening of the now-classic holiday film. Macaulay Culkin stars as Kevin McCallister, an 8-year-old boy who is accidentally left behind when his family goes on Christmas vacation, and who must defend his home against two bungling thieves. The Angeles Chorale also performs.
COST: $61 - $198; MORE INFO
UCLA Film & Television Archive Screenings
Billy Wilder Theater at the Hammer Museum
10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood
The Archive screens the L.A. restoration premiere of Sambizanga, a 1972 Angolan and French co-production. Director and co-writer Sarah Maldoror adapted a novella about the events preceding the armed struggle in Angola against Portuguese rule, which began in 1961. Annouchka de Andrade, Madoror's daughter, will attend the screening. On Saturday, Outfest UCLA Legacy Project presents the preservation premiere of director Jamie Babbit’s short film, Stuck, along with her feature, But I’m a Cheerleader. Babbit will attend the screening.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Desert Air Festival
Palm Springs Air Museum
745 N. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs
Desert Air debuts an underground dance music weekend. Groove outdoors next to industrial hangars, historic aircraft and on the tarmac, with the San Jacinto Mountains in the background. The lineup includes Peggy Gou, DJ Koze, Dixon, The Martinez Brothers, Moodymann, Channel Tres, TSHA and Jayda G. Daytime programming features an architecture bike tour with Modernism Week, warbird rides with the Air Museum, a poolside mezcal tasting at the Saguaro, rooftop yoga, a natural wine tasting and a guided trail hike. This event is 21+.
COST: Single-day tickets start at $70 (passes and daytime add-ons available); MORE INFO
In Todo: BIPOC Holiday Market
Mack Sennett Studios
1215 Bates Ave., Silver Lake
In Todo, an organization that brings visibility to BIPOC artists, designers and makers, holds its first in-person marketplace this weekend with more than 80 vendors. At the indoor and outdoor event, shop for holiday gifts including apparel, handmade crafts, home goods, wellness, beauty and specialty items. Food and drinks from local artisanal vendors will also be available for purchase onsite. COST: $10 - $16 admission; MORE INFO
Other holiday markets this weekend include:
GMCLA: A Holiday Homecoming
UCLA’s Royce Hall
340 Royce Dr., Westwood
Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles returns to live, in-person concerts for the first time in two years, performing holiday classics about the joy of coming home. Guest stars Telly Leung and Nikki Crawford join the fun, performing choral, classical, pop and Broadway tunes.
COST: Tickets start at $25; MORE INFO
Metro BEST Ride: Maywood Riverfront Park to South Gate Park
Riverfront Park
5000 Slauson Ave., Maywood
Join a bike ride along the L.A. River that starts at Maywood Riverfront Park and ends at South Gate Park, where riders are welcome to rest and enjoy the park's amenities. Participants can ride back to the start or take Metro transit (bus or train). This ride, sponsored by the L.A. County Bicycle Coalition, will be capped at 30 participants to ensure safe distancing.
COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO
Greg Miller: Flashbacks Opening
William Turner Gallery
Bergamot Station
2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica
The gallery presents new works by post-pop artist Greg Miller. Enjoy entertainment, food trucks and a bar with holiday refreshments. The gallery will also feature new works from gallery artists in the main room. Get to Bergamot Station early as there's an open house and gift market on Saturday.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Holiday Family Faire
Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum
1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga
Enjoy a holiday marketplace in the canyon while meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus, listening to winter tales and carolers, or watching a performance of Harry Nilsson’s The Point! with Kiefo Nilsson and John C. Reilly (add-on tickets required). Festive food and drinks will be available for purchase.
COST: $10 - $20, $50 for family four-pack; MORE INFO
Holiday Krafts Day for Kids
The International Printing Museum
315 W. Torrance Blvd., Carson
The museum’s “crazy crafts day” returns with a wintery twist. Participate in a day of printing and crafts including letterpress cards, keepsakes, wrapping paper and ornaments. Participants can also try paper marbling, typing a note to Santa on vintage typewriters, screen-printing t-shirts, bookbinding and special tours.
COST: $10; MORE INFO
JTown Jingles
Various locations throughout Little Tokyo
You can chill out at an afternoon of caroling at various locations throughout Little Tokyo courtesy of a capella group Filosophy. The day ends with a final performance at 5 p.m. at JANM Plaza (100 N. Central Ave.).
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Marina Del Rey Boat Parade
Various locations in Marina Del Rey
A fireworks display is followed by a boat parade around the marina’s main channel with the theme “Joy on the Water.” Watch from Fisherman’s Village or Burton Chace Park in MDR for some of the best views.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Las Mañanitas A La Virgen De Guadalupe
Cathedral of the Our Lady of the Angels
555 W. Temple St., downtown L.A.
All are welcome to attend a celebration in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe that begins with indigenous dancers on the Cathedral plaza and the veneration of the relic of the tilma (cloak) of St. Juan Diego. (There will be refreshments served throughout the performance until 9 p.m.) The ceremonies continue at 10 p.m. inside the cathedral with a special Rosary, followed by a performance by Mariachi Lindas Mexicanas at 11 p.m. The program will be in Spanish and the festivities culminate in a midnight Mass celebrated by Archbishop José H. Gomez.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
The Nutcracker
Fox Performing Arts Center
3801 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside
Inland Pacific Ballet performs the classic holiday ballet. Watch as toy soldiers, dolls, battling mice, snowflakes, flowers and the Sugar Plum Fairy dance across the stage. Save 30% on select seats using the passcode SAVE30.
COST: $20 - $79; MORE INFO
The Slam: A Poetry Comedy Show
The Elysian
1944 Riverside Dr., Frogtown
Annie Paradis hosts a slamming night with comedians Christine Medrano, Jon Braylock and Maggie Beasley, and poet Julia Lans Nowak.
COST: $12; MORE INFO
Santa Said Yes!
Dynasty Typewriter at The Hayworth
2511 Wilshire Blvd., Westlake
Watch a live, improvised musical in the style of a Hallmark Channel holiday movie, led by improv vets Ashley Ward and John Hartman. Listen to future holiday music from Zach Marsh (who’s an actual Hallmark movie composer) and enjoy comedy from magical elf Peter Kim. This show is 18+.
COST: $20 - $25; MORE INFO
All That Glitters: The Crown Jewels of the Walt Disney Archives
Bowers Museum
2002 North Main St., Santa Ana
The new exhibition showcases the jewelry and accessories from Titanic, The Princess Diaries and other Disney and 20th Century Studios films. Tickets will be sold with a reduced capacity on an hourly basis. On Sunday at 1:30 p.m., there’s a panel discussion and book signing with Becky Cline, director of the Walt Disney Archives.
COST: $10 - $25 admission; MORE INFO
Castle Peak
This week’s outdoor pick leads us to Castle Peak near West Hills in the San Fernando Valley. Accessible from El Scorpión Park, the peak is located on the Chumash site Kas'ele'ew. It’s a short but difficult hike that’s not recommended for beginners or children. Reaching the top takes a little bit of scrambling over boulders and challenging terrain. Park in the neighborhood near the corner of Vanowen Blvd. and Sunset Ridge Court. You can extend your adventure by exploring the nearby Cave of Munits site, which is located in Ventura County.
Bloods
The first season of the UK comedy finally makes it across the pond. The gallows comedy stars Samson Kayo as a tough loner paramedic and Jane Horrocks as his overly friendly partner. The show follows the pair and their colleagues through the life-saving world of a south London emergency service. All episodes of Bloods will be available on Dec. 9 on Hulu.
Check out the 411 on restaurant, bar and food happenings in SoCal this weekend:
