Best things to do Thanksgiving weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: November 29 - December 1

Stores and neighborhoods across the area are encouraging folks to shop local this Small Business Saturday. Here are a few options:

Did you pore over the Scholastic Book Fair catalog as a kid? If this speaks to you, head to Chevalier’s Books for their boozy book fair. There will be an after-hours opportunity to sip drinks and peruse the holiday listings from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., plus refreshments, a free tote bag, and complimentary wrapping on gifts.

The Makers Hive Market at O.C. foodie central — Anaheim Packing District — will run from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and features crafts and gifts from all kinds of creators as well as local food vendors and live music.

From Ocean Park to Main Street, Downtown to Montana Ave., Santa Monica is hosting a variety of Small Business Saturday strolls. Check out their reel for more info and to take advantage of one of the most walkable cities in L.A. to do your holiday shopping.

Museum stores are one of my favorite places to find unique gifts from artists and inspired quirky finds, especially for kids. Get your culture fix at one of the great museums across L.A. County while getting your holiday shopping in during Museum Store Sunday, featuring deals and gifts with purchase at museum shops from the Getty to the Hammer to LACMA to LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, the Broad, and more. Check out the Museum Store Sunday site for a full list of participating museums.

It’s All Your Fault, Tyler Price is ambitious and punches well above its black box theater weight, telling the story of a family whose daughter Lucy has epilepsy. Their struggles are seen through the eyes of their middle school-aged son, Jackson, who stages a musical following a bullying incident at school. Reminiscent of recent hits like Dear Evan Hansen and Next to Normal, Tyler Price has serious Broadway power behind it in the form of director and co-writer Kristin Hanggi (Rock of Ages).

It’s not holiday time in L.A. without those marionettes. The classic ballet was first done by the puppet company in 1969 and has been recently renovated for 2024. Bring the whole family to Sierra Madre to experience a new version of Clara and the Mouse King as only Bob Baker's marionettes can do it.

The anonymous art duo the Guerilla Girls has been subverting the art world and making in-your-face work for decades. Now they have a show all their own for the first time in Los Angeles at Beyond the Streets, and it couldn’t be more timely or relevant. Their merchandise will also be for sale and you can’t go wrong with a “Do Women Have to Be Naked to Get into the Met. Museum?” poster.

Are you ready to feel the burn? Post-turkey day, head up to Santa Clarita for this challenging 10-mile, 2,000-ft elevation hike in Whitney Canyon Park. Bring your own water, snacks, and extra layers for a day of fun and nature exploration with the 52 Hike Challenge crew.

Garden Cinema was built in 1946 and is one of the last remaining single-screen theaters. Nancy Kim was its owner and operator and the lifeblood of the local movie house until she died in 2022. In her honor, the movie theater is hosting its first annual Nancy Kim Day with a screening of her favorite movie, Face/Off, the 1997 John Woo sci-fi/action flick starring John Travolta and Nicolas Cage. Learn more about Kim here and take advantage of the chance to see this '90s classic again on the big screen. Showings start at 2 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 9 p.m. on Saturday. Plus, there will be free cake!

Taco restaurant chain HomeState is teaming up with egg brand Vital Farms to share their boozy eggnog ahead of the holidays at eight local locations. The seasonal bottles of nog are made from True Blue eggs from the brand’s special Azur hens and will be on sale from Friday until they sell out.

If you haven’t had enough turkey, head to the Luxe on Sunset for a three-course Thanksgiving celebration with seasonal favorites like Slow-Cooked Free-Range Turkey, Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, and classic pies.

Set your alarm to score tickets to O.C. Restaurant Week’s launch party for $25 off, using the promo code BlackFriday25.

The annual event returns March 2-8, 2025.