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Best things to do this week in Los Angeles and Southern California: December 9 - 12
(
Courtesy Holiday Road
)
I’m going to choose to believe that mocha mousse being named the Pantone 2025 color of the year is a statement on how much we all love delicious chocolatey goodness and not Drew Barrymore’s suits or the future state of the world. Speaking of chocolate, I had the pleasure of tasting some of the best bites in L.A. last week at the L.A. Times 101 Best Restaurants reveal party and I’m still thinking about the chocolate chip oat cookies from Fat & Flour, nigiri from Morihiro, a margarita slice from Pizzeria Sei, and cocktails from Old Lightning and Dahlia. If you have the time and budget to eat your way through L.A., it’s all well worth the drives and the calories.
For more food picks, head to LAist.com to read about actor and entrepreneur Issa Rae’s new restaurant in South L.A., and join the debate about who has the best bagels, NYC or L.A., as several new local spots are giving our East Coast friends a run for their money.
Events
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Wed, Dec 11LAPL Hyde Park 20th Anniversary
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Hyde Park Miriam Matthews Branch Library
2205 W Florence Ave., Hyde Park
The LAPL Hyde Park Miriam Matthews Branch will celebrate the 20th anniversary and the legacy of its namesake, Miriam Matthews.
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Hyde Park Miriam Matthews Branch Library
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Sun, Dec 15Marcus Miller
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Catalina Jazz Club
6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood
Jazz great Marcus Miller kicks off four nights at Catalina Jazz Club on Thursday.
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Catalina Jazz Club
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Wed, Dec 11Eight Crazy Plays: A Hanukkah Shakespearience
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The Three Clubs
1123 Vine St., Los Angeles
Unrehearsed, drunken Shakespeare with a Hanukkah theme? Spin that dreidel!
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The Three Clubs
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Sat, Dec 28Holiday Road
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King Gillette Ranch
26800 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas
Nearly a full mile of holiday lights and immersive scenes wind through the annual extravaganza.
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King Gillette Ranch
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Mon, Dec 9Jonathan Richman
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Lodge Room
104 N. Ave 56, 2nd floor, Highland Park
Quirky songwriter, punk influencer, and guitarist Jonathan Richman plays the Lodge Room with Tommy Larkins on drums.
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Lodge Room
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Sun, Dec 29El Milagro de la Guadalupana (The Miracle of Our Lady of Guadalupe)
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Crystal Casino
123 E. Artesia Blvd., Compton
The immersive experience of the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe is sure to astound you.
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Crystal Casino
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Sun, May 4'Ordinary People: Photorealism and the Work of Art since 1968'
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MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art)
250 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles
A show that puts the focus on real people, featuring more than 40 artists whose work across different media uses photorealism.
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MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art)
Viewing Pick
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Wed, Dec 11'Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story'
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Laemmle NoHo 7
5240 Lankershim Blvd. , North Hollywood -
Laemmle Monica Film Center
1332 2nd St., Santa Monica
his new documentary chronicles the band Redd Kross' wild ride through Los Angeles in the '80s.
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Laemmle NoHo 7
Dine & Drink Deals
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Thu, Dec 12Downtown Downey Night Market: Santa's Holiday Fest!
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Downtown Downey Night Market
11002 Downey Ave., Downey
Experience over 70 vendors of all kinds, more than 10 food trucks and kiosks, and photos with Santa.
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Downtown Downey Night Market
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Tue, Dec 10Millennial Lotería Game Night
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Gracias Madre
8905 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood
Enjoy Taco Tuesday and games!
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Gracias Madre
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Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
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Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
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