Best Things to Do This Weekend and Christmas Week: Dec. 22 - 27

Take your comprehensive knowledge of all the words to Hamilton to the dance floor and burn all those holiday party indulgences off at the Broadway Rave, coming to the Teragram Ballroom this week. The event, billed as “a traveling dance party for adult theatre kids,” has recently launched versions around the country. It features surprise theater guests and encourages attendees to dress up as their favorite musical characters. So... don’t throw away your shot to razzle-dazzle all your theater-loving friends.

It’s not Christmas without The Nutcracker, so catch the Los Angeles Ballet’s version, which sets the classic story right here in Southern California, with Spanish-style homes and Venice Beach’s archways all part of the set. It’s at the Dolby the rest of the week, through Dec. 26.

The historic Warner Grand Theater in San Pedro was built in 1931, is operated by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and regularly plays host to classic films. This week, the San Pedro Film Festival hosts a screening of – what else – It’s a Wonderful Life. Come enjoy the Frank Capra classic as it was meant to be seen, on a majestic big screen.

A must-do on Christmas Eve is the L.A. County holiday celebration at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The annual holiday concert is also broadcast live on PBS SoCal and features festive performances from local groups. And a bonus – the Music Center plaza’s light displays are some of the best in the city.

The Robert Zemeckis classic starring Tom Hanks is a great way for the whole family to see a movie at the new Academy Museum theater in mid-Wilshire. Other favorites like Avatar, Jaws, and Puss in Boots are also scheduled throughout the holiday week.

Lost Angels is hosting its annual volunteer day in Venice Beach, which will bring Christmas Day meals to unhoused Angelenos. Help out those less fortunate before heading back home for your regularly scheduled Christmas Day festivities.

Recover from the hectic holidays with a walk through the labyrinth and a class on the tea ceremony at the Peace Labyrinth in West Adams. A true secluded gem in the heart of the city, the Peace Labyrinth class offers a small group experience with tea master Paul Kaye.

Fun runs! Get out to the beach and run like Santa’s reindeer this week in Santa Monica and Long Beach. The annual Reindeer Run in Long Beach lets trotters choose anywhere from a 5K to a half-marathon and in Santa Monica, you can run along Palisades Park in your holiday garb at the Holiday Fun run on Dec. 24.

At Christmastime in England, a trip to see a pantomime is an inescapable tradition – every neighborhood it seems puts on a mixed-up fairytale play, charming kids and adults alike. Fortunately for us, director Bonnie Lythgoe brings a little bit of that British magic to the SoCal stage every year, and this year is no different. Catch A Cinderella Christmas at the Laguna Playhouse through Dec. 29.

Do your best Carmy impression at the Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner at Vicini in West LA. The prix-fixe menu is $90 per person.

Unleash your hidden mixologist and whip up a mezcal or tequila cocktail with drinks expert Elena Nardini on Christmas Eve at the Mandrake in Culver City.

The social media buzz around Jellyman is hard to describe, but the out-there space from actor and rapper Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino is as much art show as it is tea house. Check it out in Silverlake.