Best things to do this weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: December 6 - 8

The PST Art shows across the region have garnered much acclaim all fall — including a New York Times feature — and it all culminates in the last community event downtown. Saturday night brings a ticketed concert to Broadway by the United Theatre, though the whole weekend will have art shows, films, open studios, and family-friendly workshops across downtown. Highlights include the No Prior Art: Inventors Day at the L.A. Central Library on Saturday and screenings of non-fiction animal films at the L.A. Film Forum.

More than 100 years ago, Abbot Kinney dreamed up Venice of America, building canals and a seaside amusement park in Los Angeles. Venice has gone through dozens of reinventions over the course of the century, and local author Jason Hill, whose column in The Argonaut always features stories about colorful local residents, has spent the past decade talking to the people who make Venice what it is. His new book collects 100 stories on these locals, like Boardwalk staple Harry Perry and surfboard shaper Guy Okazaki, and will be released with a celebration, signing, and film premiere at legendary literary center Beyond Baroque.

The Original Farmers Market at the Grove is turning 90, and what better way to celebrate than throwing on some LPs for an old-school jam? The first-ever VinylFest features record shopping for the holidays with Amoeba Music and House of Records, live DJ sets, pinball, and a “cut your own song” recording booth. 

Our own L.A. Galaxy take on the New York Red Bulls in the annual soccer showdown. It’s the tenth time the Galaxy have made the finals, and they've won five of those already! If you can’t snag a ticket — at last look they were going for more than $300 on AXS — the matchup is streaming on Apple TV+ and will surely be on at a sports bar near you. If you’re traveling to NYC this week, all you have to do is head to Times Square, where they will show the game in high-def in the heart of the city.

Part of Caltech’s Opening Doors series for PST ART, Invertigo Dance Theatre founder Laura Karlin has choreographed a piece exploring the history and impact of computer innovator Alan Turing. The show aims to “illuminate facets of Turing's experiences as a WWII codebreaker, the father of computer science, and a gay man who faced discrimination and criminalization.”

The eucalyptus grove in Laguna Beach floods with 180 artisans each holiday season for this unique fair that also hosts hands-on art projects and demos, a weekly meet and greet with Santa, marionette shows, three stages of live music, and holiday drinks and treats. It’s open every weekend until Christmas and Laguna residents get in free on Fridays.

"A Superhero Christmas" is the theme of this year’s Seal Beach Christmas Parade. Put on by the Seal Beach Lions Club, the parade route runs from the pier to PCH along Main Street. The parade features all manner of bands, floats, cars, wagons, and animals and culminates with the arrival, of course, of Santa Claus. Bring a chair or blanket or book a table at one of the many restaurants with a view along Main Street.  

The iconic Venice sign gets its swap to festive green and red bulbs at the 13th Annual Venice Holiday Sign Lighting. The whole neighborhood comes out to party as bands are set up at the historic corner of Windward and Pacific, right by the beach. This year features a performance from Guns n’ Roses founding drummer Steven Adler.

For some strange reason, “Defying Gravity” is stuck in my head and not “All I Want for Christmas Is You” this holiday season. Just me? Keep the Wicked love going as actress and singer Eden Espinosa, who played Elphaba in the Broadway production hosts the City of Orange and the Orange Community Master Chorale 30th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony & Candlelight Choir Procession. Swap Broadway tunes for traditional carols of the season before enjoying a festive tree lighting.

Enjoy carolers, a visit from Santa, food, live music and more at the annual Holidayfest on South Lake Ave. in Pasadena.

You want me to walk? In the Valley? OK, CicLAvia, I’m game. Five miles of open streets will be blocked off for bikes, walking and any other non-motorized transport, from Canoga Park to Winnetka to Reseda. Car-free open streets are a rarity in much of L.A. but especially in the West Valley, so enjoy this treat and experience the neighborhood in a whole new way.

Have you been thinking a lot about the Roman Empire? Have you already seen Gladiator II? Then it’s definitely time to get yourself to Vidiots for this special screening of 1960’s Spartacus, starring Kirk Douglas and directed by Stanley Kubrick. The event, co-hosted by the Getty Museum, will show the “definitive cut” of Spartacus in its 2015 4K restoration with scenes that were cut from the original 1960 classic. Getty antiquities curator Sara Cole will introduce the movie and share insights into the Thracians, drawing from the Getty Villa exhibition Ancient Thrace.

It’s not Christmas in L.A. without tamales, so head to La Habra for all the tamales your heart desires from a huge selection of local food vendors. There’s also live music, a Christmas tree lighting, a balloon show, and more.

I was lucky enough to get a preview of French Laundry alum Chef Laura Ochikubo’s creations for her upcoming event at the beautiful Japanese American Cultural and Community Center space in Little Tokyo, a Japanese-influenced high tea for the holidays. Her pastries and tea treats like the kabocha scone and a miso-white sesame cornet all have a unique Japanese influence blended with traditional French pastry skill. It’s a beautiful way to kick off the holiday, explore the JACCC, and taste some unique teas like wakocha and hojicha.

Coffee pod company Bruvi and local favorite coffee shop LAMILL will be giving away 24 brewers first thing in the morning, so the early bird gets the worm! But don’t worry; there will be $150-off discount coupons for any latecomers.

After hours at Eataly, taste wines from 20+ vendors as well as specialty cocktails, bites, and more. The food hall will also play host to a live DJ, tarot readings, and a photo booth. Kick the holidays off Italian style.

Those typewriter-inspiration murals around town are the work of street artist WRDSMTH, who is bringing the bon mots to Blu Jam Cafe on Melrose for an evening celebration of their art. Meet the artist, buy some art, and taste some delicious food.