Best Things To Do This Weekend In Los Angeles And SoCal: Nov. 17 - 19

Take a stroll through holiday lights and large-scale lantern sculptures of wildlife from California and from around the world. This year, view the debut of the Winter Wildlands, a holiday wonderland with snow-loving animals, a magical pine forest, photo ops, and more. Or let live roaming entertainment come to you in the new Dazzling Desertscape. Seasonal treats plus beer and wine are available every night with full bars on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Celebrate SoCal car culture at the 116th anniversary of the Los Angeles Auto Show. Check out vehicles from both startups and established carmakers, including Jaguar, Lotus, Lucid, Pebble, Volkswagen, and Volvo, among others. Take test drives or take part in interactive activations. Celebs are getting in the action, too, as Kevin Hart unveils his "Kollection" and Robert Downey Jr. brings six of his now eco-friendly classic cars.

Music icon Mariah Carey has added a second show at the Hollywood Bowl on Nov. 19 after her first date (Nov. 17) sold out in minutes. The live shows are Carey's exclusive Christmas concerts for this holiday season and feature holiday classics including her mega-hit, “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” and fan favorites. This is a lease event, so different rules apply (including no outside alcohol).

Charla Lauriston (Grand Crew, People of Earth) and Janelle James (Abbott Elementary) host an evening of standup from the African diaspora. It's a night of fun and laughs with absolutely no combat involved. Performances by Yassir Lester, Brandi Denise, Will Miles, Jil Chrissie, Biniam Bizuneh, and Madison Shepard.

The festival and expo returns, bringing together pop culture, music, art, food, sneakers and design. The artist and brand Cactus Plant Flea Market serves as this year’s artistic director. Highlights of ComplexCon include Queer Kicks, which promises to provide a fresh perspective on LGBTQIA+ relationships with brands through the prism of sneakers and sneakerhead culture by 12 LGBTQIA artists; a marketplace with more than 150 brands; music from Kid Cudi; and conversations including the Sneaker of the Year Panel. Dozens of vendors will be onsite at the First We Feast Lagoon, including Brique French Toastery, Carmen's Empanadas, Max's of Manila and Matte Black Coffee.

Desire, Knowledge, and Hope (with Smog) is a new exhibition drawn entirely from The Broad's collection, featuring works by L.A.-based artists. Taking its title from a John Baldessari piece, the museum’s first-floor galleries include 21 artists including Doug Aitken, Lari Pittman, Catherine Opie and Mike Kelley, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Sayre Gomez, and Joe Ray. For its opening celebration on Saturday, Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., enjoy Family Weekend Workshops: Craft, Create, Celebrate; food vendors including Trap Kitchen, Tacos y Mariscos El Samurai and Not So Instant Coffee, plus tunes and DJ sets by Chulita Vinyl Club.

Millions of lights illuminate The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, which is decked out in its holiday best with animated angels, elves, and holiday decor. This year, the Inn breaks with tradition and opens the Festival of Lights early on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 5 p.m. Guests and performers at the opening public event include Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray, Skip Martin of the Dazz Band, and Kool & The Gang; Tommy Tutone and Cheech Marin.

Several locations in Old Pasadena.

Known as the "twisted sister" to the pomp, circumstance, and hoopla of the Rose Parade, the Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade has become known for its irreverent satire and eccentric marchers. The parade returns to its original route this weekend beginning on Raymond Avenue in Old Pasadena at Holly Street, then heading south two blocks, turning right onto Colorado Boulevard, and ending at Pasadena Avenue. Several establishments are offering Doo Dah specials or parties including Dog Haus Old Pasadena, Old Towne Pub, and Kabuki Japanese Restaurant. The Fat Boys food truck will be stationed near the bandshell in Memorial Park for breakfast items, water, coffee, and other drinks.

Humorist and best-selling author David Sedaris (Calypso, Holidays on Ice) returns to The Soraya with a collection of new stories and musings — tackling subjects ranging from adult braces to America’s post-pandemic attempt at normalcy. Sedaris reads from his previous books, his diaries, and his most recent #1 national bestseller, Happy-Go-Lucky. The afternoon will also include a book signing before (1:45 p.m.) and after the show.

George Lucas was inspired by Flash Gordon when developing the Star Wars franchise. The 1936 serial featured a "mashup of ancient religion and advanced technology, cliffhanger endings, an artificial planet and episode titles such as 'The Destroying Ray.'" The UCLA Film & TV Archive presents the world premiere of its new restoration of Flash Gordon in a one-night binge session. Before the screening, Ryan Linkof, curator of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, gives a 30-minute presentation on the cultural and artistic legacy of Flash Gordon at 6 p.m.

The annual event — traditionally held the Saturday before Thanksgiving — brings hundreds of Angelenos together to hit the sidewalks on a trek through Los Angeles. For the first time, the Great Los Angeles Walk begins and ends in Griffith Park. This year's route totals about 15 miles traversing streets including Franklin, Hollywood, Curson, Fairfax, Pico, and Western. The walk is completely free, and it’s up to participants to decide how much of the route they want to take.

Watch a classic film noir thriller directed by actor-writer-director-producer Ida Lupino. Two friends' fishing trip takes a terrifying turn when the hitchhiker they pick up turns out to be a sociopath. He’s killed before and he lets them know that he’ll kill again. The two friends plot an escape, but the hitchhiker’s inability to close an eye — even while sleeping — is not only disconcerting but also makes it hard for them to choose the right time to escape.

The swanky hotel offers a Giardino del Tè (Gin & Tea Tipple) service in partnership with award-winning No.3 Gin. Located in the resort’s main estate lobby in the Great Room Terrace, visitors and guests can take in the atmosphere of the new Italian tea garden with a twist: They're offering gin cocktails infused with tea for a limited time. The Gin & Tea Tipple is paired with a menu of savory and sweet bites ($99 per person) with menu items including bruschetta, blackberry sage shortbread, and autumn spiced cake.

Japan House LA presents its latest tea workshop — Tea, Well-Being & Health — in which participants are immersed in Japanese tea traditions, history, philosophy, sensory evaluations, and brewing techniques. During the workshop, sample a variety of Japanese teas known for their health-giving properties and take home a packet of tea that was featured in class.

For one day, Kato restaurant opens its doors to its Michelin Star Wine cellar. Ryan Bailey, partner and sommelier, pulls out rare, old and allocated wines for retail purchase, in time to drink during the holidays...or today. In addition to wine, the team sells vintage plate ware, wine glasses, spirit bottles, a batch cocktail, a few limited clothing collaboration pieces, and pantry goods from the kitchen.