Best things to do this weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California: December 27 - 29

Laura Hertzfeld

Published December 26, 2024 at 6:00 AM PST

Updated December 26, 2024 at 10:28 AM PST

Two young women stand in front of a large butterfly display with their arms outstretched. A neon sign about the butterfly reads "L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow."

Are you sick of the holidays yet? I spent the last few days up in the Bay Area, where it was rainy and cold. I ate every piece of chocolate that was put in front of me, but I’m ready to come back to sunny L.A. for New Year's festivities next week and a chill end to 2024 over the weekend.

I hope you and yours are enjoying restful and meaningful holidays, but if you want to start boogieing before Tuesday night, it’s almost like, who needs New Year’s Eve? There are New Orleans jams, skate nights, 3D movies, dance parties of all kinds and more happening all weekend long. And if you are holding out for New Year’s, don’t worry, we'll soon have you covered for that, too.

For more to explore, visit LAist.com where you can learn how to get to L.A.’s newest historic landmark celebrating Civil War-era hero Owen Brown, check out our list of SoCal’s best music of 2024, and brace yourself for higher avocado prices in 2025.

And don’t forget to make your end-of-year tax-exempt donation to continue supporting this newsletter and all the great reporting on LAist.com and 89.3.

Events

Jan 2

Hanukkah Menorah Lighting
- Third Street Promenade
  1351 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica
The annual menorah lighting on the promenade continues every night of the eight-day celebration.
Mar 16

Balloon Museum
- Balloon Museum L.A.
  1601 E. 6th St. , Downtown L.A.
The pop-up Balloon Museum features works with LED lights, hot air (of course), and more.
Dec 27

Club Tenderness
- Moon Room
  7174 Melrose Ave., Melrose
Kick off New Year’s weekend with a post-punk indie dance party.
Jan 5

L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow
- Los Angeles Zoo
  5333 Zoo Dr., Griffith Park
Animal-themed light installations, new lantern sculptures, and more!
Dec 28

'The Spirit of Hanukkah'
- Dynasty Typewriter
  2511 Wilshire Blvd., Westlake
The comedy show from cousins Zane Shrem-Besnoy and Jacob Surovsky features a film, live music, special guests, and more.
Dec 28

Dirty Dozen Brass Band
- The Mint
  6010 W. Pico Blvd., Mid-City
Party with Grammy-winning New Orleans brass band The Dirty Dozen.
Dec 28

Larry Tee's ICONS Pre-New Year's Eve Party
- Los Globos
  3040 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake
East L.A. drag queen Morgan Wood hosts the 25th anniversary of the ICONS party from DJ Larry Tee.
Dec 28

Ugly Sweater Holiday Skate Night
- Midnight Rollerway
  5110 San Fernando Rd., Glendale
Skate into the last week of the year in your ugliest sweater and show off your coolest roller derby moves.

Outdoor Pick

Dec 28

Native Plant Hike
- James Dilley Preserve
  350 Artisan Dr., Laguna Beach
A 2.5-mile hike focused on native California plants.

Viewing Pick

Dec 30

3D-cember
- Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
  6067 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire
The Academy Museum theater is celebrating the magic of 3D with a series of screenings.

Dine & Drink Deals

Dec 28

Hanukkah Dinner at A.O.C.
- A.O.C. - Brentwood
  11648 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood
A.O.C. celebrates the festival of lights with a dinner from Chef Suzanne Goin.
Jan 2

Lodge Bread x Krispy Kreme
- Multiple Locations
Bread and Krispy Kreme teamed up for the Hanukkah collab, reimagining the classic sufganiyot (jelly doughnut).