Catch two wildly different versions of the Nutcracker Suite, one from the American Contemporary Ballet and the other featuring Bob Baker's marionettes. Cram the car to watch Willy Wonka at the drive-in. Settle in for a Lord of the Rings marathon in 35mm, a kiddie matinee of Elf or a screening of Terry Gilliam's Time Bandits. And move over, Cord and Tish, the Hollywood Christmas Parade returns with hosts Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie, Dean Cain and Montel Williams.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29 - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24
ACB's The Nutcracker Suite
Metropolis Los Angeles -- 877 S. Francisco St. Suite C-6, downtown L.A.
The American Contemporary Ballet's version of the holiday classic is an immersive experience set inside a virtual holiday snow globe. Inspired by E.T.A. Hoffman's tale, the dancers perform to live music that includes some of the less commonly heard but equally beautiful pieces from Tchaikovsky's score. The one-hour run time makes it a great option for families with children.
COST: $55 - $137; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29; 12 - 8 P.M.
Black Friday Psychic Fair & Witches Market
The Crooked Path -- 2020 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank
The occult apothecary that specializes in off-the-beaten path products holds its first Black Friday market. Buy spell candles, essential oils and herbs, and check out specials from intuitive healers, reiki practitioners and tarot (and other) readers.
COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29 - SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16
Shirin Neshat: I Will Greet the Sun Again
The Broad -- 221 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A.
The largest exhibition to date of Neshat's three-decade career is now on view at The Broad, a perfect place to take out-of-towners this holiday season. The exhibition, which takes its title from a poem by Iranian poet Forugh Farrokhzad, features more than 200 photographs and eight video works that explore themes of exile, displacement and identity.
COST: $12 - $20; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29; 1 - 2 P.M.
A Snow White Christmas
Kidspace Children's Museum -- 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena
Catch a preview of the Lythgoe Family Panto's A Snow White Christmas at the museum. Hear Snow White as she sings a couple songs to celebrate the season. Children can meet the princess after the show. The performance is included with museum admission.
COST: $14; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29; 10 A.M. - 5 P.M.
Grand Opening Day
Bob Baker Marionette Theater -- 4949 York Blvd., Highland Park
The famous puppet theater hosts a day of events to celebrate its new home. Special guests will cut the red ribbon at 10 a.m., followed by puppet shows on the hour through 4 p.m. Each show will celebrate and explore one decade of the theater's existence. Exhibits, activities and walk-around puppets will take place all day. Check out historic Bob Baker photographs and a virtual reality puppet experience next door, at the MorYork gallery. The day ends at 7:30 p.m. with a special performance and raising of the Harlequin Clowns.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29; 9 A.M. - 1 P.M.
Golden Friday Fun Runs
Golden Road -- Anaheim and Northeast L.A.
Both Golden Road locations host 5K runs and afterparties as an alternative to Black Friday shopping. You must be 21+ to race. Registration includes a shirt, two beer tickets, food and raffles. Dogs are welcome and $10 from each ticket gets donated to Wags n Walks or Barks of Love in Anaheim. The races are sold out but you can cheer on the athletes in your midst.
COST: $25; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29 - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29
Snow Day L.A.
The Old Lodge Montecillo De Leo Politi -- 2010 Stadium Way, Elysian Park
Snow Day L.A. returns, converting a swath of Elysian Park with a stage, ample picnic benches and open grass into a winter wonderland. From now until December 29, every Friday through Sunday, guests can enjoy a snowstorm of fun that includes a crystal garden, light shows, tubing and more.
COST: Tickets start at $12; MORE INFO
SPONSORED
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29; 5:45 - 9:45 P.M.
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
The Roadium Open Air Market -- 2500 W. Redondo Beach Blvd., Torrance
Grab your golden tickets and pack as many people as you (safely) can into your car for a drive-in screening of the 1971 film starring Gene Wilder. Only one ticket needed per car. Food trucks and other vendors will be onsite selling snacks and concessions. The screening begins at 7 p.m.
COST: $20 per car; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30 - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1
Los Angeles Holiday Market
Hudson Loft -- 1200 S. Hope St., downtown L.A.
'Tis the season for shopping, so check out this pop-up from Unique Markets as it takes over two floors of the historic Hudson Loft. On Small Business Saturday, peruse the wares of more than 125 L.A. designers and emerging brands. Admission includes free drinks from Califia Farms and Revive Kombucha as well as snacks from CLIF Bar. There will also be holiday portraits, a swag lounge, screenprinting, art installations, DJs, a cafe and a bar.
COST: $12 - $15, children 12 and younger get in free; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30; 10 A.M. - 6 P.M.
Mindfulness Expo
Anaheim Convention Center -- 800 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim
The day is divided into 14 50-minute workshops focusing on meditation, Kundalini yoga, sound healing, nutrition, Reiki and transforming your life through the outdoors. Vendors will be on hand with relevant offerings for a more mindful life.
COST: $35; MORE INFO
SPONSORED
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30 - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1; 1 P.M. - 12 A.M.
The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy
The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood -- 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
Watch a triple feature of director Peter Jackson's LOTR series on 35mm. The films follow J.R.R. Tolkien's epic adventure of good against evil. The marathon screening includes the extended versions of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002).
COST: $13 - $15; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30; 9 A.M. - 11 A.M.
Will Hike for Food
Trailhead at 4168 Hampstead Rd., La Canada
If you want to #optoutside, Nobody Hikes in L.A. presents its fourth annual hike and food drive. Teaming with Walking Pasadena, hikers at this event bring nonperishable food items to donate to Friends In Deed. The expected route will be about three miles with some moderate climbing.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30; 11 A.M. - 9 P.M.
2019 CSUN Powwow
California State University, Northridge -- 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge
CSUN's American Indian Student Association presents the 36th annual powwow at the Oviatt Library and Sierra Quad on CSUN's campus. Listen to Native American music, dance and storytelling. Browse goods and crafts from makers. Let the kids partake in children's activities. Gourd dancing begins at 11 a.m. with grand entry is at 12:30 p.m.
COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30; 2 - 4 P.M.
Elf
New Beverly Cinema -- 7165 Beverly Blvd., Fairfax
The New Bev's Kiddee Matinee series screens the modern holiday classic starring Will Ferrell as Buddy, an extremely tall Elf who lands in New York City while searching for his biological father.
COST: $6; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30 - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29
Bob Baker's Nutcracker
Carrie Hamilton Theatre at The Pasadena Playhouse -- 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena
The holiday ballet is adapted by Bob Baker's marionettes in a show meant for kids of all ages. More than 100 handcrafted puppets take the audience on an adventure through the Land of Sweets. Meet the Sugarplum Fairy and her Promenading Cakes, dance with the waltzing flowers and listen to tunes from the Nutcracker band, the Go-Go's.
COST: Tickets start at $20, children 2 and younger get in free; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30 - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1; 8 P.M. - 12 A.M.
Festy Baby
Lodge Room -- 104 N. Ave. 56 2nd Floor, Highland Park
The music and arts festival is back for its third year. Taking place at a Masonic Temple built in 1922 , the event supports local artists and the community with 25% of ticket sales benefitting Renaissance Arts Academy, a local public performing arts school. The lineup includes Annabelle Maginnis, Slip, VS Colour, Ariel Beesley, Andy Clockwise and Collapsing Scenery.
COST: $15 - $40; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30; 11 A.M. - 5 P.M.
Snow Day! at the Pier
Santa Monica Pier -- 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica
Frolic in a winter wonderland with 4,000 square feet of real snow on the pier's Merry Go-Round Deck. RSVPs are full but you can show up early to get on the onsite waitlist.
COST: Free for children under 12, $5 for 13 and older ; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30; 11 A.M. - 4 P.M.
Los Feliz Flea
John Marshall High School -- 3939 Tracy St., Los Feliz
Here's another idea for holiday shopping: This weekly flea market offers vintage collectibles and art. Presented by the Odd Market, the day also features food trucks and entertainment for kids. Pets are also welcome.
COST: FREE admission and parking; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30 - FRIDAY, JANUARY 3
Solvang Julefest
Downtown Solvang
The Danish town -- already ripe for a Hallmark holiday movie -- opens its monthlong winter holiday celebration this weekend. In addition to Santa's Village, a Julefest parade, candlelight tours and a Skål Wine & Stein Stroll, some of the newer experiences include a celebration of Saint Lucia Day on Dec. 13, a Christmas drone show on Dec. 21 and a new play area, Santa's Lade (Santa's Barn), with snow and live animals.
COST: Varies; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1; 11 A.M. - 5 P.M.
Patchwork Show Santa Ana Makers Festival - Fall 2019
Artists Village -- 125 N. Broadway, Santa Ana
Dear Handmade Life's bi-annual, makers festival returns to its original Orange County location with wares from 200+ makers, emerging artists, crafters and designers. The day also includes live music, DIY crafting and activities. This is a dog-friendly event.
COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1; 10:30 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.
Terry Gilliam's Time Bandits
Vista Theatre -- 4473 Sunset Dr., Los Feliz
The Secret Movie Club kicks off December with the first of three 1980s Gilliam movies. Time Bandits follows a young boy who on his adventures through history before he finally faces a dark Time Lord. Other films in the series include Brazil (screening Dec. 7 at 11:59 p.m.) and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (Dec. 8 at 10 a.m.).
COST: $11 - $27; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1; 11 A.M. - 6 P.M.
Dark Delicacies 25th Anniversary Party
Dark Delicacies -- 822 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank
The book and novelty shop, which specializes in the horror genre, celebrates 25 years in business throught the month of December. The party features poster giveaways, prize drawings, $25 surprise boxes and $15 surprise pails for kids to benefit Wildlife Care of Southern California.
COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1; 5 P.M.
88th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade
Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
The unironic parade winds its way down three miles of Hollywood Blvd. as Mario Lopez and his family serve as the grand marshals of this year's parade. They'll oversee an eclectic array of musical performances including Jesse & Joy, Dionne Warwick, Brandon Jenner, Sheléa, The Band Of Merrymakers, Rock of Ages and many others. Hosting the parade are Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie, Dean Cain and Montel Williams. If you miss the parade in person, check out the broadcast on Dec. 13 on the CW.
COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1; 7 - 9 P.M.
Tig Notaro: But Enough About You with Dakota Johnson
Largo at the Coronet -- 366 N. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Grove
For this interview-format show, Notaro avoids typical showbiz questions and instead holds a silly hangout and chat with Johnson in front of a live audience.
COST: $30; MORE INFO
