Santa Claus is coming to town. So is Kanye West's biblical opera. Seasonal craft fairs and holiday markets get rolling while UCLA and USC face-off on the gridiron. The Great Los Angeles Walk treks from the SGV to DTLA. The Doo Dah Parade takes over the streets of Pasadena. And August Wilson's Jitney gets a revival.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22 - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24
DesignerCon
Anaheim Convention Center -- 800 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim
Get your holiday shopping done at this convention featuring collectible toys, designer apparel and pop art from more than 800 vendors. Check out the Spider-Verse vR tunnel with original art and animation from the film. Also taking place at DCON is Beyond Eden, a traditional art space dedicated to lowbrow, pop surrealist and outsider art movements.
COST: $30 - $200; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22 - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29
Jitney
Mark Taper Forum -- 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A.
Tony Award-winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson directs the Center Theatre Group's presentation of August Wilson's classic. Set in the 1970s, the play follows a group of men who drive unlicensed cabs aka jitneys. When the city threatens to board up the business and the boss's son returns from prison, tempers flare and secrets are revealed.
COST: $25 - $125 ; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22 - SUNDAY, JANUARY 5
Santa's Village - A Nostalgic Christmas in the Woods
SkyPark at Santa's Village -- 28950 California 18, Skyforest
The outdoor adventure park near Lake Arrowhead plays host to Santa throughout the holiday season. There are activities and entertainment for all ages such as meet-and-greets with Mr. Claus, magic show, ice skating, parades and light shows. Day passes also include access to park attractions like ziplining, an archery range, an ax challenge and pedal cars.
COST: $49 - $59; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22 - SUNDAY, JANUARY 5
Enchanted Forest of Light
Descanso Gardens -- 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge
Take a one-mile nighttime stroll through the garden's foliage, which will be illuminated with interactive installations that allow guests to manipulate the lights and sounds. Tickets are timed and are rain-or-shine.
COST: General admission tickets start at $28; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22 - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1
Los Angeles Auto Show
Convention Center -- 1201 S Figueroa St., downtown L.A.
Car enthusiasts can check out more than 1,000 vehicles including debuts, custom and exotic cars, test drives and activations for drivers and non-drivers alike. The show hosts its first-ever LEGO booth, which honors SoCal's car culture and also features a life-size LEGO Bugatti Chiron.
COST: $6 - $35 admission; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22 - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24
Progressive International Motorcycle Show
Long Beach Convention Center -- 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach
If two wheels are more your style, head to the LBC for a motorcycle show non-ironically sponsored by an insurance company. Take demo rides, attend DIY workshops and shop for new gear.
COST: $17 - $25, children 12 and younger get in free; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22 - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27
Latin American Nomination Screenings (LANS)
The Montalbán -- 1615 Vine St., Hollywood
The Hola Mexico Film Festival and the theater present a screening series of Latin American features in contention for Oscar nominations. The films in the series represent 14 countries including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Honduras, Mexico, Uruguay and Venezuela. It opens on Friday at 7:30 p.m. with La Camarista (The Chambermaid).
COST: Individual tickets start at $13; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22; 10 A.M. - 12 P.M.
Frozen 2 Breakfast and Pajama Party
El Capitan Theatre -- 6838 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
Watch the highly anticipated animated sequel in your comfiest family-friendly PJs. Each ticket includes reserved seats, a breakfast cereal bar, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and surprises.
COST: $25; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22; 6 - 9 P.M.
The Past, Present, and Future of Horror Movies: A Discussion With Filmmakers
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) -- 900 W. Exposition Blvd., Exposition Park
In conjunction with its current exhibition, Natural History of Horror, the NHM presents a discussion between Roger Corman (The Little Shop of Horrors, House of Usher, The Pit and the Pendulum) and Andy Muschietti (It, It Chapter Two, Mama) on the past, present and future of horror movies. The night also features movie props, food trucks and cash bars. The exhibition will be open for those who want to check out the science behind the films.
COST: $8 - $10; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22 - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23; 8:30 - 10:30 P.M.
Dorian Wood: Xavela Lux Aeterna
REDCAT -- 631 W. 2nd St., downtown L.A.
The singer, composer and performance artist pays tribute to the songs of Mexican-Costa Rican singer Chavela Vargas, best known for her take on Mexican rancheras. This year marks the centennial of her birth. The U.S. premiere of the show features a cast of 10 musicians, including Wood, a string quartet, and guest singers San Cha and Carmina Escobar.
COST: $18 - $22; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23 - SATURDAY, JANUARY 4
Magic Lantern Festival
Pomona Fairplex -- 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona
Every Saturday through Jan. 4, the Chinese Lantern Festival returns for the holiday season. View illuminated displays with the theme "Blooming Seasons." Bask in the glow of lanterns strung up to 30 feet high and a 100-yard-long ceramic dragon. You'll also learn about the art of lantern-making in China, which dates back 2,000 years.
COST: $15.50 - $27; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23 - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14
Jean Curran: The Vertigo Project
Roberts Projects -- 5801 Washington Blvd., Culver City
The gallery presents the second iteration of works that re-present key scenes from Alfred Hitchcock's 1958 film Vertigo. In full cooperation with the Hitchcock estate, Curran edited 20 still images from the hundreds of thousands of frames that make up the film. The opening reception takes place on Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23 - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22
29th Annual Winter Fantasy
Sawdust Art Festival -- 935 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach
While most people visit the Sawdust Festival grounds during the summer, the three-acre art village transforms into a snowy wonderland for five weekends during the winter. The festival features 180 artists and makers, three stages of music, art demonstrations, a petting zoo, holiday lights, trees and Santa. The community tree lighting takes place on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
COST: $4 - $12, and active or retired members of the military, and three members of their family get in for free; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23; 9 A.M. - 5 P.M.
The Great Los Angeles Walk
The streets of San Gabriel Valley
The annual pre-Thanksgiving tradition founded by L.A.-based journalist Michael Schneider forgoes its usual route to the sea in favor of a walk through Arcadia, Pasadena, Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock, Highland Park and Chinatown. Participants meet at the Arcadia County Park fountain. Walk as much or as little of the route as you'd like. After it's all over, head to The Redwood Bar & Grill in DTLA for an afterparty from 5 to 8 p.m.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23 - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24
Renegade Craft Fair LA
Los Angeles State Historic Park -- 1245 N. Spring St., downtown L.A.
Spend the weekend shopping from more than 300 local and national artists and makers while enjoying solstice-inspired installations by Krystal Chang and DJ sets with KXSC Radio. Snacks and seasonal drinks will be available for purchase from food trucks and other vendors.
COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23; 10 A.M. - 1 P.M.
Ridley Scott's Blade Runner: Final Cut
Vista Theatre -- 4473 Sunset Dr., Los Feliz
The Secret Movie Club continues its Females Rock film series with the final cut of Ridley Scott's sci-fi noir classic (1982/2007), set in Nov. 2019. After the screening, there's a Q&A with the film's editor, Gillian Hutshing, who'll talk about working with Scott.
COST: $11 - $20; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23; 2 - 3 P.M.
Our Common Table: A Journey Through L.A.'s Flourishing Culinary Communities
Rothenberg Hall at The Huntington Library -- 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino
Learn about L.A.'s food history at a booksigning and talk with Bill Esparza, author of L.A. Mexicano, and food and culture facilitator, Elisa Callow, author of The Urban Forager. They'll chat with journalist Val Zavala.
COST: FREE, but reservations required; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23; 5 - 9 P.M.
Teen Night
The Wende Museum -- 10808 Culver Blvd., Culver City
Students (with proper school ID) between the ages of 13 and 18, are welcome to attend the museum's first-ever teen night, which commemorates the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Listen to live music by The Campbells and Cohort or take part in a hands-on street-art project with the artist Muck Rock (bring extra clothes to participate). Food and drinks provided by Van Leeuwen Ice Cream and Loqui. Participants should also check out the Wende's newest exhibition, The Medea Insurrection: Radical Women Artists Behind the Iron Curtain.
COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO
UPDATE: Shefa will be unable to open as scheduled on Nov. 23.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23; 6:30 - 8:30 P.M.
Home Alone
Huntington Langham -- 1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena
My Valley Pass teams up with the luxurious hotel for an outdoor screening of the Christmas fave starring Macauley Culkin. Arrive early and head to the Horseshoe Garden for a chance to play Mario Kart on the big screen (courtesy of Neon Retro Arcade). Snacks, soft drinks and adult beverages will be available for purchase. Doors at 5 p.m.
COST: $15 - $35; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23; 12:30 P.M.
UCLA vs. USC
LA Memorial Coliseum -- 3911 S Figueroa St., Exposition Park
Saturday's football game between UCLA, which is ranked 3rd in the Pac 12, and USC, ranked 2nd in the Pac 12 and No. 23 overall, marks the annual gridiron battle for the crosstown rivals. The prize? Bragging rights.
COST: $48 - $274+; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24; 7:30 p.m.
The New Negroes
The Virgil -- 4519 Santa Monica Blvd., East Hollywood
The monthly live show, hosted by Open Mike Eagle and Baron Vaughn, returns with a lineup of new black voices in comedy and music. The show's title refers to a term popularized during the Harlem Renaissance when Black Americans spoke up and told their stories to dismantle misconceptions. "This show is KINDA doing that, but jokes."
COST: $7-10; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24; 11 A.M. - 1 P.M.
Pasadena Doo Dah Parade 2019
Colorado Blvd., between Altadena and San Gabriel Blvd., Pasadena
The cousin of the Rose Parade returns for its 42nd year, taking over the streets of Pasadena. Actor Jesselynn Desmond serves as the parade queen while several local seismologists serve as Grand Marshals. Afterparties abound throughout the neighborhood but the official post-parade festivities take place at the American Legion at 179 N. Vinedo St. with live bands, dancing, cheap food and drinks for a $3 cover.
COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24
Lucques Cookbook Supper
Lucques -- 8474 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood
Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne celebrate the publication of Rosetta, a new cookbook from chef Elena Reygadas. It's named for her acclaimed Mexico City restaurant and includes recipes and reflections that display her dedication to ingredient-based cuisine. The fixed menu includes quelites, avocado, chicatana ants, potato gnocchi, chaya, quail, farro, dates and a guava roll with ginger ice cream.
COST: $75 per person (not including beverage, tax and service); MORE INFO
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24; 4 - 11 P.M.
Kanye West: Nebuchadnezzar
Hollywood Bowl -- 2301 N Highland Ave., Hollywood
Ye debuts a new opera named for the powerful Babylonian king, directed by performance artist Vanessa Beecroft with music from West's Sunday Service choir. This is a lease event, so no outside alcoholic beverages. Gate opens at 1:30 p.m.
COST: Tickets start at $20; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24; 5 - 8 P.M.
Julia Sweeney: I. As Well - A Stand Up/Storytelling Adventure
M.i.'s Westside Comedy Theater -- 1323-A Third St. Promenade (In the Alley Between 3rd & 4th), Santa Monica
The comedian workshops her newest monologue/stand-up production, which takes on the #MeToo movement. The work alternates between the humorous and the serious. She'll be working from notes for the next few Sundays (through Dec. 22) so the show will change from week to week.
COST: $10; MORE INFO
Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the price that Kanye West: Nebuchadnezzar tickets start at. LAist regrets the error.
