Whatever holidays you honor, you can celebrate the season with holiday music, a new tamale festival, a play about the Virgin of Guadalupe, a Smorgasburg holiday popup, a beer fest, craft fairs, community festivals and even an occult-related arts fair. We've also got secular events like the opening of a Disgusting Food Museum, a restored silent film and plenty of music.
FRIDAY, DEC. 7; 8 p.m.
American Cinematheque's 20th Anniversary at the Egyptian
Egyptian Theatre -- 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
The organization celebrates its anniversary by holding the Los Angeles premiere screening of MoMA's digitally restored 4k version of Rosita, a 1923 silent film starring Mary Pickford and directed by Ernst Lubitsch. The movie is accompanied by a live orchestra, directed by musicologist Gillian Anderson, who reconstructed the film's original score by working from fragments and a cue sheet.
COST: $20 - $25; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, DEC. 7 - SATURDAY, DEC. 8; 7:30 p.m.
La Virgen de Guadalupe, Dios Inantzin
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels -- 555 West Temple St., downtown L.A.
The Latino Theater Company and the Cathedral present the story of La Virgen de Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico. The pageant play tells the story of an indigenous peasant's vision of the Virgin Mary. Written by Evelina Fernandez and directed by Jose Luis Valenzuela, the production features music, dance and the universal themes of faith, hope and love.
COST: FREE - $40; MORE INFO
Through SUNDAY, JAN. 6
Holiday Time in PaleyLand
Paley Center for Media -- 465 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills
The interactive holiday experience features Instagrammable moments, crafting activities, games, visits with Santa and hot cocoa. More importantly, it includes free screenings of holiday TV classics. This weekend's programs include Even Stevens: Heck of a Hanukkah, A Rugrats Chanukah, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
.
COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, DEC. 7; 7:30 p.m.
X & Los Lobos
The Novo -- 800 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown L.A.
The punk icons and the veteran East L.A. rockers join forces for the Los Angeles Story tour. For this hometown show, they're joined by another SoCal OG band -- The Blasters. All ages.
COST: $40 - $50; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, DEC. 7; 7 p.m.
The Wiz
Blackout Cinema -- 665 N. Heliotrope Dr., East Hollywood
Ease on down to a screening of the 1978 film that starred an African-American cast in an updated version of The Wizard of Oz. It features Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, Lena Horne and Richard Pryor -- but unbelievably was a box office and critical flop. Expect singing and a lot of fun at this community-building movie mixer. Message Blackout Cinema to reserve a seat and they'll send you a Paypal link.
COST: $8; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, DEC. 7; 6 - 9 p.m.
Holiday Cocktails in Historic Places at the Biltmore
Millennium Biltmore Hotel -- 506 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A.
Here's a reason to get gussied up. The Art Deco Society of Los Angeles holds its monthly meetup (for both members and nonmembers alike) at the Gallery Bar at the Biltmore. Sip on no-host cocktails while mixing with other fans of art deco architecture.
COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, DEC. 7
WOW Store Opening
World of Wonder -- 6650 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
Go ahead and sashay to World of Wonder Productions' ("RuPaul's Drag Race," "Million Dollar Listing," "Dancing Queen") new flagship store. Opening just in time for the holidays, fans can buy popular merch from WOW, its shows and from top drag queens around the world.
COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DEC. 8; 12 - 6 p.m.
Snow Wonder / Holiday Boat Parade
Burton Chace Park -- 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey
Build a snowman or sled down a hill as 80 tons of of snow are trucked into the park area. The winter festival includes food trucks and craft vendors from noon to 6 p.m. At 5:55 p.m., there's a fireworks display to signal the beginning of the boat parade in MDR's main channel.
COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DEC. 8; 12 - 7 p.m.
Bitchcraft 10th Annual Winter Faire
Kinship Yoga -- 5612 N Figueroa St., Highland Park
L.A.'s witch collective fair features jewelry, apparel, accessories, art and household goods by dozens of vendors. There are also tattoo stations and other items for your fantasy and witchcraft needs. Food and drink purveyors include Brujas Borrachas, The Pagan Feast, Hi Buddy Hot sauce and Cup My Cakez.
COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DEC. 8; 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Echo Park Community Parade 2018
Sunset Blvd between Vin Scully Ave. and Park Ave. -- Echo Park
Soak up the community vibes while watching the floats, classic cars and performances. Santa and his elves make an appearance. The main stage, at Echo Park and Sunset Blvd., features live entertainment.
COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DEC. 8 - SUNDAY, DEC. 9; 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Renegade Craft Fair
Los Angeles State Historic Park -- 1245 N. Spring St., downtown L.A.
This showcase of independent craft and design presents wares from more than 200 emerging and established makers alongside local eats, holiday drinks, workshops and art installations. KXSC DJs provide the soundtrack.
COST: FREE entry; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DEC. 8; 5 p.m.
Santa Monica Pub Crawl
Various locations in Santa Monica
Now in its 10th year, this pub crawl doubles as a fundraising event for the Westside Food Bank. More than 30 bars and restaurants throughout the city come together to offer food and drink specials to those wearing SMPC wristbands. Choose from four routes that span the Santa Monica Pier, Main Street, the Promenade and Wilshire Blvd. Participants get a complimentary beer and commemorative chalice courtesy of Stella Artois. Holiday cosplay is encouraged, and of course, you have to be 21+ to participate.
COST: $20 - $25 for a wristband; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DEC. 8; 12 - 4 p.m.
Brew Ho Ho! Holiday Ale Festival
Anaheim Phoenix Club -- 1340 S. Sanderson Ave., Anaheim
The fest includes unlimited 2 oz. pours of more than 100 craft beers with a focus on seasonal, holiday and winter ales. There's also a brewery merchandise expo to get the perfect gifts for the beer lovers in your life.
COST: $20 - $55; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DEC. 8; 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Holiday Popup on the Pier
Santa Monica Pier -- 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica
For Westsiders who don't like schlepping to downtown L.A., Smorgasburg holds a SaMo edition, bringing regular vendors like Goa Taco, Katsu Sando, Lobsterdamus and Ponchos Tlayudas as well as special vendors like NYC's Burger Supreme. You'll also find a beer garden and holiday boutique vendors. (Don't worry, the DTLA's Smogasburg edition still happens on Sunday.)
COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DEC. 8; 2 p.m.- SUNDAY, DEC. 9; 2 and 6 p.m.
The Nutcracker
Alex Theatre -- 216 N Brand Blvd., Glendale,
The Red Chair presents a kid-friendly version of the holiday ballet about a young girl's journey on Christmas Eve. This version features young performers, ages 5 to 18, in principal and supporting roles along with adults.
COST: $21.25 - $45; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DEC. 8, 5 - 7:15 p.m
You're Gonna Need A Bigger Boat
Three Clubs -- 1123 Vine St., Hollywood
The London-based, multimedia film quiz makes its L.A. debut on Saturday. You think you know movie trivia? Test your knowledge against other cinephiles. There's no cover or mandatory team size.
COST: FREE, but RSVP requested; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DEC. 8; 9 p.m.
Peter Bjorn and John
Teragram Ballroom -- 1234 W. 7th St., downtown L.A.
The Swedish pop-rock band is currently on tour to support its latest release, Darker Days, and plays an all-ages show in L.A.
COST: $25+ fees; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DEC. 8; 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Santa's Tamale Festival
Simi Valley Town Center -- 1555 Simi Town Center Way, Simi Valley
This is the festival's first year and it's bringing together some of SoCal's best tamale vendors. The top three tamales will be awarded prizes. All food is sold à la carte. Some ticket levels include beer. This is an all-ages event.
COST: $5 - $45; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DEC. 8; 5 - 9 p.m.
Jollywood
Eastown courtyard -- 6201 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
The free, community popup party along the Walk of Fame features Santa Claus arriving via LAFD fire truck, a holiday market, carolers, music and sweets. Modeled after an old-world Wassail Garden, the party offers holiday cocktails for purchase, including wassail (an alcoholic beverage of hot ale or beer, apples, spices and mead). Food will be available for purchase from nearby restaurants.
COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, DEC. 9 - SUNDAY, FEB. 17, 2019
Disgusting Food Museum
A+D Architecture and Design Museum -- 900 E. 4th St., downtown L.A.
This traveling exhibition comes to L.A., courtesy of the same curator behind the Museum of Failure. While we don't care for the museum's name, the exhibition features more than 80 foods and delicacies from around the world that aren't commonly found on most American dinner tables. Items include: Cuy - roasted guinea pigs from Peru; Casu marzu - maggot-infested cheese from Sardinia; Hákarl - well-aged shark from Iceland; and Durian - that fruit with a distinctive odor from Thailand. Adventurous visitors will appreciate the opportunity to smell and taste some of the foods available.
COST: $10 - $18; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, DEC. 9 - SATURDAY, DEC. 15
Free Canter's Sandwiches
Canter's Deli -- 419 N. Fairfax Ave., Beverly Grove
Amazon Prime celebrates Season 2 of its Emmy-winning show The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel by giving away 50 of "The Maisel" sandwiches each day during the promotion. The "sandwich worth the schlep!" is made with pastrami, salami, coleslaw and special sauce on rye. Remember that Canter's is open 24 hours a day, so plan well. "The Maisel" is also available for purchase if you don't get one of the free sandwiches.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, DEC. 9; 7 p.m.
Handel's Messiah
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels -- 555 West Temple St., downtown L.A.
The Cathedral's English Choir, under the direction of Joseph Bazyouros, and the Dream Orchestra, conducted by Daniel Suk, presents an excerpt from Handel's Messiah, specifically the Christmas portion with Hallelujah and Amen Chorus. The program also includes two other pieces by Handel, the Royal Fireworks Overture and Eternal Source of Light Divine.
COST: Tickets: $10 - $40; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, DEC. 9; 12 - 6 p.m.
East LA Artwalk
Corner of 1st and Indiana streets -- East L.A.
The monthly artwalk holds a Holidaze Mercadito with local artists and Eastside brands selling their works and wares. The family-friendly event also features live music, DJs, silk screening by Cultivarte Gallery and vegan treats.
COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, DEC. 9, 8 p.m.
Team Coco Presents: Conan O'Brien & Friends, An Evening of Stand-up and Investment Tips
The Wiltern -- 3790 Wilshire Blvd., Koreatown
Tickets are popular and pricy but the night features a great lineup that includes Conan, Deon Cole, Ron Funches, James Veitch and Flula Borg.
COST: Tickets start at $150; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, DEC. 9; 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
28th Annual Winter Fantasy
Sawdust Art Festival -- 935 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach
If you're in the OC or want an excuse to drive down the coast from L.A., this winter fest offers art by nearly 200 artists and makers. There are plenty of other diversions including demos in glassblowing, painting and jewelry-making as well as craft classes. The younger set can enjoy marionette puppet shows, balloon art and magic.
COST: $8 - $12 admission; MORE INFO
How are you spending your weekend? Let us know on Twitter @christineziemba and @LeoHasACat.
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