With most events, concerts and festivals canceled or pivoting online, please consider contributing to your local arts organizations or to individual artists and performers.
L.A. County's new "safer at home" order went into effect on Nov. 30. Check the status of any drive-through events listed before heading out as the new safety measures only allow occupants in each car from the same household.
Watch a modern retelling of A Christmas Carol. Catch livestream concerts from Fleet Foxes' Robin Pecknold, the Blind Boys of Alabama and Dustbowl Revival. Grab the popcorn and watch Christmas movies at the drive-ins. Attend the 61st annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration virtually this year.
Estella Scrooge: A Christmas Carol With A Twist
The Wallis presents a modern musical retelling of Charles Dickens' classic. Estella Scrooge is a young Wall Street tycoon who wants to deliver a foreclosure message on Christmas Eve in her hometown. During her trip, she discovers the property is owned by her childhood sweetheart and is haunted by three uninvited visitors. This is a video-on-demand screening.
COST: $29.99 - $44.99; MORE INFO
The Ally Coalition's 7th Annual Talent Show
Founded in 2013 by Jack Antonoff (Bleachers) and fashion designer Rachel Antonoff, the Ally Coalition assists organizations helping homeless LGBTQ people. The organization holds its annual talent show as a livestream event on Twitch with performances by Big Red Machine, Bleachers, Blu DeTiger, The Chicks, Clairo, Claud, Andrew Dost, Brittany Howard, Lana Del Rey, Muna, Maggie Rogers, Shamir, Sleater-Kinney, Spoon, St. Vincent, Rufus Wainwright, Wallows, Tierra Whack, Hayley Williams and surprise guests. There'll also be one-minute sets by comedians Kalen Allen, Mike Birbiglia, Aidy Bryant, Chris Laker, The Lucas Bros., Jacqueline Novak, Reggie Watts and Roy Wood Jr. Rachael Ray also hosts a one-minute cooking demo.
COST: FREE with suggested donation; MORE INFO
A Very Lonely Solstice Livestream
Fleet Foxes' Robin Pecknold performs a solo acoustic set on the winter solstice. The band's album, Shore, was released digitally on Sept. 22, at 6:31 am PT/9:31 am ET, to mark the autumnal equinox. Shore will be released on vinyl, CD and cassette on Feb. 5, 2021.
COST: $20; MORE INFO
Holiday Movies
The Plant Van Nuys - Drive-In
7876 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys
Screenings include White Christmas (Monday), It's a Wonderful Life (Tuesday) and The Muppet Christmas Carol (Wednesday).
COST: $30 per car; MORE INFO
Yuletide Cinema Drive-In
Santa Anita Park
285 W. Huntington Dr., Arcadia
Street Food Cinema screens a slate of holiday-themed films under the stars. Watch Home Alone on Monday, The Nightmare Before Christmas on Tuesday and Elf on Wednesday. Order kid-friendly treats -- including hot cocoa and caramel-covered brownies -- as well as vegetarian and vegan options. No tickets will be sold at the door. Guests must remain in their cars unless going to the restroom.
COST: $20 per car and $8 per person; MORE INFO
Dynasty Confidential
Comedian Joel Kim Booster returns with his monthly livestream show at Dynasty Typewriter. The comics in the lineup -- Jo Firestone (Shrill), Patti Harrison (I Think You Should Leave), Langston Kerman (The Boys), Irene Tu (The Guest List) and Matt Rogers (Las Culturistas) -- tell Booster a secret they've never told anyone before. Get ready for a night of "off-the-rails armchair therapy." If you have a secret to share and want a chance to tell it during the livestream, email boxoffice@dynastytypewriter.com. The streaming link will be sent by Eventbrite after ticket purchase.
COST: $5 - $10; MORE INFO
Arthur Christmas
443 N. Vineland Ave, City of Industry
In this family Christmas movie, Santa's clumsy son Arthur (James McAvoy) is on a mission to deliver a misplaced present to a young girl in less than two hours. In order to listen to the movie, you'll need an FM radio.
COST: $4 - $10 per person; MORE INFO
Great Conjunction Watch Party
Tonight, the planets align -- well Jupiter and Saturn, anyway. Look up for the Christmas star, the Great Conjunction, in which the two planets will be very close to each other for those of us looking from Earth. The last time this happened was about eight centuries ago, so join in on the stargazing. Or join in the Mt. Wilson Observatory's livestream via YouTube and Zoom
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Lakers vs. Clippers
The defending NBA champions take on the Clippers in a battle for L.A. The season's opening night game will be broadcast on TNT and ESPN LA 710/KWKW.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Herself
Directed by Phyllida Lloyd, the film focuses on single mother Sandra (Clare Dunne) who takes her two young children and escapes her abusive partner. She's inspired by one of her daughter's bedtime stories to build an affordable home as she tries to get back on her feet. RSVP to receive a link to this screening.
COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO
Sway-At-Home: A Virtual Holiday Fest!
The Venice-based roots band Dustbowl Revival puts on a livestreamed holiday concert with the help of a few friends. Watch performances by Eva B. Ross, Drew Defour, The Steel Wheels, Bobby Rush and a video by Keb' Mo.' Watch live on Dustbowl Revival's Facebook and YouTube pages.
COST: FREE, but donations accepted for Color of Change and Musicares; MORE INFO
The Crazy Uncle Joe Show - Online Edition
Watch long-form improv from The Groundlings as they riff on suggestions from the audience. For an hour, they'll will weave together stories, playing different characters in different situations over Zoom. Please log in five minutes before showtime.
COST: $8; MORE INFO
Silent Night, Deadly Night and Black Christmas
Mission Tiki Drive-In Theatre
10798 Ramona Ave., Montclair
American Cinematheque presents a drive-in double feature of Christmas-themed horror films. The 1984 film Silent Night, Deadly Night, by Charles E. Sellier, Jr., is a Santa slasher film. It's followed by the 1974 stranger-meets-sorority film directed by Bob Clark.
COST: $17 - $42; MORE INFO
The Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show
The Barclay in Irvine holds a special livestreamed holiday performance by the American gospel group featuring songs from the Blind Boys' recordings, Talkin' Christmas! and the Grammy-winning Christmas recording, Go Tell It on the Mountain. The concert will be streamed from City Winery Atlanta.
COST: $18 - $158; MORE INFO
61st Annual LA County Holiday Celebration
The show must go on. L.A. County's Christmas Eve tradition will be broadcast on PBS SoCal and livestreamed on pbssocal.org, kcet.org and holidaycelebration.org so you can enjoy from home. The showcase features the diverse cultures of Southern California and the talents of 22 different music ensembles, choirs and dance companies based in L.A. Performers include Ballet Folklórico de Los Angeles, Cuñao, Kayamanan Ng Lahi and Lorenzo Johnson & Praizum. There's also an encore presentation on KCET on Christmas Day at noon.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Who doesn't miss going out to eat or stopping by a bar for a drink? Here are a few options from restaurants and bars as we work our way back toward normal.
