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Free weekend? Bike East LA, bust out your ugly sweater and eat vegan
File: Ugly sweater party.
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Dave Scelfo/Flickr
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What are your plans for the holiday weekend?
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yeejeh/flickr Creative Commons
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As the rain clears up and SoCal gets back to its sunny state, we've got just the right mix of weekend events to keep you entertained. From children's art exhibitions to candy cane cocktails, there's something sweet for everyone. Get ready for an ugly sweater contest, one massive bubble party and a trip to an '80s-themed dive bar.
Here's everything you need to know:
1. 'Deck the halls with ugly sweaters'
(TheUglySweaterShop/flickr Creative Commons)
Sport your ugliest, cutest or gaudiest sweater in Santa Monica at Del Frisco's Grille's ultimate ugly sweater face-off. Get in the spirit of the holiday season and enjoy complimentary appetizers and a delicious candy cane cocktail. Expect original songs from Christmas carolers under bright lights and test your "A Christmas Story" movie trivia while mingling with new friends.
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When: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday
Where: Del Frisco's Grille - Santa Monica | MAP
Price: Free | More details here.
2. Spread your wings and bike to East L.A.
(ericrichardson/flickr Creative Commons)
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Burn off your holiday food binge with a scenic bike ride through East L.A. with the folks from Los Angeles County Bike Coalition. Music, tacos, Red Bull and a warm cup of champurrado await you at the finish line.
Do you have a two-wheeler with a new paint job you've just been dying to show off? Now's your chance to enter your bike in the "best decorated bikes" contest judged by LACBC Luchador El Pedal.
When: 4:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: LACBC | MAP
Price: Free
3. '80s dance party at a dive bar
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(Photo: vissago/flickr Creative Commons)
Sucker for '80s music? Enjoy a night in Downey with groovy glow sticks and dance floors galore at Hully Gully bar. Keep your ears tuned for classic songs from Berlin, The Cure and other greats at this retro dive. (And if you love Spanish music, be sure to catch Hully Gully's special Rock en Espanol on Friday nights.)
When: 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays
Where: Hully Gully | MAP
Price: $5 cover charge before 9:30 p.m.
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Support children's art and peruse dozens of vibrant, watercolor paintings and original pieces from creative kids. From self-portraits to 3D koala bear paintings, there's a story and song behind every kid-inspired masterpiece.
When: Noon Sunday
Where: Pasadena Convention Center | MAP
Price: Free for children and teens under 16 | $15 for adults
(pedrosek/flickr Creative Commons)
You don't have to be a kid to enjoy a ginormous bubble party. Head over to Lincoln Heights Library for a festive Christmas show where kids and adults can frolic in bubbles of all sizes. (Or grab a book to keep yourself occupied while the kids make new friends.)
When: 2 p.m. Saturday
Where: Lincoln Heights Library | MAP
Price: Free
Our Twitter friend @YukoChino suggested this vegan-friendly event at Verdugo Bar in Los Angeles. Join in on holiday games and bring a small wrapped gift to participate. Enjoy a variety of food options from Plant Food For People, Viva Los Cupcakes! and more.
When: 3 p.m. Sunday
Where: Verdugo Bar | MAP
Price: Free
EVEN MORE EVENTS HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND:
Did we miss something? We're always on the lookout for fun and interesting weekend events. Let us know, and we may feature your picks in our next roundup. Tweet us @KPCC or email our social media producer Kristen Lepore at klepore@scpr.org.
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Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
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