Erin MaxwellWhile Los Angeles might not have all of the fun winter activities that most of the country has to offer like wintery weather, snowy sports, and seasonal depression, that doesn’t mean it can’t keep up when it comes to celebrating the holiday season. From sweet holiday puppet shows for the wee ones to freaky Xmas-themed productions for the weird ones, the City of Angels has a little something for everyone during the Yuletide season. Here are but a few suggestions one can do with family, friends, and partners in the upcoming weeks.
Bob Baker Marionette Theater presents: Holiday on Strings
(Courtesy Bob Baker Marionette Theater)
Take the little ones for a spectacular tour of the holidays throughout the galaxy as the wonderful folks at Bob Baker Marionette Theater use their enchanted puppets to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, and everything the joyous holiday season has to offer. Featuring a bevy of unusual and imaginative stringed creations in an hour-long interactive show, Bob Baker’s troupe of musical marionettes will delight the family with a magical, seasonal holiday joyride. A unique Los Angeles tradition from the longest running puppet theater in the country, Bob Baker’s musical marionettes always makes the season a bit more merry.
4949 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042
bobbakermarionettetheater.com
Open now until Jan. 12. Tickets are $25+. Ages 2 and under get in for free. Check the website for times and dates. A sensory-friendly version of the show is available.
Yuletide Cinemaland: A Holiday Series at Heritage Square
(Julian Stephens)
Christmas movies, food trucks, and sing-alongs, oh my! This holiday season, Street Food Cinema and TIL Events help raise spirits with their Yuletide Cinemaland, a winter wonderland for cinephiles that offers a holiday double feature along with a half a dozen of festive activities at the historic Heritage Square Museum. Set among the many Victorian homes, food trucks overwhelm the senses with edible delights as festive activities include outdoor vendors, photo ops, ugly holiday sweater contests, Christmas cocktails for the over-21 kids, and a chance to meet Santa for the wee ones. End the night with a double feature of holiday favorites. Combine your love of movies with the holiday season for a joyful night out under the stars.
3545 Pasadena Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90031
streetfoodcinema.com/schedule/yuletide-cinemaland-2024
Open now until Dec. 23. Tickets are $34 for adults, $18 for children. Free for children age 5 and younger. General admission parking is $22.99 per car, VIP parking is $32.99 per car. Please check the website for the full schedule of films, food trucks and vendors.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m., movie starts at 6:30 p.m. and Victorian home tour begins at 6 p.m. For group reservations, please email info@tilpr.com. SFC Season Passes not valid for this special event series.
Enchanted Forest of Light at the Descanso Gardens
(© Kathryn Rapier)
It might not snow in the City of Angels, but it certainly shines thanks to the Descanso Gardens and their annual Enchanted Forest of Light. At night, the iconic garden transforms into a shimmery, glittery garden of breathtaking luminous beauty as light and music are used to create imaginative installations that turn every corner into radiant art. Featuring brilliant displays that dazzle as well as imaginative interactive activities and a full menu of mouthwatering morsels to fuel any traveler, the Enchanted Forest of Light is an annual tradition that continues to light up the night and the lives of Angelenos.
1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
descansogardens.org
Open now until Jan. 5. Open 5:30 p.m. until 10 p.m., closed Dec. 24 and 25. Ticket pricing is dynamic and will vary based on the day, time and membership level. Adult ticket prices are $22 to $45 (non-members). Children’s ticket prices (ages 2-12) $17– to $30 (non-members).
Knott’s Merry Farm
(Knott’s Berry Farm)
Knott’s Berry Farm wants you to have a “berry, merry Christmas” by offering their special offering of down-home food, shows, and attractions that celebrates the Yuletide season and the holiday spirit. Inspired by winter wonderland decor, the entire park is turned into a wonderland as sounds of Christmas music fills the airwaves and smells of holiday goodies tickle the senses. The town of Calico is given a Christmas makeover as vendors sell their seasonal wares while guests catch a glimpse of Saint Nick at home. After sundown, the entire park partakes in a nightly Christmas tree lighting ceremony to welcome the winter season.
8039 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park, CA 90620
knotts.com/events/merry-farm
Open now until Jan. 5; 10 am until 10 pm. Ticket pricing is dynamic and will vary based on the day of admission. Average ticket price is $79.99 for a single day admission. Check the website for various deals and packages.
Pershing Square Holiday Ice Skating Rink
(Red Apple Photography)
Just moved from the East Coast and miss cold weather activities? No worries. We got you covered. If wintertime just isn’t wintertime without a few quality hours on the ice, then perhaps an hour or two at the Pershing Square Holiday Ice Skating Rink will help. Featuring outdoor ice skating in the beating heart of downtown Los Angeles, this seasonal hotspot (coldspot?) is not just the chance to show off your flip jumps, but also offers special events such as Wicked Wednesdays for musical lovers, DJ spotlight skates on Thursdays, classical music on Sundays, and limited “Learn to Curl” sessions hosted by the Hollywood Curling Club! In a city where shorts and t-shirts are perfectly acceptable attire in the middle of December, it’s nice to know that outdoor winter activities such as ice skating still can become an annual family tradition.
532 South Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
holidayicerinkdowntownla.com
Open now until Jan. 12; General admission is $20; prices include skate rental. Curling sessions are $25 per person; availability is limited. Hours and times vary by day and are subject to change. Please check the website for times and dates.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood — Holidays Made Here
(Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood)
Gilmore Girls fans have a reason to rejoice as the quaint little town of Stars Hollow gets a holiday makeover as part of a new annual Christmas tradition in the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. Nab a hot cup of coffee from Luke’s Diner as you walk across the town center, retracing the steps of Lorelai and Rory as you visit the town’s storybook gazebo and landmark business such as Kim’s Antiques and Doose’s Market. You can even say hello to the iconic Bjork Snowman. A holiday tribute to the show on its 25th anniversary, Gilmore Girls fans can also partake in costume meetups in front of Stars Hollow High School, trivia games, cookie decorating and more. Holidays Made Here event is part of any tour ticket, which also includes an extensive tour of the historic backlot, a chance to get up close to props from famous films, and visits to the sets of Friends, as well as beloved Christmas movies, Batman Returns and Gremlins. (Yes. Those count as Christmas movies.)
3400 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
wbstudiotour.com/tickets
Holidays Made Here is part of the WB Studio tour from Dec. 18 through Jan. 5, 2025; Tour is closed on Christmas Day. Tours start from 8:30 am until 3:30 pm. Ticket prices start at $73 for adult, non-residents. Please check the website for prices, various packages, and availability.
L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow
(Jamie Pham/GLAZA)
A magical nighttime event for animals of all shapes, sizes and ages, the Los Angeles Zoo opens its doors to dazzle and delight Angelenos with its immersive landscape of lantern sculptures. Featuring all-new displays to thrill the senses, the event features fun themed nights including Ugly Holiday Sweater Happy Hour with a special cocktail menu, Pride Night, and Holiday Pajama Weekend, just to name a few. Bring family and friends to celebrate the season with favorite nocturnal creatures, human and otherwise.
5333 Zoo Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90027
lazoo.org/plan-your-visit/special-experiences/zoolights
Open now until Jan. 5. Closed on Dec. 24 and 25. Open 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. Ticket prices start at $29 for adults (non-members), $18 for children (non-members). Prices may vary depending on date and event. A sensory-friendly version of the show and free parking is available. Please check the website for details, including VIP pricing, membership information, discounts, and availability.
West Hollywood’s Sunset Marquis Hotel & Villas: Holiday Offerings At Cavatina
(Andrea D’Agosto)
Sunset Marquis Hotel & Villas welcomes weary travelers, merry locals and festive food enthusiasts looking to celebrate the holiday with a scintillating array of food and drink. Executive Chef Luis Morales shares a special curated menu of delicious dishes and creative cocktails available at the Marquis’s signature restaurant Cavatina on Christmas Day. The fine dining feast is offered with a selection of special wine pairings and gourmet upgrades for those who wish to enhance the culinary experience. Don’t let the frenzied anxiety of cooking ruin your holiday experience. Sit, unwind and enjoy the holiday while indulging the senses with a haute cuisine from Executive Chef Luis Morales and the Sunset Marquis.
1200 Alta Loma Rd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
sunsetmarquis.com/cavatina-restaurant/christmas-day
Book now for reservations on Dec. 25: opentable.com/cavatina-at-sunset-marquis
Or call for reservations at 310.358.3759. Available on Dec. 25 from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m. Prices start at $125 for adults and $65 for children 12 and under. Reservations are required.
Los Angeles Ballet’s The Nutcracker
(Cheryl Mann Photography)
Join young Clara as she journeys to the Land of Snow and the Palace of the Dolls in the Los Angeles Ballet rendition of the classic holiday performance of The Nutcracker. The dance troupe will perform Tchaikovsky’s celebrated seasonal favorite at assorted venues across Los Angeles and the surrounding areas, giving music lovers of all ages the chance to witness the magic of the Toy Soldiers as they come to life to battle the Mouse King. As dancers glide to a musical score that has delighted Christmas audiences for over 100 years, now is the time to make The Nutcracker an annual part of your family’s holiday tradition.
Los Angeles Ballet’s The Nutcracker will tour to assorted venues across Los Angeles, including the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, Royce Hall at UCLA and the Dolby Theatre, where they will perform with the Los Angeles Ballet Orchestra. losangelesballet.org/2024-2025-season/the-nutcracker
Performances begin Dec. 6 until Dec. 28. Prices of tickets vary due to date, venue and seating. Availability and pricing are subject to change. Please check the website for details.
Zombie Joe’s Underground Theater Presents Holiday Nightmare Fuel
(Cheryl Mann Photography)
Tired of same-old Santas, played-out tunes, and holiday cheer? Don’t worry. Los Angeles mainstay Zombie Joe has a cure for the mundane. This year, Mr. Joe offers a “ho-ho-horrifying” new experience for people who like their holiday festivities with a side of holy terror as the ZJU Theater Group rolls out their latest creation, Holiday Nightmare Fuel. Experience a frightful walk-thru maze before sitting down for a seasonal performance guaranteed to leave a mark on your psyche. Add a dash of weird to your holidays this year with a helping hand from your friends at Zombie Joe’s Underground.
4850 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601
urbandeath.com
Available on select Fridays and Saturdays in December. Ticket prices are $20 on the website, $25 at the door. For Ages 18+ only. No children allowed. Please check the website for availability and additional details.
Holidays At The Original Farmers Market
(Courtesy of The Original Farmers Market)
Since 1934, the Original Farmers Market has been a focal point of Los Angeles, and during the holidays, there is a little something for everyone at this shopping mecca. The landmark where your bubbie once shopped for apples offers fun events for every family throughout December, including a Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree holiday celebration, a Chanukah Celebration on the Market Plaza, traditional Yuletide Caroling, Menorah lighting, and more. Get your holiday shopping done early for once while enjoying the sights and sounds of the season, provided by the good folks of the Original Farmers Market.
6333 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90036
farmersmarketla.com/events
Free to all. 90-minute parking validation provided with merchant purchase. Please check the website for the schedule of events.
Holiday Road in Calabasas
Hit the road with the Holiday Road, an immersive holiday experience featuring larger than life installations that aim to impress and astonish. The holidays come alive in brilliant light displays that recreate touching, nostalgic moments from the past and gorgeous lantern art that depict brilliant exhibits of electric art. Also featuring a walking trail of dazzling lights, a chance to meet Santa and his crew, food trucks a plenty, and dozens upon dozens of picture perfect opportunities to share with friends, the Holiday Road celebrates the season the only way Los Angeles knows how: in a glittery, eye-catching extravaganza of fun.
King Gillette Ranch, 26800 West Mulholland Hwy, Calabasas, CA 91302
holidayroadusa.com
Open now until Dec. 28 from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Designated time slots for entry start at 5 p.m. for every 30 minutes and end at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $24.99. Prices vary depending on day and time. Children 2 years and under are free. Advanced ticket purchase is strongly recommended. Please check the website for availability and details.