lights

The best part to me about the holidays is snow. And, as it’s currently 80 degrees in Los Angeles snow is not a possibility. Therefor if you want snow, I suggest Mammoth Mountain. And they’re doing their own holiday special : Night of Lights on December 18th.

The Night of Lights has been going on for two decades and fireworks brighten the sky over the snowy mountains. There’s a parade, live music, and I’m assume hot chocolate and smores (if not, they should be added). It’s a free event, but premium seating starts at $20.

And don’t just go for the night, stay the day / weekend / week and get some skiing / snowboarding / tubing / fire watching in.

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas….

carolers

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” ~Elf

One of the best things about the holiday are Christmas songs. And The Los Angeles Master Chorale knows that. They’re taking over the Walt Disney Hall for the Holiday Wonders concert this season. The chorale is singing classic favorites, and adding some audience sing-a-longs into the mix. Tickets range from $94-$29 so anyone can afford this holiday treat. It’s today at 2:30pm, but if that’s too short notice they also have other concerts to check out – Rejoice! Dec 12, 2010 / Messiah Sing-Along Dec 19, 2010

Have yourself a merry little Christmas, let your heart be light

walks

Belly stuffed. Wallet emptied. Home decorated. Check. Check. and Check. Now we’re back in the swing of things with more Christmas and Holiday things to do in the Southern California area.

For this event we move 2 hours north of Los Angeles to Santa Barbara. The drive itself is one to take in, a beautiful drive along the Pacific Ocean on the PCH, and Santa Barbara is a quaint town with shopping, a wharf, and tons of arts and crafts festivals. But come Christmas time comes The 16th Annual La Arcada Christmas Walk It will be Wednesday, December 1st from 5:00p.m. – 8:00p.m. Be prepared to be transported to a winter wonderland with carolers, musicians, and even get a picture with Santa. La Arcada is at 1114 State Street next to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.

Feliz Navidad. Feliz Navidad. Feliz Navidad. Prospero Ano y Felicidad.

freebies : turkey day dinners

So a lot of restaurants in Los Angeles and surrounding areas provide turkey day feasts if you don’t want to cook, don’t know how to cook, or want someone else to do the clean up. But what about a free Thanksgiving Day dinner? Along with a free comedy show. For that, you want to go to the Laugh Factory.

The Laugh Factory is hosting a free dinner and live comedy show for anyone and everyone in Los Angeles. Being from the east, I know that when holidays come around it can be rough. For a reservation call (323) 656-1336 x1. The showings are 1 pm // 3 pm // 5 pm // 7 pm.

AND if you already have plans on the actual day of Thanksgiving, The Laugh Factory has a show called ‘Turkey’s Last Night Out’ featuring comedians KT Tatara, Jason Stuart, Mario Joyner, Neal Brennan & Thea Vidal.

Gobble Gobble.

turkey day marathons

So you’re officially ready to load up on all the good food this Thursday. But, I bet you don’t have a plan to burn off all those additional calories. Here’s one for you. Drumroll please……………

The Long Beach Turkey Trot!

The earlier races are already filled, but the 9:30 / 10:30 races are open. So you can sleep in a little, grab a cup of coffee and work off all the calories you’ll consume later.
45K/10K, run/walk, 9:30 a.m. OPEN
45K only, run/walk, 10:30 a.m. OPEN
4Kids 1/2-Mile Wingding, 9:40 a.m. (ages 8 & younger) OPEN 9:45 a.m. (ages 9-12) OPEN

So do something good. Then justify it with an extra piece of pumpkin pie.

Thank you for being a friend…. (There are no Thanksgiving songs, but in the theme of Thanksgiving I feel the Golden Girls theme song does the holiday justice)

holidays: hanukkah

I’ve been posting a lot about Christmas events, so it’s only fair that I research some Hanukkah events as well. Da, da da da…. The Skirball Center. Skirball is offering two different things to do for families

The Lights of Hanukkah Family Tour : It’s December 2nd – 4th and talks about the significance of Hanukkah.

Down Home Hanukkah : It’s Sunday December 5th and features music, food, crafts, and tons of family focused activities. An additional tour to catch is the Maira Kalman Tour at 2:30 p.m.

Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel, I made you out of clay

freebies : concerts

On Christmas Eve the Los Angeles County Arts has a Holiday Celebration FREE to anyone and everyone in the area.

Deets:
Date: 12/24/10
Time: Doors open at 2:30pm (wristbands distributed on a first come / first serve basis at 11am)
Admission : FREE!!!!
Location: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles 90012
TV: KCET, December 24, from 3:00 – 6:00 pm.

If you’re a filmmaker, the LACA is looking for you. <Click here to learn more >

The Los Angeles County Arts Commission is currently accepting short film submissions by Los Angeles County-based aspiring and professional filmmakers to feature in the 51st Annual Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration telecast.

Eligible films may be no longer than 2 minutes long and must incorporate the theme “childhood memories from the holidays.” Submissions are due on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at 4:00 p.m….Filmmakers whose short films appear on the program will receive an honorarium of $1,000 each.

Yuletide carols being sung by a choir….

parades

Santa. Candy Canes. Presents. Pine trees. Parades!!!!!!! You have the Mummer’s Day Parade, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Thanksgiving Day Parade, but most importantly there’s the Christmas Parade!

The Hollywood Christmas Parade is November 28th at 6pm. Larry King is Grand Marshall, but the most important celeb, Old Saint Nick, will be making a cameo.

Treat yourself to Grandstand seating for $35 or find a nice spot along a curb, bring one of those nifty fold out chairs with a cup holder and enjoy the parade for free. Traffic wise the route is a U shape, starting at Graumans Theatre, marching to Vine, then heading back to Orange via Sunset. Parking – H&H is your best bet, that or the metro.

He’s making a list, checking it twice…

rinks

I’m from the east coast, and I associate holidays with cold weather, snow, and ice skating. Well, out here in Los Angeles I at least have one of the three.

There are two popularized places to go ice skating, Ice in Santa Monica and Downtown on Ice in Pershing Square.

Downtown’s ice rink starts this weekend and is only $6 and $2 for rentals (steal considering what the pesky Rockefeller Center prices are) Ice is already open and is only $10. So do some shopping in the 3rd Street Promenade and then skate by the beach in shorts. Maybe throw on a scarf for good measure.

Sleigh bells ring, are ya listening…

holiday parades of boats

So I normally boycott anything Christmas until after Thanksgiving but this is an exception. I love driving around neighborhoods that go all out with Christmas decorations and listen to holiday tunes on the radio. So when I came across this, I knew I had to share.

Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. It’s like that neighborhood drive through but only on water. The Parade of Lights are December 15th and 16th and you can also do the pre-post parade the month of December. Its $35 for over an hour of Christmas memories you and your family / friends will love.

Fa la la la la la la la la…