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)

december nights

Time to go along a drive down the coast and get out of the LA area. So if you find yourself in the San Diego area for the holidays take note.

Balboa Park is already a known staple throughout the year, but in December it becomes even more a go-to spot. Balboa Park December Nights start December 3rd and continue the next day. It’s the best FREE place to go and get all that holiday cheer.

There’s tons to do, so bring the family and stroll the marketplace for crafts, food, music, and visiting the museums, and if you’re down south for a few more days be sure to catch The Nutcracker.

Jingle bells. Jingle bells. Jingle all the way….

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…

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…

festivals: beers and bratwursts

You might think Oktoberfest = Germany. But throughout the United States, and presumably other countries they’ve started their own Oktoberfests, one right here in Alpine Village

Oktoberfest is held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights in the month of September and October, admission being $10.

A little bio about Alpine Village: It’s located in Torrance California (so carpooling is a reasonable option) and besides Oktoberfest it’s also home to shops, restaurants, special events, and free dance lessons to live bands; whether it’s swing, salsa, or rock and roll.

And if you’re worried about it being too California, don’t worry because : “Traditional Bavarian fun is supplied by Oom Pah Pah big bands flown in direct from Germany, your belly is sated by traditional German fare, and your thirst is quenched by delicious German beers. ”

So eat, drink, and be merry in ‘The Little Village from the Alps’