Enchanted: Forest of Light
Enchanted Forest of Light is an interactive, nighttime experience unlike anything else in Los Angeles, featuring a one-mile walk through unique lighting experiences in some of the most beloved areas of Descanso Gardens.
New this year will be an entire town of magical stained glass creations built in the Rose Garden by contemporary sculptor Tom Fruin. Popular returning favorites returning include sparkling, swirling installations from HYBYCOZO on the Main Lawn, Flower Power on the Promenade and exquisite lighting effects in the Ancient Forest.
Enchanted is a rain-or-shine event. Tickets are non-refundable, have timed entry and must be purchased in advance.
Festival of Lights at the Mission Inn
Kelly & Duane Roberts, owners and Keepers of the Inn, continue the cherished annual tradition that they first created in 1992 as a gift back to the community. The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa's Festival of Lights is one of the nation's largest holiday light collections, voted "Best Public Lights Display" by USA Today. Every year, the Inn's festival gains new energy grows in popularity, and ushers in an increasing number of visitors to the Riverside area. This year's Festival of Lights takes place November 26, 2021 - January 6, 2022.
Nick Waterhouse
Nick Waterhouse brings his hybridized blues, jazz and rock ‘n’ roll to town, promising soulful, shoe-tapping tunes and a whole lot of gusto. Donning a sleek suit, hipster specs and a guitar, this Huntington Beach native is a far cry from orange tans, surfers and henna tattoos. You’ll likely hear classic jazzy covers and original tracks of semi-dark, dreamlike splendor.
The Drums
Donning mod attire and dancing feverishly through every song, the Drums channel a heavy new-wave element, as heard on 2011’s lauded Portamento—which Jonny Pierce will perform in full during this New Year’s Eve show.
EVE at Universal Studios Hollywood
Experience the party only Hollywood could pull off! Be part of Hollywood’s biggest New Year’s Eve celebration at Universal Studios Hollywood’s EVE event this December 31. Fill your day with heart-pounding rides, shows and attractions, and then keep the thrills going into the night. Have fun and celebrate with multiple party areas featuring music, dancing, photo ops, drinks available for purchase^ and a midnight countdown celebration with fireworks*!
Catch One NYE
The legendary disco club revival has put together a five-stage New Year’s Eve concert topped by DJ sets from Toro y Moi, Chet Faker, Boys Noize and more than a dozen other acts.
Marina del Rey New Year’s Eve Fireworks
The holiday season in Marina del Rey will offer locals and visitors a festive atmosphere including the return of Marina Lights at Burton Chace Park and the annual New Year's Eve fireworks show. This year, the Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade will bring joy to the waterfront. The public is invited to walk, bike or paddle throughout the harbor to see the boats decorated in holiday lights. Take a stroll and shop throughout Fisherman's Village, Boardwalk Shops, Waterside Shops and nightly twinkling Christmas lights throughout December.
Night Dive
The Aquarium of the Pacific is especially magical at night—the perfect time to take in the three-story Blue Cavern exhibit without scores of grade schoolers swarming around and breaking your reverie. This 18-plus evening will include art installations as well as live bands and DJs—with food trucks, too, so come hungry.
Countdown
Ring in the New Year with confetti, pyro and 30,000 of your closest friends at Countdown. Expect over 30 dance acts to invade San Bernardino’s NOS Events Center for this year-end fest—which will take over both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. This year’s lineup includes deadmau5, Tiësto, NGHTMRE, RL Grime, Rezz, Subtronics, Afrojack, Major Lazer and more.
DIIV
Zachary Cole Smith & Co. crafted a killer debut in 2012 that blended shoegaze, pyschedelia and a pounding post-punk beat to dreamily delicious effect. Almost a decade later, DIIV still delves into dark, liquidy guitar rock textures. Here the crew celebrates the New Year at the intimate Lodge Room.
Jeff Tweedy
The Wilco frontman’s freewheeling solo shows balance acoustic takes, deep cut requests and charming banter.
L.A. County Holiday Celebration
The Emmy Award-winning L.A. County Holiday Celebration joyously returns to The Music Center's iconic Dorothy Chandler Pavilion! Enjoy the performance in person, stream it online, or watch the TV broadcast on PBS SoCal. Presented by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the 62nd Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration will feature over 20 music ensembles, choirs and dance companies from the many neighborhoods and cultures that make up L.A., celebrating the talent, artistry and diversity of Los Angeles County.
‘The Nutcracker’
The Nutcracker is the city’s holiday tradition perfect for celebrating the season. Set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, Los Angeles Ballet stays true to the traditions of the holiday story with some surprises! This production is set in 1912 Los Angeles. Throughout the five scenes in two acts you will find hints and tastes of Southern California - a Spanish style home, calla lilies, bougainvillea, the snowy forests of the Sierras, Venice archways, a moonlit Pacific Ocean and more! The Nutcracker appears in theaters across Southern California, including the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood with performances on December 23rd, 24th and 26th. The Nutcracker celebration begins in November with LAB's delightful annual Nutcracker Tea!
Skyline Sound + Cinema
Skyline Sound + Cinema takes place atop the Bloc’s parking garage and presents a to-be-announced pairing of music and movies.
Grand Central Market Holiday Marketplace
If you’re making a list and checking it twice, consider this annual shopping event for unique kitchen, pantry and tabletop finds, plus all sorts of foodie goodies. Though GCM has yet to announce a formal holiday market this year, it has started hosting a bazaar every Friday through Sunday in the downstairs basement event space.
Cinemauto
You can have dinner and a movie and peruse a community market at this drive-in–turned—out-of-car screening series. Head to Cinemauto’s gallery and parking lot in Lincoln Heights (2515 Pasadena Ave) once a month through the end of the year for a mix of feature films and shorts.
Santa Monica Pub Crawl
Dust off those Santa hats and shine those menorahs, the 13th annual SANTA Monica Pub Crawl returns Saturday, December 18, 2021!
Join dozens of the city's best bars and restaurants and hundreds of Santas, elves, and naughty reindeer to raise money for the Westside Food Bank and help those in need for the holidays.
Holiday Sing-Along
Strike the harp and join the chorus with the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Holiday Sing-Along at Walt Disney Hall. The seasonal program offers two performances, with a special guest to-be-named taking the stage to recite holiday poems. A festive sing-along of holiday classics by the Angeles Chorale will include provided lyric sheets—just in case you forget how many fa-la-la-las are in “Deck the Halls.”
Walt Disney Concert Hall’s massive pipe organ, a choir, and a jazz combo lead a cheerful selection of seasonal favorites in this Los Angeles holiday tradition. A jolly good time!
Once Upon a Time in L.A.
Once upon a time in a city so divine, dozens of (mostly West Coast) hip-hop legends came together for a one-day fest at Exposition Park.
Though the promoters are different, the vibes sound the same as a similar fest at the Queen Mary in 2019: Local icons like Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, the Game and Cypress Hill join outside-of-L.A.–headliners like 50 Cent and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, plus cross-generational legends like Al Green and the Isley Brothers.
The fest heads to the Banc of California Stadium and the surrounding park grounds on December 18. Tickets go on sale June 25 at 10am, and start at $160 for a general admission ticket, with more on sale June 28 at 10am.
We’ve really only scratched the surface of the lineup—from Three Six Mafia and Warren G to George Clinton and War—so check out the full lineup poster below.
Richard Avedon: Ten Exhibition Prints from In the American West
See 10 black-and-white Richard Avedon portraits—all of which clock in around seven feet tall—that haven’t been on view since the 1985 debut of his “In the American West” series. The Gagosian exhibition also includes supplementary archival photos from the series.
Love Actually in Concert
Not to be confused with jukebox musical Love Actually Live, this screening of the Christmas rom-com will feature the Billy Mack Orchestra performing the 2003 film’s score.
Long Beach Ballet's ‘The Nutcracker’
Nutcrackers come and go, but only one is so spectacular, so charming, so heart-warming and memorable that it has become Southern California’s favorite.
Voted “Best-Loved Nutcracker in the Nation” by Goldstar audience survey in 2018 and 2019, the Long Beach Nutcracker returns to the Terrace Theater December 17th – 19th. The Los Angeles Times proclaimed: “Crammed with special effects, the familiar Long Beach Ballet version of The Nutcracker has nearly everything money can buy. For opulent, family-oriented, entertainment — seek no further.” Tickets will be on sale this October through TicketMaster and at the Long Beach Convention Center Box Office.
CHVRCHES
Scottish trio CHVRCHES have found the middleground between synth-pop and EDM on its latest releases, melding the vulnerable Glaswegian vocals of singer Lauren Mayberry with dense electronic arrangements (complete with anthemic builds and drops).
Office Hours Live Totally Secular Non-Denominational Holiday Special
Did we really need another do-your-own-research bro with a microphone? Well, if it means Tim Heidecker subtley slaying the sort of podcasters who constantly complain about cancel culture, then absolutely. Heidecker joins DJ Douggpound and Vic Berger for this live version of his new Office Hours Live stream, staged at the Regent with special guests Aimee
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
113th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and Ring of Lights
Proudly Hosted by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce
“Jingle on the Waves!”
Watch beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks and canoes sail along the harbor in the 113th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. This year’s parade will be held Wednesday through Sunday, December 15-19, 2021 and is once again hosted by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Mixpantli: Space, Time, and the Indigenous Origins of Mexico
See early colonial art with pre-Columbian artifacts in this exhibition that re-examines the conquest narrative on the 500th anniversary of the fall of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan (modern-day Mexico City).
Handmade Market Collective's Holiday Market
Looking for unique handmade gifts this holiday season? Artists, designers, creatives and makers will set up shop in Atwater Village's Hugos Tacos parking lot for a holiday fair on Decemeber 12. If it's anything like past markets, you'll get to shop everything from artisan jewelry and apothecary goods to ceramics, prints, candles and even handcrafted aprons for the cook in your life. Interact with the makers themselves (third-party sellers are not allowed), while crossing family and friends off your holiday gift-giving list.
The Handmade Market is a community bazaar making its way through California. We promote unique specialty goods made by local creatives and makers.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles Holiday Spectacular
GMCLA returns to the stage and welcomes you to A Holiday Homecoming filled with lots of love and heart. Ernest H. Harrison, GMCLA Music Director & Conductor, makes his long-awaited main series debut. The Chorus performs holiday classics about the joy of coming home, curated from the choral, classical, pop, and Broadway canons. Join us for this Los Angeles holiday tradition. This HOMECOMING will be SPECTACULAR!
Featuring Special Guest Stars Telly Leung and Nikki Crawford. Telly has appeared on Broadway in Disney’s Aladdin, Allegiance, Wicked, among others. And, Hollywood Bowl audiences will remember his riveting performance as Angel in Rent, directed by Neil Patrick Harris. Nikki starred in the world premiere of Stormy Weather opposite Leslie Uggams at the Pasadena Playhouse. She received an NAACP Theatre Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role as Young Lena Horne.
Secret Movie Club
What started as a midnight movie series at the Vista has branched out with cult-favorite screenings around town, including at its Arts District home base, in Downtown’s Million Dollar Theater and, in a team-up with Electric Dusk Drive-In, at the former Sears parking garage in Glendale.
Marina Del Rey Boat Parade
Feel as though you’ve escaped to a small-town fishing village during the Marina Del Rey Boat Parade. Bring a blanket and gather around Fisherman’s Village or Burton Chace Park to watch as 70 boats glide through the marina with holiday lights and decorations in competition. Categories include Best Theme, Best Animation, Best Band, Best Lights and more. The festivities begin at 5:55pm with fireworks, and the boat parade starts at 6pm, rain or shine.