Best Of LA - Week Of December 21
Take a break from all that last minute Christmas shopping and enjoy one of the great events Los Angeles has to offer this week. Protein load on Monday for National Hamburger Day for the week ahead, and get ready to get festive. From a White Christmas sing-along at the Walt Disney Concert Hall to Grinchmas at Universal Studios Hollywood, Angelenos know how to celebrate the season. A popular Christmas Eve celebration at the Music Center is back again to help ring in the big day, with three hours of live entertainment. If you're looking to get out and get your grub on Christmas day, we've got some great restaurants offerings, including a A Christmas Story inspired Chinese feast. Work off some of that holiday eating with a trip downtown for some ice skating in Pershing Square, and don't miss Los Angeles Ballet's very last performance of "The Nutcracker." Happy holidays Los Angeles!
Celebrate National Hamburger Day
Various Locations
Putting a holiday twist on the day, Hopdoddy Burger Bar will be offering a Roast Beast Burger Special now through December 27. Feast like a Who in Whoville on this decadent burger that includes an Akaushi Kobe Beef patty, Who Hash (a smoky sweet yam casserole), dressed green beans, onion, tomato, arugula, black pepper aioli, and steak sauce. Or, if you still haven't tried the genius that is ketchup leather, today's the perfect day to try it at Plan Check Kitchen + Bar. The dehydrated square of ketchup adorns many of their creative burgers, from the classic Plan Check Burger, to the Chef's Favorite, topped with cheese two ways, bacon two ways, fried egg, hot sauce, and of course ketchup leather. For another fun take on the classic condiment, Pistola's Gold Label Burger was just re-added to their menu last week, and offers black truffle ketchup atop a premium patty, fontina cheese, bacon, arugula, and onion. For more great options, check out our round-up of the Best Burgers in Los Angeles.
White Christmas Sing-Along
Walt Disney Concert Hall
111 S. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 972-7282
www.lamc.org
There's a new sing-along in town, just in time for Christmas. The beloved 1954 film "White Christmas" will be screened with the lyrics right on screen tonight as part of the LA Phil's Deck the Halls holiday concert series. Starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney, the film includes favorites like "The Best Things Happen When You're Dancing," "Snow," "Sisters," and legendary composer Irving Berlin's "White Christmas." You can also stop by the LA Phil Store while there, and get the perfect last minute gift for the music-lover in your life (open 10:00am - 5:00pm daily, and before, during and after evening concerts).
Celebrate Grinchmas at Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
(800) 864-8377
www.universalstudioshollywood.com
Universal Studios' Universal Plaza has been transformed into Grinchmas headquarters, with a spiraling 60 foot Grinchmas tree at the center of it all. Along with The Grinch, his dog Max and the Whos of Whoville will provide fun-filled photo ops and lots of entertainment throughout the day. Lively musical sets will also take place, including a nightly a cappella concert featuring a mix of Christmas favorites and pop rock. The fun doesn't stop there though, as several other activities will be happening at the park, including designing and personalizing ornaments, cookie decorating, story time with Cindy-Lou Who, and a very special Grinchmas-filled Studio Tour. Grinchmas runs daily through January 3rd.
56th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
135 N. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles 90012
(213) 972-3099
www.HolidayCelebration.org
Some of LA's best music and dance ensembles are coming together once again to celebrate the holidays at the Music Center. The free, three-hour show is perfect for the whole family, and includes artists like Grammy-nominated Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles, Invertigo Dance Theater, Colburn Children's Choir and Young Men's Ensemble, and BODYTRAFFIC. Doors open at 2:30pm, and admission is first come, first seated. Free parking is available in the Music Center parking garage, and guests may come and go throughout the performances. The Emmy Award-winning show can be enjoyed either in person, or in the comfort of your own home, as a live broadcast of the show airs from 3pm - 6pm on PBS SoCal, and will live stream on www.pbssocal.org. The show will rebroadcast at 9pm, as well as noon on December 25.
Celebrate Christmas Eve
Various Locations
A vareity of terrific restaurants are serving their best this year for Christmas Eve dinner. So, skip out on the cooking, and use our Guide To The Best Restaurants Open On Christmas Even In LA.
Dine Out For Christmas
Various Locations
Leave the cooking to the professionals this year and head to one of several restaurant offerings around Los Angeles. Newly opened Viviane is going all out for their first holiday season and offering a family-style Chinese feast in honor of Ralphie's unexpected Christmas dinner in the classic film A Christmas Story. This "Dinner at Chop Suey Palace" includes Roasted Duck Leg, Scented Beignets with Black Sesame Anglaise, and more. Little Next Door is creating holiday cheer all day long with an endless mimosa brunch, and offering festive dessert treats such as pies, tarts, preserves, and their "La Queen" Bûche de Noël for dine in or take out. For a truly elevated dining experience, Mr. C Beverly Hills is offering a winter-inspired, four-course meal with menu highlights like Veal Tortellini in Consomme and Panettone with Mascarpone Cream and Chocolate Fondant. If you'd like a little ocean view with your meal, Hotel Casa del Mar's Catch will offer a three-course Christmas dinner with delicious savory dishes like Smoked Salmon and Turkey Roulade, and a very festive Peppermint Chocolate Tart with candy cane whipped cream.
Visit our list of the Best Restaurants Open On Christmas Day
Ice Skating & Pop-Up Curling Sessions
Holiday Ice Rink in Pershing Square
532 South Olive St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 624-4289
www.holidayicerinkdowntownla.com
After all of yesterday's feasting, it might be good to get out and stretch those legs a bit. Have fun while you work up a sweat with some ice skating downtown. Open skating begins at 10am and runs until 11pm, perfect for a romantic evening under the stars. If you'd like to try your hand at a winter Olympics favorite sport, Hollywood Curling will be hosting curling pop-up sessions at the rink from 8:30am - 9:30am. Hollywood Curling will supply all the necessary equipment, and a team of experienced curlers will guide you through the basics. For only $5 you can drop in for a few minutes to learn some beginner moves, or stay a full hour and use the in-depth instruction to begin your professional career in curling.
Related: Best Holiday Ice Rinks In Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Ballet's "The Nutcracker"
Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center
1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Redondo Beach, CA 90278
(310) 998-7782
www.losangelesballet.com
Today is your very last chance to see the Los Angeles Ballet's production of "The Nutcracker." This holiday favorite is set in 1913 Los Angeles, and tells the classic story of a girl named Clara who travels with her beloved Nutcracker to the Land of Snow and the Palace of the Dolls where all her favorite doll companions come to life. With Los Angeles Ballet celebrating its 10th season as a world-class ballet company, this performance is sure to be a delight to audience members of all ages. Two shows are available today at 1pm and 5pm, and standard tickets start at just $35.50.
