December 2015 Events Calendar - Best Things To Do

With the holiday season in full swing, Los Angeles overloaded with terrific festive events. We've rounded up the top things to do this month. From holiday happenings with music to glittering lights, visits with Santa, and everything in between, we've got you covered.

The Music Center Holiday Sing-Along
The Music Center Plaza
135 N Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
www.musiccenter.org
Date: December 18, 2015 from 6:30pm to 8pm

With live musical accompaniment and free lyric sheets, what could be better than a seasonal sing-along at DTLA's Music Center Plaza?The Music Center Holiday Sing-Along is an annual tradition, with free tickets distributed at 6pm p.m., so don't be late. Sing under the city lights and starry skies for a joyful ninety-minute musical adventure that's fun for all ages.

Holidays at The Grove
The Grove
189 The Grove Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 900-8080
www.thegrovela.com
Dates: November 15, 2015 - December 24, 2015

Holidays at The Grove mean a transformation of this outdoor shopping mecca, complete with Santa's Cottage and a 100-foot tall Christmas tree with over 15,000 glittering lights and 10,000 shiny ornaments. Don't miss the snow falling at the Magical Snowfall, nightly at 7pm and 8pm, plus live holiday music. Best of all: it's all free.

Renegade Craft Fair
Grand Park
200 N Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 972-8080
www.renegadecraft.com
Dates: December 12, 2015 - December 23, 2015 from 10am to 5pm

This holiday season, the Holiday Renegade Craft Fair returns to Downtown Los Angeles at Grand Park. A talented group of makers will come together with their crafts this holiday season for visitors to see and buy. There will be something for everyone at this fair as well. At the fair, find a myriad of thoughtfully curated goods for all of your holiday gift-giving needs.

Holidays at Universal CityWalk
CityWalk Hollywood
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
www.citywalkhollywood.com
Dates: November 1, 2015 - December 25, 2015

Up until the day after Christmas, Santa along with snowfall will be on hand at Universal CityWalk. In addition, live entertainment and a towering Christmas tree decked with some 200,000 pulsing LED lights set to the rock music of 5 Towers will also be on display during the holidays. Universal CityWalk never looked so festive and bright as they do at this year's free event.

Bergamot Station Holiday Open House
2525 Michigan Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 453-7535
www.santamonica.com
Date: December 12th, 12pm

During the holidays, Bergamot Station comes alive with an open house. Join the galleries at the Station Arts Complex in celebrating the season with live music, free portrait paintings, holiday drinks, holiday food, and plenty of great art. The event is free.

Universal Studios Grinchmas
Universal Studios Hollywood
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
(800) 864-8377
www.universalstudioshollywood.com
Date: December 5, 2015 - January 3, 2016

During the holidays, take a tour of the studio backlot and celebrate Universal Studios Grinchmas along with the Grinch himself and his dog Max. Enjoy cookie and ornament decorating, and look up at a sixty-foot tall Grinchmas tree. There's also a Grinchmas Who-bilation for the whole family, plus story time with Cindy Lou Who. And naturally, it's also the perfect time to take in all the theme park attractions from the new Minions ride to the Revenge of the Mummy ride. Ticketed admission prices and hours vary.

Star Wars Marathon
6838 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(818) 845-3110
www.elcapitantheatre.com
Date: December 17 at 12am

Join other Star Wars aficionados for a Star Wars marathon where you'll get to watch all six movies! Doors open at midnight (yes, 12am!) and the fee to see all the films is $50 per person. You'll not only get to see the first six movies, but you'll also be the first to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Running time is 21 hours so get ready for a real marathon!

A Current Affair - Vintage Marketplace
Cooper Design Space
860 S Los Angeles St
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 627-3754
www.itsacurrentaffair.com
Dates: December 12, 2015 & December 13, 2015

For all you vintage lovers, this is for you! At A Current Affair, visitors will get to shop from more than 50 of the best vintage retailers including Recess, Mercy Vintage Now, Arrow and Anchor, Scout, and many others. The event, which is at the Cooper Design Space in downtown LA, will also feature music and drinks.

L.A. Zoo Lights
The L.A. Zoo
5333 Zoo Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 644-4200
www.lazoolights.org
Dates: November 27, 2015 - January 3, 2015 (except December 24 & 25)

Watch LED lights, 3-D projections, and laser light shows take over the Zoo after dark at L.A. Zoo Lights. Throughout the holidays, visitors will get to see multi-colored elephants, dancing pink flamingos, a rainbow water and light show and much more at the LA Zoo. In addition, a rainforest canopy, cactus and rose gardens shaped by beautiful lights and more will be on display for this spectacular event. It's the ultimate holiday light show in the Southland. Admission varies by date and parking is free.

Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade
13737 Fiji Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
www.mdrboatparade.org
Date: December 12, 2015 from 5:55pm to 8pm

With Florence Henderson as the Grand Marshall for this year's edition of the Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade, you know it's going to be great. As one of the largest holiday boat parades in the county, you'll get to watch holiday-decorated boats glittering with seasonal lights circle the marina channels and compete for top prizes like Best Spirit, Best Theme, and Best Live Band. The viewing is free.

Holiday Concert and Santa on the Pier
Redondo Beach Pier
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
www.redondopier.com
Date: December 12, 2015 from 3pm - 5pm

Redondo Beach is the spot to greet Santa and his surfboard at the Holiday Concert and Santa on the Pier event. Live music, a raffle, and unwrapped toy donations are a part of the seaside holiday fun of this beachy event.

King Harbor Holiday Boat Parade
100 Fisherman's Wharf
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
www.khbf.org
Date: December 12, 2015 at 5:45pm

Visit Redondo Beach's King Harbor for a holiday concert and stay for the King Harbor Holiday Boat Parade just a few short blocks from the pier. Circling Redondo's King Harbor marina for three sails, festively decorated boats take to the sea for this free event.

Santa at The Paley and The Jolly Trolley
The Paley Center
465 North Beverly Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 786-1000
www.lovebeverlyhills.com
Dates: December 6, 2015 - December 21, 2015 from 11am to 3pm

Beverly Hills' Paley Center for Media presents Santa at the Paley and The Jolly Trolley this holiday season. Beginning December 6, 2015, Santa and Mrs. Claus visit Beverly Hills each weekend leading up to Christmas, spreading seasonal holiday cheer and hosting fun festivities for all. Join Santa Claus at The Paley Center for Media for tasty cookies and hot cocoa and for a screening great holiday television specials including: Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," Mr. Magoo's "Christmas Carol," Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer and the "I Love Lucy Christmas Special." For an extra treat, Mrs. Claus will be greeting visitors to the area between 11am and 2pm on the corner of Rodeo Drive & Dayton Way for a scenic tour of historic Beverly Hills sites and landmarks and special songs and stories. The Trolley will ends with a stop at the Paley where guests will have the option to jump off for a visit with Santa or stay on and return to the beautifully decorated Rodeo Drive.

Christmas Tree Lane
600 E Altadena Dr.
Altadena, CA 91001
www.christmastreelane.net
Dates: December 12, 2015 at 5pm (lighting ceremony) - January 1, 2016

The famed Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena is marking almost a century of stunning decorations this year. Take a drive or walk the streets and see holiday lights and ornaments that are hung on the street's 100-foot-plus deodar trees.

Grand Park Lights Up the Holidays
200 N Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
www.grandparkla.org
Dates: November 29, 2015 - December 25, 2015

Downtown LA's Grand Park lights up for the holidays with twinkling, sparkling lights spread across the park's three levels of plaza, green space, and fountains. DTLA's premiere urban space will transform into a free fairyland of lights after sunset through Christmas.

Venice Canals Holiday Lights Tour
The Venice Canals
1601 Main St.
Venice, CA 90291
Dates: December 15, 2015 - January 4, 2016 from 2pm to 5:30pm

The fifth annual Venice Canals Holiday Lights Tour is more than just viewing these beautiful canals strung with seasonal lights. There are also vintage film clips shown via iPad and a boardwalk stroll for participants in what is considered a top LA walking tour.

Festival of the Trees
3330 Lomita Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90505
(310) 325-9110
www.torrancememorial.org
Dates: December 4, 2015 - December 6, 2015

With over thirty uniquely decorated trees and wreaths, the annual Festival of the Trees offers a variety of activities that support local philanthropic organizations. A crafts shopping boutique and holiday food court, Santa photos, and live local holiday performances will be on hand throughout the event. An evening dinner gala takes place December 4th with a lunch with Santa on December 6th. Themed trees are available for sale as well.

Muse
STAPLES Center
1111 S Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 742-7100
www.staplescenter.com
Dates: December 18 & 19 2015 at 8pm

Known for their theatrical performances, the band Muse returns to Los Angeles for a show you won't want to miss! With a worldwide following, the band will play the STAPLES Center for two nights.