Who says that Los Angeles doesn’t have seasons? Just because we don’t have snowy days doesn’t mean that Angelenos don’t know how to get into the holiday spirit! Here are a few ideas to get merry and jolly! Happy Holidays!
Although we are suckers for a good holiday cocktail, this time of year we also like to indulge in hot chocolate! Stop in Café Demitasse in Little Tokyo for the most indulgent hot chocolate ever, a Lavender Liquid Hot Chocolate. It comes with two drops of floral lavender extract and a “giant flame kissed marshmallow” which is torched right in front of you. The sweet, dark brown magma involves molten Guittard chocolate blended with vanilla bean and sugar to taste.
Listen and watch Gustavo Dudamel’s amazing rendition of The Nutcracker along with the angelic voices of the LA Children’s Chorus from December 12th through the 15th at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. This is one of our favorite holiday musts!
Volunteer. Whether you are able to take a day off or not, there are many different ways to give back this holiday season. If you have some extra time off work, you could serve meals at your local homeless shelter. If you aren’t getting many holiday days off work you can still give back while you are at home – you could write holiday letters to the troops overseas through a great program at the Red Cross or you can host a toy drive at work.
Traditional day of shopping at The Grove with dinner at The Farmer’s Market. Don’t forget to look out for the snow fall every evening at 7pm and 8pm as well as the nightly lighting of the Menorah.
The holidays are a perfect time to cuddle up with a loved one! Make it a date night with ice skating at Pershing Square in downtown LA and end the evening with a night cap at Perch while enjoying the city views.
Newport Boat Parade: From December 18th through the 22nd, people come from all over the world to see this unique parade. Prepare a picnic and grab your spot along the coast or make reservations EARLY at one of the many restaurants/bars on the water.
Las Posadas at Olvera Street: A cultural tradition that has been celebrated on Olvera Street since the 1930s. This nightly presentation of the nine-day journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem is portrayed with singing, entertainment, a candlelight procession on Olvera Street and the breaking of a piñata each evening, from December 16th through the 24th.
Georgetown Cupcake Holiday Decorating Workshop: From December 8th through December 15th you can get crafty and frost, decorate and gift-wrap a dozen holiday-themed cupcakes while enjoying hot holiday beverages.
Last but not least … a day at Disneyland or Universal Studios. Both of these parks go all out this time of year…very festive!
