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Fun & Free Things to Do this Weekend with LA Kids: Hanukkah, Fireworks, and Sand Snowmen

12/6/12 - By Toby B

Yay!  Saturday is the first night of Hanukkah! That means lots of dreidel spinning, menorah lighting, and latkes!  (Eight crazy nights of it, to be exact).  And there’s no better place to get your Maccabee on than Los Angeles, the city with the 4th largest Jewish population… in the world! (somebody say Challah!) Whether you like your Menorah by the sea, in the Valley, or in the heart of downtown, or even put together with LEGOs, our handy dandy Hanukkah guide can help you get your candles lit.

While 8 nights of presents is simply awesome when you’re a kid, it can be a bit of a challenge when you’re the one doing the providing. Luckily, Mommy Poppins is here to help with that, too. Our first ever Biggest Holiday Giveaway offers up the hottest gifts of the season, with a different prize each day. Each prize is available for 24 hours only, so be sure to check in every day!

Keep reading for some of our favorite picks for this weekend...

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

ALL WEEKEND

Huntington Harbour Holiday Boat Parade - Huntington Beach
Huntington Harbour Holiday Boat Parade is a two night affair. Saturday night is for judging; Sunday sees the trophy presentations and viewing of the winners.

Metrolink Holiday Toy Express - Multiple Locations
This weekend, Santa’s train hits San Clemente, Downtown Burbank, Glendale, El Monte, and  Baldwin Park.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 8

Snow Day in Glendora - Glendora
Ho ho ho! Fifty tons of snow, a petting zoo, and Santa and Mrs. Claus create a holiday wonderland for local kids.

Marina Del Rey Holiday Boat Parade and Fireworks - Marina Del Rey
If the spectacularly-decorated boats lighting up Marina del Rey's main harbor aren’t enough to leave you in awe, the fireworks should do the trick.

The Nutcracker for Kids - Costa Mesa
This kid-friendly version of Tchaikovsky's Christmas ballet also includes a visit from Santa Claus and a sing-a-long.

Sand Snowman Contest - Hermosa Beach
True, traditional snowmen are made with snow, but it’s really hard to sculpt the fine details with frozen fingers. Plus, sand doesn’t melt.

The Bob Baker Marionettes - Pasadena
The beloved puppets pay a holiday visit to Kidspace Children's Museum.

Winter Holiday Festival - Downtown
Pershing Square’s Winter Holiday Festival features tons of snow, a train ride, make & take children’s crafts, puppet shows, community youth performances, and memento photos. Stick around to skate!

Target Free Family Saturday: Holiday Celebration - Downtown
Japanese American National Museum’s free family day is in the holiday spirit this month!

Let's Make Some Great Art: An Art Workshop for Children - Downtown
Award-winning British illustrator Marion Deuchars hosts an art workshop with activities from her popular series of children's books at MOCA Grand Avenue.

Radio Disney's NBT Finale Concert - Glendale
Radio Disney’s NBT finale concert at the Americana at Brand features performances by Shealeigh, Coco Jones, and R5 - and the live reveal of the season 5 winner.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 9

Manhattan Beach Annual Holiday Fireworks Festival - Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach comes alive with a flyover, a snow park, a bounce park, sing-a-longs, fireworks, and - say what? - fireworks again!

Holiday Festival at Ways Park - Los Angeles
Heal the Bay celebrates the season with a fun community festival at the site of the future WAYS Park.

Hanukkah Celebration - The Farmers Market
The Zimmer Museum and Doda Mollie help the Farmers Market celebrate the Festival of Lights.

LEGO Hanukkah Menorah Lighting - Torrance
The Hanukkah fun at Del Amo Fashion Center includes donut decorating, latkes, chocolate fondue, and a giant LEGO Menorah.

Menorah Lighting Ceremony & Hanukkah Celebration - Downtown
Pershing Square’s Menorah Lighting Ceremony has a traditional feel, with Jewish folk singers, bottle dancers, and dreidel fun at sundown.

Breakfast with Santa - The Grove
Santa checks out the doll action at the American Girl store while grabbing another breakfast.

Hanukkah Family Festival - Pacific Palisades
Chabad of the Palisades celebrates Hanukkah with carnival rides, crafts, bounce houses, music, and yummy latkes.

Hanukkah Winterland at the Harbor - Ventura
This year’s Hanukkah celebration at Ventura Harbor Village features kids activities, sizzling latkes, a menorah lighting, and the stunts and slam dunks of the TNT Dunk Squad.

As always, there are many more activities listed on our daily events calendar. Whatever you choose to do, we hope you have a wonderful weekend. Happy Hanukkah, and don't forget to enter our daily giveaway!