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Fun & Free Things to Do With LA Kids this weekend: Snow Day, Hanukkah, & the Last Days of Pompeii: December 1 - 2

11/29/12 - By Toby B

It’s December, people. De. Cem. Ber. Do you realize what that means? Those of you with Advent Calendars, it’s time to start popping open windows. If you light a Menorah, better stock up on petite, colorful candles. Snow is falling all over the Southland; Santa has begun his never-ending quest for the perfect breakfast. The holidays have hit us, in a big way.

But never fear; you’re not in this alone. Mommy Poppins is here to help you through. Our Holiday Fun Guide has the lowdown on all the holiday highlights. We can direct you to the finest Nutcrackers, the best boat parades, the most chill-worthy outdoor skating rinks, and dazzling light displays. Want to cut your own tree? Recycle it when you’re done? Find snow? And a hill to sled down? We’ve got all that and more.

Now all you have to do is sit back and enjoy. Let the reindeer games begin!

Keep reading for our favorite picks for the weekend...

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

ALL WEEKEND

Holiday Treats for the Animals - Long Beach
Santa Diver swims with the sharks, making sure the animals at the Aquarium of the Pacific get their Fishmas treats.

Metrolink Holiday Toy Express - Multiple Locations
Santa’s train makes stops in Camarillo, Oxnard, Moorpark, Van Nuys, Northridge, and Simi Valley this weekend.

Santa & Mrs Claus at The Paley Center - Beverly Hills
Mrs. Claus takes families on a trolley ride through Beverly Hills; Santa himself awaits at the Paley Center to meet with good little girls and boys.

Arctic Lights at the Moorpark Teaching Zoo - Moorpark
Moorpark Teaching Zoo becomes a Winter Wonderland with 10 tons of snow!

Annual Holiday Lamplight Celebration - Downtown
Experience A Christmas Carol enacted among the stunning Victorian homes of Heritage Square.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 1

TSFY: Stravinsky's The Firebird - Downtown
The popular children’s concert series at the Walt Disney Concert Hall takes on Igor Stravinsky’s The Firebird, based on the classic Russian folk tale. Preshow activities include an instrument petting zoo (don’t worry, they don’t bite).

Silk Road Story Time - Pasadena
Pull up a seat in the traveler’s tent at the Pacific Asia Museum and listen to stories from the Silk Road. This week, it’s tales from Indonesia.

Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus - Manhattan Beach
Santa and Mrs. Claus join kids for a free breakfast at Manhattan Village Mall.

Club MomMe Presents Weelicious: An Afternoon with Catherine McCord - Los Angeles
Celebrity Chef Catherine McCord teaches parents how to create healthy, kid-friendly meals at the Whole Foods Market at 3rd & Fairfax.

Snow Day - Pasadena
It always snows in Pasadena this time of year, but for some reason it’s concentrated on the Paseo behind Vroman's Bookstore. Time to make the snowmen!

Main Street Holiday Parties - Santa Monica
Santa Claus arrives by fire truck to light this candle the Christmas tree on Main Street. Afterward families can check out the Shopping Cart tree at Edgemar Courtyard and the holiday parties at Main Street merchants.

Chinatown Tree Lighting and Live Carolers - Chinatown
Chinatown Central Plaza offers a magical neon backdrop to Chinatown’s Tree Lighting ceremony.

Burbank Tree Lighting Ceremony -  Burbank
Downtown Burbank’s tree lighting festivities include snowfall, Santa, and Disney XD star Kelli Berglund.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 2

Family Festival Celebrating the Last Days of Pompeii - Pacific Palisades
Those folks at the Getty really know how to throw a party. Families are invited to the Getty Villa (the one along PCH, not the 405), for a volcanic good time celebrating the last days of Pompei.  (Watch out for hot lava.)

Hanukkah Family Festival - West LA
The Skirball’s Hanukkah Festival celebrates freedom, justice, and democracy. (Not to mention eight nights of presents. Take that, Santa.)

Hanukkah Festival - Mid-Wilshire
The Zimmer Children's Museum’s first Hanukkah gift to you is a free Hanukkah Festival! Celebrate with light-themed activities, including story time and holiday crafts.

Annual Gingerbread House Decorating Party - Pasadena
It takes a village to build a house. Or something like that. Bring your crew over to Vroman's Bookstore to show off your gingerbread design skills.

Target Sundays at CAAM: Celebrating Family, Community, and the Future - Exposition Park
The California African American Museum kicks off the Kwanzaa season with live performances featuring singers, musicians, a Kwanzaa lighting ceremony, and a discussion of the principles of Kwanzaa.

Winter Family Festival - Studio City
Studio City gets hit with tons of snow - along with music, photos with Santa, face painting, crafts, and the Radio Disney Road Crew.

Breakfast with Santa - The Grove
Treat your kids to two of their favorite things: American Girl Store and Santa Claus!

Family Jam: Sing! Scat! Beat! Konnakol! A Day of Vocal Percussion - Westwood
The Fowler's Family Jam for December showcases the diversity of the human voice. Wanna hear me sing? Didn’t think so.

Also, on Monday, we launch our Big Holiday Giveaway. We'll be awarding a different exceptional prize every day, so be sure to visit our site every day throughout the season and subscribe to our free newsletters so you don't miss out!

As always, there are many more activities listed on our daily events calendar. Whatever you choose to do, have a wonderful weekend!