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This Week's Picks: Oh Tannenbaum, November 17-21

11/17/14 - By Jacqueline Stansbury

There are some things that only come around once a year, and sometimes we miss them every time. One minute the local promenade is an ordinary shopping street; the next it is a winter fairyland. How many times have you meant to be there when they turn the lights on?

This week trees and streets are illuminating all over the LA basin with events in Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, Glendale, El Segundo, and Westlake Village. Mark your calendar and put some cocoa in a thermos. Nothing says “holiday” like a good tree lighting celebration.

If miniature trees in HO Scale are your thing, don’t forget to check out another rare event, The Pasadena Model Railroad Club Fall Open House.  And of course, for those of you who may be allergic to conifers, there are plenty of non-Christmas tree activities to be found on our event calendar. Read on for our weekday picks this week...

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1. Early American Art Tour – Monday

Free with admission to LACMA, this is a docent led tour of related art works in the museum’s Art of the Americas building. Let someone who knows what he's talking about try to convince your children that a trip to the museum is worthwhile. This is a 20 minute tour, perfect for short attention spans. It is always a treat to picnic in the grounds at LACMA.

2. Model Railroad Club – Tuesday

In Pasadena, 30,000 feet of miniature trains, passing through tiny towns and diminutive deserts, are briefly on display for the public. My teenager still loves trains, and so do I.

3. Pier and Tree Lighting – Wednesday

The Pier in Manhattan Beach is lit and the shops stay open late for this annual commencement of the holiday season. In Glendale, The Americana at Brand hosts one of the more spectacular tree lighting events. “Cirque de Santa” includes fireworks, snowfall, and a hundred foot tall tree.

4. Santa Claus in Santa Monica – Thursday

Thursday night Santa Monica glows inside and out. At 6pm, Santa stops by the tree at Wilshire and Third. Once that one is fired up, he heads south to Santa Monica Place at 3rd and Broadway. This is all just a glide or two away from the ice rink. The holiday season has arrived!

5. Still More Trees - Friday

It is not too late to catch a holiday lighting event, and really what better way to end the week? Plaza El Segundo adds to the festivities with a visit from the Elf on the Shelf and Hayrides between activities. In Westlake Village, fireworks and twinkle lights brighten the Promenade, and Santa flies in, too. After this week, he may be too tired for Christmas!