ALL WEEKEND

Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival - Mid-Wilshire
The free film festival at LACMA showcases more than 100 kid-friendly films from around the world; stick around for Q&A sessions with filmmakers and actors after screenings.

Peter Pan and Tinkerbell A Pirate Christmas – Pasadena
Lythgoe Family pantos are always a seasonal highlight. This year's  stars include John O Hurley (aka Seinfeld’s J. Peterman) and Sabrina Carpenter of Girl Meets World.

Target & Star Wars Galactic Experience at L.A. LIVE - Downtown
I feel a disturbance in the force, as if hordes of Star Wars fans were descending on LA Live for free Force Awakens fun.

Cirque du Soleil - KURIOS - Echo Park
Cirque du Soleil is back, this time taking up residence in the parking lot at Dodger Stadium.

Disney on Ice Presents Frozen - Downtown
SoCal Frozen fans have been waiting for Elsa and Anna to take to the ice: this year, that wish comes true at the Staples Center.

The Nutcracker - Hollywood
Hollywood & Highland Dolby Theater has the Los Angeles Ballet's production of The Nutcracker.  (Make sure the mouse king doesn’t get his paws on it!)
 
Dickens Day Holiday Celebration @The International Printing Museum - Carson
The International Printing Museum puts on a holiday celebration, Dickens-style. Visitors can make holiday cards and gift tags on working vintage printing presses, meet re-enactors of Dickens characters, and take in a performance of A Christmas Carol.
 
Huntington Harbour Holiday Boat Parade - Huntington Beach
Huntington Harbour Holiday Boat Parade is a two-night affair. The first night the judging takes place, while the second night is a chance for the honorees to strut their stuff.

Kiddee Matinees - Hollywood
Adam Sandler shares an (animated) Hanukkah tale in Eight Crazy Nights at the New Beverly Cinema.

The Good Dinosaur - Hollywood
The asteroid may have missed them, but if you want to see Arlo and Spot you'll need to do it this weekend, because next week the Force Awakens at the El Capitan.
 
SATURDAY DECEMBER 12

Christmas Tree Lane Opening Night & Tree Lighting - Altadena
The Altadena neighborhood shows off its holiday décor, starting with a daytime arts & crafts festival and a tree lighting at the Public Library.
 
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.
 
Candy Cane Lane Opening Night - El Segundo
The residents of the 1200 block of East Acacia show off their light displays from dusk til 10pm. (They must be good; Santa Claus stops by to check them out!)
 
Target Free Family Day: Mele Kalikimaka - Downtown
The Japanese American National Museum celebrates the holidays island-style, with ukulele performances and workshops and photos with Asian American Santa.
 
Santa Monica Symphony - Santa Monica
The Santa Monica Symphony's December 12 concert has a Heroes theme.
 
Boat Parade of Lights - Dana Point
Boat owners from all over Orange County decorate their schooners and yachts to celebrate the season and compete for awards. Kids ages six to 12 help choose the winners each year. (also Friday)

Lowes Build and Grow - Multiple Locations
Santa’s other sleigh is a train. You can build it at Lowes.
 
Snow Wonder - Marina del Rey
There’s snow in Burton Chace Park! And an ice rink and crafts and face painting…

KIDZ BOP Kids - Downtown
The KIDZ BOP Kids perform holiday classics and popular hits at Club Nokia.

G. Hannelius Meet & Greet - Costa Mesa
Budding teenpreneurs can find inspiration at this meet and greet with Disney Channel star G. Hannelius at PBteen in South Coast Plaza
 
 LA Master Chorale's "Festival of Carols" - Downtown
LA Master Chorale performs classic carols at Walt Disney Concert Hall

Holiday Concert & Santa on The Pier - Redondo Beach
Surfin’ Santa checks out the cool tunes on Redondo Pier.
 
King Harbor Boat Parade - Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach celebrates its own boat parade; anywhere with a view of the main channel is the place to be!
 
Daisy Avenue Christmas Tree Lane Parade - Long Beach
The Daisy Avenue Christmas Tree Lane Parade runs through a residential street.

Getting serious about Santa?  Here are some of the places you can meet (and/or eat with) the Jolly Old Elf:

Breakfast with Santa Claus - Manhattan Beach

Malibu Breakfast with Santa - Malibu

Breakfast with Santa - Rolling Hills Estates   
 
Hard Rock Cafe Breakfast With Santa - Hollywood
 
Breakfast with Santa on the Queen Mary - Long Beach

Santa Saturday Brunch - Glendale

Meet Santa Claus - Malibu

Santa Claus at the Country Mart - Brentwood

Lunch with Santa at PF Changs - Thousand Oaks
(Wait. What? He eats something other than breakfast? Who knew!)
 
SUNDAY DECEMBER 13 

Manhattan Beach Annual Holiday Fireworks Festival - Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach comes alive with a snow park, performances, and - say what? - fireworks!

Hard Rock Cafe Breakfast With Santa - Universal City
The food at the Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood must be good. On Sunday, Santa Claus returns to check out the Universal CityWalk location
 
Hanukkah Family Fun Day - Malibu
Shalom Institute stuffs eight days' worth of fun into one afternoon, with archery, zip line, climbing wall, farming fun, cider making, tree planting, farm animal encounters, and a Hanukkah sing-along.

Marzo's Variety Show for Kids - Hollywood
The latest edition of the variety show for kids offers music, magic and “the New Zealand Wildman.”   

Free Day at PAM - Pasadena
Pacific Asia Museum celebrate the arts and culture of the Philippines.

Hanukkah Family Festival  - West LA
Skirball Cultural Center’s Hanukkah festival reminds us that the light of hope, courage, and perseverance that burns in each of us makes it possible to achieve amazing things together. Performers include Lisa Loeb.           

Hanukkah Sundays in the Park - Bel Air
December's 'Sundays in the Park' includes Hanukkah crafts, hay rides, latkes, sufganiyot (donuts), and hot chocolate, as well as rock climbing, nature exploration, and horse corral rides.

Old Time Christmas Festival - Long Beach
Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site hosts an Old Time Christmas Festival with music, storytellers, crafts and activities, as well as a visit from Santa.
 
Winter Family Festival - Studio City
Studio City gets hit with tons of snow - 70 tons of it! - along with live entertainment, face painting, crafts, restaurant food sampling, and photos with Santa.

Family Snow Day - Valencia
The weather outside might be frightful, but you’ll find the snow at Valencia’s Ice Station to be absolutely delightful. Kid’s admission includes snow play and skating, plus free lessons for beginners.

Hanukkah Festival at the Harbor -Ventura
The Hanukkah fun at Ventura Harbor Village includes performances by a Klezmer band and a juggler, a Judaica boutique, children's carnival booths, an obstacle course and bouncers, and a grand menorah lighting. Plus hot latkes!

10th Annual Gingerbread House Decorating Party - Pasadena
Decorating gingerbread houses is a family affair at Vromans' annual event.

Target Sundays at CAAM - Exposition Park
It’s a Holiday Remix at the California African American Museum.  Families can enjoy re-imagined classic standards.

Hanukkah SLAM Carnival! - Beverly Hills
JEM Community Center hosts a jam-packed festival, with TNT Dunk Squad Show, celebrity autographs, Macabi Photo Booth, bouncers, pony rides, and petting zoo.

Valley Jewish Community Center 3rd Annual Hanukkah Party  -Northridge
BYOM (Bring Your Own Menorah) to take part in the candle lighting at Temple Ahavat Shalom.           

Venice Canals Boat Parade - Venice
Pick a bridge, any bridge, to enjoy a close-up view of the festive floating display through the Venice Canals.

As always, there are many more activities listed on our Event Calendar, and if you didn't receive this info as a newsletter, you should sign up for our weekly events updates. Whatever you choose to do this weekend, we hope you have a terrific time!