Santa is almost here. Before you know it, 2018 will be here. Get together with friends to celebrate the season….visit our Dining/Travel Page for suggestions…Head to the theater – see our Upcoming Events Page for several show spotlights. Remember Something Rotten was chosen as our #10 Pick for our Top Ten Events in December. See the Upcoming Event Feature. Read a review on our Event Revew Page by one of our staff writers.

As you know, LAArtParty.com is taking a break over the holiday (we will be back January 5, 2018). Over the holiday, I want to encourage and REMIND everyone (including myself) to take a break. Being a workaholic, this is super hard for me as well. Life is short – let’s embrace it!

Head to the LA Zoo & Botanical Gardens, and enjoy the annual Reindeer Romp is back for the holidays at the Los Angeles Zoo featuring Reindeer Village and daily visits with real reindeer.
Dec2-2017-ReindeerRomp
Photo courtesy of the LA Zoo

Weekend Romps include professional photos with Santa (additional fee), antler crafts in Reindeer Village, and reindeer keeper talks. The reindeer will be on view 10-4pm. daily through Jan. 7, 2018. While your there stay to see L.A. Zoo Lights…it’s a fantastic light show. The zoo is closed on Christmas Day. The Los Angeles Zoo is located in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways, at 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027; Free parking is available; http://www.lazoo.org/

Take in some fine art at local museums. We are so lucky to live in a city that is FILLED with wonderful art institutions such as LACMA, the Hammer Museum, the Broad, MOCA, Hauser & Wirth, and the Skirball Cultural Center.

Let’s not forget about theatre. See one of our Top Ten Events – Something Rotten! at the Ahmanson Theatre. This is a fantastic musical. I attended the opening night with one of our staff writers…Read the review on our Event Revew Page.  At the Pantages Theatre, catch Hamilton, the musical that ruled last year’s Tony Awards and changed the face of Broadway forever. Runs thru December 30, 2017;

While you are downtown enjoy a delicious meal at CHAYA Downtown…see my article on LAArtParty’s Dining/Travel Page….we have some other fabulous restaurants featured as well.

Also how lucky are we, with this amazing weather, that we can find somewhere to ice skate. Many of you may not know, I starting ice skating when I was just 6 years old and toyed with the idea of attempting to go professional – my skating partner (my brother) just dropped me too many times which helped me change my mind.

Head downtown to the Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square, celebrates its 20th anniversary, in downtown LA. Surrounded by city lights, it made a fantastic romantic or family setting. During the day the views are breathtaking as well.
Dec2017-PershingSquare-Ice-skating
Photo courtesy of Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square

Open thru: January 15, 2018; Check the website for admission and hours. http://holidayicerinkdowntownla.com/

Or in Santa Monica…take advantage of its holiday pop up 8,000 square-foot ice skating rink located on 5th and Arizona. Head to the beach AND do some skating while you are there…what more could you want? Admission is $15 for all-day skating, which includes skate rental. Find more info on http://www.downtownsm.com/

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If you have not been in Grand Park lately, its fantastic…it is completely lit up with holiday lights and décor. Take a stroll through the park…it features Christmas trees, a reindeer sleigh, and a menorah. Stop by from sunset through 10pm (when the park closes). Before you head downtown, make a reservation at CHAYA Downtown…the food is fantastic.

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December 24, 2017:
As Los Angeles’ largest free multicultural holiday celebration, the 58th annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration invites Angelenos of all ages to come together on December 24 to celebrate all cultures and experience many diverse LA artists and community groups as they showcase their talent and artistry. Visit the website for the full lineup of performances. You can stay home an watch it on PBS SoCal, or see it live at The Music Center, or stream it live onpbssocal.org. FREE admission; Event runs: 3-6pm;The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., LA  90012; http://holidaycelebration.org/

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December 28, 2017:
At Bergamot Station…Pop into Beyond the Lines Gallery for the closing art party of a two person exhibition titled “Motion show” featuring artists Dina Herrmann and Raymond Logan. Art Party: 6-9pm; Beyond the Lines Gallery, Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica, CA, 90404; 

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December 31, 2017:
If you are looking for a fantastic way to bring in the New Year with the one you love. Upper West Restaurant in Santa Monica will host its New Year’s Eve BASH once again this year. The food is exquisite. Upper West brings the art of dining to a whole new level. The restaurant offers two seatings. The early one from 5-7pm will feature the full menu. Then for the 8-10pm seating, Chef Nick Shipp has planned a delicious four-course prix fixe menu. The second seating also offers a champagne toast $80 per person, plus tax and tip. Enjoy a Dj after 11pm and the Times Square countdown.

The Upper West


CALL NOW to make your reservations. It sells out EVERY YEAR!! Two seatings: 5-7pm – full menu; 2nd seating 8-10pm 4-course prix fixe with champagne toast ($80 per person, plus tax and tip). Upper West, 3321 Pico Blvd Santa Monica CA 90404; (310)586-1111; http://www.theupperwest.com/


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December 31, 2017:

Grand Park + The Music Center’s N.Y.E.L.A. is back. For the fifth year in a row, Grand Park + The Music Center’s N.Y.E.L.A. will be the go-to central gathering place in Los Angeles to bring in the New Year. Dance the night away at this FREE event, and experience interactive motion-graphic activations that you bring to life with your own moves. This unique New Year’s countdown features a 3-D digital video mapping on the iconic City Hall with an integrated light show. Event runs: 8pm-1am; Grand Park, 
200 N. Grand Ave., LA, 90012; https://nyela.grandparkla.org/

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December 31, 2017:
Enjoy fun for the whole family on New year’s eve at L.A. Zoo Lights. The special all-ages party features “skip-the-line” express entry to L.A. Zoo Lights, dinner buffet, dessert, a ride on the Conservation Carousel, a festive photo booth courtesy of PRIMs Photo Booth, a DJ dance party, soft drinks and a cash bar. At 9 pm, party-goers can enjoy a glass of complimentary bubbly — champagne for adults, sparkling apple cider for kids – along with a live broadcast of New York’s Times Square ball drop, after which guests are welcome to experience L.A. Zoo Lights until closing.

Nov2016-ZooLIghts-byJamiePham

Zoo Lights by Jamie Pham

FAMILY NEW YEAR’S EVE tickets are $69 for adults and $45 for children (limited tix – order now). Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association members save $5. The Los Angeles Zoo is located in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways, at 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027, 323-644-4200. Free parking is available. For additional information about L.A. Zoo Lights, call 866-949-8007; http://LAZoolights.org