Turkey Trot Los Angeles, presented by UAE-USA United, returns to DTLA on Thanksgiving morning and raises money for those in need through The Midnight Mission. Angelenos ages two and up are invited to exercise before the big feast with the 5K and 10K Run/Walk courses and half-mile Widdle Wobble for the kids ages 2-12. Come dressed in Thanksgiving costumes of turkeys, pilgrims and pies! The kid zone with face-painting, potato sack races and more kid-friendly fun. You can also enjoy photo opportunities with the 20 ft. tall turkey in front of the City Hall finish line. This event not only brings the fun before the feast, but also offers a chance to give back. Donate time, money or blankets and towels to The Midnight Mission. Funds raised will help to remove obstacles to self-sufficiency and provide the accountability and structure that people who are experiencing homelessness need to rejoin their communities. You can also purchase raffle tickets to help raise funds. Prizes include a pair of tickets from Los Angeles to any destination on the Etihad Network, donated by Etihad Airways. This year’s newest partner, Bombas, will be donating over 3,000 socks to The Midnight Mission. Bombas will donate one pair of socks for every pair of socks purchased by participants. Runners will be treated to a post event festival with Los Angeles based DJ Cable spinning tunes. Clif Bar will be handing out nutritional bars, along with water from Boxed Water is Better, and more snacks from Noosa Yogurt and Vitamin Water. $20-$70 (includes a Turkey Trot LA T-Shirt and a unique Finisher Medal); Thursday, 7:45 am, Widdle Wobble, 10 am; Fig at 7th located at 735 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Terranea Resort‘s Turkey Day Trail Walk
Work up a Thanksgiving Day appetite by joining the resort’s resident naturalist for a picturesque guided hike along the property’s winding trails (complete with ocean views). This active holiday offering includes a visit to the Point Vicente Lighthouse, a beloved local attraction. $10 (12 years and under complimentary); Thursday, 11:30 am-1 pm; 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275; 866.261.5873
The Hollywood Christmas Parade
Welcome the holidays at the 86th annual parade, that also has a concert beforehand. The parade winds through Hollywood and features floats, balloons, characters, marching bands and equestrians. The route starts on Hollywood Blvd. at Orange Dr. and travels east to Vine St., south on Vine to Sunset Blvd. and west on Sunset, back to Orange. $32-$85; Sunday, concert: 5 pm, parade: 6 pm; 866.727.2331
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa Festival of Lights
See more than 5 million holiday lights, appearances by Santa Claus, the world’s largest manmade mistletoe, horse-drawn carriage rides and a 30-ft multicolor pixelated tree showcasing a four-minute lights show with music. The property kicks off the six-week long celebration with a “switch-on” ceremony beginning at 5 pm on Friday. Through January 6th; 3649 Mission Inn Ave, Riverside, CA; 951.784.0300
Holiday Lights Train Ride
Embark on a train ride through holiday scenes and tens of thousands of lights along the festively decorated one-mile track. $4; Through December 30th; Griffith Park, 4400 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA
Handmade LA
CAFAM’s bi-annual Handmade LA marketplace is a great place to get started on your holiday gift shopping with the chance to meet the makers behind the goods. Pick up unique finds for the pickiest person on your list. Free; Saturday & Sunday, 11 am-6 pm; 5814 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Smorgasburg’s Black Sunday
Hit up Smorgasburg’s special Black Sunday Market with nearly double the amount of vendors. In addition to the holiday photo booth there will be a Land Rover converted into Jamie Oliver’s kitchen to serve up turkey banh mi sandwiches benefiting Food Forward. Sunday, 11 am-4 pm; 85 Bay St, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Tam O’Shanter’s Annual Dickens Dinner
Tam O’Shanter is providing a holiday feast filled with special menus and Dickens-style entertainment for four days in November. Now in its 33rd year, the Dickens Dinner is a three-hour experience. The live dinner theatre features an acting troupe that performs Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” The Tam’s Executive Chef, meanwhile, is offering the following menu items for this special experience. The menu includes a holiday salad with mixed market greens, candied walnuts, blue cheese, and cranberry vinaigrette; Roasted Prime Ribs of Beef 6oz. cut with mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, Yorkshire pudding, horseradish; or English-Style Goose mashed potatoes, traditional stuffing, sautéed vegetables, and sage gravy; or Pan Roasted Scottish Salmon parsnip puree, fennel, kale, pearl onions, and pomegranate seeds; or Vegetarian Entrée; dessert is Sticky Toffee Pudding. $99, $69/child; $89/matinees, $59/child matinee; Saturday, 1 pm, Monday & Tuesday, 6:30 pm, Saturday, December 2, 1 pm; 2980 Los Feliz Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90039; 323.664.0228
Sushi Roku Pasadena
Celebrate Innovative Dining Group’s 20th anniversary with 50%off all dinner food items. Menu highlights include Avocado “Hanabi”, truffle and soy-seasoned avocado over toasted crispy rice and Bamboo Rice Risotto, dash broth, shrimp, scallop and truffles. Sunday through November 30th; 33 Miller Alley, Pasadena, CA
Deviled Eggs: Holiday Edition
This brunch will feature a menu of modern takes on classic 1960s recipes, a lineup of burlesque dancers performing Christmas-themed acts, and a full bar with wine, beer, and an array of specialty, thematically-appropriate cocktails. If that doesn’t sound like the holidays, I don’t know what does. $50-$65; Sunday, 11 am-2 pm; Brack Shop Tavern, 525 West 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Burke Williams’ Gift Card Packages
Burke Williams is introducing four special gift card packages to celebrate the holiday season. Give the gift of relaxation, health and wellness with Burke Williams Day Spas, where the ones you care for can indulge in world-class amenities and choose from a full menu of services that will transform their day. Each Holiday Gift Card Package purchased includes a bonus gift card and a coveted 3-Day Spa Pass, a $225 value, just for you. The “Escape,” “Transform,” “Indulge” and “Ultimate” tiered Gift Card Packages invites you to unwind, relax and renew. Each gift purchased includes a bonus gift card and 3-Day Spa Pass, good for three complimentary visits and 20% off services booked the same day. Give the gift of an “Escape” for $150 – $249 and receive a $50 bonus gift card. “Transform” someone’s day for $250 – $399 and receive a $100 gift card just for you. Let your loved ones “Indulge” for $400 – $549 and receive a $150 gift card. Give the “Ultimate” spa day for $650 – $749 and receive a bonus $250 gift card, giving the special someone in your life the ultimate spa day – and keeping something special for you. Burke Williams also offers Corporate Holiday Gift Cards. For every 5 gift cards purchase receive 1 free gift card of equal value or equal service. Packages go on sale Friday, November 24 and are redeemable at all locations. 866.239.6635
Los Angeles’ Small Businesses and Merchant Communities Kick Off 8th Annual Small Business Saturday®
In 2010, American Express created Small Business Saturday in response to small business owners’ most pressing need: getting more customers during the busy holiday shopping season. Celebrated each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Small Business Saturday helps shine a light on the small, independent businesses that keep our communities thriving. In fact, 84% of consumers say Small Business Saturday makes them want to Shop Small all year round. While you shop, here are some other events going on in shopping areas: Mar Vista Art Walk, where Mar Vista Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Saturday Coalition will celebrate local businesses with a day of music, art, and activities. The Small Business Saturday event will ignite a mile of downtown Venice Blvd (Inglewood to Beethoven) from 11 am-10 pm; Small Business Saturday Stars Shop Small for the WEHO Aids Memorial, West Hollywood and the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce (WHCC) are encouraging others to Shop Small on Small Business Saturday. This year participating retailers in the City’s Design District, Santa Monica Boulevard, and the Sunset Strip will be making donations throughout the day to Stories: The AIDS Monument; Shop Small for the Holidays with Etsy, Etsy sellers will host a holiday pop-up market at the Port of Los Angeles to provide shoppers with locally crafted, one-of a kind items for everyone on their holiday gift list. The Los Angeles pop-up will be at Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles from 11 am-8 pm; and In Store Performance and Meet & Greet with Dawes in Long Beach, the band will also be performing a concert and hosting a meet and greet with fans at local Long Beach record shop, Fingerprints from 4-6 pm. Saturday
Museum Store Sunday
Over 15 L.A.-based museums will join the worldwide movement to offer relaxing, inspired shopping inside your favorite museums and cultural institutions. Sunday
