Descanso Gardens’ Enchanted Forest of Light
Get ready for another year of sparkling lights and special surprises when everyone’s favorite light show, Enchanted Forest of Light returns to Descanso Gardens. Enchanted is a one-mile walk through Descanso highlighting some of the most beloved areas of the Gardens. There are a variety of large-scale light displays, many of which are interactive, allowing visitors to manipulate the lights and sounds. The popular “Celestial Shadows” by HYBYCOZO—spinning polyhedral installations that explore geometry through light, shadow, and perception—will have new shapes and designs to discover. And also new this year is contemporary sculptor Tom Fruin’s magical “stained glass” creation which will grace Descanso’s Mulberry Pond. The “Lightwave Lake” light show will return to Descanso’s lake, as will Jen Lewin’s popular flowing and glowing interactive landscape of meandering pathways, “Aqueous.” Other new additions this year include special Enchanted with Entertainment nights. On December 6, 7, 13 & 14, visitors can enjoy performances by students from California School of the Arts in its Van de Kamp Hall, along with DJs playing ambient music on the Main Lawn. And in response to popular demand, Descanso has added special “Members Only” nights when only members can purchase tickets (totally worth joining!). $28+, $23+/Descanso Gardens members, free/ages 2 and under; Through January 5th; 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011; 818.949.4200
L.A. Comedy Festival
The longest-running of L.A. Film Festivals, the L.A. Comedy Festival is back for their 26th year. Check out up-and-comers along with established comics. They will be showcasing the best comedy shorts, features, TV pilots, web series, film sketch comedies and animation. Through November 24th; Let Live Theater, 916 N. Formosa Ave, Los Angeles, CA
AFI Fest
Presented by Audi, the American Film Institute’s annual film festival has world-premiere screenings and events in the heart of Hollywood. $12-$20, $250-$500/passes; Through November 24th; TCL Chinese Theatre, 6925 Hollywood Blvd; TCL Chinese 6 Theatres, Hollywood & Highland, 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Third Floor; The Hollywood Roosevelt, 7000 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA; 866.234.3378
Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair
Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair’s Jackalope Pasadena and Jackalope Underground at Grand Central Market will have over 300 curated booths for two weekends of handmade shopping. First up, Jackalope Pasadena returns to Central Park in the heart of Old Pasadena with 200 booths filled with unique one of a kind handmade wares. Then, the fair will make a debut in DTLA in the newly renovated basement of Grand Central Market on Small Business Saturday (November 30th) and Sunday, December 1st. Over 70 makers and designers will fill this space making it the perfect time to shop small! Old Pasadena: Saturday & Sunday, 10 am – 4, Central Park, 275 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena CA 91105; DTLA: Saturday, November 30th & Sunday, December 1st, 11 am – 7 pm, Underground @ Grand Central Market, 308 S Hill St, Los Angeles CA 90013
Porksgiving: A Filipino-inspired Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is typically all about the turkey, but this year it’s time to swap out tryptophan-induced zzz’s for – pork. This holiday season, Chef Brian Bellicourt of Mari Los Angeles is teaming up with Chef Ray Yaptinchay and Chef Jay Tugas of Spoon & Pork one-night-only for a Filipino-inspired Thanksgiving. Grab a seat around Mari’s communal table for a family-style feast where chefs Brian, Jay and Ray will be serving up dishes including Sinuglaw Tostada, Lechon Bellyand Bibingka Stuffing. Mari Pastry Chef Gail Romulo will be whipping up some Filipino treats including her crowd-pleasing Warm Buko Tart with Coconut Pandan Ice Cream. Don’t like pork? Not to worry! This dinner will have something for everyone, including vegan and vegetarian friendly Filipino favorites like Sizzling Tofu- Mushroom Sisig and Tortang Talong. $65, $99 including bottomless Calamansi Punch cocktails, complimentary valet parking will be provided for guests who bring five cans of food, or a $10 cash donation to be gifted to the Westside Food Bank; Saturday, 6:30 pm; InterContinental Los Angeles Century City at Beverly Hills, 2151 Avenue of the Stars, CA 90067
Tender Fest
In honor of the chicken tender, Off the Menu and John Terzian present an event that celebrates all things pounded, breaded and fried. Los Angeles chefs, Nancy Silverton, Wolfgang Puck, Timothy Hollingsworth and Chris Oh will battle it out in the “conTENDER competition.” There will also be museum of chicken-tender history, a launch of a collaborative merchandise line with Pizza Slime, live music and more. $65-$150; Friday, 10 pm; Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA
Poppy + Rose Brunch Takeover
Enjoy $8 Micheladas with fried chicken and waffles when Poppy + Rose’s chef Michael Reed takes over Viviane with his brunch menu. In addition to the a la carte menu and pricing, you can also buy $5 beers from Boomtown Brewery’s pop-up beer tent or enjoy a $12 Build-Your-Own-Spritz from the botanical bar, Jardesca. Saturday & Sunday, 10 am – 3 pm; Viviane, 9400 W. Olympic Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA; 310.277.5221; Reservations here
Burbank Winter Wine Walk
Burbank kicks off the holiday season with a Holiday Street Fair featuring vendors, live entertainment, holiday lighting and snowfall from 6:45 – 8 pm. The Winter Wine Walk has samples from wineries and breweries. Holiday Street Fair: Free; Saturday, noon-8 pm; Winter Wine Walk: $50, $99/Santa’s VIP Lounge; Saturday, 4-7 pm; 301 N. San Fernando Blvd, Burbank, CA
Chez Jay Celebrates 60 Years with 1950s Throwback Extravaganza
Chez Jay invites you to don your dapper 1950s finery and join the festivities as Chez Jay Celebrates 60 Years! They are celebrating with a 1950s specially priced 60th anniversary throwback menu, live jazz, featured cocktails, photo booth, and more! For one special night only, enjoy Chez Jay’s 1950s Specially Priced 60th Anniversary Throwback Menu, which features the New York Cut Steak ($5.95), Filet Mignon Béarnaise ($5.95), and Grenadine of Beef with Mushroom Sauce ($4.50), Shrimp Curry A L’indienne Rice Pilaf ($3.95), Broiled Catalina Swordfish Béarnaise ($3.75), and Surf ‘N’ Turf ($6.95). Throwback cocktails include: Old Fashioned, Dirty Martini, Margarita, Gimlet, Cuba Libre, and the Manhattan, along with a variety of wines, with special selections of red, white, rosé, Champagne and sparkling. Saturday, 4 pm; 1657 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
The Grove’s 18th Annual Tree Lighting
Kick off the holidays at the Grove with fireworks, music, dancing and snow. Some performers who will be taking part in the festivities include Aloe Blacc, Isaac Spade of the Fray, Tori Kelly, the Tenors, Malea Emma and, of course, Santa Claus. Free; Sunday, 7:30-9:30 pm; 189 The Grove Dr, Los Angeles, CA; 323.900.8080
The Ritz-Carlton Spa Los Angeles Debuts a Nutcracker Spa Collection
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Los Angeles celebratesThe Nutcracker, with a limited-time holiday collection. Get pampered with the Mother Ginger Pedicure, Snowflake Facial, Sugar Plum Body Wrap, and Pas de Deux Chocolate Stone Massage. The Mother Ginger Pedicure has a vanilla, lavender and mint bath soak with an exfoliating brown sugar scrub and gentle massage using frosted sugar cookie and cinnamon hydrating lotion. The treatment finishes with cuticle care and a shiny coat of polish. ($120, 80 min). The Frosted Facial leaves skin tingling and aglow. Start with a mint scrub to calm and cool the complexion, followed by rosemary-infused mint tea compresses for a gentle cleanse. A Knesko Diamond under eye mask infused with diamond dust evens skin tone and provides incredible luminosity. ($250, 80 min). The Sugar Plum Body Polish begins with a vanilla brown sugar scrub followed by an application of hydrating sugar plum chiffon melt that leaves your skin soft, polished and sweet. ($285, 80 min). The Pas de Deux Chocolate Stone Massage has soothing chocolate oils with heated basalt stone. A Champagne soak is also available. ($300, 80 min; $350, 100 min). Friday; 900 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015;213.763.4400
