Paintbox Santa’s Workshops at Montage Laguna Beach
Montage’s Paintbox Santa’s Workshops will offer the young set all kinds of holiday magic crafting activities from making candy cane reindeer and Hanukkah crafts to snow globe making, cookie decorating and crafting ornaments, stockings and fleece pillows. Kids 2 -12 years old. Friday to December 25th; 30801 Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651; 866.271.6953
Holiday Bazaar
The small pizzeria owned by the guys who founded the iconic hip-hop record label Delicious Vinyl is throwing yet another holiday market; this one’s got over 20 vendors, as well as jump castles for the kids, beer & wine for the adults, and a DJ for dance breaks. Saturday, 11 am; 5419 W. Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
A Night of the Village
Franklin Village is having an all-day block party, with caroling, mulled wine, and tons of raffles from just about every spot in the ‘hood. Of course, there will be discounts at participating merchants’ spots, and a DJ. Free; Saturday, 4 – 10 pm; Franklin Village
Bunker Hill Holiday Market
Shop jewelry, food, fashion, design, and more. This seasonal pop-up has over 25 local makers with a diverse selection of hand-crafted jewelry, candles, sweets, and more. Shop, taste, and come experience what DTLA has to offer! Friday, 10 am – 5 pm; Bank of America Plaza, 333 South Hope St, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Winter Festivities at Malibu Country Mart
The seaside property will transform into a winter wonderland with festive holiday decor and thousands of lights. Take complimentary photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, listen to carolers and participate in arts & crafts. Following the recent Woolsey Fire, the Mart has added a special community event directed at mental health and wellness. Bring a toy to donate for the toy drive. Free; Saturday, noon – 4 pm; 3835 Cross Creek Rd, Malibu, CA; 310.456.7300
Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Winter Wonderland
Baldwin Hills Crenshaw’s annual holiday festival features a diverse lineup of live musical acts, sledding, food trucks and a holiday toy giveaway benefiting children from South L.A. Real snow will be brought in for five-lane snow slide. Free; Saturday, noon – 4 pm3650 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village’s Let it Snow
The Hotel’s annual Let it Snow will feature live snowfall, festive bounce houses, a reimagined Holiday Express train ride, s’mores, hot cocoa, cider and special appearances by popular characters. A range of complimentary festive activities, such as menorah lightings in the lobby and Elf Story Time enhance the experience. For those choosing to make the most of the holiday cheer, the Hotel’s popular Winter Wonderland package offers a family holiday experience. In addition to luxurious overnight accommodations, join the Holiday Character Breakfast on December 15 – 17, from 8 –11 am, where you will enjoy a photo opportunity with the characters; receive admission to the Let It Snow event, including VIP early access at 4 pm; partake in Elf Story Time in the Wellness Center Living Room, as well as complimentary self-parking and premium internet access. $37; Friday – Monday; 2 Dole Dr, Westlake Village, CA 91362; 800 819 5053 or book online.
Build Your Own Gingerbread House with Santa’s Elves at Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa
Create your own personalized gingerbread houses! Houses and decorations to “build” are provided (with a little help from Santa’s elves). Reservations are required. $30/gingerbread house; Saturday, noon – 5 pm; 27984 Highway 189, Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352; 909.336.1511
Build Your Own Hot Cocoa at Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa
Create a custom cozy warming hot chocolate beverage using whipped cream, marshmallows, sprinkles and more. $7; Saturday through New Year’s Eve, daily from 6 – 9 pm; Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa, Aromas Cafe, 27984 Highway 189, Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352; 909.336.1511
Kids’ Night Out at Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa
Enjoy family-friendly holiday movies in the Stars Room on Kids’ Night Out, accompanied by popcorn, hot chocolate and Christmas cookies. $20 per guest who have confirmed dinner reservations at BIN 189 during the movie time can bring their kids for free; Saturday, also December 21, 22, 28 and 29, 8 pm; Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa, 27984 Highway 189, Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352; 909.336.1511
S’mores Under the Stars at Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa
It’s time to enjoy a nostalgic holiday experience by roasting s’mores with friends and family on the resort’s Lobby Deck. $20/s’mores kit (makes enough for a family of four); Saturday, December 15, through New Year’s Eve; from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. nightly; Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa, 27984 Highway 189, Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352; 909.336.1511
“The 12 Gin and Tonics of Christmas”
Barbecue restaurant and bar Barrel & Ashes celebrates the holiday season with a special cocktail menu, “The 12 Gin and Tonics of Christmas,” featuring 12 intentionally paired gins and tonics. Cocktails include Nine Primates Dancing made with Monkey 47 Gin, green apple, thyme, aegean tonic and Ten Lords a LA-eaping made with City Bright Gin, sage, cranberries and aromatic tonic. 11801 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA; 818.623.8883
PAW-lidays
Celebrate the holiday season at Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, alongside your beloved furry friend. The French – inspired luxury hotel will celebrate its famous annual pet-friendly “PAW – lidays” event. Join Santa Claus for a pet photo-op with hot apple cider, Yule log, and holiday treats for the family! This year, Green and Luxury are the watchword of this year’s dog-friendly gathering, with the presence of Pure Dog Food, Saint Rue, French Paws and our favorite B&G Martin. All picture fees will be donated to Home Dog LA, a charity helping families in need to keep their pets in their homes. Come one, come all, including four – legged and furry friends! Saturday, 10 am – 1 pm; 8555 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048; 310.278.5444
Winter Wonderland – Year-End Party
Only in Southern California can you celebrate the holidays on an outdoor rooftop, under the stars! Join us for this special Winter Wonderland Year-End party, on the 3rd floor rooftop terrace at The Source, and let’s say our fond farewells to 2018. While you’re sipping cocktails through the night, or nibbling on tasty bites, you can let loose and dance to the hottest live music from L.A.’s top DJs. Dress to impress. $60 (5-hour premium open bar, and a complimentary goodie bag valued over $100); Saturday, 5 – 10 pm; The Source OC, 6940 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90621
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Tim Burton’s classic on the big screen in a beautiful 1911 movie palace. Join us for a holiday party with DJs, themed photo booth and bars. $20-$45; Saturday, 7:30 pm; Cinespia at The Palace Theatre, 630 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Cocktails + Small Plates (and Desert Plants)
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Los Angeles‘ Hot Chocolate-Inspired Treatments
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Los Angeles is rolling out The Hot Cocoa Holiday Collection. The Classic Hot Chocolate Stone Massage is a holiday twist to the traditional hot stone massage, using soothing chocolate oils with heated basalt stones to relax knotted muscles, relieve tension, and rejuvenate the holiday spirit. Finish with an application of marshmallow scented oil to the décolletage (80 minutes, $260). The Mexican Hot Chocolate Body Polish is the perfect balance of sugar and spice includes a mint body scrub to gently smooth away dry skin and application of moisturizing cocoa crème to ease muscle tension. Deeply-hydrating, vanilla and cinnamon scented oil is gently massaged onto neck and shoulders for a lasting glow (50 minutes, $185; 80 minutes, $260). The Lavender Cocoa Vanilla Facial is rich in nutrients and antioxidants, this facial uses the healing benefits of chocolate to nourish and revitalize skin, with vanilla and lavender to calm and sooth the complexion (50 minutes, $185; 80 minutes, $260). The Spiced Orange Hot Cocoa Pedicure is an effervescent cranberry and orange foot soak is followed by a brown sugar scrub to soften skin and a soothing application of luscious chocolate hydrating crème. Finish with nail care and polish of choice (50 minutes, $95). 900 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Weekend Brunch at Simone
Simone, the new Arts District restaurant from James Beard Award-winning chef Jessica Largey, commences weekend brunch service featuring Largey’s much-anticipated fried chicken. Brunch also brings a menu of five different bloody marys— from a Little Tokyo-inspired version to a clarified iteration with a salsa macha oil repurposed from the kitchen. Starts Saturday, 10:30 am – 3 pm; 449 S. Hewitt St, Los Angeles, CA; 424.433.3000
The Fountain Opens at Corporation Food Hall
DTLA’s Corporation Food Hall welcomes its first bar with the opening of The Fountain. The intimate, 16-seat bar will serve classically-inspired cocktails and craft beer, adding the first drinking area to an already eclectic food hall experience. After, choose from a variety of dishes at Corporation Food Hall’s diverse vendors and bring your food to The Fountain, sit at the bar, and enjoy it with a drink. In addition, all drinks at The Fountain will be served in recyclable cups so you can carry them throughout the food hall. Signature cocktails include Blue Monday Margarita, made with tequila, blue curacao, raspberries and lime, topped with a blue raspberry airhead, and Motley Mule, made with vodka, ginger and lime, topped with a candy lime slice. You can also enjoy a pint from The Fountain’s superb selection of craft beer offerings. *The Fountain is offering 25% off their entire menu through December 20th. Corporation Food Hall, 724 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Crumbs & Whiskers
Every C&W Experience is 70 minutes, the perfect amount of time to relax with a room full of cats, drink your favorite latte, and adopt your new best friend. All our cats are rescues from high kill shelters and are up for adoption. They limit the number of guests in the space for the health, safety, and comfort of our cats. They also offer limited 15 minute experiences, on a walk-in availability only. $9-$25; Friday; 7924 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA
