5 Ways Los Angeles Will Surprise You During the Holidays
By Valentina Silva
November 26, 2013
There may never be a white Christmas in L.A., but the city does have a lot to offer holiday travelers even
on the sunniest day. From outdoor ice skating to star-studded parades, there are plenty of well-loved
Los Angeles traditions that’ll let you do the holidays like a local. Here are our top picks for the season,
plus nearby options for the best shopping, eating and drinking in town:
Ice Skating at Pershing Square
JuanCarlos Chan/L.A. Dept of Recreation/Parks
Pershing Square’s Downtown On Ice has been an L.A. holiday fixture for more than 15 years. It’s the
largest outdoor rink in the city and one of the few places in America where you can ice skate in 85degree weather. We prefer it at night when the cityscape backdrop is all lit up. (532 S Olive St.; 213-6244289; through January 20)
...and while you're there
Walk a few steps to the Biltmore Gallery Bar and Cognac Room in the historic Biltmore Hotel. The
Manhattan menu (featuring six versions of the classic cocktail) is popular, and on Fridays and Saturdays,
a jazz band complements the room’s stunning circa-1920s architecture. (506 South Grand Ave.; 213-6241011)
French macarons are always a good gift idea. Head over to Bottega Louie’s Gourmet Market, where the
colorful confections are beautifully wrapped in a sturdy, travel-friendly box. The shop is open until at
least 11 p.m. every night to fix any late-night salted-caramel cravings. (700 South Grand Ave.; 213-8021470)
The Nutcracker with Gustavo Dudamel
Adam Latham
It’s not the holidays until you’ve experienced The Nutcracker. Conductor Gustavo Dudamel puts his
touch on the quintessential score, leading the Los Angeles Philharmonic and L.A. Children's Chorus in a
spirited rendition of the Russian ballet. The magical Walt Disney Music Hall is the perfect setting for the
season. (111 South Grand Ave.; 323-850-2000; December 12-15)
...and while you're there
Before the show, spend some time at Q Pop Shop. Part art gallery, part boutique, this colorful Little
Tokyo store specializes in pop-art-flavored handmade goods and limited-edition clothing from Japanese
brands that are otherwise difficult to find stateside. (128 Astronaut E S Onizuka St.; 213-687-7767)
After the show, go for drinks at The Varnish, a speakeasy-style bar tucked away in the back of Cole’s,
one of L.A.’s oldest restaurants. Craft cocktails have a 1930s touch, and if you’re hungry afterward, grab
a famous French Dip from the front of the house. (118 E 6th St.; 213-622-9999)
Groundlings Holiday Show
Courtesy The Groundlings Theatre
The legendary Hollywood comedy troupe, which counts Kristen Wiig, Will Ferrell, and Melissa McCarthy
among its alumni, adds its brand of levity to the season with an annual Holiday Show. Performances run
twice nightly at the Groundlings Theatre, promising a hilarious batch of original sketches and
improvisation with a holiday theme. (7307 Melrose Ave.; 323-934-4747; December 6–21)
...and while you're there
Eat L.A’.s best poutine—it's made it with oxtail gravy—at Animal. Supplement the carbs with a meatcentric selection of small plates and a bottle from the ever-changing wine list. Make sure you call ahead
because the restaurant only takes reservations by phone. (435 N. Fairfax Ave.; 323-782-9225)
Take a look inside Necromance, a curio shop that sells everything from preserved butterflies and spider
webs to old keys and Victorian-era medicine bottles. You’re bound to find a gift for your more
interesting friends. (7220 Melrose Ave.; 323-934-8684)
Marina del Rey Christmas Boat Parade
Michael Yokotake
You can’t say you’ve seen it all until you’ve been to the Marina del Rey Christmas Boat Parade. Boaters
in the small seaside community have been decking their decks in lights and going all out in the name of
yuletide festivity for more than half a century. For the best view, do what the locals do: Arrive early to
grab a seat at one of the many restaurants that line Fisherman’s Village. (310-670-7130; December 14)
...and while you're there
Try Sugarfish, a small, high-quality L.A. sushi chain by well-known chef Kazunori Nozawa. Omasake is
how they roll, but you can always order extras off the à la carte menu. The fish is fresh daily, the
presentation is simple and the flavors are expertly balanced. (4722 Admiralty Way; 310- 306-6300)
Go early and shop the many stores on Venice’s Abbot Kinney Boulevard. We like Tortoise General Store
for highly giftable modern home décor, leather accessories, art, and books. You’ll want to take
everything home with you. (1208 Abbot Kinney Blvd.; 310- 314-8448)
Hollywood Christmas Parade
Courtesy of Hollywood Christmas Parade
The Hollywood Christmas Parade has been a staple since the silent-film era. The annual extravaganza
attracts big stars—Stevie Wonder is scheduled to perform this year—but that’s only part of the fun.
Marching bands, enormous balloons, and extravagant dance numbers will put even the biggest Scrooges
in the holiday mood. (Hollywood and Sunset Blvds. between N. Orange Dr. and Vine St.; December 1)
...and while you're there
Palms Thai on Hollywood Boulevard serves solid Thai standards, but more importantly, it has Thai Elvis.
The impersonator starts his serenade of the King’s hits nightly at 7:30 p.m., giving you a great story to
tell when you get home. (5900 Hollywood Blvd.; 323-462-5073)
Martinis at Musso & Frank Grill, Hollywood’s oldest restaurant, are a must. Take a seat at the bar and
channel a bygone era in this one-time hangout of Charlie Chaplin, Rudolph Valentino, and F. Scott
Fitzgerald, to name a just few. Some of the waiters have been working here for decades and still don
dapper red jackets. (6667 Hollywood Blvd.; 323-467-7788)