Bah, Merry Grinchmas, Ho Ho Ho

when: Dec 20 at 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

where: Universal Studios, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, Ca

cost: $76-$92

ages: All Ages

the Whaddup:

Grinchmas is here ’til the end of the year! Anyone with a case of the bah-humbugs (or the bored vacation bugs) should hop over to Grinchmas at Universal Studios features photo ops with Grinch and his dog Max, story time with Cindy Lou-Who, cookie and ornament decorating at Universal Plaza, and the chance to stand beneath the 60-foot Grinchmas tree. Then join the Whos as they sing and dance through Who-ville during the Studio Tour Backlot Grinchmas Who-bilation.

And don’t forget this makes a great gift, for buy the day, and get 2015 admission to Universal Studios for free!

more info:
visit website

My, What A Great Show You Have (Little Red)

when: every Saturday at 1 p.m.

where: Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Los Angeles

cost: $10-$12

ages: 3-9

the Whaddup:

“Little Red Riding Hood” is Storybook Theatre’s award-winning musical retelling of the famous fairy tale.  There is a Granny at the Pianny, a funny wolf, and an adorable Little Riding Hood.  Lots of audience participation as Little Red Riding Hood goes through the woods to Granny’s house. Fun for the whole family.

Saturdays at 1 p.m. through March 7.

more info:
visit website

Join the Critter Club To Meet Cretaceous Critters

when: Dec 20 at 10 a.m. & 11 a.m.

where: Exposition Park, Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles

cost: $5-$12

ages: 3-5

the Whaddup:

Come and roar like a Tyrannosaurus and stomp like a Triceratops! Learn all about dinosaurs and their friends from the Cretaceous. Make a dino-mite craft and meet some other critters that walked alongside these giant animals.

The Saturday class is free with paid Museum admission.  No reservations required, but tickets are very limited, so arrive early.

more info:
visit website

Kids Holiday Cookie Decorating Party

when: Dec 20 at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

where: SusieCakes , 13029 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, Ca

cost: Free

ages: 2-12

the Whaddup:

Celebrate the season with a complimentary holiday cookie decorating event- the sweetest way to spend the holidays. Space is limited. Email CelebrationSTC@susiecakes.com or call 818.659.2253 to reserve your spot today!

more info:
visit website

Walk in the Chumash World

when: Dec 20

where: Temescal Gateway Park, 15601 W. Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades, Ca

cost: Free

ages: All Ages

the Whaddup:

On this easy 1-mile walk, discover how the Chumash Native Americans were able to create a sustainable way of life so long ago.  What lessons can we learn from them and apply in our lives today?

more info:
visit website

We Love a Parade… a Boat Parade

when: Dec 17, 2014 – Dec 21 at 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

where: Orange County, Newport Beach Harbor, 309 Palm St., Newport Beach, Ca

cost: Free

ages: All Ages

the Whaddup:

Fun fact: The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade – the nation’s longest running lighted holiday boat parade – turns 106 this year.

The parade is free to watch and features over 100 decorated and lighted boats making their way along a 14-mile parade route through scenic Newport Harbor.  Boats ranging from kayaks to yachts will be decorated to the parade’s “Deck the Hulls with Bows of Jolly” theme in lights, sounds, and holiday decor.

Dress warm and bring a thermos of cocoa – it gets chilly!

more info:
visit website

The Music Center Holiday Sing-Along

Friday, December 19, 2014

6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
The Music Center
FREE, tickets required*

LOCATION

135 N Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012

For directions, click here>

Reindeer Romp (at the LA Zoo)

The reindeer have landed!

The girls are back in town – Jingle, Belle, Noel and Velvet – for Reindeer Romp! These real reindeer have made the L.A. Zoo their home for the holidays and are on view daily through January 4. On weekends, enjoy a flurry of seasonal flourishes – with holiday craft projects for the kids and specially made presents for some of our animals. In addition, Santa will be on hand for visits and photos weekends from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. through December 21. (Photos with Santa available for a fee.)

Event Schedule/Lineup:

Daily:

Reindeer in Eucalyptus Grove

This holiday season for the very first time, the Los Angeles Zoo changes stripes from a daytime adventure to a dazzling winter wonderland known as “L.A. ZOO LIGHTS”, which electrifies guests as it transforms the Zoo’s enchanting environment into a series of awe-inspiring animal escapades rendered in led lights, lasers, 3D projections, spectacular sets and interactive displays.

Open nightly from Friday, November 28, 2014, to Sunday, January 4, 2015, 6 to 10 pm (except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), this magical new experience is destined to become a wondrous, “don’t-miss” holiday tradition.

An ideal family outing, meet-up with friends or date night, “L.A. ZOO LIGHTS”‘ self-guided 60- to 90-minute tour through select areas of the Zoo (while the animals themselves are asleep) introduces guests to a clever troop of animated LED “monkeys” commandeering an electrical power source hidden in an unusual holiday tree.  They swing through the entry plaza to guide an illuminated power line toward a giant electrical “outlet,” attempting to plug it in.  Will they succeed?  YES!  The Zoo lights up, and guests follow the “monkeys” as they encounter an illuminated “Reggie the alligator,” an origami “rhino,” singing “elephants,” and a party of musical pink “flamingos” fronted by their DJ leader, to name a few.  Along the way, “L.A. ZOO LIGHTS” offers the only opportunity in Los Angeles to see real reindeer, lit by elegant “chandeliers,” (“L.A. ZOO LIGHTS”‘ sole live animals), plus weekend-only visits with Santa Claus, perched atop a throne seemingly carved from ice, and an unexpected Hollywood ending featuring a red carpet bustling with paparazzi “animals.”  Other special effects range from 3-D holiday-themed animations projected onto a group of palm trees and a “bird” who flies to a nest filled with golden disco balls, to freeway-driving “animals” on their way to the “L.A. ZOO LIGHTS” opening against a backdrop of Los Angeles landmarks and a group of giant “bullfrogs” made from 3,750 water bottles lit from within, plus much more.  Among the evening’s sights are giant floating snowflakes, glittering light tunnels, animal cutouts and icicle lights.  Although the Department of Water and Power’s wildly popular Holiday Light Festival is a bygone Griffith Park holiday tradition, and while “L.A. ZOO LIGHTS” is a completely different, well, animal, it pays homage to the Festival with a nostalgic nod to the past by featuring some classic pieces, including the Hollywood sign, the downtown LA skyline and City Hall.  Steaming hot chocolate and other holiday treats and goodies for sale are also part of the fun.

Daytime visitors to the Zoo can see the reindeer during regular hours, which are 10 am to 5 pm, along with a flurry of seasonal festivities and yuletide flourishes, plus weekend visits by Santa Claus.

Admission to “L.A. ZOO LIGHTS” is $13 for adults/seniors and $11 for children ages 2 to 12; tickets for GLAZA members are $12 for adults/seniors and $10 for children ages 2 to 12; children under age two 2 are free.  Purchase tickets online to attend during the first two weeks (Nov 28 – Dec 11) for the online-only Early Bird Rate of $8 each.

The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is located in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways.  5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA  90027.  Free parking is available.  For additional information, contact (323) 644-6042 or visit www.lazoo.org

ICE Downtown Santa Monica

when: through January 19

where: 5th and Arizona, 1324 5th St., Santa Monica, Ca

cost: $15

ages: 2 & up

the Whaddup:

It’s probably the most fun ice rink in town- it’s definitely the most popular and the one where it’s easiest to spend the morning strolling on the beach and the afternoon ice skating and sipping hot chocolate!  ICE is back.  The 8,000 square foot rink is perfect for kids 7 & up, while the Tot Spot mini enclosed kids rink is available for kids 6 & under.  Ice skates are available for rental in children sizes 10-4.
ICE Bites Café offers snacks and classes are available through the The Randy Gardner School of Skating.

more info:
visit website

Glide Over to Downtown On Ice

when: daily through January 19

where: Downtown, Pershing Square, 532 South Olive St., Los Angeles, Ca

cost: $9

ages: 4 & up

the Whaddup:

Get your glide on for the holidays  – it’s LA’s biggest outdoor rink and it’s right in the heart of the city. Framed by towering trees and skyscrapers, it’s become a traditional holiday go-to for good times and family skating fun.  Prices are $9 for one hour on the rink, and $3 to rent skates. Check hours before you go, they vary by day & date.

more info:
visit website

CHILL at the Queen Mary

when: Through 1/11/15 at Various times

where: The Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, Ca

cost: $24.99-$34.99

ages: All Ages

the Whaddup:

The iconic Queen Mary presents CHILL, an experience that will bring cheer, enchantment and cold temps to Southern Cal.

The only event of its kind on the West Coast, CHILL is a super fun holiday event. There’s the Ice Kingdom, with holiday-inspired scenes, made from more than two million pounds of sparkling ice, fill a 13,000 square-foot Igloo.  For the adventurous there is Ice Tubing, where you grab an oversized tube and race down a slide made completely of ice.  Of course there’s a great big skating rink and even a Holiday Village where you can decorate gingerbread houses and visiting Santa, listen to holiday carolers and enjoying the dazzling decorations along Candy Lane.

Tip: When they say cold temps, they’re not kidding.  Freezing cold.  Icy cold.  The cold we don’t won clothes for here in LA.  So beg, borrow or buy some warm togs – you’ll need ‘em.  Even under the giant coats they provide.

more info:
visit website

Downtown Burbank’s most festive holiday tradition returns for 8-weeks of outdoor ice skating, themed nights, and special performances at The Rink in Downtown Burbank. The fun begins Friday, November 28 and runs through January 19, 2015.

Transforming the corner of N 3rd Street and E Orange Grove Avenue into a magical winter wonderland, skaters of all ages will enjoy 90-minute sessions on the ice with friends and family.

A great way to celebrate the holidays, The Rink in Downtown Burbank is just steps away from hundreds of shops and restaurants decked out for the holiday season, making it a joyful family outing and memorable getaway. Admission is $10.00, skate rentals are $3.00, and Bobby the Seal rentals are $6.00.  Season passes are available for $139 through November 20, and $159 afterwards. Passes are valid for unlimited skating every day from Friday, November 28 through January 19, 2015.

Special events at The Rink in Downtown Burbank include:

Ugly Sweater Mondays, ’80s Night Wednesdays, and Thursday Night Fever, where skaters are encouraged to get into the spirit, dress up, and have fun on the ice from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
The Mayor’s Tree-lighting Ceremony in front of City Hall on Friday, December 5 at 6:30 PM– stop by and skate before and after event!
Santa Claus will be making an appearance on Saturday, December 13, and kids of all ages are invited to skate with the big man himself from 12 noon to 1:30 PM.
The Rink will be filled with Santas and Elves during Skating Santas Night, an event where everyone is welcome to arrive in costume on Saturday, December 20 from 8:00 PM to 11:30 PM.
Performances by the Los Angeles Ice Theater are scheduled for every Saturday in December at 5:45 PM.
For those wanting to brush up on their skating skills, classes by professional instructors from Pickwick Gardens Ice Skating Rink are offered starting Saturday, December 20 at 9:00 AM and 9:25 AM, and for adults on Tuesdays at 7:50 PM.
All season, the KCET Community Kiosk will be on-site giving Rink attendees the opportunity to play an active part in KCET’s 50th anniversary. The interactive kiosk visually displays historical KCET touch points, and prompts community members to answer the question: “How do you envision a better state?”  Visitors are encouraged to participate in this unique community experience.
On Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM, be sure to visit Downtown Burbank’s weekly Farmer’s Market in the parking lot behind the Community Services building.
Group Sales

10% group discount for parties of ten or more. Please pay in one transaction in advance (recommended) or at time of session. Waivers may also be completed prior to skating. For further information, please contact therinkindowntownburbank@gmail.com or 818-806-8551.

– See more at: http://dtnbur.com/event/the-rink-in-dtn-bur-2/#sthash.thd1wJ18.dpuf