You’ve heard of “keeping up with the Joneses”, where neighbors vigorously attempt to outdo one another. Well, no where is this more evident during the holidays, as households deck the halls with Holiday Cheers each more magnificent than the rest. So why should the neighborhoods of DTLA be any different?
Here’s 10 Great Places to Celebrate the Holidays in DTLA and the Holiday Tunes that go with them.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at The Row DTLA
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at ROW DTLA, Downtown Los Angeles’ newest shopping hub for food, retail, and master practitioners like Sean Bartholomew of the Bartholomew Method.
To add to the splendor, on December 7 – 8, one of the largest craft and design shows in the U.S. West Coast Craft brought a collection of independent brands offering their artisan’s products just in time for the holidays.
Why leave cookies for Santa when you can leave him dumplings ???!!!
Seeing as Row DTLA is becoming famous for its pop ups and Dumplings are one of the world’s most popular foods, it seems only natural Row DTLA lend one of their 5,500 sq. ft. quick leasing industrial spaces to Dumplings and Associates.
Just don’t eat the dumpling … be the dumpling. This self guided maze reveals a larger than life crystal dumpling filled with mirrors, starlights and you. Macaroni noodle tunnels and secrets behind closed doors let you in to see the dumplings in the kitchen. The writing is on the wall inside the neon lit dumpling dumping station, while other rooms provide the dipping sauce, garlic wrecking balls, steamer baskets, and Dumpling jacuzzi. Stuffed with photo oops the pop up is instant sensation with Instant fun for Instagram.
I’ll Be Home for Christmas at Union Station – Courts District
Attention Arrivals and Departures of Metro and Amtrak and just about anyone wanting to sightsee at DTLAs most iconic transportation hub: This holiday season there will be FREE Hot Cocoa for all!
This year, The Historical Landmark will be hosting Cocoa Series at Union Station with a month-long series of festive holiday concerts on its majestic South Patio. All aboard for the Grand Arts Chamber Singers, The Beverly Belles and the Toy Soldiers Drumline who will bring Gifts of classic tunes and special guest performances until Dec 20th.
DTLA Santa’s, elves and candy Cane Queens will pose merrily for selfies inside a neon Candy Cane pop up loaded with holiday-themed arts, crafts, interactive games and marshmallow eating contest. Who can eat the most marshmallows? DTLA will soon find out!
Go Metro!
All I want for Christmas is YOU at Music Center – Bunker Hill
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors—will be playing Santa this year bringing us perhaps the greatest gift of all. The gift of Unity.
Angelenos of all ages have an opportunity to come together on December 24, during the 60th Annual LA County Holiday Celebration in honor of the dynamic, rich cultures of the County.
During the free event, broadcasted on PBS and KCET on Christmas Day, many diverse L.A.-based artists and community groups will showcase their talent, artistry and traditions on The Music Center’s iconic Dorothy Chandler Pavilion stage. And when we say many… we mean many.
As in the colorful costumed entertainers bringing evocative sounds from Mexico, Korea, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Hawaii topping the list of stilt walkers, fire eaters and musicians; community-based groups; children’s choirs and dance ensembles.
Walking in a winter wonderland at Grand Park – Bunker Hill
Well deck the halls and everything else at Grand Park’s 2019 WinterGlow.
From sunset to 10:00 p.m, Grand Park’s Winter Glow returns for its second annual nighttime public art display, offering an immersive experience and exciting new discoveries as the latest in light and projection technology transforms Grand Park all the way to the Music Center.
Experience the animated work of dozens of talented artists (complete with lights and music from across the globe) from the Performance Hall to the Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain. Grand Park Light illusions, monumental geometric shapes of animated lights, gardens of LED lights, colorful black lights, glittering lights and domed underwater luminescence will act one “deck” of a beacon for Santa as he makes his way across the night skies.
Santa Clause is coming to town at Staples Center LA Live
What better place to stay than at Staples Center/LA Live? With December arenas hosting Cyndi Lauper, Anita Baker, Gabriel inglasias, and the Basketball Hall of Fame to add to the long list of nightclubs, eateries, fashion Staples Center/LA Live seems to be turning South Park into the South Pole.
The five block entertainment mecca recently reopened its annual LA Kings Holiday Ice presented by Coca-Cola bringing an outdoor ice skating rink to L.A. LIVE’s Xbox Plaza until January 20th.
The rink is centered by the GREAT TREE and brings thousands a day for fun family activities and romantic date nights for Mr and Mrs. Clause. it’s also a super fun way to pass the time before and after a sports game or concert.
For Santa’s Little Helpers, NERF has brought a groundbreaking, high-octane action and competitive 50,000 square foot arena of adrenaline-pumping, action-packed Nerf Challenges. Elves will have to make thousands of blasters, and MILLIONS of Darts to make every NERF fan’s dream come true and they are up to the task. Plus, when they get tired they can stay at the JW Marriott.
Deck the Halls at Preux & Proper – Fashion District
Preux & Proper has introduced SLEIGH BELLS on SPRING: an outrageously decorated joyous celebration of everything Christmas! That includes weekly visits from Santa Claus himself, now through Monday, December 30th, 2019. Taking the reindeer reins, this Christmas spectacular the unparalleled holly jolly destination for locals and will be supporting NKLA, to help bring passionate individuals and city shelters together.
All month long, guests are encouraged to spread good will by bringing unused pet food, treats, toys, blankets,litter, or grooming supplies to P&P.
At Proper there may not be cookies for Santa, only great Southern style cuisines and cocktails to choose from.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year at The Bloc – Financial District
Experience the world’s largest illuminated interactive holiday display at The Bloc in DTLA. SPARKLE DTLA will take you through a magical nighttime journey of 16 million beautiful hues of lights that will illuminate the city skyline and synchronize to your favorite holiday songs at the top of each hour. This display will not only feature a 16ft larger-than-life ornament that you can walk through, but will also include a 32ft tree that you can step inside of to capture your perfect photo-op moments. The dazzling light display and interactive experience is the ideal holiday backdrop to creating special memories with your friends and family. You’ll be sure to catch the holiday feels at this one-of-a-kind
Jingle Bells at East West Players – SugarPlum Fairy – Little Tokyo
Written By Sandra Tsing Loh and Directed by Bart DeLorenzo, this comical holiday treat will have you laughing all the way as the audience follows a 12 year-old girl and her dream of dancing the lead in The Nutcracker. Audiences of all ages are invited to enjoy this sweetly whimsical coming of age story.
White Christmas at Bai Holiday Ice Rink – Historic Core
Although the weather Grinch stole Christmas for Pershing Square’s Winter Holiday Spectacular, DTLA can still enjoy an enchanting holiday activity of ice skating in downtown LAs oldest town square. Bai Holiday Ice Rink guarantees to delight everyone, from first-time gliders to experienced skaters until January 20, 2020.
