December 14
A Christmas Carol, an improvised version by the Transformers, 8pm, $10, Empty Stage Comedy Theater, 2372 Veteran Ave., LA, 310.470.3560. Also December 15.
Trey Nichols’ A Lesson in Proper Bow-Fluffing Technique, humorous one-man holiday show, benefit for Save the Playhouse Campaign, 8pm, $18, Santa Monica Playhouse Main Stage, 1211 4th St., 310.394.9779 x1.
Star of Wonder, planetarium show explores the astronomical explanations of the Star of Bethlehem, 8pm, preceded by The Night Sky Show, 7pm, $5 per show or $9 for both, Drescher Hall, SMC, 1900 Pico Blvd., 310.434.4223.
December 14-16
Abbot Kinney Holiday Tree Walk, weekend-long opportunity to walk the street, see holiday decorations, and visit local businesses, walk begins at Capri Restaurant, 1616 Abbot Kinney Blvd., which provides list of participating merchants, Venice, 310.822.8533 or 310.392.8777.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles Presents Holidays LA, 8pm Friday/3pm and 8pm Saturday/3pm Sunday, $27.50-$55, Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale, 818.243.alex.
December 15
California Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, holiday concert with soprano Melissa Shippen and the California Philharmonic Chorale, 8pm, $30-95, Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S. St. John Ave., Pasadena, 626.300.8200.
Los Angeles Master Chorale’s Holiday Wonders Family Concert, carols, sing-alongs, and Santa Claus, 3pm, $12-$55, Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., LA, 213.972.7282.
Oral Tradition Storytelling: Holiday Stories at the Beach, 4pm, free, Shutters on the Beach, 1 Pico Blvd., 310.458.0030.
Safety Harbor Kids Spirit of Goodwill Holiday Party, sponsored by Malibu Magazine and Zero Poverty USA, 7pm, Fireside Room, 24255 PCH, Malibu, 310.455.0354.
Santa Paws, pose for a photo with Santa and your pet, presented by Winterlit and Three Dog Bakery, photo packages with photo CD begin at $19.99, 11am-5pm, Candy Cane Tent, Third Street Promenade, winterlit.com.
Snow Hill, come and throw snowballs or make snow people, 11am-4pm, free, 1400 block of Third Street Promenade, winterlit.com.
A Partridge in a Pear Tree, holiday play with sing-alongs, 2pm, $7, Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Westchester, kentwoodplayers.org.
December 16
The After-School Special, benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, cocktail hour 7pm and 9:15pm, performances, 8pm and 10pm, $25, The Knitting Factory, 7201 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, knittingfactory.com.
Handel’s Messiah Sing-Along, with Los Angeles Master Chorale, 7:30pm, $34-$69, Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., LA, 213.972.7282.
Holiday Caroling and Dessert Potluck, 6:30pm, free, bring a dessert, Church in Ocean Park, 235 Hill St., 310.399.1631.
Taize Service, a style of prayer and worship that incorporates simple chant and readings, 7:30pm, Gates Chapel at First United Methodist Church, 1008 11th St., 310.393.8258.
December 17
Children’s High Tide Holiday Tea, featuring Santa Claus reading Polar Express, 2-5pm, free, Veranda Lounge, Hotel Casa del Mar, 1910 Ocean Way, 310.581.5533.
December 18
Harmonies Girls Choir, 6pm, free, Veranda Lounge, Hotel Casa del Mar, 1910 Ocean Way, 310.581.5533.
December 19
Winter Break Enchanted Lunchtime Fairytale Theatre, for kids ages 3-5 and parents, with storytelling, games, crafts, and sing-alongs, 12:30-2:30pm, $25 per child, parents are free, Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., 310.394.9779.
December 19-20
Strolling Carolers in Dickensian costumes, noon-4pm, free, Farmers Market, 6333 W. Third St., LA, farmersmarketla.com.
December 20
Holiday Group Art Show, 7-10pm, free, Applegate Gallery, 3101-A Main St., 310.396.7600.
Mark Twain Middle School Bell Ringers, 6-7pm, free, Shutters on the Beach, 1 Pico Blvd., 310.458.0030.
Motus Perpetuus III, concert by Santa Monica High School Choir, 7pm, $5-$10, Barnum Hall, Santa Monica High School, 310.458.5939.
ONGOING
Bob Baker’s Nutcracker, through January 27, 2:30pm Saturdays-Sundays/10:30am Tuesdays-Fridays, $10-$15, Bob Baker Marionette Theatre, 1345 W. 1st St., LA, 213.250.9995.
Cirque Du Soleil, Corteo, through December 23, $38.50-$90,Orange County Fair & Exposition Center, Costa Mesa, 800.678.5440.
Charity Gift Wrapping Station, through December 24, 11am-6pm, free, 1400 block of Third Street Promenade, winterlit.com.
Enchanted, Disney movie, with live attraction “Disney’s Enchanted Experience,” through January 6, El Capitan Theatre, 6838 Hollywood Blvd., LA, 818.845.3110.
High School Musical, new touring stage version, through December 23, 7:30pm Wednesdays/2pm and 7:30pm Thursdays and Saturdays/Sundays 1pm and 6:30pm Sundays, $23-$128, Kodak Theatre, Hollywood & Highland Center, LA, ticketmaster.com/venue/74167.
Ice At Santa Monica, skating rink, through January 6, 11am-9pm Mondays-Thursdays/11am-10pm Fridays/10am-10pm Saturdays/11am-9pm Sundays, $10, including skate rental, 1324 5th St., downtownsm.com.
Selections from the Peter Norton Family Christmas Projects, artwork commissioned for the Norton Christmas projects are on view through January 6, 2nd Floor, Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., 310.458.8600.
Photos with Santa Claus, through December 24, 11am-5pm daily, Center Court, 1300 block of Third Street Promenade, 310.393.8355.
Santa and the Jolly Trolley, take a ride on the Beverly Hills Trolley with Mrs. Santa Claus, then meet Santa for photos, through December 23, 11am, noon, and 1pm, 310.285.2442.
Too Many Tamales, classic family holiday story, through December 30, 8pm Thursdays-Fridays/noon, 2pm, and 4pm Saturdays-Sundays, $15-$17, performances alternate in English and Spanish, Teatro Carmen Zapata, 421 N. Ave. 19, LA, 323.225.4044.
Toys For Tots 60th annual toy drive drop-off at Woodlawn Cemetery & Mausoleum, drop off unwrapped toys through December 13, 8am-5pm Mondays through Fridays/10am-4pm Saturdays-Sundays, 1847 14th St., 310.458.8717.
Winterlit Best Gift Ever Challenge, the Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL) has partnered with Santa Monica Place and the Bayside District for the 2nd Annual “Best Gift Ever” toy drive, gift donations from individuals and businesses accepted through December 20, drop-offs at 1400 block of Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Place Guest Services (Level 2), and at local Starbucks locations, winterlit.com.
