December 16-24
Las Posadas, Mexican Christmas traditional procession and celebration, with pinata contest for kids, refreshments, and music, 5:30-8:30pm, free, Olvera St., LA, 213.625.5045.
December 19
Christmas Concert, with Trinity Choir, 7:30pm, free,
Trinity Baptist Church, 1015 California Ave., 310.395.9961.
December 19-20
The Nutcracker, with the Kirov Ballet and Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre, 7:30pm, December 18 show 2pm, $30-$120, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., LA, 213.365.3500.
December 19-21
Winter Solstice Holiday Open House, 11am-8pm Friday, 9:30am-7pm Saturday and Sunday, free, Shallow Water Nature Store, 221 Culver Blvd., PDR., 310.823.7040.
December 19-21, 24
Strolling Carolers, in Dickens-style costumes, 5:30-8:30pm, free, downtown Santa Monica area, 310.393.8355.
December 19 and 21
Speak Of Me As I Am, a one-man musical about Paul Robeson, starring K.B. Solomon, 8pm Friday, 3pm Sunday, benefit for Peace and Justice Pantry, $20, Peace and Justice Hall,Venice United Methodist Church, 2210 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, 310.398.7192.
December 20-21
Tide Pool Cruiser, a traveling tank of marine life, 10am-8pm, free, 1200 block of Third Street Promenade, 310.393.8355.
December 21
Breeyah’s Inspiration Network, an interfaith celebration, 10am-noon, free, Church in Ocean Park, 235 Hill St., 310.902.6329, 310.399.1631.
Gala Chanukah Celebration and Menorah Lighting, with latkes and donuts, dreidels, balloon art, crafts, and a Judah Macabee stilt walker, 3:30-6pm, $10-$36, Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana Ave., 310.857.6892.
Off Their Jingle Bell Rockers, 10am-1pm, free, Santa Monica Farmers Market, Ocean Park Blvd and Main St., 310. 428.7308.
December 21-28
Menorah Lighting Ceremony, performed by local synagogues, sundown, free, 1200 block of Third Street Promenade, 310.393.8355.
December 23
Candlelight Carols, a SingSingSing event, 8pm, $25, Jazz Bakery, 3233 Helms Ave., CC, 310.271.9039.
December 24-25
Christmas Supper at Locanda Del Lago, “Cena de Natale,” spotlighting cuisine of Northern Italy’s Lombardy region with specialties from Milano and Bella, 4-10:30pm Wednesday, 5-10:30pm Thursday, $69 per person, $86 for four-course version, optional wine-tasting pairing $25, Locanda Del Lago, 231 Arizona Ave., 310.451.3525.
Through December 26
Fillmore and Western Railway’s Holiday Trains: North Pole Express, holiday train with Santa Claus, Wednesdays through Sunday evenings, Nov. 28-Dec. 26, with trains departing at 6 and 7:30pm, The Christmas Tree Train, Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 29 through December 21 with two departures each day at 10am and 2pm, Dinner With Santa trains depart on Friday and Sunday evenings at 5:30pm, Nov. 28 through Dec. 21. For more information or to book passage on one of the Christmas Holiday Trains call 805.524.2546 or visit Fillmore & Western’s website at fwry.com.
Through January 2009
Bob Baker Marionette Theatre presents The Nutcracker, 2:30pm Tuesdays-Fridays, 10:30am Saturdays-Sundays, $10-$15, 1345 W. 1st St., LA, 213.250.9995.
Through January 10
Aah! Scrooge Must Die! a raunchy, NC-17-rated version of the Scrooge story, through January 10, 8pm Thursdays, 8 and 10:30pm Fridays-Saturdays, $20-$25, The Actors Gang, Ivy Substation, 9070 Venice Blvd., CC, 310.838.4264.
Through January 19
Ice At Santa Monica, real ice skating rink, 10am-10pm, $10 for skate rental, 5th St at Arizona Ave., 310.393.8355.
