December 21
Holiday Workshop for children, presented by LA Children’s Museum, noon-4pm, free, Market Plaza, Farmers Market, 3rd St. and Fairfax Ave., LA, 323.933.9211.
Las Posadas, traditional Mexican procession down Olvera Street, followed by refreshments and piñata-breaking contest, 5-8pm, free, Olvera Street, LA, 213.625.5045. Also December 22-24.
December 22
Carolers, at Santa Monica Place from 12:30-2:30pm and 3:45-4pm, and at the Third Street Promenade and Downtown from 2-5pm, winterlit.com.
A Child’s Christmas In Wales, stage adaptation of the Dylan Thomas classic, 6:15/8:15pm, $10, Great Hall, Westside Waldorf School, 17310 Sunset Blvd., PP, 310.454.7064.
Circle of Color, winter solstice celebration with art and music, 5-10pm, Sponto Gallery, 7 Dudley Ave., Venice, 310.306.7330.
Holiday Open House, featuring the Blankenship Ballet Company of Venice and the Christian Science Church of Venice, pipe organ recital, caroling, dancing, refreshments, 4:30-8pm, 132 Brooks Ave., Venice, 310.396.1390.
Toy Soldier Band, marching musicians who resemble living toy soldiers, noon-2pm, free, Market Plaza, Farmers Market, 3rd St. and Fairfax Ave., LA, 323.933.9211.
Winter Solstice Celebration, presented by Church in Ocean Park, 4:30pm, free, on the beach at the foot of Ocean Park Blvd., 310.399.1631.
December 23
Candlelight Carols, presented by Sing! Sing! Sing!, 8pm, $25, Jazz Bakery, 3233 Helms Ave., CC, 310.271.9039.
Holiday Movie Showing & Storytelling, in partnership with Every Picture Tells A Story, 2pm stories and crafts, 3pm Elf, $10, Hotel Casa del Mar, 1910 Ocean Way, 310.581.5533.
The Nutcracker, with the Los Angeles Ballet, 6:30pm, $30-$95, Royce Hall, UCLA, WW, 310.998.7782.
December 24
Christmas Eve Service of Readings and Music, 10pm, free, Church in Ocean Park, 235 Hill St., 310.399.1631.
Deutscher Weihnachtsgottesdienst, German language Christmas Service, 3pm, Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 1343 Ocean Park Blvd., 310.452.1116.
48th Annual LA County Holiday Celebration, presented by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, featuring six hours of music and entertainment including Santa Monica-based groups Los Pinguos and Namaste Women’s Choir, as well as rock bands, salsa groups, choirs, klezmer groups, Korean dancers, opera, and more, free, no reservations required, doors open 2:30, show from 3-9pm, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., LA, 213.972.3099. Also broadcast on KCET-TV.
December 25
Christmas Morning Potluck, bring whatever you like to eat or drink, 9:30am-noon, 1718 Wellesley Ave., WLA, 310.826.6152.
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.
Enchanted, Disney movie, with live attraction “Disney’s Enchanted Experience,” through January 6, El Capitan Theatre, 6838 Hollywood Blvd., LA, 818.845.3110.
Holiday Art Bazaar, jewelry, fine arts, clothing, and accessories, through Christmas, Hapi Gallery, 1501 Pacific Ave., Venice, 310.392.9900.
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.
Pacific Park on the Pier will be opened daily at 11am through January 1.
Selections from the Peter Norton Family Christmas Projects, artwork commissioned for the Norton Christmas projects is on view through January 6, 2nd Floor, Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., 310.458.8600.
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.
