Brighten Your Spirits This Holiday Season
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Brighten your spirits with spectacular light displays just a short distance from The Pearl, such as Altadena’s legendary Christmas Tree Lane and GLOW at South Coast Botanic Garden. Need some inspiration for your gift list? The Grove has it all wrapped up with their curated shopping guide. And holiday meals and libations are a breeze when you order from The Original Farmers Market or Helen’s Wines. If you’re looking for an immersive seasonal experience, take a tour of The Bite LA Sweets Crawl from the comfort of your own vehicle. With jingle bells ringing and carols for singing, you’ll be of good cheer – when you brighten your spirits this holiday season.
Santa Rosa Ave. (between Woodbury Ave. and Altadena Dr.)
Altadena, CA 91001
Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena is the oldest large-scale Christmas lighting spectacle in the United States. In 1885, real estate magnate John P. Woodbury of the Woodbury Family, the founders of Altadena, planted 134 deodar trees (broad conical cedars) as a grand mile-long driveway entrance to the mansion he would build. Woodbury’s mansion was never built, but the trees thrived and the “driveway” became Santa Rosa Avenue. Every Christmas season for more than 80 years, the majestic deodars on the “Mile of Christmas Trees” are strung with 10,000 lights for you to drive through and enjoy.
South Coast Botanic Garden
26300 Crenshaw Blvd.
Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274
South Coast Botanic Garden is proud to present GLOW, a visually stunning art installation that transforms the lush botanic oasis into an oceanic experience for their Garden Lights & Ocean Waters theme, using thousands of lights designed by California Outdoor Lighting. The walk is set to an artistically curated soundtrack featuring a little something for everyone, including original music created for GLOW by Jerzy, as well as Baja surf music, Train, and Vivaldi. Let the colors wash over you like a wave and the music be your current, guiding you through this unforgettable after-dark walk.
Westfield Century City Outdoor Holiday Market
10250 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90067
For the second year in a row, The Holiday Market at Westfield comes to life at Westfield Century City in Los Angeles from November 27 – December 27. The Holiday Market at Westfield is an innovative pop-up market experience that features a curated mix of the season’s best gifts from beloved and emerging brands in both an immersive physical environment, as well as on a dedicated digital platform that will delight and engage guests online. In person, guests can explore the markets, which are nestled in the center of a festive magical winter village where quaint streets, local shops and seasonal delights will transport visitors to an imaginary world.
189 The Grove Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Come celebrate the magic of the holiday season and see The Grove transform into a Winter Wonderland. Snow falls every evening at 7 & 8 pm, through December 25. Need some help with your holiday shopping? The Grove is spreading a little extra joy this holiday season with their curated collection of top picks from your favorite brands. Whether you’re shopping for a loved one or simply treating yourself, get inspired by these much-loved gifts in fashion, home and more. More info HERE
6333 W 3rd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Looking for some holiday meal ideas? The Original Farmers Market has a handy Christmas Food Guide with to-go feasts from Du-par’s Restaurant & Pie Shop, Marmalade Cafe, and Veggie Grill. Michelina Artisan Boulanger is offering a Bonjour Gift Basket chock full of tempting French goodies, and Roxy & Jo’s Seafood Grill & Oyster Bar has added holiday seafood trays from Chef Christophe Breat, including cooked Maine lobster tails, shrimp, and vegan cake trays. More info HERE
412 N Fairfax Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Located in the back of Jon & Vinny’s Fairfax, Helen’s Wines is a full-service wine shop with a focus on naturally-driven and organically farmed label and small production vineyards. Named Best New Sommelier by Food & Wine in 2016, Helen Johannesen is a partner in Jon & Vinny’s and beverage director for Jon & Vinny’s and all associated restaurants in the group. Helen’s Wines offers local delivery and pick up, and national shipping. You can build your own curated gift box with everything from wine to sweets, candles, and accessories. Shop HERE
8500 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Shop for your holiday gifts at Beverly Center’s first Center-wide annual holiday market. Enjoy sales, special offers, live music, festivities and more. Saturday December 19 & Sunday December 20 from 12 – 6 PM. While you’re there, stop by the 3rd Street entrance for an Instagrammable experience at the Beverly Center Winter Wonderland.
10250 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90067
This year, Eatlay is bringing you an even bigger Italian holiday mercatino experience on their third floor. Overflowing with the best culinary gifts from Italy, this festive mercato features a curated selection of themed gift baskets, fluffy panettone cakes, and holiday desserts – giftable treats from Italy that can be packed into a customized gift basket – plus artisanal chocolates, salumi and formaggi, Urbani truffles, and more.
Rodeo Drive Visions of Holiday Glamour
Rodeo Drive unveils “Visions of Holiday Glamour,” a new style of festive holiday installation bringing the fashion runways of Paris, Milan and New York safely to visitors and holiday shoppers. Ten beautifully-adorned mannequins will span the three-block stretch of Rodeo Drive from Santa Monica to Wilshire Boulevard.
The Bite LA Sweets Crawl at Legg Lake
751 Santa Anita Ave.
South El Monte, CA 91733
Enjoy a seasonal twist on the drive-thru experience with some immersive winter holiday fun. Whittier Narrows’ Legg Lake is transformed into a winter wonderland with sweets and activities all available from the comfort of your car. Stock up on sweets with your complimentary BITE LA stocking (8 Sweets Bites are included). Get your bag of 5 safe, cotton plush ‘sno-balls’ (included with your ticket) and enter the Snowman Sno-Ball Fight. Dress up your ride in the ugliest holiday sweater or decor and be entered to win prizes throughout the season. The gaudier the merrier.
Photo credits:
Photo #1: Westfield Century City
Photo #2: Christmas Tree Lane
Photo #3: South Coast Botanic Garden
Photo #4: Westfield Century City
Photo #5: The Grove
Photo #6: The Original Farmers Market
Photo #7: Helen’s Wines
Photo #8: Beverly Center
Photo #9: Eataly
Photo #10: Rodeo Drive Committee with the City of Beverly Hills./Dave Tada
Photo #11: The Bite LA Sweets Crawl at Legg Lake