It is finally December here in Southern California, and holiday-themed festivities are heating up all around local communities. Here are a few upcoming events that are sure to put you and your whole family in the holiday spirit!

Santa & Mrs. Claus at The Paley Center – Saturday & Sunday, December 10 & 11, 17 & 18.

The Paley Center for Media, 465 North Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills

Trolley tickets $10/adult & $5/child (12 & under).

At The Paley Center, take in a holiday screening or two as they present
treasured holiday television programs from the past (free holiday screenings
are shown throughout the holiday season). Both kids and adults will enjoy
holiday classics and nostalgic family favorites like Santa Claus Is Comin’
to Town, Muppet Family Christmas, Frosty the Snowman and Perry Como’s
Irish Christmas.

Join Mrs. Claus on the Beverly Hills Trolley where she will delight all with
holiday stories and songs before escorting guests into The Paley Center for
some face time with jolly old Saint Nick. Once inside, fans of the big guy are
invited to sit on his lap and share their most eager requests and wishes with
him. After, head into The Paley Center’s theater where nostalgic holiday
television classics are featured on the big screen throughout the afternoon. Be
sure to stay afterwards to enjoy hot chocolate from Crate and Barrel and other
sweet holiday treats provided by K Chocolatier.

Guests are invited to join Mrs. Claus on the 11 am, 12 noon, or 1 pm Beverly
Hills Trolley Tours before visiting with Santa from 11 am – 3 pm at The Paley
Center. Pick up is at the southeast corner of Rodeo Drive and Dayton Way.
Trolley tickets are $10/adult and $5/child (under 12). Regular trolley tours
run at 2:00, 3:00 and 4:00 pm – please call (310) 285-2442 for more
information.

90210 Sparkle – Thursdays and Fridays throughout the month of December

For this year’s holiday season the City of Beverly Hills and the Rodeo Drive
Committee are partnering with Swarovski Elements for a spectacular crystal-inspired
holiday décor display on Rodeo Drive. Swarovski Elements’ design theme “Let it
Sparkle”, will not only dazzle visually, but will integrate the use of Twitter,
making it a true interactive experience.

The City’s world-renowned shopping district Rodeo Drive will feature
spectacular crystal helix sculptures with electronic tickering that will allow
individuals to tweet their holiday message on Twitter and these messages will
be displayed on the helix’s sparkling ticker. In addition, “Let it Sparkle” themed
light pole banners will transform Rodeo Drive and the City’s entire business
district into a holiday experience shining with elegance and class.

Snow and sparkle effects will float and flutter at Two Rodeo Drive and
Beverly Canon Gardens. That sparkle and shimmer fills the Golden Triangle as
shoppers all over town experience classic holiday traditions including horse
and carriage rides, carolers and performers each of the six evenings. More than
65 stores throughout the Golden Triangle will stay open later each night, so
you’ll have plenty of time to stroll, dine, shop and enjoy a bit of holiday
cheer along the way.

Messiah Sing-Along – Walt Disney Concert Hall

111 S. Grand Ave, Los Angeles

The annual Messiah Sing-Along packs the house each year! With an orchestra
and soloists on stage, you, our audience, are the chorus for this joyful
community event. Whether you sing along or just come to listen to this
Christmas favorite, this festive occasion will bring you holiday cheer. Bring
your own score or buy one in the lobby for $10. Join the carolers in BP Hall
right after the concert to extend this favorite holiday tradition. Hallelujah!

52nd Annual FREE LA County Holiday Celebration – Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

Bring the whole family to L.A.’s biggest Emmy-nominated
holiday show, the 52nd Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration at the
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. More than 20 choirs, music ensembles and dance
companies from the many neighborhoods and cultures of L.A. celebrate the season
during this free three-hour extravaganza. Even the parking under the Music
Center is free! See it live from 3-6 pm at the Music Center downtown. Watch it
live on KCET from 3-6, and again from 8-11 pm. Hear it live on 90.7 FM KPFK.
Stream it live at www.kcet.org. The L.A. Holiday Celebration is a gift to the
community from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

Highlights of this year’s show include:

• Liturgical Afro-Cuban drumming and song from ADAAWE, an all-women’s African music ensemble
• Traditional dance from the Mexican state of Durango from the Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company
• The Jazz Tap Ensemblewith a holiday-inspired tap dance and an ensemble of live jazz musicians
• A modern interpretation of the traditional Korean fan dance from Kwan Gyu Lim Dance Company
• Classic Hanukkah songs – Klezmer style – with The Shpil
• Prime Note Ensemble, an all-male Filipino choir singing in English and Tagalog
• GRAMMY® nominated Lisa Haley and the Zydekats celebrate the holidays Americana/Cajun/Zydeco style
• Current Latin GRAMMY® award nominee La Santa Cecilia with a holiday hybrid of Latin culture, rock and world music
• Mandrill, one of Funk and R&B’s most progressive bands and an important pioneer on the world music scene, will perform their signature 1970 hit “Peace and Love”
• Holiday hip hop from Versa-Style Dance Company
• Pop culture humorist and author Charles Phoenix returns as HC’s holiday reporter, hosting five videos featuring holiday traditions celebrated in L.A. County

Sunday Afternoons for Kids: 826LA DIY Holiday Concert – Armand Hammer Museum

In this workshop, participants develop songwriting forms and
techniques such as rhyme, rhythm, and meter with the help of 826LA volunteers
and musicians from the independent Los Angeles record label Hit City U.S.A.
The workshop will culminate in the writing of holiday songs and an impromptu
concert. Ages 8–13.

ALL HAMMER PUBLIC PROGRAMS ARE FREE. Seating is on a first
come, first served basis. Hammer members receive priority seating, subject to
availability. Reservations not accepted, RSVPs not required.

Parking is available under the museum for $3 for 3 hours.

SUNDAY AFTERNOONS FOR KIDS

The Hammer’s collaborative workshops, presented with 826LA, are designed for
groups of up to 20 students. Reservations are encouraged. Please visit workshops.826LA.org
or call 310-305-8418.

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