Ep.98-Giving you some of my fave holiday date ideas in LA this year including holiday lights at the LA Zoo, ice skating downtown and in Santa Monica, holiday cruises and more. Most are happening through the 1st of the new year. If you aren’t in LA, use these date ideas to find comparable holiday date ideas in your town. Happy Holidays! LISTEN IN ITUNES OR PODOMATIC (PC-Friendly)
If you’d like a quick reference, here’s the quick list:
1. LA ZOO LIGHTS
http://www.lazoolights.org
$13 6pm now thru Jan 4th
After going dark in 2009, holiday lights return to Griffith Park—this time at the LA Zoo. Whereas the old DWP Holiday Lights brought motorists careening through the park’s windy roads, the zoo’s fest will find visitors trekking through the front half of the festively illuminated grounds on foot. Though most of the animals will be asleep, you will be able to see reindeer and sit for a photo with Santa. There’s a charming premise that ties everything together: A group of LED monkeys have comandeered a Christmas tree and the zoo’s power supply. The glowing “Animal Power” cord they’ve draped across the grounds electrifies everything from desert flora laced with lights to a purple, disco ball-filled forest. Standout displays include elephant statues animated with projection mapping, a twinkly light tunnel and “ZOOray for Hollywood,” a festive interpretation of LA landmarks. For better or worse, it’s a tasteful, sometimes understated display—there’s no snow or strobing lights, and the holiday music is sporadic—but LA Zoo Lights is sure to become an LA holiday staple. Tip: Buy your tickets in advance to avoid the worst of the entry lines. Also wear comfortable shoes; the lights only cover a fraction of the zoo grounds, but you’ll be shuffling slightly uphill for most of the way.
2. NEWPORT BEACH HOLIDAY CRUISES
http://christmasparadeboats.com/newport_beach_christmas_boat_parade_20offer.html or call 949-675-0551
Dec 1-Jan 4
Newport Landing provides holiday cruises during the month of December to view bay front homes and ships fully decorated and ready for competition for the national recognized Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade Of Lights and Ring Of Lights events. Holiday cruises are offered nightly from Dec 1 through Jan 4 excluding the 5 nights of the parade (Dec 17-Dec 21). Newport Landing’s holiday cruises offer all of the parade décor both in ships cruising through the bay in pre and post parade festivities and the many bay front estates and landscapes.
3. ICE AT SANTA MONICA
http://www.downtownsm.com/ice
Until Jan 19, $15
Located just minutes from the Pacific Ocean, ICE in downtown Santa Monica (1324 5th St at Arizona) is a full-service 8,000-square-foot outdoor rink. Watch broomball games, take up skating lessons (there are even LA Kings hockey clinics for kids), or host a party at the rink and get your own private cabana. For $15, rent skates and strut your stuff on the ice alongside children and adults. No need to pack snacks, there’s a concession stand on site, serving hot cocoa and kid-friendly bites. For the little ones, visit the Tot Spot, an enclosed rink for 6 and under. The rink is open from early November through Martin Luther King Day. Check the website for operating hours at other times.
4. LA Kings Holiday Ice at Nokia Plaza LA Live
http://www.lalive.com/holidayice
$30 until Dec 31
Skate around the dazzling Christmas tree that stands in the middle of this outdoor rink, and take in an LED holiday light show on the huge screens around the plaza. For the perfect date-night, book the Supper and Skating deal, which includes a prix-fixe dinner at a handful of LA Live restaurants, skate rentals and skating admission for only $30 per person.
5. Malibu Country Mart’s Annual Winter Wonderland
3835 Cross Creek Rd
Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 456-7300
www.malibucountrymart.com
The Malibu Country Mart is celebrating the holiday season in style by transforming into a literal winter wonderland. Complete with festive holiday decor, the premiere shopping destination off of the Pacific Coast Highway will be offering shoppers the chance to shop among a decorated Christmas tree, a menorah, and twinkling lights. In addition, every Saturday, Santa will make an appearance with live reindeer as shoppers get the chance to pose for photos. In addition, Victorian carolers will stroll through the Mart singing holiday favorites while kids get the chance to take part in holiday activities like stocking and dreidel decorating, homemade cookie decorating and face painting.
6. HOLIDAY CHEER AT THE GROVE: PHOTOS WITH SANTA, MAGICAL SNOW AND MORE!
http://www.thegrovela.com/event_promo.php?id_promo=1569
Now-DECEMBER 24
Santa´s Cottage, photos with Santa! 5% of all Santa´s Cottage photo sales will be donated to Children´s Hospital Los Angeles. Magical Snow Nightly Snow at 7pm and 8pm. Enjoy the merry melodies of holiday brass and other joyous music from Eddie Wakes and Jake Simpson! Plus, performances from the Top Hats every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 6:50pm and 7:50pm!
7. VENICE CANALS HOLIDAY LIGHTS
http://www.losangeles.com/places/venice-canals
Carroll Ct & Eastern Canal Ct, Venice, CA 90291
Strung with lights, the classic arched bridges over the Venice canals look more romantic than ever. With the entire canal neighborhood decorated, it’s the perfect place to fete the season.
8. HOLIDAY HUNT AND MATCH – A VIP Party
31 Ten Lounge
3110 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405
http://www.vipsocialevents.com/event-registration/?ee=85
WHO: Ages: 22 – 44
WHEN: Sat Dec 29, 7-9:00 PM, DJ/Dancing 9:30 PM to close
Think of it as a fun scavenger hunt that takes place in a bar or lounge with mingling and sexy networking. Earn raffle tickets during the hunt for a chance to win prizes! Stay for DJ and dancing afterwards.
*If you wear ‘Red’ you will receive 5 raffle tickets…more chances to win prizes!