Holiday Favorites in Downtown LA

14th Annual Downtown on Ice

NOVEMBER 17 - JANUARY 16, 2011
PERSHING SQUARE • 532 S. OLIVE ST. [directions]
GO METRO: 1 block from Pershing Square Station (5th St.)

Time for your Yuletide glide this holiday season, where the coolest fun gets underway with ice skating and a medley of FREE community events – including the Winter Holiday Festival, the "12 Nights of Christmas" concert series, and more.

Tickets: $2 skate rental / $6 per hour
Regular Hours: Mon-Thurs, 12-10pm & Fri-Sun, 10am-10pm
Extended Holiday Hours (12/9-1/2): Daily, 10am-10pm

MORE INFO: (213) 847-4970 / www.laparks.org

Winter Afternoon Tea

NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 24, 2011
BILTMORE HOTEL • 506 S. GRAND AVE. [directions]
GO METRO: 2 blocks from Pershing Square Station (5th St.)

Step out of the chilly weather into the elegant Rendezvous Court, and warm up with an equally elegant traditional afternoon tea. Special winter offerings include a signature Biltmore holiday tea blend, plus a selection of winter tea sandwiches and pastries with hot cider, creamy eggnog, and sparkling champagne.

Price: $35 per person, excluding tax and gratuity.
Hours: Wed-Sun, 2:00-5:00pm. Reservations recommended.

MORE INFO: (213) 612-1562 / www.thebiltmore.com

Christmas Tree Lighting  *FREE*

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2011 • 5:45-6:30pm
BILTMORE HOTEL • 506 S. GRAND AVE. [directions]
GO METRO: 2 blocks from Pershing Square Station (5th St.)

Enjoy homemade gingerbread, hot cider and cinnamon-spiced eggnog as the Historic Millennium Biltmore Hotel illuminates their enormous, sparkling, live fir tree to kick off the holiday season.

A cherished hotel tradition, this annual FREE tree lighting brings Downtowners and people from all around Los Angeles together for some holiday cheer and treats!

MORE INFO: (213) 624-1011 / www.thebiltmore.com

Screening of “Miracle on 34th Street”

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011 • 2:00PM
MILLION DOLLAR THEATRE • 307 S. BROADWAY [directions]
GO METRO: 2 blocks from Pershing Square Station (4th St.)

Kick off the holiday season with this classic film, starring Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, and a very precocious and skeptical 9-year-old Natalie Wood. Bring family and friends! Come early or stay late!! Visitors will also enjoy a special discount from the neighboring Grand Central Market!

Tickets: $15 general public / $10 Conservancy members / $5 for children 12 and under

MORE INFO: (213) 430-4219 / www.laconservancy.org

Music Center Holiday Sing-Along  *FREE*

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2011 • 6:30-8:30pm
MUSIC CENTER PLAZA • 135 N. GRAND AVE. [directions]
GO METRO: 2 blocks from Civic Center Station (1st St.)

Celebrate the sounds of the season with a FREE, family-friendly evening of singing together among the twinkling lights of the plaza. Bundle up, bring your friends and family, and sing along with live musical accompaniment. Lyric sheets are provided.

Tickets: Admission is FREE, but tickets are required and donations are welcome. Tickets are distributed 30 minutes prior to the event, while supplies last. See site for more details.

MORE INFO: www.musiccenter.org

Las Posadas  *FREE*

DECEMBER 16-24, 2011
OLVERA STREET AT EL PUEBLO • 200 N. MAIN ST. [directions]
GO METRO: 1 block from Union Station (Alameda exit)

This beloved holiday tradition plays out the journey of Mary and Joseph during the 9 nights of Advent as they search for shelter. Singing hymns and holiday songs in Spanish and English, the procession seeks shelter. When the pilgrims are allowed to enter their final stop, pan dulce and hot chocolate are served to all.

6:00pm – Live music and children's piñata breaking begin
7:00pm – Processions begin at the historic Avila Adobe

MORE INFO: www.olvera-street.com / www.elpueblo.lacity.org

Breakfast and Pictures with Santa

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17 & 18, 2011 • 9:30am & 12:00pm
DOROTHY CHANDLER PAVILION • 135 N. GRAND AVE. [directions]
GO METRO: 2 blocks from Civic Center Station (1st St.)

Gather your family for fond family memories at this timeless tradition! Enjoy city views and holiday brunch favorites – from buttermilk pancakes and crepes to fluffy scrambled eggs and crispy Yukon Gold breakfast potatoes. There are even children's activities and a visit from Santa! Adult admission includes a mimosa or glass of champagne.

Tickets: $39 for adults / $16 for children

MORE INFO: (213) 972-7565 / www.patinagroup.com

Menorah Lighting & Celebration  *FREE*

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2011 • 8:00pm
PERSHING SQUARE • 532 S. OLIVE ST. [directions]
GO METRO: 1 block from Pershing Square Station (5th St.)

Join the Downtown Community for this beautiful menorah lighting with blessing and song, led by Downtown's Rabbi Moshe. Enjoy Jewish folk singers, bottle dancers, and dreidel fun. This event is free and open to the public. Secured validated parking with skate receipt is available in the Pershing Square underground garage.

MORE INFO: (213) 847-4970 / www.laparks.org

LA County Holiday Celebration  *FREE*

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2011 • 3:00-6:00pm (2:30pm - DOORS OPEN)
DOROTHY CHANDLER PAVILION • 135 N. GRAND AVE. [directions]
GO METRO: 2 blocks from Civic Center Station (1st St.)

For 52 years, this 3-hour-long extravaganza has honored the spirit of LA's many cultures and holiday traditions through music, song, and dance. Community and professional choirs, music ensembles, folk and traditional artists, and dance companies perform while the program is broadcast live throughout Southern and Central California on KCET. Attendance and parking are free. No reservations or tickets are necessary, but seating is first come, first served.

MORE INFO: www.lacountyarts.org

New Year's Eve with Pink Martini

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2011 • 7:00pm & 10:30pm
WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL • 111 S. GRAND AVE. [directions]
GO METRO: 2 blocks from Civic Center Station (1st St.)

Back by popular demand! Pink Martini, known for its multilingual repertoire, returns with their unforgettable fusion of Brazilian samba, '30s Cuban dance, and Parisian café to ring in the New Year. You won't want to miss this stimulating performance, complemented by the acoustics of the gorgeous Walt Disney Concert Hall.

MORE INFO: (213) 850-2000 / www.laphil.com

FIDM Museum Store  *SPECIAL OFFER*

HOURS: TUESDAY-SATURDAY • 10:00am-4:00pm
FIDM • 919 S. GRAND AVE. [directions]
GO METRO: 3 blocks from 7th/Metro Station (Hope St.)

Spare yourself from the holiday shopping frenzy! Downtown LA holds a wealth of boutique shops that are perfect for gift shopping, and this is a prime example. You'll find one-of-a-kind treasures, including hand-crafted jewelry by notable alumni, modern home and office accessories, niche design books, and more.

Special Offer: Gift book ($40 value) with purchase of $30 or more, when you mention DowntownLA.com.

MORE INFO: (213) 623-5821 x2240 / www.thefidmmuseumstore.org

St. Vincent Jewelry Center

HILL STREET HOURS: MONDAY-SATURDAY • 9:30am-5:30pm
BROADWAY HOURS: MONDAY-SUNDAY • 9:30am-5:30pm
650 S. HILL ST. [directions]
GO METRO: 2 blocks from Pershing Square Station (5th St.)

This year, Santa's bringing some sparkle with styles to satisfy every taste, from the most sophisticated to the most austere. Located in the heart of the Financial District, the Jewelry Center is one of the largest jewelry complexes in the world – encompassing over 350,000 square feet of space. You'll discover independent jewelers offering a dazzling array of adornments at everyday low prices.

MORE INFO: (213) 629-2124 / www.svjc.com