Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! The time has finally come and will be over in two shakes of a lamb’s tail, so please soak up the cheer and love while you can. And if you’re a holiday orphan this year and looking for something to do on the Eve or the Day, then you’re in the right place. All you have to do is keep reading and you’ll get to the good stuff, I promise. You’ll probably also notice that the list is a bit ‘skinny’ this week due to the obvious, but there’s still plenty of options for a good time outside of the house. P.S. So it’s not too late to get a ticket, I’ve included a few NYE events in this week’s column as well – how thoughtful of me.
Movies, Christmas, Cars, and Food
Hoods Up! for the Holidays is the Petersen Automotive Museum’s way of saying Merry Christmas to you and a Happy New Year! Starting Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec 24, the Petersen will be lifting the hoods on some of its most iconic vehicles to give you an up close and personal look at the complex motors that power these extremely rare vehicles. Of course, all 150+ cars will be on display, as well as a hundred more in the Vault. Vehicles on display include a 1939 Bugatti 57C, 1959 Chevy Corvette Italia Scaglietti, 1931 Ford Model A, the Batmobile (1989), 1933 Duesenberg SJ, 1966 Mustang GT350, and 1925 Rolls-Royce Phantom 1. Please note the museum will close early at 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve and be closed on Christmas Day. Open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., through Monday, January 2. Tickets are $19 for adults, $17 for seniors, and $12 for kids 17 and under.
Movies and Christmas go hand in hand, and if you’re not already holiday movie’d out, then why not take in a flick or two this year if you’re not doing anything anyway? Home Alone is playing at The Academy Museum on Christmas Eve at 11 a.m., as is the always awesome Die Hard (yippee ki yay, MF!) at The New Beverly Cinema, along with The Hateful Eight (sold out, but some tickets may be available at the door) and a Marx Brothers double feature on Christmas Day. For shows that have sold out online (for the New Bev), in-person ticket purchases are first come, first served, and limited to 2 tickets per person. Box office opens 1 hr. before showtime. 
Then, continue or start a new day after Christmas tradition by catching a movie with the fam at the Hollywood Legion Theater. Spend the afternoon eating popcorn with loved ones, or just your wonderful self, while you enjoy the classic Disney film, Mary Poppins (1964) on Monday, Dec 26 at 2 p.m. It will definitely be a jolly holiday as the Alex Film Society presents this enduring family favorite at the historic Hollywood Legion! Tickets are $10-$15 and Free for Post 43 members and their fams.
Never cook on Christmas Eve again! Why slave away in the kitchen when The Cat and Fiddle Pub and Restaurant can serve you and yours a Yuletide Feast at a reasonable cost. You have the choice of mixed organic baby greens or tomato basil soup (vegan) to start; roasted turkey, beef wellington, or vegetarian option, nut roast wellington, for the entrée, complete with sides, such as apple walnut stuffing, spicy brussels sprouts, cranberry compote w/ orange & cinnamon, and more. And with a choice of sticky toffee pudding or fresh pear & apple crumble, you’ll definitely want to leave room for dessert. Served from 1-9 p.m., all orders come with one Christmas cracker per person to add to the holiday cheer. Dinners range from $31-$42. Make reservations now! Mulled wine is also available for $12 a glass. 
And if you prefer fancier surroundings for your Christmas Dinner, no diss meant to The Cat, then Modern Italian Steakhouse, The Barish might be more your speed. The offerings will include their standard menu, plus a few seasonal additions for the occasion. Located in the beautifully renovated first floor of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, The Barish pays homage to owner and chef Nancy Silverton’s family, who raised cattle at the Barish Farm in central Canada. Open for dinner on Christmas Eve from 5-10 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. on Christmas Day. Make reservations here. The Barish will also be offering a NYE tasting menu for $175 per person (make reservations here).
Another favorite seasonal activity that would normally be reserved for cold weather locales is happening right here in DTLA. The annual LA Kings Holiday Ice Rink at L.A. LIVE! is open and ready for business Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and every other day through January 8. Skate your way through the holiday season, while enjoying some crisp, fresh, winter air! Â Tickets range from $20-$45 and are only available for purchase on-site during hours of operation. Please note that on Christmas Eve the rink will only be open for the first two sessions (4-6 p.m. and 6:30-8 p.m.). 
And if you’d rather venture beyond the more tourist-y scene of L.A. Live!, Pershing Square Ice-Skating Rink is also open both days from 10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m., giving us all a fresh and very on point way to enjoy the outdoors and get a little exercise. Hours and times vary by day; open daily through January 8. Skating sessions last 60 minutes. General Admission: $20 (includes skate rental). Locker Rental: $5. Skate Helpers: $6 – to help the kiddos with balance and control. P.S. Both rinks are also available for private parties.
Who knew that the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel would be your key to happiness this week? Most of you would’ve guessed Christmas, Hannukah, or Kwanza to be the reason, but you’d be wrong! This iconic hotel in the heart of Hollywood has a nice variety of events for you and yours to enjoy this week and it starts with Classic Cinema Night on Wednesday, Dec 28. Enjoy a modern holiday classic with a special screening of Love Actually in the Cinegrill Theater. Once a playground for mid-century starlets, this historic theater now pays homage to its roots with a new retrospective series of Classic films hosted by film critic, film professor, and winemaker José Ignacio Cuenca. The evening includes an introduction, post-show Q&A, and wine tasting of Cuenca’s Little Boat label – Smashing! Doors open at 6:30 p.m., intro begins at 7 p.m. And don’t forget to reserve a table at The Barish for a pre-theater dinner from 5-7 p.m., while you’re at it. Next on the calendar is Live Jazz on Thursday, Dec 29, followed by the Roosevelt Shindig Comedy Show on Friday, Dec 30. 
Then, to round out a perfectly lovely week, The HRH invites you to celebrate New Year’s Eve with them in old Hollywood style! Make your way to the Blossom Ballroom between 8 p.m. – 1 a.m. for dinner, dancing, cocktails, and live entertainment. The cost is $300 per person (+ $17.50 Eventbrite fee), and includes an elegant four-course dinner by Chef Rigo Salas, premium open bar reception from 8-9 p.m., festive countdown, and champagne toast at midnight! Please note that the dress code is Formal Gala Attire. How wonderful – I love me a dress code.
Finally, who better, and where better, to spend the last day of this long year with than – wait for it – NYE with The Roots at the Walt Disney Concert Hall! This New Year’s Eve, Saturday, Dec 31, 2022, the legendary, Grammy-winning, Roots squad will be lighting up the stage with two shows, one at 7 p.m. and one at 10:30 p.m., to help you say goodbye to a year filled with love and/or loss, and to ring in the new year with a bang! And if you didn’t know already, this native Philadelphia hip-hop group is also the house band for The Tonight Show, who put on a helluva good concert. I actually saw them way back in the day at the original House of Blues on the Sunset Strip, which sadly has been gone for some years now – good times. Anyhoo, tickets range from $96-$284, and are still available, but don’t wait!
Local Government
Since the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council’s monthly Land Use Committee meeting has been canceled this time ’round, there is nothing on the schedule until next week, so please stay tuned. Land Use will reconvene on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. Click here to view the calendar for deets.
And the MCWNC (that’s the Mid City West Neighborhood Council, in case you didn’t know) has a quiet and restful holiday week, with just one virtual meeting for the Social and Racial Equity Committee on Tuesday, Dec 27, followed by weekly in-person Wednesday Walks on Wednesday, Dec 28. Click here to check MCW’s calendar for details.
