DECEMBER DELIGHTS WE’VE ROUNDED UP 10 FUN PLACES TO GO TO CELEBRATE THE HOLLY-DAYS
Lucky you. Visiting the City of Angels during holiday season is a gift in itself. You happen to be in one of the most exciting places in the world, where the stars are the brightest, the entertainment is the best, and the celebrations are nothing short of brilliant. Here’s a bit of advice on how to make the most of your stay: A multitude of festivities take place all over town during the month of December, so pick a few and join in. This is the perfect time to get an upclose and personal look at how the locals, with their myriad cultures, religions, and ethnicities, honor their roots and add their own sparkle to the merriment. So raise your voice in song, feast on local fare, take part in native traditions, and revel in the lights and magic of the city. In other words: Eat, drink, and be merry—the L.A. way.
Lightscape at the L.A. County Arboretum Through January 2
Try L.A.’s take on a winter walk: This historic 127-acre property, embraced by the hills near the San Gabriel Mountains in Arcadia, is awe-inspiring when viewed during daylight hours, but it surpasses all expectations after dark, when a milelong garden path becomes a winter wonderland of more than a million multicolored twinkling lights. A rich integration of color and sound results in dazzling large-scale installations that are situated at every turn, notably the towering Winter Cathedral, the Arch of Light, the Fire Garden, Dancing Palms, Snowflake
Avenue, Rainbow Road, Flower Lawn, and other arresting illuminated creations. Spirited tunes sung by Michael Bublé, Pentatonix, Daft Punk, Justin Timberlake, the TransSiberian Orchestra, and others fill the air. Santa appears on select nights for photo ops, and food trucks, a full bar, and pop-up shops are stationed throughout.
Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood Through January 7
It’s a dream come true when Hogwarts Castle beckons Harry Potter fans—and anyone who appreciates the creative genius of
theme park designers—but now it’s decked out for the holidays, as are the streets of Hogsmeade, to make the experience positively magical. Down a few Butterbeers and allow yourself to be mesmerized by giant illuminated Christmas trees, real-life fairies, snow-capped roofs, over-the-top light installations, “The Magic Christmas at Hogwarts” animated light-projection show, a Frog Choir serenade, and a live Triwizard Tournament. Hogsmeade’s cobblestone streets are lined with specialty shops—perfect for buying Potter-themed gifts like magic wands, ornaments, and Quidditch game accessories. It’s holiday cheer at its merriest, but, as if that’s not
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CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: JAMIE PHAM/GLAZA, COURTESY IMAGE, LANGHAM HUNTINGTON PASADENA OPPOSITE: L.A. ARBORETUM
by HEIDI DVORAK
