5 Ways To Get Festive In L.A. | By Leila Najafi

Our roundup includes must-do activities to get in the holiday spirit.

‘Tis the season to be jolly! While we may not get a winter wonderland in SoCal, the city lights up during this time of year, and there is no shortage of ways to celebrate the holidays. Sip on a winter cocktail (spiced eggnog, anyone?) or skate into the season in front of Crypto.com. Here are five festive ways to get in the holiday spirit—L.A. style.

(1 ) Enjoy Après Ski Hour at Fairmont Century Plaza ›

Who said you have to head to the mountains for après ski hour? Get cozy under the stars at the Fairmont Century Plaza hotel during its Swiss Chalet Après Ski pop-up dining experience. Now through December 31, you can reserve a cozy, chalet-inspired wooden booth so you can enjoy dinner (blankets included) under the stars. A threecourse alpine menu is served, which includes cheese and chocolate fondue, braised beef cheek with roasted sunchokes, and brie and pear soup to keep you warm. Firepit seating is available. Reservations are $105 per person (two-person minimum). Fairmont Century Plaza, 2025 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles; fairmontcenturyplaza.com/offers/holiday-at-century-plaza.

( 2 ) Have a cocktail for a good cause at Patrick Malloy’s Miracle Pop-Up ›
Drink up at Miracle, a yuletide themed popup bar that takes over popular watering holes around the world for a limited time during the holidays. Each raises money for different charities. This year, Patrick Molloy’s in Hermosa Beach is one of many SoCal bars that turns into a sparkly Christmas dreamland. Try a new themed cocktail, such as Rudolph’s Replacement, the Krampus, or Marshmallows & Unicorns. Proceeds from the sales of the Santa Pants, Christmas Carol Barrel, and Santa Heads signature mugs benefit the Seva Foundation, an eye care organization that helps the underserved in local communities. The pop-up is open daily through January 7 (closed on Christmas) from 12 p.m. to 2 a.m. Patrick Molloy’s, 50A Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach; miraclepopup.com.

( 3 ) Snap an Instagram photo at Tinseltown: The Christmas Speakeasy ›
This 90-minute cocktail experience can instantly get you into the spirit of the season. Enjoy a Christmas cocktail at this festive downtown venue that is reinvented as Santa’s living room, adorned with wreaths, glowing lights, and a Christmas tree. The limited time adults-only pop-up event is open through December 30. Tickets are $22. Pattern Bar, 100 W. 9th St., Los Angeles; explorehidden.com/city/los-angeles/list.

( 4 ) Go ice-skating at the L.A. Kings Holiday Ice at L.A. Live ›
Put on your skates and hit the ice at the L.A. Kings Holiday Ice rink. This family-friendly event is perfect for little ones or a fun date-night activity. Upgrade your experience with tickets to a game or concert at the adjacent Crypto.com arena. General admission is $25, children 6 and under are $20. Tickets are only sold on-site and include skate rental; lalive.com/la-kings-holiday-ice-la-live.

( 5 ) Get festive at the Fig ›
Bar Magnolia at the historic Hotel Figueroa in downtown makes the season bright with specialty cocktails served in the lobby bar. Sink into one of the plush leather seats around an oversize Christmas tree, listen to the crackling sounds of wood burning in the nearby fireplace, and sip on a seasonally inspired cocktail. Try the Autumn Punch made with a pineapple and winter spice syrup, the Sparrows Flight, a rum concoction, or the Stay Golden for some bubbles. Hotel Figueroa, 939 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, hotelfigueroa.com.