Your Christmas plans and holiday travel arrangements are already set, but there are plenty of free things to do in December before it's time to check underneath the tree. From waterfront Christmas lights to a massive New Year's Eve party, these are the best ways to make the most of your month without breaking into your wallet.
Dec 2
Film Noir at Union Station; Union Station
Catch the 1949 film Too Late for Tears—which was partially shot at Union Station—screened inside of the historic train depot.
Dec 3
Los Angeles Harbor Holiday Afloat Parade; Ports O Call
See sailboats and harbor craft of all kinds light up the waterfront at this annual boat parade.
Dec 3, 4
Grand Central Market Holiday Marketplace; Grand Central Market
Head to GCM for unique kitchen, pantry and tabletop finds from retail and culinary pop-ups, plus cookie decorating, love local music and tons of tasty eats.
Dec 10
Marina Del Rey Boat Parade; Fisherman's Village
Feel as though you've escaped to a small-town fishing village at this illuminated boat parade and fireworks show.
Dec 10, 11
Bitchcraft Winter Faire; Kinship Studios
Check out this badass, scrappy little market featuring a mix of witchy, metal, punk, psych, Western and hippie-inspired wares.
Photograph: Courtesy Renegade Craft Fair
Dec 10, 11
Renegade Craft Fair; Grand Park
Stroll through one of the country's top craft fairs—and be sure to sign up for our giveaway of more than $1,500 worth of goods from local L.A. makers!
Dec 12
Bergamot Station Holiday Open House; Bergamot Station
Celebrate the holiday season with an art sale and open house at the more than 30 galleries in this Santa Monica arts complex.
Dec 14-18
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade; Newport Harbor
Watch more than 100 decorated vessels parade around a 14-mile circuit during this century-old O.C. tradition.
Dec 16
The Music Center Holiday Sing-Along; Music Center Plaza
Belt out Christmas classics at this free public celebration.
Dec 20-Apr 30
Breaking News: Turning the Lens on Mass Media; Getty Center
Probe into the post-'60s rise of news media as polarizing and rich source of inspiration for artists.
Photograph: Courtesy Joe Lambie/Invertigo Dance Theatre
Dec 24
L.A. County Holiday Celebration; Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
Gather up your friends and family to hear more than 20 choirs, music ensembles and dance troupes from all over the city.
Dec 31
N.Y.E.L.A.; Grand Park
Usher in 2017 with thousands of other Angelenos as a countdown clock is projected onto City Hall.
Through Jan 1
Eyvind Earle: An Exhibit of a Disney Legend; Forest Lawn Glendale
Scope out landscape paintings that you know from once upon a dream during the final days of this exhibition about the prolific Disney background artist.
Ongoing
Free concerts; Various locations
Listen to some tunes without breaking the bank with free shows at the Echo, the Satellite, Grand Park and more.
Ongoing
Free museum days; Various locations
Make the most of free days at LACMA, the Natural History Museum and more, plus always-free museums like the Hammer, Getty and Broad.
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