Friday
Spend your Friday night Downtown, starting with some seasonal shopping at the FIGat7th Holiday Odd Market. Peruse the multi-level shopping center as jewelry, fashion, food, art and vinyl vendors set up at this holiday market (from the same people behind Odd Nights at the Autry).
Afterward, make your way to Main and Temple for the Triforium Birthday Party. Downtown's critically derided but increasingly beloved sculpture is turning 40, and there'll be cake, DJ sets, architectural talks and tours, and a fundraising kickoff to celebrate.
Meanwhile, at Dodger Stadium—no, baseball's not back quite yet—Cirque du Soleil kicks off the opening weekend of Kurios. The high-flying, steampunk-themed touring show is a dazzling, must-see experience, even if you think Cirque is best saved for a foggy weekend in Vegas.
Saturday
See photos of Los Angeles and cities around the world from more than 5,000 feet above at Vincent Laforet: AIR. This just-opened exhibition at the Fahey/Klein Gallery pulls from the photographer's globe-spanning, high-altitude project—which Laforet spoke about with us in the spring.
Follow that up with a visit to Pussy & Pooch in Beverly Hills for kitten snuggling, festive nibbles, face painting and "meowmosas" at the Kitty Bungalow Holiday Party, which benefits the cat rescue of the same name.
Keep making your way west for the Bergamot Station Holiday Open House. Stop by the Santa Monica art colony to see works at more than 30 galleries, get a free portrait painted, listen to rockabilly Christmas music, and grab a festive bite and some holidays drinks.
Stake out a spot at Fisherman's Village or Burton Chace Park for the 52nd annual Marina Del Rey Boat Parade. Watch as 70 boats glide through the marina with holiday lights and decorations; it all kicks off with a short fireworks show at 5:55pm.
Head back to Santa Monica to raise a few glasses to the holiday season at the Santa Monica Pub Crawl. Belt out Christmas carols while drinking your way through bars like Tacoteca and Ye Olde King's Head at this annual Westside tradition.
Sunday
Choose between a trio of Downtown and Eastside holiday markets on Sunday, including vintage-inspired A Current Affair, Pinterest-chic Echo Park Craft Fair and venerable Renegade Craft Fair, where we'll be giving away free succulents and $1,550 worth of goods.
Afterward, grab a bagel from the Yeastie Boys and pizza from Garage during the Festival of Lights. The Silverlake Independent Jewish Community Center celebrates the penultimate night of Hanukkah with this all-ages afternoon (it's free to attend for adults) of woodworking workshops, donut eating contests, live music and more.
If you prefer something a bit boozier, head to Angel City Brewery for Hoppy Holidays. Sip on Angel City brews, grab a bite to eat from Papas Tapas and Chinese Laundry, check out wares from 35 local artisans and listen to live music at this Arts District party. Make sure to bring a winter coat with you to donate to the Skid Row Housing Trust.
Find more things to do this weekend by clicking each day or by heading over to our weekend calendar.