The Best Los Angeles Nightlife: Dec. 16-22, 2024

BenDeLaCreme loves Christmas. Jinkx Monsoon does not. Together, the two Drag Race superstars are spreading laughter across the country with The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show. This year’s tour hits the Dolby Theatre on Monday, December 16. Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster with VIP packages available, including a pre-show photo op.

Husband-and-wife duo The Mastersons have brought out a heavy-hitting lineup of guests at their previous Gold-Diggers residency shows. December will be no different, when the friends joining them on stage will include Vicki Peterson of The Bangles, John Cowsill, Robbie Fulks and more to be announced. Tickets at Dice.

Early in 2024, Roberto Carlos Lange released his eighth album as Helado Negro, the critically-acclaimed psyche-pop gem Phasor. Catch Helado Negro’s introspective, chilled out indie vibe live at The Roxy on Tuesday, December 17. Tickets to the all-ages show at AXS.

Musical comedy duo Zach Reino and Jessica McKenna, who have provided tunes for shows like Rick & Morty and Baking It, bring their critically acclaimed podcast, Off Book, to Highland Park’s Lodge Room for an improvised holiday musical with special guests Nicole Parker (Wicked, MAD TV) and Paul F. Tompkins (Mr. Show, Best Week Ever).

For a taste of LA’s indie scene, head to Gold-Diggers on Wednesday night when local dreampop outfit Nightjacket, who dropped the sparkling single “All of My Friends” earlier this year, are headlining. Opening the night are Lonely Richard, whose 2024 single, “Halfway House,” has a ‘90s Pavement vibe; and ethereal singer Allegra Ondine, who released the Another Way to Kiss EP earlier in the fall. Tickets at Dice.

On Interplay, released earlier this year, Ride brings together the shoegaze and psychedelic rock elements that have marked their 30+ year history for an album that ranks as a career best. Catch the beloved British band at The Fonda Theatre on Thursday, December 19, with support from buzzy indie LA outfit Rocket. Tickets at AXS.

MySpace-era metalcore faves From Autumn to Ashes are back in SoCal this week for two shows that had been postponed from earlier this year. The band will play Echoplex on Thursday, December 19, with a gig at Pomona’s Glass House the following night. Dead American and Sledges open both shows. Tickets at Live Nation.

Yächtley Crëw brings the smooth sounds of the late 1970s and early 1980s to the Whisky A Go Go on Thursday, December 19 for their Yacht Rock Christmas Extravaganza. Expect covers of the era’s soft rock hits alongside music from the band’s recently released holiday album, Seas and Greetings. Tickets at Ticketweb.

In October, RL Grime released the final installment of his immensely popular, annual Halloween mixes, a wild ride that draws as much from ‘90s bangers as it does from the bass-heavy early ‘10s. Hear what’s in store for the DJ/producer’s new era at the Hollywood Palladium on December 20. Tickets at Live Nation.

El Vez returns to LA for an unforgettable MeX-mas Especial at Lodge Room on Friday, December 20. This year's festivities will lean into rockabilly when he performs with LA-based trio The Centuries. For fans of punk, roots rock and LA’s alt music and art scene, El Vez’s long-running Christmas shows are always a highlight of the season. Don’t miss out!

Fans of 1990s alt hip-hop will want to head down to The Novo on Friday, December 20, when The Cypher tour brings three of the era’s best to Downtown LA. Digable Planets scored a 1993 hit and a GRAMMY with their jazz-infused breakout single “Birth of Slick (Cool Like Dat).” Meanwhile, The Pharcyde emerged from LA in 1992 with the now-classic album Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde; and Arrested Development became an early ‘90s MTV staple with songs like “People Everyday” and “Tennessee.” Tickets at AXS.

Tech-house duo Walker & Royce, whose banger-heavy full-length No Big Deal dropped on Dirtybird earlier this year, headline Exchange LA on Friday, December 20 for their Rules Don’t Apply holiday bash. The DJs and Insomniac are partnering with LA Mission and inviting attendees to bring donations of personal hygiene items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and feminine hygiene products. Tickets and more info about donations at the Exchange LA website.

Techno queen (and professional race car driver) Nicole Moudaber will be playing an open-to-close set at Avalon Hollywood on Saturday night. Moudaber’s sets are a thrill ride, so prepare to show up early and stay late. Tickets at Ticketweb, with table reservations available.

David Newman conducts the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra for Home Alone in Concert throughout the weekend before Christmas. Hear John Williams’ score for the holiday classic live on Saturday, December 21 and Sunday, December 22 - performances will take place at 2pm and 8pm. Hollywood nerd haven Scum & Villainy will be hosting an Ugly Sweater & Trivia event one hour prior to all four performances. Children ages 2 and older will be allowed into the concerts.