The Best Things to Do in Los Angeles this Weekend: Dec. 12-14, 2025

From cultural events to superstar concerts and world-class sports, Discover LA is your go-to source for what's happening in Los Angeles. Be sure to follow @discoverla on Instagram to find out even more about what to do in LA. Read on for the best things to do in LA this weekend, including:

• Sparkle DTLA - The Bloc
• Home Alone in Concert - WDCH
• Western Wonderland - The Autry
• Venice Holiday Sign Lighting - Windward & Pacific
• Pawliday Pet Market - Wallis Annenberg Petspace

Find more events and nearby hotels at the DiscoverLA.com Events Calendar.

Come for the show, stay for the weekend!

Deck the Hall with the Holiday Sing-Along, taking place at Walt Disney Concert Hall on Saturday, December 13. Raise your voices and spirits with hundreds of fellow revelers in this annual holiday tradition that offers fun, cheer, and festive music for the whole family! Hosted by Melissa Peterman and conducted by John Sutton, the Holiday Sing-Along features the Hall’s massive pipe organ, a choir, and a jazz combo leading a selection of seasonal favorites. Performances at 11:30am and 2:30pm.

The holiday magic comes early to Los Angeles, as Center Theatre Group welcomes Tony, GRAMMY and Emmy Award winner Ben Platt for an electrifying two-week residency at the Ahmanson Theatre! Originally directed by Tony Award winner Michael Arden (Parade), Ben Platt: Live at the Ahmanson marks a homecoming as Platt returns to the very stage and city that launched his theatrical career (Dead End; Caroline, or Change).

For 10 performances only from December 12–21, Platt and a star-studded set of special guests join forces to perform a dazzling new concert of some of his greatest hits, as well as a set of timeless Broadway favorites. Platt's 2024 Broadway residency was a veritable Who’s Who of Broadway and pop music royalty, including Cynthia Erivo, Nicole Scherzinger, Jennifer Hudson, Kacey Musgraves, Sam Smith, Micaela Diamond, and Shoshana Bean, among many others. For his LA run Platt is upping the ante with even more incredible surprise guests joining the fun each night.

Gustavo Gimeno conducts the LA Phil and Renaud Capucon plays violin on December 12, 13 and 14 for performances of Mozart’s Third Violin Concerto and Sibelius’ Symphony No. 1 in E minor.

The biannual LA NDN Flea - A Native Market is happening on Saturday, December 13 in the East West Bank Plaza at The Broad. Shop original art, jewelry and more from indigenous makers. The event will also include family-friendly activities, DJs and a free poster featuring the work of Jeffrey Gibson. There’s no cover to attend and your reservation will also include access to The Broad’s current exhibition Robert Therrien: This is a Story.

Costumes are encouraged for Secret Movie Club’s swingin’ ‘60s double feature of Barbarella and Danger: Diabolik on Saturday, December 13, which will also be the screening series’ holiday party. Barbarella screens at 10am, while Danger: Diabolik will be at 1pm. Single film and double feature passes are available.

After an eight year hiatus, singer-songwriter Casey Dienel (White Hinterland) recently dropped their new full-length album, My Heart Is an Outlaw, in October and will be celebrating the release on Saturday, December 13, at Scribble in Highland Park. Tickets at Dice.

Starring Will Ferrell in the title role, the Jon Favreau-directed Christmas classic, Elf will be screening at Hollywood Forever on Saturday, December 13 during a special Cinespia holiday bash that will include live music, DJ sets before and after the movie, plus a special appearance from Santa Claus at the free Photobooth.

KROQ’s Almost Acoustic Christmas returns to Kia Forum on Saturday, December 13 with a lineup that includes Third Eye Blind, Evanescence, Papa Roach, Social Distortion, Rise Against, The All-American Rejects, Yellowcard, The paradox and Wet Leg.

Colombian rock greats Aterciopelados are touring in support of their latest album, Genes Rebeldes. Catch them at The Regent on Saturday, December 6.

Mexican ska favorites Tijuana No! head to Boyle Heights on Saturday, December 6 for an all-ages show at The Paramount. Tickets at Dice.

Physical media fest Analog Outlaw returns to 2220 Arts + Archives on Saturday, December 6, with three rooms full of vinyl, VHS, magazines and oh so many books. Vendors for the 18+ event include indie label Yoga Records, horror zine Midnight Companions, MutMuz Gallery and many more.

On Saturday, December 6, The Autry presents the Western Wonderland Holiday Extravaganza from 11am to 5pm.

Take a Photo with Santa Claus

• 1-3pm: Autry Members Only
• 3-5pm: General Public and Members

Santa's Christmas Village

• Kids Crafts and Games - Create your own holiday ornament
• Candy Playland bouncy house and slide on The Autry backlot
• Ice Castle bouncy house on The Autry backlot
• Holiday classics and Americana performed live by Michael Sullivan
• Hot cocoa, apple cider, holiday cookies and treats available for purchase

Glitterbox, the famed international house and disco party, heads to Los Angeles on Saturday, December 6, for a night at Avalon Hollywood with DJs Louie Vega, Heidi Lawden, Yasmin, Shaun Ross and more to be announced.

For holiday shopping in the San Fernando Valley head to the Village Holiday Market at Los Angeles Valley College on Saturday, December 6. In addition to 100+ vendors, the event will include plenty of photo ops with afternoon visits from Santa Claus, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman.

Spanning Windward Avenue at Pacific, the Venice Sign is a modern-day replica of the original that was installed in 1905 by Abbot Kinney, the legendary founder of the "Venice of America."

Now in its 14th year, the Venice Sign Holiday Lighting has become a beloved tradition, when the Venice Sign's lights change from white to red and green for the holidays. Windward Avenue east of Pacific Avenue will be closed for the free, family-friendly event, which will take place from 6pm to 9pm on Saturday, December 6. The festivities start at 6:15pm on Windward and the holiday lighting is scheduled for 8pm.

Looking for the perfect holiday gift for your fur baby? Check out the local vendors at the Pawliday Pet Market, taking place at the Wallis Annenberg Petspace from 11am to 3pm on Saturday, December 6. Shop for everything from gourmet dog treats to eco-friendly pet care products to art and accessories. Santa will also be at the Petspace for photo ops.

Craft Contemporary’s annual Makers Market brings together artists and artisans like Cassell Ceramics, Grumpy Chocolatier, Hecho By Caye and more for a weekend of shopping and crafting at the museum. In addition to the marketplace, Craft Contemporary will host holiday project workshops, some of which are free to attend. Admission to the Makers Market is included with the museum entrance fee on Saturday and on Sunday it's Pay-What-You-Wish. There’s also a ticketed preview party on Friday, December 5, that’s open to both members and non-members.

For the vintage clothing lover in your life, the perfect gift could be waiting at A Current Affair, the pop up vintage marketplace that returns to Melrose Avenue on December 6 and 7. The show takes place from noon to 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday, but preview tickets will allow entry as early as 10am on Saturday morning. Weekend passes are also available.

Say Anything and Motion City Soundtrack bring their co-headlining tour to The Wiltern on Sunday, December 7. Opening the night is Oso Oso.

It’s time for A Drag Queen Christmas! The long-running tour returns to the Dolby Theatre for its 2025 run. This time around, Nina West hosts a night of performances by Lexi, Shea Coulee, Jewels Sparkles, Crystal Methyd, Suzie Toot, Lydia B Kollins and Brooke Lynn Hytes. VIP Meet & Greet packages are available.

For the best guide to what's happening in Los Angeles, visit the Discover LA Events Calendar and book your stay today!