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Weekday Event Picks for LA Kids: Merry Christmas & Happy Kwanzaa! December 15-26

12/22/14 - By Jacqueline Stansbury

Christmas is nearly here. If, like me, you enjoy catching a Nutcracker during the holiday season, there are still a few opportunities to do that. For families who celebrate Hanukkah or something else and do not consider December 25 a reason for everything to be closed, head to the Zimmer Museum. It’s open. Meanwhile, the winter holidays continue with the commencement of Kwanzaa on Friday. This is a week-long celebration of African American culture and identity. Your kids have probably learned all about it at school, but if they want to know more or if this something your family observes, check out Pretend City on Friday.

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1. Cruise of Lights – Monday

The boats are dark, but the houses are brightly lit in Huntington Harbor. Bundle up for an illuminating Christmas cruise.

2. The Nutcracker – Tuesday

Check out this holiday classic at Bob Baker’s Marionette Theatre, The Pasadena Ballet or Irvine.

3. 55th L.A. County Holiday Celebration – Wednesday

An event so free that even the parking is comped. The Board of Supervisors hosts the annual arts celebration of LA’s diversity at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Choirs, music, and dance are also broadcast live on PBS for those who cannot make it to DTLA for the free performances on the plaza.

4. Zimmer Museum – Thursday

The Zimmer children’s museum is open for fun on Christmas day. It is advisable to purchase tickets in advance.

5. Kwanzaa at Pretend City – Friday

The week of Kwanzaa begins on the 26th. Pretend City in Irvine offers a different Kwanzaa event each day through Tuesday December 30th, starting with the lighting of the Kinara on Friday.

As always, there's plenty more fun to be found on our daily events calendar. Have a wonderful week, and a wonderful holiday!

About the Author

Jacqueline Stansbury
A native Angeleno, Jackie enjoys revisiting her childhood as a mom and writer for Mommy Poppins. She did a lot of cool stuff as a kid and has newfound respect for her own mom who made that happen without the internet! Today in Los Angeles, some things are gone, some have changed and some, like the grunion, remain exactly the same. In her former life, Jackie was a development executive on the Fox Studios lot where she rounded up writer/director lists and covered screenplays. Mommy Poppins is much more fun. Jackie's kids, Benjamin and Juliet, agree.
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