Recreation The LA.com Guide to Holiday Bliss

Cold as Ice

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire? Not so much. Jack Frost, definitely nowhere in sight. It hasn't snowed in Los Angeles since 1962, so if you're holding out for a blizzard, do yourself a favor and channel the holiday spirit without going to the North Pole.

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Ice at Santa Monica

Winterlit transforms Downtown Santa Monica with Ice, so get your blades (and your mittens) ready. We just hope there's some left.

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Downtown on Ice

Glide underneath the stars or just turn circles like an idiot. We don't care, because no one expects us to skate well anyway.

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Snow Hill

You don't need to take a ski lift to get to the white stuff. You might be able to make a snowball. Maybe even more!

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Culver Ice Arena

Olympic hopefuls and skating newbies gather here to glide their way to the next Winter Games—or the next available arcade game.

Thawed Out

Now that you're frozen, chapped and on crutches perhaps it's time for a little R&R. Live out your log cabin fantasy and warm up at Bigfoot or Saddle Peak Lodge(s), where the fireplaces know your name. Or grab a cup of serious hot chocolate (we're talking heavy cream, melted chocolate-bar-in-a-huge-mug-serious) and think about snow falling on cedars.

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Bigfoot Lodge

Decorated with references to the Pacific Northwest and Sasquatch, this log cabin of a cocktail lounge is for kitsch-loving cads and kittens who want to warm up by the fireplace.

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Luna Park

Big room, small menu, fun drinks and inventive timely treats (caramel apples at Halloween, decorate-your-own cookies at Christmas) make this a culinary playground.

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Saddle Peak Lodge

Rumor has it this beautifully restored log building, more than 100 years old, previously housed everything from a hunting lodge to a bordello. Now it's a restaurant that feels days away from LA, especially in the spring and summer when the patio is lush with foliage and fresh smells of the country.

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Toast

Displaced New Yorkers mix with agency hotheads and low-key celebs at this bakery and restaurant with a lively sidewalk scene. The wait on the weekends is worth it.

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Clementine

A charming neighborhood cafe that offers full breakfast and lunch, as well as delicious drinkables and takeout options.

Huddle Up!

Does the Macy's Day Parade make you nauseous? Well, in defense of your city, hop on the sap wagon and show the world that we can get down like those queer northerners. Who knows, maybe you'll get hosed with some fat free ice shavings. That's SO L.A. Holiday.

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Los Feliz Village Holiday Festival

For creative Angelenos bored with the mall...

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Carolers on Third Street Promenade

You think caroling is strictly for the frozen-hearted? C'mone, you don't need to be an ice queen to sing with the best of them. Or, just listen.

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Hollywood Santa Parade

From the Heart of Hollywood comes the parade that launched a thousand bowls of jelly. Not really, but wouldn't that be cool?

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Old Pasadena Tree Lighting Ceremony

Hall of famer Tommy Lasorda joins Old Pasadena's Tree Lighting Ceremony, Santa's arrival and winter wonderland filled with snow and holiday music.

When Art gets in Your Eyes...

Whether you enjoy raunchy comedic theater or plain ol' crackin' nuts, everybody needs a little art appreciation during the holidays. They also say gift giving is its very own art. We don't care who you are. Get some.

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Recreation