Yes, indeedy, it is ALL about the Holidays and there are plenty of ways to make them happy.  Gilmore Girls fans will love the “Gilmore Girls Holiday Tour.” Holiday Festivities abound at the Original Farmers Market. The “Los Angeles County Arts Holiday Celebration” celebrates our diversity. The “Carols of the Belles Holiday Concert and Party” is perfect for jazz and champagne lovers. “Holiday Cheer” on the Pier is another delight. I thank you, wholeheartedly, for your support this past year and I wish all Tomatoes, and your families, a wonderful holiday and a rip-roaring New Year.  The Three Tomatoes LA Life newsletter will be back in 2020. 

Dec 21 – January 5.  Gilmore Girls Holiday Tour

What could be more delightful way to get into the spirit of the season than by visiting Lorelai and Rory Gilmore’s quaint hometown village of Stars Hollow, which will be bedazzled and adorned for the Holidays. Authentic props, costumes will be on display along with a montage of behind the scenes photos to bring your memory of the series alive.  The village is quite a charmer, Tomatoes, especially at this time of year. 

Imagine strolling through this adorable Connecticut village, enjoying a holiday themed lunch in Lorelai’s yard, peeking inside Luke’s Diner or standing on Sookie’s front porch. You can even buy a cup of Luke’s coffee. And if you are a really big fan of Gilmore Girls or know someone who is, there is exclusive and adorbs merchandise for sale. Love that the tour includes shopping, Tomatoes.

till December 24. Farmers Market Holiday Festivities

The Original Farmers Market welcomes everyone to their “Holiday Festivities” all decked out with Yuletide Decor.  And boy, oh boy, are there oodles of festivities with a great line up of holiday entertainment.  It’s really a great place to visit with family and friends during the Holiday season, Tomatoes.

Strolling Dickensian Yuletide Carolers is a Market tradition and there is also globally inspired seasonal music with a diverse range of musical styles, Christmas Karaoke, arts & crafts and much more.  Their Hanukkah Celebration happens on December 22 with a giant Lego menorah.  So, head to Third and Fairfax because the Original Farmers Market’s “Holiday Festivities” is chock full of the Holiday Spirit, Tomatoes. AND it’s free!

Dec. 24. 60th LA County Arts Holiday Celebration

Not only has the “LA County Holiday Celebration” Los Angeles’ largest multicultural holiday celebration but it is also LA’s longest running (60 Years) Holiday Tradition! The FREE annual LA County Holiday Celebration provides Angelenos, of all ages & backgrounds, the opportunity to come together on Christmas Eve to experience and honor the dynamic and diverse rich cultures of Los Angeles County. The parking is free too, Tomatoes!

During the event, many diverse LA based artists and community groups showcase their marvelous talent and artistry on The Music Center’s iconic Dorothy Chandler Pavilion stage. For 60 years, the board of LA County supervisors have hosted this multi-cultural and multi-generational 3-hour concert, produced by The Los Angeles County Arts Commission and PBS SoCal, with a long line of incredible from performances from multi-talented performers. It’s first come-first serve so arrive early Tomatoes. Can’t make it downtown?  Well then, you can watch the program live from the comfort of your sofa on PBS SoCal. Way to roll LA County!

Dec 22.  Carols of the Belles

To ring in the holidays, the “Carols of the Belles” an intimate jazz concert of standards and holiday favorites, curated by Performance a la Carte, showcases some of LAs finest jazz musicians with vocals from 3-time Grammy nominated Barbara Morrison, the iconic Jamie Perez and equally impressive, Renee Myara. A Holiday Champagne Party will follow the concert. Oooh La La,Tomatoes, a concert and champagne are a great combination.

And I, personally, never say “no” to champagne. The party will also include appetizers, desserts, non-alcoholic punch along with music, dancing, fun holiday improv and the party wraps up with a Holiday Sing-along.  And prior to the performance, drinks and nibbles will be available. The talented musicians behind the 3 jaw-dropping female voices are Michael Ragonese on piano and Danny Janklow on sax and flute and James Yoshizawa on drums. Curator Performance a la Carte is a collaborative arts events producer with a mission to create unique, original live performances utilizing multi-arts genres to showcase the diverse artistic community in the greater Los Angeles, San Gabriel and Crescenta Valley area and to connect the arts with social needs and issues that serve the public interest.

Till Jan 6. Holiday Cheer on the Pier

 “Holiday Cheer on the Pier”, the Santa Monica Pier that is, is inspired and filled with holiday fun for everyone. Many magical events are offered but there are 2 that really stood out to me.  The Loews “Waterfront Wonderland,” with upside down Christmas Trees is a must see and the “Pip and Pop” art installation is so colorful and fantastically colorful and whimsical, Tomatoes, that it is a must see for the kiddoes in your life too.

I mean, how can the “Waterfront Wonderland” not be wonderful.  An upside-down forest of Christmas trees…Really?! Get out of town! Yes, it’s real. The Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel has launched their first ever Waterfront Wonderland experience in the hotel’s atrium and it’s a big wow.  And the historic carousel on the pier and its windows get a utopian holiday makeover with a Candyland-inspired art installation that looks good enough to eat. The one of a kind holiday installation, “Pip and Pop” from renowned Australian artists by the same name, is made up of thousands of tiny handmade colorful, sweet and sparkly objects, and it’s to die for.  The Waterfront Wonderland at Loews is free to hotel guests and NON-Hotel Guests. And the Pip and Pop exhibit is free as well.  Yippee!