Fun & Free Activities this Weekend for LA Kids: Free Merry-Go-Round Rides, Unsilent Night, and Las Posadas: Dec 15 - 16

12/13/12 - By Toby B

I’m having a slightly hard time keeping track of the dates lately. Because whatever the calendar may say, all I can hear is LESS THAN TWO WEEKS 'TIL CHRISTMAS ALL IS LOST ABANDON HOPE PACK IT IN NOW. Or something to that effect. Luckily, Mommy Poppins is here to help me separate the nuts from the Nutcrackers, to keep me from getting light-headed with all the light displays, and, most importantly, to help put a little booty in my stockings. (I refer, of course, to the final days of our Biggest Holiday Giveaway - one of the many perks of being a Mommy Poppins reader.)

We have enough events this week to fill three or four newsletters. It's only through serious exercise of self-restraint that I've kept this post down to mere Russian novel length; you can find scores of other events on our daily calendar. No doubt things will slow down next week, because that's the week before Christmas and... oh. Well, after that there's Christmas week, which means some serious school break time, and then New Years Eve... I'm sorry, but for the next few weeks we simply have no choice but to provide you with an overabundance of fun, festive, and frequently free activities. If you need a break, I suggest you pencil it in sometime early 2013.

Keep reading for a small sampling of our favorite picks for this weekend...

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

ALL WEEKEND

Metrolink Holiday Toy Express - Multiple Locations
Santa’s train chug-chug-chugs down to Orange County this weekend.

Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream - Downtown
The multi-talented Tiana, Rapunzel, and Cinderella take to the ice in Disney’s latest skating extravaganza.

Daisy Avenue Entertainment Nights - Long Beach
The free entertainment on Daisy Avenue must be pretty good; Santa Claus himself takes time out of his busy schedule to stop by for a listen.

Cruise of Lights - Huntington Beach
It’s an inverse boat parade: the boats are watching the (festively decorated) houses!
 
SATURDAY DECEMBER 15

Gift of Knowledge Holiday Give-Away - Watts
Piccolo's Books presents the second annual Gift of Knowledge Holiday Give-Away, giving away more than 25,000 books and bringing holiday cheer.

Santa Monica Pier Holiday Open House - Santa Monica
Santa Claus visits Santa Monica Pier. He must have heard about the free rides on the merry-go-round!

Malibu Breakfast with Santa - Malibu
How does he do it?!  Santa Claus simultaneously has breakfast in Malibu…

Mrs. Nelson's Breakfast with Santa Claus - La Verne
… and Mrs. Nelson's Toy & Book Shop in LaVerne…

Holiday Kids Club at Waterside, Marina del Rey - Marina del Rey
… meets kids and shoppers at the Waterside, Marina del Rey …

Photos with Japanese-American Santa - Downtown
... and poses for photos at the Japanese American National Museum! (Where he is Japanese-American.)

Holiday Party with Santa Claus - Long Beach
Sure, a party with Santa and Radio Disney Road Crew is cool and all.  But you know what’s beyond awesome? A chance to ride on the Cars Land Float in the Rose Parade.

Annual Holiday Concert & Santa on The Pier - Redondo Beach
Surfin’ Santa checks out the cool tunes on Redondo Pier.

Community Hanukkah Party - The Farmers Market
Guests are asked to bring in a new, unwrapped gift and celebrate the spirit of Hanukkah with crafts, yummy desserts, a candle lighting, and a sing-a-long.

King Harbor Boat Parade - Redondo Beach
It’s the 21st year of Redondo Beach’s boat parade, but Grand Marshall Bo Derek is a perfect ten!

Ventura Harbor Parade of LightsVentura
Ventura Harbor’s boat parade also features fireworks, rides, and games. (Also Friday)

SUNDAY DECEMBER 16

Venice Canals Boat Parade - Venice
The Venice Canals offer a scenic locale for this festive holiday boat parade.

Unsilent Night - Santa Monica
Families become a part of the orchestra by downloading their parts and playing them on their music players of choice (boom box, iPod, etc).

Kids in the Courtyard: Gifts to Delight the Senses - Westwood
In this free workshop, kids invent their own holiday. Can I suggest Moms Rule Day?

Toluca Lake Bike Ride & Holiday Market - Toluca Lake
The holiday fun at the Toluca Lake Farmers Market includes a family bike ride, free petting zoo, and seasonal crafts.

Christmas at Kidseum - Santa Ana
Christmas at Kidseum features hot chocolate, a screening of The Grinch, and a visit from Santa.

Family Flicks: Babes in Toyland (NR) - Westwood
Kids can get a taste of classic cinematic comedy with this black-and-white musical comedy starring Laurel and Hardy.

Western Heritage Family Day: Celebrate the Holidays & Las Posadas - Griffith Park
The holiday celebration at the Autry features Las Posadas, the Mexican tradition in which children portray Mary and Joseph seeking shelter as baby Jesus is about to be born.

Big Sunday's Holiday Party, Sing-a-long & Food/Toy Drive - Hollywood
Big Sunday celebrates the holidays with a sing-a-long, tree decorating, a menorah lighting, and hundreds of delicious sweet treats.

Las Posadas - Downtown
A recreation of Mary and Joseph's search for a "room at the inn" is presented by the Olvera Street merchants, their families, and friends.

Target Free Sunday at MOLAA: Maya Festival - Long Beach
Head on over to the free family day at the Museum of Latin American Art for Sunday’s Maya Festival, with music, live performances, storytelling and art workshops and docent-led tours.

As always, there are many...MANY more activities listed on our daily events calendar. Whatever you choose to do, we hope you have a wonderful weekend. Happy Hanukkah, and don't forget to enter our daily giveaway!