Holiday Happenings




Skating Winding Down

Rec and Parks’ 21th annual ice skating rink in Pershing Square runs through Jan. 21.

The Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square returns downtown through Jan. 21.

It’s the City’s largest outdoor rink, offering visitors professional-quality real ice for skating and entertainment, and welcoming more than 54,000 skaters and 450,000 spectators annually. The rink fosters community while embracing winter fitness and fun.

A portion of the proceeds benefit Rec and Parks.

General admission to the rink is $9; skate rental is an additional $5. Lockers are available. Special group rates are offered Monday through Thursday. Tickets can be bought at the ice rink ticket window or in advance online at www.holidayicerinkdowntownla.com.

Rec and Parks is a sponsor of the event.

Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square

What: Ice-skating rink in Pershing Square
Where: 532 S. Olive St. downtown
When: Every day through Jan. 21
Cost: Regular skate session admission $9; skate rental is $5. Purchase tickets at the rink or in advance at: www.holidayicerinkdowntownla.com. Group rates, private party and special event pricing available.

Hours:
Jan. 1: (New Year’s Day) 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Jan. 2 – Jan. 21: Mon-Thurs.: 11:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m., Fri.-Sat.: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Information: (213) 624.4289
holidayicerinkdowntownla.com




Lights Aglow for Final Week

Holiday Lights at the Zoo continues through Jan. 6.

Photos by Jamie Pham, L.A. Zoo

A new, great L.A. holiday tradition has returned for its fifth year.

L.A. Zoo Lights, which illuminates a dazzling wonderland at the Los Angeles Zoo, concludes its successful fifth season Sunday, Jan. 6.

The after-hours attraction, which requires a separate ticket from the Zoo’s regular day hours, sets the Zoo’s environment aglow with displays, among them tens of thousands of LED lights, flurries of illuminated snowflakes, 3-D animated projections, a musical light-and-water show and glittering light tunnels. A fanciful menagerie of shimmering animal characters brought to “life” include mischievous animated monkeys, a gigantic glowing snake coiled on a roof, animated elephants and much more.

L.A. Zoo Lights creates an atmosphere of wonder and delight unlike anything seen in L.A. before, captivating guests with photo ops galore for an ideal family outing, meet-up with friends or date night.

A self-guided 60- to 90-minute walking tour through select areas of the Zoo – while most L.A. Zoo animal residents are asleep – offers a unique experience that features the only opportunity in Los Angeles to see real reindeer; visits with Santa Claus on select dates; and steaming hot chocolate, irresistible churros and other holiday treats and goodies for sale.

What: L.A. Zoo Lights, an immersive display lights that guests walk through
When: Through Jan. 6
 (nightly, except closed Christmas Eve and Christmas)
Time:
 6 to 10 p.m.
Cost: Requires a separate admission. Prices for 2018: $21.95 adults, $11.95 children (premium nights); $12 adults and children (value nights). Children under age two are free.
Tickets available online: LAZoolights.org
Location: LA Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Griffith Park, 5355 Zoo Dr.
Parking: Free.
Information: (323) 644-6042 or www.LAZoolights.org




Reindeer Ready for Final Romp

Zoo’s Reindeer Romp on display until Jan. 6.

Photos by Jamie Pham, L.A. Zoo

In addition to its big holiday lights festival, the Zoo also offers holiday fun during the day with its annual Reindeer Romp, the only opportunity to see a real live reindeer herd in Los Angeles, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Jan. 6. Guests are invited to make the most of the season with a full day of adventure highlighted by the sight of four wintry visitors – two adults and two adorable youngsters — in their Reindeer Village home. A flurry of other fun on weekends includes holiday crafts for youngsters, talks from keepers, “antler crafts,” and more. All Reindeer Romp activities, except Santa photos, are free with paid Zoo admission, which is $21 for general admission (ages 13 to 61); $18 for seniors (ages 62+), and $16 for children (ages 2 to 12). No ticket is required for children under 2. Zoo admission for Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association members is free.

Daily activity schedules are posted at www.lazoo.org/reindeerromp

What: Reindeer Romp, Los Angeles Zoo: reindeer, holiday fun, visits from Santa Claus
When: Daily through Jan. 6
Time:
 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free (except Santa photos) with paid Zoo admission ($21 for general admission, 13 to 61; $18 for seniors 62-plus), and $16 for children 2 to 12). No ticket is required for children under age two. Admission for Zoo Association members is free.
Location: LA Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Griffith Park, 5355 Zoo Dr.
Parking: Free.
Information: (323) 644-6042 or www.lazoo.org/reindeerromp

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