Top Picks for Families – Week of December 20th
How High the Moon: Total Lunar Eclipse!
Griffith Observatory
2800 E. Observatory Road
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(213) 473-0800
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What a better way to get the kiddos into the stars than to watch an astronomical event? Well tonight you have your chance: it's the last lunar eclipse of the decade and the good people at the Griffith Observatory are opening their doors to allow Angelenos to view this amazing event. Admission is free, though the observatory will also offer Planetarium shows for a small fee throughout the evening. Don't miss free lectures, telescope viewing and more!
Date: Monday, Dec. 20, 2010
Time: 8:00 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.
Admission: Free; only for ages 5 and up
Disney on Ice
Honda Center
2695 E Katella Ave
Anaheim, CA 92806
(714) 704-2400
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I just took my son to see Disney on Ice in Los Angeles last week. And it was truly magical. There's something for everyone – including Mickey and Minnie, many-a-princess, Nightmare Before Christmas and Toy Story. Get ready to be taken back into the past, around the world and into a wonderful land of fantasy!
Dates: Dec. 21 – Dec. 26, 2010
Time: Tue 7:30pm; Wed 1pm & 7:30pm; Thu 11:30am, 3:30pm & 7:30pm; Fri 1pm & 4:30pm; Sat 4:30pm; Sun 12n & 3:30pm
Admission: $14-$45; ideal for kids ages 3 – 10 (Advance purchase is recommended).
Sleepy Hollow Christmas Lights
Robert Road and Pacific Coast Highway
Torrance, CA
In an earlier post about Christmas traditions I mentioned that a friend likes to pack up the kids in their PJs with some snacks and find the neighborhoods with the best Christmas lights on Christmas Eve. If you're inclined to try this for yourself, here's a neighborhood suggestion: Sleepy Hollow in Torrance. It's so popular that some prefer to just park and walk the neighborhood. Either way, the look of wonder on the kids' faces will be priceless!
Dates: Now through Christmas
Times: After dark!
Admission: None
Ventura Harbor Village
1583 Spinnaker Drive
Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 642-7753
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Leave it to the good people of Ventura to reinvent the concept of a sleigh ride. Pack up the family for free hot chocolate and cookies aboard a festive boat that cruises along the Ventura Harbor and the Ventura Keys. Why? To see the beautiful Christmas lights, of course! And to get you into the Christmas spirit you'll enjoy holiday music aboard, and can purchase cocktails as well! Private charters are available, as well; call for details.
Dates: Nightly in December
Times: 6 – 7:30 p.m. and 8 – 9:30 p.m.
Admission: $20; Children $10 (Cash only); reservations are required
Nutcracker
Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center
1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd
Redondo Beach, CA
(310) 998-7782
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The window to see this classic holiday favorite is quickly closing. But fortunately, the Los Angeles ballet is making sure you have three more opportunities to get your annual fix of this enchanting tale before the year is out. With mischief, magic, fantasy and humor, the Nutcracker is sure to keep the warm holiday feelings alive.
Dates and times:
Fri., Dec. 24, 2 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 26: 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Time: Fri. 2 p.m.; Sun. 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Admission: $15-$95 (ages 4 and up only)
Christmas Day Bird Hike
Sooky Goldman Nature Center
2600 Franklin Canyon Rd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 858-3834
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Here's something really different to do on Christmas Day. Why not add in some thankful reflection for nature? This state park offers a hike in Franklin Canyon to see the winter birds. Led by a volunteer naturalist, this hike is a great way to work up an appetite for Christmas dinner!
Date: Sat. Dec. 25
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Admission: Free
Family Bike Ride
Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park
28373 Alicia Pkwy.
Laguna Beach, CA 92677
(949) 923-2200
Here's another way to work up an appetite on Christmas Day: a 6-mile bike ride in the beautiful Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. Led by an OC Park Ranger, this scenic bike ride is family-friendly and will provide beautiful canyon views. The ride starts at Ranger Headquarters, Gate 1. Prepare to take in nature and be amazed.
Date: Sat., December 25, 10:00am
Time: 10 a.m.
Admission: $2 per person (parking is $3)
Snow Days!
Kidspace Children's Museum
480 N. Arroyo Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 449-9144
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Have you ever had your kids ask you: "Mommy, what's a snow day?" I have… and it was difficult to explain. Now you can give your kids the snowed in experience thanks to the Kidspace Children's Museum. Let the kiddos make snow angels, build snowmen and have snowball fights. In addition to the snow, the museum offers other holiday-friendly activities including cookie decorating and ornament-making. And the best part? You won't have to shovel yourself out!
Dates: Sun., Dec. 26
Times: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Admission: $10-adults; children under1 are free
